JUSTICE FOR ALL

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the Day of Pentecost, and in our Gospel reading for that Sunday, we heard the words of Jesus in John 20, “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

In the days since May 25th, we all have heard the cry of George Floyd as he cried out, “I can’t breathe”.

We know from Scripture that breathe and the Holy Spirit are often equated with each other. The breath that comes from God that sustains us, nurtures us, and equips us to continue the work of the Kingdom. For George Floyd, breathe meant life, just as it means for all of us.

There certainly seems to be little peace in our country right now.Peaceful protests have been confused with rioting and looting in the streets. The protesters call for justice, those crying out in the wilderness are having their voices drowned out by those who mean harm to their community. We need to open our ears to hear the

frustration in their voices, and yes even in some of their behaviors. While we cannot condone the violence and looting and destruction in the streets, we can understand the frustration that comes from oppression.

Friends, it is time that we as Christians, especially white Christians, call for justice for our black and brown sisters and brothers. It is time that we stand united and call out injustice. No longer can we remain neutral or silent. If one of God’s children suffers, we all suffer too. God is suffering, God is calling for justice. God sent us the Holy Spirit to equip and to enable us to speak truth to power, to break out of the status quo, to work on behalf of justice for all of God’s children, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or socio-economic status.

At our baptisms and again in our confirmations, we promised to “serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth”.

The death of George Floyd is a symptom of a bigger issue – the effects of racism in our country – and today by working for justice on behalf of George means we work on behalf of justice for all of God’s people. The contemporary church is at a crossroads right now – what road will you travel?

Tim NybrotenEvangelism Pastor

June 13 - 14 2020

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UNPRECEDENTED TIMES

I have heard that phrase so many times over these past few weeks and months that I have begun to think it is a new News Magazine: The Unprecedented Times. As the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to rise, especially here in Arizona, I brood over the fact that nothing like this has ever happened in my lifetime. Because of that, I find that I am constantly second-guessing myself, asking if I have the proper attitude or perspective about the situation in which we find ourselves.

A pastoral colleague recently sent me a quote from a letter that Martin Luther wrote in 1527 that gives a real insight into our predicament. During this time in Wittenberg, there was another outbreak of the Plague. Students at the university where Martin Luther taught were fleeing the city. A friend wrote asking Martin’s advice on the matter. This was his response:

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me, and I have done what he has expected of me, and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash no foolhardy and does not tempt God.” (Luther’s Works Volume 43, pg. 132)

Friends, as we seek to navigate these times, I think this perspective is particularly helpful. Do all that we can to mitigate the disease, but do not live in fear. When given the opportunity, seek to minister to people in God’s name. There are many creative ways we can do this.

Many of you are phoning people that might need to hear hopeful words. Others have made themselves available to help with grocery shopping and running errands. There are many other ways you are reaching out to others that you and God know, not just among our family at RLC, but in your neighborhoods as well.

As we go through our days, know that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God and let us strive to share that love as much as possible with the people God brings to our minds and across our paths. In the meantime, stay safe, join us for online worship at www.orovalley.org, and know that though we may be separated, we are connected through our risen Lord.

Pastor Tim

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Thank you so much for your steadfast support of Lutheran So-cial Services of the Southwest over the years, especially during this tumultuous time. You have come together as a congrega-

tion to make real change for members of our community:• Collecting donations for thousands of people in need• Accompanying individuals and families through your

Refugee Ministry• Keeping services going for older adults, children, and

refugees through your generosity and support• Lifting up communities of vulnerable people by showing

care for your neighborsMost recently, you helped 10 refugee students in Tucson grad-uate from high school this May. One of these students, Amir* was the first in his family to achieve this goal. He is now flu-

ent in English after only two years in the United States, and is starting college in the fall. Your support allows these students

to access resources and the tools they need to succeed. You give the people we serve new reasons to celebrate.

I can’t say it enough – thank you! There are opportunities for you to make a difference, even now. We know that members of our community, especially older adults, continue to feel isolat-ed. You can help! We are launching a new prayer-based volun-

teer program that you can do from home. We connect you with an older adult to pray with over the phone, or we can provide prayer requests for you to pray on your own, with a friend, or in a group. Please reach out to Heidi Urbina at 520-668-4916 or hurbina@lss-sw.org if you’re interested in more information,

or to hear about other ways to volunteer from home.From all of us at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest,

thank you for your continued support and for showing Christ’s love to our neighbors. You make this work happen!

*Name has been changed

Church News

Thank You...

