We ask God's blessing

I have had CNN running as I prepare for tomorrow's Annual Congregational Assembly. As I listen I am overwhelmed with gratitude for where our country finds itself this day. We are again a hopeful people, all the more impressive because our president-elect continually reminds us of our individual responsibilities for making our collective hopes and dreams come true, even though we are seriously challenged on every front. He challenges us to individual responsibility and a significant level of engagement in service; to think in terms of 'we' rather than 'me.'

I do not want to take one iota away from all this, but I am glad that Ruth Worman helped us put this in perspective in presenting devotions at our January Council meeting. She reminded us that "one person, one president, one administration cannot fulfill all our hopes and dreams. While I believe that God will bless the efforts of a President and a people who seek the common good, I look to our King Jesus to finally bring us lasting peace, with justice." Ruth then shared Psalm 110, which she summarized as celebrating God's sovereignty over all earthly kings and powers, a sovereignty handed over to Jesus once and for all.

Tomorrow First Trinity will look back at what was accomplished in 2008 and to our hopes and challenges for 2009. We will look at our various programs and ministries and our progress and plans for our priority focus on stewardship, governance and redevelopment. We will then consider a budget that is based on faith and hope rather than fear. I am extraordinarily proud of our Council for attempting to discern and pass a budget focused on what they believe First Trinity is called to be and do in the coming year.

I pray that the congregation will honor and support the leadership, faith and hope exemplified in our plans and budget for 2009. I pray that we will be inspired by the spirit of the times and rise up to the challenges that lie before us. We know we are not apart or immune from the prevailing economic hardships. However, we must ask God to bless us with a spirit of abundance and hope, and, as our incoming president asks, our full engagement in community and in service.

Trinity Trotters in "The Lutheran"

Imagine my surprise when, while flipping through the new edition of The Lutheran, I found an entire page devoted to the Trinity Trotters. What a treat to see the picture and read the story with the quotes from our monument(al) Trotters! What great promotion for First Trinity!

My prayer is that this article is read by someone who is planning a move or has recently moved to DC, or perhaps by someone living the area who saw the article while home for Christmas. Hopefully they will be led by this article to come check us out.

The Lutheran is an important vehicle for communication, education, collaboration and contributes to our identity with the ELCA as well Lutherans around the world. I am very grateful that First Trinity continues to provide subscriptions so that The Lutheran is sent to our homes. As I look at the current issue of The Lutheran I am reminded why I make reading it a priority:

• It is full of news and information about the ElCA and other church bodies and about ELCA congregations and their ministries.
• It helps us consider issues of importance, such as what happened to respect and how we can get it back.
• It informs us of needs, such as how seminaries are impacted by this tough economy.
• It provides study guides on a variety of topics.
• It helps me keep track of former pastors, friends and seminary classmates.
• It provides information about and strengthens my tie to our Lutheran colleges and seminaries.
• It offers reviews of books and films from a shared value system. (Now I want to go see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button!")
• It is a forum for discussion about a wide variety of issues, opening my eyes, heart and sometimes mind to the opinions and concerns of other Lutherans - even when their letters to the editor make me crazy.
• It shares ideas that can be tried or built on by other congregations.
• It reminds me that First Trinity - and myself, are partners in ministries that span the globe.

I hope that others take the time to enjoy and learn from The Lutheran as much as I do.