International Lutheran Fellowship News
Volume X, Numbers 4 & 5 DOUBLE ISSUE July - September, 2007
Season after Pentecost [St. Mary Magdalene – St. Michael]: Synod Report Edition
TENTH ILF SYNOD HELD AT ST. LOUIS; SUPERIOR FOR U.S. OSF/L INSTALLED
The Reverend William Babbit (left) is professed and installed as a Brother in the Order of St. Francis/Lutheran and as the Superior (Territorial Minister) of the U.S. branch of ILF’s Franciscans at the Eucharist of St. James Day at the ILF annual synod. Presiding at the Liturgy is the ILF Missionary Bishop of the South (seated), the Rt. Rev. Dr. Richard M. Johnson; assisting (between Bishop Johnson and Brother Babbit) is the Most Rev. Dr. Robert W. Hotes, ILF Presiding Bishop, and (right) the Rt. Rev. Aubrey N. Bougher, Bishop of the Northeast Ministerium. In the background, assisting in the mass, is ILF Deacon Sevika Sooppersaud.
More Photos and News from the ILF Synod and Other ILF Activities inside - - -
ILF NEWS (Volume X, Nos. 4 & 5), July - September, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a double issue of ILF News, containing four separate page of colour photos from the annual synod and the ordination of Pastor Shoemaker. Photos from the ordination of Deacon Wigmore have not yet been forwarded to us. It is hoped they will appear in the next issue, with photos of the Presiding Bishop’s episcopal visit to California. This issue also contains several of the reports distributed to the Synod, for those who were not present to receive them directly. The following article gives an overview of Synod activities.
OVERVIEW OF THE TENTH ANNUAL SYNOD IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, JULY 25-26, 2007
Nineteen ministers and representatives of member communities of faith met in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, for the tenth annual synod of the International Lutheran Fellowship since its reconstitution in West Jefferson, Ohio, in 1998. On the inside back cover of this edition of ILF News you will find a formal photograph of the synod including all present except Deacon Kenneth L. Johnson, who served as photographer. The names are on the page facing the photo.
Sessions were held at the Pallotine Renewal Center in Florrisant, Missouri, near the St. Louis airport. For the first time, members from our ILF California Ministerium were able to attend a synod of ILF. Sessions were able to use a spacious meeting room for the business sessions and a beautifully appointed chapel for synod worship. Daily Morning and Evening Prayer was conducted by the synod chaplain, the Rev. Gene Marlowe Fortune, ILF Pastor from Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the concluding Mass of the Synod, the Presiding Bishop appointed Pastor Fortune the Presiding Bishop’s Chaplain for all future episcopal liturgies. The only drawback to the worship was that the air conditioning in the chapel was not working, and the weather was somewhat warm during July in St. Louis.
Presiding at the sessions of synod for the first time was the Most Reverend Robert W. Hotes, Ph.D., the Presiding Bishop of ILF. He had been elected to and installed in this post at the 2006 synod, at which his predecessor, the Most Rev. C. George Fry, now Presiding Bishop Emeritus, had retired from that office, which he had held since its constitutional inception in 2004. Prior to that, Bishop Fry had been President under the old constitution since 1998. Bishop Fry was the only one of the four ILF bishops who was unable to be at Synod this year, being instead on a journey to the far east in his role as Missionary Bishop. A report on his journey and work for the Lord through ILF is elsewhere in this edition.
Prior to the general sessions, the Executive Board took care of a large number of preparatory business items for the synod itself, both on Tuesday, July 24th, and the early afternoon of the 25th.
Several reports which were presented to the Synod are reproduced in this edition of ILF News, especially for our members and friends who were unable to be present for the sessions of synod in St. Louis. One note: in the Secretary’s report, a correction was made on the floor of synod that Pastor Fortune is celebrating his 45th, not 50th, anniversary of ordination.