Orro Valley Site

11575 1st Ave,

Orro Valley, AZ 85737

SaddleBrooke Site

Saddle Brooke One

Club House Vermillion

WorShip Services:

All Worship Services can

be viewed online at

orovalley.org

Saturday: 5:00pm

Sunday: 7:45am, 9:15am, 10:45am

Office Information:

Phone: 520-575-9901

Email: rlc@orovalley.org

www.orovalley.org

M-TH: 9:00am - 2:00pm

Friday: 9:000am - 1:00pm

We have recieved additional thank yous

from:

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“#11 Protests and Pandemonium

From Resurrection at SaddleBrooke

In a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll: 48% of Republicans said that, if forced to choose, they were more concerned about the violence in the protests than the circumstances of Mr. Floyd’s killing. 81% of Democrats said they are more troubled by the actions of police in the killing of George Floyd than by violence at protests.

In the same poll 74% of Democrats said it may take the next year or even longer to curb Covid-19 enough to return to work. 57% of Republicans said we should pursue cautious reopening now. As a nation our opinions are set and settled and not likely to change, so I tread on dangerous ground to say anything about either of these issues. But I must.…..

The protests did begin in a righteous anger at the murder of George Floyd by a policeman with the apparent complicity of other officers. But then the peaceful protests became a mob, innocent people were killed, beaten; stores, schools, churches burned; and it was no longer about George Floyd or about justice. And we see that, just as it was for Elijah so many centuries ago; truth is hard to hear amidst deafening noise. It comes more clearly in the softness of a reasonable voice. But where is that to be found in a bitterly divided nation?

The violence and looting has subsided, but the pro-test still insists there is systemic racism in the police forces of our country. Is that true? Well, I think no more than there is in the whole country. No more than there is in the Democratic Party or the Repub-lican Party, among conservatives or liberals. Some police are racists. Some whites are racist. Some blacks are racist. Some Hispanics are racists. Some Asians are racists.

And all racism is not directed against blacks.

The truth is that racism exists pretty much in all human endeavors, but there is little evidence that it is more present in the police forces of our country than elsewhere. There are bad cops, like those in Minneapolis and other cities. They should be properly dealt with. But the vast majority of police put their lives on the line; protect, defend and serve their communities well, while generally being un-derpaid and underappreciated.

While it is true blacks are nearly twice as likely as whites to be pulled over by the police, the sad fact is that black citizens commit 60% of all robberies and 53% of all known homicides. Thus they are more likely to have a confrontation with the police, whether it ends in violence or not. The reason for this is deep, complicated, and long standing, and many within both the black and white communities have been, and are, working hard to change it.

The church I served in Fox Point, a small village adjacent to Milwaukee, tried in a small way to do this. We developed a partnership with Peace Lutheran Church, a black inner-city congre-gation. We shared organization and social events, such as picnicking and going out to dinner as cou-ples. We shared wor-ship; we at their church, they at ours. But Fox Point

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Church News

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was an upscale white community and the first time a caravan of cars full of blacks from Peace came into the area they were stopped by the police. The members of Peace said they were courteously treated and given directions to our church. But they saw the experi-ence as being “pulled over while driving black,” just what they expected from the police. It was something they endured every day in Milwaukee, one of the most segregated communities in the country. They were not angry, just resigned. And we kept at it.

Over the following five years we learned a lot about each other, and truly, friendships were formed and attitudes and understandings were changed in both communi-ties. That was Twenty-five years

Pastor Wayne

P.O.W.W.O.Wat

Resurrection

Produce On Wheels Without WasteSaturday, June 13, 2020 from 7:00am - 10:00am

70 pounds of produce for $12.00

Drive-thru COVID-19 safe

ago, and while Peach Church no longer exists, changed lives remain.

I wrote this because, if mutual respect is to replace racism, as it can, we need to take to heart what it means in the Lord’s Prayer to pray that we not be led into temp-tation and that we be delivered from evil!

The latest news, O God, makes us shudder. More blood has been spilled in our streets, homes and businesses burned, more terrors have ravaged our communities, and once again hot tears soak our pillows in the night. Help us root out the violence that hides beneath the polished surfaces of our public face. Cleanse us from the bigotry, wrath and greed that

fuel the evils we abhor. Make us people who, having learned from you the things that make for peace, are able to be peace-makers in that part of the world over which we have control. Help us to banish all things that fos-ter or tolerate racism, bigotry or disregard for human life. Make us aware of our own prejudices and attitudes that we may begin to change the world by beginning to change ourselves…….Our Father….

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Spring Food Drive

Spring Food Drive Update

The response from the congregation has been terrific for our modified Spring Food Drive. A total of $4,085 has been

donated! We will be splitting the $4,085 equally and sending it to the four recipient organizations. Thanks to everyone for supporting this very important outreach that demonstrates

how RLC members care about the well being of everyone in our local communities.

