The Spirit - University Lutheran Church
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Volume 31, #1
The Spirit
A Monthly Publication of University Lutheran Church January 2020
The Lord bless you & keep you,
The Lord’s face shine upon you &
be gracious unto you,
The Lord look upon you with favor &
give you peace.
Happy new year from the ULC Staff:
Pastor Sue, Mari, Brian,
Logan, Gia, Bjorn & Jiali.
New Beginning
The start of new year usually has The Spirit moves
everyone thinking about new starts
- end a bad habit, start a good habit, through all we do!
etc. This year is really a new start
for me. Page
On January 2, my divorce was fi- January Worship 3
nal. I am now a single woman again. January Special Offering 3
Thank you to all of you who have Guest Preachers in January 3
supported me through these last
several month. It helped me greatly.
What is Happening in the ELCA 3
I will continue to need your support Pastor’s Musings 4
as I live into this new life. Grunewald Guild 5
I am grateful that Alex is living Interfaith Advocacy Day 5
with me and we seem to be doing Faith Over Fear 5
a pretty good job of helping each January Birthdays 6
other. Kingston’s affections help as
well. (If you don’t know, that’s our
January Anniversaries 6
new dog!) Hospitality 6
I wish you all blessings for this In The Family 6
new year and I am honored to be New Church Directory 6
walking with you into the future in ULC Knitters 6
faith. Hats & Gloves For EGH 6
Mari C. Mitchell,
Editor
Around the Building 7
Council Report 8
Congregational Meeting Minutes 9
Sanctuary Art Center Changes 10
The Spirit January Devotion 10
Bishop’s Message 11
A monthly publication of
University Lutheran Church
1604 NE 50th Street
Seattle, WA 98105-4223 There are far,
far better things ahead
Phone: 206-525-7074
Fax: 206-525-0474
than any we leave
Editor: Mari Mitchell-Putnam
Church Staff:
Sue Schneider, Pastor
pastorsue@universitylutheranseattle.org
behind.
Mari Mitchell-Putnam, Church Admin.
adminmari@universitylutheranseattle.org
Brian Higham, Minister of Music
C. S. Lewis
musicminister@universitylutheranseattle.org
Logan Hamilton
lgnhamilton@gmail.com
Gia Alfieri, Nursery Coordinator
(Email under construction)
Bjorn Berkedal, Custodian
2 University Lutheran Church
JANUARY WORSHIP
January 5 - Epiphany Sunday - One World Rising
Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 3:1-12; John 1:1-18
January 12 - Baptism of Our Lord - One World Rising
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Mattehw 3:13-17
January 19 - 2nd Sunday of Epiphany - One World Rising
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42
January 26 - 3rd Sunday of Eiphany - One World Rising
Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23 §
JANUARY SPECIAL OFFERING
Frequently both members and non-members come to ULC and other churches looking for financial help in
times of crisis. Most of the time, ULC directs these requests to agencies and organizations that can provide as-
sistance (i.e. shelters, food banks, social services, etc.). Occasionally, however, there are needs that are urgent and/
or for which there are no clear support systems. When such a circumstance arises (particularly for a member of
the congregation), the pastor may offer assistance from the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.
This fund is not a part of the congregation’s budget, but consists entirely of donations earmarked for this pur-
pose. The pastor always reports the amounts and reason(s) for any withdrawals from this fund to the council,
but may keep the recipient(s) anonymous if so requested. Pastor Schneider rarely taps into this fund except in
dire circumstances, so know that any amounts you choose to put into it will be used responsibly and with careful
discernment.
GUEST PREACHERS IN JANUARY
On January 12, Rev. Joseph Li of the Lutheran Campus Ministry to Chinese Students will be preaching. Rev.
Li was born into a Christian family in China during the later part of the Culural Revolution. In his ten years of
theological studies he finished two Master’s degrees, and one doctoral degree in theology and church history. He
was ordained in 2010 and started working with Campus Ministry in 2015.
