Updates from the RLC Council

Updates from the RLC Council

Thanksgiving Reflections and Advent Blessings

Dear Resurrection Lutheran Church Family,

Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you! As we gather to celebrate this season of gratitude, we also prepare to step into Advent—a time of expectation and joy. Advent, meaning “the arrival of a notable person,” reminds us of our anticipation of Christ’s birth and the hope it brings to our lives.

To accompany you on this journey, please download devotional from the ELCA titled Living Our  Baptism Advent and Christmas. I pray this resource inspires you and your loved ones as you reflect and prepare during this meaningful season.

Despite some recent challenges, your church council has continued to meet regularly, focusing on the important work of guiding our congregation. Though our efforts have been met with obstacles—unusual behavior, invented rules, and withheld information—we remain committed and energized as we explore ways to overcome these disruptions and advance the discernment process for the mission and life of Resurrection Lutheran Church.

As we reflect on what it means to live out our faith, I encourage you to take a few moments to watch the ELCA video God’s Love Made Real: https://lovemadereal.elca.org/. This project highlights key priorities for being the church in today’s world:
1. A Welcoming Church: Engaging new, younger, and more diverse people. “Your young…shall see visions, and your old…shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)
2. A Thriving Church: Rooted in tradition and radically relevant. “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?…You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-14)
3. A Connected, Sustainable Church: Raising the bar together. “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Additionally, the Council has been inspired by themes introduced in a presentation by the Lake Institute, Imagining Assets in Congregations. This approach challenges us to consider how our church can be a greater blessing to our community and neighborhood. How can we shift from a narrative of scarcity to one of abundance? What gifts do we have to offer?

I invite you to explore these ideas further through the Faithful Generosity Story Shelf—a collection of brief stories about churches transforming their communities: https://lakeinstitute.org/resources/faithful-generosity-story-shelf.

As we approach Christmas, let us take time to celebrate the many blessings in our lives. May we embrace the freedom of Advent, bringing hope, peace, love, and joy to all we encounter.

With gratitude and joy. Karen Lawfer, President

Download Thanksgiving Letter with AttachmentAn Update from President Lawfer

Dear Members of Resurrection Lutheran Church (RLC),

I want to apologize for the recent lack of communication from me and the RLC Council. Please rest assured that we have continued to carry out the work you elected us to do. The RLC Council has been holding regular monthly meetings. All council members were given notice of date/time/and how to participate, as well as minutes and written reports. As you can imagine, ongoing interference and attempts to disrupt our ministries, remove our pastor from the roster, and take over the church have made this process challenging.  I believe it’s important to address a few pressing issues directly, so let’s begin with the most immediate concern. 

Regarding the supposed “Congregation Meeting” on November 10, 2024 

Response to Congregation Meeting of RLC is from the majority of the RLC Council, and congregation members who have decided not to attend or participate in the proposed “Congregation Meeting, ” as they believe that attending would give legitimacy to a flawed process, and must declare the meeting inappropriate, invalid, and without effect. The attached letter outlines the main reasons for refusing to participate.

Update on the Lawsuit and Synod Actions 

The RLC Council, its counsel, with the assistance of Juneau attorney Jeffrey Troutt, has been diligently working together to resolve the ongoing issues in accordance with the council’s direction. Key facts are: 

• Harassment and Bullying Ignored 

For over two years, RLC has experienced documented incidents of harassment and bullying, affecting the pastor, council members, and parishioners. Despite this, the Alaska Synod bishops failed to investigate or intervene. The prior bishop even advised Pastor Karen to essentially” just leave,” rather than addressing these serious issues. 

• Unconstitutional and Untimely Vote Called by Prior Bishop 

Against the wishes of the RLC Council (from just days before), your approved budget, and the results of the discernment survey, the former Alaska Synod bishop orchestrated a vote (just before her retirement) using a 51% threshold instead of the required two-thirds majority to end a call. This vote was held without any claims of misconduct or concerns about the pastor’s fitness for ministry. 

• Interference in Church Governance 

The prior bishop unlawfully overrode RLC’s Code of Conduct by heedlessly appointing a council president. This decision ignored the council’s correction of an earlier, illegitimate officer election that had been tainted by bullying. 

• Manipulation of C15.11 Adjudication 

After the retirement of the previous bishop, Bishop Oslovich invited a C15.11 adjudication based solely on parliamentary technicalities. This was an attempt to retroactively validate the unconstitutional actions of his predecessor, undermining the fair governance principles outlined in the church’s constitution. 

• Removal of Pastor Perkins from the Alaska Synod Roster

The removal of Pastor Perkins from the roster was another tactic aimed at weakening the RLC Council’s resistance. This action was timed inconsistently with the bishop’s C15.11 process and provided no ethical pathway for compliance. It was based on false and misleading claims and is now being followed by an inappropriate push for an interim pastor, despite Pastor Perkins never having been lawfully terminated.  Continuation of wrongs does not make a situation right. No matter how many decision makers forward the lies, they don’t become truth.

