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Show c2 The Salt Lake Tribune RELIG Unitarian Universalist Association Growing Steadily Archaeologist 4 percent annualrise exceedsthat of many mainline churches Tomb of Jesus tion’s spiritual andsocialhealth It is an alternative to “nostalgic” and “authoritarian” religion, Buehrenssaid. “People who are coming here BY JOHN BOUDREAU can’t besatisfied with more ortho- KNIGHT RIDDER NEW: dox religion but have deep spiri tual needs,” said the Rev. David WALNUTCR! Sammons, pastor of Mount Diablo not exactly the Great Awakening. Unitarian Universalist Church. It’s more like the Small Stirring. The Unitarian Universalist As: e's seen his congregation growto morethan500people. “Thereis a need for a very lib- sociation, the 215,000-memberdenomination with roots going back backgrounds and philosophies whose common ground is justice-making.” Indeed, four Buddhists sit on the association's board of trustees. The be afraid of gay people. That is ab: d. “What they are doing, in my view. is not authentic faith. It is exactly a surge, the modest rise theassociation. Althoughit is not who don't want to park their erybody toa commodity. Weneedto brains at the doorof the church,” exceeds that of many mainline Protestant churches. Buehrens said. “We are areligious community without creed, open to build common barriers against a market economy that has norespect for humanvalues.” critical reflection, full of people among the faithful is thriving, the from a wide variety of is unethical, he said. And some churchleaders, the ognize Jesus as divine. “We don't quibble over whatyoubelieve about him, but what do you do with his gift,” Buehrenssaid. Heis critical of some conservative Christian organizations, which Buehrenssaidcanfosterfear. “An awful lot of the appeal of the religious right is to people who are frightened about pluralism and social change,” he said, “Someoftheir In an age when conservatism civil rights movement, can play a significant rele in society. president added, “say you should eral, open, humanistic churchlike us among the churches on thereligious spectrum,” Sammonssaid “There are millions of people is grow- which participated in the 1960s organization does notofficially rec- ing. Membership is increasing about 4 percent a ye aid the Rev. John Buehrens, president of to the Puritanpilgrims, A system that prevents many people from participating in the country’s bountiful opportunities merely a spreading of fear. They call people back to false comforts, like the superiority of one group over another. That's not grounded in thebest of the biblical faith tradition, which calls us to justice, loving mercy and walking fear is basedon the waythelaissez. faire economic society reduces ev- Buehrens called homele humbly.” Tobesure, the association has a relatively small presence on the Americanreligious landscape, with slightly more than 1,000 con: gregations nationwide, including about 20 in the Bay Area. But Buehrens believes his church, ss “immoral” blemish on this nation. Today, he sees Unitarian Universalists as leaders in achieving rights for gays andlesbiansand in speaking out against the growing gap betweentherich and the poor. The churchseesitself in the vanguard of religious progres- sives. In 1850, Unitarians were perhapsthefirst in the world to ordain women. More than 50 percent of church ministers are now women. The church has been crdaining openly gay and lesbian people for 30 years, and has blessed same-sex marriages for twe decades. “Weare playing a key role in reviving interfaith cooperation and a progressivereligious move- ment,” he said. “There hasn't been an effective, broad, progressive religious coalition since the civil rights era.” working a second job at night to send them al] to college. She in- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS structed juvenile delinquents and special education teachers in Antioch College’s Philadelphia program for10 years. WILLINGBORO, N.J Louisa ‘oce has spent her entirelife in ay hurch, She finds solace at times of She began teaching Sunday school when she was just 12 years. trouble in her favorite hymn, “Lead Me, Guide Me,” and in scripture, Psalm 46: God is our old, sang in the choir and even considered becoming a nun. Over the years, she has served on the refuge and strength . When sheretired, Groce