On January 26, Kasey Schulz will preach while Pastor Sue is on vacation. Kasey recently returned to the US
after a year of serving, living, laughing, and learning alongside a community in southeastern Madagascar as an
ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission volunteer. Her life has bloomed from the twin roots of faith and family,
mourished by community, wilderness, and every book she could get her hands on. She currently lives in Seattle
and serves as a Mission Funding Interpreter for the ELCA.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE ELCA AND HOW
IT IMPACTS ULC
By popular request there will be a special Adult Forum on Sunday, January 26 after worship. It will be led by
Pastor Rick Rouse (former Asst. to the Bishop in Grand Canyon Synod) and Beth Lewis (President Emeritus of
1517 Media/Augsburg Fortress), who are our consultants in our visioning process this year. They will explore how
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is structured to partner with congregations like University Lutheran,
and will examine some of the recent social statements on racism, white supremacy, interfaith dialogue, and being
a sanctuary denomination that impact our work together.
January 2020 The Spirit 3
PASTOR’S MUSINGS
Happy New Year! When I was younger, I always began a new journal at the start of a new year. I was both
daunted and delighted by the vast number of white pages soon to be filled with wonderful and terrible things. I
always felt a little trepidation when making the first entry. I wanted to make sure I didn’t write about trivial mat-
ters or make spelling or grammatical errors. I wanted the first words to be significant and portentous.
How we begin an endeavor seems to carry a lot of weight. Maybe that’s why the first act of Jesus’ public min-
istry recorded in all four of our Gospels is his baptism. It is the defining moment initiating his work. Though the
Gospels differ about the specifics of what Jesus said and did afterward, all four are clear that he fed hungry people,
healed the sick, spent time with the lonely, taught about God’s priorities, forgave those consumed with guilt, and
brought life out of death. Jesus never once used his power to hurt anyone, even when they hurt him.
But that was Jesus, of course. What does the profound event of baptism initiate in our lives? Like Jesus, when
the waters of baptism are poured over our heads, we, too, are called beloved children of God. We, too, are com-
missioned to be ministers, just as Jesus was. But—and this is very, very good news--we are not called to be Mes-
siahs. That job was for Jesus alone. Our baptism connects us to Christ’s righteousness forever. As second century
theologian Tertullian once put it: “But we, Little Fishes, after the example of our ΙΧΘΥΣ Jesus Christ, are born in
water, nor have we safety in any other way than by permanently abiding in water.”
At our baptisms, we promised--or others promised on our behalf--that we’d “live among God’s faithful people,
hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper, proclaim the Good News of God in Christ in word and deed,
serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and strive for justice and peace in all the earth” (ELW p. 236).
How can ULC help us fulfill those baptismal promises for ourselves and for one another? How can we encour-
age each other to return to the waters of baptism to hear ourselves called “beloved” when life gets tricky? What
kinds of worship/activities/education/etc. would nudge us toward living, hearing, sharing, proclaiming, serving,
and striving as God’s beloved Little Fishes? I look forward to exploring the answers to these questions as part of
our visioning process.
Meanwhile, let’s dare to dive in. Write words on that blank page. Splash paint all over an empty canvas. Step
in the newly fallen snow. It doesn’t have to be perfect. We may have to start over. But we must start. Let’s enter
2020 with the bold assurance that nothing we can do or fail to do will keep God from loving us. We are God’s own
through our baptisms and we have God’s world to love. Thanks be to God!