We have been taking actions in the lawsuit (such as adding parties, initiating discovery, or filing motions) and have postponed broader public advocacy efforts, in good faith, hoping for a resolution. However, nothing has been resolved and matters continue to escalate with more harassment and bullying.  Many partner organizations in religious, social service, tribal, educational, and arts sectors have asked to provide us with letters of support, and we may begin collecting them, as well as petitions from community members impacted by our ministries. 

Recent Actions of the Small Group 

We believe it is important for the congregation to understand the nature and impact of the actions taken by the small group of about eight members. This group has openly made disparaging comments about many of the communities RLC serves. During council and congregation interactions, they have even been recorded making hurtful remarks, and have told a disabled Alaska Native volunteer, “You are not welcome here.”

We want to inform you of some of the group’s recent troubling actions: 

1.        Formation of a “Secret Church” 

This small group has been holding unannounced, exclusive meetings at both SOV and RLC. They have begun referring to themselves as “our council” and are overheard making comments like, “We decided.”  Half of the council has not been notified of these meetings and has certainly not received any reports or minutes.

2. Creation of a New P.O. Box 

• They attempted to have all RLC mail forwarded to a new P.O. Box. 
• They changed the mailing address on bank statements and other financial accounts. 
• They are now directing offerings and donations to this new address. 

3. Self-Appointed Control Over Church Activities 

This group has bypassed and overridden existing committees and council roles. They keep trying to take charge of areas like worship, the food pantry, and facilities management, without consulting long-long time leaders, and sometimes damaging and undermining these ministries: 

• They have tried to take control of the property without council approval, making false claims of authority and acting without a budget or proper expertise. 
• They have repeatedly attempted to disable or remove the church’s security cameras. 
• They have unplugged essential equipment, causing disruptions and creating safety risks (e.g. fire alarms, refrigerator/freezer temperature monitors). 
• They excluded more than half of the worshipping community by unplugging the router and abruptly disabling our ability to broadcast worship services
• They forcibly cut through the office door lock (installed after checks and master keys were missing), installed their own lock, and have refused to share the access code with council or congregation members, regardless of need or position, offering only “supervised access.” 
• They initially denied the use of the church for a memorial service involving Karen Perkins (even as a lay participant) and later refused access to the office to print memorial bulletins, suggesting we use “OfficeMax” instead. 
• They broke into Pastor Karen Perkins’ office without permission or notification: 

• • They inappropriately gained access to confidential pastoral, HR, and background-check files, as well as keys to secure cabinets. 
  • They moved or removed Karen’s personal and parish items from their locations. 
  • They deliberately concealed their actions from the RLC Council and congregation. 

4. Bullying and Harassment 

This group continues to bully and harass congregation members, visitors, and volunteers, both during worship and throughout the church: 

• A member aligned with the small group physically assaulted a disabled Native Alaskan volunteer at RLC. This incident was captured on our security cameras and reported to the Juneau Police Department as part of an ongoing investigation. The subsequent removal of security cameras raises further concerns. 
• This incident is part of a broader pattern of discrimination against Alaska Natives, other minority groups, those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, and those experiencing mental health challenges. The group has: 
• Opposed admitting new members from marginalized communities; 
• Questioned the voting rights of members during congregational meetings; and 
• Engaged in intimidation tactics at worship services and church events. 
• The behavior of this group has polarized the congregation, driving away many long-time members. 

5. Financial Mismanagement and Risk of Insolvency after Manufacturing a Financial Crisis

The actions of this small group have put RLC in serious financial jeopardy: 

• Some RLC Council members were notified by First National Bank of Alaska that all three of RLC’s accounts have been frozen. At the October 24, 2024, council meeting, Lisa Brendle revealed that the accounts were locked due to the unresolved dispute. 
• The RLC Council is very concerned about the $205,000 withdrawn from RLC’s savings account by Lisa Brendle and Kristin Cadigan-McAdoo. Despite repeated requests, Brendle has refused to return the funds or disclose their whereabouts. 
• Kristin Cadigan-McAdoo has retained financial control but failed to provide any financial reports since May. The last report was incomplete, omitting key budget figures. 
• The congregation approved a budget at the annual meeting, including payment for all current invoices and obligations, but these debts remain unpaid, severely impacting our ministries: 
• The food bank has threatened to cut off supplies due to unpaid invoices, even though we were way under budget last year. 
• Alaska Waste has stopped trash collection and removed bins, citing over $1,400 in overdue bills. The trash is currently being piled in the classroom.
• GCI disconnected phone and internet services (which also disabled the fire alarm system) until a congregation member paid the overdue balance of over $1,000 out of their own pocket. 
• As of two weeks ago, RLC’s total bank balance was under $10,000, while our operating debts exceed $25,000, not counting dedicated funds (e.g., food bank, radio ministry, grants). The missing $205,000 must be returned immediately to avoid insolvency. This action will require immediate legal action outside of Lisa Brendle’s lawsuit.
• Council and congregation members have been covering essential expenses (like janitorial supplies and food service items) from their own pockets, with no reimbursement. We also have grant obligations that must be met to avoid further legal and financial repercussions. 
• Council member Brendle filed a lawsuit without the council’s or congregation’s approval, forcing us to hire legal counsel, adding unplanned and significant expenses. 

