Headlines:
           From the Senior
           In Memoriam: William Henry Lazareth
           Within the Society:
                       Chaplain's Manuals
                       2008 General Retreat Leaders
                       Bilingual Hymnal
                       Best Wishes
           Chapter News
           From the Vicar
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In Memoriam: William Henry Lazareth

William H. Lazareth, STS, Bishop Emeritus of the Metropolitan New York Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and fellow brother in the Society died on February 23, 2008 in Bar Harbor, Maine. The following reflection is contributed by Rodney Eberhardt, Dean of the Metro New York Chapter of the Society, of which Bishop Lazareth was a member. A memorial service was held at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, White Plains, N.Y., April 26, 2008. We print Pr. Eberhardt's reflection for the benefit of Society members who were not able to be present. A private funeral was held in Bar Harbor for the family.

On April 26, 2008, members of the Society of the Holy Trinity gathered with the clergy and laity of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to remember and honor The Most Reverend William Henry Lazareth, STS, Bishop Emeritus of the Metro New York Synod, former head of the Faith and Order Secretariat of the World Council of Churches, distinguished professor, pastor, and ecumenist.

In the memorial Eucharist that was celebrated at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in White Plains, N.Y., the congregation was reminded that Bishop Lazareth's first love was teaching. In all his varied service to the church throughout the years, he was first and foremost and always the consummate teacher. His passion for and fidelity to the Lutheran confessional tradition in and for the one holy catholic and apostolic church was the guiding principle of his lifelong service to the church. He was, as Fr. John Neuhaus reminded the congregation, one of the principal architects of a confessional vision that regarded the Lutheran confessional tradition as both evangelical and catholic. It was that vision that led Bishop Lazareth into his many ecumenical commitments with both Roman Catholics and the Orthodox. Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, the document drafted under his direction as the head of the Faith and Order Secretariat of the World Council of Churches, was an expression of that catholic and evangelical witness and was the most significant ecumenical accomplishment of the twentieth century. This document sought to return the church to the agreed-upon foundation of the eighth and ninth centuries and to work forward toward a unity that would be visible for all the world to see. This document continues to challenge us with opportunities that we have yet to take up seriously.

The Bishop's evangelical catholic vision and his commitment to the unity of the church was instrumental in shaping the Rule of the Society of the Holy Trinity at its inception. Bishop Lazareth was deeply grateful for the witness of the Society in a troubled time and he clearly identified with the commitments and goals of the Society. It was his last request that the memorial rites for his burial be conducted under the auspices of the Society of the Holy Trinity.

In the words of William Shakespeare, "the good is oft interred with their bones." The greatest tribute and honor we could pay to this faithful bishop would be to pick up the legacy he has left us and renew our efforts to take seriously the challenges to ethical life and unity that he has left in his body of written and spoken work for us to appropriate. If we would honor him, let us commit ourselves not just in word but in deed to his evangelical vision of confessional commitment for the sake of the whole church of Christ. More importantly, let us renew our commitment in both word and deed to the supremacy of the biblical Word as the witness to Christ who is the Word made flesh and the Lutheran Confessions as the faithful expression of the living Word that shapes and norms the life and practice of the Lutheran Church.

Rest eternal grant him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him. Amen.

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Within the Society

CHAPLAIN'S MANUALS AVAILABLE

At the request of the Senior, David Wendel, STS, who served as chaplain for the 2007 general retreat, has prepared a detailed manual for whomever is invited to serve as chaplain for general retreats.

Pr. Wendel has also prepared a manual that provides instruction and guidance for all serving as chaplains at chapter retreats of the Society. As the Society grows, there is a need for such a manual to regularize worship at chapter retreats and ensure services are in accordance with the Rule of the Society, our customs, and practices. Copies of the "Chaplain's Manual for Chapter Retreats" have been sent via e-mail to chapter deans and is posted on the Society Web site.

LEADERS IN PLACE FOR 2008 GENERAL RETREAT

Luther Mathsen, STS, dean of the Minnesota Chapter, will serve as chaplain for the 2008 general retreat at St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill., October 14-16. He will be assisted by Pari Bailey, STS, also in the Minnesota Chapter, who will serve as cantor. For several years now we have had both a chaplain and a cantor working as a team to prepare and lead worship at the general retreat. They have often been members of the same chapter.

The teaching theologians for the 2008 general retreat will be Dr. Paul Lehninger, Professor of Church History at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, Wis., and Eugen Lehrke, STS, director of the St. Andrew by the Sea Prayer Center in Silver Bay, Minnesota. We will be focusing on two marks of the church: Holy Communion and the Office of the Keys. There is much to say about all of these marks, so the Senior has asked these brothers to address specific difficult issues. Pr. Lehninger will address the issue of "Eucharist and Church Fellowship" from a historical perspective. Pr. Lehrke will address the issue of "The Office of the Keys and the Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness" from historical, theological, and pastoral perspectives. The Senior will arrange for responders to each of these addresses.

