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From the desk of Pastor Susan Shelhart
Pastoral letter about accusations against Lutheran charities (click for drop-down)
Pastoral letter about accusations against Lutheran charities (click for drop-down)
5 February 2025
The Martyrs of Japan
Dear friends and members of Christ Lutheran,
You may be seeing news or social media reports concerning Lutheran charitable organizations this week. I am writing to share with you the history of the reports, as far as we know, as well as links to the responses of ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and the head of Lutheran Services, an umbrella organization which includes Lutheran Social Services and Global Refuge.
On February 3 Pastor O’Hara (Emanuel Lutheran Church, Pleasantville, NY) outlined events of the past week regarding the Lutheran Church, which I sum up here:
Over the weekend, Michael Flynn posted and Elon Musk commented on behalf of the Department of Government Efficiency [DOGE], making a claim that Lutheran Services (an umbrella term used for all types of assistance, including Global Refuge, Lutheran Social Services [state and national levels], and Lutheran Disaster Relief) were misappropriating government money that is used to directly assist those in critical emergency situations. This is a libelous and unsubstantiated claim, to which the presiding bishop, clergy, laypeople, and friends from around the United States demand that Flynn and Musk explain their accusations with proof.
The Lutheran Church (ELCA) has partnered in many instances with the federal government; it is not unusual for the government to provide funding for operations that are outside their scope of handling. Agencies like Catholic Charities, Red Cross, and other not-for-profit organizations are first vetted by the government, and the most transparent and accountable are selected to work on behalf of our government. Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refuge Services) has been in operation since 1939, an example of our Lutheran legacy in the U.S. for which we should be very proud. Even before the organization was formally founded, women’s groups across the country pulled together money to assist refugees as early as World War I, inspiring the church to continue their action on a national scale. Charity Navigator, the independent accountability agency, rates Global Refuge a 4.0 Charity, the highest rating an organization can achieve. Designated giving to the organization goes 100% to the desired cause.
Lutheran Services, the larger social service sector of the Lutheran Church, does more than help people acclimate to the United States, including refugees most recently from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Venezuela; it also helps those in distress here in our nation. It is still actively assisting in the Southeast after the hurricane season, especially in Tennessee and North Carolina, long after many agencies have moved on to other causes. It’s helping rebuild lives after the devastating fires in California, and we do not discriminate in who gets aid, no matter the religion, gender, age, socio-economic condition, political affiliation, or sexual identity/orientation. LS also provides funding and care for those in war-torn countries, including through the renowned Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem, healing all the wounded no matter what side of the recent war a person was on. Lutheran Services is in drought-enduring places on the Horn of Africa, in Latin American countries addressing root problems causing migration in the first place, in Ukraine and Poland assisting people trying to rebuild lives, and domestically in Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and North Carolina addressing the devastating weather affecting this region.
With so much transparency and so much outreach helping those in need, it is disturbing that quick and unfounded accusations go unquestioned, especially only weeks into the new government and without proper vetting. These attacks are not just leveled against the Lutheran Church. The Episcopal Church has had to close its refugee services (similar to what the Lutheran Church offers) due to the financial withholding of the federal government, and the Roman Catholic Church is facing similar libelous accusations against their social services—and this is just a rundown from the weekend. There is great concern there may be similar accusations against other mainline denominations, including the Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, United Church of Christ, and Muslim and Jewish faiths.
Below are links to several of the Lutheran agencies that help those in need. You can get the facts from the organizations; when in doubt, call or email them your questions (though it may take a few days to reply as they are currently overloaded trying to deal with the fallout of this weekend). You may wish to contact our local politicians asking them to take action to see proof of accusations or a full, public apology. We may not all agree with what our social services do, but that does not mean we are to create lies about what is taking place.
You may especially wish to see the video response that was posted on Sunday from our presiding bishop, who uses our church teaching to hold all people accountable to what they claim. This is not about political affiliation or how we vote; it is about the power of untruths and the reprehensible accusation that our church body is only in the business of helping others because we want to help ourselves first.