Church News

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Prayers of the peoplePlease make sure to let the church office know if you have any prayer requests or a

need for pastoral care.

Diane Abbott, Guy Baty, Edith Bergh, Maury Bergh, David Brandt, Jeanne Carroll, Cliff Van Eaton, John Ebert, Patty Elliott, Mike Fehniger, Kathy Guerrieri, Elmer Halstengaard, Dusty Harvey, Charlene Hassel, Jane Hill, Al Jensen and, Char Jensen, Don Jungling, Colin Kaltenbach, Colleen Kirkegaard, Carol Koeneman, Pat Lee, Bess Lorenz, Gary

Loutzenheiser, Bill and Linda May, Lillian Meyer, Dick Mueller, Judy Musgjerd, Kurt Ohlrich Tommy Ohlrich, Rosemary Oldenburg, Mike Parr, Sue Pearsey, Judy Rake, Pat Reidy, Joy Reidy, Jim Richhart, Bud Roberts, Paula Roberts, Jan Robertson, Joanne Schleisman, Sue Searcy, Jim and Sandy Seppala, Ilona Skjordahl. Pat Solvas, Jack Spencer, Lucille

Spencer, Tom Stash, Don Stewart, Jane Stewart, Dianne Temple, Kathy Wahl, Arlys Wanstrom, DeMar Wanstrom, Sandy Weishoff, Paul Weishoff, Karen Wood, Chuck Zink, Carol Zylstra

Family of Resurrection Members/Attendees:· Pat Havens-Assenzo’s sisters, Connie and Sue · Linda Begega’s daughter, Alyce Begega Garcia · Anne Blizzard’s father,

Bud Koehlinger · Cherri Block’s brother, Rodney Block · Sue Broberg’s brother, John Ballsrud · Marty Brown’s niece, Sarah Gallinetti ·Priscilla Copp’s nephew, Joey Reichardt · Betty Danker’s daughter, Nicole Cunningham · Casey Domalewski’s son, Steven Kubrak · Kathy Dunn’s daughter, Roni, cousin Richard, and daughter Debbie · Judy Elmquist’s sister, Barba-ra Cadam · Jack and Linda Good’s brother, Jim Hollis · Donna Graybill’s mother, Mary Lamoreux · Laura Hawks’ sister, Nancy Knight ·Susan & Marshall Hill’s grandson, Josh, and his young son · Gale Jones’ daughter-in-law, Stephanie Jones · Colleen and Peter Kirkegaard’s daughter-in-law, Pahie, and son Mike McDonald · Patricia Kittell’s aunt, Ree Kantorek · Jeff Kraus’ sister, Lynne Papenfuss · Delores Lind’s daughter, Shari Lind · Tace Lowe’s mother, Barbara · Sue Maki’s daughter, Turi · Ginger Marburger’s friends and family · Mark and Barb McInnis’ daughter, Kate, her husband Miguel, and family · Judy McMullen’s son, John McMullen · Bill and Lorraine Meusel’s relative, Jessica Wiedman · Penna Michalczyk’s son-in--law, Brian · Sandi and Dick Nelson’s brother-in-law and grandson, Dick O’Gary and Ronan Morrison · Tim Nybroten’s dad, Ron Nybroten · Nancy Odson’s relatives: Joey Rollo, Doris Sweet, Carol Dilks, and Joe and Kris Fitzpatrick · Rose-mary Oldenburg’s son, Scott · Dolly Pivonka’s grandson, Jaxson Swann · Scott and Kristina Randolph’s daughter, Gracie Reeder · Sandy Reiter’s sister, Kay Kesler · Ken and Marcia Rislov, for their neice, Kelli Carlson Silva · Sandy Seppala’s sister and niece, Susan and Natalie · Linda Shatto’s daughter, Jenna Irrer · Don and Jane Stewart’s sister, Carol Halliday and her husband, Jerry · Raquel Stewart’s son, Mark Anthony Parker · Dianne Temple’s sister and grandson, Rose and Xavier · Richard and Stephanie Thompson’s newphew, Case Thompson, and his parents, Heather and David · Matt and Carol Tom-bre’s daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Stephen · Bill and Kathy Wahl’s brother-in-law, Danny Dinkins ·

Friends and Other Concerns: Joanne Baier, Renzo Bartolini, Jeff Bowers, Butch Branum, Camorra & Newlon, Sandra and John Carnes’ neighbor,

