Living Resurrection Lutheran

Living Resurrection Lutheran This Week
of May 19, 2025

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
We are now in the fifth week of Easter. During our Saturday Service of the Word, we continue giving Thanksgivings for Baptism. The ELCA has devotional material for the Fifth Week of Easter:
Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Download a copy of this faith practice.

Thank You for Another Wonderful Saturday
Thank you to everyone who helped with Saturday’s Community Lunch and Service of the Word. The meal was delicious, the worship inspiring, and the fellowship powerful. Thanks also to Keith Giles at Alaska Music One for donating two studio rack mounts. The Juneau Live! Studio team used these to reorganize and power up the broadcast booth—just in time for Saturday’s livestreamed service.

Report from the 2025 Synod Assembly in Anchorage (April 25-27)

RLC had a total of nine attendees: one on Synod Council, two who were recognized as voting members (Lisa Brendle and Julie Neyhart—elected at the disputed January meeting), and six guests. This is an extraordinary number of guests from Juneau, but many felt our presence was necessary to challenge ongoing misinformation about RLC. As always, Synod Assembly was an opportunity to meet new friends and reconnect with others.

Assembly Actions Included
• Election of synod council and churchwide representatives (all ran unopposed and were elected by voice vote).
• Adoption of the Synod Budget, which retains a 32% contribution to Churchwide and 10% First Fruits giving.
• Structural changes to reduce the bishop’s role to half-time, combining it with the half-time Director of Evangelical Mission position—saving the Synod budget over 30% in costs and producing a $28,000 surplus.
• Two resolutions: one thanking Joy Lutheran Church for hosting the Assembly and the other, more rare, conferring the honorary title of Bishop Emerita on the Rev. Shelley Wickstrom.

The guiding principles of the Alaska Synod—developed with input from congregations in November 2023—were also highlighted. Speakers from across the Synod shared how their congregations are embodying these principles.

Workshops and Highlights
Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director of Congregational Stewardship Support, was the keynote speaker and led a breakout session titled “Stewardship.” He emphasized the idea of Faithful Generosity and rethinking the language and approach to stewardship—urging congregations to frame their budget as a mission narrative. He highlighted RLC’s outreach and partnerships as examples of meaningful, impactful ministry.

Karen Perkins attended Bishop Tim Oslovich’s workshop Centering Prayer, Welcoming Prayer, and Connecting with God in Nature, which offered guided contemplative practices to support spiritual reflection and growth.

RLC’s Role at Assembly
President Karen Lawfer was granted two minutes as a “point of personal privilege” before the Bishop’s report to correct significant misinformation about Resurrection Lutheran Church in the Bishop’s written report. Her prepared statement, and all RLC Position Papers distributed at Assembly, are available online at Position Statements in the Conflict with the Alaska Synod Bishops.

Downstairs Renovations: Long-Awaited Work Underway

 

Fire Marshal Ross’s inspection identified facility issues already scheduled for correction under plans approved by the RLC Council in 2023. These issues had been previously identified in connection with RLC’s insurance review but were brought forward in this inspection — which we believe was invited by Kelly Magee, who became active well after the congregational approval.

The first phase of these renovations is now complete, thanks to an incredible volunteer effort. Quilters, scouts, the food pantry team, and others graciously made space to allow this work to begin. Stop by and see the progress!

Grant Funds Critical for Compliance and Completion
Renovation of the downstairs kitchen and dining areas, as well as electrical upgrades in the Juneau Live! Studio, are supported by grant funds from the Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska Food Network, and CBJ Youth Activity Board. These funds must be used before June 30, 2025. However, these funds remain inaccessible—removed from the church’s savings account by Lisa Brendle and Kristin Cadigan-McAdoo and some currently held at True North Credit Union under a misleading letter from their attorney. These funds (totaling over $205,000) include grant allocations, dedicated accounts, and operating reserves.

The council believes this was orchestrated by Mike McMullen, but certainly carried out without authority from the congregation, council, or even the ELCA—despite public claims to the contrary. It appears these funds have been sitting in a paper, non-interest-bearing draft note for nearly a year, and the congregation continues to be denied full financial reports. With new evidence confirming Brendle was ineligible to serve on Council (due to exceeding term limits in 2024), she may be personally liable for the return of these funds and any resulting damages.

