Saint Matthew's

Just wondering, dear members and friends of Saint Matthew’s: Do I spend an inordinate amount of time blogging?

I don’t think so.

Yesterday afternoon, I joined with the chairwoman of Saint Matthew’s Samaritans, Evelyn Comer, at the new Bergen County homeless facility on East Broadway in Hackensack to gauge how the new facility serves dinner. Through the Interreligous Fellowship for the Homeless, Saint Matthew’s will serve dinner at the facility on February 19th. Our collective intentions were simple – to see the kitchen, how dinner and dessert are served, and maybe meet some of the directors, though I didn’t think this was possible.

We arrived at 4:30pm, about a half-hour before the start of dinner service. The newly constructed facility (it only opened last July) houses 90 individuals as they transition themselves to living in permanent housing. Additionally, there is a first-class medical area, offices and rooms for outside organizations to provide services and help to the homeless of the county, and, of course, the walk-in dining area.

Evelyn and I entered the facility through the main door, which opens up into a spacious area where a manned front desk and security guard were on call. After “checking in,” the security guard showed us to the dining area. Nancy Woods, one of the directors with the IRF, showed us around the beautiful kitchen area. As Evelyn and I were on our little tour, we found out that a group from Bergen Catholic High School in Paramus was unable to serve the dinner that night. They delivered their meal — baked ziti, meatballs, salad with Creamy Italian dressing, and apple turnovers — but they couldn’t serve. The bus that was to take the students to the facility was not able to take them back to the school, which, of course, causes a little bit of a problem.

In tight jams like this, IRF volunteers come in to staff the dinner service. As Evelyn and I heard about their little plight, we offered to help them with serving dinner. I was on salad patrol — dishing up the pre-mixed, pre-dressed salad into bowls — and making them available for the diners. Having the opportunity to greet the nearly 125 people who came for dinner was blessing. A smile, a “good evening,” and a “God bless you” go a long way in the hearts of God’s children, especially those who, if circumstances were different, would not be at the facility for dinner.

As the rush died down a bit, the director of the facility, Julia Orlando, came in to see how things were going. After talking a bit, she said she was taking a colleague and friend of hers on a tour of the building and offered me the chance to join them. Evelyn, who was on butter, dish, and utensil patrol, as well as a fellow server, Chris, came on the tour with us. The two-storied facility is really first-class. It houses nearly all of the homeless services and programs offered by the county and outside organizations, which is a real blessing for those who need the help. There is no need to travel across Hackensack or even the county to get help; it is all right there in one building.

After the tour, and learning that they have a donation area for books (if anyone here at Saint Matthew’s has a few books at home that they are not using and they are in good condition, bring them to church and I will deliver them), Evelyn and I returned to our assigned tasks, but by then, dinner service was complete. The volunteer staff had just about finished the clean up of the kitchen area, so Evelyn and I took our experiences and returned home.

The Samaritans will serve a dinner at the facility on Friday, February 19th. To help defray costs, we will be taking a collection next week during the Souper Bowl of Caring. All of your donations go to help those in need. Next Sunday, please remember the Samaritans. Please remember those in need here in Bergen County.

This week, I went to the hospital to visit someone from another church (the pastor asked me to look on them while he was not around). As I checked in, I was asked if I could go to the emergency room to talk with a nun who was brought into the hospital. Of course, I said I would take the assignment. In the ER, I walked over to the cubicle and found it empty.

As I turned around to go and find out where the sister was, she was standing behind me. We spoke briefly, she laughing that the pastoral care office would send her a Lutheran and I laughing that the pastoral care office would send me, a Lutheran pastor, to a Roman Catholic nun. Her illness wasn’t too severe, but others thought she needed to get checked out, hence her appearance in the ER. She said she felt fine and was out doing her job visiting the sick, which made me smile.

During our short visit (at times I didn’t know if I was supposed to be the one doing the pastoral care work or was she), the sister asked me to go visit a homeless man she just finished visiting.

