The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches

SIXTH GATHERING IS IN THE PLANNING STAGES!

The Sixth Gathering of the Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches will be hosted by Historic Grace Lutheran in Springfield, IL from Friday 12 October through Sunday 14 October 2012.  Please mark this on your calendars!

It’s exciting to report that we have received confirmation that The Reverend Dr. Stephen P. Bouman, Executive Director of Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will be our extended presenter on Saturday 13 October!

In addition, the Superintendent of the Lincoln Home Historic Site (the national park in which Historic Grace finds itself located) will bring greetings and talk about the relationship between Historic Grace and the national park and what that means for Downtown Springfield.  A visit to the Lincoln home and Lincoln Museum is also being planned.

Within walking distance (or short driving distance) of Historic Grace are located the State Capitol of Illinois, the Lincoln Library, the Old State Capitol (site of the candidacy announcements for Presidents Lincoln and Obama) and Oak Ridge Cemetery, where President Lincoln and his family are buried.

This gathering will prove to be one you will not want to miss!  Please plan and budget now to attend this gathering!  Formal registration packets will be mailed early summer, 2012.

SPOTLIGHT ON SITKA, AK

That’s right! Sitka, Alaska has made its way into the “Downtown” Spotlight!

With a 2011 Population of 8,773, Sitka may seem like nothing compared with cities like Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, but Sitka does indeed have a very well defined downtown.  Very prominent on the downtown Sitka skyline (and specifically mentioned in every tourist guide) is St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral.  Across the street is Sitka Lutheran Church.

Downtown Sitka comes alive during the summer months as cruise ships tender passengers to the docks.  Gift shops and restaurants are crowded.  A line of tourists forms outside St. Michael’s (entrance fee is $5.00).  Sitka Lutheran staffs its church with volunteers and welcomes people in (for free), offering use of its restrooms (a public convenience not found across the street at St. Michael’s).

Trained volunteer tour guides warmly welcome every tourist who walks through the door of Sitka  Lutheran, not only telling them about the rich history of the church (established in 1840 by approval of the Russian Czar Nicholas I, who also granted a perpetual land deed to the congregation) and encouraging them to peruse the artifacts on display, but also inviting any musician to play its impressively handmade 1844 Kessler Organ #45, the first pipe organ on the West Coast of North America.

What a lesson to be learned!  While many midweek downtown visitors find our churches locked and secured, Sitka Lutheran has mastered the “open door” policy, even serving freshly popped popcorn in the afternoons.

A member of the ELCA, more information about Sitka Lutheran’s outreach to downtown Sitka can be found at www.sitkalutheranchurch.org .

SPOTLIGHT ON PASADENA, CA

Urban dwellers often idolize their pets.  What better way to connect with the people living in the neighborhoods around our churches than to plan a regular event just for their pets?

Such was the thinking of Deacon John Ochetti from Historic First Lutheran Church.  Noting the popularity of its annual “Blessing of the Animals” (which Historic First actually celebrates not on St. Francis Day but on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, since its Palm Sunday procession recreates the original procession into Jerusalem, complete with sheep and goats and a donkey), Deacon Ochetti has established a “Doggie Ministry” on the first and third Saturday of every month.  During this hour-long “ministry,” licensed and inoculated dogs enjoy running around the two-acre field while their human “parents” enjoy fellowship time (during which Deacon Ochetti regularly introduces theological topics and invites people to worship).  New members and regular worshipers have been realized from this unique “ministry.”

A member of the LCMS, more information about Historic First Lutheran’s outreach to downtown Pasadena can be found at www.historicfirstlutheran.org .

SPOTLIGHT ON SAN FRANCISCO, CA AND PORTLAND, OR

Many of our large downtown church facilities are used by a number of other organizations (sometimes for free; sometimes for a rental fee).  There is often a very noticeable divide separating the congregation from these other organizations.  Two downtown churches are making admirable efforts to bridge and erase that divide.

Bethel Grace Lutheran Ministries sponsors an After School Program, largely attended by non-member children.  These 29 families have been invited to attend the Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon following worship on Sunday 20 November.  Church members are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share, giving them a wonderful opportunity to warmly welcome these families and meet the children benefitting from this program.  A member of the LCMS, more information about Bethel Grace Lutheran Ministries’ outreach to downtown San Francisco can be found at www.bethelgrace.com/BethelGraceLutheranMinistries .

The Portland Symphonic Girlchoir practices in the Fellowship Hall of Zion Lutheran every Monday and Tuesday afternoons.  The 130 singers of the Girlchoir were invited to share their musical gifts during the 11:00 a.m. morning worship service at Zion on Sunday 13 November.  A member of the LCMS, more information about Zion Lutheran’s outreach to downtown Portland can be found at www.zion-portland.org .

CLOSING

In closing, my sisters and brothers in Christ, my wish for each of you is simple: KEEP PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON FOR HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.  As you preach Jesus, may He bless you in all ways, enabling you to continue to bless those around you!

Joined with you serving Christ and His people,

The Reverend Christopher Schaar
Editor
Senior Pastor, Historic First Lutheran, Pasadena, CA