Gloria Dei Luthern Church (ELCA) located at: 219 N. 6th Ave. E., Duluth, MN - 218.722.3381   

To reach all staff call: 218-722-3381.
Church Staff include: Pastor David Carlson (pastor@gloriadeiduluth.org)
Donna Gerdes - Church Secretary (secretary@gloriadeiduluth.org)
Tomas Velez - Facilities Management
Dr. Stanley Wold - Director of Music
Georgia Swing - Organist
Patti Maguire - Chaplain (chaplain@gloriadeiduluth.org)
Tanner Hall - Youth Director (youthdirector@gloriadeiduluth.org)

(If you have any problems with links anywhere on this website,
please notify us by emailing us at: web@gloriadeiduluth.org.)

From the Youth Director:

Well, I have seen a number of people wearing shorts outside the last week or two, a much surer sign of the changing seasons than some silly old spring equinox.True, we are a hardy bunch in the North, but still, shorts are a positive sign.

The past month has been occupied by Lenten services so the usual Oasis activities have been put on hold.Even so, the youth of Gloria Dei have kept busy. Due to a family move we decided to confirm Becca Kent a few months early. Becca is a bright young woman who brought a lot of energy to Oasis, and we wish her and her family the best down in Kansas. Andy Switzer was honored with the Triple "A" award (for excellence in academics, athletics and the arts) way to go Andy!  Just last month, Lisa Rogers was installed as a new member of the LYO board. joins Mia Dalager in this group of fantastic young leaders for our synod.  Finally, we have Jesse Moody. Many of you may not know Jesse as he is a newer member of our youth group. A few weeks ago he asked me about becoming baptized. We just met with Pastor Dave to go over the final details today, and he will be baptized during the Easter Vigil.

As you can see there is no shortage of activity from our youth as they continue to not simply participate, but lead in our synod and community.I hope all of you realize how lucky we are to have such wonderful youth in our midst. As always, you have my thanks for supporting all that we do.May the Easter season find you relaxed, and renewed in your commitments to all that you do.

Peace,

Tanner

P.S.Starting April 14th we are back at Gloria Dei for Oasis.

March was busy with events outside the church.  I attended the Health and Wellness Fair at Good Shepherd March 6th. It was great to see all the health information, vendors and friends at this event.  March 16th the Pastor and I went to a Lunch & Learn at SMDC on "Spirituality and the Common Good" presented by Rev Craig Carlson.  Nancy Carlson our past parish nurse gave a talk on "Depression & Mental Health" at St Mary's Star of the Sea March 17th that was so interesting that Part II will be offered April 7th at Gloria Dei (details elsewhere in this newsletter).Finally a half day on March 24th dealt with "Grief and Cancer".

A number of congregation members were hospitalized and/or recovering in rehab.  Others have been able to attend church (it's great to see them in worship).  Our Team continues to visit and bring communion to those who are less mobile.  If you know someone who would like more contact, please ask them to contact me or the pastor.

Now that Holy Week is here, we walk through the week with Jesus.  Starting with Palm Sunday's enthusiastic welcome, Jesus readies himself for the Passion.  On Maundy Thursday, we will celebrate the Last Supper, foot washing and stripping the altar.  At Good Friday we observe the darkest day of Christendom, yet we continue to wait in hope through the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.  May you and your family be warmed by the joy of the resurrection on Easter.

- Free information session on Alzheimer's Disease set for Thursday, April 29th at the Superior Public Library. The Memory Loss Education and Support Network is offering a full day event to those interested this disease. Please see Patti for registration details.

- Do you have concerns about falling?  Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities.  A MATTER OF BALANCE is an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels.  A new 8-week class will begin the week of April 12th at Good Shepherd Lutheran. Call 525-1922 for more information or to register.***Perhaps we could have the class at Gloria Dei if there were 8-12 people interested.  Contact Patti if you would prefer that option.

- Health and Wellness Fair for 50+ Age Adults - Another FREE opportunity to get information on healthy living: Wednesday, March 31; 9 am - noon at Elim Lutheran Church, Duluth. 218.624.2690

- Depression...A dilemma for many, Part II, Wednesday, April 7th, 11-1:00, light lunch will be served. Hillside Room. Please join us as Nancy Carlson continues her presentation on depression with an emphasis on the uses of self in intervening when the problem exists. All are welcome. For details or questions, Patti or Nancy.

