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Lutheran Missions Under Threat

By Vicar Lisa Rygiel

Lutheran organizations, including Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, are defending their work as the tax dollars given to help settle illegal immigrant children in the United States come under the microscope of Elon Musk and DOGE. This occurred after Lt. Gen Mike Flynn alleged that the organizations were involved in "money laundering."

Funds given to Global Refuge, include nearly $4.2 million in 2024 for group homes for unaccompanied illegal immigrant children. From 2022-2025, the organization received separate awards totaling more than $76 million and nearly $23.4 million or transitional foster care and shelter for unaccompanied illegal immigrant children. (Links provided are to the Health and Human Services Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System website.)

It also received separate awards of nearly $5.3 million and nearly $17 million for long-term foster care for unaccompanied illegal immigrant children, over $97.7 million in 2024 and 2025 for "post-release services" for unaccompanied illegal immigrant children and $300,000 for a Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program.

"We also remain committed to caring for unaccompanied children forced to flee unimaginable circumstances in their home countries to seek safety in the United States," the Global Refuge statement added. "Across Democratic and Republican administrations, we have partnered with the U.S. government to protect vulnerable children, safeguard them against human trafficking, and safely reunify them with their parent(s) or guardian."

In a video statement, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton called Flynn and Musk's posts "misinformation and baseless doubt"

"[T]he ELCA remains steadfast in our commitment and work with our many Lutheran partners and expressions of our church,” ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizbeth Eaton said.

Lutheran Family Services, which provides refugee and immigration support as well as adoption services, foster care and behavioral health services, also denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

"To allegations that we are somehow 'money laundering,' please know that we are highly audited, accredited, and endorsed by the Better Business Bureau and Charity Navigator," an LFS statement on its website reads. "Our financial reports are available on our website. We were founded by Lutheran pastors, but we are not an evangelical organization. We are not a church. We do not proselytize. We simply serve. We are here because we know if we weren’t, there might not be anyone to lend a hand. And then where would we be?"

Global Refuge identified "Afghan Allies who risked their lives to protect U.S. troops" overseas and "persecuted Christians" as among those it has helped, stressing that they have all been "extensively vetted and approved by multiple U.S. government agencies before traveling to our country."

Global Refuge characterized its activities as consistent with the directive laid out in Matthew 25:40, when Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

Who will support these innocent victims, the least of these, in this world if these services are forced out? Please support ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton by viewing her video statement and praying for those involved in this life saving work.

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany – Feb. 9

10 a.m. Worship with Communion

Announcements

  • Souper Bowl of Caring: Beginning this Sunday, you will find a big soup pot sitting on the chancel. We will use this pot to accept donations of canned goods or other non-perishable foods which will be donated to the Trinidad Soup Kitchen. Monetary donations can also be made by placing them in the collection plate and earmarking them for the Soup Kitchen. We will continue collections through the month of February. Please bring items forward prior to or after worship. At the end of the month, the donations will be blessed before being donated.
  • Fellowship Time/Church Council: Join us after worship today in the Fellowship Hall coffee and conversation. The Church Council also meets downstairs in the Fellowship Hall, all are welcome. Next Sunday, February 16, our newly elected council will be installed during worship.
  • Children’s Choir: At 3 p.m. today, the Trinidad Music Association (TMA) will begin its children’s choir practice in the Fellowship Hall. Children ages 8-12 are welcome. To register or to get more information, contact choir director Vinnie Gumlich at 719-680-0851 or email music.association@gmail.com.
  • Weekly Studies:
    • Zion’s weekly Bible Study continues at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, with the continuation of The Bible from Scratch, series, focusing on The New Testament for Beginners. The class will be repeated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8. See the newsletter for more details.
    • A study of the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) continues today. Join us for a soup luncheon at 12:30 p.m. followed by the study from 1 to 2 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall. In addition, the study is repeated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, via Zoom. Contact Becky McNeil for details.

