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Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’” — John 20:21 Dear friends and family of St. Paul, You may have noticed a new purpose/vision statement for our church recently:
A shorter version would simply be “Sharing Christ’s Peace.” The Board of Deacons and I felt that we needed a simpler and more memorable vision statement that is not only faithful to God’s Word but also reflects the uniqueness and values of St. Paul. Jesus’ words in John 20:21 above sum up the Great Commission according to John. Jesus came to earth to bring peace. Through his words, life, death, and resurrection he established peace between God and mankind. He also brings peace between fellow human beings. The peace Jesus gives cannot be attained by worldly means: Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn 14:27). The peace Jesus gives transcends human understanding: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philipp 4:7). Through our serving one another and the community outside of our church walls, we are sharing the peace of Christ that he has entrusted to us in his Gospel and his gifts. Even though no church reflects the full range of diversity of the Christian Church on earth, we believe that Christ’s blood has “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev 5:9). Our worship community should reflect that multiethnicity. Not only is our vision statement scriptural, it has been my experience at St. Paul. I often hear visitors comment on how genuine, accepting, and warm our “Sharing of Peace” is during our worship services. It is a living testimony of the great things God has begun and continues to do in and through us. God grant us faithfulness to celebrate and share this treasure we have in Christ! The peace of Christ be with you! Pastor Johnson
FROM OUR PARISH NURSE Marlene Groll, R.N. Last month I wrote about Diabetes. Since we all know someone who is diabetic I will continue the discussion of diabetes and talk about one of the most common problems related to having this condition. I will share information featured in my March issue of Nursing 2010 magazine on Foot Care for the Diabetic. Diabetes can damage nerves in the foot to such an extent that pain, heat and cold cannot be felt. A small sore, blister or cut unnoticed may quickly become infected. Common foot problems such as corns, calluses, bunions and ingrown toenails on the foot of a diabetic can also become infected. This happens because diabetes slows down the blood flow to the feet and prevents a sore or infection from healing properly. Untreated this may lead to the loss of a toe or even require a more extensive type of amputation. . A diabetic soon learns to carefully inspect the foot for blisters, cuts, redness or swelling. The area should be watched for changes and if any are noticed a physician should be contacted. He may decide to refer to a podiatrist [a doctor whose specialty is care of the feet] who could then provide the routine foot care needed. Here are ways to keep diabetic feet healthy. Wash feet daily in warm water [not hot] and dry them carefully especially between each toe. Moisturize feet but not between the toes. Trim toenails carefully or have the foot doctor do it. File rough edges with an emery board. Wear socks that do not have tight elastic bands so as not to restrict blood flow to the feet. Never walk barefoot and always wear comfortable, well fitting shoes. Never self treat corns and calluses. Check the inside of shoes and remove any pebbles or other objects that could cause injury before putting on shoes. Do not use heating pads, hot water bottles or electric blankets. With nerve damage [neuropathy] to the feet these devices can cause burns and not be noticed. Do some simple exercises to promote good circulation. Wiggle your toes and move your feet up and down 2-3 times daily. Avoid crossing your legs as much as possible as this also decreases the circulation to your feet. Good foot care, a healthy diet, exercise, a blood sugar level under control and regular visits to your physician will help you to enjoy life even as a diabetic. Dear Lord, Help me to take good care of my health so that I may serve you and those around me.
PROPOSED COLUMBARIUM MINISTRY OF ST. PAUL By Jon Weerts What is the plan? The Columbarium Committee of St. Paul is proposing the construction of a columbarium in the coatroom at the front entrance to the church. The area will be redone in such a way that the entrance to the church will be enhanced with the refurbishment of the area. A room approximately 10 feet by 14 feet will be constructed for the columbarium. There will also be a storage area constructed and a reconfigured coatroom area. The walls, floors, and ceiling will be finished properly so that the area will be attractive and more useful for the purposes intended. The front entrance to the church will be recarpeted and decorated in such a way to make it more attractive and inviting. The Columbarium will be designed with niches for the cremated remains of loved ones. It will provide a pleasant place for meditation, reflection, and prayer. Drawings of the proposed area and samples of the niches and faceplates will be available for examination early in May. What is the cost to a family? The initial cost for a double niche (2 cremains) would be $1200 to $1500. This would include the cost of the niche, 2 urns, and the engraving of the faceplate. The cost for a single niche (1 cremain) would be $800 to $1100 including the cost of the niche, 1 urn, and the engraving of the faceplate. Additionally, $1700 is the approximate cost per person for cremation plus any charges for viewing, etc. The individual family is responsible for making arrangements for the cremation. A traditional burial has an average cost of $10,000 per person. What is the administration for the Columbarium? Rules and regulations related to the operation of the Columbarium will be established with the approval of the Board of Directors. Columbarium Trustees appointed by the Board of Directors will administer the operations of the Columbarium. Memorial gifts Memorial gifts and other donations may be designated to the St. Paul Columbarium Fund. Construction on the columbarium will not begin without the approval of the congregation at the voters meeting and also will not commence until sufficient funds have been obtained to cover the initial costs. Presales of niches will be used to gather funds to begin the construction. Please contact any committee member with any questions or comments. The committee members are Marli Camp, Barb Korntheuer, Len Schoepp, Jon Weerts, and Dave Zemke.
