Reflection – Interim Pastor Lori Eickmann Inside This Issue

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Reflection cont. 2

Interim Ministry Update 2

Interim Ministry Update cont. 3

Thank you 3

Save the date & Prayer requests 4

The Messenger Our Redeemerʼs Lutheran Church

609 Southwood Drive So. San Francisco, CA 94080

May 2012

Community Lunch 5

Birthdays 8

We say we believe in resurrection… That was the recurring phrase in a recent sermon on Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to the disciples. Like the first disciples, we, too, struggle to comprehend the unexpected, unearned, unending grace of God in Christ. Who is this Resurrected One? Early in May, our Scripture readings present Christ as the Good Shepherd and the vine in whom we are rooted. We will hear again that Jesus is a shepherd who is willing to give up his own life for his beloved flock; and we abide securely in this one, who is the very source of life, whom death can’t contain. What does resurrection mean for followers of the Risen One? “Love one another as I have loved you,” Jesus says. (John 15:12) The self-giving love of Christ is not what the world expects. Power is made perfect not in domination and revenge, but in mercy and forgiveness. As the children’s song says, we love because God first loved us! What does resurrection mean for Our Redeemer’s? At the end of May, we celebrate Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit – “through whom and in whom the people of God are created and re-created.” (Sundays and Seasons, Year B) Re-creation, re-birth, renewal, resurrection: these are hopeful words for Our Redeemer’s, a congregation in transition and looking to the future. We say we believe in resurrection… In the Interim Ministry Update on page two, you will find the results of the first sessions of the Behavioral Covenant workshop and the Who We Are event, and invitations to participate in the final sessions of these

The Lutheran Update 3

Green Tidbits 6

Green Tidbits cont. 7

Open Cathedral 7

Reflection – Continued

Interim Ministry Update – Pastor Lori

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sessions of these opportunities. Do you believe that the Spirit is alive and moving at Our Redeemer’s? Do you believe that resurrection – whatever it may look like – is your destiny? Take a look at the Our Redeemer’s Timeline posted in the sanctuary; note where you’ve been and where you are now as a congregation. Then imagine the future as though you truly believed in resurrection!

This is an exciting time at Our Redeemer’s! The first week of May is “Our Redeemer’s Week” because of the key events that are coming up quickly:

• The  rescheduled  final  session  of  the  Behavioral  Covenant  workshop  will  take  place  on  Wednesday,  May  2,  starting  with  a  simple  meal  at  6  p.m.    You  did  excellent  work  at  the  first  session;  let’s  finish  the  covenant  to  help  usher  in  a  new  era  at  ORLC.  

• The  final  “Who  We  Are”  event  is  Sunday,  May  6  (note  the  date  change!)  after  worship,  with  a  potluck  luncheon.  

Many of you are continuing to do the collective introspective work and the short-term visioning necessary to prepare your Ministry Site Profile and form a Call Committee. You have really done well at these initial sessions. This next week will be crucial in completing what we’ve started – so please continue to come and be part of setting ministry goals and considering what skills will be needed in the pastor who will serve with you next! Here are the results of the initial events:

Results of the first “Who We Are” event • The  Our  Redeemer’s  Timeline  shows  where  you  have  been  and  where  you  are  now  

–  and  it  is  a  story  of  growth  and  fun  events,  disagreement  and  decline,  a  strong  focus  on  families/children  and  then  on  the  needy,  very  successful  fundraising,  and  many  personal  milestones.  You  had  pastors  who  were  beloved,  others  who  were  little  mentioned,  and  still  others  about  whom  members  are  divided.  

• GOOD  AT:  Those  present  identified  ORLC  as  being  good  at  community  outreach  to  the  needy;  at  having  fun  events  within  the  congregation  and  caring  for  one  another;  at  being  friendly;  and  at  fundraising.      

• NOT  SO  GOOD  AT:  Those  present  said  ORLC  is  not  so  good  at  negotiating  with  the  preschool,  and  is  not  so  good  at  being  open  to  change.      

• At  the  final  session  on  May  6,  goals  will  be  set  based  on  what  ORLC  is  good  at  and  not  as  good  at.    Based  on  these  goals,  we  will  consider  what  skills  and  characteristics  are  needed  in  your  next  pastor.  

