Cruising Into Summer...

• The Trinity Lutheran School year is coming to an end shortly.
• Church On Wednesday is about to have its last class for the session, and won't re-begin until July 5th.  There will be NO ADULT COW for the summer session (due to Pastor Becker's vacation).
• The Chancel Choir goes into hiatus for the summer (see note inside).
• Vacations are generally scheduled (note that I'll be in Europe from July 8th through August 5th, half of that time with 30 or so TLC members and friends on a tour to Oberammergau, Germany).

So, does Trinity just slow down to a crawl?  HAH!!!  NOT HARDLY!!!  In addition to the events that surround the end of these programs - like the graduation programs for the school and preschool, the COW program on June 7th, and the wonderful All Choir's Sunday event held on June 4th, there are several things happening that you need to know about!

• Confirmation Sunday coming up on June 11th (Pentecost Sunday) at the 10:30 a.m. service.  Join us to celebrate the Affirmation of Baptism for these young men (no girls in this class!): Jacob S., David B., Kenneth B., Abel K., and Joseph H.
• Preschool Graduation on June 16th at 11 a.m.  How much "Pomp and Circumstance" do preschoolers need?
• TLS School 8th grade Graduation on June 21st at 7 p.m.
• Missionary Sunday: The missionary to Nicaragua that Trinity sponsors, Rev. Jon Pederson, will be here with his family on Sunday, June 25th.  The Stewardship Board has planned a special day, with brunch between services.  Rev. Pederson will be preaching at both services, and will be available to share some of his experiences on the mission field.
• New Member Class: Also on June 25th, from 2-5:30 p.m., we will have the LAST NEW MEMBER CLASS until next fall.  Special note for school families: This is the last opportunity for a class if you wish to receive the school/preschool tuition discount in the fall.
• The Youth Retreat: See Pastor Foss' update on this opportunity for all youth (6th-12th grade) June 23rd-25th.

Whew! I don't think we'll have a moment of peace!  We hope you can join us in this very busy, exciting, fun summer!

Synod assembly update: In last month's Caller I mentioned some concerns about two resolutions coming up for vote at our Synod Assembly meeting May 18th-20th.  One resolution, which hoped to remove prohibitions against practicing gay clergy, was narrowly defeated.  I fear it won't be long before this is normal practice in our church.

Another resolution, dealt with the Episcopalian ecumenical agreement, Called to Common Mission, which, in many pastors' opinions (mine included) violates several basic elements of our confessional documents.  It, among other things, requires all bishops and new pastors to participate in the "Historic Episcopacy" ceremony, and is demanded by the Episcopalians for unity.  Lutherans have traditionally seen the gospel and the sacraments as the only requirements for the church, so this human rite is a frightening intrusion to the power of the gospel in the church.  The resolution, which asked for at least freedom of conscience on this troublesome issue, was defeated through some parliamentary trickery.  No meaningful debate was allowed for fear of "embarrassing the Episcopalians."  This was disconcerting, to say the least, but surely not the last word on the subject.  As the July vote of the Episcopalian Church approaches, I expect national debate on this issue to heat up significantly.

Join us for a busy, exciting summer!

Blessings and Peace!
Pastor Larry