Where Christian Friends and Technology Meet

In my adult life there have been two constants. The first has been education, and I have been involved in educating youth since before I graduated from college. I have been a substitute teacher at a High School, I taught confirmation students during my vicarage (and enjoyed it!), and I continue to regularly teach an adult Bible study. Through these experiences I learned how important it is to show care and concern for all as they interact with the world.

The second constant has been technology, and over the course of time I have become proficient in many things relating to computers and technology. Mac or PC, iPhone or Android, Wireless or Wired Internet, these things don’t faze me. I handle all of them well because I’ve used computers and technology since my youth.

Because of this it seemed fitting that I would end up volunteering at the CFNA Peace Center in the After School Program computer lab. However, all my “expertise” couldn’t prepare me for the reality I faced. First, children are oftentimes a lot quicker (and sometimes more impatient) than computers. Second, technology doesn’t always work the way you want it to. Some days it was a struggle to harness a child’s energy toward the aim of helping them learn. Yet there was always a feeling of satisfaction when I could see them beginning to learn patience, cooperation, and sharing because of the technology provided available at the Peace Center.

However, among my experiences, one thing stands in my mind as the most important thing I recognized. Technology is a great tool but it can never supersede the value of human interaction. Can a child learn math and reading from a Website on a computer? Sure. But technology could never teach these children that there is someone who is willing to work with them and be there for them amidst the challenges, struggles, and joys that they experience as a friend who is there for them week-in and week-out.

Raymond Holman is a recent graduate of Concordia Seminary. He has been called to serve as Pastor at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Emporia, KS and will be ordained in early July.

I AM.

I AM.

Jesus loves us

Sarah helps art students with their cameras

“Well that’s a funny name…he says his name is I AM?”

“Yes, He is existence. He simply is. He is beyond understanding.” Pastor Bob replies and continues the story of Moses and the burning bush as students fill their pages with dancing flames of paint.

“Whoa, God is cool.” An accented voice pipes up.

“Someone else said ‘I AM’ hundreds of years later, and using metaphors, told us the kind of God that He is.”

“Jesus?” little New American voices call out.

Yes, Jesus. Youth from ages 5-14 have been learning about Jesus’ “I AM” statements from John over the past three months. We have explored drawing sheep and the Good Shepherd, studying images anywhere from provincial sheep pastures to Byzantine mosaics of Jesus with the lost sheep around his neck. Next we talked about Jesus as the Vine, and we the branches bearing good fruit. A warm spring day led us outside with paper and charcoal to draw creation from life. I am the Resurrection and the Life inspired us to create a collaborative painting depicting the scenes of Holy Week. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life led us down rural and wooded pathways. I am the Door, and I am the Light of the World are yet to come in our Saturday workshops hosted at the CFNA Peace Center in May. You can see our artwork filling the walls of the basement art room! Many thanks to our volunteers!

By Sarah Bernhardt — Holy Cross Lutheran Church

A Growing Gospel Partnership

Pastor clark signing the ministry agreement while Dr. A Buckman, Gagan gurung and doug pfitzinger look on.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).

Partnership. That’s how the apostle Paul describes his relationship, or fellowship, with the Christians in the city of Philippi. Paul had shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with the Philippians, and now they join with him in extending the Gospel to others. Because of this partnership between Paul and the Philippians, more people are served, more lives are changed, more disciples of Christ are made.

If I was asked to describe Ascension Lutheran Church’s relationship with Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) in just one word, that word would be “partnership.” The Lord has blessed both CFNA and Ascension with a vibrant ministry to, and with, refugees from Nepal. This ministry would not exist, however, if it were not for CFNA making initial contact with immigrants and connecting them to our congregation. At the same time, this work would be incomplete if were not for a local Lutheran congregation providing Word and Sacrament ministry to Nepali immigrants.

