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19.1: Epiphany 2014 .

archangel gabriel

Religion and the Arts

A Lutheran Learns to Read and Write Icons

By Frederick J. Schumacher

Masks for J.B.

By John A. Lang

As I See It: Clothed in Righteousness

By Frank C. Senn

On the Way: Called on Film

By Benjamin Dueholm

Book Review: Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint

By Gordon J. Straw

Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Season of Advent

By Maxwell E. Johnson

“Eternity,” You Thunder Word

By Frank C. Senn

Homily at Bach Vespers: Breathing Together Again

By Frank C. Senn

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Welcome to Let’s Talk

We invite submission of papers and talks from members of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the ELCA, talks given to members of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, or articles from other pastors and theologians, not limited to ELCA. Send submissions in Word docx. to fcsenn70@gmail.com.

The Path to Lambaréné

June 8, 2016 by Barbara C. McKenzie

My interest in the life and thought of Albert Schweitzer as a guiding principle came via a circuitous route. For some time I had been aware of considerable social and economic change and turmoil in the world. It seemed to me that we, as a society, were losing what I call “mutual regard,” i.e., a […]

Filed Under: The Vocation of the Laity

Jazz and Our Calling

June 8, 2016 by Andrew Tecson

cialis uk broadvisiongroup.comIn his congregation’s newsletter, Pr. Peter Marty of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, describes being struck by the way a summer camp counselor spoke of her role as a “memory-maker for kids.”  He comments that this young woman did not have a summer job, she had a calling—a wonderful experience that can […]

Filed Under: The Vocation of the Laity

On the Way: Vision for Ecumenism

June 8, 2016 by Andrew Leahy

In 1983 in Vancouver, the Assembly of the World Council of Churches articulated a “eucharistic” vision which …unites our two profoundest ecumenical concerns: the unity and renewal of the church and the healing and destiny of the human community. Church unity is vital to the health of the church and to the future of the […]

Filed Under: Reclaiming Lament

Lament in the Ministry: Public, Pastoral, Personal

June 8, 2016 by Donald Marxhausen

“Thee, thee and thee, but not me,” Dr. Kubler-Ross used to say about death and dying.It happens to everyone else but not to me. So it is with tragedy and lament in the ministry. Things happen in other communities, but not here; things happen to other pastors but not to me. And then it happens. […]

Filed Under: Reclaiming Lament

A Personal Journey Into Lament

June 8, 2016 by Joyce M. Bowers

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, there has been renewed attention to the role of lament in public and private life. Lament involves the recognition that we are not in control. It is a healthy corrective in a culture which focuses on success (presumed to be attainable) and on being in control of our […]

Filed Under: Reclaiming Lament

Book Review: Spirituality of the Psalms

June 8, 2016 by Joyce M. Bowers

by Walter Brueggemann Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002.  75 pp. $6.00 Reviewed/excerpted by Joyce M. Bowers Walter Brueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia.  He is a prolific author; many of his books have been published by Fortress Press, notably Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy […]

Filed Under: Reclaiming Lament

How to Argue with God: An Example Based on the Law-Court Pattern of Prayer

June 8, 2016 by Walter L. Michel

The theme of this article is “The Law-Court Pattern of Prayer.” This pattern is used by the poets in accounts about Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, and is present in about fifty Psalms, in Jeremiah and in Job. In all of these texts the poets wrestle with the experience of innocent suffering. We will look at […]

Filed Under: Reclaiming Lament

Lament and Nostalgia

June 8, 2016 by Gabrielle Jay Rochelle

I.  We lament death.  We grieve and we mourn. “Blessed are those who mourn,” said Jesus, “for they shall be comforted.”  In this beatitude many people take refuge.  I have heard people call this the principal beatitude of their lives. What are we lamenting?  We lament death.  Death means change.  Death disrupts what we have […]

