Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
July/August 2016 Volume 34, Issue 7
Official Publication of the National Lutheran Secretariat, VdC
Connecting National & Local Secretariats
I n s i d e . . .
What’s Ahead
For 2017 1
NLS Leadership
Team 2
President Steve 3
Vice Pres. of Outreach, Wendy
3
Spiritual Director,
Pr. Mark 4
VP of Admin, Warren ‘Butch’
5
Pleasant Pauses 6
Ohio Memories 6
Palanca Page 7
NLS Web Information
7
Come to the Far Away of North Carolina
Did you attend the 2016 National VdC Annual
Gathering at Lourdes University, Sylvania, Ohio?
If so, what was your favorite memory? Was it the
inspirational speakers? How about the food? Or
perhaps it was the time spent in fellowship,
song, worship and prayer? Whatever memory
you savor, hopefully you went home knowing
that with unspeakable joy, unsinkable faith, and
unstoppable love...anything is possible!
In 2017, the National VdC Annual Gathering will
be July 27—30th at Wake Forest University in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Your hosts will
be Eastern North Carolina VdC & Western North
Carolina VdC who are working hard to plan a
rich, spiritual event.
Might you be wondering about what you could
look forward to while in North Carolina (NC)?
First, picture this, NC is a long state stretching
from the Atlantic Ocean to the great Smokey
Mountains. While the coast offers beautiful
beaches and those historic outer banks, the
western part of the state is famous for those
beautiful mountains and some delicious sweet
tomato based B-B-Que. To be fare to eastern NC,
they want you to know that they’re famous for
their spicy vinegar style B-B-Que. What do you
think? Bet you can expect a sampling of both
styles of B-B-Que next year!
Here’s a few other things you can look forward
to next year. Do you like history? You’ll have to
visit Old Salem, which is on the national register
of historic places. Founded in 1766, this colonial
Moravian community has a working blacksmith
shop and bakery. Can’t you smell those fresh
Moravian cookies right now? Will temptation
lead you to buy some?
And here’s another bit of history you can find;
Did you grow up watching The Andy
Griffith Show? Well, just a short
drive up the road you’ll find the real
Mayberry RFD in Mount Airy, NC!
Imagine dropping by Floyd’s City Barber Shop,
and a replica of Andy & Barney’s jail and court-
house. Andy Griffith’s childhood home and Mu-
seum are there as well.
Whether you’re excited about taking in the
breathtaking beauty of the Appalachian Trail, or
if your taste for nature is in another direction,
NC has 144 wineries that offer tastings and
tours. Some of those wineries offer meals as
well as overnight stays. Topping this all off — did
you know that July is the center of peach season
throughout both Carolinas! Are your taste buds
savoring peach tea and peach ice cream? How
about the smell and taste of peach cobbler?
Yum!!!
We look forward to you in North Carolina?
Conexiones-on-the-web E-Mail Notification Request Form
E-Mail Notification—[email protected]
Please notify me through E-Mail when the latest edition of the Conexiones has been posted on the NLS Web Page.
Name:_________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________
City: _________________________ State: _______ Zip:_________________
Home Ph.: (_____)_________________ Work Ph.: (_____)________________
Name of Secretariat:_____________________________________________
Position on Secretariat:____________________________________
E-mail Address:___________________@______________________
It is very important that you print clearly in large letters.
Computers need EXACT information and punctuation
The CONEXIONES is the official publication of the National Lutheran Secretariat (NLS), a national association of the Via de Cristo, Way of Christ, movement representing over 100,000 people throughout 44 participating affiliates across the United States. Via de Cristo (VdC) is the Lutheran expression of the Cursillo® renewal movement developed within the Roman Catholic Church in the late 1940’s. The Lutheran VdC movement began in Florida and
Iowa in 1972.
The CONEXIONES is published to inform NLS’s affiliated secretariats, their members,
Lutheran Bishops, and District Presidents about events and activities of NLS
Subscriptions to the CONEXIONES are free to affiliated secretariats. If you know of an affiliated secretariat not receiving this publication, please call a member of the board at the numbers listed on this page. Subscriptions to the public are $6.00 annually and can be
purchased by calling NLS Treasurer, Brenda Accola, at 321-544-3128.
If you’d like to submit content to the CONEXIONES (news, articles, requests… even
inspirational bits) send them to the CONEXIONES Editor at the email address on the left.
Newsletter Deadlines: January 15th, April 15th, August 15th, and November 15th.
