With this issue of Let’s Talk, we continue to feature a Word and Sacrament ministry which engages in Word and Service outreach.
Our interview with Pastor Antonio Cabello, Pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr Lutheran Church (San Esteben, Martir), Carpentersville, Illinois shows how serving the Hispanic / Latino community can involve taking on front-line issues like immigration, community resistance and fear, outside protesters, and the challenge to faith-filled Christians to let their light shine (the Light of Christ) in the midst of heated confrontation. The people of San Esteben, Martir show all of us how the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, casts out all fear.
Thoughtful and provocative reflections are provided by our regular columnists. Bishop Wayne Miller gives his perspective on “Justice” as a many-faceted aspect of our common faith. Benjamin Dueholm reports his observations of the dynamics of friends with differing political views in “The Limits of Faith and the Limits of Politics.” Frank Senn combines his personal experience of serious health issues with his usual insightful theological reflection in his column, “On the Receiving End of the Ministry of Healing.”
In addition, we welcome Abraham Allende’s experiences and insights into “Hispanic/Latino Liturgical and Cultural Festivals as Opportunities for Evangelism.”
Finally, we include a sermon preached by Daniel Metzger on Romans 8:31–38, at a service commemorating the tragedy of 9/11/01.
As always, we invite you, the reader, to accept our invitation to “Let’s Talk” as you engage each author in theological dialogue and response. The mission of Let’s Talk is best served when we hear from you, our valued readership.
We begin our fourteenth year of publication in 2009 facing both challenge and opportunity. The challenge is this: the cost of publishing Let’s Talk has tripled in the last six years due to the costs of printing and mailing. Our Churchwide Assembly issue cost approximately $2,400.00. Expenditures are only for operations. Authors and members of the Editorial Council serve without compensation. We are, quite frankly, very low on cash reserves. This reality provides the opportunity for you, our readers, to continue your financial support. Please make checks payable to: Let’s Talk/Metropolitan Chicago Synod, 1420 West Dickens, Chicago, IL 60614.
May Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, bring you hope and joy in your believing, living, and serving.
