Here and About- October 2016

Ebenezer Lutheran Church 

Greensboro, North Carolina

Sometimes a week is just very full

 of all sorts of experiences.

This post gathers some of the comings and goings

 of this past week.

We worshiped at Ebenezer this past Sunday.

Amazing art- Visual Faith.

Everything from Illuminated Bibles 

to art from the studio of Lucas Cranach.

Original printwork of artist Adam Moser.

Monday and Tuesday were 

Professional Church Workers Conferences- 

at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Cary, North Carolina 

and 

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Herndon, Virginia.

We were blessed to Rev. Dr. Robert Newton- 

District President from California, Nevada and Hawaii 

join us to direct our thinking about the Missionary Age.

We took off to spend some time downtown DC

 and headed to one of our favorite spots- 

the National Cathedral.

On the last Tuesday of the month

 the inside of the cathedral

 is set up with multiple labyrinths. 

We wandered around quietly listening
 to beautiful music 

and visiting the chapels in the lower level.

A stroll through the cathedral gardens, 

supper at  Old Ebb's Grill- 
A DC tradition since 1856,

and a late night stroll past the White House.

Wednesday evening was the Gala for  

LIRS - Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. 

We were at Capitol View at 400
 with night time views

 of the Capitol and Union Station.

Former refugee Joseph Lewis 

was the Master of Ceremonies,

and Omar Al-muqdad was the Keynote Speaker.

A Walk of Courage award 

was presented to  Rev. Mark Hanson- 

former Bishop of the ELCA.

 Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State,

 and the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government was also presented a Walk of Courage Award.

At one time she too, was a refugee to the United States,

 and fled Europe during World War 2.

Linda Hardke serves as President and CEO of LIRS.

I pray that the Lord would open the hearts 
of more Americans to see refugees 
as human beings marginalized and needing 
our welcome- as our neighbors.