“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you.” (Philippians 1:3). With these words, Paul began his letter to the community of Christians who gathered in Philippi. Paul wrote of the faithfulness of this community. He wrote of his gratitude for their witness, for their generosity and for their friendship.
If you were to go to northern Greece today, to the place where the city of Philippi once stood, buried in the ground would be just a few ruins from Christian basilicas. Very few tangible things from Paul’s Philippian church remain there, but the faithfulness and witness of that community has endured. Two thousand years later we are still transformed, taught and encouraged by the courageous witness of that community in Philippi. Their buildings might be lost, but through the work of God their faith is continuously found and their witness continually heard.
As you will read in Pat Klatt’s report, with sadness and hope members of this congregation voted on June 7th to close our ministry here in North Plainfield. This decision came after extensive and prayerful deliberation by the Task Force, Council and members of St. Peter’s. It was not an easy decision, but one which names the realities that we face and faithfully responses to the challenges.
As I think of your work in response to the many challenges, I echo the words of Paul: “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you.” I do, indeed, give thanks to God for this community. I am humbled and amazed by your faithful work throughout these past months. Your witness of what it means to be the church, your care and support of one another, your commitment to God’s mission and trust in God’s guidance has been a bold testimony.
Like that community in Philippi, the witness of St. Peter’s will endure even beyond our building. Even as our ministry ends in North Plainfield, the ministry of this community and its witness will continue. Your faithfulness and generosity already has given birth to countless ministries, has impacted the lives of hundreds of people. And through the Spirit’s work, this will only multiply.
I sometimes think about what it would look like if we made a map with pins marking all of all the people and places who have been touched and transformed by the faithful witness of St. Peter’s. We’d have pins placed in Chile from our support of EPES; pins in Long Island and New England and Rahway where pastors who were raised here are serving the church; pins all over the world from people who received one of our quilts; pins in New Jersey from people who heard the stories of Jesus in Sunday School; pins in Pennsylvania and Arizona, Colorado and South Carolina; pins in Warren, Dunellen, South Plainfield, and of course, here in North Plainfield.
In it’s 115 years of ministry, through it’s faithful witness, compassionate service, and bold generosity, God has used St. Peter’s to change the lives of individuals and communities. Our closing does not change this, and our ending does not end this. God has used this community and will continue to use its witness to transform, teach and encourage people in ways we cannot yet imagine, for generations to come.
The coming months will not be easy as we work to sell the building, determine our legacy and plan our closing celebration. There is much to grieve. In this, we can rest assured in God’s care for us and for this community. We can rely upon the people of God in other congregations of this Church who journey with us and who will welcome us. We know that God will bring new life and possibility out of even this. And we can trust that the witness of St. Peter’s will continue in ways beyond our imagining. I, for one, am forever changed and encouraged by your witness. “I will always thank my God every time I think of you....”
The June meeting of St. Peter’s Church Council was held on June 1st at the home of Pat Klatt, Council President. Pastor Sara opened with a reading from Romans 8:12-17, and conversation, and prayer.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor sara reported on her continuing conversation with pastor Joseph Nzeketha who remains interested in purchasing our building should we decide to sell it. She also reported on her conversation with Paul murray who is one of the realtors recommended by the New Jersey Synod. Lynn Blenderman and pastor Sara will be attending the New Jersey Synod Assembly, June 5-6, in East Brunswick.
Committee Reports: Christian Education reported that Sunday School met for the last Sunday on May 31st and planted flowers on the Mercer side of the building. Thanks to all Sunday School teachers and students. Property reported that permits have been approved by the town for the installation of the fire alarm system. That will move forward in the coming weeks. Future Task Force updated the council on their continued work and presented resolutions for consideration.
Old Business: Council approved Pastor’s summer vacation time. Discussed Town Hall Meeting from May 17th, grateful for those who attended, and for the feedback and sharing that happened at that meeting.