Clint Cole, Norma and Russ Cooper, The Condito family, Denise Crayven, Jordan Cross and family, Liam Dodge, ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, the Festerling family, Paul Flemm, Heaven and MJ Fromm, Paul Garcia, the Garcia family, Cy and Kay Gilson, Barb Graff, Peter Graff, Laura Green, Don Hart, Jim Healy, Grand Canyon Synod Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Paul Johns, Sister Karina Heywood, RSM, Kathy, Keith Kuntz, Lorrie Lane, Jerry Loomis, Larry and Yvonne Maring, Bran-don Mathews, Karen Mattull, Sara Moody, Dawn Nelson, Margie and Pearce, Sandy Pence Cindy and Rich Petersen, Diane Prevost, Jim Pyers, Bernie and Marji Quire, Austin Rawlings, Chad Richey, Jim Richhart, Barry Robinson, the Russo fami-ly, Roger Sathre, Richard Schafer, Barbara Schafer, Prestun Sisbel, Steve, Jim Vogel, Kim Wall, Bill Wardle Sr., Bill Wardle Jr., Carmen Weidner, Karleen Werk, Mischelle Zak, members of the military and their families, people with disabilities and chronic illness, the homeless, Youth On Their Own, people with addictions, foster kids, foster families, widows, widowers, All essential workers, healthcare workers, First responders, Caregivers, Scientists , Medical researchers, Our Savior’s

We Mourn with those who MournThe family of Marcia Larson due to her death.

The family of Tanya and Joshua Elias, due to the death of Tanya’s dad, Ted. The family of Jeanne Carroll due to her death.

Jack and Brooke MacIntyre due to the death of Brooke’s twinsister, Borg. Sharon Sneen and family, due to the death of Bob.

The family of Virginia (Ginny) Ottinger, due to her death.

Members/Attendees of Resurrection:

Please submit (or re-submit) names of those for whom we are to keep within our prayersfor June. (Bold Italicized names are those new to the list)

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Resurrection Lutheran Church is re-opening for live worship services

beginning July 15th, 2020, pending further review and following

CDC's recommended guidelines.

Its Time7.15.2020

'

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Instructional How to View Live & Recorded Worship Services

1. On your computer, visit www.orovalley.org

2. On the home page, click on "View Live Services", to watch live services by Lutheran Resurrection Church. Or, click"View Service Archives", to watch recordings of past services.3. This will automatically bring you to Youtube.com, where all the livestreaming and video archives are now stored.

1. On your cell phone, visit www.orovalley.org

2. On the home page, click on "View Live Services", to watch live services by Lutheran Resurrection Church. Or, click"View Service Archives", to watch recordings of past services.3. This will automatically bring you to Youtube.com, where all the livestreaming and video archives are now stored.

1. On your tablet, visit www.orovalley.org

2. On the home page, click on "View Live Services", to watch live services by Lutheran Resurrection Church. Or, click"View Service Archives", to watch recordings of past services.3. This will automatically bring you to Youtube.com, where all the livestreaming and video archives are now stored.

Thank you for welcoming us into your home

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“I am happy because I didn’t think that, no matter how hard I work on the

night shift, anybody would notice…I want to thank you because people like you in my life remind me how blessed I

am…”

On behalf of the Refugee Ministry Team,

Thank you for your prayers and support helping to resettle Grace and the Kerimi family. Here is

the latest news about them:

Grace

• Grace was the recipient of Ben’s Bells. An Acts of Kindness award.

Nominated by Heather Roberts, a staff member from TMC (Tucson Medical Center.) Heather wrote

in her submission: “Grace came and did a very efficient and thorough cleaning of our office. In the 6 years I have been

here, nobody has ever offered to do this (our floor barely gets cleaned on a monthly basis). Grace was so kind, fast, and went above and beyond. Thank

you, Grace.”Grace sent us a picture of the award and wrote in

her text,

• Grace’s observed her 1-year anniversary as a staff member at TMC. When she first started there (Feb., 2019,) she was a contract worker. • Grace got her permanent resident card (referred to as a Green card). This gives her the authorization to live and work in America.

The Kerimi family –

Milestones for them.

