Greetings All,
The exodus has started. Surrounding streets on campus have been closed as
students begin the process of moving out for the summer. The familiar
cardboard boxes on wheels are everywhere as students who are staying move
belongs from one residence to another. In a few days those of us who live
in University City will be experiencing the quiet that comes with summer
in a town and gown environment.
The usual weekday activities continue here at UniLu. Tonight will be
Bible Study at 6PM, and tomorrow mid-day eucharist at 10 past noon
commemorating Matthias, apostle.
Other Items of interest included below:
- Looking forward to this Sunday: Details of the Day
- Baby Manna: It's Not too late
- Fund raiser Honoring Louise Shoemaker
- More Poetry by Kevin Saunders
- An Update from Linda Warner from Israel
- An update from Harrisburg on SB 1250
- Lutherans on YouTube
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Looking forward to this Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Trinity:
9AM
Choir: This will be the final choir rehearsal of the academic
year.
9:30AM
Adult Forum continues looking at the Social Statement on Sexuality.
On June 1
they will gather for the last time this year to compile comments to send
to the ELCA.
10:30
Celebration of Holy Communion, Reception of New Member,
Recognition of graduating seniors. Coffee Hour thanking choir for past
year and bidding farewell to
seniors and bass section leader
Drew Cardinale.
7:00PM
Lutherans Concerned, a ministry for LGBTQ Lutherans and their allies.
Pot-luck
supper and fellowship.
Worship Assistants for Sunday
Cantor: Drew Cardinale; Verger: Bruce McCullough;
Deacon: Raymond M. Kvande; Sub-deacon: Rich Tolsma; Crucifer: Sim Heeren;
Lector: Alexa Epstein; Communion Assistant: Sharon McCullough; Prayer
Leader: Fred Quivik;
Coffee Hour: Dorothy and Dick Linderman; Usher: Anita Heeren; Greeter:
Carl Beck
Music Scheduled for Sunday
Prelude: Partita for solo violin no. 2: I – Allemanda – J.S.
Bach
-Kara Yokley,
violin
Entrance Hymn: #450 – I Bind Unto Myself Today
Kyrie: # 153 -Kyrie
Hymn of Praise: # 164 Glory to God, Glory in the Highest
Gospel Acclamation: # 175
Hymn of the Day: #412 – Come, Join the Dance of Trinity
Offertory Anthem: Alta Trinita Beata – Unknown, 15th century
Italian
High and blessed Trinity, by us always adored.
Glorious Trinity, Marvelous unity,
you are savory manna, and all that we can desire.
Sanctus: From ELW Setting One
Lamb of God: Adapted from Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem
Communion Hymn: #415 – Father Most Holy
Communion Chant Veni Creator (canon)
Sending Hymn: #413 – Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
Postlude: Allein Gott in der Höh Sei Ehr’ – J.S. Bach
Please note: A translation of the chorale on which this work is
based
may be
found at Hymn #410, All Glory Be to God on High.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Baby Manna: It's not too late
If you forgot to include a check last week for Baby Manna, the
Philadelphia Food Bank's campaign to purchase infant formula and baby
products (which are seldom donated), you can still make a contribution
this week. The formula and food will be distributed among member agencies
in our nine county service area throughout the Delaware Valley.
BabyManna is so important because 12,000 newborn babies will face the
possibility of infant malnutrition in our area alone. Many of these
babies are born into poverty and will be raised by caregivers who need
infant formula. Watered down formula, too little formula, or the use of
cow's milk can lead to lifelong health problems for the child.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fund raiser Honoring Louise Shoemaker, May 30
Please join the Christian Association in honoring Dr. Louise Proehl
Shoemaker, Dean Emerita of the School of Social Work at the University of
Pennsylvania. During her years as a social worker, educator, and Dean,
Louise demonstrated her passion for service and social justice. Both her
heart and vision are apparent in her work in Africa, with African
refugees in the United States, and with African-American students and
faculty at Penn.
It is this passion for Africa that the Christian Association wants to
cultivate. The Open Mind Grant for Africa in Honor of Louise Shoemaker
will fund an annual financial grant for one or more Penn undergraduates
or Social Policy and Practice graduate students to pursue studies or
projects that will further social justice in Africa and help raise
consciousness of Africa’s issues at home.
Named a “Pioneer” by the National Association of Social Workers
Foundation, Louise has always worked to introduce students to the social
justice issues in Africa, such as education, women’s rights, and
refugees. From developing Nigeria’s first master’s degree program in
social work at the University of Ibadan, to welcoming Sudanese refugees
into her home and then educating and raising them, to social activism
with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to attracting more African-American
students and faculty to the School of Social Work, Louise has been a
significant contributor to the field of social work and an exemplar for
all who follow her.
