We Are What We Eat?

From the Pastor’s Keyboard:  We are what we eat?

Some time ago, a friend’s son told us that his father and he were researching the effects of violence-themed media and video games on the attitudes and actions of those who are exposed to them on a regular basis.  This research was in response to the teen’s desire to buy a particularly violent video game to play with his friends. 

Violence in media, gaming and music as encouragement for violent actions in society has been a topic of discussion and research for many years.  Concern grows whenever there are incidents like the shootings at Columbine, Colorado in 1999, the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech, the 2011 Norway bombing in Oslo and subsequent massacre of 85 children attending an island summer camp, or the more recent midnight military-style attack on movie-goers in an Aurora, Colorado in which the gunman killed 12 and injured at least 50.

Sissela Bok’s recent book, Mayhem: Violence As Public Entertainment takes on this issue. Focusing on violent media and its effect on the American national character, she admits that obtaining a clear answer is a vexing problem.  However, she:

 “…reassures the public that the amount of violence portrayed in mass media affects its audience in different ways, representing only one factor that contributes to violence in society at large.” 

(from http://www.florin.com/authors/bok-mayhem.html)

On one hand, what Bok concludes is quite true.  There are always a variety of factors that affect the actions or decisions of humans:  family relationships, self-esteem, religious indoctrination, personal experience with violence or violent acts such as abuse or bullying, psychological health, etc.  This was certainly true for the Columbine duo that attacked their school mates.  The VA Tech gunman certainly had psychological problems.  The shootings In Norway and in the recent incident at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin  were attributed to the extremist views of the gunmen.

On the other hand, it’s difficult not to consider  how the violence we see, hear, read about, or participate in daily through news media, radio and TV talk shows,  movies, popular music, books and gaming affects our thoughts and actions in other areas of our lives.  We’re inundated with it.  We consume it.  We support it by buying the video games, by purchasing the action figures for our children, and by making movies like Dark Knight Rises mega hits. 

During the summer months, word and worship focused on Jesus as the “Bread of Life.”  In John 6:56, Jesus says, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them….so whoever eats me will live because of me.”  Jesus calls those who believe to concentrate their whole lives on him, on his word of love and forgiveness, on his call to service on behalf of others and on his gifts of life and salvation given through the sharing of the sacraments with the community of faith.

What is the source of your daily nourishment?   If your diet has become slanted toward the worldly emphasis on violence, you may be in danger of the effects of spiritual malnourishment.  Join your sisters and brothers at Zion each week as we gather to receive the heavenly food that only Jesus can provide.  Jesus invites you to come and be with him, to consume his love and grace through hearing and studying his word, and to be nourished by his life of peace and blessing through worship.  As the old saying goes, “You are what you eat.”   Come to the feast!

DID YOU KNOW?  

According to the Huffington Post online edition for August 12, “Hundreds of people who gathered at a Sikh temple in suburban Milwaukee spoke of unity, strength and rebirth during the first Sunday service there since a gunman killed six people before fatally shooting himself.”  The shooting occurred on August 5. 

 Sikhism is a relatively new religion that is derived from the teachings of The Ten Gurus whose teachings and writings began in the 1600’s.  It has no relationship with Islam. 

This is a monotheistic faith “…preaching the existence of only one God, and teaching ideals that may be universally accepted today and in the future: honesty, compassion, humility, piety, social commitment, and most of all tolerance for other religions.” 

(from http://www.searchsikhism.com/sikhism.html

Sky VBS 2012

"Everything is possible with God!" Here are some pictures of the fun and learning experienced at Zion VBS this year. Just click the link to view them!

NOLA!

Enjoy pictures of Zion youth and adults at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering "Citizens with the Saints" in New Orleans, LA, July 18-22

Photo Memories of Community

Photo Memories of Service

Photo Memories of 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering- Citizens with the Saints

Worship

Day 4: Practicing Peacemaking

The day began with sunshine and clear skies. Kayla, Sarah, Bob and Pastor enjoyed breakfast at Ruby Slippers Cafe, the rest enjoyed a little extra shut eye. We met up at the hotel for our walk to the Convention Center for our morning of practicing peacemaking.

First, we worshipped together with those assigned to this peacemaking day. We began with praise songs. In an interval between the songs, as music continued, the worship leader said, "This is traditional Lutheran worship." When the response was laughter, he continued by saying that Lutheran worship is marked by tradition, even if you call the first songs "praise songs", what we sang was the opening hymn. He continued with a description of what we would do: remembrance of baptism, confession and absolution, word, sermon, closing hymn.

This was no different from the structure of traditional worship. Yet it was different! It was full of energy and motion. The words were familiar, but, somehow, the way they were interspersed with music made them more meaningful.

From worship, we moved to the interactive center where there were a variety of activities designed to increase awareness of global issues and provide ways to respond.

Later, we went out into the city to explore, buy souvenirs, try some traditional cuisine (jambalaya, gumbo,
alligator and crawfish) and experience a little of the atmosphere of Bourbon Street.

Then we walked back to the "Luther Dome" for our last evening of music, dancing, stories of faith and encouragement. It was hard to imagine that after tonight we would no longer be with our 33,309 sisters and brothers. We've met so many wonderful people.

The evening began with the "biggest dance party of Lutheran youth ever held in the Dome." During the event, a series of dance moves was taught each night. What and amazing thing it was to see all the crowd dancing together!

Speakers once again brought messages of encouragement and inspiration. Tony Acompanado told us about the importance and risk of speaking the truth about injustice, intolerance, and bullying.

Pastor Andrena Ingram told her story of abuse, addiction, and HIV infection. She shared how pastors of a Lutheran church showed her the amazing grace of God in Christ and acceptance for
who she was. She was encouraged to pursue a call to minister with persons
who are HIV+.

"Be the change you wish to be in the world." (Ghandi) This was the message for the youth throughout the event. Rachel Kurtz's song, "Make a Difference" was the theme song for the Gathering, and the program ended with everyone singing,

"I want my life to make a difference. I want my life to make a change. I want my life to do some good here. I want my life to make a change."

The last treat of the evening was a performance by the band Switchfoot. This popular band plays both Christian and pop music. When they were announced, the stadium erupted into cheering, and many of the youth joined in singing along with their songs.

Just before the concert ended, we left the stadium to walk back to the hotel to pack. At 10:30, we gathered in Cris and Pastor JMe's room for discussion of our experiences in New Orleans and "Candle Prayer." We had so many things to thank God for: new friends and reconnections with old ones, grace-filled messages by the speakers, the fun we had together, what we learned and experienced about the transforming power of Christ, and so much more. There were heartfelt prayers offered for the people of Aurora, Colorado, for safe travel, for the people of New Orleans who welcomed us to their city, for the security and police officers who put in overtime away from their families to keep us safe as we moved throughout the city, and for organization like St. Bernard that continue to help the people rebuild their lives and homes 8 years after Katrina.

ZYM life without Bob as the Guide and church "father" for the youth was also on the hearts and minds of all the youth in the candle prayer circle. We all gave thanks for the years that he has shared his gifts and caring with the youth and families of Zion. Prayers were lifted up for his new ministry of caring as an EMT. By the end of our prayer time, there were tears flowing.