When I entered the man’s cubicle, he was laying on the bed, an oxygen mask on his face and an IV in his arm. According to the nurse, he was very sick. I pulled a stool up next to the bed and began to talk to him, reminding him what the nurses instructed — “Keep the mask on.” Yet, he continued to lift off the mask to talk with me.

He was homeless, living on the streets and in shelters for a number of years. He said he didn’t have enough education to hold down a good job in order to afford some place to live, so he lived in shelters when it was cold and in alleyways when it was warm. But with this economic downturn, he lost the job which he considered “not so good,” making his economic troubles worse. He stayed away from his family because he said he didn’t want to be a burden. Later, he told me that his family actually disowned him when he was a teenager because he got into drugs, something he wasn’t into any more.

I was surprised at his age – 38 – because he looked so much older. I guess living on the streets will do that to you.

His feet were cold. He had a couple of blankets on his bed, but it didn’t matter how many, his feet were still cold. He said that earlier in the week, somewhere he lost a bag of his clothes, a bag that contained his socks. That why, he said, his feet were cold. After several coughing bouts, the nurse came with an orderly to take him for some tests. I said a fast prayer with him and watched as they wheeled him out.

I left the hospital, completely forgetting to visit with the person from the other church. My mind was racing, thinking not only about a sick nun who ignored her own well being in order to pray with one of God’s children, but also about the very sick homeless man with cold feet. For the past couple of weeks, we have been collecting donations for Haiti earthquake relief. We’ve been bombarded by the sadness coming out of Haiti, and as a collective people we’ve responded. Our nation has donated millions upon millions of dollars to charities who are trying to relieve the incredible suffering in Haiti. We’ve prayed for Haiti and the relief workers. Nearly all of us know of someone who has travelled to Haiti to serve as a relief worker.

Yet, here in Bergen County, one of the wealthiest counties in all of the United States, there are homeless living on the streets and in shelters; there are people living in substandard housing. This is not a cry for more government funding to help with the homelessness.

I think that maybe we, as God children, need to recognize and stand up more to help God’s children in our own midst.

This weekend’s readings center on the theme of love, how God shows an incredible love to each of us sinners by sending His own Son to die for us, and in turn, we are to show that same kind of love for those around us. The Samaritans here at Saint Matthew’s are preparing to serve a meal at the Walk-In Shelter in Hackensack in a couple of weeks. Our church has always stepped up and helped – donating money during the annual “Souper Bowl for Caring” drive that will take place next Sunday, by baking and donating desserts, and cooking an incredible pot roast meal.

But the man with the cold feet got me thinking.

Can we do more?

Ugh.

The light snow that has blanketed the region has caused a lot of stress for morning rush hour drivers. The roads, in many places in Bergen County, are extremely slick. I can only imagine the hillier areas of the county — this morning is really not hot for driving. I do hope that the local governments will eventually drop some road salt to ease the travel problems. Whether they salt and sand or not, I still have to leave for a local visit at 11am, no matter the road conditions.

Sometime this afternoon, the cold front from out west is going to push through the region, pushing temperatures into a range I loving call “this isn’t right.” An easy translation is that wind chills are going to make it feel zero or below. One positive weather story is that we’re not going to get that snowstorm that the central Middle Atlantic states are gearing up for – from an area just north of DC and southward, heavy snow accumulations are expected.

For us New Jerseyans, while it will be cold this weekend, there is no threat of snow. Therefore I look forward to seeing you in church on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

I remember in my pre-pastor life, Tuesdays were practically the longest day in the week. For some odd reason, I always found myself aching for time to go by a little faster on Tuesdays. My Mondays were always good work days since it really was a terrific day to prepare for the week. Interviews, writing assignments, copious research projects, et.al, all could be meticulously planned out on a Monday morning. By around noon on Monday, my week was neatly laid out in Outlook, including what seemed like an endless “to do” list.

Yet, come Tuesday when my calendar was in full-bloom, it always seemed like it took forever to accomplish anything. Back then, I tried waking up earlier to try and tackle projects, but that never worked. No matter the various getting-things-done strategies I used to help me get through my Tuesdays, it always felt like time was ticking slowly away. Ugh.