“When you were buried with [Christ] in his baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power
of God who raised him from the dead.” (Col. 2:12)
Pastor Sue
4 University Lutheran Church
GRUNEWALD GUILD Please join us on President’s Day Weekend (February 15-17, 2020) as we continue ULC’s winter tradition of holding a retreat at the Grunewald Guild near Leavenworth, WA. We are hoping for good snow, and opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, and building snow forts. There will also be time for talking with each other, doing puzzles, eating, playing games, and having a Holden Vespers service. Cost will be around $150 to $175 per adult for meals and 2 nights’ shared lodging, with partial or full scholarships available as needed. Please sign up on the Worship Registration form, and contact Katie Saltanovitz (saltanovitz@gmail.com) with any questions. § INTERFAITH ADVOCACY DAY The annual Interfaith Advocacy Day, sponsored by Faith Action Network, will be on Thursday, February 6, in Olympia. This is a chance to meet with your state representatives and discuss with them issues before them and how, as a person of faith, you feel they should proceed. It is a very eye opening, hopeful experience to be among so many people of different faiths, all advocating for those on the margins of life. If you would like to attend, You can register at http://bit.ly/IFAD2020. The cost is $15 before the event or $20 at the door. Scholorships are available for those who need them. Also, sign up on the Worship Registration form as we are coordinating a car pool to drive to Olympia. FAITH OVER FEAR Each year anti-Muslim hate groups spend over $30 million dollars to make people afraid of Islam and American Muslims. The websites, YouTube videos, books, white papers, lobbying, and media stars of these hate groups turn the hearts and minds of people against one another, paving the way for a more divided, fearful future. We don’t have to live in that future. Together we can build a future based on our shared values and vision for America! Yet Muslims and their allies are daily confronted with challenging quetions by people captivated by fear, framed in ways that place them at a significant disadvantge. The Faith Over Fear four-hour Ally Training will give you tested strategies to use in repsonse to these challenging questions - and the fears that underlie them. The training is on Saturday, February 1, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church (6215 196th St. SW, Lynnwood), and will be led by Rev. Terry Kyllo & Aneelah Afzali. Rev. Kyllo is a UCC minister and Executive Director of the Treacy Levine Center and the founder of Neighbors in Faith, a program of the center. Aneelah Afzali is Executive Director of the American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN) at the Muslim Assocation of Puget Sound. She is also on the board of the Faith Action Network. Regional Sponsors of this event include MAPS-AMEN, The Treacy Levine Center, Neighbors iu Faith, The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, Faith Action Network, Council on American-Islamic Relations WA, Church Council of Greater Seattle, The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, The NW WA Synod of the ELCA, The Southwest- ern WA Synod of the ELCA and the Pacific NW Conference of the United Church of Christ. To register go to https://tinyurl.com/w8xp9y3 or search for “Faith Over Fear” on Eventbright. This event is free. January 2020 The Spirit 5
JANUARY HOSPITALITY IN THE FAMILY
BIRTHDAYS Thank you to the people listed • Long time member, Jack Carlson,
1/6 Larry Gockel below who have been part of this passed away on December 25, 2019.
1/8 Henry Wu ministry on Sunday mornings for the He had turned 97 two days before. A
month of December: service is being planned for February,
1/9 Liz Herlevi
but no exact date is set yet. Once the
1/15 Justin Frank
Twig Mills & Alison Stamey family decides on the date, the church
1/21 Ruth Imbrock
Advent Cookie Makers office will let everyone know. Please
1/22 Twig Mills
Michael & Ruth Ann Rouse hold the Carlson family in prayer.
1/25 Brad Anderson
Brian & Linda Maschhoff • Millie Johnson is recovering in
1/27 Alice Peterson
1/28 Nancy Steffa Andy Kopser & Kristi Maschhoff the rehab unit of Mirabella from hip
§ surgery in December. For more up-
Dorinda Sundberg
dated information, you can contact her
1/30 Maggie Pehrson §
daughter, Lisa Johnson.
• Carol Bridges had a brief admit-
JANUARY tance to the hospital after a fainting
episode in December. She is home
ANNIVERSARIES now and doing well.
1/14 Aslaug Haraldsdottir &
Matt Berge §
NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY
I will be printing a new directory at the end of January. If you have updated informa-
tion and/or a new picture you would like to include, please have it to me by January 20.
It is nice to have current pictures so new members can learn names and faces. Children
grow up fast and a new picture every year is nice to have, as well.
ULC KNITTERS
The ULC Knitters meet monthly in the library. Their next meeting is Wednesday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Whether you are a beginner, life-time knitter, or never knitted but want to learn, you are welcome! If you have a
project you are working on, bring it! If you have no idea what you are doing, come learn. If you are new to the
group, please call Sharon Reuter at 206-718-8891, and she will make sure to bring extra supplies.
