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United VoiceUnited Lutheran Church November 2013A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
2230 Washington Street, Eugene, OR 97405 (541) 342-5808
www.unitedlutheran.org [email protected]
Worship Services: Sundays, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.; Summer: 9:45 a.m
Education Hour: 9:45 a.m., School Year Only
This year witnesses an
event which has never before
happened! Thanksgiving and the
first day of the Jewish festival of
Hanukkah fall on the same day!
Usually we associate Hanukkah
as occurring more closely to Christmas but due to the
lunar calendar cycles, it falls on November 28 this year.th
For me, the fact that they fall on the same day
this year is fascinating and revealing. To get at that,
allow me to start with a bit of history.
Hanukkah is the festival which commemorates
the victory of the Jews over the peoples who were
oppressing them in the second century B.C. At the time,
the ruler, Antioches Epiphanies IV, was a particularly
nasty piece of work. To show God’s people the kind of
contempt he had for them, he ordered a pig (an unclean
animal) to be sacrificed on the high altar in the
Temple in Jerusalem. This event ignited the long
simmering anger and resentment which the people
had. It led to a revolt and the Jewish people would
regain their freedom. This eight day festival
featuring lighting the menorah and giving gifts
marks the joy of new life and a renewed presence of
God among the people.
Our national day of Thanksgiving was
decreed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It
was right in the middle of the Civil War. Though
the battle of Gettysburg had been fought, there
would be many, many more battles with much more
bloodshed. In all of that, President Lincoln took the
time to remember the many blessings which the
country still enjoyed such as peace with other
nations, bountiful crops, and the expectation of an
increase of freedom when the war was over. He set
aside the last Thursday in November as a day for the
nation to look to the many blessings it enjoyed and
give thanks to God for them.
So, in Hanukkah, there is the celebration of
freedom and a time to give thanks for God’s continued
presence. On Thanksgiving, even when times are hard
and perhaps especially when they are, we are reminded
of continued blessings and the One who continues to
give them to us.
This year, these two celebrations come together
for the first time. It is a fitting convergence as both
remind us of the many blessings we continue to receive
from the hands of our gracious God and how
strengthened by them, we may continue to work that all
people may know such gifts of life which God would
have all people know.
Pastor Dodd
LET’S GATHER & GIVE THANKS
Celebrate Thanksgiving with our sisters and
brothers of Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, at
our joint Thanksgiving Eve service, Wednesday,
November 27, 7:00 p.m., at Resurrection, 3925
Hilyard St., Eugene (about ½
mile south of Good Samaritan
Care Center.)
Then plan to stay after
the service for fellowship and
pie!
Q:
Wh
at
wer
e th
e fo
un
der
s o
f th
e P
lym
ou
th C
olo
ny
, th
e ea
rly
set
tler
s
we
refe
r to
to
da
y a
s P
ilg
rim
s, k
no
wn
as
wh
en t
hey
fle
d r
elig
iou
s
per
secu
tio
n i
n E
ng
lan
d?
An
swer
on
pag
e 2
.
United Voice November 2013 – Page 1
For four long years, I have been
longing for the rain; not that drizzly,
drippy, surface-wetting shower that
passes for rain in California, real Oregon
RAIN! Real Oregon rain, like the rain I was
raised with as a young boy on the Oregon
Coast, where my brother and I would swim
to school every day… upstream both ways. Real Oregon
rain like the rain that made the diluvian myths of my
childhood Bible Stories read like weather forecasts. Real
Oregon rain like the rain that fell in buckets, in cascades,
in downpours… gushing, rushing, pouring, cataracting
cloudbursts, deluges, floods, and effusions.
So, when Elizabeth and I settled into our cute
little (I say little, but compared to our seminary
apartment, it’s HUGE!) home here next to the church in
September, I was pleased to discover great torrents of
water pouring unhindered from bleak gray sky. It was a
longing fulfilled… a dream come true; it was a most
hospitable welcome! In fact, everything about my initial
experience as an intern here at United Lutheran Church
is drenched in genuine Oregon hospitality… United
Lutheran Church hospitality.
