University Lutheran Church

340 E. 15th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281-6612 (480) 967-3543

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ULC/LCM Online – WEDNESDAY – April 21, 2021

Wednesday’s ONLINE Worship Available at 6:30pm During the Academic Year

Campus CenterWednesday, April 21, 2021 – 6:30pm – Online Worship

Keep following us on Facebook as well. LCM Students can stay in touch on the LCM Facebook page.

He Brews…. Not a Brew Pub!

Letter from Pastor Gary McCluskey

Hebrews 13:7. When is the last time you looked to the book of Hebrews for a quote? There are some good ones. Hebrews 1:2 does also come to mind.

Hebrews was written by an unknown author. Occasionally some attribute it to St. Paul, but most scholars on the left, right, and in between don’t agree.

Hebrews 13:7 is typically translated as saying “ leaders “. Occasionally it is translated as “teachers.”(Notice with both Hebrews texts,I do not provide the text.. I actually want YOU to read it!)

Do you see yourself as a leader in the faith? As a teacher? Perhaps a scary thought. Who me?  Yet throughout the years when I hear students speak, this is exactly what I hear. Many over, the years, have even specifically mentioned names of members who serve or have served as their role models for various reasons. Knowing you and students, I easily concur. More than once I have heard a student say, “I want to be just like _______________.”  Yes, an actual quote heard throughout the years. 

Young adults are looking and watching. What is it we are leading/teaching? Do we offer something different than they see on campus/ in the world? I think we do! And this might just be one of the primary reasons ULC/LCM exists in its partnership. I first became convinced of this when serving in Fort Collins, CO. Our church was about a mile from campus. Yet many years with no intentional recruiting of students, we had as many or more students than the Lutheran Campus Ministry located across the street from all of the Colorado State University dorms. 

Over and over I heard how they preferred a congregational setting.  There they could pick and choose among multiple ministry options. In a congregation were people of all ages reminding them of grandparents, parents, and siblings at home. Again, more than once I have heard students call some members their “surrogate grandparents.”

As this academic year draws near a close I thought this a good time to bring this up. Thank you for being you! Thank you for leading/teaching! Certainly you have led & taught me these 21years!  Hebrews 13:7: Read it! Keep on working to be it!

Response to Chauvin/Floyd Verdict

I feel compelled to comment on the verdict pronounced on officer Chauvin in the George Floyd case. This is not at all politics; this is something deeply affecting all Americans and if the church is silent it is also therefore irrelevant.

There was celebration at the verdict. I did not celebrate. I was sad. There were tears. While celebration is understandable it seems to me more relief than happiness. I saw many tears: MANY! What an appropriate response. The lives of two families have been horribly altered by what happened to George Floyd. The Floyd family must go on without him. The Chauvin family will see their loved one off to prison. Who celebrates families destroyed?

Tears. Sadness. Not just for families horribly impacted but for the entire situation. Tears for policing that gives one race an understanding pass while clamping down with no mercy or understanding for another Tears that too often such verdicts have gone in different directions. 

Tears that you and I as privileged whites just do not “get it”. Certainly I confess to not fully understanding the experience of people of color in our culture. Just today prior to the verdict I was made aware of the experience of a Latino intern pastor in our own synod….not at all my experience…..not at all!!  Tears indeed!

I am not happy with the jury’s verdict, but I am in agreement. That is it was a correct verdict in my opinion, but not something of which we can be happy. Who can be happy such a verdict was necessary and appropriate? 

Commentators seem in agreement this is now a milestone. Is it? Did we not think the election of an African-American president was a milestone? Instead it was a much catalyst for a rise in racism and racist groups as it was progress. Progress always brings opposition and, as Rabbi Edwin Friedman labels it, sabotage. 

I have never understood why some think to give to another means something must be taken from someone. Do we believe in a God of scarcity or abundance? Giving to God’s people of color does NOT mean we must take from another. Do we as followers of Jesus know nothing about sharing? Giving and yet continuing to have? Why must I think/feel to give another their due means taking from me? Is God’s love and care in a quantifiable limited supply? 

So what will today’s verdict be? What will it lead to? Progress in race relations and understanding? More backlash? Will people learn and grow from this? Will I ? Will you? 

Our reactions will determine what the impact of this verdict will be.  It is not about “those” people…it is about us…you and me…all those professing to follow Jesus. None of us have done a perfect job. Tears are in order. Where will we go once we wipe them from our eyes?

Gary N McCluskey
Pastor, University Lutheran Church
Lutheran Campus Ministry
Arizona State University

ULC/LCM Online

Sunday’s ONLINE Worship Available at 10:30am

Campus CEnterSunday, April 18, 2021 – 10:30am – Online Worship

Keep following us on Facebook as well. LCM Students can stay in touch on the LCM Facebook page.