With the Lord’s blessing, this partnership continues to grow strong and prove vital to immigrant ministry. A recently updated “Ministry Agreement” between Ascension and CFNA includes the shared financial support of Gagan Gurung from Nepal as he serves as our Nepali Ministry Facilitator. Another aspect of this partnership is our congregation’s sponsorship of “New Life Lutheran Nepali Fellowship,” which meets at the CFNA Peace Center the second, third, and fourth Sundays of the month. On the first Sunday, Nepali individuals come to Ascension for worship and the Lord’s Supper. CFNA and Ascension also work together to offer a bilingual confirmation class, which currently meets on Saturday afternoons at the Peace Center.

What does the future hold for the Lutheran Nepali immigrant community? Only the Lord knows. But by God’s grace, through the partnership of Ascension and CFNA, more people will be served, more lives will be changed, more disciples of Christ will be made!

By Rev. Matt Clark

Judith Meyer - Volunteer Of The Month

Volunteer of the Month

Judith Meyer has served as coordinator of the Adopt a Student ministry for the last four years. She actually got involved with the program at its beginning seven years ago, when she was President of the Lutheran High School Association and a member of the School Board of King of Glory Lutheran School. At that time, Allan Buckman invited her to participate in writing a grant to the Lutheran Foundation to provide scholarships to Lutheran elementary schools and Lutheran High School South for children of immigrant and refugee families. In recent years, she has been primarily responsible for writing the renewal proposals that have secured continued funding for this ministry from the Lutheran Foundation.

Her favorite responsibility is her annual meeting with each of the students. She meets with each student to get some information about them and take their pictures. That information is turned into packets which she sends to each donor who helps support one of the approximately 25 annual student scholarships. She also turns information from these interviews into articles about students that appear in the CFNA E-Newsletter. As a member of Timothy, she enjoys seeing many of those students at church on a regular basis.

This year, she has also begun meeting regularly with the facilitators, those five people who work directly with the immigrant and refugee families to assure effective communication between families, schools and congregations. The number of students actually served by the facilitators now numbers more than 40, because many of the younger children receive Today and Tomorrow scholarships to attend Word of Life. Working with the facilitators has given her new insights into the challenges that the children and families face as they adjust to living in St. Louis.Finally, as chair of the Board of Directors of EAGLE College Prep Endeavor, a charter school enterprise in St. Louis, Judith has been working to assure that the new charter schools opened under the charter can serve immigrant and refugee children. These charter schools provide free public education, but also have Christian preschools and Christian after-school programs.

Congrats Sandy!

Sandy Gerber was installed April 29th as the state president of Missouri Alpha Delta Kappa.  Alpha Delta Kappa is an international honorary organization of active and retired women educators dedicated to educational excellence, altruism and world understanding. The volunteers at the Peace Center are blessed with the opportunity to donate their time and talents while serving their Lord. In working with children from so many different countries, they learn about their cultures and customs and develop a better understanding of our world. —Sandy Gerber

Congrats Sandy! Missouri educators, students, and families will be blessed by your leadership. Thanks for all you have done and are doing as part of the CFNA family.

Emily Lutes

Practicum Student, Emily Lutes writes:

I just completed my MA in TESOL from Lincoln Christian University. One of the requirements was to complete 100 hours of practicum. So, I began looking around for opportunities. I found one of those with CFNA. I have loved getting to know the students and working with the volunteers at CFNA to constantly improve the program to better meet the needs of the people. CFNA has proven to be a marvelous organization with a true heart for the Lord and International peoples. I have been blessed to work with them to teach adults English.

Lutheran Hour Ministries Feature CFNA

In the May-June 2014 issue of THE LUTHERAN LAYMAN, the cover story featured the Ministry Among New Americans.  Read the article!

Virginia Tech Students Get A+

Leta kent spends time with new american kids during the after school tutoring program

Vicar Adam Thompson and 8 college students from Virginia Tech spent part of their Spring Break with CFNA. They cleaned, scrubbed, organized, and painted with boundless enthusiasm and then they had fun loving the kids at the After School Tutoring program. Everybody went home happy. It was a visit that CFNA will never forget!

Tyler DeYoung helps woth improvements to the peace center

Gagan Gurung

CFNA New American of the Month

Gagan with rev. Matt Clark

Having grown up in Bhutan, Gagan – together with thousands of other Nepali residents – made his way to neighboring Nepal, this the result of a forced departure ordered by the government of Bhutan. At the time, Gagan was 14 years of age.

