Three Years of Healing

For the better part of a year, an old bulletin sat on the table in my office. At first, it stayed because I wasn’t using that table, or my office for that matter. When I moved down the hall, though, I brought it with me to help me remember the past as we moved into an unknown future. The date on the front was March 8, 2020. It was the last bulletin we used in worship before the world changed three years ago.

Like many mainline churches, the scripture we read on Sunday mornings are on a three-year rotation called the Revised Common Lectionary. It sets the church calendar and keeps congregations across denominations in sync with one another. It also tends to shape the way some of us organize our memories of the past. For instance, this past Sunday’s readings and theme were identical to March 8th, 2020. The bulletin that sat on my desk for so long had the exact same image on it as the one we just used — a serpent wrapped around the cross. 

By the way, that image is a reference to Jesus’ words in John 3, when he tells Nicodemus, “just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” Thanks to this verse, and the story in Numbers 21, a serpent wrapped around a pole has become a universal symbol of healing for medical professionals— a group of people we have relied on heavily for the better part of three years now.

We have now made our way through the entire lectionary in the midst of a pandemic. This Sunday, we will witness the lessons we didn’t get to experience three years ago. For some of us, that doesn’t mean much. For others, though, it’s a stark reminder that we still have a lot of healing to do. We have trauma that needs to be both recognized and processed. Our outlook for the future is still very much filtered through a post-pandemic lens. If we want to make it another three years and be even stronger than we are now, it will take commitment to God and to one another, and it will take a whole lot more healing. May we look to Jesus and the cross for guidance, trusting in the salvation that comes when we rely fully on God’s steadfast love.

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna

  

The Jesus and the Nicodemus in us all!

I recently shared a devotion at a staff meeting titled, Nicodemus and the Truth, from the book titled The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo.  The point of the devotion was that there is a Nicodemus and a Jesus in all of us.  Nicodemus was a Pharisee who secretly believed in Jesus.  He would meet with Jesus in secret at night, but would never acknowledge his association with Jesus during the day.  (John 3:1-21)

“This story shows us the quiet pain that comes from not honoring what we know to be true, even if all we know to be true are the questions we are asking.  It is even more useful to realize that we each carry a Jesus and a Nicodemus within us; that is, we each have a divine inner voice that opens us to the truth and a mediating social voice that is reluctant to show its truth to others.” (pg. 62 The Book of Awakening)

There are definitely times when I give into the Nicodemus in me.  These are moments when I shy away from telling the truth.  These are moments that it is easier to stick with the “old ways” out of habit or fear even when I know things have changed.  These are times when I have heard the divine inner voice in secret, but deny it in public.    

“But this moment of inner embarrassment, when we catch ourselves in the act of split living, is also the recurring chance for us to honor once again what we know to be true.  For anyone, no matter how wounded or distressed, can in a moment of truth let the God within show itself out here in the world.  However small or fleeting, this one repeatable act can restore our common and vital sense of being alive.” (pg. 62 The Book of Awakening) 

As I reflex on this devotion, I am reminded to listen to and act on the inner divine voice of Jesus.  And when I fail, I will try to give myself grace and comfort the Nicodemus in me that it is safe to honor what it knows in the light of day.  I thank God for the continued inner divine voice that does not give up even when the inner Nicodemus seems to win.   

Peace, Pastor Katrina Steingraeber   

  

Looking Back on 2022

Over the last few weeks, folks have been reading through the St. Mark Annual Report for 2022. It is always amazing to look back on a year and discover just how full it was. If you haven’t done so yet, I pray you are able to read through this packet to see for yourself all that this past year had to offer. Copies are available at church, as well as at this link. One of the many reports in that packet is my own, which you can read below.

Though it wasn’t what I initially planned, my sabbatical was exactly what I needed. My family stayed home, welcomed our daughter Rowan, and found our footing as a family of four. I was able to read and reflect on ecology in the church as I visited all 38 developed forest preserves in Winnebago county. Applying those reflections to our life together is an ongoing process which I hope will one day result in exciting developments to our east lawn, along with vibrant ministries for our neighborhood. I am beyond grateful to the staff, the council, and especially Pastor Katrina for continuing their work while also covering all of my duties while I was away. 

Our journey with Covid continues, yet this year saw us lift the last of our lingering restrictions and protocols. I do not know what the future holds, but I am grateful to be on the other side of perhaps the most difficult era of history most of us have ever witnessed. Your openness to new things and your generosity through it all are such a tremendous blessing. 