A complementary copy of Oramos Cantando/We Pray in Song: Songs and Psalms for Latino/Anglo Communities is available to readers of De Trinitate through the Bilingual Ministry Resource Center, based at Santa Cruz and First Lutheran Churches, in Joliet, Ill. (Keith Forni, STS, Director). Published by GIA Publications, Inc., the paperback songbook offers 86 classic and contemporary hymns with complete English and Spanish texts. Oramos Cantando is a preview edition of a larger Hymnal for Latino/Anglo Communities. Call Lucia Sanchez at 815-722-4800 or send an e-mail to Kforni@aol.com by June 25th for your free songbook. The first 25 responses are assured a copy, postage paid.

We are happy to report that surgery for prostate cancer on our Webmaster, Steven Tibbetts, STS, has been successful and there is no indication that the cancer had spread. He has been at home recuperating and being pampered by the members of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peoria, Ill. Pr. Tibbetts, who was born in Hollywood but plays in Peoria, is grateful for the prayers of the Society.

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Chapter News

CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
Dean, Richard O. Johnson, california@societyholytrinity.org

The California Chapter met May 19-20 at St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, Calif. Our guest was the Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, pastor of St. Andrew Russian Greek Catholic Church in El Segundo, Calif., and the Ecumenical Officer for Cardinal Mahoney, Archbishop of Los Angeles. He led us in discussion of "The Filioque and Mary: Church Dividing Issues?" We also spent some time discussing the two recent proposed statements of pastoral guidance developed by the Society's Leadership Council. Peter Garrison, STS, served as chaplain.

CHESAPEAKE-POTOMAC CHAPTER
Dean, Michael Guy, chesapeake-potomac@societyholytrinity.org

The Chesapeake-Potomac Chapter gathered at the Trinitarian Monastery and Spiritual Center in Baltimore, Md., for a 24-hour retreat, May 5-6. In addition to observance of the Liturgy of the Hours, the Eucharist was celebrated at the close of the retreat. Nine members of the chapter were present. Teaching theologian was the Rev. Dr. Robert Robinson, professor of Hebrew and Old Testament at Lutheran Theological Seminary-Philadelphia, who led the chapter in a study of "Praying and Preaching the Psalms."

The chapter will gather for a day retreat on August 15, the Feast of Mary, Mother of Our Lord, at Church of the Holy Comforter, Washington, D.C.
                — Reported by Rod L. Ronneberg, STS, Chesapeake-Potomac Chapter

GREAT RIVERS CHAPTER
Dean, Timothy D. Hubert, greatrivers@societyholytrinity.org

The Great Rivers Chapter met May 5-6 at Toddhall Retreat Center, Columbia, Ill. Our teaching theologian was John Schmeling, STS, speaking on "The Impact of Religion on North America." Pr. Schmeling has been picked by the United Nations to participate in their study of this issue. Timothy Hubert, STS, was chaplain. We kept in our prayers our brother, Steven Tibbetts, STS, as he recovers from surgery. Nine members and two visitors were present.

GUADALUPE RIVER CHAPTER-IN-FORMATION
Contact, Ralph W. Reitmeyer, RWReit@aol.com

The Guadalupe River Chapter-in-Formation is meeting July 21-22 at the Cedarbrake Renewal Center in Belton, Tex.

MINNESOTA CHAPTER
Dean, Luther M. Mathsen, minnesota@societyholytrinity.org

The Minnesota Chapter met April 28-29 at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minn., for an Easter contemplative retreat.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS CHAPTER
Dean, Keith L. Forni, northernillinois@societyholytrinity.org

The Northern Illinois Chapter gathered for a day retreat on May 14 (Commemoration of St. Matthias, Apostle) at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, South Bend, Ind. Jeff Zell, STS, served as host and chaplain. Dean Keith Forni, STS, preached. Common study and discussion focused on Reconstructing Pastoral Theology: A Christological Foundation, by Andrew Purves. (Westminster John Knox Press, 2004).

A summer social gathering is being proposed, with an evening picnic and concert at Chicago's Millennium Park (Grant Park Music Festival / Pritzker Pavilion). For details, contact the dean at 815-722-4800 or northernillinois@societyholytrinity.org.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
Dean, Brad Everett, rockymountain@societyholytrinity.org

The Rocky Mountain Chapter is pleased to have Fred Schumacher, STS, as the teaching theologian for our May 25-27 retreat at the FCJ Retreat Centre in Calgary, Alberta. We have arranged for Pr. Schumacher to give a public lecture on icons before the retreat, to which we have invited local Lutheran as well as Orthodox congregations.

Thanks to the member from Indiana who sent me information on a pastor interested in the Society who recently moved to our part of the world (southern Saskatchewan), I have had the chance to exchange e-mails with him. One of our members who is closer (only five hours away as opposed to eight) will attend his installation service. We have had two seminarians attend our retreats (no small feat as the seminary is at least six hours away) based on contact with our members. Just a reminder of the importance of keeping in contact and sharing information with each other.