During his 22 years as a resident of Beldange 3, one of seven refugee camps in Nepal, Gagan developed a curiosity about Christianity. Through the urging of family members and the power of the Holy Spirit, this curiosity turned into commitment. On Sunday, October 13, 2002, Gagan left Hinduism to become a baptized believer in Christ.

Having been selected for resettlement in the USA, Gagan left Beldange 3 and on July 9, 2013, arrived in St. Louis. Upon arrival he immediately joined other members of his extended family, most of whom (14) had been baptized into the Christian faith at the Peace Center three years prior to his arrival. Almost immediately, Gagan joined a confirmation class and on January 12, 2014, was confirmed as an adult believer during the Sunday worship service at Ascension Lutheran Church, St. Louis.

Presently, Gagan serves on behalf of Ascension Lutheran Church and CFNA as a missionary among the Nepali people in St. Louis and beyond. In addition to personally welcoming recently arrived Nepali families with welcome packages and with food and furniture donations, Gagan also leads a 40-member home Bible study, as well as the New Life Fellowship now worshipping Sunday mornings at the Peace Center – this as a satellite of Ascension Lutheran Church. For more about New Life, read this post!

Please keep Gagan in your prayers as he pursues his most recent calling.

New Life Fellowship

Preacher Gagan Gurung

With temperatures in the 20’s accompanied by sleet, snow and a 20 mph wind, the weather was a bit uncertain for the first service of the New Life Fellowship the morning of Sunday, March 16. They came to the Peace Center anyway – more than 50 people seeking to be part of that first service. Of those gathered, 12 were visitors from established Lutheran congregations; some from as far away as Indianapolis, IN.  The remainder were from the refugee camps in Nepal, almost all of them having arrived within the past six to eight months.

Nepali singers (here pictured at ascension Lutheran Church)

Pastor-in-Training Gagan Gurung, himself a recent Nepali arrival, served as the worship leader. Having performed a similar service for a growing congregation that had been established in one of the refugee camps, Gagan was confirmed just two months ago at Ascension Lutheran Church in south City. He is also a participant in the weekly Leadership Formation Class which has been meeting at the Peace Center for the past several months.

This Fellowship is being established in partnership with Ascension Lutheran Church and will in effect, serve as a satellite of that congregation – this by virtue of a ministry agreement between CFNA (Christian Friends of New Americans) and Ascension. On the first Sunday of each month they meet at Ascension to participate in worship services there. Those who have been confirmed also receive the Lord’s Supper.

The remaining Sundays of each month the Fellowship meets at the Peace Center, which serves as a more convenient worship location for many of them. Presently, 12 of the Fellowship members are enrolled in a catechetical class taught by Pastor Matt Clark of Ascension. These classes are taught at the Peace Center.

We wish Evangelist Gagan and the members of the New Life Lutheran Fellowship our Lord’s richest blessings as they seek to reach out further into the growing Nepali refugee community in St. Louis with the hope-generating message of a living and forgiving Christ.

Students of the Month

ezekiel, ishmael, and sujan

What can bring eight year old boys born in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nepal together in St. Louis? Word of Life Lutheran School and Christian Friends of New Americans have made that happen with the Adopt a Student Ministry.

If you asked them, Ezekiel King, Ishmael Sesay and Sujan Basnet would be quick to tell you they have enjoyed their time together at Word of Life. Although they learned different languages as young children, they now all speak English fluently and that’s how they communicate with each other, most of the time. Sometimes they use Creole to talk with each other, and Ezekiel and Ishmael helped Sujan learn a little Creole so they could share some secrets. They do like to sit together at lunch.

They have different favorite subjects in third grade; Ishmael likes math, Sujan likes reading and Ezekiel’s favorite is religion. When Mrs. Klug, their teacher, assigns teams to work on projects together, sometimes they get to work with each other, but usually they team up with other classmates, and even choose others to work with when they get to pick their teammates.

All three play soccer, although Ishmael was hurt in the first practice of this season and has decided not to play this year.