HATS & GLOVES FOR EGH
Thank you to everyone who helped to put gloves together with
hats knitted by Sharon Reuter, for the women of EGH. These
gifts were given at the EGH Women of Worth party in December
and were greatly appreciated by those who received them.
6 University Lutheran Church
AROUND THE BUILDING
January 2020
This new year starts off with ULC in the midst of a visioning process to
bring the future here. As we work together on this in the coming months, I
am encouraged by the commitment and involvement this congregation has
in this process. And by the love you all have for one another. God is with
you on this journey and so am I.
EGH Kitchen Addition
The work on the new EGH kitchen should start in March and be completed by the end of July. (Barring any
surprises!) Part of this work is putting in the intake/exhaust for the range. This will go straight through all floors
to the roof. It will take out part of the inner sacristy closet. Pastor Sue and I are working with the Altar Guild to
figure out where to store the items that this will need to be moved. The construction of this whole project should
have minimal affect on the normal church use (except for the sacristy) so you should not be adversely affected by
it.
Lounge Couches
Hopefully you have noticed that the couches have new cushions! The material is more durable than what we
had before and should wear much better. I hope to also reupholster the chairs at some point as well. The piping
around the chairs comes off easily and a new design is needed. Clint Pehrson is helping me with this and we will
keep you posted.
Tenants
We have new lease agreements with our major tenants: Elizabeth Gregory Home, Sanctuary Art Center, and
New Covenant Baptist Church. Thanks to the tireless work of Pastor Sue and the ULC Council (especially Mary
Denny & Van Hutton) we now have a standard lease for all full-time tenants. We have also started to increase the
lease amounts to be more in line with the market rates for non-profits. The next tenants lease issue to tackle is to
increase the occasional use rate to be more in line with current market rates. I have asked the finance committee
to help me with this, and while the work is slow, we will get this done.
Fellowship Hall Water Issue
A couple of weeks ago, after heavy rain, we had a minor flood in the fellowship hall. The drains at the base of
the outside steps were clogged and water came in under the doors. The elevator window well also filled with water
that had to be pumped out. The most confusing issue is how water is getting in the elevator equipment room and
the Property Committee is investigating that. During the expected long stretch of rain/snow, we will be keeping an
eye on it all. If you notice water leaks, please tell me or Aslaug Haradlsdottir, Chair of the Property Committe.
The Rest
I’m anxious to see where this congregation is headed in the future. ULC has so much to offer I’m happy to
assist in any way I can. You all have a lot to offer those who are searching for a congregation that is faithful,
passionate about justice, and loving to our neighbors. Spread the word! Tell everyone you know about what this
congregation stands for, what it believes. Reread the Sunday bulletin cover. Remind yourself about what you have
said about this congregation. Then, go out spread the news!
Mari C. Mitchell,
Church Administrator
January 2020 The Spirit 7
COUNCIL REPORT OF DECEMBER MEETING
Council reviewed and approved 2020 proposed ULC Annual Budget submitted by the Finance Committee.
The projected cash deficit for the 2020 budget is $28,630, reduced for the first time in five years. Rental income
will increase 25% and investment returns will also increase. Members remain the largest contributors to the
financial well-being of ULC.
Pastor’s report: Pastor Sue reports she is preparing with organist Logan Hamilton for Compline service for
ULC. She presented a Book of Revelations study for adult forum. The bible study of Daniel with, Avishai Gebler
from Hillel, goes well.
Treasurer’s Report: The financial statement for end of November indicates that pledges and free will offer-
ings are $15,000 ahead of budget year to date. Due to less than expected investment income, the 2019 cash deficit
is likely to be about $45,000. The last day for 2019 contributions will be Dec 29 due to ULC office closure.