Discovery and Accountability
Discovery is now underway in the lawsuit filed by Brendle and her attorney. In April, Defendants served their First Interrogatories and Requests for Production, compelling sworn answers and documentation regarding:
• Constitutional violations
• Financial misconduct
• Improper communications with synod leadership
• The legitimacy of actions taken by the plaintiffs
This marks a turning point in our effort to expose the truth and protect RLC’s mission and ministries.

Handling Bullying and Intimidation
Kelly Magee and others continue to assert authority they do not have—including demanding an inventory of personal property at RLC. The RLC Council has passed formal resolutions affirming the rights of all facility users and members regarding personal property. Any unauthorized attempt to interfere with or remove property will be met with appropriate legal action, including contacting Juneau Police Department. These ongoing intimidation tactics will not be tolerated.

A Disappointing Strategy of Authoritarianism and Exclusion
Antagonists have followed a strategy of misinformation, exclusion, and deception, encouraged by improper counsel and sometimes explicit, sometimes tacit synod support. This approach is failing:
• They cannot call legitimate meetings.
• Their misrepresentations are unraveling under scrutiny.
• Their knowledge of RLC’s operations and governance is limited.
• Their exclusionary tactics violate both Christian witness and non-profit corporate law.

These “dirty tricks” have included:
• Attempts to block food access from SEAKFB.
• Interference with the 2026 CBJ YAB grant application.
• Substitution of our Easter ad with one deleting additional worship and fellowship.
• Orchestrating the fire inspection to target and shut down vital programs.
• Demands that members remove their own equipment from RLC, regardless of ministry use or importance.

These tactics are failing. But very real damage to the congregation and individuals continues. Allies and supporters of this group are well advised to consider their complicity in these acts.

Sharing Meals, Sharing Joy in the RLC Cafeteria and Dining Room
We continue to serve our community faithfully each week through:
• Tuesday Community Lunch & Food Pantry
(noon to 4:30 pm)
• Saturday Community Lunch
(noon to 1:30 pm)
As highlighted in Chapter 3 of the 2025 World Happiness Report, sharing meals strengthens social connection and personal well-being. These weekly gatherings live out our call to be Resurrection people — in word and in service.

 

RLC Virtual Office Always Open!

Services Available

• Provide new, update membership information
• Make, change offerings or donations
• Submit reimbursement request (coming soon)
• Submit incident report
• Updates from the RLC Council
• Download RLC Council minutes
• Living Resurrection Lutheran This Week
• Position Statements in the Conflict with the Alaska Synod Bishops

 

Join the TV Production Adventure During Summer Recess

In all things, we trust in the living presence of Christ among us. Thank you for being part of the journey.

Download Living Resurrection This Week (05-19-25)

Living Resurrection Lutheran This Week
of May 11, 2025

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
We are in week four of Easter. During the Service of the Word we are giving Thanksgivings for Baptism. The ELCA has devotional material for the Fourth Week of Easter – Proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed:
Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Download a copy of this faith practice.

And—lest we forget—a blessed Mother’s Day to all!

Sharing Meals, Sharing Joy in the RLC Cafeteria and Dining Room
We continue to serve our community faithfully each week through:
• Tuesday Community Lunch & Food Pantry
(noon to 4:30 pm)
• Saturday Community Lunch
(noon to 1:30 pm)
As highlighted in Chapter 3 of the 2025 World Happiness Report, sharing meals strengthens social connection and personal well-being. These weekly gatherings live out our call to be Resurrection people — in word and in service.

 

RLC Virtual Office Always Open!

Services Available

• Provide new, update membership information
• Make, change offerings or donations
• Submit reimbursement request (coming soon)
• Submit incident report
• Updates from the RLC Council
• Download RLC Council minutes
• Living Resurrection Lutheran This Week
• Position Statements in the Conflict with the Alaska Synod Bishops

 

Monday Bible Study
Join us Mondays at 6:15 pm via Zoom as we dive deeper into the week’s second reading: Revelation 7:9–17 – the great multitude, the Lamb, and the promise of no more tears.

Join the TV Production Adventure During Summer Recess

In all things, we trust in the living presence of Christ among us. Thank you for being part of the journey.

Download Living Resurrection Lutheran This Week (05-11-25)

Living Resurrection Lutheran This Week
of May 3, 2025

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
A big thank you to everyone who covered last Saturday at both the community lunch in RLC Cafeteria and Dining Room, and during the Service of the Word, for all who went to the Synod Assembly in Anchorage last weekend. As always, everyone had a great meal and worshipful service.