Fast forward to today and my life as a clergyman and things are different. In theory, my Mondays are days off where I don’t spend any time preparing for the week. No studying. No writing, No church telephone calls. Oh, that is “in theory.” Recently, I have been trying my best to turn off the Monday work clock (to some success, I must say).

Therefore, my prep-day has now become Tuesday. It is no longer a day that drags. Instead, it is a day that flies. For instance, this morning, I accomplished a number of things:

1. I prepared my weekly schedule (meetings, visits, lunch dates, etc.) and to do list.

2. I made a number of telephone calls to set up home visits this week.

3. This coming weekend’s worship services have been finalized.

4. I started outlining my sermon study for the week.

5. I actually started writing this post (a miracle after being away for more than a week)

I couldn’t believe when I stared at my computer’s clock that I had already worked 3 and half hours (started at around 6:30am; I checked the clock at 10:00am). My week is planned, some work is already done, and now I get to go home and get another cup of coffee.

Yes, I am in the church office. This afternoon, I will be working from home (easier to study in the home office where my books, both physical and electronic, are available).

Pat Robertson, the televangelist head of the Christian Broadcasting Network and “The 700 Club” television program, made a startling statement yesterday when it came to the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti.

Robertson said that the devil did it.

Even more, he said that the people of Haiti did this to themselves when they made a pact with the devil to get rid of their French occupiers in the 19th Century.

His evidence includes the state of the island in which Haiti is located — they share Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. According to the reverend, the pact with the devil has kept Haiti from prospering. While the Dominican Republic has prospered, Haiti is impoverished. And now Haiti is suffering under a devastating earthquake while the DR is not.

Does this require a response?

I can’t believe I even typed those words above.

Please donate some money to the LCMS World Relief and Human Care; scroll to the bottom and click the “Give Now” button.

We’ll have a special weekend collection here at church this weekend.

After what seems like forever, our Wednesday night bible study begins anew tonight. In November, the week before Thanksgiving, we ended our nearly eight month study of the book of Romans. After reflecting on this course, while enjoyable, I decided to make our Wednesday bible study/class more topical.

Therefore, tonight we begin a study on comparing religions to Christianity. First up in our study is Mormonism.

Also, starting on Sunday, we’ll begin an after-church bible review of our weekly readings. If you don’t want to stay for it, then you can take home a weekly lessons review sheet. But more about this later this week.

Last night, the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers played a classic hockey game at Madison Square Garden. Tied at 0-0 entering the shootout period, the Devils were able to put their final shot in the net, giving them a 1-0 shootout victory. Goaltenders Martin Brodeur of the Devils and Henrik Lundquist of the Rangers were masterful, stopping every shot they faced in regulation and in the overtime period. The only shot to go in was Patrik Elias’ shot in the fourth round of the shootout.

We Rangers’ fans have dubbed Lundquist “King Henrik” for his goaltending prowess. After last night’s match, I think Devils’ fans should take a little umbrage at that moniker. The real king of the New York-New Jersey goaltenders resides in Newark, “King Martin.”

Of course, if you’re like me and have DirecTV, you missed this instant classic since DirecTV doesn’t carry the semi-sports channel, Versus, that aired this match last night. DirecTV and Comcast, the owner of the semi-sports channel Versus, are in a carriage rights squabble. Essentially, DirecTV doesn’t want to pay as much as Comcast wants for the channel, so they don’t distribute Versus to DirecTV.

But the radio call was wonderful!

(Also posted at reviovine.com)

I haven’t written about personal stuff here at the Pastor’s Blog in many, many months, relieving the stress of some who felt that the pastor (meaning me), shouldn’t write about “certain topics” on the church website. Of course, I started a personal journal blog at reviovine.com where these possibly inappropriate posts could go.

In my opinion, most of these questionable posts weren’t all that questionable, but I relented and moved all my opinionated pieces off the church website.