National Lutheran Secretariat
Volume 34, Issue 7 Page 2
Executive Committee
President: Steve Gielda [email protected]
(c)703-927-4443
Secretary: Carol McGill (h) 303-772-6434 (c) 303-443-0431
Vice President of Administration Warren “Butch Seeley
Vice President of Outreach Wendy Showalter
[email protected] (h)763-494-9709 (c) 763-229-3185
Treasurer: Brenda Accola E-mail: [email protected]
(c) 321-544-3128
Spiritual Director: Pr. Mark Marxhausen
763-561-5852 (w)
952-457-5182 (m)
NLS Appointed Positions
Executive Director, Paul Schmidlin (c) 651-249-7897 (h) 419-356-6363
Financial Advisor, Diane Purcell [email protected]
(h) 651-459-7249
Newsletter Editor, Carol Reedstrom [email protected]
(h) 507-278-3024
Data Base Coordinator, Dave Lambert [email protected]
(o) 301-983—5034
Distribution Center, John Bradford [email protected]
(c) 801-834-8261
Historian/Archivist, Karen Bennefeld [email protected]
(c) 559-285-8152
Palanca Coordinator, Paul Sabatier-Smith,
[email protected] (h) 863-603-9044
Web Page Coordinator, Rick Hanzlik [email protected]
(c) 801-631-4518
2017 Host Committee Co-Chairs Brett Koceja
336-580-7946 [email protected]
&
Bob Lewis 828-310-1628
“ You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of
joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Isaiah 55:12
In case you were unable to attend this year’s Via de Cristo NLS Annual Gathering in Sylvania, Ohio, I’m so excited to
report that we welcomed two new secretariats to this wonderful national movement. They are Northern Plains of North
Dakota and Lake Gaston of North Carolinas/Virginia... But God’s amazing Holy Spirit is not stopping there!!
As this August comes to a close, I am thrilled to ask for your prayers as VdC’s ministry is definitely bubbling up in
these areas as well: Calgary, Alberta, Canada…Binghamton, NY…Virginia Beach, VA…Lanai, Hawaii, and Houston,
TX.
Please contact me if you know of other areas in this country, or our world for that matter,
where we can share the blessing of VdC. No spark is too small that it can’t be ignited. And
the joy goes on!!
Enjoy His presence,
Wendy Showalter, Vice President of Outreach
The Healing Power of God
We serve an awesome God. We serve a God who heals
broken hearts, mends broken relationships, nourishes
thirsty souls, and feeds hungry minds. For those of you
who were at our Annual Gathering at Lourdes University in
Sylvania, OH last month, you learned that my wife Sherry
broke her ankle. It was an ugly break requiring a 9-inch
plate, seven screws, and 28 staples to put it back togeth-
er. When Sherry came home from surgery she was fully
dependent on someone else for her first 11 days. This was
difficult for her, as she is an independent woman who is
used to taking care of things on her own. Due to the trau-
ma and infection, she was to do nothing but lay with her
foot elevated to reduce the swelling and wait for the infec-
tion to go away. Here we are 5 weeks later and she is
doing remarkably well. The swelling is almost gone, she is
walking on her own, and the scar is fading fast.
We serve an awesome God. We have all faced difficult
times in our lives. And sometime we think; “I got this”, and
believe we can manage through the difficulty on our own.
We don’t want to be a burden on others, so we’ll manage
things ourselves. God never intended us to “manage
things on our own”. God has placed people in our lives
to help us, to heal broken hearts and yes, even help
mending broken bones. Unfortunately, sometimes the
stubborn independent side of us prefers if people just
leave us alone and allow fix the problem on our own.
We serve an awesome God. Our God wants to step in
and help us in ways we can’t even imagine. It’s up to us
to open our hearts, turn things over to Him and allow Him
to have his way. We must trust His direction. We must
listen to His word. We must surrender our healing to Him.
When we do these things, we realize quickly that our
wounds are healing, we’re able to get around on our own
and our scars are fading fast.
I pray that each of you open your hearts to use the peo-
ple God has placed in your life to help you heal your
wounds and become healthy again.
God loves you all and so do I,
Steve Gielda, President
National Lutheran Secretariat
R e f l e c t i o n s F r o m T h e P r e s i d e n t
V o l u m e 3 4 , I s s u e 2 P a g e 3
These Tree Things...
Since this is my first attempt at a newsletter article for the
Conexiones, I thought I’d give you a little history lesson.
Right after World War II, Christian churches in the United
States took a tremendous leap in growth. Men and women
who diligently fought in that war for our country and the
preservation for other nations, came back home, settled
back to real life as they knew it, got married, started fami-
lies, and went back to church.