devoted her energies to the church. She was active in the Camden church council and even run her nas a lay minister. at age 81, Groce is embarking on a newspiritual mission. She has answered a call to becomethe first octogenarian and oldest person everordained bythe Evangeli ‘al Lutheran Church in Lutheranparish as a lay associate and then becamea lay minister at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in south Philadelphia. She eventually enrolled in the Philadelphia seminary — not to become a pastor, but simply to learn more about the Bible. She to me that God had a plan all along,” Groce said. * wasn’t aware of theplan, but God was stunned when Bishop Roy Riley of the New Jersey Synod in- had it. I'm a living witness to the power of God if you will let him lead you.” vited her in 1996 to consider ordination. child in west Philadelphia, where know how old I am?’ ”recalled Groce. She underwenta stringent re- Her journey into the history books of the5.2 million-member Lutherandenomination beganasa “T called him and! said, ‘Do you she attended a predominantly view by a candidacy committee before being certified for the sem. black Missouri Synod Lutheran church As a young woman, she wanted to become a nun, but was prohib- TheAssociated Press Louisa Groce stands for a portrait in her Willingboro, N.J., home. She taught schoolfor 30 years andraised five daughters, working a secondjobatnight to send them all to college. ited because she did not attend a parochial school. Back then, she believed it would be difficult for her to become a pastor in the con servative Missouri Synod as a Groce to view her age as another obstacle to church service. Concerned about being stereotyped, she never disclosed it until recently The minute you begin to think you're ving downhill. you do, Grove id during a recent inter view at her home. don’t have any limitations right now. For what I want to do graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in May and took herfinal step toward ordination on July 11. That day she delivered a call sermon to a northern New Jersey congregation that immedi ately elected her asits pastor Once accepted by the congrega tion, Groce began a ministry at Redeemer Lutheran Church in black and a woman Six decadeslater, Groce refuses Jersey City at an age ¥ 1 most pastors have long since retired Philip Krey, dean of the seminary now I'm just starting. mentioned Groce’s unique calling in a Lenten sermon, noting that ‘she is older than Abraham[was] when he left for the promised land.” “It's very unusual for anyoneof retirement age to have become ordained in our church,” said Mark Staples, a spokesman forthe Luth: will pastor, she replied unhesitat s God gives me Apetite woman, Groceis fuil of energy and maintains an active lifestyle. She exercises regularly anddoes not smoke, drink alcohol ortake medication not even an aspirin 'mnotfeeling old,” she s Groce is accustomedto tackling challenges. A single mother, she eran seminary Groce expects parishioners to have concerns about her health t and how many years she will be able to serve. Asked how long she school in Philadelphia for 's andraised five daughters, inary. She was placed on analternative study track because of her credentials and extensive back. groundin the church. “Whatis mostnoticeable about Louisa is not her age it is her faithfulness and her willingnes: followher Lordintodiscipleship, Riley said. “She is just a remark: ablepei Groce is the second Lutheran pastorin her family. Her younger brotheris a retired pastor. “It will be awesome,” Groce said, her eyes welling with tears. Throughit all, she has modes downplayed her accompli ments. ing, “I don’t really see thebig deal.” “Noneof this is mydoing. It’s all due to the glory of God.” Christian Coalition Down But Not Out; publicized re ans: the sa of Ita toni leghl Neht'to gain 10, RELIGION NEWS WASHINGTON is a true blue SERVICE Christian Coalition who co-chair Polk Cour deficit us ic r he ald just yet," he said during a break at the group's annual twoRoad to Victory” conven: which ended here a week age ; Miller might well have been widely BAPTIST All Saints Baptist Churet a sharp d d and a reported that top: ve group around. Don't count not been ing its Fall/Winter Bible Studies staf? Allergy merits the attention it gets. It’s still the biggest Christian conser meeting