RLC at 2025 Synod Assembly in Anchorage Last Weekend
Last weekend (April 25–27), RLC had a number of members at the Alaska Synod Assembly in Anchorage: Aside from the two voting members there were six other participants. RLC was granted two minutes as a “Point of Personal Privilege” to address errors and omissions in the Bishop’s report on RLC. Written materials prepared and distributed at the Assembly can be found at Position Statements in the Conflict with the Alaska Synod Bishops. It was nice to meet with members of the Southeast Cluster as well as network with others throughout the state. A report will be given at the Service of the Word today, as well as posted on our website later.

Food Pantry and Community Lunches
We continue to serve our community faithfully each week through:
Tuesday Community Lunch & Food Pantry (noon-4:30 PM)
Saturday Community Lunch (noon)
In case you need to be convinced about the value of these programs, I want to refer you to Chapter 3 of the 2025 World Happiness Report, titled “Sharing Meals with Others: How Sharing Meals Supports Happiness and Social Connections.

Grant Funds Needed to Complete Planned Upgraded and Improvements
As was stated last week, an inspection by Capital City Fire and Rescue identified facility upgrades needed to maintain safety (an investigation instigated by congregation member Kelly McGee – apparently under the guise of the meeting with RLC’s insurance broker, Matt Adams, which I attended and did not suggest such an inspection). These upgrades are a part of the plans developed through grants received by RLC through the Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska Food Network, and the City of Juneau Youth Activity Board grant. We are actively working to secure the funds ($205,000) removed from RLC accounts by Lisa Brendle and Kristin Cadigan-McAdoo as a portion of these funds will allow us to complete these improvements before the grant deadlines of June 30, 2025 (and the 30-day CCFR re-inspection).

Personal Property at RLC
Those acting without constitutional authority, including congregation member McGee, continue to make claims and demands regarding a number of issues (over which they have no authority), including a purported inventory of personal property (which the council believe to be a pretense for removal of property by this group). The RLC Council has passed resolutions regarding personal property at RLC, and members, facility users (the scouts, musical groups, etc.) and others each have permission regarding storage and use of personal property at RLC. None of these organizations or individuals are obligated, or should, respond to this request for this unauthorized “inventory.”

Continued Intimidation, Bullying And Harassment Tactics
Any action by the group acting without constitutional authority, regarding the fire inspection (which the council believes to be a pretense to remove the broadcast booth and cafeteria / food pantry equipment and close both programs), the continued vandalism of the broadcast booth, and actions regarding personal property will be dealt with appropriately, including the calling of JPD and filing charges of theft or vandalism. Such intimidation, bullying and harassment tactics will not be tolerated at RLC.

Reminder
Weekly worship bulletins are available on our website for those joining services on Juneau Live! Studio on YouTube.

In all things, we trust in the living presence of Christ among us. Thank you for being part of the journey.

Download Living Resurrection Lutheran this Week (03-10-25)

Living Resurrection Lutheran This Week of April 25, 2025

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
We thank everyone who helped make our Holy Week and Easter celebrations so meaningful. The Maundy Thursday service, the Good Friday prayer vigil and service, the Saturday community lunch and Easter Vigil Service of the Word, and the Easter Sunrise service followed by Easter breakfast, with the regular Easter service following. It was a blessing to celebrate the Resurrection with familiar faces and new friends alike, even amid these challenging times. Special thanks to all who volunteered, sang, served, and shared their gifts!

Congregation Council
At its April 24 meeting, your elected Council took important actions to protect the ministries and governance of RLC. In response to misleading information being shared at the upcoming Synod Assembly, the Council adopted resolutions affirming the legitimacy of our elected leadership, objecting to the mischaracterization of RLC by synod officials, and highlighting violations of our congregation’s constitution by those claiming unauthorized authority.

The Council also acknowledged a recent discovery that Lisa Brendle exceeded the six-year constitutional term limit for council service in March 2024, rendering her ineligible to serve as Council member or president since that time.

RLC at 2025 Synod Assembly in Anchorage this Weekend
This weekend (April 25-27), RLC will have number of members at the Alaska Synod Assembly in Anchorage: Council President Karen Lawfer, Music Director Lucy Merrell, and Members Leora Blackwell, Nicholas Barrett, and Karen Perkins. Voting members are Lisa Brendle and Julie Neyhart, as well as Synod Council Member Brad Perkins. Please hold them in prayer as they advocate for truth, constitutional governance, and the ongoing mission and ministries of RLC.