Old Business: Council approved a revised Monthly Offering List for 2020 . It includes Pastor’s Discretionary
Fund, ULC Quilters, Refugees Northwest of Lutheran Community Services, Earth Ministry, Ailanga Seminary,
Open Door Ministry, University District Food Bank, Sanctuary Arts Center, Teen Feed, Elizabeth Gregory Home,
SHARE/WHEEL, Central Lutheran Community Lunch, University District Emergency Fund. ELCA World Hun-
ger was designated as the special offering on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
Council approved the agenda for the December 8 Congregational Meeting. Agenda to include review/approval
of 2020 ULC Proposed Operating Budget. Updates and reports on the Visioning Process, Gorder Estate monies,
new leases with EGH and SAC, and planned ventilation and refrigeration installations for EGH remodel.
New Business: The Council approved the ULC Capital Budget for 2020, submitted by the Finance Com-
mittee. Three items were proposed for the 2020 budget: mortgage principal payment ($7247), office computer
purchase ($2000), outside doors for EGH ($20,000).
Council decided to determine distribution of the Gorder Estate funds after the Visioning Process is com-
pleted. It approved a plan to invest Gorder Estate funds in securities for six months. Council approved Twig Mills
as manager of investments of ULC reserves and investments using a strategy that will aim for a 4% return in
2020.
In an attempt to monitor electrical and water usage by tenants and charge fairly for this use, Council reviewed
bids for installation of metering of their utility usage. The Council approved a bid from Raymark Plumbing and
Sewer for $2,036,85 to install 4 meters in the EGH area. Northstar Electrical has submitted a bid for $ 3,939.65 to
place an electrical meter to capture SAC electrical usage for tee shirt printing and to place two meters to capture
usage for EGH washer/dryers. Council is seeking at least one additional bid before proceeding with the electrical
metering.
Mary Denny, Council president, provided an update of the pending lease agreement with Elizabeth Gregory
Home. EGH requested information about the scope of utility expenses on December 2. Mary suggested that the
council refer EGH to section 6 of the proposed lease agreement. On December 19c, EGH signed the new ten year
lease. On December 22 SAC signed a new one year lease agreement.
ULC Council approved EGH Plans to install refrigeration compression and ventilation for new commercial
kitchen on November 23. At Property Chair Aslaug Haraldsdottir’s request, on November 22, Clint Pehrson
and Mark Hillman reviewed the EGH city building permit application and recommended ULC approval. EGH
and ULC have agreed to share costs for a roof envelop consultant to review the condition of the roof. Clint Pehrson
will compile a list of consultants to consider
Next Council meeting is January 14
8 University Lutheran Church
DECEMBER 8, 2019 CONGREGATIONAL
BUDGET MEETING
The following items were addressed during the December 8 Congregational Budget Meeting:
Proposed ULC 2020 Operations Budget: Van Hutton, Treasurer and Nancy Swenson, Finance Committee
Chair, presented the proposed ULC 2020 Operations Budget. Total expenses are expected to be $558, 994. The
proposed operations budget for 2020 will have a projected cash deficit ($32,030) that is decreased for the first time
in the past five years. $10,000 had been budgeted in the salary and wages for a half-time pastoral position. ULC
will have increase revenue over two years as the tenant rental agreements are renegotiated to more closely match
current area non-profit rental rates and account for utilities usage.
Questions from members addressed the following:
There is a reduction to $3500 in our partnership benevolences. Each agency is reduced to $500 while ELCA
World Hunger remains at $400 and United Churches Emergency Fund increases to $600. Just for this year Cam-
pus Ministry is eliminated while they are in hiatus. Still benevolences including the ELCA tithe represent 11% of
the 2020 proposed budget. Benevolences will be revisited in the 2021 budget
The line item of $6000 for Council is anticipated expense for the Visioning Process and other consultant
fees.
EGH outside doors have not been installed. There have been delays due to construction considerations. The
final price may be as much as $25,000.
The congregation assembled unanimously approved the 2020 Operations Budget.
Visioning Process Update: Kathy Lachata Oakley, Chair of the Visioning Team reported that the Visioning
Team is currently compiling the input gathered this fall from members, visitors and partners. The congregation
will meet in a town hall with the Visioning Team on February 23, 2020. The team is also now completing inter-
views with churches and other non-profits with whom we may partner in the future.