 Going Forward 

Juneau Live! Studio TV Production Course for Adults and Families 

The TV production course, which began in September, meets weekly on Tuesdays. It offers a unique opportunity for adults and families to learn valuable media skills. The course will culminate in a special live broadcast, Alaska Music One Presents: A Holiday Concert, on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 7 p.m. The event will feature performances by four bands/groups in front of a live studio audience. 

Annual Christmas Dinner at the Food Pantry 

We are pleased to announce that our Annual Christmas Dinner at the Food Pantry will be held as planned. This tradition is a vital part of our outreach and a special time for our community to come together in celebration and support for those in need.

 I and the council are determined to “do the work” of the church and continue with our ministries.  This is the mission of the ELCA:  God’s Love Made Real, a movement within the ELCA that encourages us to create a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation.  We are sharing these details to keep you informed about what is happening and why the council has taken the actions it has. If you have any questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Peace.  Karen Lawfer, President 

Download Response to Supposed “Congregation Meeting” of RLC on November 10, 2024 

Download Letter from President Lawfer to RLC Congregation Members of November 9, 2024

Letter of Reassurance and Hope

Dear Resurrection Family,

Jesus said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” This phrase, quoted often, emphasizes the importance of unity in the Gospel. In Mark (3:25), Matthew (12:25), and Luke (11:17), Jesus responds to accusations that His power to cast out demons comes from Beelzebul. He faced criticism for healing and feeding the hungry on the Sabbath, and for calling people to discipleship and persistence in prayer. He used this illustration to show that his power and the Holy Spirit’s power come from God because the work itself is God’s. He challenged the fearful leaders who criticized, defamed, censured, and silenced him for doing what is righteous. He refused to be bullied.

In this light, the quoted verse is more apt for us than if it only illustrated the importance of unity. In our letter of May 17, 2024, Notice to Congregation Members, we informed you of “election irregularities at the March 7 council meeting that changed the outcome of the election of RLC’s officers.” We did not specify the exact circumstances of violations of the Basic Rules of the RLC Meeting Code of Conduct to protect the identity of those who provided affidavits. This is (or should be) a standard practice when there are instances of bullying, harassment, or other undue influence. Without such protections, vulnerable people rarely come forward safely. The ELCA officially opposes and works to prevent bullying in our churches. More than that, it is Jesus’ explicit example. As it was costly for Jesus, we are freed to do the same if we can see past our fears, judgments, expectations, and desires. God can create a congregation with a vital, healthy future in and with RLC.

Over the last year and a half, we have made every effort to work with a small group of about eight individuals within our congregation. However, this requires openness to conversation, cooperation, and compromise, which has not generally been the case.

Follow-up from Previous Communication
• Nothing has changed since Karen Lawfer’s last communication on June 8, 2024, Cancellation of Tomorrow’s (June 9, 2024), Special Congregation Meeting Called at the Request of Bishop Shelley Wickstrom.
• We acknowledge that people want and need more information, and we will provide it as soon as it is safe, healthy, constructive, legally responsible, and in the spirit of Christian love.
• We aim to minimize adversarial communications and environments that are exhausting and driving some members away.
• We understand the frustration of those who attended the bishop’s meeting on June 9th and those who feel uncertain about the situation.
• We recognize the sincerity of many members with diverging perspectives.

Key Points
• We reject the bishop’s authority to call for a vote outside of constitutional processes and protocols.
• We reject the bishop’s pronouncement, and Synod Vice President’s reversal (apparently based on improperly attributed quotations), of our elected officers.
• Bullying, intimidation, and interference in the council’s ability to function have continued and increased.
• Repetitious propaganda cannot continue to be endured or tolerated.

Reassurances
• No individual has standing to file a lawsuit on behalf of RLC without action from the congregation, the council, or elected leadership (the responsibilities of the executive committee are narrow and specific – e.g., in an “emergency” when the council is unavailable).
• We have not been served with any purported lawsuit. We have only been threatened with a draft when there was no opportunity to seek outside counsel. We have consulted an attorney who is prepared to represent RLC, and any employees and volunteers named in such a suit.
• The 2024 budget approved by the congregation at our annual meeting in February will be honored, and Pastor Karen has no current plans to leave RLC.