regularly and “we're not vetting younger people in,” he said, “It’s a real lull for us. Miller's appraisal of the coalition’s current condition reflect the 10-year-old group's level ‘ wem to paint picture of an orga nization in terminal decline. On that point, however, Miller takes exception The Christian Coalition still “a couple of activists has high isn «J membership fg ike it” His own chapter of tt 1 ilties, including donations re lowa, chapter. He makes no « to hide his concern over happened to t premier politic al powerhou! I'd say the coalition has pla teaued, hopefully no worse,” the 36-year-old data processing worker said, “We've be n hurt by what's happened, no doubt about dozen” np tion: of th the or vization’s tane Larry Mille supporter iting the convention's hold fol official Call 943-194 mantra. the and 1988 ublican presi the sup added, Republicans cannot win in ship service at 11:15 a.m. Call 4 280-6088 he Wasatch Deanery invites al inter stion in the Cath. olfChurch to attend a meeting Tuesday, i.e 1. at All Saints Episcopal ' §. Foothill} Drive, « Salt Lake Church, 1710 vent ‘Sunday, Il be held 9 a.m, 4 atten- coalition, headquarteredin Ches abeake, Va om. ULLETIN B GREEK ORTHODOX Greek Orthodox Church will havethe Jr. G.O.Y.A, meet with the newassistant Matthew Gilbert, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at the Prophet Elias Church, 6335 §, Highland Drive, Salt Lake City. Call 828-9681 a LUTHERAN describes the status of the stone in Biblical Archeology Review of Washington,D.C. He says the New Testament depiction fits what we know from trances were indeed covered by massive blocking stones to avoid ritual impurity and to keep out scavenging animals. But contrary to what most people imagine, Kloner is convinced that the stone was square, not round. Thus it would have been pulled away, not rolled away, when the women found Jesus’ tomb empty on Easter morning. In most English-language Bibles, John 20:1 says the stone was “removed” or “taken away,” in which case the stone could have been either round or square. However, the three parallel passages in other Gospels (Matthew 28:2, Mark 16:3-4, Luke 24:2) arealways translated as saying the stone was “rolled” away, indicating it was round. Is the Bible wrong? No, says Kloner, but our English translations might be. The original Greek verb “kulio” can mean “roll,” “dislodge” or “move.” So which is it? He says archaeology cantell us. During what's known as the Second Temple period (100 B.C. to A.D. 70), tombs had either round or square stones. More than 900 burial caves or tombs have been found from that period in the Jerusalem area. Only four of these had round (disk-shaped) blocking stones. The rare round stones were foundonly inlarge, distinguished tombsfor the wealthy that had at least two rooms or, in one in- stance, a spacious hail. Such family tombsheld several bodies, and the round stone, placed between two parallel walls on a sort of track, could be easily rolled away for additional burials One well-known exampleis the so-called Tomb of Herod’s Family, located behind the modern-day King David Hotel. Another is the tomb of Queen Helena, north of the id City near the AmericanColonyHotel. Perhaps Joseph of Arimathea, wholoaned the tomb for Jesus, was wealthyenough to have such a family burial place. But Kloner insists the Gospels contain clues that argueagainst a large tomb. Judging from Mark 15:47 and John 20:1, the tomb was so small that people could peer in from outside and see where Jesus’ body was placed. John 20:11 is especially important: “Mary stood Starting Sut ea two't qi cn tting Out as two sey ship sit on a stone that had beenrolled away. (And a square stone would commonstarting in the second centu ey Sete ie Hs) Seo EGrrect and Jesus was buried wherethe Churchof the Holy Sep: _ichre now stands. But apparently nothing of the tomb itself all 965-8484 presentation, For information on where Pastors Tom'and Toni Garza and Evange- 1471 §, 1800 Rast, Salt LakeCity. He will Q to send submissions, call 581-7127 MISCELLANEOUS @ Walter Starcke, author of it's All Victory Outreach and Majestic Minis- God,will speak Sunday at 9:30 and 11. a.m tries present, That Old Time Revival, with at the Clayton Middle School auditorium, list Rene Gomez, Friday, 6:90 p.m., at the discussthe roots of spiritual foundations Redwood Multipurpose