LCH E-News—August 5, 2010

From Pastor Jeff

Not those Christians

In this morning’s paper noted columnist Leonard Pitts reported that Anne Rice, vampire author, recently recanted her return to the Roman Catholic Church and has given up on organized Christianity. Quoting Rice, he writes, “It’s simply impossible for me to ‘belong’ to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group.” Pitts then continues, “Somehow, hostility to science, gays, Muslims, and immigrants became the very meaning of faith.” He further notes that 10% fewer people self identify as Christians than did 20 years ago. He sees a connection.

As I read Pitts’ article in which he notes a disturbing public correlation between Christianity and the Conservative GOP platform, I began to get a little hot under the clergy collar. As an ELCA Lutheran, I know we have a long way to go in our journey with Christ, but the church from which Anne Rice and lots of others seem to be running is not the church I know, love, and serve. Somehow, the ELCA and other churches who refuse to throw every non-white, non-heterosexual, non-literalist, forward thinking person or idea under the wheels of the evangelical bus have been lumped into the same pot with the likes of Oral Roberts and James Dobson. We are painted by the evangelical right as a dying anachronism and white-washed by the national press with a generic label “Christian.” Those getting the press are the ones who cry foul against gay marriage and civil unions because it “tarnishes marriage” and “grieves God.” But when the ELCA Churchwide Assembly finally celebrates the ordination of gay pastors in life-long committed relationships, the focus of the press is on the “huge” (not!) number of churches fleeing the ELCA as a result. We are ignored for our exemplary work in international relief, for cutting edge work in race relations, for our contribution to global peace, and the millions of hours of volunteer work to bring hope to the houseless, the hungry, the aged, and the lonely.

It seems to me that the ELCA, Episcopalians, Methodists, and other mainline Christian churches need to stand up and be counted. We need to be counted for what we do believe. We believe in love, grace, justice, the presence of God, faith, scripture, God’s enduring and inescapable presence, the sanctity of faithful relationships of every kind, an end to violence and hunger, responsible stewardship of earth and her resources, mutual care for those in need, beauty, standing together in even the deepest and most unbearable pain, and dancing together in the deepest and unbearable joy. That is the church I know, love, and serve. We are not perfect, but we are not even striving for perfection. Rather, we look to God in hope and see our ministry in the cross of Christ.

To Anne Rice and others who have given up on organized religion because it is “quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous”: please don’t throw us under the bus. We are not necessarily those kinds of Christians. To those Christian churches caught in the shadow of an unpleasant and destructive religious minority, let’s step into the light and make Christ known.

Pr. Jeff

Joseph Fala Senior Recital

Saturday, August 7, 2010, 5:00 PM, Central Union Church

At the age of five, Joey Fala had no idea that he could ever one day be able to play the organ—an instrument that sparked his interest after hearing one played as he attended Holy Nativity School in Aina Haina as a pre-schooler.

When he began kindergarten at ‘Iolani School, he heard the organ played at weekly chapel services and was further amazed that a massive instrument of such magnitude with numerous knobs, keyboards, pedals, with the capability to produce such majestic music was under the complete control of just one person.

As a fifth grader, his homeroom and chorus teachers introduced him to chapel organist, Katherine Crosier, who helped him secure scholarships for organ study from the American Guild of Organists and the Morning Music Club.

Joey Fala just graduated with the Class of 2010 from ‘Iolani School and was given the prestigious Bishop’s Award for unselfish service to school, church and community. Dr. Val Iwashita, headmaster, called him “a gifted organist, one of the best in the State.” He has been the Organ Scholar at Central Union Church since January 2008.

On Saturday, August 7 at 5:00 PM at Central Union Church, Joey Fala will present a Senior Recital, culminating seven years of organ study with Katherine Crosier, before he leaves Hawaii to study architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. The program will include music by Stanley, Franck, Bach, Hebble, and Messiaen.

The recital is free and open to the public. Further information may be obtained by calling 722-2061.

POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY

Good Food, good people, good fun!

Fellowship will host a picnic themed potluck this Sunday, August 8th, to say goodbye to the one service worship format before resuming the traditional two worship service format. Please plan on joining in the luncheon right after the 9:15 am service.

We will provide some chicken and beverages and if you’d like to contribute to the picnic meal, please consider finger foods and other traditional picnic goodies with the following guidelines if your last name starts with:

See you there, and remember to wear sunscreen!

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