I didn't realize (apologies if I forgot) that we shared a Lutheran heritage. My father went to seminary in St. Louis and later was part of the break from Missouri Synod, ending up in an LCA congregation. In 1989, I was part of the ELCA ordination of two lesbian woman and one gay man in San Francisco. (Huge deal at the time, leading to the expulsion of both churches from the synod.) Truly one of the most moving and memorable experiences of my life.
Just want to say I'm 1) glad that you broke up with the narcissist. Spot on assessment. Perhaps not as common among Lutherans ... but a pulpit can still a stage. 2) Love that you found your way back to the work you felt called to so many years ago. 3) Thank you for making the political connection. We MUST make that connection. Luther himself was basically an activist, speaking truth to power. And while many people are familiar with the "First they came for the... and I did not speak up " quote, few (except our ilk) remember that Martin Niemoller was a Lutheran pastor. Even if the current administration hadn't started slamming Lutherans, we are called to speak up and speak out on behalf of others. It is our moral and spiritual obligation.
I think you mentioned the shared heritage (now it's been a few years, so it's understandable if you forgot! or maybe you shared it in something you wrote) but to hear more about it is really special! The creation of the ELCA from the LCA and ALC was a big deal at the time, and also what an incredible experience that you got to be a part of in 1989! (Yes, that would have been a BIG DEAL). I'd love to hear more about that particular event and what that was like!
And yes, I couldn't not speak to the current situation that Lutherans (and so many others) are facing. It really is our moral obligation to shed light on the ways people are being hurt (to put it mildly). Thank you!
It was a delight to read every word of this, Ashleigh. Though ours paths crossed at Lutheridge, not LTSS, your words of the latter spoke to my time there as well. I'm glad that a camp setting has made its way back into your life. :)
Thank you, Kris! I'm glad that it resonated with you, even though you were a few years behind me. I think we both got to be there at a great time in the school's history!
I didn't realize (apologies if I forgot) that we shared a Lutheran heritage. My father went to seminary in St. Louis and later was part of the break from Missouri Synod, ending up in an LCA congregation. In 1989, I was part of the ELCA ordination of two lesbian woman and one gay man in San Francisco. (Huge deal at the time, leading to the expulsion of both churches from the synod.) Truly one of the most moving and memorable experiences of my life.
Just want to say I'm 1) glad that you broke up with the narcissist. Spot on assessment. Perhaps not as common among Lutherans ... but a pulpit can still a stage. 2) Love that you found your way back to the work you felt called to so many years ago. 3) Thank you for making the political connection. We MUST make that connection. Luther himself was basically an activist, speaking truth to power. And while many people are familiar with the "First they came for the... and I did not speak up " quote, few (except our ilk) remember that Martin Niemoller was a Lutheran pastor. Even if the current administration hadn't started slamming Lutherans, we are called to speak up and speak out on behalf of others. It is our moral and spiritual obligation.
Great post!
I think you mentioned the shared heritage (now it's been a few years, so it's understandable if you forgot! or maybe you shared it in something you wrote) but to hear more about it is really special! The creation of the ELCA from the LCA and ALC was a big deal at the time, and also what an incredible experience that you got to be a part of in 1989! (Yes, that would have been a BIG DEAL). I'd love to hear more about that particular event and what that was like!
And yes, I couldn't not speak to the current situation that Lutherans (and so many others) are facing. It really is our moral obligation to shed light on the ways people are being hurt (to put it mildly). Thank you!
It was a delight to read every word of this, Ashleigh. Though ours paths crossed at Lutheridge, not LTSS, your words of the latter spoke to my time there as well. I'm glad that a camp setting has made its way back into your life. :)
Thank you, Kris! I'm glad that it resonated with you, even though you were a few years behind me. I think we both got to be there at a great time in the school's history!