New Business: Authorized bills to be paid over the summer. It was decided that we would meet over the summer if it was necessary. Primary work of this meeting was discussing and considering the resolutions presented by the Future Task Force. After much discussion, and a slight amendment, the council unanimously approved the resolutions from the Future task Force which were to be presented at the Special Congregational Meeting on June 7th. (Read the report of this meeting further on in this issue of the Friendly Messenger.) Further discussed ensued about the implementation of these resolutions, particularly regarding timing for the closing worship celebration, the legacy workshop, and the sale of the building. There were no decisions made as it was necessary to wait for the congregation's decision on June 7th. Council talked through a list of necessary committees that will be necessary in order to implement the resolutions should they be approved by the congregation.
The church office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 A.M. - to 1:00 P.M. If the door is not unlocked, please ring the bell or knock. Pastor Sara will also be available at the church on Thursdays.
Summer Worship Schedule
This year, the last day of Sunday School, as well as our regular worship time of 10:30 a.m., is Sunday, June 21st. From June 28th through September 6th, we will gather for worship each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. On Sunday, June 28th, we will have our traditional Hymn Sing Service. Rally Day is set for September 13th, with our regular worship time of 10:30 a.m. Sunday school will resume at 9:15 a.m.
Pastor Sara’s Summer Schedule
Pastor Sara will be away for vacation in Colorado June 29-July 7. During this time, you may call Pastor Christine Bridge of Zion, Carteret and St.Paul, Linden in case of pastoral emergency at 732/541-6955 or 908/486-4090. Pastor Sara will be at Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries (formerly Camp Beisler) with our confirmation youth from the afternoon of August 2nd through the 7th. She will also be attending the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis as a voting member from the New Jersey Synod from August 17-25.
Weekly Bible Study
Join us each Wednesday for a Bible Study held at the church at 3:30 p.m. We will focus on the texts for that week that will be read at the following Sunday's service. (See “Word for the Week” further on in this newsletter.) Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for this informative time together, as we grow deeper in our faith and understanding of God’s word.
Loved by God, growing in faith, we are a place of welcome, sharing the love, hope and joy of Jesus Christ
This is the purpose statement that was adopted by St. Peter’ congregation at our Annual meeting on January 27th, 2998. The hope is that this statement, which grew out of shared prayer, Bible study and conversation, will continue to take roots in our life as a congregation. It names both who we are today, and who we long to be in our future. This is something for all of us, from all of us, to give life and focus to our ministry. We will place this statement throughout our building, in our bulletins and elsewhere, to remember our purpose and to focus on our ministry. May God bless us and lead us as we participate in God’ mission with our unique purpose!
Congratulations to Our Graduates
We wish to extend our congratulations and best wishes to our graduates:
Stephen Johnston, son of Tom and Pat Johnston graduated from Hunterdon Central High School on June 19th. Stephen has accomplished much in his high school career, including induction into the national Honor Society, and earning a spot on the Principal’s Honor Roll (straight A’s in 12 marking periods and regular Honor Roll in the other 4). Stephen has also acted in school play productions, volunteered for community service work, and belonged to the Future Business Leaders of America and Entrepreneurship Club. He is also a member of the Readington Community Theatre, and had the lead part in the production of Earl Hammer Jr’s The Homecoming last December. Stephen will be attending Rider University in the Fall, where he will major in Entrepreneurial studies and pursue a pre-law minor in Legal Studies. He plans to continue his theatre and community service work in college.
Amelia Blenderman, daughter of Walter and Lynn, graduated from the University of Delaware on May 30th, 2009. She received a Bachelor of Science degree, double majoring in Wildlife Conservation and Agriculture and Natural Resources. While attending the University, Amelia also played clarinet in the Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band, and served as Vice President and Peer Minister in the Lutheran Student Association, a division of Lutheran Campus Ministry. As Peer Minister, Amelia oversaw such diverse projects as FISH (Fellowship in Serving the Hungry), Relay for Life Cancer Walkathon, Habitat for Humanity Work Saturdays, and weekly tutoring of school age children at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Newark. For giving of her time and talents to the community, while enrolled as a full time student at the university, she received a special Town and Gown Commendation.