We don’t usually equate hospitality with a
rainstorm… especially when we think of hospitality in
terms of offering others shelter from the elements. But
isn’t that what hospitality is; a downpour of grace upon
strangers? (And are there any stranger than PLTS
interns?) Isn’t hospitality an extension of the Great
Welcome we’ve received when we were drenched in
God’s grace and brought into the community of faith?
To show such welcome, not only to strange interns but
to all strangers we encounter, isn’t that evangelism? For
that hospitality and welcome, I am deeply grateful to
you… and for the grace out of which such hospitality is
born, I am deeply grateful to God.
Peace.
Intern Israel Jurich
DST ENDS: FALL
BACK!
Daylight Saving Time
ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday,
November 3, so be sure to turn
your clocks BACK one hour
when you retire on Saturday
night, November 2.
FOOD FOR LANE COUNTY
DINING ROOM TIME
CHANGES
FOOD for Lane County is
changing the times for the Dining
Room. The new times for
November are:
Tues. Nov. 26, PREP, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. New Time!
SERVE: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., New Time!
If you have signed up and the time change will
not work for you, please contact Cara Haakanson.
THANKS FOR HELPING
FEED THE HUNGRY!
Thank you to everyone
who participated in the October
CROP Walk, either by walking
or by donating. Members of United raised $690.00, 75%
of which goes to Church World Service and 25% to
FOOD for Lane County.
Kathy Mains
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL
STEWARDSHIP TO UNITED
The Two-Year Giving Comparison graph below
shows that United is in sound financial footing this year
so far. Thank you for your gifts to further United’s
ministries.
A: They were referred to as Separatists.
United Voice November 2013 – Page 2
A THOUGHT- PROVOKING BOOK
Looking for something
good to read? Check out Chasing
Down a Rumor: The Death of Mainline
Churches, by Robert Bacher and
Kenneth Inskeep. Bacher is the
former Executive for
Administration, Office of the
Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, and Inskeep is a Director
of Research for the ELCA.
The “rumor” is that mainline churches are
dying. This very readable book gives us the facts which
can be disturbing, but also gives us reason for hope. If
you believe there is something about mainline churches
that matters, you will want to read this book. If you
don’t believe in the value of the churches, this book just
might change your mind.
LIKE JANE AUSTEN?
HERE’S AN UPDATED
CLASSIC
United’s Book Group
invites all Jane Austen fans to
join them in reading The Three
Weissmanns of Westport by
Cathleen Schine, a modern tale based on Austen’s
classic, Sense and Sensibility. There’s plenty of time for
reading it over the busy holidays, as the group won’t
meet until January 12 to discuss it.
The Three Weissmanns of Westport is about a 75
year old New Yorker, Betty Weissmann, whose husband
of nearly 50 years abandons her for a much younger
woman. Betty ends up moving to a cottage in Westport,
Connecticut. Her two grown daughters, Miranda and
Annie, run into their own problems and end up moving
to Westport to join their mother. Romances ensue as
does “Austen-esque mischief.”
The novel is available in paperback, $14, and as
an e-book ($8.89 Kindle, $9.99 Nook.) The Eugene
Public Library has 6 print copies (2 are large print), an
audio-book, and an e-book to lend.
Join the discussion on Sunday, January 12, 4:00
p.m., in the church community room.
SEVERAL CHANGES TO
NOTE
Amy Austin (Intern #21)
is back in Oregon. Corrie
Gustafson has bought a new
house. Dee Dee Lundahl has moved to Sacramento to
be nearer to her daughter. David Westcott is leaving the
Oregon Community Foundation after 16 years. Sydney
Wilson has moved to an apartment.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO CRYSTAL &
DANIEL
United’s youth worker,
Crystal Miller, and her
husband, Daniel, are now the
proud parents of Charlotte
Olivia, born on October 18 at
6:30 p.m. Charlotte was 22 ½ inches long and birth and
weighed 10 pounds, one ounce! Mother and baby are
doing well and father is as proud as can be.