We know you will want to join us in honoring Louise Shoemaker and help
promote future social advocates in one or more of the ways listed on the
following page.
Join us at the kickoff fundraising event for the
Open Mind Grant for Africa in Honor of Louise Shoemaker
on Friday, May 30, 2008 at the LGBT Center,
3907 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
for more info
http://www.upennca.org/index.php?id=285
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
More Poetry by Kevin Saunders
The Pain of More.
A poem by Kevin B. Saunders
God of my salvation, I need you more
than ever.
Every journey in my life is
challenging.
I face the adversary through
negative energy--not people;
through situations of bad
temptation.
Through places I've passed
through daily on my way home.
Wondering if this is it.
Knowing I have a choice of
whether to go left or right; forwards or backwards. To say yes, or to say
no.
Yet you deliver me. You
protect me not just from my enemies--but also from myself.
I was weak; but you strengthened
me.
You allowed me to express
myself.
No one gets harmed in the
process.
She teaches me how to love my
neighbor.
I soon learn to love myself.
I'm faced with doubts, yet you grace
me with faith.
Former Brooklyn-based kid, I
was, of a now mysterious past.
Yet it doesn't show me how to live;
it showed me how to stay alive.
Then I relaxed on my fortieth
birthday. Retired.
The adversary didn't defeat me.
He tried to get everything he could
out of me.
But this time--he loses.
God wins. We all do.
And He would never leave.
END
Coming Soon to UniLu newsletter!
A short, five-part spiritual tale full of cliffhanging suspense and a
surprise ending will be submitted by Kevin B. Saunders. You'll love it
greatly and it will stay in your mind long after you read this
suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat tale. Yet it'll uplift you.
Kevin.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
An Update from Linda Warner from Israel
May 12, 2008
Today Patti and I went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial. It
covers a few acres and has indoor and outdoor remembrances. We took
a bus there, which took about 15 minutes. Then we had to walk down
a pathway which took another 20 – 30 minutes. The pathway was very
beautiful, with rosemary (of course) on the sides and beautiful cedars
and other evergreen trees along the way. When we arrived at the
entrance, we go through a building that is built almost entirely of
glass. I think I have been there every time I have visited
Jerusalem.
There is a quote from Isaiah 56:5:
And to them I will give, in My house and within
My walls, a memorial and a name [Yad Vashem} …
An everlasting name that shall not be cut off.”
A plan for Yad Vashem was initiated in the summer of 1947. However,
the military struggle and Israel’s war of independence curtailed any
activity. After the State of Israel was established, initiatives
were undertaken to create a central state authority that would lead the
effort to preserve the memory of the Holocaust. In 1953 The
Minister of education and historian Prof. Ben-Zion Dinur, presented the
Knesset with the Yad Vashem – State Remembrance Authority Law.
The cornerstone for the first Yad Vashem building was laid on July 29,
1954. Entrance is free – it relies solely on donations for its
subsistence.
The main building is a very long concrete building shaped like an upside
down V. The top of it is glass through which it gets a lot of its
light. The impact of the whole museum is overwhelming. When
you first come in, there is a video of a large town or city. The
video goes down a street and you can see people in their homes: children
at play, violinists practicing, women cooking in the kitchen, etc.
Behind this is a map which depicts where the Germans are going.
The whole exhibition is chronological. So as you go from one room
to another, you are following Hitler’s regime and what happened.
Remember that the pictures and films that are shown have to have been
made by the Germans themselves. There are some 100 video screens,
survivors; testimonies and original film clips including cinematic
diaries that recount the Holocaust narrative. Some of the exhibits
include, for instance a suitcase a person packed to bring to a camp
and they never used, the original contents are still in it; a long part
of the floor with a glass top (3’ x 12’) filled with shoes; silver items
that were confiscated from Jews. Himmler made it a law that Jews
could have no possessions and it was legal to take any and all belongings
from Jewish people. There are, of course, pictures of mass killings
and next to the pictures pictures of the dead in better times with
friends and family. There is a history if anti-Semitism throughout
time. There is a history of Hitler, the men under him and his
campaign.
In March, 1933 the first concentration camp was opened – Dachau. It
became of place of internment for German Jews, Communists, Socialists and
liberals. In July, 1933 Pope Pius XI concluded a Concordate
(treaty) with Hitler, even though the Nazis had imprisoned several Church
officials for protesting German terror and assaults on civilians.