Center, 3100 S. and look at the 2ist century nthe Redwood Road, Salt Lake City. Call ingof jmeornomor mad divinity divine) derstand power and 967-5068 Our Lady Of The Mountain Retreat House invites all to Prayer Day, Wednes Granger, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church House, growth of members could no longer be 392-0231 Matthew's Lutheran Church was ex ists Center announces panded and built in March 1992. The new stones in Second Temple times would have made it impossible to vives ship Gay, 9:90 a.tn. to p.m, ai the OLMRe held in the space that was allowed, St 28:2, where an angel sat on the stone, Kloner says the between the-walls tr: used for round Sunday school wing is being dedicated April 13-15, 2000. Papers are due Friday Sunday at the church, 2700 W. 6200 South. ard will be judged ir conireice panel BOARD Compiled byShannon Guinn priest ful was on hand and J Creek Road, Sandy ‘ today convention at Grand County High School, 608 §. 400 East, Moab. Call 3224131. Thomas Catholic Parish Social Center, 3015 ‘ 74688. Union 566-1311 ul ministry with will meet Mon: The Eplacopal Diocese of Utah Con: opted in a religion: at the St. Cal year’s Washington lobbying chief for the City, Call 666-1311 CATHOLIC 7 2M.,, ay Church, his lation in 2000 of millions of the Park Ave, Midvale. i “normal cycle meee of about 3.500may have Other than Pat Buchanan, who heen down from last year, “but it's has threatened to leave the GOP a record for an off-year (no presi- for the Reform Party, and Arizona dential or major congressional Sen. John McCain, who declined election),"" added Randy Tate, toappear, every Republican hope: at the church, 8590 5. Old Bingham High way. Sunday school will continue weekly at 10 a.m., fellowship at 11 a.m. and : anne wor St. James Episcopal coalition’s trademark voter guides, affecting “any organization that has todo with politics,” Robertson insisted, Fund-raising may be off, but “we'll have the money todo the Job,” he said, including circu. EPISCOPAL The St, Chad Society, a support and disou, ‘oup for people leaving the hg Church, will meet Sunday, 7p.m., at century Jewish burial customs, have been more comfortable.) Dating is important because round stones became much more Pat Robertsonis the Coalition's founder andpresident. in cluding the loss in January of former president Donald Hodel lows; “Stress Management,” Oct. 1 pm riage Enrichment,” Oct. 16, pm "P arenting Teens Positively,” be ginning Oct. 16, p.m., and “How to Get Into The Bible,” beginning Oct. 17,6 PM.. MELUCL En 2000. B Kloner, an authority on first- square rather than round blocking stones. Kloner adds that Mary's need to stoopis precisely right, since such caves and tombs had small, low en Another clue comes in Matthew port of Christian conservatives, he 4 was covered by a large stone. in white, sitting wher ethe body of dential hopeful were part of the OurBibietranslations paintings are misleading on an importantfact about the burial of Jesus, namely, the shape of the stone that covered his tomb. According to all four New Testament Gospels, Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb andthe entrance modest size, the sort that took standard refrain was that Coalition staff turnovers Yes, says Amos Kloner, an ar- chaeologist at Israel's Bar-Ilan Jesus had lain. ‘ That clearly indicates a tomb of From rank-and-filers no matter how bloodied the coali tion may be, it will revive big time There's a rejuvenation of the lition all over the nation,” said ibertson, the religious broad caster years ago? weepingoutside the tomb, and uch as Miller on up to coalition founder and president Pat Robert a”, Can anything new be said about a major event that occurred 2,000 she wept she stooped to look into two angels Robertson Sees Group’§ Rejuvenation BY IRA RIFKIN BYRICHARD OSTLING ‘THE ASSOCIATED PRESS other ancient sources. Tomb en- Lifelong Lutheran Answersa Call to Ordination at 81 BY MELANIE BURNEY Theorizes on 1794 Lake Street, The Obert Ogden Humanists of Utah invite all to hear and Grace Tanner Human. a call for topics WW UNITARIAN of Mendel Cohen speak on “Morality and Community Values,” Thursday, at the church, 7:30 p.m 669 5. 1900 Bast, Salt Lake Forgiveness for a conference to be held City. Call 273-7144 . { ) ' tan. Boston-based liberal organization sees its role as pivotal to the na- |