This morning, I got to thinking (one of the dangers of waking up too early) — there is more to me than what happens in the LCMS and the church proper. I am a lot more than just a guy who sits down at night reading Luther’s writings. Why should I leave this part of my “pastor’s life” out of a daily discussion of church?

In my mind, the central reason of creating this blog on the church website was to provide insight into my life, which includes a lot of things, not just pastoral stuff. While I do write about theology and the issues facing the church on this blog, all of which are my opinions grounded in faith and theological understanding, why can’t I express deeper non-theological ideas and opinions here?

After wrestling with this issue today, I’ve decided to lift my ban on personal stuff here at the Pastor’s Blog. Yes, I will use my personal journal at reviovine.com for much of my writing, but I will cross-post some of the personal stuff.

Last night around 7, I walked into the house, went upstairs to the bedroom, changed my clothes, and crashed. Sitting in that old recliner never felt so good (OK, maybe back some years when I bought it).

During the course of any pastoral ministry, there is most assuredly a “long stretch” that tests any clergy person. It just so happened that my stretch came during a rather busy time in the church calendar – Christmas through Epiphany 1. And yesterday following our memorial service for Rev. Jack Wangerin, I hoped that this stretch has come to an end. While being taxed physically, having the opportunity to share the grace of God in Jesus Christ with so many emboldened me spiritually during this period.

Yet, I was tired last night. Watching the final moments of the Green Bay Packers – Arizona Cardinals playoff game, I realized that I haven’t really watched a complete football game in a long time, not that this bothered me at all. Last night, I was a little surprised as I watched the Cards give up what was considered a rather comfortable lead and being forced to go to overtime, and being stunned as they stole a victory after a terrific defensive play. But that is what makes sports so fun.

Now to shake out the cobwebs (and probably clean them out of the corners in the house) and get ready for what I hope to be a normal week…whatever normal entails, that is.

The days leading up to Christmas Day are particularly busy for clergy people. If we’re not running around visiting people or providing pastoral care, then we’re trying to bang out three or four or even five sermons before the start of Christmas Eve services. A clock is only used to ensure that our next item on our “Get This Done Before Dec. 24 at 3:00pm” list is completed in a timely fashion. Yet, even in this rush to do so much, there is a calming peace that hangs over this period.

The peace that comes from Jesus Christ.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my pastorate comes when I visit people in the hospital. Whether members of Saint Matthew’s or those on a hospital’s visitation list, to bring that essential peace of the true meaning of the coming of Jesus Christ to to the sick, the struggling, and the overwhelmed is an act that strengthens me, both spiritually and physically. Even when tears roll down cheeks, it is that message that brings comfort and peace, even in times of hurt and pain.

This week, as I’ve spent the last four Christmas’ since my ordination, I visited with cancer patients, including children, at our local hospitals. With both my parents having been diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, talking with those who are suffering from the same dreaded disease and reminding them that they are not alone is something that my inner clergyman pushes me to do.

I’m always reminded at this time of the year of the many Christmas’ that I’ve missed with my mother, who was diagnosed and succumbed to lung cancer in 1990. Regularly I wonder what my mother would think of me and how I’ve turned out, being a pastor and all. And my father, who is battling back after a bout with colon cancer, a proud man who lives with a colostomy and always gets anxious each time he goes for cancer screenings, can see me in the pulpit every now and then. In those times he comes to visit here at Saint Matthew’s, I always wonder what he’s thinking as he sees his son standing there proclaiming Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

So at Christmas (or more specifically during Advent; I’m an anal-retentive pastor when it comes to the proper church season), I try to spend some time with people who are battling the same disease my mother died from and that my father battles still today.

I met with a young 6-year old girl who was, as the nurse explained, on an emotional roller coaster. One day, she has a good day; the next day, not so good. One day, the doctor brings hope. The next day, caution replaces optimism. The up-and-downs of battling cancer are hard, but this 6-year old was doing the best she can. After talking with her for a short bit before she headed off to treatment, she asked me if I could thank Jesus for her.