Amelia’ parents, Walter and Lynn, sister, Laura, and grandmother, Emily, are all very proud of her accomplishments.
Confirmation Camp
We are excited and blessed that our confirmands, kaitlin and Chad, along with Pastor Sara, will be heading to confirmation camp August 2-7. They will spend the week at Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries (formerly Camp Beisler) with Pastor Clark and confirmands from St. Stephen, along with youth and congregational leaders from all over the New Jersey Synod. They will spend the week in “Bible-time,” living as disciples of Jesus and learning about his life and message. We’ll also take part in great worship, campfires, games, swimming, hikes and all the rest of the fun that camp offers. It will be a wonderful week, and we appreciate your prayers for these youth and all who participate.
With Gratitude
“...I thank my God every time I remember you...” Phillipians 1:3
God works in amazing ways through the generous and humble service of faithful people. In our newsletter each month we are going to share gratitude for the people who have done so much for our congregation in the past month. The purpose of this is for us to give praise to God for the many gifts and generous work of our community. If there is something or someone you want to thank and give praise to God for, please let the office know and we can include them here...
We thank God for:
The Future Task Force for all their work in careful, faithful deliberation about the future of St. Peter’s,
The many hands and hearts, seen and unseen, that enable this place to serve, worship and gather,
The Congregation Council for their leadership, wisdom and faithfulness throughout the past year,
Katie’s Quilters for continuing to provide quilts which provide warmth and protection for people all over the world,
WELCA for their continued generosity to so many ministries at home and abroad,
Stephen Johnston, who retires after nearly 7 years of faithful service as a St. Peter’s Acolyte,
Paul and Erik Henriksen and LMM for hosting our Annual Church Picnic,
Our Confirmands: Kaitlin Rink and Chad Covin, and their families, for their commitment to learning and growing in faith,
All those who helped out with Fellowship Times throughout this year, for your warmth, hospitality and generosity.
We give thanks to God for you, and for your willingness to share your many gifts!
Food...The Need Continues!
We continue collect non-perishable food for the needy in North Plainfield. The Ministerial Association in North Plainfield has a Food Pantry at St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church, where we deliver our donated food. With the cost of food today, it is a crisis all over the world, AND in North Plainfield!
The next time you shop, remember to buy a couple of extra cans for our food table in the narthex.
Thank you,
Ken Troy, LMM
Church Women United “Good Deed Foundation”
We are collecting recycled cell phones. In the U.S. more than half a billion cell phones are no longer being used and are ready for recycling, and more than 11 million phones are added to that total each month. With one simple act - recycling your old cell phone- you can create lasting solutions for women and families in poverty.
A portion of the recycled phones are programmed to dial only 911 and donated to domestic violence survivors, elder and low-income people at risk, for use in emergencies.
Please place them in the designated basket in the narthex.
Katie’s Quilters
Can you believe it: Katie’s quilters began their 12th year on September 12th, 2008. We cut the material into squares, sew the pieces into tops, assemble three layers (tops, filers, and bottoms), and sew and tie all the layers together for the quilts. Fabricland donates the material, while the quilters buy thread, filler material and pins, and deliver the quilts to Maryland, As you know, most of our quilts go to Lutheran World Relief. This year there was a 46% increase over the previous year in the number of quilts sent all over the world! Hallelujah! But the need is so great, and LWR is asking for more quilts. Last year LWR collected and delivered 452,870 quilts worldwide.
Monetary donations are gratefully accepted, which go mainly toward the purchase of filler material.
We can always use helpers. Please see any Katie’s quilter. Who are our quilters? Here is the list: Lynn Blenderman, Pia Grant, Barbara Henriksen, Chris Zehrfuhs, Clara Jencik, Barbara Shebey, Ann Kircher, Odessa Lemley, Mary Ann Schwarz, and Judy Ziccardi. We are most fortunate to also have the talents of Ginger Smellie from Trinity Reformed Church and Betty Garguile from Dunellan Presbyterian. You do not need sewing experience, as our helpers fulfill lots of different jobs, from cutting squares, sorting them into patterns, sewing squares into tops, sewing backs, assembling tops, backs and fillers into quilts, and tying the quilts together with embroidery thread knots.