Annual Congregational Meeting Notes

Zion's Lutheran Church held its annual meeting on Sunday, Feb. 2. The purpose of an annual meeting is to report and discuss our finances, resources and committee activity.

We welcomed 18 new members to our congregation in 2024, 15 by affirmation (Jan Ratliff, T.M. Garner, Andrew Jackson, Melanie Moss, Sean Reilley, Elizabeth Reilley, Julie Morris, Jeff Morris, Jennifer Graham, Cheryl Leef, Richard Stewart, Kelliey O’Hara, Steve Hanson, Carol Hanson, and Ena Marie Sroat), and three by baptism (James Joseph Begano, Lyric Morris, and Terri Watson).

Our current average attendance at worship services is 35. Minutes from the last meeting, reports from Vicar Lisa and the Worship & Music Committee, Angels-in-Aprons, Flower Guild, TEEM Internship Committee, Food Ministry (Thanksgiving & 5-Loaves), Building & Grounds Committee, Security & Safety Committee and Board of Trustees were sent out earlier in the week and reviewed.

The Financial Secretary's report was reviewed including a discussion about donations made to ACTS (Assisting Community Through Service) which is our largest benefactor. The Treasurer's report was reviewed.

The Trust Fund report was reviewed, and a short history was given about the Samuel family.

The 2025 Budget proposed by church council was reviewed and approved along with all other financial reports. Julie Morris, Mary McKenna, Mike McNeil, and Terri Watson were elected to church council from a field of seven. T.M. Garner and Carol Hanson were (tentatively) added to the Nominating Committee. Vicar Lisa, John Rygiel, and Richard Stewart were elected to attend the Synod Assembly in May.

Church council will meet on Feb. 9 to elect new officers during their regular meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Wersal, Council President

E-formation – The 5th Sunday After Epiphany
Feb. 9, 2025

This coming Sunday, the gospel is the story of the miraculous catch of fish. So, what does this have to do with us? Come to worship, to hear about you and the fish, to pray, to sing, to eat and drink.

Luke 5:1-11

Writing in the late 80s for a largely Gentile audience, Luke places the story of the miracle of the fish and the call of the first disciples after several healing miracles in Capernaum and Jesus’ move “to the other cities” in Judea (4:43-44). Yet this narrative is located back in the north. Since Jesus’ call to catch people is addressed only to Peter, Luke seems to be using the story to cement Peter’s leadership in the believing community. The catch of fish demonstrates Jesus’ divine power, because like God he can command nature. The move from calling Jesus Master (v. 5) to Lord (v. 8), which title carries divine overtones, resembles the post-resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene (John 20:15, 18) in that it articulates early Christian creed.

Isaiah 6:1-8 [9-13]

Chronicling the life and preaching of Isaiah in the eighth century bce, chapters 1–39 of Isaiah threaten the Israelites with divine punishment in the form of political defeat if the people do not return to faithfulness to the covenant. Chapters 6–8 narrate the call of Isaiah himself. King Uzziah died in 742 or 736 bce. God’s robe, signifying the cloaking of the divine being, is too large for the temple to contain. Seraphs were winged serpent figures who served God in the heavenly court. The fire from the altar cleanses Isaiah’s lips from unworthiness. His answer “Here I am” is a standard response found in Old Testament call narratives. The optional verses include a poetic description of God’s judgment on the people and the land.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

This excerpt from Paul’s letter written in about 54 to the church in Corinth is our earliest extant description of Christ’s resurrection. “The scriptures” Paul refers to are the Hebrew Scriptures. Cephas is Peter. Paul’s account of Christ’s post-resurrection appearances differs significantly from the four gospels: Paul omits the women, lists “five hundred brothers,” clearly differentiates the disciples from the apostles, claims that also he saw the risen Christ, and never mentions Christ’s physical body. Paul’s listing may have meant to indicate authority in the church.

Zion's Lutheran Church

A Reconciling in Christ Community

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785