Welcome to God's Round Table
Lenten Art in the Sanctuary
Our thanks to htis year's Lenten Artist Sharon Kessinger. Since arriving in Utah, Sharon taught art for 16 years in middle and upper schools at The Waterford School in Sandy. She then taught 4 year old pre-school at Rowland Hall for 6 years, retiring this past June. The Lent panels she is painting for Mt. Tabor's sanctuary represent the spirit of rebirth and renewal. The first panel depicts the seed of birth or re-creation, the second the awakening or emerging growth, and the last the tree of life. The small details of the tree represent the blessings we receive and the gifts we give to others. The panels are greatly inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt, a 19th century Austrian artist, who is one of her favorites.
Faith, Science, Ethics Roundtable for March
The Roundtable will meet Monday, March 18th at 11:30am in Room 208 (please note the temporary change) of the Research Administration Bldg at the University of Utah.
Our guest speaker is Richard Harvey, a grad student at the U whose research interests include Artificial General Intelligence. He will present "An Introduction to Christian Transhumanism" and everyone is invited.
1 Poke around on the CTA website, mostly this page, the Christian Transhumanist affirmation: https://www.christiantranshumanism.org/affirmation
2 This very good reporting on the Christian Transhumanism: https://religionnews.com/2018/09/05/should-we-live-to-be-500-christians-and-secularists-come-together-over-transhumanism/
3 And this example of a theological argument for transhumanism by one of the primary figures of Christian Transhumanism: http://micahredding.com/blog/the-resurrection-is-technological
Border Perspectives from Bishop Gonia
There has been a great deal in the news these days about migrants, asylum seekers and caravans of people from Central America who have made their way to the Mexico-US border. I am writing to share with you some personal experience and observations.
Two weeks ago, RMS Vice President, Earline Bohling and I traveled to El Paso to see first-hand some of the realities related to the current migration situation. We were joined by Pastor Matt Barnhouse (Director for Evangelical Mission) as Pastor Rose Mary Sanchez-Guzman (Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey) provided an opportunity for us to visit places where asylum seekers were being sheltered.We were able to personally thank volunteers at Cristo Rey who have given of their time and energy to host refugees. We also joined the Region Two first call deacons and pastors in their orientation to the Border at a meeting with Ruben Garcia from Annunciation House.
Here are some of our reflections and learnings:
This is not new. Groups coming to the border in caravans and in waves dates back decades. The current wave has been occurring for about a year. In El Paso alone, around 2,000 asylum seekers arrived in one week’s time. The greatest need is temporary shelter and logistic support for these women, men and children before they travel to stay with family members across the country while awaiting their hearing.
Report on Family Separation and Response
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and US Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration & Refugee Services have share a report with background and learnings around the Zero Separation Policy and their work in reuniting families:
Serving Separated and Reunited Families: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward to Promote Family Unity
You are invited to read and share this report as we move forward together as Christ's Church to support and accompany migrants, refugees, and aslyum-seekers.
This is What Love Looks Like!
The journey of making our 2019 ministry intiatives began October 14. Our Stewardship for All Seasons team is Jean Stephenson, Bruce Palenski, Mallory deForest, Stephanie Wilson and Pr. David. In October we learned more about the potenial of a Mount Tabor App and the VOA Homeless Youth Resource Center. A hygiene kit service project was completed on Sunday October 21 for Homeless Youth Resource Center. Maud's Cafe, an 8-12 week employment training program for the youth at the Center, catered our fellowship after worship that day. And on Sunday November 11th, we were invited to share our Statements of Intent to express our generosity. Thank you Tabor for helping our congregation find these new ways to live God's love for others!
Maud’s Café is a newly-built coffee shop that will offer an 8-12 week employment training program for the youth from Volunteers of America, Utah’s Homeless Youth Resource Center, Young Men’s and Women’s Transition Homes. Patrons of Maud’s will be supporting the Wasatch Front economy by purchasing quality, locally-produced goods. Join us in giving homeless youth the opportunity to contribute to our community, as they stabilize their lives and work toward self-sufficiency.
Holy Communion Worship
Sundays 10:30am
During the season of Lent beginning March 13:
Wednesday Holden Evening Prayer at 7pm
Preceded by Soup Supper at 6pm
Mount Tabor is a Reconciling in Christ congregation
We as the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA invite all into the fullness of God’s love. This invitation is inclusive of people of every race, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, physical or mental ability, sex, or station in life. We pledge to use our differences as gifts for our work together.