Congratulations to the new family of three!
YOUR UNITED VOICE IS
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Thanks go to Joanne
Gulsvig for her help preparing the
October United Voice for mailing.
If you have an hour or two
free to help with this each month,
please let me know.
Gay Kramer-Dodd
CAMP LUTHERWOOD OREGON
ANNUAL MEETING OF
THE ASSOCIATION
Sunday, November 17, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Albany, Oregon
Learn how 2013 has gone
and what is being planned for 2014.
United Voice November 2013 – Page 3
BIRTHDAYS
1 - Sally Krueger
2 - Samantha Cairnes
9 - Trudi Diffendaffer, Wilbur Jessen
10 - Diane Masson
13 - Jean Johnson
18 - Maija Anstine
21 - Kathy Saranpa
22 - Karen Helikson, Mark Raney
23 - Thea Petersen
ANNIVERSARIES
19 - Ellen & Jim Krueger
26 - Diane & John Masson
BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES
3 - Melva Moore
5 - Rachel Hample, Deborah Hample
10 - Dorothea Brauer
11 - Elroy Fuller
14 - Sue Bowers, Dale Rettmann
15 - Laura Jacek
18 - Alan McCullough, Christine McCullough
20 - Paul Frantz
21 - Janet Gustafson
22 - Brian Stoner
24 - Alex Brink
25 - Karen Helikson
27 - Sally Krueger
28 - Virginia Klassen
30 - Alice Anderson
From FISH of Eugene-
Springfield
October 16, 2013
Dear United Lutheran Church
Thank you for your
generous gift of $225.00. Your
generosity will make life better
for individuals and families
who have great needs. On their behalf and on behalf or
our wonderful volunteers, I thank you.
Del Hawkins, Coordinator
THE GREEN CORNER
by Eunice Kjaer
Exodus 31:12: “You
shall keep my sabbaths, for this is
a sign between me and you throughout your generations,
given in order that you may know that I, the LORD , sanctify
you.”
In our hurried and stressed daily life, we often
don’t have time just to be in nature and enjoy it – even
the rain! There are some extreme challenges that people
embark on as a way to simplify their lives such as
buying no new clothes for a year or buying only used
items or borrowing what they need. These kinds of
challenges often take a lot of work and time, and may
create more stress. One way to be less stressed is to
simplify. There are many books on the subject as well as
lists and suggestions on the internet. Here are a few
ideas to get you started thinking about how you
could simplify your life. If you do, be sure to spend
some of that extra time you have enjoying God’s
creation.
1. Live with less. Do you really need all those
clothes, gadgets, and toys? Think before you buy.
2. Try no technology for 24 hours – and reflect on
how you feel and how your life is different.
3. Identify what is important to you and eliminate the
rest.
4. Learn to say “no.”
5. Eat slowly. Drive slowly.
6. Do what you love. Spend time with people you
love. Spend time alone.
7. Live life more deliberately.
Q:
In t
he
late
18th
Cen
tury
, w
ha
t w
as
the
mea
nin
g o
f “
lun
ati
c
frin
ge?
”
An
swer
on
pag
e 5
.
United Voice November 2013 – Page 4
WOMEN OF UNITED
NEWS
by Carolee Horning
Bible Study Circles:
The November study in Gather is about “The Widow of
Zarephath, A Trusting Follower.”
Ruth Circle will meet on Monday, November 11, 9:30
a.m., Location TBA
Circle of Faith will meet in the Community Room on
Tuesday, November 12, 1:00 p.m.
Mary Magdalene Circle, will meet on Thursday,*
November 14, 6:30 p.m., at the home of Candy Snook.
(*Please notice the switch from Tuesdays to Thursdays.)
