United VoiceUnited Lutheran Church November 2013A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

2230 Washington Street, Eugene, OR 97405 (541) 342-5808

www.unitedlutheran.org unluthch@efn.org

Worship Services: Sundays, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.; Summer: 9:45 a.m

Education Hour: 9:45 a.m., School Year Only

This year witnesses an

event which has never before

happened! Thanksgiving and the

first day of the Jewish festival of

Hanukkah fall on the same day!

Usually we associate Hanukkah

as occurring more closely to Christmas but due to the

lunar calendar cycles, it falls on November 28 this year.th

For me, the fact that they fall on the same day

this year is fascinating and revealing. To get at that,

allow me to start with a bit of history.

Hanukkah is the festival which commemorates

the victory of the Jews over the peoples who were

oppressing them in the second century B.C. At the time,

the ruler, Antioches Epiphanies IV, was a particularly

nasty piece of work. To show God’s people the kind of

contempt he had for them, he ordered a pig (an unclean

animal) to be sacrificed on the high altar in the

Temple in Jerusalem. This event ignited the long

simmering anger and resentment which the people

had. It led to a revolt and the Jewish people would

regain their freedom. This eight day festival

featuring lighting the menorah and giving gifts

marks the joy of new life and a renewed presence of

God among the people.

Our national day of Thanksgiving was

decreed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It

was right in the middle of the Civil War. Though

the battle of Gettysburg had been fought, there

would be many, many more battles with much more

bloodshed. In all of that, President Lincoln took the

time to remember the many blessings which the

country still enjoyed such as peace with other

nations, bountiful crops, and the expectation of an

increase of freedom when the war was over. He set

aside the last Thursday in November as a day for the

nation to look to the many blessings it enjoyed and

give thanks to God for them.

So, in Hanukkah, there is the celebration of

freedom and a time to give thanks for God’s continued

presence. On Thanksgiving, even when times are hard

and perhaps especially when they are, we are reminded

of continued blessings and the One who continues to

give them to us.

This year, these two celebrations come together

for the first time. It is a fitting convergence as both

remind us of the many blessings we continue to receive

from the hands of our gracious God and how

strengthened by them, we may continue to work that all

people may know such gifts of life which God would

have all people know.

Pastor Dodd

LET’S GATHER & GIVE THANKS

Celebrate Thanksgiving with our sisters and

brothers of Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, at

our joint Thanksgiving Eve service, Wednesday,

November 27, 7:00 p.m., at Resurrection, 3925

Hilyard St., Eugene (about ½

mile south of Good Samaritan

Care Center.)

Then plan to stay after

the service for fellowship and

pie!

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United Voice November 2013 – Page 1

For four long years, I have been

longing for the rain; not that drizzly,

drippy, surface-wetting shower that

passes for rain in California, real Oregon

RAIN! Real Oregon rain, like the rain I was

raised with as a young boy on the Oregon

Coast, where my brother and I would swim

to school every day… upstream both ways. Real Oregon

rain like the rain that made the diluvian myths of my

childhood Bible Stories read like weather forecasts. Real

Oregon rain like the rain that fell in buckets, in cascades,

in downpours… gushing, rushing, pouring, cataracting

cloudbursts, deluges, floods, and effusions.

So, when Elizabeth and I settled into our cute

little (I say little, but compared to our seminary

apartment, it’s HUGE!) home here next to the church in

September, I was pleased to discover great torrents of

water pouring unhindered from bleak gray sky. It was a

longing fulfilled… a dream come true; it was a most

hospitable welcome! In fact, everything about my initial

experience as an intern here at United Lutheran Church

is drenched in genuine Oregon hospitality… United

Lutheran Church hospitality.

We don’t usually equate hospitality with a

rainstorm… especially when we think of hospitality in

terms of offering others shelter from the elements. But

isn’t that what hospitality is; a downpour of grace upon

strangers? (And are there any stranger than PLTS

interns?) Isn’t hospitality an extension of the Great

Welcome we’ve received when we were drenched in

God’s grace and brought into the community of faith?

To show such welcome, not only to strange interns but

to all strangers we encounter, isn’t that evangelism? For

that hospitality and welcome, I am deeply grateful to

you… and for the grace out of which such hospitality is

born, I am deeply grateful to God.

Peace.

Intern Israel Jurich

DST ENDS: FALL

BACK!

Daylight Saving Time

ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday,

November 3, so be sure to turn

your clocks BACK one hour

when you retire on Saturday

night, November 2.

FOOD FOR LANE COUNTY

DINING ROOM TIME

CHANGES

FOOD for Lane County is

changing the times for the Dining

Room. The new times for

November are:

Tues. Nov. 26, PREP, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. New Time!

SERVE: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., New Time!

If you have signed up and the time change will

not work for you, please contact Cara Haakanson.

THANKS FOR HELPING

FEED THE HUNGRY!

Thank you to everyone

who participated in the October

CROP Walk, either by walking

or by donating. Members of United raised $690.00, 75%

of which goes to Church World Service and 25% to

FOOD for Lane County.