Results of the first Behavioral Covenant workshop

Those present identified the top seven unhelpful “norms” that, if changed, would have the most positive impact on creating more authentic Christian community at Our Redeemer’s. These behaviors were written as humorous, unhelpful “rules” – and the laughter that greeted some revealed

Interim Ministry Update – Continued

Thank You Notes

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Submit your thank you messages by sending them to James at Office@ourredeemerslutheran.org.

To the readers of the Passion story and readers on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; Bill for making the new processional cross and Diana for donating the wood; Jeanette and the choir for special music and the altar guild and Jeanette for decorations throughout Lent, Holy Week and Easter Sunday; Community Care for fabulous food and decorations for the Easter Breakfast; and Chelsea and Caitlyn for being acolytes for the first time on Easter Sunday!

The Lutheran Update

The Office at Our Redeemers Lutheran Church is going to be updating its readers for The Lutheran. If you wish to still receive the Lutheran you will need to call the office at 650-583-5622 or you may send an email to Office@ourredeemerslutheran.org. If we do not get a response then we will be removing your name from the list. Thank you -ORLC

a high level of agreement from the group! • LEADERSHIP  NORMS:  1)  Don’t  listen  to  ideas  you  don’t  like.    2)  Whatever  you  do,  

do  not  compromise!  • DECISION-­MAKING  NORMS:    3)  If  a  decision  is  made  that  you  don’t  agree  with,  only  

talk  about  it  in  the  parking  lot  (after  the  meeting).    4)    After  a  decision  is  made,  more  research  must  be  done!  

• CONFLICT  AND  COMPLAINTS:  5)  Conflicts  must  never  be  resolved,  just  repeated  over  and  over  again.    6)  Be  part  of  the  problem,  not  part  of  the  solution.    7)  Complaints  must  be  made  while  walking  out  the  door  and  vowing  never  to  come  back!  

• At  the  final  session  on  May  2,  we  will  turn  these  unhelpful  “rules”  into  helpful  statements  that  will  become  the  Behavioral  Covenant  –  a  spiritual  practice  for  the  congregation  moving  forward.  

Save the Dates!

Claudia Anderson (Schizophrenia & anxiety) Calvin Burns (brother-in- law of Walter Johnson, on dialysis) Frank Hanly Jean Achter ( Claudia’s sister who has liver cancer) Claude Chirolo (Mel Chirolo’s brother, cancer) Denelle Crespo (16 year-old teenage girl; gradually loosing her eye sight; cause unknown; family friend of Judie & Tom Oliver) Family and friends of Jeanette Cool friend, Tomas Rashid Ryan Tylor, David, & Diane Flynn Ann Johnson (sister-in-law of Walter Johnson) Mike Lewis (the Quades’ son-in-law; cystic fibrosis) Merellas Family (mourning the passing of Betty Merellas) Niel Nielson (Parkinson’s) Sindy Olsen (mother-in-law of Beverly Boblitt’s grandson Devin; inoperable brain tumors) Dennis Quade (Parkinson’s) Timothy Repp (son of Kathy Repp, repeated strokes affecting his eye sight) Jay Sage (Will & Steve Kongle’s grandfather; multiple medical problems) Sauer Family Triggas Family (mourning the passing of Jim Triggas) Anna Van Nuys (wife of John Lutz’ father; cancer) Amodeo Family Harper Mettenbrink Bishop Mark Holmerud Julia Meldrum (Undergoing brain surgery) Lange Family (mourning the passing’s of Joyce Lange and Hank Wind) Jeannette Eickmann

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*May 2, Wed, Final Behavioral Covenant workshop. Meal at 6 p.m., workshop at 6:30 p.m.