Gorder Estate Report: Van Hutton, treasurer reported that we received $625,000 from the Gorder estate.
These funds are being invested by Twig Mills in short term investments until the Visioning Process is completed.
Members expressed gratitude to Donna and Ginny Gorder for their generosity to ULC and its mission.
Report on Lease Agreements with EGH and SAC: Pastor Sue reviewed our new rental agreements with
EGH and SAC. Over the next few years we will increase rental rates to align with average nonprofit market rates
in the University District in 2018 and to account proportionately for utilities usage. We will review occupancy
agreements with our other tenants in 2020.
Report on EGH Plans to install Ventilation Ducts and a Refrigeration Compressor: Clint Pehrson re-
ported on the EGH plans to build a commercial kitchen in the basement. Construction is expected to begin the
third quarter of 2020. At the request of Property Chair, Aslaug Haraldsdottir, and the council, on November 22
Clint Pehrson and Mark Hillman reviewed the building permit application that EGH submitted in late November
to the City Planning Office. On Clint and Mark’s recommendation, the plans in the permit were approved by
ULC Council President Mary Denny on behalf of the council on November 23. Clint, Mark and Van did a walk-
through during the permit review and came to the conclusion that consultants would be needed to review some
aspects of the building process. Clint has recommended a roof envelop consultant to review the roof for its ability
to support the planned installations for refrigeration and ventilation.
Electronic Giving: Jeff Berner reminded members that they can make their contributions using an online app.
Flyers describing how to register for this app were distributed.
Mary Denny reminded those present that it takes a network of people to maintain ministry at ULC. She then
asked people to raise their hands if they had participated in an event or service capacity at ULC in the past year.
Many hands shot up and multiple times. Everyone contributes in different ways not always noticed by the whole
congregation. To celebrate these efforts and to close the meeting, attendees then stood and sang a verse of “This
Little Light of Mine.”
January 2020 The Spirit 9SANCTUARY ART CENTER CHANGES
Beginning in late January SAC will no lon-
ger be offering their Tuesday and Thursday
morning Drop-In program. This decision was
made for a variety of reasons which included
(but were not limited to): declining drop-in
numbers, increased focus on employment train-
ing opportunities, and expansion plans for their
screenprinting program.
The good news is that they will be rolling
out a new version of drop-in programs in late
March. They will share more details about this
new drop-in in the coming months.
The last session of drop-in will occur on Tuesday, January 21st from 9:00 a.m. until Noon. You are invited to
join them on this day to close this chapter of drop-in and celebrate the new things to come.
They are having an Open House on Saturday, January 25 , 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. where you can learn more about
their up coming plans, their new retail store opening in the Greenwood area, and to learn more about their employ-
ment training programs. There will be food and beverages as well. It would be great if members of ULC could
attend to support this long-time partner of the church.
JANUARY DEVOTION
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
Take a moment to read this verse, once through. Notice your reaction, the state of your heart, your body. Are
you tense? Relaxed? Distant? Trusting?
While this verse is comforting for some, my personal and professional life has made me keenly familiar with
death, suffering, pain, and trauma. Every day I find myself crying out to God for justice and mercy, for help in
time of need. Must we wait until we return “home” in Heaven for God to heal and renew us? Miracles happen, but
often this is not the case and suffering results. How can we find respite in this Scripture when our suffering feels
so invasive and destructive now?
Scripture reminds us to return to the story of Christ, who asked this question in his final breath on the cross:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1). Christ’s cry from the cross illustrates
that God is present with us to speak to, mourn with, and even to accuse. May we be bold to assume God’s presence
is alive and near, especially when our pain is at its worst. What if we were to close our eyes and imagine God lean-
ing down, wiping our tears away, drawing us near and holding us now, at this very moment? When we do this, we
experience a glimpse of Heaven on Earth, and we find true hope.