Worship was wonderful this year. The season of Lent saw the arrival of new purple paraments, commissioned by our Altar Guild, funded by memorial gifts, and created by liturgical artist, Anne Anderson, of Forest City, Iowa. Wednesdays during that season were brightened by Holden Evening Prayer candlelight services. For the first time, we had a service on the Saturday before Easter. It was interactive, meaningful, and full of life. Outdoor worship returned in May— not because it was necessary, but rather because so many yearned to be under the canopy of creation for worship. Somewhat ironically, our original outdoor tent service was rained out in September, but the sense of community and joy we had in that crowded Fellowship Hall was a silver lining on that stormy day. 

I cannot say enough good things about our staff. We are truly blessed to have this group of folks doing the daily work of St. Mark, caring for our members, and assisting one another in all our various roles. In January we said goodbye to Chris Semmelroth, our property manager of two years, and we have been fortunate to have Randy Scott serving in an interim role since May. Melinda Alekna, our youth director for 21 years, retired in October. Melinda shaped the lives of so many throughout her time, and though she left big shoes to fill we are actively searching for someone who can pick up where she left off. 

While funerals are always difficult, this was a particularly hard year. Since our last annual meeting, I presided over nine memorial services. That is an especially large number, considering I was away on sabbatical for three months. It was hard on a lot of us; we lost many long-time members who were active in the life of this place right up to the end. Just like you, I need to be reminded of the hope we have in resurrection each and every day. 

Hope is a driving force. More than mere optimism or wishful thinking, hope stirs us to action and guides us through difficult times. We have relied on hope the last few years, and we will need it all the more in the year to come. It can be easy to lose hope when facing things like budget shortfalls, loss of members, and a changing world. My hope is that in 2023 we will discover new ways to contribute our time and our gifts, new ways to use what God has given us, and new ways to share God’s love with our community. As we look back, may we be inspired for our future together. 

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna

Time in the Desert

While we were in Arizona for Carl’s funeral, we went to the White Tank Mountains.  At the base of the mountains and right behind the local library there is a short and long hiking trail, through the desert landscape.  As we walked the longer trail, one of the kids pointed out that they could see the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, which is where the super bowl will be played this year.  As I took in the view of the surrounding cities from the base of the White Tank Mountains, I was amazed by how far you could see.   Besides the surrounding cities, you could see the desert landscape for several miles.  It was very open.  The tallest plants around were the tall cactus, no large trees like we have in Northern Illinois.  Our view was blocked only by the mountains.  

As I stood in the desert landscape, I found myself missing the tall trees of Northern Illinois.  Even though I was missing the large, tall trees of the Midwest, I found beauty in God’s creation of the desert.  I relished in the beauty of the desert flowers and the variety of cacti.  It is amazing how these plants can live with very little water.  The tall cactus provides homes for birds.  There was one cactus that was super tall, I was amazed by its size (see our family picture).  It was the largest cactus we encountered on our walk.    

I was grateful that we had an afternoon free to spend time walking through God’s beautiful creation.  It was nice to have sunshine and warm enough weather to take a hike.  It was a good mental health break for my family in the midst of a crazy busy long weekend in Arizona.  I give God thanks for creation and for the time to spend outside exploring the desert.  I pray that you all can find the time and place that will bring you peace in the midst of the craziness of life.  We all need a little peace in our lives. 

God’s Peace, Pastor Katrina Steingraeber   

      

The Sound of Worship

What does worship sound like? You might say it sounds like the organ, or the praise band. Maybe it’s the way all our voices mix together when we sing and pray together. Worship sounds like the lone voices of our pastors and readers, but also the ambient rustling of bulletins and dozens of people shifting in their seats. In the last few years, worship has more regularly begun to sound like children.

With Sunday School happening between services, families are able to worship together year-round, and the dynamic of both services has shifted. Quiet moments get cut by a small voice asking for a crayon. Sometimes one of us pastors may get a little competition during the sermon. The acoustics in our sanctuary are one of life’s great mysteries, and so I rarely hear these moments from my chair in the chancel. What I do hear is the comments from folks after the service, which almost always fall into one of two categories. Parents offer apologies, while a second group of worshippers beam and say, “It’s so nice to hear the kids in worship.”

If you are in that second group, I encourage you to let our young families know. Help those parents and grandparents know that there isn’t anything to apologize for. Thank them for being here. It is no small task to bring kids to a service, keep them occupied for an hour, and also try to worship for yourself. It is so much easier just to stay home, but our families choose to be here because we recognize the value in worship. Speaking as a parent myself, we want our children to know from a young age that this is a place where all God’s children belong, no matter how young or old. So please, do not keep those positive comments to yourselves. Share a word of welcome and encouragement when you can.