Sujan and his family belong to Messiah Lutheran, while Ishmael and Ezekiel are members at Timothy. Ezekiel hopes to acolyte for the Lenten midweek services there.

Now in its sixth year, the scholarship program has provided assistance for between 25 and 30 New American students per year. Interestingly, 80 percent of them, together with their families, are now members of LCMS congregations.

By: Judith Meyer (Timothy Lutheran Church)

Volunteer of the Month

Rich Schaefer

Four years ago a good friend invited me to visit the Peace Center to see some of the services offered to recently arrived refugee families. I accepted the invitation, and having observed an evening of student tutoring, chose to become involved as well and soon found myself working with other tutors during the Tuesday evening classes.

Reflecting on that invitation, I always recall how my friend made no promises of any kind… how easy/hard it might be, how rewarding it could be, or minimalizing the time as being ‘only once a week’. None of this was ever mentioned because my friend knew that if I would just come and see, all of these questions would be addressed.

Four years on, where are these students now? One of them graduates from high school this spring. Another graduated from Word of Life Elementary School last spring, and is now a high school student. Interestingly, two sisters from among that first group now attend Sunday School and worship at Ascension Lutheran Church, where I also worship.

Most memorable have been the insights of some of these young people. All of them are from families new to this country, language and culture, for whom the Gospel message was also very new. Nevertheless, at the end of a small group discussion a few months ago I asked them to share something for which they were truly grateful.  Immediately, one of the students responded saying, “My baptism”.

Yes, God is good – all the time. But don’t take my word for it. Rather, accept this as your personal invitation to “come and see” for yourself!

By Rich Schaefer (Ascension Lutheran Church)

Health and Wellness

Dolma gurung (ascension Lutheran Church) serving as nepali interpreter for judy streufert, Rn (concordia kirkwood)

The threatening weather held off, and the Lord provided a beautiful morning for our March Health and Wellness screening. We continue to be blessed by the many willing volunteer workers that make our screenings possible.

Pastor Stanish opened the morning with an encouraging devotion based on Jesus’ feeding thousands with limited bread and fish. In addition to the spiritual needs, Jesus was concerned about the physical needs of the people. Pastor Stanish reminded us that we too, by helping the refugees at the screening, provide assistance for the physical needs of our fellow man. Our service is helpful, needed, and following Christ’s example.

Making multiple trips, four dedicated volunteer drivers brought most of the clients to the screening (the average is now between 25 and 30 per screening), and took them home afterwards.

Four volunteer translators, refugees themselves, helped to translate for our Nepali-speaking clients. Such assistance is invaluable for all—the clients, the registrars, and the practitioners. Gagan Gurung was available for translation help throughout the morning as well.

With welcoming smiles, three individuals helped with registration. Two of these volunteers are students at Saint Louis University.

Barb hartung (Ascension lutheran church) Rn, and client

Five dedicated practitioners—one physician and four nurses—volunteered their time to examine the clients. The practitioners’ insight affords clients information about their health and enables us to assist in accessing follow-up care.

After the screening, working in partnership with the International Institute and various local schools, we are able to refer identified needs, and initiate medical appointments for those seen at the screenings.

Of course, without the diligent efforts of Gagan Gurung and Richard Leigh, we would not have many clients to serve. They meet and make connections ahead of time with many of the families and individuals that come to the screenings. This initial contact enables the screening process to run more smoothly than it otherwise would, and connects them to Christian Friends of New Americans.

We look forward to our upcoming screenings. Audiologist Amy Krueger, Hear USA, will continue to assist in providing hearing screenings. Dr. Kriendler, Intero Health Care, will provide bone scans at our May screening.