Now that was years before my time, but I do remember
reading about an evangelism program that one of our Lu-
theran Church bodies put in place to draw our returning
soldiers back into church after such a trying experience.
They called it “Each One - Reach One.” It was such a sim-
ple plan and it worked. It has been a principle I have in-
corporated in my own life and introduced in each church
I’ve served.
Just think about this for a moment; if I find one person
(though God wants all people to be saved and come to
the knowledge of the Truth - which is overwhelming to me
if it’s totally reliant on me) and be a friend, make a friend
and bring a friend to Christ, then there will be two of us.
And if the two of us each agree to find one more person,
we now have 4, then 8, then 16, then 32……. (you get the
drift). What could/would happen if each one of us, con-
sciously, intentionally, purposefully reached out to one?
So here’s what I propose. Will each of you join me doing
these three things…
Pray for your Pastor. If he/she has not attended a Via de
Cristo weekend, pray this be the year that that happens.
If they are part of our 4th Day Community, encourage
them to serve on a weekend to be rejuvenated. Give
them the weekend off without expending their vacation
time (drastic, I know!)
Serve on a weekend. Maybe it’s been a while. I know it’s
exhausting, tiring, demanding. But Jesus was exhausted,
tired and His life was demanded of Him and He still did
it, just for you! “Christ is counting on you!”
Sponsor someone. Never give up. If someone says “no” be
determined enough to find someone who will say “yes.” I
know there out there and so do you. Go find them.
There you have it. My first article for the Conexiones. Not
real difficult - actually a simple plan. Each One - Reach
One! Together we can do great things for the kingdom of
God.
Working in our Master’s Vineyard,
Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen
A l l T h i s & M o r e @
History of this Glorious Via de Cristo Movement
Links to Via de Cristo Secretariats Across the Country
Messages from our NLS President & Spiritual Director
Newsletters of Past Issues of the Conexiones
Official NLS/Via de Cristo Information, Materials & Who’s Who
w w w . v i a d e c r i s t o . o r g
Palanca for Upcoming Weekends, Dates & Secretariat's Contacts
Resources for Current, Historical and Other for your VdC Secretariat
Videos of Past Key Note Speaker’s/Forums/Worship Services
Who’s Who, What, Where, and When at NLS (National
Lutheran Secretariat) & affiliated VdC (Via de Cristo) Secretariats
National Lutheran Secretariat Vice President of Administration
Warren ”Butch” Seeley, and his wife, Wendy, have been
married 29+ years. They have two daughters, two grand-
children and worship at All Shepherds Lutheran Church in
Lewis Center, Ohio.
In the spring of 1993 Warren attended the Ohio Via de
Cristo Men’s Weekend #28 sitting at the Table of Matthew.
If you have spent any time at all with Warren, it becomes
obvious how blessed he feels to be in serve to our Lord.
This is shown by how he’s made himself available within
his Secretariat and serving church various roles and posi-
tions.
You can be sure that Warren will confidently carry this
same will to serve in his new role as NLS-VPO While this
thought may not be new news to many of you, did you
know that he also gives his time and energy to several
charitable organizations?
For a day-job, Warren is president and CEO of The Seeley
Group, a Financial Planning/Confident Retirement practicing
in Columbus, Ohio. In this field, he has 38+ years of expe-
rience and has received several designations along with a
multitude of industry awards. Would you believe that he
also has time to be an instructor, speaker, author and
inventor...holds a U.S. patent and a U.S. Copyright?
When Warren has free time, he spends it with his family,
reading, exercising, doing Kun Tao, motorcycle riding, wood
working, hunting and fishing.
Page 7
A F e w P l e a s a n t P a u s e s . . .