You will discover that the experience is not only rewarding, but also a lot of fun, too. And the quilts that are produced are just beautiful! These are wonderful things that will brighten up the life of an individual a world away, while also providing some much needed warmth, comfort, and protection from the elements. Why not talk to a member of Katie's Quilters today?
Women of the ELCA
The Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) invite all women to participate in their many activities. Meetings with a specific theme or activity are usually held at the church once each month. Our Katie’s Quilters usually meet twice a month on a Wednesday morning at 10:00 and a Friday evening at 7:00. Check with the office for the monthly schedule of activities.
In August, 2008, our women delivered an additional 90 quilts to Lutheran World Relief center in Maryland. Food items for FISH, the local food bank, are continually collected and delivered. Thankoffering Sunday is held in November. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along. As you can see, our women are very active.
To find out how you can join in, and to find out what’s happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530) for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America look forward to welcoming you!
Lutheran Men in Mission
Our Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) meet once a month at the Church. All men of the church, young and senior alike, are welcome and encouraged to attend. Check with the office for the monthly schedule of events. In recent years, LMM has sponsored our Annual Picnic. They also take a regular turn with Fellowship Time after services.
Work days at the church are also scheduled when a need arises. Each month, the men collect and deliver many bags of food to the local FISH program. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along.
As with the Women's Group, to find out how you can join in, and to find out what's happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530) for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Lutheran Men in Mission look forward to welcoming you!
EPES (Educacion Popular En Salud) and AHA (Action for Health in the Americas)
Our own missionary, Karen Anderson, whom we have supported in her mission in Chile for over 25 years, is President and founder of EPES, working in Chile through its first two decades. Karen said in a recent letter to all of her supporters, “Thank you for your continued support on behalf of our friends who work and serve in the shantytowns of Chile. With your help, EPES will continue to help educate and empower people in the poorest neighborhoods throughout Chile.“
Upon returning to the U.S., Karen founded AHA to help continue the support of EPES in Chile. At this time, EPES needs our support, as the declining U.S. dollar is having a devastating effect on organizations like EPES that receive much of their funding in U.S. dollars. The dollar is barely worth 450 Chilean pesos today, compared with 650 pesos 2 years ago.
Karen has recently returned to Santiago, Chile, to serve for 3 years on new mission projects for the ELCA. Information and data on her recent experiences is available on the mission board across from Pastor’s office. Please take a copy, but return it for someone else to read. Thanks!
There are Sundays available on the EPES chart, across from Pastor’s office, for you to honor a loved one’s memory, or someone's birthday. All of your donation of $20 goes directly to EPES in Chile. Please remember to mark your envelope clearly for EPES.
Evelyn Troy, C.M.I.
ELCA World Hunger Appeal
“In 2004, our church’s World Hunger Appeal celebrated its 30th anniversary - 30 years of bringing help and hope to people in need.” These are the words addressed to us in a letter from Mark S. Hanson, presiding Bishop of the ELCA. He goes on to say, “In this anniversary year, our church will be celebrating the work of the Appeal...Through your giving, you have been part of this mosaic of hope that comes through merging relief, sustainable development, advocacy, and education. Your gifts are part of a picture - of a church that is responding faithfully and effectively to its Lord’s command to feed those who are hungry and to seek justice for those who are oppressed.”
Please continue to be a part of this picture by giving generously to our church’s World Hunger Appeal.
Gifts can be given through St. Peter’s, or sent directly to ELCA World Hunger Appeal, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764.
Word for the Week
Each week we are given the gift of God's Word in our lectionary texts, the texts assigned to us for each week of worship. You will hear these words on Sunday mornings and the Sunday School children study these texts. I invite you to take some time during the week before you come to church on Sunday to read, study and pray with these texts each week. It could be a simple way to do daily devotions. On Monday, read the first reading, Tuesday, the psalm, on Wednesday, the second reading, and Thursday, read the Gospel texts. On Friday and Saturday, go back to those readings you had questions about and dig more deeply into your study. These passages can also be read in preparation for our weekly 4 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study held at the church.