In Christ’s love and peace,
Pastor Susan Shelhart
ELCA Responses
ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton
Click here
Global Refuge Statement and Website
Click here
Lutheran Resources
Disaster Response
Click Here for Website
ELCA
Click Here for Website
Lutheran Services in America
Click here for Statement and Website
Lutheran Social Services of New York
Click here for Website
Advocacy Branch - ELCA
Click Here for Website
Augusta Victoria Hospital
Click Here for Website
2024 Pastoral Letter - Christmas - Pastor Susan Shelhart
2024 Pastoral Letter - Christmas - Pastor Susan Shelhart
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Christ Lutheran Church!
The Church Year begins with the season of Advent, the time of anticipation as the world looks forward to the arrival of the Baby in Bethlehem.
Throughout the month of December we rejoice in the various ways that God comes to us: in the past, through the history of Israel and the coming of the Baby Jesus; in the present, through the Word and Sacrament shared at worship every Sunday; and in the future, when Christ will come to again at the end of time.
Christmas is celebrated with festive hymns, special music, familiar beloved Bible readings, and the glow of candles, all in honor of Jesus’ birth in a simple manger.
As we enter the Christmas season at Christ Church, I am so grateful for the generous gifts we receive at this time of year. Support during the year makes our ministries possible, but during the holidays we are especially aware of how your generosity benefits this faith community.
Please join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior on Christmas Eve , December 24th, at 7:00 pm for a candelight service of carols, readings, and Holy Communion.
Thank you for your wonderful support of the mission and ministries of Christ Lutheran Church. A blessed Christmas and fulfilling New Year to all!
Pastor Susan Shelhart +
Bible Study
Bible Study
Monday Nights @ 7PM
Monday Nights @ 7PM
on Zoom
on Zoom
contact Pastor Shelhart at pastorsusanshelhart@gmail.com
contact Pastor Shelhart at pastorsusanshelhart@gmail.com
2024 Pastoral Letter - Advent - Pastor Susan Shelhart
2024 Pastoral Letter - Advent - Pastor Susan Shelhart
Advent Message
For thousands of years, communities all around the world have kept harvest festivals. Some of the celebrations described in the Hebrew Scriptures were originally these type festivals, onto which the Israelites layered their historical memories.
In the U.S., in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln called for a national day of Thanksgiving, in hopes it might bring some unity between North and South during the Civil War. This holiday became associated with the memory of an autumn harvest festival held back in 1621, in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. Of the 102 passengers on the Mayflower landing there in 1620, only 53 were alive a year later, but 90 Wampanoag came for the celebration, and brought much of the food. In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt declared the fourth Thursday in November a national Thanksgiving holiday.
Our Canadian neighbors keep Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October. In the U.S., Thanksgiving is a popular secular holiday of family feasts and sports activities.
This year in 2024, during the same week the church year comes to a close with the celebration of Christ the King of peace, we may gather with loved ones a few days later for Thanksgiving. Many of us will give thanks for the abundance of God’s creation at tables laden with turkey, squash, potatoes, cranberries, green beans, to name just a few. Our diverse communities add to the “traditional” foods their own harvest favorites.
Giving thanks, like all prayer, involves humility. What a good time to remember that all we have and all we are, right down to the breath in our lungs, comes to us as gifts from a loving God. In gratitude for continuing blessings, we also seek God’s guidance in building a common life that creates justice and joy for all.
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to remember that we who are well-fed are called to make sure others are, too. At Christ Lutheran we gather together in worship, fellowship, and in outreach that includes a weekly food ministry.
Right after Thanksgiving, the church begins Advent season, a time of joyful and thoughtful anticipation of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day. We hope you will join in Sunday worship at 10:00 am, with coffee/conversation afterwards. On Tuesday evenings in December at 6:00 pm leading up to Christmas Eve, all are invited to share a meal and Advent devotions together in the fellowship hall. We would love to see you there!
