March 2010 Newsletter   

Two Lutheran CORE related events are taking place at the writing of this newsletter. Both relate to future opportunities for St. Timothy's denominational affiliation.

First, as mentioned last month, Lutheran CORE has formed a nine-member Vision & Planning Team to draft two proposals for a "reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism." Pastor Dan is a member of that Team, and the proposals are in their final draft form. Next month's newsletter will bring more information and in August the proposals will be brought to vote at the Lutheran CORE convention.

Second, here at St. Timothy's, our Affiliation Team is gathering information about the various options that lie before us. This includes information not only about Lutheran CORE's two proposals but also about other existing Lutheran bodies including ELCA, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) and more than a dozen other Lutheran denominations. The Affiliation Team will bring this gathered information to Council. Council will then use this information to formulate a proposal to bring before the congregation by the end of the year.

The members of the Affiliation team are: Brian Clausen, Cindy Cribbs, Dawn Gerdt, Steven Hendrickson, Phil Sampson, Jeff Wagner. Please keep them and the process in your prayers.

February 2010 Newsletter   

Over the next several months, Lutheran CORE will be working on two main proposals that will brought to the August 2010 National Convocation for vote by its members. The first proposal is to develop more fully a vision for a free-standing synod. This free-standing synod, currently formed and operating, is designed to serve as an umbrella organization for congregations, individuals, and reform groups who share concerns about the direction the ELCA national church body has taken. Shared efforts and resources from WordAlone and Lutheran CORE are being used to support to work of the free-standing synod.

The second proposal will be to bring a recommendation for the formation of a new Lutheran church body. The new church body will be complimentary to the work of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), a church body that formed in 2002 as a result of concerns over the ELCA. The vision is for LCMC and the new church body to work together in ministry and mission efforts, sharing resources and pastors in response to the Great Commission given to us by Jesus.

To develop these proposals for the free-standing synod and the new Lutheran church body, Lutheran CORE has formed a Vision & Planning Team. This team has nine members, including Pastor Dan who accepted the request to serve. The team plans to have a draft proposal for the free-standing synod and the new church body ready for publication by the end of February. Please keep these reforming efforts and the people involved in your prayers.

January 2010 Newsletter (first Update)   

     On December 6, the congregation voted to join Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal). What does this mean?
     CORE is not a denomination, and we at St. Timothy's have not voted to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Rather, CORE is a growing gathering of like-minded congregations who are considering whether they best fit in the ELCA or in another structure yet to be determined. Pastor Dan has been asked to serve on CORE's Vision committee which is tasked with shaping options in time for a recommendation by August.
     In addition, between now and August, St. Timothy's Church Council will take the lead in forming a committee to investigate the alternatives that lie before us - from staying in the ELCA to joining the structure recommended by CORE to aligning ourselves with another yet-to-be-determined church body.
    In the meantime, you will be kept informed of what is taking place through newsletter Updates like this one. And at any time, if you have questions, be sure to ask a Council member or one of the pastors.