Of course, there are occasional comments that provide no such benefit, either because they are negative or they can be misinterpreted as such. I know how some sounds can be distracting, whether it’s a child’s voice, a thunderous sneeze, or a ringing phone. Any self-aware person at the center of a moment like that already feels embarrassed. Talking about it in the Fellowship Hall can only add to those feelings. Some who overhear such talk may take it as the final reason to leave and not come back. Let’s instead approach one another with a heart of welcome, and give our fellow worshippers a reason to return again next Sunday.

As with anything, we can have tidy or we can have kid-friendly. If our congregation is to grow and inspire a new generation to feel like they belong at church, the way we worship together will need to be truly welcoming for everyone. We are a community, after all. Everything we do in worship is done together, united by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. In an era where church is one option of many— even for folks who identify as Christians— I pray that we can continue to learn new ways to encourage each other to choose this unique and beautiful community of ours.

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna

Family Traditions

The Advent devotional began with the genealogy of Christ. It seemed like a never-ending list of ancestors.  During the first week of Advent we learn that “There’s room for every story.”  This includes our story.  Our story has a place, whether it is just beginning or near the end.  We are reminded that “God meets us in our fear.”  The angels who greet Mary and Joseph tell them, “Do not fear.”  This seems to be an unrealistic request.  Of course, they were afraid.  And we are reminded to choose a better way as Joseph did, with the help of Divine intervention, when he did not dismiss Mary and kept his commitment to her.  The choices Jesus’ ancestors made, impacted his life.  Especially, Mary and Joseph saying yes to God. 

As I have read through the Advent Devotional, I got to thinking about my family history.  It also got me thinking about traditions that I share, or have shared, with my children.   

My family comes from Sweden and Germany, and perhaps a few other places I am not aware of at this time.  I am proud of my Swedish and German heritage.  When we decorate the tree, we place a pickle ornament on the tree.  This is a German tradition.  The one who finds the pickle first gets a little something extra from St. Nick.  I loved sharing the Saint Lucia tradition with my boys when they were little.  This is a Swedish tradition; Lucia is the bearer of light in the dark Sweden winters.  This tradition was one I cherished growing up.  The fellowship hall at Zion would be decorated beautifully with traditional Swedish decoration.  We listened to many folks’ sing and play music.  I tried singing in Swedish a few times, it is not easy to sing in Swedish.  My boys even dressed like a Tomte and handed out candy during the festival.  I included (with permission) a picture of my boys each dressed like a Tomte, this was probably eleven or twelve years ago.  

Many families have traditions, some last for many years and others may change or stop.  Some new traditions may come to life.  It can be hard to say goodbye to traditions.  As my family grows older and things begin to change, I look forward to starting new traditions with them.  I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. 

Peace, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber  

All Creation Waits

On cold days like this, with winter storms approaching, most people I know tend to seek out a cozy spot indoors, away from the bitter realities of the season. Of course, some of you may love the weather and the feel of cold air as it enters your lungs on a sunny afternoon run. The rest of us may not even want to sit by a window. With no snow on the ground, the garden beds cleared, and almost all the leaves raked, it can be easy to assume there isn’t much to see besides a drab, lifeless landscape. But there is so much more going on beneath the surface. 

If you have been around St. Mark at all, you have certainly seen all the advent resources that are available this year. For adults and teens, we have a devotional and a color-in calendar full of activity ideas, based on the theme “…From Generation to Generation.” For kids, there is a devotional with a matching paper-chain project titled “The Adverbs of Advent.” There is enough to go on here, but in light of the coming winter chill, I feel the need to direct you to one more resource.  

This year, our own synod of the ELCA has produced a daily video series based on the book, All Creation Waits, by Gayle Boss. Each day, pastors and musicians from the Northern Illinois Synod provide songs, prayers, and a reading from the book. You can find the whole series, including the first 8 days, at this link: https://www.youtube.com/c/NISynodorg 

The book itself is an intriguing read. On first glance, each of the 25 essays appears to be a simple reflection on the wildlife of North America. From bears and foxes to wild turkeys and fireflies, the book slowly dives deep into the surface of the earth to explore how our animal neighbors endure the harsh and difficult season of winter. The whole devotional series is a reminder that though the world outside our windows may seem barren, God’s creation continues to teem with life. 

Winter can make us feel hopeless. The lack of sunlight, the absence of plants and fair-weather creatures, and the harsh weather can easily bring us down. It is even worse when our minds are clouded with worry and our hearts are filled with grief. Whether we hunger for peace or hunger for food, we wait with all creation for something to bring us relief. Sometimes it arrives in the form of sustenance and shelter. And sometimes it arrives as a child, wrapped in swaddling cloths and spending his first night among the animals. 

Explore the video devotional series here: https://www.youtube.com/c/NISynodorg

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna