October 22, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

Can we disagree and yet live together in faith and love? I know we can. In fact, I hear Jesus calling us to that very hope in the great commandment:

"Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." ~ Mark 12:29-31

We are one in Jesus Christ, despite our differences and disagreements. The recent vote at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly is yet another in a long historical line of challenging disagreements. Emotions run strong on both sides of the vote here in the congregation, some seeing it as a departure from scripture, some seeing it as a scripturally sound justice decision. Then there are many of you in the middle, some not upset enough to leave Mount Olive and others who really do not see this as an issue upon which the Church rises or falls.

These past two months since the vote at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly have been a mixture of challenge and affirmation. Recall that the vote at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed to allow congregations that so choose to bless same sex couples and call pastors who are homosexual and living in committed relationships. Since the vote we have had two open meetings where I shared information and facilitated conversation on the topic. I offered to sit down with any who wanted to talk this over, and I am grateful that many of you have taken me up on the invitation.

We will be discerning, discussing, studying and living with the vote for many years. Some of you will not be able to remain members of this congregation because of the vote. Some of you will remain and continue to struggle with the decision. Some of you are now ready to move on in mission and ministry. Some of you have been ready to move on since the day after the vote.

Here is where I am at. It is time to move forward in mission and ministry. While the vote has many implications, which we will discuss for years to come, we are united in the same mind and purpose, which is to serve as ambassadors for Christ, rooted to grow and serve. Jesus Christ is the only harbor when on stormy seas, and His call to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves provides the perspective in the midst of our disagreement. Rooted in faith to grow and serve, we share the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. Living a shared life of faith in Jesus Christ and service in His name is what will guide and sustain our individual lives and the Church.

Yes, I will host additional studies and conversations on the vote, but not until spring. Individual conversations will certainly continue, but we cannot sideline the mission and ministry of the Church because of a vote at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. It is time to move forward in worship, daily prayer, shared study of scripture, fellowship, care for one another at life’s milestones, serving the poor, reaching out to the unchurched and growing in our personal stewardship where we share from the abundance God has first given to us.

How you feel and think about this invitation to move forward in mission and ministry is a moment of personal discernment. If you are excited about the faith life we share at Mount Olive, then you have your answer. If you still have questions, but can live in the tension as we move forward in mission and ministry, then you have your answer. If you are still upset about the vote and need time, that is fine and I stand by ready for further conversation. If you have been upset enough to be worshiping at other congregations and are no longer supporting Mount Olive, then you have your answer.

Let me be clear, we are one in Jesus Christ who has died and been raised for all of us. Whether we continue the great journey of faith here at Mount Olive, or because of this vote need to leave for another faith community, we remain fellow members of the body of Christ, children of the same heavenly Father. All I ask is that if you are led to leave Mount Olive, please let me know via e-mail or a letter. Even when angry or frustrated we are called to honor our relationships which are gifts from Jesus Christ.

How do we move forward in mission and ministry? The best way is to gather and celebrate faith as a way of life. To that end, the stewardship team invites you to a congregational breakfast on Sunday, November 8. The breakfast will be served from 9 - 9:20 am; a short program is at 9:20 am, followed by Sunday School and Confirmation classes for the kids and youth, with additional conversation for the high school young adults and adults. At the breakfast we will enter into a shared value assessment on the roots of faith, the growth in faith and how we serve in Jesus’ name. It will be a great day to center our lives in Jesus Christ and move forward.

Enclosed is a breakfast reservation card. Please take a moment to fill it out and either stamp it and drop it in the mail, or you can bring it with you to worship this Sunday or next week and place it in the offering basket.

This Sunday is Reformation Sunday, a celebration Sunday in the life of the Church. It is also Confirmation Sunday for our 10^th graders as they affirm their Baptism. Between services is a special learning event and the Reformation Festival. It is a Sunday you will not want to miss for faith and life.

I know that this letter will be received with joy, relief, uncertainty, questions and frustration. All are powerful human emotions, gifts from God for our daily lives, marks of our humanity. All these emotions were experienced by Jesus Christ as he lived, died and was raised for you and me. Jesus alone understands you, and seeks to guide you in the ways of faith and life. It is to Jesus alone that I point you for hope, love and mercy.

It is a privilege to serve as one of your pastors, a greater privilege to live with you as a fellow member of the body of Christ.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Peter Nycklemoe