One simple way to read these texts is to ask yourself the following questions:
1. What does this piece of scripture tell me about God?
2. What is God up to in this text?
3. What does this text call me (or us) to do or to be?
These are some of the questions I pray and ponder as I prepare for my sermons each week, and perhaps as you begin to ask them with me. We can grow in deeper conversation and connection with God and God's mission in the world. And you might even have a deeper experience of worship on Sunday morning.
Week before July 5, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost:
Ezekiel 2:1-5
Psalm 123 (2)
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
Week before July 12, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost::
Amos 7:7-15
Psalm 85:8-13
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29
Week before July 19, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost:
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23 (1)
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Week before July 26, Eighth Sunday after Pentecost:
2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145:10-18 (16)
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21
Week before August 2, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost:
Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15
Psalm 78:23-29 (24, 25)
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:24-35
Week before August 9, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost:
1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:1-8
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51
Week before August 16, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost:
Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14 (10)
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58
Week before August 23, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost:
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Psalm 34:15-22 (15)
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69
Week before August 30, Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost:
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 15 (1)
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Week before September 6, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost:
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146 (2)
James 2:1-10 [11-13] 14-17
Mark 7:24-37
Week before September 13, Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost:
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 116:1-9 (9)
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38
Week before September 20, Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost:
Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 54 (4)
James 3:13 � 4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
Week before September 27, Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost:
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Psalm 19:7-14 (8)
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
Thirty one of us gathered after church to attend this special Congregational Meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to determine the future of St. Peter’s by voting on two resolutions which had previously been approved by the Future Task Force and Council.
The first one was to discontinue the ministry at the corner of Grove and Mercer Avenues. Several tasks need to be completed by our congregation council: identify a date for a closing worship service and celebration of ministry; provide pastoral care and leadership for the unique needs of our members during this time of special need and transition to new venues for ministry and membership; schedule a congregation workshop at which we will shape a legacy; and oversee the affairs of the congregation and the orderly disposition of property and assets. The sale of the building is included in this. The discontinuance and subsequent dissolution of this congregation will not take place until the above tasks are completed by the congregation council. This resolution was passed.
The second resolution was a motion to transfer membership. St. Stephen Lutheran Church in South Plainfield was chosen as our legacy congregation. This congregation will receive the membership records of our members who do not indicate their intentions to transfer to an alternate congregation. All members can call upon the pastor of the legacy congregation for care and counsel following the final worship service of St. Peter’s. This resolution was passed.
Lynn Blenderman had sent me a very comforting e-mail right before our Final Task Force Meeting which Irene Plitz read to the members. Judy Ziccardi read it on Sunday:
“One meaningful way in which we might view our future is to use the analogy of the homeless program that was once hosted for many years here at St. Peter's. Our move will be like that, only turned on its head. WE will be the “homeless,” as we leave St. Peter's behind. As we make the difficult decision to transfer to another Lutheran church, that church will become a safe haven for us, much in the same way that St. Peter’s was for so many guests for so many years, guests who needed a place to rest, a place to sort things out, a place to plan and decide their future, a place to begin again. We will all have been given the blessing of time, and a little space, and a little breathing room, to come to understand into what future God is calling each one of us, while all the while there will be shepherding, pastoral care and the sympathy and understanding of new friends, all which will be very much needed at this critical time. “Blest Be the Tie that Binds,” as we sang in church on a recent Sunday. For our St. Peter’s congregation, there could not be a more appropriate hymn.”
When I contacted Pastor Clark Olson-Smith at St. Stephen to confirm that they would be willing to be our legacy congregation, his comment was that they would be happy to welcome us into the congregation and provide a safe haven for us.
