KEN MEDEMA: A Concert for Christian Unity

Well, it's finally happened! The event we've been publicizing and anticipating without pause for the past three months has come and gone. In just a few short hours, all that we had hoped would happen had taken place - and I could do little more than stand, dazed and amazed at the event. It was a bit like standing in the middle of the dozens of unwrapped packages on Christmas morning.

Ken in action!

Ken and Bev, his manager, were just delightful, gracious and fun. Rick had a challenge in getting the sound system working after some construction workers had dis-assembled its major connections but he kept his cool and made it work. Whew! That was close!

As I watched folks singing and dancing together - with joyful, careless disregard for denominational or theological differences - I realized that we were experiencing a foretaste of the feast to come.

It was a wondrous celebration of Christian unity on the occasion of the 490th anniversary of the Reformation. I think (hope) that, looking down on this assembly, Luther smiled in satisfaction saying something like, "Now THAT'S what I intended to accomplish"! Amen.

Pastor Sue

A Visit from Larry Rasmussen

Dr. Larry L. Rasmussen, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics, Emeritus, from Union Seminary, New York, was with us the weekend of October 18-21, first to participate in a panel discussion at the U of M's Conference on Religion and Climate Change, then for worship and an afterword and to deliver the 22nd Kauper lecture on Sunday.

It was a beautiful fall weekend, a great time to reflect on God's call to stewardship of creation and to celebrate the baptism of Norah Ann LeCloux. Sometimes, I wish there were a little camera on my shoulder during baptisms. Norah was remarkably attentive as I spoke and I found myself thinking that those who were in any position other than mine were losing out. What a privilege it is to preside at the Sacrament!


Pastor Sue