Synod Article Continued on page 4
ILF NEWS (Volume X, Nos. 4 & 5), July - September, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
OVERVIEW OF SYNOD, continued from page 2
At the Opening Eucharist, Presiding Bishop Hotes served as presiding minister and preacher. Concelebrants were the Rt. Rev. Dr. Richard M. Johnson, Missionary Bishop of the South, and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Aubrey N. Bougher, STS, Bishop of the Northeast Ministerium. Serving as Assisting Minister was Deacon Sevika Sooppersaud of the Northeast Ministerium. Serving as Master of Ceremonies was the Rev. Scott Christensen, of the Mid America Ministerium. Lectors were the Very Rev. Jeffrey Bischoff, Dean of the Mid America Ministerium, and Deaconess Anthonia E. Ataudo, lay delegate from Christ Lutheran Church of Rosedale, New York. A highlight of the mass, which celebrated the Feast of St. James the Elder, Apostle, was the reception of the profession of the Rev. William Babbitt as a Brother in the Order of St. Francis/Lutheran, ILF’s Franciscan mission movement. Fr. Babbitt was also installed as Superior (Territorial Minister) of the Order in the United States. Bishop Johnson, as the ordinary of the region in which Fr. Babbitt resides (Florida), presided. A photograph of this moment in synod is on the front cover if this edition. The profession and installation of Fr. Babbitt completes the action approved forming the Order of St. Francis/Lutheran approved at the 2005 Columbia Synod. Last October, the Canadian branch of the Order had been constituted and the superior, the Rev. Fr. Larry Goodnough, OSF/L, professed and installed.
The Synod was treated to a presentation by the Rt. Rev. Robert O’Block, a bishop of the Southern Episcopal Church, in communion with our church body, using his recently-published book, “The Seven Steps to the Cure of Souls,” as a basis. Bishop O’Block graciously distributed copies of his book to those present.
The Synod received the reports of its officers and ministeria, and in doing so noted the recently published book by outgoing Vice President, Faith Johnson, who was not able to be present at synod this year. Her husband, Bishop Johnson, informed us of the availability of the book, which can be gotten through his address in Clarksville. It is a devotional and spiritual help in the Christian life. The Synod approved a change in name for the former Greater Ohio Valley Ministerium, merged last year with Michigan, to the Mid America Ministerium.
Synod also heard of the acceptance by the Board, with regret, of the resignation of the Dean of the California Ministerium, the Very Rev. Dr. Donald Schedler, who was unable to be present at synod. Dean Schedler, now 78 and in his 53rd year of ordained ministry, had felt the need to cut back on some of his activities, but will remain a member of the ILF Ministerium. His duties at both the hospice which he serves as chaplain and as an assistant pastor to a Lutheran parish are also demanding more than before. The Board accepted his resignation with regret, but understanding, and the synod commends him for his excellent service to the Lord through ILF. The presiding bishop will assume the task of direct oversight for the California Ministerium, and announced to synod his plan to make an episcopal visit to the ministers and community of faith there in September. [Publisher’s note: This visit has apparently already occurred and will be reported on in the next edition of ILF News.] In the meantime the office of Dean remains vacant in the California Ministerium. The Rev. Scott Bieker, ILF Pastor in the California Ministerium, and his wife, Mrs. Loree Bieker, a rostered teacher in ILF were present at the synod.
Synod Article Continued on page 6
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OVERVIEW OF SYNOD, continued from page 4
The Rev. James E. Townsend, a retired ELCA pastor, was approved by the Board for membership in the ministry of ILF through sub conditione ordination or incardination, as determined by the Presiding Bishop, when he determines to join with us. He will be a member of the California Ministerium. Pastor Townsend was present throughout the synod at St. Louis. Bishop Bougher remarked that he had known of Pastor Townsend by correspondence for almost 30 years, and was delighted to finally meet him.
Incorporated in the reports was the Northeast Ministerium and the Canadian branch of the Order of St. Francis/Lutheran, contained in this issue. Also is a letter from our brothers in the Lutheran Ministerium and Synod, U.S.A. During the 2006 Synod in Bear Creek, Bishop Bougher was named Co-Adjutor to Presiding Bishop Hotes, pending the proper amendment to the constitution allowing such a post. Since the constitution has not been amended in the last year, Presiding Bishop Hotes appointed Bishop Bougher Co-Adjutor and he was installed as such at the Closing Eucharist of Synod, with Pastor Fortune as Chaplain.
Discussion continued about our international work, especially in Venezuela with the potential ordination of Pastor Enrique Albornoz as a Bishop, who in turn would ordain in apostolic succession the seven other pastors serving with him in his region, constituting a new Venezuelan Ministerium. Quite a few details still need attending to before this becomes a reality, it appears, but it is being worked on by the Presiding Bishop and others. In the same vein, plans are being formulated but have not yet been solidified for an episcopal visit to the mission of the Rev. Pastor Nag in India (Orissa Province) and the Right Reverend Bishop Samuel Waako in Uganda.
