Faith+Values: Economy is down, but offerings are not

Foreclosures, layoffs and business closings might be dominating the news, but so far the economic downturn hasn't reached church offering plates. In fact, some denominations are reporting that donations are up.

As contrary as that might seem, the news doesn't come as a surprise to the Rev. Craig Johnson, bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

"I've seen that in my own ministries," he said. "During recessions, I've seen donations go up. I can only speculate [why], but I think it's because as people feel less secure, they crave the security that the church gives them."

Dennis McGrath, spokesman for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, reported that donations are up between 6 and 7 percent.

"That's on average," he said. "Certainly, some parishes are having more problems than others. But, on the whole, people tend to be very loyal to their church. They feel an obligation. They'll cut back on other things before they cut back on their donations."

James Pivlak, principal financial officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, said that even if a drop is coming, it is likely to be a small one.

"Maybe 1 percent," he said. "I'm looking at this from the perspective of the diocese, not an individual church, where things might be different. But I don't see a big drop here."

The ELCA's St. Paul Area Synod just closed the books on its fiscal year and found a slight increase over the previous year. And better yet, there were no ominous warnings for this year.

"As part of the process, we ask congregations to indicate their intentions for the upcoming year," said the synod's bishop, the Rev. Peter Rogness. "A lot are holding firm, and a few expect increases."

The founder of the Letters From Dad program is coming to the Twin Cities to lead a seminar.

In the 3 1/2 years since Greg Vaughn launched the program, it has been picked up by more than 800 churches and spawned a bestselling book. Aimed at men who have trouble communicating their feelings, the program promises to teach how to "write the things you have always wanted to say but just didn't know how."

Vaughn came up with the idea shortly after the death of his father, who suffered from Alzheimer's. Neither of them ever said how much they loved each other.

"If I'm talking to a group of 100 men, I'll say to them, 'Stand up if you have a letter from your father telling you how he feels -- and I don't mean a card that your mother bought and your dad signed,'" he said from his office in Texas. "On average, only three men stand up."

He developed a step-by-step program for changing that. "We meet once a month for four months, during which time we write four letters," he said. The first one is to the participant's wife, the second to his children and the third to his parents (or a tribute to them, if they're dead).

"Then, in week four, we write the toughest letter you'll ever write," he said. "It's your legacy letter, the one that will be read after you've left this planet. It's where you leave your children and your children's children a legacy of faith, hope and love."

North Heights Lutheran Church is hosting an informational steak dinner on March 3, at which Vaughn will explain the program. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at the church's Arden Hills campus, 1700 W. Hwy. 96. Both the event and the food are free, but you must register in advance by calling 651-797-7851.

The U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops decided that Roman Catholic churches would not be holding St. Patrick's Day ceremonies this year because it falls on the Monday of Holy Week.

Excuse us, your excellencies, but have you checked out the St. Paul Cathedral? It's right off John Ireland Blvd., named after a bishop who lived up to his name by being 100 percent Irish, in a city that plays flaunts its Irish roots.

So forget what the council said. The Cathedral will honor the request not to hold a commemorative mass on March 17. Instead, it's moving it to Saturday, the 15th, at 9 a.m.

Jeff Strickler • 612-673-7392