Church Women United will meet only once in
November, on Saturday, November 2, 9:00 to 11:15 a.m.,
at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 3925 Hilyard
St., to celebrate World Community Day. The theme is
“Walking Through Doors of Opportunity.”
Thank you to everyone who donated and/or
helped with the school kits this year. We put together
almost 300 kits that were shipped out on October 25.
Well done!
We are looking for a group to take over the
stamp-trimming. Women of United collect canceled
stamps for Church Women United. The proceeds from
the sales of these stamps go to a girls school in Lesotho
South Africa. Please bring your stamps and leave them
in the designated spot in the narthex. When trimming
the envelopes for the stamps, err on the side of a large
border as if any of the stamp is ripped or torn it cannot
be sold. Commemorative stamps are preferred but any
will do. If you would like to help with this project or
have any questions, please talk to Eunice Kjaer.
December is quickly approaching. The annual
Women of United no-host Christmas luncheon is
scheduled for Saturday, December 7, at Lok Yaun on
West 11 , at noon. As well as enjoying fellowship and ath
good meal, we will be discussing the 2014 budget and
holding elections. Absentee ballots will also be
accepted! The more participation and attendance the
better, so please join us!
Our annual Advent Dinner event for the whole
church is scheduled for Sunday, December 15. We will
be serving spaghetti this year. We look forward to
attendance from those ages 0 to 100+ with fun for
everyone! We will have more information coming as the
time draws closer.
SAVE THESE DATES IN
DECEMBER
Saturday, December 7:
12:00 p.m., Women of United Christmas No-Host
Luncheon, Lok Yuan Restaurant
2:00 p.m., Dodd/Kramer-Dodd Open House
Sunday, December 15:
Time TBA, Women of United Advent Dinner for Entire
Church
Tuesday, December 24:
Christmas Eve worship, 7:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
BREWING UP COMMUNITY
Have you tried the NEW organic, Fair Trade
coffee, “Proud Mama,” available on the first and third
Sundays each month in the narthex following first
service? It is a medium, Full City roast. Feel the pride
when you enjoy this coffee! Your purchase helps
women coffee farmers become leaders and send their
children to school.
Another NEW coffee variety is “Mighty
Morning,” a blend of Medium and French roasting.
Coffee farmers become more powerful when they join
together. Feel the power and start your mornings strong
with this tasty blend.
GIFT BASKET IDEAS
Have fun and create unique
gifts with our Lutheran World Relief
Fair Trade, organic products. With
baskets, ribbon, and fun decorations
from home or craft store, you can
create lovely holiday gifts baskets
filled with LWR teas, coffee, chocolate
bars, cocoa mix, and Geo snack bars.
Make it a family activity and invite some friends to help.
Thank you for supporting farming families around the
world!
A: Lunatic Fringe was hair that came down over the
forehead, better known today as “bangs.”
United Voice November 2013 – Page 5
November 3 Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31
November 10 Job 19:23-27a; Psalm 17:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38
November 17 Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19
November 24 Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43
NON-PROFIT ORG
U. S. POSTAGE
PAID
EUGENE, OREGON
PERMIT NO 119
UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH
2230 WASHINGTON ST
EUGENE OR 97405
We give thanks for:
United Voiceis published monthly by
United Lutheran Church
Editor: Gay Kramer-Dodd
Publication Deadline: The 17 of the monthth
Pastor: Thomas Dodd
Intern: Israel Jurich
Director of Music: Philip Bayles
Secretary: Linda Anderson
Mid-Week Meal Cook: Diane Masson
Youth Worker: Crystal Miller
Coordinator of Lay Ministries:
Joanne Gulsvig
Council: Susan Lunas, Pres., Corrie Gustafson, V.P., Lisa
Sitton, Treas., Alan McCullough, Sec., Julie Coffman, Cara
Haakanson, Tom Landon, Thea Petersen, Michael Russo,
Wendy Stoner, Damon Vold