- A short sending prayer for Easter: "Go forth together towards the cross - not to a place of pointless suffering, but to that great X marks the spot where Human and Holy meet. Go forth in faith, in promise and in peace."

(found on the RevGals blog)

Pastor David Carlson

"The Lord will bless your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore" - Psalm 121:8

Dear Friends in Christ,

            He was a fixture in the building where I worked the year before seminary.  University professors and research assistants, office staff and students were all entering and leaving our workplace throughout the day, and often he would be there by the door - a quiet man, whose physical challenges didn't keep him from being the janitor - washing windows in the foyer, vacuuming rugs, straightening furniture, watering plants.  During that year I only remember one time we ever spoke.  After chaining my bike up one morning in late spring, I was walking up to the door to pull it open.  Seeing me through the glass door he had just squeegeed, he swung it open before I got there and ushered me in.  "Thank you," I said, and he replied, "That's what it's all about."

            Opening doors for others.  Doing the work of a servant.  Cultivating a hospitable, welcoming place.  This is also our calling as Christ's church.  And I am thankful for many in our parish who work between Sundays, often behind the scenes, with this in mind.  Janitorial staff and volunteers, office staff, altar guild, breakfast preparers, property and renovation committee members.  Beyond wood and glass, there are also many other "doorways" into the church - the softball field, the CHUM marathon water station and rhubarb festival, connections through music like the recent visit of one of our organ scholarship recipients, Vacation Bible School and summer church camp, fellowship over coffee or at a nursing home or on a Lake Superior fishing boat.  "Opening doors" could describe much of the ministry we do.

            Who has opened doors for your faith?  How are you engaged in opening faith to others?

            Last month, at a meeting of our council and several other leaders, we were talking about our calling as a "missional" church.  And I shared from a resource our Long-Range Planning Team has been reading, Handbook for a Missional Congregation by ELCA pastor Rick Rouse and ELCA professor Craig Van Gelder.  Their basic premise is that "most mainline congregations will need to rethink their identity and reframe their approach to ministry if they are going to survive, let alone prosper."  Being "missional" does NOT mean latching onto a specific program or technique that seems to "work" in other places or settings, but begins by asking questions about God's mission and our role in it.  Why did God bring our congregation into existence?  What will it look like if we live out God's purpose here?  Sometimes, it's helpful even to consider, What would be missed in the community if our congregation ceased to exist?  Congregations represent God in the world and are "living demonstrations that God's redemptive and reconciling love is graciously available to all."  I've never forgotten how one scholar put it, "The church doesn't have a mission.  God's mission has a church."

            In other words, the church opens doors to a relationship with God in Jesus Christ.  So our focus is really on God and God's mission; our priority in ministry is not about the number of members we may have but on how well we are living out our faith in daily discipleship.  In this "missional" model, everyone is a minister, everyone has gifts to discern and develop, and everyone is called by the Spirit in baptism to serve God in both the church and the wider world.  One of the operating questions here is, "Where does your deep gladness meet the world's deep need?" 

            A missional perspective also sheds light on stewardship, especially helping us see stewardship in these ways:

1) Congregations steward God's mission in a particular place and time.  Others came before us and others will come after us, but we are given this time and place to carry God's mission forward.  What faithful decisions and actions now will bear fruit that will last?

2) To join a congregation is to join God's mission as a steward, which means we each are entrusted by God and accountable to God.  Stewardship, including financial stewardship, is at the heart of our relationship with God - it is a regular component of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. 

3) It's ALL about mission.  Whether it is mission support for the ELCA or Sunday School supplies, giving to CHUM's Gabriel Project or the World Hunger Appeal, choir music or hand towels, toner for the copier or staff salaries, ALL of this is participating in God's mission.  And this is what our regular budget weekly/monthly offering support - God's mission.

Summer is a time of coming and going, visits with friends and family, and paths crossing here at Gloria Dei.  In the midst of your coming and going, THANK YOU for remembering your role in God's mission and our shared calling of opening doors of faith.

In God's grace,

+ Pastor David Carlson