It was a startling moment. Of course, I promised her that I would thank Jesus for her. She smiled and went off to whatever treatment was scheduled for her that day.

Thanking Jesus. Now isn’t that truly what our response to Christmas is truly about?

It is not about gifts, no matter the cost. It is not about Christmas cards in the mail or email. It is not about eating too much on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

It is truly about thanking God for coming to us and saving us.

Join us tonight at Saint Matthew’s as we thank our Lord for coming to us. See you at 8:00pm.

As we mentioned in a earlier news post, our Saturday Night Divine Service will go on as scheduled this evening at 5:00pm.

However, after discussing the snowstorm situation, we’ve decided to cancel church tomorrow morning. Traveling conditions will be worse than treacherous in the morning. With the storm starting later than was expected, the storm is going to stick around a lot longer. In addition, snow totals for our Bergen County area have been upped to nearly 15 inches. Clearing that amount of snow from the church will be impossible.

If you read this in time, please come to church this evening.

The sad part about canceling our worship service tomorrow is that it was scheduled to be our Children’s Christmas Program.

This is the second year in the row when weather has played havoc for our Sunday School program.

REMINDER – church is being held this evening at 5:00pm. Please join us.

Earlier today, weather forecasters said that the pending snowstorm would start around 11am, noon at the outside. However, as anyone can tell, it only really started in New Milford around 2:00pm.

Therefore, our Saturday Night Divine Service will be held its normal 5:00pm start time.

Tomorrow, that’s another story. According to Accuweather.com, the storm is taking its sweet time getting formed and is moving very slowly. Stay tuned to the blog for updates on tomorrow.

Good morning — due to the impending snowstorm/blizzard ready to wallop our region this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow, please be aware that WE MAY CANCEL our  Saturday Night Divine Service this evening at 5pm.

As pastor, I don’t come to this conclusion easily. I hate to cancel church.

But the snow is scheduled to start falling this morning and only pick up in intensity throughout the afternoon into tonight, ending sometime tomorrow morning. Traveling is going to extremely hazardous this afternoon and tonight; travel on Sunday morning is still up in the air, depending how the road crews clear the snow.

The only consideration for canceling the service tonight is due to travel conditions on the roads. Please keep an eye on this blog as we come close to a decision regarding our Saturday Night Divine Service.

Sunday Divine Service is still on.

I don’t post enough information regarding what our Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod is dealing with on a daily basis. In an effort to change that misstep, here is the latest news release from the Synod:

Kieschnick responds to Blue Ribbon Task Force report
By Linda C. Hoops

Believing that the delegates to next year’s Synod convention have a “right to hear and that I have a duty to share my thoughts, affirmations, concerns, and recommendations” on the report of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance, Synod President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick issued an eight-page response to the report Dec. 1.

His response and the 50-page task force report, released in late October, are on the LCMS Web site at http://www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture.

Kieschnick provided the rationale for the formation and work of the task force in a March 1, 2005, pastoral letter.

“There is a great need for a thorough and fundamental review of what our Synod is, how it is organized, and how it functions.  What was first created as an organizational system for a Synod made up of a small number of congregations (14) now struggles to serve more than 6,150 congregations.”

The task force was asked to suggest a philosophy and form of structure and governance for the decades ahead that is “appropriately representative, incorporates sufficient checks and balances, and is not cumbersome or excessively complex. It should facilitate maximum operating efficiency on behalf of and in support of the members and congregations of our Synod in accomplishing the mission of our Lord and His church.”

In his response to the final report, Kieschnick thanked the task force for its “faithful and extensive work over the past four and one-half years,” then evaluated the task force recommendations and indicated his level of support for each.

One of the major recommendations coming out of the report calls for the elimination of the Synod’s seven program boards and two of its six commissions.  Stating that the “structure of the national Synod has evolved over the years into a complex and inefficient system that is perceived as unresponsive to the needs of the congregations,” the task force report recommends consolidating the eliminated boards and commissions into two advisory commissions, one for National Mission and one for International Mission.