*May 5, Spring Tea, 1-3pm

*May 6, 2nd “Who We Are” event/lunch after worship *May 19, Community Lunch

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April Community Lunch - Judie Oliver

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We had 37 guests at our April lunch. Our numbers were down this month but we attributed it to the beautiful weather we had that day. We hope our friends who were not there had plenty to eat and enjoyed the day. I would like to dedicate this article to those behind the scenes. You all know me as “Chief Bottle Washer” but perhaps you don’t know all that goes on to present these meals. As I’ve said before, we couldn’t do this without the help and support of the congregation. Let’s start with Stan who puts up the Community Lunch sign the week before and Sam who puts up the tables on Friday so we’re ready to go early Saturday morning. Of course our cooks, bakers and servers Barbara, Jo, Fran and Audrey, I can always depend on them to prepare something delicious. Tom after putting in a day’s work arrives to help in the kitchen and keep me grounded. My energizer bunny, Marit, along with Donna, Sam, Dennis, Patty, Darlene and Kim set tables and serve. Even with her mobility issues, Julie brings cookies every month and sets up the toiletry table. Pastor Lori ministers to our guests and Bill serves and delivers the blessing if Pastor Lori is absent. Helen washes and returns the tablecloths every month. Those are the members of the congregation and if I’ve left anyone out, I do apologize. These are the people who come to help because they love what we do and I think enjoy our company… Vickie who’s been there from the beginning (I don’t think she’s missed a lunch) and Inge runs a close second. Inge also brought her friend and neighbor Maria to the last lunch. Maria has been a guest and wanted to come and help. Hari, who joined us while doing community service and comes back every month to help because he enjoys it. Diana has recently joined our lunches and she not only helps during the lunches but is becoming a major contributor for our other events. We couldn’t do this without these wonderful folks and our guests and I appreciate all your help and dedication. Dennis is our Greeter. He not only greets and counts our guests; he gets to know them and gives them inspiration. This past luncheon he met a Vietnam Army veteran who wrote on a prayer request card “Blessed are the children of the Lord that open their hearts for others”. This makes all the planning, preparation and clean-up worthwhile knowing how much our guests appreciate what we do. I hope I will have an opportunity to thank him personally for his service and for his comment. The next luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2012. Set-up and food prep begins at 10:30 a.m, lunch is from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., with clean-up starting at 12:00. The menu will be Parmesan Chicken Breast, Pesto Pasta, and salad, Pound Cake with Berries, Fresh Fruit, Coffee/Tea or Lemonade. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. You can contact me via email at judieoliver@yahoo.com or phone 650-488-0704. Peace - Judie Oliver

Green Team Tidbits Co-op America has put out a helpful guide to make choices that benefit people and the planet. 10 Things to Never Buy Again:

• Styrofoam  cups:    Styrofoam  is  forever.    It  is  not  biodegradable.    Purchase  compostable  paper  cups.  

• Paper  Towels:    Paper  towels  waste  forest  resources,  landfill  space  and  your  money.  Look  for  recycled,  non-­‐bleached  products  or  buy  dishtowels  or  rags  to  wash  and  reuse.  

• Bleached  coffee  filters:    Dioxins,  chemicals  formed  during  the  chlorine  b  leaching  process,  contaminate  groundwater  and  air  and  are  linked  to  cancer  in  humans  and  animals.    Look  for  UNBLEACHED  paper  filters  or  use  reusable  filters  such  as  washable  cloth  filters  or  metal.  

• Teak  and  mahogany:    Every  year  27  million  acres  of  tropical  rainforest  (an  area  the  size  of  Ohio)  are  destroyed.    Rainforests  cover  6%  of  Earth's  surface  and  are  home  to  over  half  of  the  world's  wild  plant,  animal,  and  insect  species.    The  Amazon  rainforest  produces  40%  of  the  world's  oxygen.    Look  for  Forest  Stewardship  Council  certified  wood.    Reuse  wood,  buy  furniture  and  other  products  made  from  recycled  wood.  

• Chemical  Pesticides  and  herbicides:    American  households  use  80  million  pounds  of  pesticides  each  year.    The  EPA  found  at  least  one  pesticide  in  almost  every  water  and  fish  sample  from  streams  and  in  more  than  1/2  of  shallow  wells  sampled  in  agricultural  and  urban  areas.    These  chemicals  pose  threats  to  animals  and  people,  especially  children.    Buy  organic  pest  controllers  such  as  diatomaceous  earth.    Plan  native  plants  and  practice  integrated  pest  management.    Plant  flowers  and  herbs  that  act  as  natural  pesticides.  