V o l u m e 3 4 , I s s u e 2
Godvine.com
V o l u m e 3 4 , I s s u e 7 P a g e 7
DATE TYPE # ST SECRETARIAT PALANCA CHAIR ADDRESS CITY / STATE
09/08 M61 GA Atlanta Lutheran VdC Wayne Mize 3481 Campus Loop Road Kennesaw GA 30144
09/15 W 61 GA Atlanta Lutheran VdC Wayne Mize 3481 Campus Loop Road Kennesaw GA 30144
09/22 M 638 MN Minnesota VdC—Metro MN Marianne Topar 5319 Logan Avenue North Brooklun Center MN 55430
09/22 M 19 NY Damascus Road VdC John Lanni email = [email protected]
09/29 W 639 MN Minnesota VdC—Metro MN Marianne Topar 5319 Logan Avenue North Brooklun Center MN 55430
09/29 C 25 NV Light In The Desert VdC Mary Jamison 290 East Delamar Drive Henderson NV 89015
09/29 M 66 VA Rainbow VdC of VA/DC/MD Rose Briggs PO Box 402 Valley Lee MD 20692
10/06 C OR Oregon VdC Linda Johnson PO Box 2902 Longview WA 98632
10/06 C 96 TX Texas Lutheran VdC Alton & Alice Luedke 16749 County Road 798 Somtpm TX 78387
10/06 W 70 VA Rainbow VdC of VA/DC/MD Rose Briggs PO Box 402 Valley Lee MD 20692
10/13 C AZ S Arizona Lutheran VdC Patricia Johnson Email: [email protected]
10/13 M 61 FL Sonshine North VdC Penny Klein 2435 Stafford Drive Orange Park FL 32037
10/13 M 59 MI/OH Good News VdC Pattie Blashill 22419 Ardmore Park Drive St. Clair Shores MI 48081-2012
10/13 M640 MN Minnesota VdC - Northern MN Danielle Eaton 937 36th Avenue South Moorhead, MN 56560
10/13 W 19 NY Damascus Road VdC John Lanni email = [email protected]
10/20 C 37 AR/OK A-OK VdC Lisa Milzarek 15664 West Ozark Trail Sapulpa OK 74066
10/20 W 61 FL Sonshine North VdC Penny Klein 2435 Stafford Drive Orange Park FL 32037
10/20 W 59 MI/OH Good News VdC Pattie Blashill 22419 Ardmore Park Drive St. Clair Shores MI 48081-2012
10/20 W 641 MN Minnesota VdC - Northern MN Danielle Eaton 937 36th Avenue South Moorhead, MN 56560
10/20 MX TN Tennessee Lutheran VdC Diane McGaha 544 North Broadway Knoxville TN 37917
10/27 M 95 WI Wisconsin Sonrise VdC Richard Petit 722 Dogwood Drive Beloit WI 53511
11/03 W 96 WI Wisconsin Sonrise VdC Richard Petit 722 Dogwood Drive Beloit WI 53511
11/03 C 642 MN Minnesota VdC—Southern MN Hollie Jennings 111 N 4th Street Goodhue MN 56027
11/03 M 39 WI/MI Northern Lights VdC WI/Upper MI Jeff Schullo 5117 Machickanee Lane Lena WI 54139
11/03 W 40 WI/MI Northern Lights VdC WI/Upper MI Jeff Schullo 5117 Machickanee Lane Lena WI 54139
11/10 M 67 FL Sonbeam VdC (tentative date) Dana Marquart 231 Garberia Drive Davenport FL 33837
11/10 W 115 FL Sonshine VdC of South FL Alvin Romer Email: [email protected]
11/17 W 67 FL Sonbeam VdC (tentative date) Dana Marquart 231 Garberia Drive Davenport FL 33837
11/17 C 11 PA/DE Journey in Faith VdC Lisa Wyant 760 Shack Drive Newport PA 17074
PALANCA ~ True Palanca = Prayers
Palanca, an essential, is defined in the NLS Essentials Manual (NLSEM) as “The heart and lifeblood of the movement – deep, inten-tional, selfless and sacrificial prayer.” (pg. 31) We have, over time, come to call the small gifts and even contributions “Palanca” – but true Palanca is prayer. There is an excellent expansion of what true Palanca is and how it can be furnished in the NLSEM on pages 26 & 27.
1. Coordinates / communicates with the NLS and other movements on matters relating to Palanca 2. Receives and sends Palanca gifts and letters 3. Assists weekend Palanca Coordinator 4. Prepares newsletter articles re: Palanca
I hope you’ve noticed that the NLS website and newsletter contain a Weekend/Palanca Calendar on the NLS which I happen to man-age. By providing me with dates, location, and Palanca Coordinator information regarding your weekends should assist you in obtain-ing more Palanca items for your weekenders. Also, if anyone would like to discuss tools and/or the role of the Palanca Coordinator, please feel free to contact me as well. You can reach me at: [email protected].
Blessed to Be in His Service, Paul Sabatier-Smith <)))><
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Carol J. Reedstrom, Editor 19396 552nd Avenue Mankato MN 56001
DATED MATERIAL, PLEASE EXPEDITE
Our Mission Statement: By grace, with the Holy Spirit, we challenge
leaders to discover and achieve their personal calling, assisting them to
influence their environments with the Gospel.