Kathy Mains

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL

STEWARDSHIP TO UNITED

The Two-Year Giving Comparison graph below

shows that United is in sound financial footing this year

so far. Thank you for your gifts to further United’s

ministries.

A: They were referred to as Separatists.

United Voice November 2013 – Page 2

A THOUGHT- PROVOKING BOOK

Looking for something

good to read? Check out Chasing

Down a Rumor: The Death of Mainline

Churches, by Robert Bacher and

Kenneth Inskeep. Bacher is the

former Executive for

Administration, Office of the

Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, and Inskeep is a Director

of Research for the ELCA.

The “rumor” is that mainline churches are

dying. This very readable book gives us the facts which

can be disturbing, but also gives us reason for hope. If

you believe there is something about mainline churches

that matters, you will want to read this book. If you

don’t believe in the value of the churches, this book just

might change your mind.

LIKE JANE AUSTEN?

HERE’S AN UPDATED

CLASSIC

United’s Book Group

invites all Jane Austen fans to

join them in reading The Three

Weissmanns of Westport by

Cathleen Schine, a modern tale based on Austen’s

classic, Sense and Sensibility. There’s plenty of time for

reading it over the busy holidays, as the group won’t

meet until January 12 to discuss it.

The Three Weissmanns of Westport is about a 75

year old New Yorker, Betty Weissmann, whose husband

of nearly 50 years abandons her for a much younger

woman. Betty ends up moving to a cottage in Westport,

Connecticut. Her two grown daughters, Miranda and

Annie, run into their own problems and end up moving

to Westport to join their mother. Romances ensue as

does “Austen-esque mischief.”

The novel is available in paperback, $14, and as

an e-book ($8.89 Kindle, $9.99 Nook.) The Eugene

Public Library has 6 print copies (2 are large print), an

audio-book, and an e-book to lend.

Join the discussion on Sunday, January 12, 4:00

p.m., in the church community room.

SEVERAL CHANGES TO

NOTE

Amy Austin (Intern #21)

is back in Oregon. Corrie

Gustafson has bought a new

house. Dee Dee Lundahl has moved to Sacramento to

be nearer to her daughter. David Westcott is leaving the

Oregon Community Foundation after 16 years. Sydney

Wilson has moved to an apartment.

CONGRATULATIONS

TO CRYSTAL &

DANIEL

United’s youth worker,

Crystal Miller, and her

husband, Daniel, are now the

proud parents of Charlotte

Olivia, born on October 18 at

6:30 p.m. Charlotte was 22 ½ inches long and birth and

weighed 10 pounds, one ounce! Mother and baby are

doing well and father is as proud as can be.

Congratulations to the new family of three!

YOUR UNITED VOICE IS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Thanks go to Joanne

Gulsvig for her help preparing the

October United Voice for mailing.

If you have an hour or two

free to help with this each month,

please let me know.

Gay Kramer-Dodd

CAMP LUTHERWOOD OREGON

ANNUAL MEETING OF

THE ASSOCIATION

Sunday, November 17, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Albany, Oregon

Learn how 2013 has gone

and what is being planned for 2014.

United Voice November 2013 – Page 3

BIRTHDAYS

1 - Sally Krueger

2 - Samantha Cairnes

9 - Trudi Diffendaffer, Wilbur Jessen

10 - Diane Masson

13 - Jean Johnson

18 - Maija Anstine

21 - Kathy Saranpa

22 - Karen Helikson, Mark Raney

23 - Thea Petersen

ANNIVERSARIES

19 - Ellen & Jim Krueger

26 - Diane & John Masson

BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES

3 - Melva Moore

5 - Rachel Hample, Deborah Hample

10 - Dorothea Brauer

11 - Elroy Fuller

14 - Sue Bowers, Dale Rettmann

15 - Laura Jacek

18 - Alan McCullough, Christine McCullough

20 - Paul Frantz

21 - Janet Gustafson

22 - Brian Stoner

24 - Alex Brink

25 - Karen Helikson

27 - Sally Krueger

28 - Virginia Klassen

30 - Alice Anderson

From FISH of Eugene-

Springfield

October 16, 2013

Dear United Lutheran Church

Thank you for your

generous gift of $225.00. Your

generosity will make life better

for individuals and families

who have great needs. On their behalf and on behalf or

our wonderful volunteers, I thank you.

Del Hawkins, Coordinator

THE GREEN CORNER

by Eunice Kjaer

Exodus 31:12: “You

shall keep my sabbaths, for this is

a sign between me and you throughout your generations,

given in order that you may know that I, the LORD , sanctify

you.”

In our hurried and stressed daily life, we often

don’t have time just to be in nature and enjoy it – even

the rain! There are some extreme challenges that people

embark on as a way to simplify their lives such as

buying no new clothes for a year or buying only used

items or borrowing what they need. These kinds of

challenges often take a lot of work and time, and may

create more stress. One way to be less stressed is to

simplify. There are many books on the subject as well as

lists and suggestions on the internet. Here are a few

ideas to get you started thinking about how you

could simplify your life. If you do, be sure to spend

some of that extra time you have enjoying God’s

creation.