FROM PASTOR DOUGLAS GROLL Hispanic Ministry “Can You Hear Me Now?” Over the last months we have touched on three pillars of the Hispanic religious experience; Popular Religiosity, Mestizaje and Festive Hope. So far I have written some about the Virgin of Guadalupe as a manifestation of Popular Religiosity, the changing face of American faces as a manifestation of Mestizaje. I’ll dedicate these lines to facets of Festive Hope combined with Popular Religiosity, especially as experienced in the outdoor procession of Good Friday. You will recall Good Friday this year was a glorious day with plenty of sun and gentle breezes all day. About 9:00 A.M., nine of us left St. Paul to arrive at Damen and 18th Street by 9:30 A.M. We walked straight east on 18th Street toward Halsted. The further east we walked the crowds grew larger. By the time the Way of the Cross Procession met us at about Racine as it came from Halsted, there was no way to move except with the crowds. Thousands of Latins, mainly people of Mexican origin accompanied the mounted centurion, dozens of marching centurions who held back the crowds, Joseph of Arimathea, the wailing women, the soon to be crucified thieves and the suffering Christ toward waiting crosses behind the Harrison Park pavilion. As we walked along behind the principal figures of the Passion history we heard thousands of people in unison saying and singing the Our Father, Hail Mary and simple rhythmic chants. Bilingual prayers invited God’s presence in the peoples’ lives as they confront problems of lack of work, medical care, discrimination and fear and hatred for the immigrant. At each station of the cross there were vivid dramatizations of each cruel action leveled at the Christ. We waited, watched and then moved on. At Harrison Park the crowds parted as first the thieves and then the Christ were tied to crosses and lifted to their places toward the sky. Jesus of Nazareth spoke the sequence of each word from the cross. Finally, when he had died, his body was lowered by the white resurrection linens, wrapped in them and carried away. The crowd dispersed. This procession, repeated now in Chicago for about a quarter century and throughout the Americas for over four centuries continues to be one of the great teaching instruments of the Latin church. In truest form it embodies Latino popular religion as it appeals to sight, sound, movement, and; above all, actual participation of the worshipper. One does not just watch this procession. This is not a parade where thousands go by a stationary observer, but is rather a movement that pulls people in and makes the spectator into a participant. One does not rehearse…one does. That is such a characteristic of popular religion. Yet, there is the element of Festive Hope. Men, women and children, though not raucous, do not go along with sad faces. They walk together and extend greetings. They stop to buy ice cream, cotton candy, pork rinds and soft drinks. Everyone is taking pictures. Little girls are perched on their fathers’ shoulders so as to get a good view. Photographers are everywhere. A Channel 7 reporter interviews Laura Latzke to get her impression of the event. Could the first Good Friday have been much different? (next page…) Just imagine! Noise…..crowds…..food……laughing……the police escort……some completely indifferent to what was happening…others intensely involved. One of the “wailing women” dressed in First Century Jewish garb is trying intently to get enough “bars” on her cell phone to make a clear call. Somewhere in the middle of it all the message of Christ for us was proclaimed in this most moving way. A people whose ancestors on many occasions were forced into the Christian faith under the threat of the Spanish sword now willingly process and in so doing profess to the world that even as they face economic, educational, and national insecurities often as immigrants in an unwelcoming place, they continue to see Christ as their suffering brother, and hopefully as Resurrected Lord.