Food Pantry and Community Lunches
We continue to serve our community faithfully each week through:
Tuesday Community Lunch & Food Pantry (noon-4:30 PM)
Saturday Community Lunch (noon)
In case you need to be convinced about the value of these programs, I want to refer you to Chapter 3 of the 2025 World Happiness Report, titled “Sharing Meals with Others: How Sharing Meals Supports Happiness and Social Connections.

Grant Funds Needed to Complete Planned Upgraded and Improvements
A recent inspection by Capital City Fire and Rescue identified facility upgrades needed to maintain safety. These upgrades were a part of the plans developed through grants received by RLC through the Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska Food Network, and the City of Juneau Youth Activity Board grant. We are actively working to complete these improvements before critical grant deadlines on June 30, 2025.

Discovery Begins: Standing for Truth
We are excited to share that this week, our legal team formally served the first major round of discovery demands in the lawsuit filed against RLC’s legitimate leadership. Defendants’ First Interrogatories and First Requests for Production were sent to Plaintiffs’ attorney, compelling answers under oath to critical questions and requiring the production of key documents regarding constitutional violations, financial mismanagement, communications with synod leadership, and the legitimacy of actions taken over the past two years. This marks an important step forward in bringing the truth to light and protecting the mission and ministries of RLC.

Reminder
Weekly worship bulletins are available on our website for those joining services on Juneau Live! Studio on YouTube.

In all things, we trust in the living presence of Christ among us. Thank you for being part of the journey.

Download Living Resurrection Lutheran this Week (04-25-25)

Living Resurrection Lutheran This Week of April 11, 2025

Lenten Devotionals Wrap-Up

We just completed our weekly Lenten devotionals and activities.  This Wednesday we made sun catchers as we discussed the grace God has showered on us.  David was even able to participate from his hospital bed!

Celebrate the Resurrection at Resurrection Lutheran During Holy Week

• Saturday, April 12
  2:00 pm The Passion Story will be the Gospel for the Service on the Word in the Sanctuary and on Juneau Live! Studio.
  Sunday, April 13
  9:30 am Worship Service
  Thursday, April 17
  5:30 pm Maundy Thursday service in the Sanctuary and on Juneau Live! Studio.
  Friday, April 18
  5:30 pm Good Friday service in the Sanctuary and on Juneau Live! Studio.
  Saturday, April 19
  2 pm Easter Vigil Service of the Word in the Sanctuary and on Juneau Live! Studio.
  Sunday, April 20
  7 am Easter Sunrise Service of the Word in the Sanctuary and on Juneau Live! Studio.
  8:15 am Community Breakfast in RLC Cafeteria and Dining Room
  9:30 am Worship Service
  Service of the Word bulletins available on RLC Juneau website.

On-Going At Resurrection
Mondays at 6:15 pm
The long-standing Bible Study group is using a series published by the ELCA, where we will explore the 2nd lesson from the weekend service, and the Homily from the Saturday Service of the Word. You are invited to join any week on Zoom.
Tuesdays noon to 4:30 pm / Saturdays noon to 1:30 pm
RLC hosts a community lunch downstairs on Tuesday afternoons (during the Food Pantry), as well as Saturday afternoons (before the 2 pm Service on the Word) in the RLC Cafeteria and Dining Room. These are great opportunities to visit with neighbors and members of RLC you may not yet know. There is always a need for volunteers to help cook, serve and clean up.

Living Resurrection Lutheran 04-11-25

Monday – Friday, March 24-28, 2025

We just completed another successful TV Production Camp during Spring Break. You can see the newest Juneau Eats! Produced by the campers on our Juneau Live! YouTube channel. This was our sixth camp funded by three years of the City and Borough of Juneau Youth Activity Board grants.

Tuesday 4/1 at 5:30 pm
The constitutionally established Worship and Music Committee continues to meet regularly to plan services. We will be finalizing plans for Holy Week and Easter. Because we are committed to letting worship be worship, we are focusing on opportunities outside of Sunday mornings, which has been taken over by a self-appointed group.

Wednesday 4/2 at 5:30 pm
Week 4 of our Lenten Devotion and Activity. Last week we had a great time baking cookies, decorating gift bags and giving them out as a way to communicate love. This week’s topic is prayer. A copy of the bulletin is attached to this email. You are encouraged to participate in the activity of creating a prayer cube via Zoom, if you can’t join us downstairs at RLC.

Living Resurrection Lutheran 04-04-25