MetroLutheran

People of faith often are the victims of unintended consequences. We try to make the best decisions in a given circumstance, but sometimes our ideals are undercut by their results.

On January 11, 2012, the Supreme Court of the United States voted 9-0 in a case involving a former teacher at a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) grade school in Redford, Michigan. Cheryl Perpich, the teacher in the lawsuit, argued that the LCMS school had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by terminating her after she was diagnosed with narcolepsy, had taken a disability-related leave of absence, and then returned to teach. She had been urged by school officials to resign. When she did not, she was fired. more »

Jason Scherschligt

I recently saw Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at the Guthrie’s Dowling Studio. As my wife and I left home to attend the show, I expressed a minor, stereotypical regret: Yes, I was glad for our date night, but disappointed that I had to miss that night’s NFL playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos.

I had been eager to watch the powerhouse Patriots, led by the league’s most glamorous star, quarterback Tom Brady, take on the upstart Broncos, led by young Tim Tebow. Tebow’s unconventional skills had brought the Broncos a series of unlikely late season victories, including an overtime win against our hapless hometown Vikings. (OK, that one was less unlikely.) He became a sudden darling of the American hype machine due to his penchant for heartstopping victories and to his earnest persona and open displays of evangelical Christian faith. more »

While gas prices may seem expensive to drivers, subsidies in the U.S. keep the prices lower than in most other countries. Metro Lutheran photos: Bob Hulteen

It sounds a bit crazy when you first hear about it: a group of people choosing to pay more for a gallon of gas than the price at the pump … through a voluntary tax … where the payers get to decide how the money is spent. But this is exactly what a couple of dozen members of the Community of St. Martin in Minneapolis have been covenanting for the past year.

The Community of St. Martin — the congregation that started St. Martin’s Table some 27 years ago — is an ecumenical worshipping group of Twin Cities Lutherans, Catholics, Mennonites, and others who have fewer ties to denominational Christianity. Its members share a strong commitment to peacemaking, nonviolence, and care of creation. more »

Rev. Lee Ann Pomrenke

It slathered through the hair and beards of the kings of Israel and Judah as they were anointed by the prophets. Now it fries your burgers. Some of it may actually be good for you, but not all of it. In fact, you might give it up for Lent — of course, after you first live it up a little on Fat Tuesday.

It’s oil. Grease. Fat.

Our God is a remarkable God, and the blessings we receive can be subtle — yet of course always to be received with gratitude and put to the best use.

Consider the case of Pastor Lee Ann Pomrenke of St. Paul and her physician husband, Dr. Stefan Pomrenke.

Whatever its merits in the Bible or demerits at your neighborhood grill, vegetable oil has moved on to something else. Now it powers Pastor Pomrenke’s 1999 Volkswagen Jetta as she drives from her St. Paul home to her north Minneapolis church and makes her rounds. She is pastor at River of Life Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in north Minneapolis. more »