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Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 21:34:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: Benjamin M. Baldus
Dear List:
I am Ben Baldus, Director of the Office of Governmental Affairs, Lutheran
Social Services of Michigan. I also work on social ministry/public policy
matters with the three Michigan Bishops of the ELCA.
I also serve a congregation as Minister of Music where I'm the principal
liturgical planner, choir director and organist. The communications on this
list have been very interesting.
Ben Baldus
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Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 15:06:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: Peter D Banos
OK,
For those of you who don't already know more about me than you want to
from Lthrn-L, here goes.
Who am I?
A 45-year old single male New Yorker, of Greek descent, baptized and
chrismated in the Orthodox Church. (My _real_ given name is Panagiotis.)
How did I end up Lutheran?
Well, I didn't have a real religious upbringing; my parents and I only
attended services when there was some family event, a baptism or wedding
or funeral. And once a year we went for Communion. So my knowledge of the
church was minimal. I came to enjoy the liturgy greatly in an aesthetic
way, but never felt I really belonged, because no one really explained
anything. (Services were in Greek, and there was never anything put in the
hands of the congregation so they could follow along, much less sing
along.)
I did develop a certain curiosity about religion, and visited various
churches when I was on my own, in college; but nothing "stuck." I
eventually studied Asian religions, and am still impressed by many things
about them, Buddhist metaphysics especially. But as "religions" I felt
that these were alien to me, something to study but not to practice.
Finally, after getting good enough at Indian languages to be able to make
a living as a Bibliographic Assistant at the Columbia University Library,
I found myself attending Saint Peter's Church, at 54th and Lex for
those of you who know Manhattan, and something _happened._ I can only
describe it as the Spirit moving me. One minute the Gospel was a nice
story to me, the next minute it was _true._
So I stayed and joined and became an active member of the
congregation, and I sing in the choir (bass-baritone), and when Lthrn-L
was founded last year I was one of the first members and now am
co-listowner.
(If you don't know it, Lthrn-l was meant as and in principle still is a
pan-Lutheran list, but recently its bandwidth has been taken up
increasingly by LCMS pastors discussing matters from their own point of
view, rather loudly at times, which is why, I gather, John decided a more
ELCA-focused list was needed. We are in agreement that these two lists are
complementary and not in competition with each other. So here I am.)
What else should I say? I love Luther! (Always did, even in my "pagan"
days.)
Hi, Mom! hi, Dad! (My parents are both deceased, but just in case there's
e-mail in heaven...)
(Enough already!)
:-)
-Peter D. Banos
pdb1@columbia.edu
"Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and
Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia... in our own languages
we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."
---------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 21:24:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: Brian Barnier
I've never been one of the first people on a list before.
I attend St. Michael Lutheran Church in Canton, Michigan about 10 miles east
of Ann Arbor with my family. I have been increasingly involved over the
past several years volunteering to teach Sunday School, in the Cub Scout
Pack with my son, and helping an Elder set up a small group. After worship
this Sunday, I will leave for an overseas assignment in the former Soviet
Union for about 2 1/2 weeks. I will look forward to the Sunday afternoon
Bible Studies with other expats and locals. Therefore, you will see me
unsubscribe and then subscribe again in early August.
I would welcome your prayers for the 5 plane flights it takes to get there
and then another 5 back, along with prayers for the Bible Studies. How's that?
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 17:18:47 -0400
From:DonBein@aol.com
Greetings! I have been lurking since I returned from a marvelous Alaska
vacation July 8, and I think it is time for me to do a little bit more than
lurk.
I am Don Bein (proud father of sometime list poster Janet Bein). I am a
member of Kingo Lutheran Church (what's a Kingo, you ask?) in Milwaukee.
Soon my wife Dorothy and I will be moving to a retirement campus on Cedar
Lake near West Bend, WI.
A WWII weather forecaster, I worked in engineering economics until I got sent
to computer school in 1952. Had a marvelous career with A.O.Smith
Corporation building a very successful computer business and then finished my
career in strategic planning.
For my church I have had all sorts of jobs. I like best working with
children and last June I finished 50 consecutive years of Sunday School
teaching. This month Kingo is opening an e-mail link to our telephone prayer
chain. Now anyone in the world is welcome to pray with us! I am working on
an e-mail chat group with our high school youth. Anyone with experience
here, help wanted!
For the Greater Milwaukee Synod I've worked as a mission interpreter and I
offer computer services. Each year the congregations of our synod receive a
historical data profile, an evangelism effectiveness profile and a plan for
future congregation giving. My goal is to integrate the data profile with
detail census data in a way that is useful for congregation strategic
planning. Anyone with experience or ideas, again, help wanted!
A major concern of mine is the cultural tide toward lack of compassion in our
society today. I feel Jesus calls us to make a witness against this tidal
flood, but I don't know how. The problem was put on the other Lutheran list
and on the Anglican list, but both of these drifted into politics which to
my mind is no help. I think politicians follow the people's culture, they
rarely if ever lead it. Again any ideas, help wanted!