I’m very thankful for all that God is doing among us as we pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us into the future.
Grace and peace, Pastor Susan Shelhart
2023 Pastoral Letter - Advent - Pastor Cline
2023 Pastoral Letter - Advent - Pastor Cline
Advent Message
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Advent is a time of hope-filled waiting. We are anticipating the joy of celebrating the
birth of Jesus, together at worship and with our loved ones. Theologically we are also
anticipating the next coming of Christ into the world. Our readings have taught us
that we do that best by not worrying about it, but by being our very best in our daily
lives. We can care for those we love, care for our community and our church, and care
for those in need. By emulating Jesus, we are preparing for his coming again.
Here at Christ Church, we have been waiting a long time for news of the plan to call a
permanent, part-time pastor. A call committee was formed and approved in June. We
were alerted to the availability of a candidate. Then things seemed to stand still.
Now, during this season of hope and anticipation, Bishop Egensteiner has informed
us that he will be appointing Pastor Susan Shelhart as stated supply (which means
leading worship every Sunday) and coverage (which means basic care of the
congregation, in this instance expanded to include the same pastoral presence you had
during the interim period) for six months beginning March 1. Although I will be
completing my two year interim assignment with you as of the end of February as
planned, I will be available as a mentor to Pastor Susan and the congregation during
the six-month period.
At the end of the six months, all things being well, the congregation will have the
opportunity to formally call Pastor Susan Shelhart as permanent part-time pastor.
Meanwhile, during the six months, the call committee will complete its work, which
has been made easier since Pastor Susan has already led worship more than once and
you have gotten to know her as a fellow member of Christ Church.
We never know where, when, or how the Holy Spirit is working in our midst! Pastor
Susan was drawn to join our congregation, not realizing that she would be given the
opportunity to serve. As I have gotten to know her I have recognized her many gifts
for ministry, not the least of which is that she is a musician who will collaborate
beautifully with Kevin, our musical director.
I still have two and a half months with you as interim pastor, so this is not goodbye. I
share the joy and hope of this next step on your journey together. There are so many
wonderful things going on here at Christ Church which I have been privileged to be a
part of.
A Blessed Christmas and a healthy and fulfilling New Year to all! Pastor Cline
2023 Pastoral Letter - June - Pastor Cline
2023 Pastoral Letter - June - Pastor Cline
A Message from Pastor Cline
The busy and joyous season of Easter has culminated in the celebration
of Pentecost, God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. This season after Pentecost offers an
opportunity for the Church to reflect on what it has celebrated in the first half of
the church year, but also to step into the story it has just heard—a story of God’s
love for all people marked by the incarnation of Jesus and His life, death, and
resurrection as a member of our human, broken world.
In the Roman Catholic tradition this is called “Ordinary Time” although we
Lutherans persist in identifying the Sundays that follow Pentecost as “Second
Sunday after Pentecost” and so on. It is a season that seems to go on forever, it
might be punctuated by commemorations of saints, but generally speaking will be
lived in until Reformation Sunday, the last Sunday in October.
Although Ordinary Time might be a better way of describing these months
ahead, someone recently reminded me that “there is nothing ordinary about
these times.” During this period in the church year, we are given an opportunity to
hear stories about Jesus’ ministry in our gospel lessons, which helps us to
understand how the stories are timeless, how they relate to our everyday lives.
Perhaps a better way of thinking about this time without major festivals is
to reflect on the many events that will happen in our lives. There will be births,
deaths, time for joy and time for sorrow, time to share our blessings and time to
offer prayer and solace on behalf of others. God will accompany us on this
journey through summer into the fall.
Here at Christ church, blessed and empowered by the gift of the Holy
Spirit, we will continue to share in worship, fellowship activities, and planning for
our future mission as God’s people acting in the world. There are exciting times
ahead for the people of Christ church and we eagerly await the surprises God
has in store for us!
If you are already a member of our community, please invite your friends.