This year only one lay delegate was present at synod, Deaconess Anthonia E. Ataudo, representing the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ in Rosedale, New York. One of the goals the synod announced was to try to have more of the communities of faith present delegates to the synod so the annual synod may represent both lay and ministerial roles, which is both constitutionally mandated as well as part of our Lutheran theological tradition. Vice President Johnson of the World Lutheran Parish being unavailable for re-election, former Vice President Cecelia Mabanes Goodnough of the Franciscan Lutheran Congregation of Niagara Falls, Ontario, was nominated and elected in absentia as the new Vice President. However, when she was contacted concerning her election after the synod, she had to decline because of other obligations. Thus the post of Vice President will remain vacant until the 2008 synod.
Sympathies were extended during synod to Diaconal Candidate William H. Wigmore III, whose grandmother, Charlene Urban, had died during the Wednesday Mass. He had had her permission to leave her side to come to synod. The Synod ratified its previous approval of his ordination as a deacon and the ordination of Deacon Charles H. Shoemaker as a pastor. [See later articles on these ordinations.] No elections or constitutional changes were made. Several candidates still in process (see some of the enclosed reports) were discussed but no final acceptances given.
Synod Article Continued on page 7
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OVERVIEW OF SYNOD, continued from page 6
Greetings and a full report was received from Presiding Bishop Emeritus Fry. Earlier we noted his missionary journey during the time of synod. His report had been printed in the May issue of ILF News. Deacon Johnson gave a full report as treasurer also, showing the payment of all obligations and a decent balance, thanks to substantial donations by ILF friends and members.
In addition to the greetings given by the Lutheran Ministerium and Synod, we received fraternal greetings once more from our concordat brothers and sisters in the Southern Episcopal Church (The Most Rev. Huron Clay Manning, Presiding Bishop, from whence ILF gets its apostolic succession); and the Church of Christ Catholic, International (the Most Rev. Donald William Mullan, Presiding Bishop), which synod celebrated its 70th anniversary in June.
It was much to be regretted that our Canadian and some other members were unable to be with us at synod this year. Those who have financial reasons for absence (most ILF clergy and parishes are not among the wealthy) should rejoice that there are measures underway to attempt to get some sort of a payment equalization process developed during the next year. Being a small group necessitates some creative thinking in this sphere, and the bishops and executive board are aware of the need to attempt some ways to do this if funding is possible. One of the problems remains the 501c3 needs of the group in order to seek greater funding, both from our own contributions and those of outsiders friendly to us. All of this is being attempted by those who can get the time to do it during the year.
One of the great joys of the synod, as always, was the fellowship and the fun that permeated the sessions and the time between or after sessions. These included a night out at a Chinese restaurant, the camaraderie at meals, joking with each other, sharing news from parishes and friends in the other denominations, and the sincere prayers and concern each has for the others. We are indeed a fellowship of love as well as a formal organization, and the annual synod provides that time where the whole ILF may participate in such agape.
Before the Closing Eucharist, the assembled synod posed for a group photograph taken by our treasurer, Deacon Johnson. It appears on the inside back cover of this edition.
The Closing Eucharist on July 26th saw Presiding Bishop Hotes preaching and Bishop Bougher presiding at the Mass. During the Mass, the Presiding Bishop installed Bishop Bougher as Co-Adjutor and Pastor Fortune as Chaplain, as reported earlier. He also conducted the rite of sub conditione ordination to the presbyterate for the Rev. Harvey W. Von Harten, who had become a presbyteral member of ILF in the previous year. During the mass, Pastor Christensen provided solo music. Deacon Anna Haye of St. Paul’s, Coney Island, assisted at the Altar.
After the Mass the California and Brooklyn contingents, with Deacon Johnson, were able to take a tour of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, thanks to the pre-arrangements made by the Presiding Bishop. Plans for the next year’s synod were left in the hands of the Executive Board and will be announced as soon as agreed upon.
ILF NEWS (Volume X, Nos. 4 & 5), July - September, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8
PRESBYERAL ORDINATION OF CHARLES H. SHOEMAKER IN BETHLEHEM, PENNA.
The Reverend Charles Harry Shoemaker was ordained a priest, presbyter, and pastor in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ on September 8th, 2007, the Commemoration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church calendar. The ordination took place in Rosemont Lutheran Church of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Right Reverend Dr. Aubrey N. Bougher, STS, ILF’s Northeast Ministerium Bishop, presided. The ritual for ordination, approved by the 2007 synod of ILF, was used as Bishop Bougher also preached and presided at the Lord’s Table. Pastor Shoemaker concelebrated with the Bishop.
