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Ephesians 3:13-21
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Peace and best wishes for God’s continued blessings during this Season of Joy and new life in Christ! My comments in this Pastoral Letter will be brief, as there are many items of good information to fill the pages of this edition of the ILF NEWS.
The Central Ministerium met at Zion Lutheran Church on April 28th. Dean Jeff Bishoff hosted the meeting. Pr. Jeff and Pr. Scot Christianson will provide further details of that meeting. It was a blessed and profitable time to be together, with all of the pastors sharing details concerning their ministries and personal spiritual growth.
Fr. Gene Fortune provided some wonderful and beautiful items obtained in his travels and spoke of his ministry to Saint Thomas Orthodox Lutheran Church (LMS-USA) in Michigan.
Fr. Colin Werling provided insights into his opportunities for ministry and was accorded the support of all in his prospects for call. Other members of the Ministerium sent their best wishes for the meeting.
Of course, all were eager to discuss the plans for Synod in St. Louis, July 24-26. More information is included in this edition of the ILF NEWS. My wife, Lynn, and I had to be excused early due to family business in Akron, but left the Ministerium meeting moved in spirit refreshed.
I would like to ask you to direct your prayers to the intentions of out sister church, Christ Catholic Church International. They will be electing a coadjutor bishop at their Synod in Canada this June. Bp. + Bougher will bring greetings and represent the ILF at the Synod, as I will have to in Atlanta during that time. I believe that Archbishop Mullan will also be celebrating his 70th birthday at that time.
The plans for our July meeting are nearly complete, and once again, I urge everyone to make every attempt to attend. The Synod meeting will bring East, Center, West and International constituencies’ together and important decisions need to be made. I feel confident that God has special plans for us in the ILF, and this Synod meeting can be just the opportunity we need to prepare for the great works that God has planned for us in the coming years. Our meeting place at the Pallottine Renewal Center is ideal for our purpose. Renewal will be our theme and goal.
We have several candidates for rostering to be discussed at the sessions and many important items of business to consider.
The Feast of the Resurrection is a time for joy and hope. May God bestow upon each and every one of you His richest blessings!
++ Robert Hotes
President/Presiding Bishop
International Lutheran Fellowship
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Notes from Around the ILF
Following are some notes and comments that have been received at the ILF Central Office of by the Presiding Bishop. News and information items are always warmly accepted. Please forgive any omissions or misstatements. They are always unintentional.
+ Congratulations to Pr. Scott Bieker of Galilee Mission on the wedding of his son, Jordan, to Ms. Neide Interiano in Sacramento on April 14th, The Officiant was Pr. James Townsend, a wonderful friend of the ILF and of Pr. Scott. Pr. Scott was the Celebrant at the liturgy. The couple can count on prayers from all of us in ILF.
There is great news from our ILF California ministries, Dean Schedler and Pr. Bieker, as well as from ILF’s good friend Pr. Townsend. It is our hope and prayer to have them at Synod with us.
+ Bp. Aubrey + Bougher has been busy as usual in both pastoral and episcopal ministries. We are all grateful for the many things that he does for the ILF --- including editing and producing the ILF NEWS.
In the absence of Bishop ++ Hotes, Bp. + Aubrey will serve as the official ILF delegate at the 70th Anniversary Synod of Christ Catholic Church International in Niagara Falls. They are one of our sister churches and dedicated servants of the Gospel.
Archbishop ++ Mullan, CCCI primate and our brother bishop, has not been well and your prayers are asked. They will elect a coadjutor at the Synod. The ILF PB cannot attend, as he must be in Atlanta during that time period for his work with Southern Illinois University.
Prayers are also asked for SEC Presiding Bishop ++ H. C. Manning Jr., and for our Presiding Bishop emeritus, George and wife Amy, as they travel in Asia
Presiding Bishop ++ Robert continues his ministries in parochial Word and Sacrament, educational ministries, and hospital ministries, as well as episcopal service for the Central Ministerium and ILF CEO functions. He also now has charge of the web site. If anyone feel moved by the Spirit to help, please let him know.
We ask prayers for his nephew and niece, Thomas and Theresa Hotes, who are expecting twins.
Lynn Hotes continues in her ministries, employing music and art. Brothers and Sisters, please remember them in your prayers.
Prayers are also asked for Fr, Colin Werling as he considers the possibility of a new pastoral call, and also for our Franciscan Order, OSF-L. Father Larry as Superior and Father Bill as Novice Master are walking in God’s grace in this enterprise.
We have hopes that they and others of the OSF-L will be at Synod. Fr. Bill has offered to present a proposed plan for spiritual growth and evangelical renewal. We also ask prayers for healing for Fr. Scott Christensen, and for Fr. David Roger’s ministry.
Bishop + Johnson and VP Faith report being well and busy and have traveled to Florida recently. Also returning from Travels in Florida are Deacons Kenny (ILF Treasurer) and Charlotte Johnson. Thanks to God for their safe return.
Special prayers are also requested for George Naylor at this time. The PB’s office does not have any specific details at this time.
Deacon and ILF Sam Soopersaud recently returned from Guyana for the World Cup and Deacon Sevika plans a trip there this month. Blessings on her voyage and thank God for Sam’s safe return.
We have two new candidates for rostering with the ILF: Fr. Richard Shorfleet and Bp. Larry Hoyt. We hope to meet them soon and to be able to welcome them as rostered clergy upon vote by the Board and Synod. Plans are being made for the interview and potential consecration of Pr. Albernoz. This will entail a trip by three of the ILF bishops and Pr.Albernoz to Mexico for logistics reasons. Deacon Sam continues to work on logistics with Pr. Naag in India.
Finally, for now, the ILF Board has been holding its quarterly meetings by telephone conference, and this seems to be working. Please let the PB know of any thoughts, issues and concerns. The next meeting is scheduled for May 19th.
Please make plans to be with us in Saint Louis if at all possible. May God be with you all.
++ Robert
President/Presiding Bishop
The International Lutheran Fellowship
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