• Conventional  household  cleaners:    It  is  important  to  look  at  the  labels  of  household  cleaners.    Cleaners  can  contain  hazardous  ingredients  such  as  organic  solvents  and  petroleum-­‐based  chemicals  that  can  release  volatile  organic  compounds  (VOCs)  into  your  indoor  environment,  positing  a  particular  danger  for  children.    The  average  American  household  has  3-­‐10  hazardous  products  in  the  home.    Look  for  non-­‐toxic,  vegetable-­‐based,  biodegradable  cleaners.  Try  making  your  own  green  cleaner  using  vinegar,  water  and  castile  soap.  

• Toys  made  with  PVC  plastic:    70%  of  PVD  is  used  in  construction  but  it  is  also  found  in  everyday  plastics,  including  toys.    Vinyl  chloride,  the  chemical  used  to  make  PVC,  is  a  known  human  carcinogen.    Additives  such  as  lead  and  cadmium  are  sometimes  added  to  PVD  to  keep  it  from  breaking  down;  these  additives  can  be  particularly  dangerous  in  children's  toys.    PVC  is  also  the  least  recycled  plastic.    AVOID  plastics  labeled  "PVD"  or  "#3".    Look  for  #1  and  #2  plastics,  which  are  easier  to  recycle  and  don't  produce  as  many  toxins.    Use  sustainable  construction  materials.      

• Plastic  forks  and  spoons:    Disposable  plastic  utensils  are  not  biodegradable  and  not  recyclable  in  most  areas.    Use  compostable  food  service  items.    Companies  such  as  

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• Biocorp  make  cutlery  from  plant  materials  such  as  cornstarch  and  cellulose.    Or  carry  your  own  utensils  and  food  containers.  

• Farm-­raised  salmon:    Studies  from  Indiana  University  have  found  that  PCB's  and  other  environmental  toxins  are  present  at  higher  levels  in  farm-­‐raised  salmon  than  wild  salmon.    Pregnant  women  and  those  of  child  bearing  age  should  be  careful  when  choosing  fish  due  to  high  levels  of  environmental  toxins  including  mercury  found  in  many  fish.      

• Rayon:    Developed  and  manufactured  by  DuPont  as  the  world's  first  synthetic  fiber,  it  is  made  from  liquefied  wood  pulp.    Unfortunately,  turning  wood  into  rayon  is  wasteful  and  dirty,  because  lots  of  water  and  chemicals  are  needed  to  extract  usable  fibers  from  trees.    Only  about  1/3  of  the  pulp  obtained  from  a  tree  will  end  up  in  finished  rayon  thread.    There  is  mounting  evidence  that  rayon  clothing  manufacturing  contributes  to  significant  forest  destruction  and  pollution  in  developing  countries.  

 Excerpted  from  Green  America.    For  more  information  see:    www.greenamerica.org  

Green Team Tidbits cont.

Open Cathedral- San Francisco Night Ministry  On  Sunday,  April  15th  Judie  and  Barbara  attended  the  Night  Ministry  Celebration  in  conjunction  with  Thrivent  Financial  for  Lutherans  at  the  San  Francisco  Civic  Center.    The  San  Francisco  Chapter  Board  and  the  San  Mateo  Chapter  Board  of  Thrivent  Financial  for  Lutherans  decided  to  jointly  sponsor  a  fellowship  luncheon  for  these  needy  individuals.    Thrivent  members  from  congregations  throughout  the  area  also  joined  in  our  support.    There  were  about  75  people  in  attendance  for  the  Community  

Gathering  and  Holy  Eucharist.    I  would  estimate  another  50  in  attendance  for  the  fellowship  lunch.    This  was  an  experience  one  does  not  forget.    I’m  sure  Judie  joins  with  me  in  expressing  our  feelings  that  God  has  a  way  of  taking  care  of  all  of  us  and  these  people  are  just  some  of  the  less  fortunate.    We  certainly  come  away  realizing  our  many  blessings.                                                                      Barbara  Irli  

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Our Redeemerʼs Lutheran Church 609 Southwood Drive So. San Francisco, CA 94080 Phone: 650-583-5622 Worship: Sunday 10:30am Interim Pastor Lori Eickmann Music Director Jeanette Cool Council President Helen Greenstrand Vice President Bill Zemke Secretary Jeanette Cool Treasurer Patty Banegas Financial Secretary Claudia Quade

Birthdays For The Month

May 2 | Bill Zemke 6 | Rebekah Nordstrom 10 | Mel Chirolo 15 | Gene Remmert 19 | Marit Jonasson