Men's Ministry
New this year as a position on the church council is that of Men's Ministry. Explained to me only as a parallel to the Women's Ministry when asking for a job description, I was stymied a bit when told that presently the Women's Ministry position was vacant. Apparently the women's activities — the Hannah Circle, FSS, and Quilting Group — are functioning quite well without an overseer! An inventory of the men's activities — DIG, Men in Mission, and Men's Breakfast — have likewise been carrying out their missions very well up to now without a 'boss.'

Nevertheless, I did contact each of the three groups, identify its leader (although he usually denied being the leader), and explain my role as their spokesperson to the council. I assured them that I was not going to be interfering with the group's functioning, but would 'take to council' any issues, inquiries, or problems that they thought appropriate. This is my first report to the congregation, and in the following paragraphs I take the occasion to do a little bragging for Atonement's men!

Atonement is blessed with some very dedicated men's groups that fill an important role in the spiritual, social, and educational growth of its male adults. I've enjoyed the fellowship of the Saturday morning Men's Breakfast for quite a few years now. Atonement has gained a reputation for making welcome and sharing our faith across a wide spectrum of biblical interpretations, social views, and political ideologies. If you sat in on a recent Men's Breakfast, you would see an active, soul-searching study of the Bible in which one can speak freely from the heart while maintaining a love and respect for brothers-in-Christ holding other convictions. For more information, contact Warren Teasdale at 303.985.2140.

A newcomer group to Atonement is Disciples in Growth (DIG), now meeting on the second and fourth Saturday mornings with the desire 'to praise God daily, grow closer to Him, and become better equipped to lead their families in a godly manner'. Through study of the Bible, discussion of timely issues of concern, and prayer, the disciples search for knowledge, faith, and understanding of Jesus and His Word, and open themselves to the Holy Spirit as they dig for truth. For more information, contact Jim Bland at 303.979.4337.

Last summer a group of about a dozen men from Atonement and other area Lutheran churches concluded their One Year To Live course of the ELCA Men in Mission program. While perhaps remaining somewhat mysterious for much of the congregation, something happened and lives were changed for those who were involved. These intense monthly personal examinations of their faith were not widely publicized because it would have been difficult to participate in them without having first experienced the earlier OYTL retreat the prior year. Yet I'm sure that it's not too difficult to identify some of our Men in Mission. Any one of them would be glad to tell you about Men in Mission and their aspirations for becoming more visible in the future. For more information, contact Keith Mehrens at 303.980.5713.

Called to action, the Men's Ministry contributed turkeys and gift cards to the Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets being put together by the Women's Ministry. A word in conclusion—we all recognize that the distinction of roles between the sexes is becoming increasingly blurred, and there are now many opportunities for men and women together to contribute their skills to the work of the Lord. Recently, Ruth and I visited a Lutheran Church in Arizona where men and women in about equal numbers were wielding hammers and saws on a Habitat for Humanities project! In my new position, I've become particularly aware of what the men are concerned about in their various groups. Never far from the topic of discussion is the well-being of their families and how to be better husbands, fathers, and persons. Can we envision a time in the not too distant future when Atonement adults (and why not the youth, too?), refreshed and emboldened in their men's and women's (and youth) groups, experience significant new growth in united ministry and outreach activities?