August 2010
Though it has been a fixture on the news for quite some time,
the oil disaster in the gulf is beginning to be declared
"fixed", and soon the cameras will turn away while many are
still struggling. Let us keep those people and all life that
has been impacted by this crisis in our prayers. Here are
selections from a letter from our Presiding Bishop, Rev. Mark
Hanson (find the full message
here):
Sisters and brothers in
Christ,
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is both heartbreaking and
infuriating. It causes deep sorrow, both for the initial loss of
human life and for the deep and lasting damage to an ecology
that provides life and livelihoods for so many of God's
creatures. At the same time we grieve that the natural beauty of
this region, a sign of God's marvelous creativity, has been
defiled.Moving to
indignation and anger over the neglect and carelessness that led
to this disaster, both in private industry and in government
regulation, is understandable. However, to do so without
recognizing the responsibility we all share -- as consumers of
petroleum products, as investors in an economy that makes
intensive and insistent energy demands, and as citizens
responsible for the care of creation -- lacks credibility and
integrity. An honest accounting of what happened (and what
failed to happen) must include our own repentance.
Nonetheless, God remains
faithful in restoring the creation and human community. Among
the voices that despair and condemn, we have a witness of hope
to proclaim.
...Responding to a challenge of this size and complexity will
call upon countless insights and skills, embodied in hundreds of
occupations and trades, and upon the collective strength and
will of us all. God's Holy Spirit has abundantly blessed the
human community with the gifts needed to do this work. We can do
it with sober confidence, good will and even joy.
In God's grace,
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
If you are interested in supporting efforts to clean up the
Gulf or to help families affected by this tragedy, please look
to our church's homepage
here for more information.
Lifeline Screening- August 9th, 8:00am to 5:15pm
Lifeline Screening, a company that specializes in low-cost
medical testing, will be set up in the Fellowship Hall on August
9th. They will bring in ultrasound equipment to help provide
direction for medical treatment. If you are interested, you
must make an appointment by calling 1-800-636-0418.
Women's Picnic- August 24th, 6:30pm at Schendlingers' home
The annual Women's Picnic will be August 24th at the
Schendlingers. If you are interested in attending, please call
Barb Schendlinger so they can make sure to have plenty of food.
Feel free to check out St. Bart's calendar here or
go to the website homepage here.
 St.
Bartholomew is a member of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the New
Jersey Synod of the ELCA. Click on either name for
more information. If you or someone you know is interested about
learning more about Christianity or Lutheranism, please click here or here.
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