If you are a visitor to this site, please come and join us on Sunday mornings at
ten am followed by a wonderful coffee hour featuring good conversation,
delicious snacks and the best Lutheran coffee on Long Island.
We hope to share our journey in faith with you! Pastor Laurie Cline
2023 Pastoral Letter - Lent - Pastor Cline
2023 Pastoral Letter - Lent - Pastor Cline
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Each season of the church year affords us different opportunities for spiritual growth.
We are now in the season of Lent, which provides us with an opportunity for
profound transformation in our lives. The word Lent comes from the Old English
and it means “spring season.” At least a portion of Lent takes place during spring,
which reminds us of new beginnings, new growth, and a release from the dark days of
winter. The light is gradually increasing daily, which gives us a feeling of renewal. Just
as we often clean our homes and property in the spring, Lent gives us the chance to
do a thorough cleansing of our hearts and minds.
Lent is traditionally the time for repentance – which means not just confessing our
sins and asking for forgiveness; but turning our lives around. It is also the time when
we give to others (alms giving) and observe Lenten discipline. Although Lutherans
often think of that as “Roman Catholic” it is suggested in our church that people age
12 and up in good health fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. That means one
simple meal and no meat. Some Lutherans also eliminate meat on all Fridays during
Lent. Although not obligatory, it can be a tradition that helps to set Lent apart from
the rest of the year and a means of reminding ourselves of the meaning of the season.
Those are suggestions, each of us may have, or can begin, our own meaningful Lenten
tradition to observe.
Lent lasts for 40 days, from Ash Wednesday until after sundown on the Saturday
before Easter. The six Sundays are not counted, so if you deprive yourself of a luxury
or treat for Lent, you can indulge on Sunday which is always the celebration of the
Resurrection of Our Lord, although more subdued in worship than the rest of the
year. We begin Lent with confession and the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday,
February 22 at 7 pm, which is not meant to be a sign to the rest of the world of how
“holy” we are, but rather a powerful individual remembrance of our mortality.
Here at Christ church, we join together on Tuesdays at 6 pm during Lent to share in a
simple meal of soup, salad and bread and then we have a 15 minute Lenten devotion.
Everyone is welcome – we enjoyed having the Scouts join us some Tuesdays last year.
We also pray those who are able to will practice sacrificial giving during this season
using our Lent envelopes to support our ministry.
If you are seeking a church home, join us on Sundays at 10 am. You will find a warm
welcome in this place where we are experiencing renewal after the challenges of the
pandemic. May God bless us during this special season of repentance, renewal, and
giving.
Pastor Laurie Cline
2022 Greeting Letter - Pastor Cline
2022 Greeting Letter - Pastor Cline
Welcome to Christ Lutheran Church! That is the greeting I received upon arriving for my new call as interim pastor at this congregation. We have been serving this community for 107 years and we desire to continue to serve the spiritual and practical needs of our community for decades to come.
We have begun our Lenten journey that leads to the cross, and then ultimately to the joy of the Resurrection. Lent is a time of reflection, prayer, and giving. It is a time when we focus on our repentance, which means not just saying we are sorry for our sins, but that we do a “180” and turn our lives around. On our Lenten journey here at Christ, we are focusing on the healing and saving ministry that Jesus brought to this world to help and strengthen us for the task of ministry to which we are called.
We continue to serve our congregation with inspiring worship, beautiful music, opportunities for learning for all ages, pastoral care, fellowship and, of course, serving others. We are pleased to have many community groups use our space including Scouts, Homemakers and AA. We contribute to the community food pantry at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in East Islip and Mercy Soup Kitchen in Wyandanch.
Please join us at 10 am on Sundays for worship, followed by coffee hour – an opportunity to get to know one another – and Sunday school. On Tuesday evenings during Lent we gather for soup, salad and bread and share informal Lenten devotions.
Welcome to Christ Lutheran Church! That is the greeting you will receive when you enter our church.
Join us on our journey!
May God bless and keep you,
Interim Pastor Laurie Cline
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