If Elvis isn't the only one having a Blue Christmas ...

... so is First Lutheran Community Church of Port Orchard, which plans a service at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at the church specifically for those who are sad at Christmas, maybe due to a death, a broken relationship or lost job. All are welcome, says the Rev. Joe Smith. The church is at 2483 Mitchell Road SE, and the phone is (360) 876-3901.

Luther Seminary quarterly journals yours for the taking

Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry

The first issue of this quarterly journal was released in January 1981 from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and continues to this day. For nearly 20 years, I was a regular subscriber and found this journal to be helpful for reflecting on issues important for my pastoral work. I discontinued my subscription shortly after I retired in 2006, but I've had a hard time letting go of the 72 journals I collected over the years. Now I'm ready, but I hate to throw them. Are you interested? From Vol. I, there were 104 issues published by the end of 2006; 72 of them are in this stack on my shelves. Call me at (360) 867-0428, and they're yours.

Paul Lundborg
prlundborg@comcast.net

'Vilest of Sinners' Takes on Rare, Two-Point Urban Ministry

By Rachel Pritchett
TACOMA
He's got tattoos head to toe, wears a Harley thrill-ride T-shirt and any smile he can muster is a deep grimace at best.
With an appearance rare for a pastor, the Rev. Randy Haas, 61, of the Southwestern Washington Synod has just taken on an even rarer, two-point urban ministry at Salishan Lutheran Eastside Mission and Hope Lutheran Church, where he just might fit in. Financial woes are bringing the two churches together.
"What this is is rural ministry in the inner city," Haas said during a visit in his modest rental where his Harley Street Glide is parked outside.
But with a twist.
In rural two-point ministries, he explained, you deal with long distances and with established churches with strong self-identities. Salishan and Hope, both in the heart of Tacoma, must redefine themselves.
Salishan, just 25 years old, is in a poor, crime-infested section of the city, where some members show up for worship high, and others are burdened with criminal pasts, joblessness and poverty.
"We have this core of broken people who come to this church," Haas said, adding "we all are broken sinners."
For many years until he retired, Salishan was led by the Rev. Ron Vignec, who became famous for helping to dig this part of Tacoma out from the depths of gang control and violence. The church has suffered since he left.
"I can't be Ron," Haas said.
That is fine with the people of Salishan, looking for somebody who doesn't fit the mold to bless them with a new beginning, on their terms.
Haas, broken himself, seemed to fit.
Doing two tours of Vietnam in the '60s when was he was no more than a boy, he wasn't even old enough to enjoy a beer on the plane ride back to the States.
What followed was a young man's life full of pain, sadness, broken relationships and loneliness.
"I am the vilest of sinners," Haas said. The sinner later went to Luther Seminary to become a pastor.
Hope, just a few miles away, is an old inner-city church that has lost members over the years to the suburbs and is struggling to survive. It has been exploring a sister relationship with Salishan.
Despite their different roots, the two congregations get along "amazingly well," he said. He was installed at a combined Salishan and Hope service at Hope on Oct. 10 by Bishop Robert D. Hofstad, who ordained him in 2006.
While Salishan and Hope are looking to Haas for direction, he instead is holding the mirror up to them. It is a bold challenge on his part for them to use undiscovered talents to build a future together.
"Most people are filled with wonderful gifts, wonderful talents. They just don't know it," he said.
Haas was encouraged when both recently enjoyed a performance of hard-core Christian rock band Convicted, made up of some former prison inmates.
"We had kids dancing in the aisles with their moms. Everyone was moving to the music. There was the spirit of the Lord in that sanctuary that morning," Haas said.
"It proved to me that they're open to new ideas."
Peel away the rough exterior of Randy Haas and you discover a man utterly and completely devoted to God. His tattoos that span three decades are of God and the Bible.
Now also Haas is committed to his two fledgling congregations.
"I will do my best to try to link the DNA of these two churches," said Haas, with what passes for a smile. "That's all I can do."

Twila Schock: For the first time ever, ELCA calls missionaries home

TACOMA
For the first time in its history, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recently recalled a handful of its missionaries, due to budget cuts.
That somber news was delivered by he Rev. Twila Schock, ELCA director for global mission support, at a "Global Stories" event Nov. 13 at St. Mark's the The Narrows Lutheran Church.
The average annual $70,000 cost to support a missionary could not be sustained at a time when the ELCA's budget is shrinking, due to fallout fro the 2009 churchwide sexuality vote, she said.
The pullbacks come at a time when relationships between the ELCA and its companion churches are growing fast. The ELCA's relationship with its partners in Ethiopia, for instance, grew 475 percent in the past two decades, she said.
Today, the ELCA has 250 missionaries in 48 countries, 63 of them in Europe, where the ranks of practicing Christans are diminishing in some places. Even in Wittenberg, Germany, only 17 percent of its residents are practicing Christians.
"So we do have a calling to be in Europe," she said.
The method of missionary work has changed from imposing our culture on others in a "mission field" to "accompaniment," where missionaries work with companions to train leaders.
But even with the shift "it is always about the proclaiming of the gospel of Jesus Christ," she said.
To help, contact Schock at (800) 638-3522, Ext. 2657.
The "Global Stories" attended by about 45 people also featured presentations of recent vists to Namibia, El Salvador, South Africa, China and Palestine.
- RP

Pie-throwing congregation raises $500 for Lutheran House

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
Visitors to a Halloween carnival at Port Madison Lutheran Church of Bainbridge Island tossed cream pies at the Rev. Lori Hoyum for three hours, all for a good cause.
When it was all over, $500 had been raised for the Lutheran House under construction at Cornerstone Place in Bremerton, a community sponsored by Habitat of Humanity of Kitsap County.
Many Kitsap County-area Lutheran churches have gotten together to fund the home.
"Did you know that whipped cream hardens when it dries? Neither did I," said Pastor Hoyum, whose booth alone raised $56.
The carnival — and the pie-the-pastor event — was organized by a number of members, including Deb Baxter and the pastor's own daughter, Gretchen.
— RP

Torvend takes on the Holy Spirit

PARKLAND
Two interpretations of the Holy Spirit have stood side by side throughout Christianity, but they work best together, argued the Rev. Dr. Samuel Torvend.
Tovend spoke Nov. 6 at a Southwestern Washington Synod event on Renewing Congregations at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Close to 100 persons listened as the Pacific Lutheran University religion professor said one interpretation is of a rushing wind or dramatic energy, and that's seen in the New Testament.
Then there is the quieter notion of the spirit, one of a "quiet, constant presence in our lives."
Taken alone, each has its risks. The first can become legalistic; the second can be too passive.
"You see how we can go to extremes on each side," he said.
The Renewing Congregations event continues with Parts Two and Three. Part Two focuses on resources for congregation; Part Three examines how congregations can take the gospel message to communities.
For more information, contact the Revs. Melanie Wallschlaeger or Valinda Morse at the synod office, (253) 535-8300.
- RP

Listeners pack Reformation hymnfest

TACOMA — Nary an empty seat was to be found Sunday, Oct. 31, as Gloria Dei Lutheran Church celebrated its 20th annual Reformation Sunday Hymn Festival.
The couple hundred who attended heard the Evergreen Brass Quintet and the Tacoma Youth Chorus Chorale, as well as something new this year, the Class Act Barbershop Quartet.
A crowd favorite was the Sons of Thunder Men's Gospel Choir from the Allen A.M.E. Church.
In all, more than a dozen groups and soloists performed in the event that's become a hallmark of autumn. — RP