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An Advent Letter from Dave Benke Advent, 2002 Dear Friends, Greetings in the Precious Name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace! This is a personal greeting and update from Dave Benke as the exciting time of Advent, Christmas and the Season of Light are upon us. First of all, I give thanks to God for each of you every day. It is impossible to count the times when out of nowhere people have come up to me, grabbed me and hugged me and said, "I'm praying for you!" Those prayers are what keep me going, and what have kept Judy's and my spirits buoyant throughout the past 14 months of trial. I continue to be suspended from the clergy roster of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This prevents me from serving as the President of the Atlantic District. I consult the staff by phone on matters of importance, but do not sign documents, attend regular meetings, or supervise on site. Pray for Pastors Chip Froehlich and Deric Taylor, who do the work of the Presidency. Pray for the staff, a tremendous and dedicated group of workers. Pray with thanksgiving, because God is in charge! I serve under suspension as the Pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Brooklyn. We enjoy that fellowship tremendously, as have those many of you who have visited us this summer and fall! Pray for St. Peter's, a parish alive in the Lord and in His strength. Pray with thanksgiving, because God is in charge! I am serving under contract as the Interim CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Metropolitan New York. Our areas of mission include supportive housing for the homeless, foster and adoptive services, immigration assistance, food pantries and other congregational outreach, and Project Life – the case management division of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York, bringing direct assistance to thousands affected by 9/11. Pray for LSS-MNY, where Christ is alive in word and deed. Pray with thanksgiving, because God is in charge! I've been speaking all around the country this fall, on topics as diverse as religious tolerance, New York after 9/11, missions in the global context and how to live the baptismal life. I was privileged to be featured on the PBS Frontline special "Faith and Doubt" produced by friend Helen Whitney and aired on 9/11/02. I've been in St. Louis, California, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Florida. An initial schedule for 2003 is being formatted, along with a list of topics for presentation. I can be reached through the St. Peter's website, www.stpeter-brooklyn.org or by phone (718-647-1014) to organize wia speaking engagement through the Advocacy and Defense Fund. THANKS for your support expressed through the Advocacy and Defense Fund. I pray for your continued generous support as we move forward into 2003. It will be needed. One reason is that during 2003, we will be putting together a new initiative at St. Peter's for the community and for the church at large. It will be called The St. Peter's Institute for Religious Interfaith Tolerance In Times of Crisis. That's SPIRIT for short. It really describes itself, doesn't it? We'll be convening convocations and bringing people together to discuss this incredibly important topic throughout the years to come. Pray for SPIRIT! Pray with thanksgiving, because God is in charge! Finally, what's happening with the case? After a seemingly interminable time, the panel to hear this year-old festering and divisive dispute has been formed! A hearing will be convened very early in 2003. Where may it lead us? For me personally, I pray, closer to my release from suspension. For all of us, I pray, "To restore harmony and trust within the LCMS". As Jesus is our peace and has made us one, let evangelical dialogue lead to harmony within our Synod and promotion and expansion of the mission of Christ to the world in word and deed. Join me in those prayers and in praying with thanksgiving one last time. Know why? Because GOD IS IN CHARGE! With love and affection in Christ, Dave Benke + + + + + Advent, 2002 A blessed Advent, Christmas and Epiphany to you! The outpouring of love and support from all over the world which has reached Pastor Dave Benke and all of us at St. Peter's in Brooklyn over the past 15 months has been truly miraculous. We have been blessed! Your generosity since this September has enabled the David H. Benke Advocacy and Defense Fund to communicate the mission and ministry of Lutherans in New York far and wide through the message of hope carried by Pastor Benke. Thanks to you, thousands and thousands now know that It's OK to Pray.TM It has been a difficult time for Pastor B. His case continues into 2003. When will it be settled? How will it be settled? These are our prayer concerns, and we know that every prayer counts. On the other hand, God uses times of trial to expand horizons. We have seen that here in Brooklyn. We have been moved, with Pastor Benke's leadership and the guidance of our Lord, to establish the St. Peter's Institute for Religious Interfaith Tolerance, which we affectionately refer to as "SPIRIT ." We intend to convene gatherings of civic and religious leaders here and around the country to openly dialog on how tolerance can be achieved without giving up convictions, even in a time of religious tumult. Pastor Benke is one of the most able exponents of this dialog in the country. Support this effort, please! Below is a link to a form by which you may demonstrate your continuing support of SPIRIT and the Advocacy and Defense Fund, by simply making a donation, and/or by purchasing and proudly displaying Pastor Benke's message that It's OK to Pray on any of a variety of dignified, quality wearing apparel and accessories. We have now put together a quality shipping and handling team. We encourage you to reach out in honest and truth-seeking dialogue with those whom you encounter, and share our message that It's OK to Pray . We also have a special holiday gift for you, with prices listed below. Artist Ken Philo, after reading Pastor Benke's "Response to Charges," was moved to develop a graphic representation of the last, moving paragraphs. The resulting work is entitled "Do Me a Favor - WALK WITH ME." The effect of the words in the way Ken has created the graphics is stunning. It is a tribute to the courage of all those in New York who have brought healing to a torn city after the destruction of our towers. And it is a tribute to our true Tower of Strength. Additional helpful information about SPIRIT, It's OK to Pray, and the Benke "case" can be found on the attached page and at our website, www.stpeter-brooklyn.org. We look forward to hearing from you and even to meeting with you in the New Year! Yours in Christ, Click here to go to the "It's OK to Pray"/"Walk With Me" Order Form! |
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