There is much work which needs to be done. People will have the opportunity to sign up to assist on many committees: Sale of building; Archive; Distribution of property; Legacy; Cleaning; Letters; Memories; Congregational Checklist; and Celebration/Final Worship. A Personnel Committee will also need to be established. Please sign up to help.
The Future Task Force’s job is done – and well done! We thank the members who guided the congregation in this time of discernment: Gary Grant, Barbara Hendrickson, Patricia Klatt, Odessa Lemley, Irene Plitz, Pat Shebey, Bill Shebey, Ev Troy, Ken Troy, and Pastor Sara.
The anticipated closing date will probably be sometime in October. As always, we will keep you apprised of important information through phone calls, Sunday announcements or the Friendly Messenger.
All of our hearts are heavy. May we look to God so that we can close with hope...and continue St. Peter’s ministry in another place.
The Twenty-Second Annual Assembly of the New Jersey Synod ELCA was held on June 5-6 at the Brunswick Hilton, East Brunswick, New Jersey. As usual, there were a number of items to come before the assembly, but all was accomplished, even with the assembly being shortened by one day this year. The 2010 synod budget and spending plan is the only item which will be held over to a Special Assembly scheduled for November 14th, 2009. With economic forecasts being so uncertain at present, it was felt that this would be the most prudent thing to do, especially as there are budget shortfalls projected for both this and next year, even with dramatic cut backs already in place. It was also pointed out that congregation mission support for 2008 was the lowest in a decade, and that congregation mission support will need to match that of 2007 in order to ward off further cutbacks, even with no increase in synod staff salaries.
As usual, a number of resolutions came before the assembly for our approval. Two resolutions, one concerned with guidelines for days off for pastors and rostered persons, and a second concerned with maternity and parenting leave for pastors and rostered persons, were referred to Synod Council for action. Other resolutions, which were all adopted, were concerned with encouraging senior ministry, abolishing racism in ELCA leadership, and encouraging immigration reform. The final resolution was a memorial to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, encouraging the adoption of the Social Statement on Human Sexuality and the four parts of the proposed Recommendation on Ministry Policies. For your prayerful thoughts and discussion on this important issue, this lengthy statement can be viewed on-line at:
The other main focus of the 2009 Synod Assembly was the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministries here in New Jersey, presently directed by The Rev. Bruce H. Davidson. Among our special guests helping to celebrate this occasion were Jon S. Corzine, Governor of New Jersey, and Andrew S. Genszler, ELCA Director for Advocacy and Director of the Washington, D.C. office. Governor Corzine, speaking to the assembly at a special Friday night celebration, pointed out how Bruce Davidson and his staff help keep the governor “on task,” as it were, focused on issues which affect those in New Jersey who have little or no voice such as the homeless among us, children, those in poverty, our aged population, and recent immigrants to this country.
Andrew Genszler, representing the Churchwide ELCA and Bishop Hanson, pointed out that Lutherans, from the beginning, have been, and continue to be, advocates on many social issues for those with little voice. To strengthen this argument, and, quoting from Psalm 119:46, he said, “I will speak of your testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.” He also pointed out that we, as Christians, have be given the Holy Spirit, an Advocate for us with our Heavenly Father. As Jesus says in John 15:16, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth...” Also, in John 15:26, Jesus says, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” So, having received this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, we move beyond ourselves to advocate on behalf of others who have little or no voice. This is the very foundation for Lutheran advocacy in action. Andrew Genszler then left us with this one question to prayerfully consider: “What if people in power could hear your voice.”
It has been a special privilege to have represented St. Peter’s as a Voting Member to the New Jersey Synod Assembly for numerous years. I thank you for your continued trust in me to carry out the tasks of the assembly and to prayerfully consider all the issues that came before this body. I leave you with these words which, ironically (or maybe they are a gift of the Holy Spirit at work) follow John 15:26, for in John 15:27 Jesus says this: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
May God continue to bless the people of St. Peter’s congregation and hold them in God’s good and strong hands.
Lynn K. Blenderman,
2009 New Jersey Synod ELCA Assembly Voting Member
