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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.

Latino Lutheran Ministries – An Exchange

June 8, 2016 by Editorial Council

Writing in First Things (“While We’re At It,” April 2003, pg. 84), Richard John Neuhaus probed issues raised by Keith Forni in Let’s Talk (“The Allure of Catholicity: Latino Lutheran Ministries in the Crosshairs,” Vol.7.2, Christmas 2002). Readers will recall that Forni was responding to an article in the Chicago Sun Times: “Are Lutherans pretending […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Locating the Struggle

Bibliography of Major Works on Sexuality and the Church

June 8, 2016 by Frank C. Senn

Analyses Supporting Union Blessings and Ordination Issue Boswell, John. Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980. Brooten, Bernadette J.  Love Between Women: Early Christian Responses to Female Homoeroticism.  Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996. Countryman, […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Locating the Struggle

AS I SEE IT: REASONS TO AVOID SCHISM

June 8, 2016 by Frank C. Senn

As the ELCA pursues the study of the issues on the gay agenda laid before the 2005 Churchwide Assembly, one of the ominous things one hears is talk of a schism of significant proportions.  Proponents of the gay agenda have been reported to have said that the ELCA may have to lose a couple of […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Locating the Struggle

WHY LUTHERANS CAN’T TALK ABOUT SEXUALITY

June 8, 2016 by Thomas D. Pearson

I’ve got a big problem.  Two of them, actually.  I’ve been asked to contribute this little essay on sexuality, and on the ELCA’s current study of sexuality, including the examination of questions about blessing same-sex unions and ordaining gays and lesbians in active and committed relationships.  The problem is that I have very little to […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Locating the Struggle

Thinking about Sexuality in the ELCA

June 7, 2016 by Robert White

The word “think” in my title is significant. In a recent discussion among a group of our conference’s pastors about the sexuality issues now facing the ELCA, the presenter, sometime professor of pastoral care in one of our ELCA seminaries, made the comment that “when we confuse the pastoral issues with the theological/confessional ones, we […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Locating the Struggle

Reflections on the LSTC Leadership Conference: A More Excellent Way

June 7, 2016 by Paul Elbert

Early in 2002 the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago sponsored Leadership Conference 2002 A More Excellent Way: Addressing Sexuality in the Church. Its intent was articulated: The wider church has called us to study sexuality. Events in the world have made us vividly aware that embodied life is to be treasured. Thus, it is […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Locating the Struggle

In Praise of Languages

June 7, 2016 by Wolf D. Knappe

Die Sprachen sind die Scheide darinnen das Messer des Geistes steckt. Luther (The languages are the sheath containing the sword of the Spirit) Since my retirement on January 1, 2002 I have had the privilege seldom accorded to an active pastor: I’ve been able to worship from the pew, being an active participant but not […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

Liturgy in the Service of Evangelism

June 7, 2016 by Joyce M. Bowers

The Witness of the Worshiping Community: Liturgy and the Practice of Evangelism by Frank C. Senn, Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, NJ, 1993. A Synopsis Compiled by Joyce M. Bowers This book has particular significance to the theme of this issue.   Although it was written a dozen years ago when the church growth movement with its […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

The Allure of Catholicity: Latino Lutheran Ministries in the Crosshairs

June 7, 2016 by Keith Forni

My colleague from across town was being customarily succinct.  His message was tinged with a sense of urgency and concern.  “You need to pick up a copy of today’s Chicago Sun Times.”  He read me only the headline from the (August 20, 2002) front page: “Are Lutherans pretending to be Catholic to lure Hispanics?” Lutherans […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

“With the Greatest Reverence”: Lutheran and Roman Catholic Worship

June 7, 2016 by Andrew Leahy

Our churches are falsely accused of abolishing the Mass.  Actually, the Mass is retained among us and is celebrated with the greatest reverence.  (Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV) The liturgy is about to begin.  The congregation stands as the processional cross leads the ministers down the center aisle.  People bow as the cross passes.  After the […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

As I See It: The Need to Observe the Rubrics

June 6, 2016 by Frank C. Senn

Ritual Systems What do theatrical productions, sports games, the procedures of the U.S. Congress, and the liturgy of the church all have in common?  Answer: they are all ritual systems.  Rituals allow social groups to get certain things done, whether the goal is to stage Romeo and Juliet, score a touchdown, enact legislation, or facilitate […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

Are There Norms for Lutheran Worship?

June 6, 2016 by Rev. Michael L. Burk, Ph.D.

Not long ago, after a visit to the Wartburg Castle, I worshiped at the church of St. George in Eisenach.  Though I don’t speak German, worship in that place on that day was more than familiar to me.  There was a rooted ness about it.  Perhaps grounded in the baptism of a child at the […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

A Standing Invitation…

June 6, 2016 by Wayne Cowell

At the end of July last year the Editorial Council of Let’s Talk agreed that an issue on “peace with justice” would be timely and fruitful.  We asked: How is the church involved in peace/justice issues at various levels?  Has there been a “sea change” in the Lutheran approach to social ministry?  We recognized the […]

Filed Under: Justice

Fundamentalism’s Common Shapes

June 6, 2016 by Brian Halverson

The Battle for God by Karen Armstrong, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2000. Reviewed by Brian Halverson In the aftermath of September 11th, as people struggle to understand the causes, impact, and implications of terrorism, Karen Armstrong’s book The Battle for God is both timely and particularly relevant.  She traces the causes of religious fundamentalism […]

Filed Under: Justice

Doing justice in the face of evil: Reflections after the World Trade Center

June 6, 2016 by Leon Spencer

This reflection was originally published by The Washington Office on Africa, 212 East Capitol Street, Washington, DC 20003 on September 18, 2001.  Used by permission. Evil was done last week.  The death and massive destruction mark a tragedy that has caused suffering and pain far beyond the confines of New York and Washington.  My heart […]

Filed Under: Justice

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Recent Articles

Homily at Bach Vespers: Breathing Together Again

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23.1 Advent 2019

the Brown Virgin (La Morenita)

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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

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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