A Miraculous Mix in Bethany Grace Lutheran Church of Evanston Aziz Abu Sarah, a Palestinian I Played Anything
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www.graceevanston.org • [email protected] Fall Winter 2019 Affirming, Courageous, Caring A Miraculous Mix in Bethany Grace Lutheran Church of Evanston Aziz Abu Sarah, a Palestinian I played anything. I said, ‘Yes, 1430 South Blvd. growing up in the occupied a bit of guitar.’ ‘Then you must 847.475.2211 territory of east Jerusalem, play something!’ exclaimed lost his brother Tayseer after Anna, the Jewish lead singer. I Grace Is An Open And Affirming RIC he was arrested and beaten began to play, ‘Kiss,’ by Prince, Congregation by the Israeli Defense Forces. and the whole group excited- Tayseer was caught throwing ly joined in. Marwan, the Pal- OUR MISSION: stones, to which he refused to estinian lute player, told me To courageously confess. After his release, Tay- they would invite me up to live out our faith by seer died at the age of 19 due play it at the end of their set. sharing grace with to the effects of his internal injuries from beatings dur- After the band set up to play, our group was invited to each other and the ing his arrest. Aziz was ten years old at the time. It took the dance floor. We were entertained by Aziz’ young communities we serve. many years of challenging and reconciling relation- nephews as we circle-danced ecstatically in both Pal- OUR VISION: ships, but out of Aziz’ pain and anger something mi- estinian and Israeli styles. The Middle Way played a All God’s people raculous was birthed: a peace-building travel philoso- mixture of soulful and energetic Israeli and Palestin- will feel accepted, phy known as ‘dual-narrative’ tourism. Aziz believed ian songs. Our Beth Emet siblings sang along with a challenged, and that if people came together to hear one another’s popular Jewish wedding tune. We were all clapping cared for by worldviews, making space for greater awareness of, and smiling and laughing. I was then asked to come Grace Church. and empathy for, the internal logic of their enemy’s ex- up, and the whole crowd belted out the lyrics of one of SUNDAY: perience, peace could be made more possible. Prince’s best-known hits at full volume. Worship Services 9:00am & 11:00am He formed Medji Tours (medji means ‘to honor’ in Ara- The entire time, on the wall above the band, a large Education Hour bic) with Israeli partners, not in order to debate peo- picture of Tayseer’s face surveyed the scene. I recall 10:00am ple’s disagreements or paper over serious differenc- looking up at him as we were dancing. I wondered if Rev. Daniel Tallon Ruen es—Aziz mixed Palestinian guides with Israeli guides his spirit marveled at this mixed group of Americans Pastor to honor their differences, theorizing that mutual (Jewish, African-American Baptist, Lutheran), Israelis [email protected] respect, storytelling, and vigorous discussion would and Palestinians, joyfully celebrating one another’s • bring about substantial change. food, music, and culture. Mark Bowman Music Director On the final night of my ten-day, dual-narrative pil- Continued on next page • grimage to Israel/Palestine, our group was invited to The Rev. Carmelo Alvarez, Aziz’ brother’s home in Bethany, in occupied east Jeru- The Rev. Erik Christensen, The Rev. Abner Cunningham salem. Bethany is the site where Jesus visits Mary and The Rev. Eldon DeWeerth, Martha, and where he brought Lazarus back from the The Rev. Betty Landis, dead. We were welcomed with a huge meal of maqlu- The Rev. Elizabeth Palmer, ba (maqluba means ‘upside down’), which is an epic The Rev. Kaari Reierson, meal of rice, chicken, cauliflower, nuts, and seasonings. The Rev. Jose David Rodriguez, It’s cooked in a huge pot and, when ready, dramatically & The Rev. Raquel Rodríguez, flipped over upon a huge metal serving platter (I got Colleagues in Ministry to flip the second one, and didn’t even screw it up). A Liz Laughlin, Youth and group of four Palestinian and Israeli musicians called Family Coordinator, ‘The Middle Way’ were rehearsing in a side room as we • ate. Marie O’Brien, While the rest of the group went to witness some Parish Administrator • of the nearby olive harvest, I asked if I could see the Jackson DeLeon Lopez and band’s instruments. They welcomed me in and asked if Paola Galicia, Sextons Bethany, continued While Tayseer was not raised from the dead in Bethany that night, I felt we were all raised to heaven, in a way. We were given a glimpse of God’s intention for all people to come together to share our identi- ties, our pain, our hope, and our joy. We were given a glimpse of the Kingdom of God. We were that kingdom, for a brief moment. I hope you might join me for a presentation of the rest of my trip to Worship Notes: Advent 2019 Israel/Palestine on Thursday, December 5th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. We’ll have dinner together (I can’t promise any flipping of maqluba) The theme for Advent this year is, ‘People, Are You Ready?’ (And yes, and I’ll provide pictures, short movies, and some scriptural, histori- this means we’ll be doing our well-known African-American Gospel cal and political context. I am excited to share as much as I can with setting for the eucharist, so raise your voices as we prepare for Jesus’ you! And I thank you, again, for allowing me to represent you on the arrival into the world!) pilgrimage to Israel/Palestine. We’ll be exploring these four themes of readiness during the month God’s peace and joy, of December: Pastor Daniel 12/1: Are You Ready to Do Less? 12/8: Are You Ready to Wonder? 12/15: Are You Ready to Hope? 12/22: Are you Ready to Birth Something New? (Cooperative Worship at 10am / Children’s Pageant) Mary Mrulgalski has agreed to offer three centering prayer sessions for midweek Advent services. They will be held on Wednesdays (12/4, 12/11, 12/18) in the sanctuary at 7pm (7:00pm – 7:30pm) after our Wonderful Wednesday community meal. Christmas Eve is on Tuesday, December 24. We’ll have special music at 7pm and worship at 7:30pm. Christmas Morning Worship will be at 10am on Wednesday, December 25. Church Council Members And Liaison Assignments As always, I look forward to seeing you at the Welcome Table for Please contact the following Council Members if you have questions worship at Grace! or concerns regarding the various ministries and aspects of the work- Pastor Daniel ings of Grace. Thank You From Tú Puedes Administration/Communication: Carl Brownell (Chair) and Hello Grace community, Rachel Stark Inch (Vice Chair) THANK YOU to all who purchased magnets and Worship: Ann Stevens and Rachel Stark Inch donated to our fundraiser for a community Education: Sally Schleker and Lisa Kosnik service program out of Iglesia Luterana Divino Property: Carl Brownell and Nancy Mathyer Salvador in Cataño, Puerto Rico which was a church David’s grandfather served as pastor for Stewardship/Finance: Nancy Mathyer, Raquel Rodriguez, and many years. Peter Spies The program, Tú Puedes (You Can), has 4 psy- Social Ministries/Outreach: Claudia Perry and Lisa Kosnik chologists and social workers who volunteer their services and con- nect individuals with resources focusing on mental health services in SAVE THE DATE! the aftermath of Hurricane María. The total amount raised was $1,110!! We will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of women being ordained in the Lutheran Church The program was able to use the funds received to purchase an office space of their own to provide much needed counseling and mental on Sunday, February 2, 2020. Although that health services for the community! date seems far off, please mark it in your calendars so you can join us in celebrating Thank you all again for your love, support and care and may God con- this historic event. We’ve formed a committee tinue to bless this ministry and all efforts to rebuild Puerto Rico after Hurricane María. chaired by Rachel Stark Inch to make plans. Hope to see you there! David Rodriguez-Nelson & Kristina Rodriguez-Jeluso GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH HARBINGER Welcome to Henry Heise! The Experiment Is Working! Josh Heise and Becca Kohnken (daughter of The year 2015 marked the beginning of a grand experiment to unite Russ and Christine) welcomed their son Henry Lutheran and Catholic churches in witnessing God’s love to the com- Robert Heise on September 11, 2019. As Becca munity. Reformation 500 and Beyond gathered representatives of six was baptized and raised at Grace, it is a special Lutheran churches and five Catholic churches to discuss our similari- experience to bring Henry here now. Becca is off ties and differences. We found our similarities helped us unite even on maternity leave until the new year, and the though we had differences. three of them are enjoying their time together. Working together over a year Henry’s favorite things include making noise, trying to stand on his we crafted a covenant that own, and his colorful musical mobile. The couple’s other kids, their 3 identified our steps to work cats, have adapted well to the new addition together with each other and in the community to witness to God’s acceptance of all people. We Bridges to Home signed a pledge to that effect in a beautiful service in October 2017 Ginny and I would like to thank ev- at Garrett Chapel witnessed by about 150 people from the various eryone who helped to make the 4th congregations.