By: Laura Brink (Ascension Lutheran Church)

Valentine’s Day Party 2014

Isatta enjoys a party treat

Volunteers from Webster Gardens and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches celebrated Valentine’s Day on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Peace Center on South Grand with 23 refugee kids from kindergarten to grade 6. The Valentine’s Day program was organized by volunteers from Webster Gardens Lutheran Church along with their Pastor of Children’s Ministry, Rev. Brian King, and leaders and students from Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The party started at 1:00 p.m. with children of various nationalities registering and then proceeding to the Chapel for a time of gathering with Pastor King. Chapel time included singing of songs of praise and a message of God’s love in Christ Jesus for all people. Everyone had a great afternoon of fellowship, playing games such as Bingo, making Valentine cards, decorating cupcakes etc. The joy of kids along with the helpful interactions of volunteers made the occasion a truly memorable one for all present.

Making valentines

At the center of this celebration was the message of “sharing and love” exhibited by the volunteers from Webster Gardens and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches. Through their interaction with Peace Center kids, believers from these churches reminded the children that in spite of our different ethnicities, God’s people consider it a blessing to spend time and share their resources with others in need. The party was a witness to the truth that God in Christ is our true “Valentine” for He has laid down His life in love for all, as all are in need of redemption from sin. God loves little children, including those who have been uprooted from their native land. God welcomes the Peace Center kids to be a part of His great community of “sharing and love.”

By Rev. Stanish Stanley

Heart to Heart Sisters Meet at the Peace Center

The nepali singers

Fun, fellowship, ethnic appetizers and a Bible study, “Naomi, Ruth and Me” was the agenda followed as thirty-one ladies from twelve countries gathered on January 18, 2014. A light snowfall, beautiful ethnic dresses, laughter and smiles, Nepali music and singing mixed with a medley of accents marked the first Heart to Heart Sisters meeting at the Peace Center

Heart to Heart sisters

.Heart to Heart Sisters is the branch of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) that focuses on welcoming immigrant, refugee, and minority group women and encourages them to share their faith journey, their rich heritage, and their spiritual strength. Many of these women have gone through the fires of persecution, loneliness, and tragedy. They are strong women that will encourage and enrich our church. We are honored by the presence of these young women, these moms, and these matriarchs. We are honored, too, by the presence of a sprinkling of LWML ladies with “international hearts” joining these friends from around the world.

By Carol Buckman

Govinda Ghalley - New American Of The Month

NEW AMERICAN OF THE MONTH

Now 18 years of age, Govinda arrived in St. Louis three years ago together with his parents, a brother and a sister. Govinda and his family were relocated to the USA as refugees from Nepal, and came to St. Louis as followers of the Hindu tradition. A little over a year ago all of them were baptized at Messiah Lutheran Church and are now members of that congregation. Now a member of the Church Council, Govinda credits the Home Bible Study led by Rev. Sam Thompson as the gateway to his baptism and membership at Messiah.

A few months ago, Govinda became involved with CFNA in the capacity of Facilitator for its Adopt A Student scholarship program. As such, he is responsible for assisting the children of New Americans, especially those from Nepal, with enrollment in Word of Life Lutheran School and the recently established Eagle Prep charter school. Led by Dr. Matt Hoehner, Eagle Prep meets on the campus of the former King of Glory Lutheran School located adjacent to St. Johns Lutheran Church.

Govinda is also enrolled in a pre EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology) class taught by Dr. Hoehner. EIIT is the certification program established by Concordia Seminary for the purpose of providing a route to ordination for lay leaders, primarily New Americans. Govinda plans to enroll in the EIIT program this fall.

If you were to ask Govinda, he would be quick to tell you his dream is to become a Lutheran pastor. Please join us in welcoming Govinda to ministry among New Americans.

Twenty-One Baptisms and One Adult Confirmation of Nepali Christians Celebrated

One of the main aspects of the season of Epiphany is the recognition that Jesus Christ is the Savior who has come for all nations. This wonderful truth was very much evident at Ascension Lutheran Church in St. Louis on Sunday, January 12 during the congregation's 11 am service where 21 Nepali worshipers were baptized and one adult, Gagan Gurung, was confirmed.

Over the past three years, Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) helped connect these new Americans from Nepal to Ascension for Word and Sacrament ministry. Thanks to the dedication of many lay volunteers, 20-25 Nepali worshipers get a ride to and from worship at Ascension each Sunday morning. At Ascension, Nepali Christians participate in a bilingual Bible study, worship, and enjoy fellowship.

