Downtown Issue # 33 – November, 2018
Posted by admin on November 9, 2018Downtown
A Quarterly Publication of The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches
c/o Historic First Lutheran Church, 808 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104
DowntownChurches@aol.com
Issue #33– November, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE:
- WELCOME!
- MISSION STATEMENT
- DEDICATED IN LOVING MEMORY
- THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN
- IN OUR PRAYERS
- WELCOME TO THE GREAT DOWNTOWN!
- AND GOD’S BLESSINGS
- CONGRATULATIONS
- YOUR THOUGHTS?
- WHAT ABOUT US?
- SPOTLIGHT ON PORTLAND, OR
- SPOTLIGHT ON ST. LOUIS, MO
- SPOTLIGHT ON PORTLAND, OR
- SPOTLIGHT ON PASADENA, CA
- SPOTLIGHT ON PORTLAND, OR
- SPOTLIGHT ON PASADENA, CA
- CLOSING
WELCOME!
A warm welcome to this issue of “Downtown,” a newsletter full of interchange and exchange between downtown Lutheran churches around our great country. As your editor, it’s my hope you’ll find this a helpful, powerful resource to further equip and empower your ministry in the great downtown. As your editor, I can only accomplish that goal when you respond to the content of this newsletter and feed me information about what’s going on with your own particular ministry. Responses, comments, constructive criticisms, etc. can be sent to DowntownChurches@aol.com .
MISSION STATEMENT
“The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches celebrates the mission and ministry of the Lord through congregations in downtown neighborhoods, sharing and developing ideas and programs by communicating, networking and encouraging one another.”
DEDICATED IN LOVING MEMORY
This issue of “Downtown” is lovingly dedicated in memory of The Reverend David A. Preisinger (9/8/1926 – 7/15/2018). He served as pastor of First Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Washington, D.C. from 1973-1983. He additionally served ministries in Baltimore, MD; Honolulu, HI; Seattle, WA; Otjmbigwe, Nambia; Livingston, CA; and Florence, OR.
Pastor Preisinger is survived by Lois, his wife of 68 years; 5 children; 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Our prayers surround them!
If you have suggestions for future issues of “Downtown” to be dedicated in memory of other great veterans of downtown ministry, please contact DowntownChurches@aol.com .
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN
A quick survey was conducted early this summer about whether “Downtown” should continue. Overall the thoughts were that “Downtown” has been useful and idea-generating through the years. Many commented that even if a more occasional electronic distribution is pursued, they would desire that this resource not be discontinued.
There you have it, folks. And here you have it.
IN OUR PRAYERS
Please include in your personal and corporate prayers the following vacant, calling downtown ministries:
First Lutheran (ELCA), downtown San Diego, CA
St. Paul Lutheran (LCMS), downtown Austin, TX (pastor)
Trinity Lutheran (LCMS), downtown Memphis, TN (pastor)
If you have a vacancy you desire added to our prayers please send notice to DowntownChurches@aol.com .
WELCOME TO THE GREAT DOWNTOWN!
Because it has been quite some time since “Downtown” was distributed, some of these “new” pastorates in the downtown are dated, but it is always important to welcome our new co-workers in the great downtown:
The Reverend Katherine Chatelaine-Samsen was ordained into the Holy Ministry and installed as Associate Pastor of Mission and Outreach at First Trinity Lutheran in downtown Washington, D.C. on Thursday 6 September 2018.
The Reverend Brad Beckman became the pastor of First Good Shepherd Lutheran in downtown Las Vegas, NV on 7 January 2018.
The Rev. David Hanssen was installed as Assistant Pastor for Christian Education and Youth Ministry at First English Lutheran in downtown Pittsburgh, PA on 19 November 2017.
The Reverend Doug Kallesen now serves as Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran in downtown Orlando, FL.
AND GOD’S BLESSINGS
With grateful appreciation, the Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches joins with the members of St. Paul Lutheran in downtown Austin, TX, in thanking The Reverend Dr. Mark S. Nuckols for his 15 years of visionary, faithful leadership. Dr. Nuckols has accepted a position as Director of the Pastoral Care Advisory Team for the U. S. Army Chief of Chaplains in Washington, D.C. We wish Dr. Nuckols God’s every blessing in his new position!
CONGRATULATIONS
On Sunday 16 September, Historic Trinity Lutheran in downtown Detroit, MI recognized the 25th Anniversary of the Ordination of its pastor, The Reverend D. Lee Andrzejewski. Pastor Andrzejewski has served as Senior Pastor of Historic Trinity since 2015. We add our best wishes for many more years of fruitful ministry for Pastor Andrzejewski!
And the members of St. John Lutheran Church Chapel in Colonie (Albany), NY recently honored The Reverend Jo Page on her 25th Anniversary of Ordination. We add our best wishes for many more years of fruitful ministry for Pastor Page!
YOUR THOUGHTS?
“We need churches everywhere there are people but the people of the world are moving into cities much faster than the church is statistically.” – Timothy Keller
WHAT ABOUT US?
Hasn’t your ministry been spotlighted in “Downtown”? Or has it been a while?