Don Bein Milwaukee
Two looked out from prison bars
One saw mud, and one saw stars.
donbein@aol.com
><^`> ><^`> ><^`> ><^`> ><^`> ><^`> ><^`> ><^`> ><^`>
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998
From: Janet Bein JanetJaguar@compuserve.com
Janet Bein, laic by calling
St. Augustine's Episcopal Church
Wilmette, IL
Lector and Prayer Leader and licensed Lay Eucharistic Minister.
very active in the Outreach Commission; also in Adult Ed and others.
[Our priest is trying to talk me into being sometime chalice-bearer
-- but I think I want to stay on the congregational side of the
altar, it's where I feel I belong.]
Age 50; always single by choice, no children.
Quality Control Manager in my other life.
Raised Lutheran -- as my father, also a list member, still is.
Became Episcopalian some 12 or 13 years ago -- the credal and
experiential worship mode suits the mystic in me much better than
the confessional style ever did, and doesn't change my theology
much at all! :-)
Broad to high church preferences in liturgy, mainstream solid liberal
Protestant theology. [I still remember my Lutheran confirmation
lessons -- and they still work in my chosen church.] Enjoy the sense
of catholic and world-wide communion that comes from being Anglican.
Very ecumenical in my outlook, while refusing to change my personal
stances: as early as college, I stopped identifying my religion by
denomination and started thinking of myself as Christian. The
flavor of my times of life can change without challanging that basic
assumption.
I joined this list to both renew my roots and to confirm that I have
made sound choices in my changing affiliations -- and so I have. I
now belong and am extremely comfortable where I am. I also enjoy the
conversation, and am intensely interested in the Concordat talks.
I firmly believe that both churches will be greatly enriched if they
will both take in what the other church has to offer while regrounding
themselves in their own richnesses by offering their best.
Peace and Joy,
Janet Bein Smile!
Chicagoland, IL, USA Godde loves Us!
JanetJaguar@compuserve.com :-)
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
><(*> <*)>< ><(*> <*)>< ><(*> <*)>< ><(*> <*)><
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Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 23:01:49 -0400
From: Paul.Bellan-Boyer@dss.fw.gs.com (Paul Bellan-Boyer)
Subject: Summa vitae
How's that subject line for pretentious?! Should my Latin grammar be
in error, please feel free to correct it, but not my English, 'cause it
already perfect be. Greetings to all.
By way of introduction, let me say that I am twice Lutheran, once by
birth, and then again by choice. I grew up in Missouri, the state
but not the synod, at Faith Lutheran Church (LCA) in Cool Valley, which
is in north St. Louis County. I am an OK (organist's kid).
When I was but a lad I met and married my wife Lisa, who is a PK and a
recovering Methodist. We both wanted to see the big city, so we loaded
up the truck and moved to New York, settling in Hoboken, and later
moving to Jersey City. We had both drifted away from the church, but
found ourselves becoming involved in singing (mostly sacred early music),
and studying/experiencing religion in contexts very different from our
Midwestern upbringing. Hallelujah!
After a very bad ending to a generally good rechurching experience, we
are now members of two congregations. All Nations Lutheran is a
storefront congregation in Jersey City, which owes its founding and much
of its current support to the mission fund of the ELCA and the kindness
of strangers, I mean brothers and sisters in Christ. We are there most
Sundays, but also felt strongly called to be a part of All Saints
Episcopal in Hoboken, so we worship there about one Sunday morning a
month, plus other times. Both need us and feed us.
Lisa and I are both graduates of the Diakonia program, and are both
involved with Lutheran campus ministry in New York City. She is
finishing up her master's degree at NYU (thesis time). I work as a
computer nerd on Wall Street, and am also currently pursuing my long
lost bachelor's degree in an independent study program at Vermont
College. This semester I am studying family systems theory, and using
that to read the Abraham/Isaac/Jacob stories in the book of Genesis.
Now that I mention it, a paper on Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar is really
what I _should_ be writing now, so let me sign off with best wishes for
the future.
Regards,
Paul Bellan-Boyer
pbb@fw.gs.com
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 1996 12:09:27 -0500
From: Mark Belles BELLESMW@gvl.esys.com
My name is Mark Belles. I'm a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in
Richardson, Texas. I joined this list out of curiosity, so I'll probably
lurk most of the time.
My most recently read books are Meeting Jesus again for the first time by
Marcus Borg (am currently very interested in "the search for the historical
Jesus") and Down the River by Edward Abbey (I'm strongly interested/involved
in Environmental Issues).
Most (my wife might say all) of my spare time is spent as Scoutmaster of a
Boy Scout Troop.
bellesmw@gvl.esys.com
-------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 12:14:16 EDT
From: Mike Bennett MBennetts@aol.com
Mike Bennett, layman
St James Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, Illinois
Age 54; married
Grown son (by first marriage) 31 with a wife and two kids
Son at home age 15; daughter at home age 13
ELCA Lutheran for about 5 years. Previously Evangelical Covenant except for a
few years as high church Episcopalean
A bit of a fish out of water: "too conservative" for ELCA; "too liberal" for
LCMS or WELS.