The Reverend John R. Schilling, III, of ILF, was the sponsor and presentor for Father Shoemaker. Participating as concelebrants with Pastor Shoemaker were Pastor Schilling, the Very Reverend Jeffrey Bischoff, Dean of ILF’s Mid-America Ministerium, and the Reverend Harvey W. Von Harten III of Coney Island. Reverend Deacon Samnarain Sooppersaud, Secretary of ILF, presented the candidate to the Bishop and assisted at the Altar. Reverend Deacon Sevika Sooppersaud, Secretary of the Northeast Ministerium, assisted at the Altar. Reverend Deacon William H. Wigmore, III, was Gospelier and assisted the Bishop with various details during the ordination rite. Participating in addition to the ILF clergy were two ELCA clergy, the Reverend C. Albert Wagaman of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and the Reverend Terrence W. Goad of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, two long time friends of the ordinand. Present in the congregation and assisting in local hospitality was the host pastor, the Reverend Jack Steltzer. Organist for the liturgy was Mr. Richard Spotts of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Greetings were extended to the new pastor from all three other ILF bishops, and the two pastors of the host ministerium unable to be present for the ordination, The Reverend John C. McBride and the Reverend Dr. Kim-Eric Williams.
The call to Deacon Charles to be a presbyter was issued by the Synod of 2006 in Bryant, Indiana. Because of various exigencies, specifically in the health of then-Deacon and Mrs. Shoemaker, and Mrs. Shoemaker’s subsequent death, the ordination was unable to be scheduled until September. The authorization and call was ratified by the 2007 Holy Synod in St. Louis, and a call was issued to Pastor Shoemaker to be Assistant to the Bishop in his ministerium. He will conduct a pastoral ministry as needed, and will preside and preach as called by local communities of faith to do so, health permitting. His first mass was not yet scheduled.
Pastor Shoemaker was born January 17th, 1923, and baptized on February 3rd that year. Three previous times, after an inner call from his childhood, he was outwardly called to the holy ministry by pastors and lay leaders, each time refusing for various reasons of the time. The fourth time, through ILF in 2006, he accepted. Well known for his theological insight and long time work with The Bride of Christ, he has been a deacon since 1985, incardinated into ILF in the early 2000s, diaconally ordained sub conditione by Bishop Hotes in 2006. On September 8th, a call issued by God inwardly to Charles for almost 80 years was answered. We welcome Charles Harry Shoemaker to the ordained presbyteral ministry of the Church. Pray for him.
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DIACONAL ORDINATION OF WILLIAM H. WIGMORE III IN PHILADELHIA
Reverend Deacon William H. Wigmore, III, was ordained a deacon in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ on August 18th, 2007, Saturday in the Week of the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. The ordination took place in Trinity Lutheran Church of South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Right Reverend Dr. Aubrey N. Bougher, STS, ILF’s Northeast Ministerium Bishop, presided. The ritual for ordination, previously approved by synods of ILF, was used as Bishop Bougher also presided at the Lord’s Table.
The Reverend Msgr. Terrence W. Goad, Pastor of Trinity Church, preached the sermon at the ordination and concelebrated with the Bishop. The Reverend John R. Schilling, III, ILF pastor, was the sponsor and presentor for Deacon Wigmore, and also concelebrated with the Bishop. Also participating as concelebrants in the mass were ILF Pastors the Reverend Harvey W. Von Harten III of Coney Island, New York, and the Reverend Dr. Kim-Eric Williams of Philadelphia. Reverend Deacon Samnarain Sooppersaud, Secretary of ILF, presented the candidate to the Bishop and was Gospelier. Reverend Deacon Anna Haye of ILF processed and also assisted. The Cantor was David Thomas of Zion Lutheran Church, Bristol, Pennsylvania, where the local ministerium occasionally meets. The organist was Michael Lawrence.
Deacon Wigmore has been attending ILF ministerial and synodical meetings for several years, and has served Trinity Church as sexton, assisting minister, and all sorts of other ways. A sumptuous reception was held in the new Abbey of the Church.
While photographs of Pastor Shoemaker’s ordination have been made available to us, we do not have photos of Deacon Wigmore’s at this time. We hope to have some for a future issue.
Prayer Intentions
The following names appear on the prayer list of the Presiding Bishop on the ILF Website. You are encouraged to remember them in your prayers:
* Presiding Bishop Hotes was the guest of Galilee Chapel and Pr. Scott and Loree Bieker Sept 14-17th, as well as Prs. Jim Townsend and Don Schedler. Watch the ILF MEWS for full details.