Now take a deep breath and read this verse again, slowly. Notice your spirit, your body, as you read it. If you
wish, repeat this process until you feel a sense of being at home with God, even in your suffering. Feel God’s
presence with you, wiping away your tears, drawing you near. Feel within you a sense of God’s hope, God’s peace,
and even God’s joy.
Written by a staff member of
Lutheran Counseling Network
10 University Lutheran ChurchBISHOP’S MESSAGE
I was sitting in Resident Assistants training at Pacific Lutheran University in 1986.
Suddenly the door opened and three people walked in: two men and one woman. They
were introduced as the new campus pastors at PLU. I couldn’t stop staring at the woman.
In my twenty years on earth at that time, I had never met a pastor who was a woman.
Pastor Susan Briehl changed my understanding of ministry, what it means to be a pastor,
and what a difference it makes when you hear preaching from someone who has wrestled
with much of what you have wrestled with, too.
The year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women into Word
and Sacrament ministry. While women have been preaching for thousands of years before this (think Sarah and
Miriam and Mary Magdalene to name a few) the predecessor bodies of the ELCA felt called by God to open up the
pulpit, the font, and the table to women for the first time after studying scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.
This decision wasn’t made lightly. Seminaries, judicatories, and other groups took time to arrive at the deci-
sion to ordain women. In the end, though, these various groups realized that there was nothing in scripture, the
Lutheran Confessions, or church constitutions to prevent the ordination of women. As Luther Seminary’s Board
of Directors wrote in 1966, “God has left the details of the ministerial office to the discretion of the church, to be
developed according to its needs and according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
And just like that, the way was open to the thousands of women who have been ordained into Word and Sacra-
ment Ministry in the last fifty years.
While this is an important milestone, we are also mindful that the last fifty years have not been without dif-
ficulties. It took ten more years for the first woman of color to be ordained in the Lutheran Church here in the
United States. It has only been in the past ten years that LGBTQIA+ people have been able to serve freely. As we
celebrate, we also lament the sexism, racism and homophobia that has been part of our church structure. And we
are called to work towards a day when all are celebrated and welcome.
In this synod, we are excited to mark this anniversary with some special events. Each woman pastor will be
videotaped with their story. At synod assembly in 2020 we will show some of these video interviews. We will also
have a festive worship service during synod assembly to celebrate, remember, and look to the future. During this
year we invite congregations to commemorate this anniversary. Pastor Nancy Winder, the first woman ordained
locally and the 14th woman ordained overall, is happy to come and preach and teach in your local congregation.
In addition, there are resources at www.elca.org to use for congregations or clusters.
A brief story: At one of the churches I served there was a man named Dell. On my first Sunday there he came up
to me and said, “You know, I didn’t vote for you. I don’t think women should be pastors.” I said, “OK.” And left it
at that. In spite of telling me that, week after week Dell and his wife were in worship. Week after week they heard
me preach. Week after week they received Christ’s body and blood as I presided at the Lord’s Table.
About three years after I was there, Dell was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I visited him frequently at his
home. On one such visit, as I was setting up the Communion elements, Dell said, “You know, I didn’t vote for you.”
I said, “I know.” He sat there for a long time in silence. Then he said, “I was wrong.” And I looked at him. And I
smiled. And I held his hand. And then I reached for the bread and I said, “On the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread …”
We give thanks for all the women pastors who proclaim the good news of Jesus, who baptize in the name of the
Triune God, and who serve at the Lord’s Table. We pray that we continue to be made new into the future.
Bishop Shelly Bryan Wee
January 2020 The Spirit 11Published Monthly
University Lutheran Church
1604 NE 50th Street
Seattle WA 98105-4223
206-525-7074
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UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHURCH -
WHO WE ARE
• We are a progressive congregation with a history of taking action on
peace & justice concerns;
• We support people of all sexual orientations & gender identities;
• We are passionate about our worship & we cherish our music;
• We are poised on a threshold ready & eager to creatively try new &
innovative ways for mission & ministry in the University District;
• We do not know where this will lead us, but we trust with all our being
that God is already there & is drawing us to join in the parade.
We do so with excitement & joy because . .
We Choose Love!
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