Mainly lurking for the past several months, but still here ;-)
Mike Bennett
Lake Forest, Illinois
________________________________
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 1996 10:14:58 -0500 (EST)
From: DBERRY@CENTER.COLGATE.EDU
I am an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Central New York, and
have been getting involved lately in teaching about and discussing
the Concordat. Joined here because I really want to be more in
touch with Lutheran conversations. Only one Lutheran Church iin
my county, and that is MS.
Donald L. Berry
dberry@center.colgate.edu
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 04 Mar 1998 07:09:19 -0700
From: John Blackwell
Hi. Please thank the list processor (pat it on its case) for allowing me
into this place.
My name is John Blackwell, and I live with my wife, Sandy, and my Border
Collie, Bubbles, in Taylorsville, Utah, a town of about 40k located in the
Salt Lake Valley. Have lived here for about 17 years. Work as a Pharmacy
Technician now but was a LPN for about 7 years prior to that. I am 37, and
attend St. Matthews Lutheran Church (ELCA). I describe myself as fat, bald
and dumb -- always with a smile... more appropriately, I describe myself as
a sinner, saved by grace.
I grew up in Phoenix, was baptised at Our Saviors' Lutheran Church as an
infant in 1961. At the time, it was an Augustana Lutheran Church (now
ELCA). My mom still attends church there.
As for me, well, I lost my way in life around age 10. Gave up church,
rejected religion and called myself an Agnostic (never REALLY knowing what
that meant). Kind of interesting, I described myself as an Agnostic to
others but always qualified it with, "But I was baptised as a Lutheran."
It took about 25 years for me to realize errors that I had made. About a
year and a half ago, I started to have some really strong feelings about my
life in general and religion, in particular. Took almost six months to get
my courage up and to begin to believe what the Holy Spirit was guiding me
to do. During the week of Easter last year, I decided to go and see if I
could find a resolution to these feelings. I went to the only Lutheran
Church that I knew of at the time -- a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church.
Sat in the parking lot for about half an hour. Something didn't feel right
to me -- can't explain it to this day. I came home and looked on the web
-- found the ELCA page -- and found my home. Drove to the church and sat
in the parking lot. Was much more relaxed... until after about 15 minutes
a gentleman came to visit me and ask if I needed some help. I explained
why I was there and was invited in to talk. It was the Pastor -- a
stranger then, a good friend now -- Robert Tyce. We talked for about an
hour. I came to Easter service that week, and haven't left since :)).
Don't know what else to say. I read my Bible daily (trying to make up for
lost time???). I am woefully ignorant about the Bible but I keep trying to
understand in more everyday. I know God loves me and I try to worship him
at all times, in all that I do (and I fail more than I suceed).
Why am I here? Well, I love to learn. I will probably stay in the
background and be more of a "lurker"... but know I am here and grateful for
the opportunity to learn from all of you.
Peace be with you all.
John Blackwell
scooter@xmission.com
Taylorsville, Utah
------------------------
Date: 1 Jun 1998 11:10:51 -0400
From: "Bronson, John" john_bronson@crabpot.chesapeake.edu
John O. Bronson, layman
St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Baltimore, MD
Age 61; Widowered
Three grown children; six grandchildren
Former Episcopalian
ELCA Lutheran for one year and some months
"Wild-eyed" liberal on some issues yet "conservative" on others
Ecumenical and firmly reformation oriented; "high church" liturgy but Bible
centered; catholic but hold Rome at arms length; protestant and evangelical
but hold TV preachers et al at greater than arms length
Mainly lurking and appreciate the conversations. :-)
------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 16:19:02 -0400
From: Jim Butler JButler962@aol.com
I'm going to be lurking most of the time (as of today I'll be on digest) and
will rarely post, but think you should know who's hiding in the shadows.
I'm Jim Butler, an LCMS pastor from Massachusetts. (I consider myself to be
in the right center of the LCMS.) I have an interest in all branches of
Lutheranism and have read things from the ELCA (and its predecessor synods)
to the Concordia Lutheran Conference (a small group of eight churches that
claims to be the only correct Lutheran church in the country).
I've been fortunate to have overall pretty good contacts with ELCA members
and pastors through Lutheran Youth Encounter, Lutheran High School in
Rockford, IL, and some other groups. I've had a couple of strange ones, but I
can say the same for my LCMS contacts too.
Keep writing. I'll keep reading!
Jim Butler
Springfield, MA
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 11:52:54
From: Andrew Byars
Ah, yes, the introduction. I would like to skip this, but here goes: my
name is (C.) Marie Byars. I have a background in Biblical Languages (I
also know German and can fake my way through short passages of Latin) and
theology, with a smattering of philosophy and anthroplogy thrown in. I
studied to be a Lutheran Bible Translator, a goal which is currently on
hold, although, God willing, this will happen some time after I retire the
Navy Reserves in 11 years. I've been an Army mechanic and am a Boatwain's
Mate 1st Class (E-6; another "blue collar endeavor) in the reserves, work as
a psychiatric technician in a mental hospital, and write religious columns
for a local paper.
Chairete!! (Rejoice & Farewell!!~!)
Marie Byars
acmbyars@computerlink.copm