Filed Under: Reclaiming Lament

8.2 Reader’s Response

June 8, 2016 by Frank C. Senn

Gerald L. Lundby responded to Frank Senn’s column “As I See It … The Need to Observe the Rubrics” in Volume 7, Issue 2 as follows: Pastor Senn’s comments on the proper use of the liturgy were scholarly and appreciated.  I sometimes find that the “contemporary liturgies” popping up all over our synod congregations leave […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

As I See It: Judaism and the Land of Israel

June 8, 2016 by Frank C. Senn

This is off the beaten path for me, but the situation in the Holy Land has been an interest of mine since I was privileged to travel to Israel and Palestine in the summer of 1998 in the Christian Clergy Traveling Seminar sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the American Jewish Committee.  I’m grateful that […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

“A DramaticMixture of Brokenness and Grace”

June 8, 2016 by Gregory Holmes Singleton

Faithful Conversation: Christian Perspectives on Homosexuality, ed.James M. Childs Jr.  Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.  viii + 132pp.  $9.00. A Commentary by way of a Review I had intended to write a review, not a commentary flowing from a review.  Furthermore, the review taking shape in my head was negative.  I now begin this review fully aware […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

A “Yes” in Kansas City

June 8, 2016 by Wayne Cowell

ALPB Conference on Christian Sexuality, Ruskin Heights Lutheran Church, Kansas City, MO, October 2002 Report and Reflections by Wayne R. Cowell They came to the heartland from every state except Hawaii, and some from Canada.  Conference organizer Russell Saltzman had been clear about what they should expect.  In his announcement (Forum Letter, Vol. 31, No. […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

A Conservative Case for Recognition of Gay Relationships in the Church

June 8, 2016 by R. Stephen Warner

So far, I have been very dissatisfied with the discussion of the proposals for same-sex holy unions and ordination of sexually active homosexual clergy in the ELCA.  The discussion keeps being presented as a debate between “liberals” and “conservatives” or between “progressives” and “traditionalists,” with the former supposed to be in support of the radical […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

Reflections on Experiencing Leadership of Gay Clergy

June 8, 2016 by Diane V Bowers

Ross Merkel is the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oakland, California.  Saint Paul, an ELCA congregation, is a growing, joyful church with outstanding worship, education, fellowship, and service to the community.  I have been a member of St. Paul’s for five years.  About a year ago, in the middle of a dialogue sermon, […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

Recognizing God’s Blessings: Holy Unions and the Ordination of Women and Men in Same-Sex Relationships

June 8, 2016 by Daphne Burt

In 1991 the ELCA voted to welcome all people regardless of their sexual orientation into membership in their congregations.  This was reaffirmed in 1995.  In 1993, the Metropolitan Chicago Synod became a “Reconciling in Christ” Synod, by affirming that “gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being loved and […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

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Recent Articles

Homily at Bach Vespers: Breathing Together Again

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Jesus Known in the Breaking of the Bread

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Forsaken

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23.1 Advent 2019

the Brown Virgin (La Morenita)

“Eternity,” You Thunder Word

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Self-Care: Being Present to God and to our Bodily Selves

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Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Season of Advent

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Recent articles

Homily at Bach Vespers: Breathing Together Again

October 8, 2021 By Frank C. Senn

Observing Ash Wednesday 2021

January 20, 2021 By Matthew Riegel

Sermon on Embodied Racism

July 21, 2020 By Frank C. Senn

As I See It: Public Health and Public Worship During COVID-19

May 14, 2020 By Frank C. Senn

Is Fasting from the Reception of Holy Communion the Same as Fasting from the Eucharistic Liturgy? A Lutheran Liturgical-Sacramental Reflection on Eucharistic Praxis during COVID-19

May 12, 2020 By Maxwell E. Johnson

23.1 Advent 2019

the Brown Virgin (La Morenita)

Let’s Talk 2020

Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Season of Advent

By Maxwell E. Johnson

Holy Living

By Richard O. Johnson

Self-Care: Being Present to God and to our Bodily Selves

By Frank C. Senn

Farewell Sermon: Home Rejoicing

By Benjamin Dueholm

“Eternity,” You Thunder Word

By Frank C. Senn