SANGRE DE CRISTO CHAPTER
Dean, David M. Wendel, pr-wendel@saintlukes-cs.org

The Sangre de Cristo Chapter, together with the Guadalupe River Chapter-in-Formation, met May 8-9 at the Franciscan Retreat Center, Colorado Springs, Colo., with 11 in attendance. Frank Senn, STS Senior, presented on the topic "The Development of the Eucharistic Prayer and Usage within Lutheranism." Peter Jacobson, STS, served as chaplain. In attendance were pastors from Phoenix, Ariz.; Wichita and Wilson, Kans.; Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Universal City, Tex., as well as one seminarian and one Baptist minister in the ELCA candidacy process. Parish visitations have also begun and, in spite of the great distances between our parishes, will be completed this year.

UPSTATE NEW YORK CHAPTER
Dean, Troy A. Mulvaine, upstate.newyork@societyholytrinity.org

The Upstate New York Chapter of the Society will gather August 21-22 at the St. Margaret's Retreat Center in New Hartford, N.Y. We will continue to discuss and contemplate the seven marks of the church, focusing this session on Confession and Absolution.

WISCONSIN CHAPTER
Dean, Mark W. Knappe, pastor@fallsgloriadei.com

The Wisconsin Chapter gathered in retreat on May 19-20 at St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, Wis. The retreat was a time of renewal in the week of the feast of the Holy Trinity. Joel Schmaltz, STS, preached at the Eucharist, and Dean Mark W. Knappe, STS, led the chapter in praying the offices. We discussed the Society's "Pastoral Guide Concerning the Language of Worship" as well as brother David Wendel's guidelines for serving as retreat chaplain.

We are planning some social gatherings this summer, over brats and beverages indigenous to our homeland. We are the Wisconsin chapter, after all.

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From the Vicar

The Society is in the middle of its three-year concentration on the Church's seven marks as spelled out by Martin Luther—Baptism, Scriptures, Supper, Forgiveness, Prayer, Ministry, and Cross. While flooding us with the richness of the marks, the concentration is demonstrating that the marks are an authentic template for this time, one throbbing with the Life of the Holy Trinity.

Because the template is dominated by the Trinity, it shapes and sustains the Lord's parish communities. It enables us to pick our biblical and confessional way through the attitudes and actions pulsing through our Lutheran church structures. The template also gives those structures a significant foundation to which they can return and from which they can be re-built, through the Spirit's working, as the Lord's Church.

First, the marks are dominated by the actions of the Holy Trinity. The marks are brought to the surface through the lasering effect of the Lord's Word. That Word bores in on us from eternity, shattering the life given by the world at birth and unleashing the Life given at Baptism.

Second, the marks reveal how much of the world's attitudes and actions have penetrated the various Lutheran church structures. Among those structures there is little, or no, mention of the natural desire to have everything spinning out from ourselves, let alone confessing that desire. There is a growing distance, too, from the Food of the Holy Trinity, either by building worldly walls around it or shoving it to the side.

Third, the marks reveal the rescuing ways out of the unbiblical and unconfessional chaos impacting our parish communities. The lasering effect of the Word exposes the worldly attitudes and actions that are infecting our structures. The Word rips into this self-absorption, which dominates our lives so easily. Such tearing is experienced every week by faithful preachers as they wrestle with the assigned passages for given Sundays.

Fourth, the marks reveal rich teaching possibilities for our parish communities. They give new depth and meaning to parish realities like children's sermons, biblical study groups, and pastoral visits. The marks lead us into Martin Luther's Large Catechism where understandings can increase in Baptism, Forgiveness, and Supper. The marks immerse us in the teachings of the early Church fathers along with the documents in the Book of Concord.

Fifth, the marks show how free-wheeling Lutheran church structures have become as they attempt to create templates other than the one imbedded in the Holy Trinity. They show, too, the sterility and dryness of those same structures as they, consciously and unconsciously, emerge as the Pharisees we are always confronting in the Gospels.

Sixth, the marks sort through the history and practices of the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican traditions. The distinctive (though not exclusive) Lutheran view is that a church's structure is bracketed by the Word and the Cross, the exclusive realities and actions of the Holy Trinity. Such a perspective also exposes the puzzle of Lutheran church structures trying to borrow or learn from Protestant or non-denominational churches that are captive to the culture surrounding them.

The world's life, driven by its prince, Satan, will fight this concentration on many levels, diluting our attempts to proclaim, serve, and teach the Lord's Word. That is why we have been inundated with popular teaching and shallow preaching. But the world's life, thankfully, has been overwhelmed by the Life of the Holy Trinity. That Life surfaces in the Church's seven marks whenever the Lord's Word is having its lasering effect of shattering and rebuilding. We are deeply grateful for that saving reality and for the authentic template that streams from it!

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Copyright © 2008 Society of the Holy Trinity. All rights reserved.
Posted -- 15 June 2008