GOLDEN MEMORIES By Carol Zimmer Tito Vasquez was born in the beautiful city of La Paz, Bolivia (S.A.), high in the Andes Mountains on August 23, 1924. The airport of La Paz is located on a plateau above the city and looking down on the city lights makes it seems like the sky is turned upside down as you view the “sparkling stars.” Oxygen is required by many when they land at this high altitude. Tito’s father, a strict teacher, founded the first Boy Scout troop in Bolivia. Tito loved the marching bands of the Scouts and even as a young child, would follow after the parade, often needing to be taken back home by an older child. Tito’s love for reading began at an early age and he continues with that passion today. Tito’s sister and brother both have passed away but there are many other relatives still living in Bolivia. After high school, Tito was enrolled in a program to become a dentist. But his father’s untimely death intervened so that Tito was not financially able to purchase the expensive equipment needed to complete the dental program. Since he was very athletic, Tito soon found he could make a living by playing professional soccer as a goalie. In so doing, he travelled to many surrounding countries. (His love of sports continues to this day.) After a few years he decided to move on and became a policeman in La Paz. He married a nurse and they had two girls, Roxanne and Jannette. Tito was in the narcotics unit and the drug gangs blew up his house. His wife, Mary, was so frightened for the family’s safety that she contacted her brother-in-law who was a doctor in Chicago, and investigated the possibility of moving there. Mary and the daughters did move to Chicago where she became a nurse at Columbus Hospital, but the Bolivian government wouldn’t allow Tito to leave the country because he was needed in his police work. Mary was very fluent in English and after four years of working through the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia, Tito was finally allowed to visit his family in Chicago and it was evident to the authorities that Tito should be allowed to stay with his family in the States. After about 20 years, Tito returned to visit family in Bolivia but, by then, his mother had also died. The Viet Nam War was in progress at the time when Tito began taking residency here and he had to register for possible deployment into the war zone. He had a “D” rating and fortunately the war ended before he was called to serve. Tito became a U.S. citizen as soon as the mandatory five year waiting period had expired. Tito’s first job in Chicago was truly an American experience since he worked at the Tootsie Roll Factory in Chicago. He had to transfer three times on public transportation to get to work since Mary needed the car for her work as a nurse, and for transporting the children. Tito’s next job was at McCormack Place where he was responsible for arranging set-ups for conventions. He next worked at Roosevelt Hospital in the distribution of supplies. A further job was working in a plastic factory in Lincolnwood. The next position took him to O’Hare Airport where he worked for the Carson Uniform company in the distribution of the many uniforms needed by employees of the airlines. Tito worked for a time at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. But his most significant employment was at the Holiday Inn in Hillside where he worked for 21 years in charge of arrangements for conventions and banquets. He retired from this position about ten years ago. Mary and Tito’s daughters are married. Roxanna and her husband have two girls and a boy and live in Joliet. Jannette and husband have two sons. One of the sons is married and presented Tito with a beautiful great- granddaughter. All of the children’s family members excel in advanced degrees and hold responsible positions. When Tito was a boy, his mother took him to mass every week but he says, “I didn’t understand a word!” Tito had read a great deal of religious materials and when he settled in Chicago, Tito and Mary became acquainted with a Bolivian Lutheran Pastor, Rev. Loza, at St. Matthew’s where they enjoyed hearing the Word of God in their language. It was like a cloud lifted! The family also enjoyed the ministries of all of the Hispanic speaking pastors at St. Paul, starting with Rev. Garcia and continuing through to Rev. Groll. When Mary died about 11 years ago, Rev. Martinez performed the funeral service for her. About seven years ago Tito married Matilde and the couple lives in Westchester. Matilde works close to home in a facility of Elmhurst hospital. We also had a lovely visit with Matilde during the interview for this article. Due to health issues, Tito is limited in his mobility and thus finds it difficult to come to church. His daughters bring him to the Hispanic services when able to do so. Tito reflected that “My becoming a member of the Lutheran Church has been a great experience and St. Paul has truly become ‘my church.’ “ Editor’s note: My thanks to Rev. Groll for arranging for the interview with Tito and for interpreting for us. Rev. Groll ministers to Tito in his home and brings Holy Communion to him. I enjoyed meeting this gentle, kind man and learning to know his life’s history.
PEOPLE ARE VERY IMPORTANT …….A thank-you card was received in the church office from the group of youngsters from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Iowa City, IA, that spent the weekend of April 10-11 in our premises. It reads: “Thank you so much for letting us use your space to stay for our Confirmation Retreat lodging. This was truly a blessing. Thank you again. In Christ, Kaja Mueller, DCE”…..Please keep in your prayers the following members and friends of the congregation who have been ill or hospitalized and/or are recuperating at home: Arnie Lehmann, Dolmaris Estevez, Mike Wachal, Coffey Family, Barbara Thomson…..
GROUNDS CLEAN UP is scheduled for Saturday, May 8th Bring your gloves and your favorite gardening tool. Refreshments will be provided!
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