The partnership between CFNA and Ascension is reminiscent of the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

Individuals from CFNA, Ascension, and the Nepali community have labored among this group of immigrants, and yet God is the One who has given this growth. May the Lord of the harvest continue to bless the work of CFNA and the congregations with which they partner!

By: Rev. Matt Clark, Ascension Lutheran Church

Photos by LCMS Communications/Eric M. Lunsford

See all the pictures at the LCMS Photo Site.

Christmas at Holy Cross

Mandira Tamang, Buddhi Tamang, Beki guragai

There was joy. Resounding, loud, wild, excited joy filled the hallways and old classrooms of the school building at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. The world was there in all sorts of accents and colors—and there was joy.

Approximately 70 children and adults gathered on Monday December 16th to celebrate the Joy of the Christ child with Christmas festivities. Warm food and drink started the evening off as youth and adults visited, sharing conversation and even some sharing their dinners. Youth divided into age groups and created ornament crafts as well as playing games and transforming friends into tissue paper Christmas trees!

Joy continued as the group marched over to the Holy Cross sanctuary, pouring itself out in songs and scripture readings. Pastor Bob Bernhardt shared a message of hope and trust reflecting on the good plan of God to send a Savior to our broken world, and someday restore our full joy in His New Creation. Children cheered as heartfelt thank yous were shared with tutors and leaders of CFNA. The evening closed as children received gifts donated by Village Lutheran Church and SLU’s Filipino Student Association, and then skipped away with siblings and chaperones taking joyful hearts home to share!

The Lord has come and the Lord is coming—Joy to the World!

By:  Sarah Bernhardt

Space Heaters for New Americans

gagan gurung, Mani gurung

During the recent cold snap, with wind chill temperatures at times nearly -30 degrees, sufficient heat in homes and apartments became a genuine concern. In response to a CFNA appeal sent out shortly before Christmas, 30 space heaters were received from numerous generous donors. Each heater was received with much gratitude.

Through the good efforts of CFNA volunteers and facilitators, especially Mr. Gagan Gurung, these were distributed to New American families either prior to or during the cold weather. It is estimated approximately 125 New Americans were the beneficiaries of this effort. A majority of the recipients had arrived in St. Louis from refugee camps in Nepal within the past six months. All credit to Gagan for quickly identifying the most needy families.

As with all refugees, they arrived with very little.  In addition, some were experiencing heating problems, as was the family of Mani Gurung. His rented home had been without heat for the previous three days, forcing the family to move in with others.

For Mani and all the recipients, the heaters were received as a most fitting Christmas gift from those in the Lutheran community who took this opportunity to be of service, responding as Christian friends.

Nepali Singers Surprise TRIVIA NIGHT Attendees

By Bonnie Matzat — Photos by Ron Virus

CFNA held its sixth annual Trivia Night on Saturday, November 16th, at Webster Gardens Lutheran Church and with approximately 225 participants; it was their largest Trivia Event to date. Significant for CFNA, the number of New American participants was also the largest – perhaps 30 or more. To the delight of everyone, Nepali Singers led by Gagan Gurung sang Thy Loving Kindness in Nepali and in English, and captured the essence of CFNA.

Pastor Joel Christiansen welcomed the attendees who enjoyed a light supper of chili and snacks. Following the meal, trivia competition and bingo games began. Joanie Harwell and Stanish Stanley read this year’s trivia questions. Jerry and Joyce Birk served as bingo callers. Throughout the evening, a silent auction was held. There was a grand offering of sale baskets, gift certificates, and an assortment of useful and interesting items.

Many helping hands contributed to the success of the evening. Volunteers sought donated items for the silent auction and picked them up, prepared food, organized auction items, managed ticket sales, set up tables and chairs, and served in various other ways. CFNA extends its sincere thanks to each and every one of them.

CFNA is especially grateful to the congregation of Webster Gardens Lutheran Church for the use of their facilities and for their helpful support. Appreciation is also expressed to the Christ for Youth Charities Foundation and to several Thrivent chapters providing matching funds.

Thanks to all who came, all who served, and to other generous donors!