Later gypsies, homosexuals and Seventh Day Adventists were added to the
list of those considered enemies of the Reich. Don’t forget the book
burning in May, 1933. The Germans had radios with one
station. Britain closed immigration by Jews to Palestine. If
they saw ships with Jews headed there, they would board them and send
them to
I am not going to go through all the history. Other than to say
that this museum is unbelievable and it really grabs you.
When you leave the main building you can go to the children’s
section. Before entering, there are a group of large
rectangular concrete pillars with the tops appearing to be chopped
off. This signifies children whose lives were cut short. Then
you walk through a building which is completely dark. Inside there
must be a lot of mirrors with lights. So you have the effect of
millions of lights all around you – over, under in front and in back of
you. Then there are voices reading the names and dates of all the
children who died in the Holocaust.
Outside there is an open square with maple trees planted and it is called
the Warsaw square. There are sculptures throughout Yad
Vashem.
The experience of being at Yad Vashem is one not to be missed even though
it is emotionally draining.
We then took another bus back and got off at Mahane Yehuda. We
walked through and got a few things. When we got back to Lev
Yerushaleum, we were exhausted.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
An update from Harrisburg on SB 1250
Thanks to all of you who spoke out, on Tuesday night last week, the
Pennsylvania Senate voted to "Table" the proposed
constitutional amendment that would have banned marriages for same-sex
couples, civil unions and possibly more for all unmarried
couples.
SB 1250 is now off the voting calendar and can not be considered unless
there is another vote to move it back on the calendar.
The prime sponsor of the legislation, Sen. Michael Brubaker
(R-Lancaster), stated that he was proposing the legislation be tabled
because the Speaker of the House, Dennis O'Brien (R-Philadelphia), was
going to assign the legislation to the House State Government Committee
if it passed the Senate. The House State Government Committee is
chaired by Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia), a strong supporter of
the LGBT community, who is opposed to the legislation. Rep. Josephs has
stated that she would not move the legislation out of committee.
It is important for everyone to
understand that the bill is STALLED, not
DEAD. Sen. Brubaker said that if the House
indicates that the bill will go to another committee or that it is
interested in voting on the bill, the Senate will bring it to the floor
for a vote.
So we need you to call or email
your state Representative now and tell them to oppose
SB1250. Visit our
Legislator Locater to
find the name and phone number of your state Representative -- please
click on the "state" tab above the legislators pictures for
your state elected officials.
Your calls and emails also had an impact. Many Senators were losing
their enthusiasm for the legislation due to strong constituent
opposition. We need to deliver the same message to the House.
Equality Advocates Pennsylvania was working hard in the Capitol to defeat
this legislation last night and we will be there until this legislation
is defeated. I would like to thank all of the members of the Value
All Families Coalition and other allies for their hard work and
dedication.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Your Representative (if you live in Pennsylvania)
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Please Oppose Any Efforts to Move SB 1250 Out of
Committee!
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
As your constituent, I urge you not to support SB 1250, the so-called
"Marriage Protection Amendment," or any other Constitutional
Amendment that would deny legal recognition of unmarried
families.
Senate Bill 1250 was tabled on May 6 in the Pennsylvania Senate. Please
oppose any action to move this bill to the House!
I do not support the so-called "Pennsylvania Marriage Protection
Amendment," and ask you to oppose it.
Please help to protect all Pennsylvania families and not harm some by
writing discrimination into Pennsylvania's Constitution, a document
created to expand rights, not limit them.
Pennsylvania law already stops gay and lesbian couples from marrying.
This amendment, therefore, is not necessary.
For the well-being of all Pennsylvanians, please vote against Senate Bill
1250 and writing discrimination into our Commonwealth's
Constitution.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lutherans on YouTube (This is your reward if you made it
all the way to the end of this email.)
Important information direct from the office of the
ELCA’s General Counsel . . . .
-----Original Message-----
From: ELCA Attorneys Association
[
mailto:ELC...@LISTSERV.ELCA.ORG] On Behalf Of Phil Harris
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 11:55 AM
To: ELC...@LISTSERV.ELCA.ORG
Subject: Fwd: Re: Lost and Found's Lutheran Song on YouTube
Who knew???????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=102kvQ1dWoY
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Shalom, salaam, peace,
Fred
Fred Wolfe
Interim Coordinator for Campus Ministry
University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation
Chestnut Street at 37th Street Walk
215.387.2885
admini...@uniluphila.org
www.uniluphila.org
messageboard
http://uniluphila.informe.com
Look for us on Facebook