Welcome to Christ Lutheran e-news, a weekly electronic newsletter which highlights programs and activities of our congregation. Feel free to .

While our nation is still feeling the pain of watching the number of COVID-related deaths exceed 100,000, we are reeling once again from a series of well-publicized racial killings: Ahmaud Arbery, shot dead while jogging, Breonna Taylor, shot dead in her bed by police, who entered her home mistakenly on a "no-knock" warrant, and the asphyxiation death of a handcuffed George Floyd under the knee of a white Minneapolis Police officer.

In the wake of the deaths of Ahmad Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, this statement was released by our church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Our emotions probably run the gamut, from horror to rage to despair, to helplessness. Certainly, there is cause for lament, and we skip past it at our spiritual peril. But we are not helpless: " Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. " -II Corinthians 4:8 

In recent days there have been several opportunities to stand publicly against racism, as allies of people of color. There will likely by more such occasions-protests, vigils, marches-in the weeks to come. As people of faith, our commitment to racial justice goes deeper than a requirement for equal justice under the law; we know that the dignity of every human being is God's own design, and understand that when that dignity is denied in any, it diminishes us all.

In this excellent article from Sojourners you'll find recommendations on how to act as a white ally: https://sojo.net/articles/our-white-friends-desiring-be-allies .

There are numerous books that can help us to listen better, and to understand the history and contours of racism in America, and to enter into the long, hard work of dismantling it. Here are listed several. There are many, many more. Which have you read? Which might be next?
  • The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Come
  • The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
  • The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
  • Waking Up White by Debby Irving
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
  • Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
  • Dear White Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the US by Lenny Duncan
  • Healing Racial Divides by Terrell Carter 
This Sunday Christ Lutheran Church meets for our semi-annual congregation, immediately following worship, on Zoom. We'll elect members to the Congregation Council and Endowment Committee, and vote to ratify a change to the CLC Constitution.
Music Notes
Tom Berryman, Music Director
Hymn Singing Thursday, June 4 at 7:30 pm



Our players and singers offer music and hymns from CLC's Land and Season tradition this Thursday evening. Enjoy listening and singing along with guitars, hammered dulcimer, accordion, flute, viola, mandolin and voices from our CLC Choir. We'll offer everything from Amazing Grace to Blackberry Blossom!

Here ' s " Star of County Down."
Adult Formation
Book Group:

The CLC book group has selected Monday, June 30, for its next (virtual) meeting date. Once again, rather than readi ng one book, participants are invited to choose a volume from their own libraries, with a common historical theme either fiction or nonfiction. 

For an invitation, contact  Marianne Swenson,  mswenson10@comcast.net .
Call to Action

On Saturday from 8:30-12:00 we will hold a physically distant garden and grounds clean-up. Please let Pr. Bourret know that you're planning to participate, and the approximate time period, so that we can insure plenty of spacing. Do wear masks, and, if possible, bring gloves and garden tools. 

Additional tools will be available, as will some individually-wrapped muffins. Thanks to Cathy Gallagher and Bruce Schnepper for organizing!


Looking Ahead


This Sunday our preacher will be The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA. As our spiritual leader, Bp. Eaton had planned to offer a sermon for the whole church as we endure the coronavirus pandemic. 

In light of the recent, horrific deaths of people of color, that need for her leadership has become yet more urgent.


READINGS FOR THIS WEEK - Holy Trinity Sunday
June 7, 2020

On every Sunday of the church year, we praise our triune God. Yet on this coming Trinity Sunday, we attend especially to the mystery of our three-in-one God. Come to worship, and receive the blessings that the Trinity gives.

                  First Reading                      Psalm                     Second Reading                     Gospel
 Genesis 1:1--2:4a                   Psalm 8                  2 Corinthians 13:11-13            Matthew 28:16-20             
Sing For Joy
Enhance your understanding of the weekly scripture readings by listening to Sing For Joy  from St. Olaf College.  The Sing For Joy radio program, produced by St. Olaf College , has a simple mission: to explore the weekly themes of Christian worship by providing the best in sacred choral music and thoughtful commentary. The musical performances eloquently "do the talking," while the concise remarks from host Pastor Bruce Benson illuminate the meaning of the texts.
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