1. Live with less. Do you really need all those

clothes, gadgets, and toys? Think before you buy.

2. Try no technology for 24 hours – and reflect on

how you feel and how your life is different.

3. Identify what is important to you and eliminate the

rest.

4. Learn to say “no.”

5. Eat slowly. Drive slowly.

6. Do what you love. Spend time with people you

love. Spend time alone.

7. Live life more deliberately.

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United Voice November 2013 – Page 4

WOMEN OF UNITED

NEWS

by Carolee Horning

Bible Study Circles:

The November study in Gather is about “The Widow of

Zarephath, A Trusting Follower.”

Ruth Circle will meet on Monday, November 11, 9:30

a.m., Location TBA

Circle of Faith will meet in the Community Room on

Tuesday, November 12, 1:00 p.m.

Mary Magdalene Circle, will meet on Thursday,*

November 14, 6:30 p.m., at the home of Candy Snook.

(*Please notice the switch from Tuesdays to Thursdays.)

Church Women United will meet only once in

November, on Saturday, November 2, 9:00 to 11:15 a.m.,

at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 3925 Hilyard

St., to celebrate World Community Day. The theme is

“Walking Through Doors of Opportunity.”

Thank you to everyone who donated and/or

helped with the school kits this year. We put together

almost 300 kits that were shipped out on October 25.

Well done!

We are looking for a group to take over the

stamp-trimming. Women of United collect canceled

stamps for Church Women United. The proceeds from

the sales of these stamps go to a girls school in Lesotho

South Africa. Please bring your stamps and leave them

in the designated spot in the narthex. When trimming

the envelopes for the stamps, err on the side of a large

border as if any of the stamp is ripped or torn it cannot

be sold. Commemorative stamps are preferred but any

will do. If you would like to help with this project or

have any questions, please talk to Eunice Kjaer.

December is quickly approaching. The annual

Women of United no-host Christmas luncheon is

scheduled for Saturday, December 7, at Lok Yaun on

West 11 , at noon. As well as enjoying fellowship and ath

good meal, we will be discussing the 2014 budget and

holding elections. Absentee ballots will also be

accepted! The more participation and attendance the

better, so please join us!

Our annual Advent Dinner event for the whole

church is scheduled for Sunday, December 15. We will

be serving spaghetti this year. We look forward to

attendance from those ages 0 to 100+ with fun for

everyone! We will have more information coming as the

time draws closer.

SAVE THESE DATES IN

DECEMBER

Saturday, December 7:

12:00 p.m., Women of United Christmas No-Host

Luncheon, Lok Yuan Restaurant

2:00 p.m., Dodd/Kramer-Dodd Open House

Sunday, December 15:

Time TBA, Women of United Advent Dinner for Entire

Church

Tuesday, December 24:

Christmas Eve worship, 7:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

BREWING UP COMMUNITY

Have you tried the NEW organic, Fair Trade

coffee, “Proud Mama,” available on the first and third

Sundays each month in the narthex following first

service? It is a medium, Full City roast. Feel the pride

when you enjoy this coffee! Your purchase helps

women coffee farmers become leaders and send their

children to school.

Another NEW coffee variety is “Mighty

Morning,” a blend of Medium and French roasting.

Coffee farmers become more powerful when they join

together. Feel the power and start your mornings strong

with this tasty blend.

GIFT BASKET IDEAS

Have fun and create unique

gifts with our Lutheran World Relief

Fair Trade, organic products. With

baskets, ribbon, and fun decorations

from home or craft store, you can

create lovely holiday gifts baskets

filled with LWR teas, coffee, chocolate

bars, cocoa mix, and Geo snack bars.

Make it a family activity and invite some friends to help.

Thank you for supporting farming families around the

world!

A: Lunatic Fringe was hair that came down over the

forehead, better known today as “bangs.”

United Voice November 2013 – Page 5

November 3 Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31

November 10 Job 19:23-27a; Psalm 17:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38

November 17 Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

November 24 Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

NON-PROFIT ORG

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

EUGENE, OREGON

PERMIT NO 119

UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH

2230 WASHINGTON ST

EUGENE OR 97405

We give thanks for:

United Voiceis published monthly by

United Lutheran Church

Editor: Gay Kramer-Dodd

Publication Deadline: The 17 of the monthth

Pastor: Thomas Dodd

Intern: Israel Jurich

Director of Music: Philip Bayles

Secretary: Linda Anderson

Mid-Week Meal Cook: Diane Masson

Youth Worker: Crystal Miller

Coordinator of Lay Ministries:

Joanne Gulsvig

Council: Susan Lunas, Pres., Corrie Gustafson, V.P., Lisa

Sitton, Treas., Alan McCullough, Sec., Julie Coffman, Cara

Haakanson, Tom Landon, Thea Petersen, Michael Russo,

Wendy Stoner, Damon Vold