The senior staff members in these two commissions would be directly accountable to a chief mission officer, who would be accountable to the Synod president.

In his response, Kieschnick cites several examples of problems he has personally encountered in the current Synod structure, including budget-management issues and boards working independently of each other and not collaboratively.

Kieschnick supports the recommendation to eliminate the current boards and commissions, stating it would solve the problems of supervision and accountability within the Synod structure.  But he also says that having the chief mission officer accountable to him “could be seen as concentration of excessive authority in the office of the Synod president.  That is neither the task force’s intention nor my desire.”

Instead, he says a plan that would consolidate the current program boards and commissions into two boards (the Board for National Mission and the Board for International Mission), instead of two advisory commissions, “is worthy of consideration.”

“My primary concern in this matter is to improve the system that currently exists while also ensuring that the task force recommendation would properly and adequately satisfy my request and the Synod’s need for provision of appropriate checks and balances,” he writes.

He also states that “assigning to the president the direct or indirect responsibility to supervise the day-to-day work of the employees of the Synod and allowing the president a method of intervention should either board violate the constitution, bylaws, or resolutions of the Synod,” should be considered.

Kieschnick expresses support for the recommendations made in the first three sections of the report, which deal with amending the Synod’s constitution, the voting rights of individuals and congregations, and the restoration of circuits to the purpose for which they were originally intended, stating, “Circuits are so important for the health and well-being of congregations and ministers of the Gospel.”

In the fourth section, which discusses districts and congregations, he cautions that a proposed future study of district reconfiguration “would need to be conducted with great sensitivity to the tradition and history of each of the 35 districts of the Synod.”

He favors the creation of a separate category for commissioned ministers to serve as voting delegates to district and Synod conventions that would not reduce the number of lay or pastoral delegates, but he does not support a recommendation that would give congregations with more than 1,000 communicant members two extra votes at district conventions, stating, “It does not appear to be contributing to a greater spirit of harmony in our Synod.”

Kieschnick supports the task force recommendation in section five that calls for the establishment of five national regions to provide more effective representation of congregations across the Synod on the Praesidium (president and vice presidents) and Board of Directors of the Synod.

“Only one Synod vice president currently lives west of the Mississippi River.  He lives in St. Louis, only 20 miles west of that river,” Kieschnick writes in his response.  ”Since regular visitation of all 35 districts by the Synod president is virtually impossible, I support this recommendation, which would enable congregations to nominate vice presidents from their region.”

In section six of the task force report, Kieschnick views as “excellent” a recommendation that would allot to each district a proportionate share of the fixed number of Synod convention delegates based on the district’s percentage of the total congregations and communicants.

The task force had recommended that the number of delegates be reduced to 650, from the current number of 1,250 voting delegates and 350 advisory delegates.

“While the specific number of national convention delegates recommended by the task force would result in significant cost savings to congregations, careful consideration should be given to whether 650 delegates would provide sufficiently broad representation of congregations to national conventions,” Kieschnick comments.

He also supports the task force recommendation for a quadrennial convention cycle for circuit and district theological convocations and district and Synod conventions.

In the conclusion to his response, Kieschnick writes, “It is my prayer that the work of the task force and the decisions ultimately made by the Synod in convention will result in a system of structure and governance for our beloved Synod that will result in greater efficiency and effectiveness in accomplishing the mission our Lord has given His church.”

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As I have said and written, my biggest fear about this governance change is how congregations, especially small to medium congregations, are going to be treated. When the Synod reduces the number of delegates to the national convention, thus reducing the numbers of delegates from each district, it is guaranteed that large churches will have “more of a say” in who represents a district at convention.

Now, this is not to say that I don’t have other issues with the Blue Ribbon Task Force’s report. I feel that more worked needed to be done in explaining the cost rebalancing of the Synod, the districts, and our individual congregations. I fear that costs are going to be pressed upon our districts, causing a lot of heartache on congregations struggling to pay annual commitments.