Are you sure that you are feeding information regularly to DowntownChurches@aol.com ? We rely upon the information we receive from those laboring in the downtown! What you are doing does not have to be “over-the-top” spectacular to be spotlighted. The whole purpose of our “spotlight” feature is to support and encourage you in what you are doing and inspire others to walk in your example!
SPOTLIGHT ON PORTLAND, OR
This past summer, Portland Central Nazarene Church built 15 tiny houses on their property at 97th and SE Powell. The houses will be used for transitional housing for folks 55 and older who are trying to get off the streets, providing a place to be stabilized and assistance in obtaining permanent housing. The tiny homes were constructed from re-purposed materials. Solar powered batteries provide light and cell phone charging. A communal shower and laundry pod was built and gray water will be re-purposed.
Check out portlandcentralnaz.org/agapevillage for more information.
SPOTLIGHT ON St. Louis, MO
On the 6th of each month, volunteers from Historic Trinity Lutheran in downtown St. Louis take responsibility for cooking and serving over 100 persons at neighboring Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Community in the Soulard neighborhood.
What does your church do in co-operation with other churches (Lutheran or non-Lutheran) in your neighborhood / community to serve others? Send your stories to DowntownChurches@aol.com .
A member of the LCMS, more information about Historic Trinity Lutheran’s outreach to downtown St. Louis can be found at trinitystlouis.com .
SPOTLIGHT ON PORTLAND, OR
Just about every downtown church faces the challenge of parking. (Just as a reminder: it is most important that available parking details are regularly communicated to members via bulletin and newsletter announcements and also posted on your website and voice mail message so that visitors know about parking.)
First Immanuel Lutheran in downtown Portland recently included a substantial update in its newsletter, clearly communicating the fact that Sunday street parking is free, while also communicating local businesses where the church has arranged parking privileges. First Immanuel asked that its own lot be reserved on Sundays for those with mobility issues. During the week, First Immanuel purchases parking passes for its staff to park on the street, thus freeing up spaces in the parking lot for members who drop by. In addition, First Immanuel announced game days when the neighboring Timbers were playing, further exacerbating the parking challenge. These are all incredibly helpful, creative ideas!
How has your downtown church met the parking challenge? Send your stories to DowntownChurches@aol.com .
A member of the ELCA, more information about First Immanuel Lutheran’s outreach to downtown Portland can be found at firstimmanuelluth.org .
SPOTLIGHT ON PASADENA, CA
Many of our downtown church buildings are true architectural masterpieces, designed and constructed when church buildings were built to be more than simple utilitarian or multi-purpose generic gathering places. Most of our gems are unknown (even forgotten) by fellow Lutherans, much less by the greater Christian community.
To that end, in honor of the congregation’s 125th Anniversary and 80th Anniversary of its landmark church building, Pastor Christopher Schaar authored A Sermon in Stucco, Wood, and Stone: The Symbolism of Historic First Lutheran.
The book starts the story of the church building standing at street elevation outside and walks all the way through the Sanctuary right up to the Altar, telling about ALL the symbolism hidden in the building itself . There are 33 color photos (plus the cover compilation of all the stained glass) as well as some 15,000 words (78 pages) and over 150 Scripture references. The book’s forward was written by The Rev. Dr. Leroy “Skip” Vogel, retired Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, who also served as theological advisor. Much more than a pictorial history, one reader commented that this book is an excellent primer in basic Christian theology through the lens of one particular church building.
All profits benefit the Endowment Fund of Historic First Lutheran.
Autographed copies are available directly from the author for $20.00 (shipping included) at firstpasa@aol.com or from Amazon for $25.00.
A member of the LCMS, more information about Historic First Lutheran’s outreach to downtown Pasadena can be found at historicfirstlutheran.org .
SPOTLIGHT ON PORTLAND, OR
Located at the strategic corner of 18th and SW Salmon in downtown Portland, OR, Zion Lutheran believes in taking the church out of the building. On a regular basis, Zion hosts “Concerts in the Courtyard.” The recent September event advertised “Free Music. Free Pizza.” Members of the church are invited, but the main focus is to get neighbors to walk through Zion’s wrought iron gate and enjoy a delightful evening of music and friendship.
What non-worship community outreach gathering ideas has your church employed? Send your stories to DowntownChurches@aol.com .
A member of the LCMS, more information about Zion Lutheran’s outreach to downtown Portland can be found at zion-portland.org .
SPOTLIGHT ON PASADENA, CA
What happens when the city’s annual Latino Heritage Parade (with an estimated attendance of 25,000), passes by a downtown church (the only church on the parade route)?
Historic First Lutheran opens up its doors, puts up a banner announcing “Church Open for Prayer,” calls out its strong volunteers to set up tables and chairs on the church patio and passes out free coffee, bottled water, soda, and bags of chips.
What non-worship community outreach gathering ideas has your church employed? Send your stories to DowntownChurches@aol.com .
A member of the LCMS, more information about Historic First Lutheran’s outreach to downtown Pasadena can be found at historicfirstlutheran.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