• Sekina Kerimi (oldest daughter,) is still working full time.• Latifa (youngest daughter) celebrated her 17th birthday on May 28.• None of the other Kerimi family know their birth date (which is very common among refugees). • Their case manager chose January 1 as their birthdate along with their birth year (which was known.) Laura Lentner and I discovered that when we helped them complete the 2020 Census on-line in March.• Latifa and Mojtaba (20-year old son,) finished high school classes in May using Chrome Book tablets provided by Amphi High School.• Both Latifa and Mojtaba started summer school June 1 to study math and biology for 5 weeks. • Sekina received her driver’s license after months of being taught to drive by Alicia Gaston, Bob Smith and Marcia Rislov. Now 3 family members have their driver’s license – Sekina, Fatima (22-year old daughter) and Mojtaba. Alicia Gaston, Bob Smith, Jeff Kraus, Marcia/Ken Rislov and Martha berg were part of a Zoom call with the family on May 31. We will try another Zoom call on June 14. At least we can see one another even if having a conversation is difficult!Thank you for your continued prayers for them. If you wish

to support the RLC Refugee Ministry, please make your check payable to Resurrection Lutheran Church. In the

memo line write Refugee Ministry.

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Summary of Responses and Demographics from Resurrection Congregational Survey

Summary of Responses and Demographics from Resurrection Congregational Survey

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I was born in Seattle, Wasington and grew up in California and Arizona. I

have been in Tucson since 2004, when I moved here to pursue a degree in

accounting at the University of Arizona. The past few years I worked at Casas Church as their Technical Director, overseeing the audio / visual systems for the main auditorium and campus. I currently work at the Gaslight Music

Hall as their audio engineer. Outside of work I enjoy fixing up my home, playing

music, and spending time with family and friends. At night you can find me winding down on the couch with my

dog Zooey.

Luke AmbleAudio/Visual Technician

I was born in Sonora, Texas but grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. I moved to Tuc-son with my ex-husband and two sons

27 years ago. I studied accounting and photography in college. The past few years I worked as an office coordinator

for a large Cardiology office. Before that I worked in public accounting and have had various manager jobs. I have also worked as a professional photographer taking advertising photos, before and after photos of home remodeling and

selling framed photos. The best part of my life is spending time with my won-derful grandchildren, Xander, Lilli, Eli,

Cooper and Cora.

Donna MaxwellAdministrative Support Specialist

I was born in Scottsdale Arizona, but have spent most of my life in Colorado. I relocated to beautiful Tucson in early

June to join Resurrection Lutheran Church’s team. I attended the University of Denver in 2016 and have been work-ing as a graphic designer ever since. My favorite aspect about being a graphic art-ist is using my art to help organization’s spread their impactful messages to their communities. In my spare time I enjoy illustrating, creating character designs and exploring new hiking trails. I am very excited to be a new staff member

at RLC, and for this new chapter of my life!

Kate ZimmermanGraphic Designer and Media Specialist

Newest Staff Members of Resurrection Lutheran Church

Newest Staff Members of Resurrection Lutheran Church

Property CommitteeUpdate:

RLC Property and Safer Campus Committees Report

Safer Campus Committee: Nothing new to reportProperty Committee

Exterior Campus

Thanks to the Oro Valley Department excess water use notification system our maintenance crew found a water line and control valve box that was hidden in the lower wash area that had started leaking. Since it was not being used, it has been capped off.

All the parking lot major cracks have been filled, a thick layer of sealer applied and all the lines and handicap areas repainted. An extra layer was applied to the center of the CDC parking lot. Because the trash trucks put the greatest wear and tear on the sealer, they will apply another layer in October around the dumpster areas.

CDC

Installed new ceiling fans.Painted the front porch walls where things had been removed when the new wrought iron enclosure was installed.

Replaced the 5-ton AC unit for the Waddler room just before school restarted.

Other Buildings

Removed the extra chairs in the Sanctuary so that the seating is compliant with the 6-foot social distancing.

Replaced 50 fluorescent light tubes in the Music Room, Administrative Building, meeting rooms, and offices in the Outreach Building. These fixtures are not LEDs. Installed new soap dispensers in the restroom.

Purchased $1400 of disinfectant, sanitizer, and dispens-ing equipment to be COVID-19 compliant.

UTILITY USAGE: down for the last three months due to the campus being closed.

Water: Down for all the months, especially May, even the CDC which means the water consumption increase for the last number of months is related to the activity going on at the CDC

All toilets, sinks, faucets inside and out have been checked including looking for leaks in walls, floors, and ceilings.

Gas: Consumption in all building is down.

Electrical: Since the usage was down and the solar panels continued to operate, we have accumulated a lot of cred-it which will help offset the electricity cost for the rest of the year.

Respectfully Submitted, Don Thurmond

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Don’t forget you can watch ourSaturday and Sunday Worship Services

online at www.orovalley.org. Scroll down to live worship/sermons.

When we are back to ministries being held on campus

our calendar will return. Stay tuned!

Check out our website for daily devotions!www.orovalley.org

Resurrection’s Mission Statement: Called by God’s Spirit, we are to be the presence of Christ in our daily lives so that others will

follow him.

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