Our Commitment
• As an ELCA congregation, we continue to be reformed from previous church bodies and models within RLC. The ELCA is undergoing a process of further reformations through the work of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church, formed by a vote of the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
• We will continue with our discernment process as it was before being derailed.
• We are committed to eliminating intolerable behaviors.

Forward in Faith
• We understand the confusion and frustration many of you feel. Let us find healthy, empathetic ways to address these. Pastor Karen continues to be available to meet, pray, counsel, or visit. Call her directly to schedule time.
• The status of Pastor Karen remains the same, and any changes to her call must follow our constitutional process.
• Current officers of the congregation remain in place as corrected following the determination of election violations.
• We will handle legal threats appropriately with counsel, making every effort to minimize additional expenses to the congregation.
• We look forward to working with the new bishop (who takes office on Monday) to address our divisions, while keeping within the constitutions of our congregation, the Alaska Synod, and ELCA.
• We are hopeful for the possibilities at Resurrection and pray that most of you will participate in collaborative discernment.

Upcoming Events
• Bill Johnson Memorial Hot Dog Fest: After the 4th of July Parade
    – Volunteers needed from 7 am through clean-up at 3 pm. Contact Brad Perkins at producer@juneaulive.org.
    – Live streaming from 8 am setup through cleanup on Juneau Live! Studio.
• Juneau Live! Studio TV Production Summer Camps: July 15-19, 2024
    – Showrunner Camp: Middle and high school students learn TV production and produce a live music concert.
    – Studio Apprentice ½ Day Camp: Elementary school students learn TV production and produce an episode of Juneau Eats!

Good Things Are Still Happening!
• The RLC Food Pantry serves nearly 300 people weekly, providing food, a hearty meal, hospitality, and community.
• Bible study meets regularly:
    – Mondays at 6:15 pm in person and on Zoom.
    – We are currently tackling a book entitled Reading the Bible for All the Wrong Reasons by Russell Pregeant.
• We continue to grow our membership, having added twelve new members within the last year.
• We received our 2025 Youth Activity Board Grant (third year) from the CBJ for our TV Production Youth Showrunner and Studio Apprentice Camps.

• The semester-long TV Production Course provided to the Community Charter School ended with the parents collecting additional funds the faculty donated for new projects.

Our Mission
The mission of Resurrection Lutheran Church is to promote spiritual growth in Christ and service to all people. We invite you to join us as we move forward with Christ.

Peace, Karen Lawfer, President and Pastor Karen Perkins

Download Letter of Reassurance and Hope

Forward Together: Update on RLC Leadership and Ongoing Court Case

Dear Resurrection Family, Some of you may have received an email from Lisa Brendle today that contained misleading and inaccurate information. This week, the Synod Council issued a decision in the C15.11 action, suggested by the bishop, then initiated at the request of both Lisa and Randy. However, this matter is not yet final. Before this action, Lisa, purporting to be the President of the Council but acting with no authorization from the RLC Council or the Congregation, filed a court case to determine the legitimate council officers of RLC. That legal process was already underway before the C15.11 action and will ultimately be decided by the court. This is the result of Lisa’s actions.

I am saddened that this has led to an adversarial court case, but that is the nature of lawsuits. The process will involve discovery, including documents from RLC, the Synod, and other relevant parties, as well as depositions from RLC Council members, congregation members, bishops, and others. I am confident that the discovery process will demonstrate that the RLC constitution was violated, that I remain the president, the corrected officers of the RLC Council are valid, and that Pastor Perkins remains our pastor.   The Council has been meeting regularly, with proper notice, agendas, and minutes provided to all members, and with quorums present. The Council has expressed its disappointment with those who have refused to cooperate. We are also concerned that Lisa and Kristin removed over $200,000 from a church account without providing any accounting for it. Additionally, there has been no financial reporting from Kristin since April, though she continues to receive and disperse church funds.

The Council has discussed the ongoing bullying and harassment experienced by some at RLC. The RLC Code of Conduct stipulates that such actions cannot be tolerated. As President of RLC (as determined by a majority vote), I assure you that we will continue to operate with openness and transparency. Every member is welcome to attend council meetings. Diverse perspectives will be respected, and decisions will be made fairly and explained fully. This is what I owe you as your President.  Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Much truth has been hidden from this congregation, including details about the congregation’s finances and secret meetings held by the dissenters. Because they are acting in secret, we must rely on the court process to bring their actions to light. I believe the discovery process will reveal their violations of the church’s rules. It will also reveal that the Synod based decisions on limited input without providing factual evidence to justify its opinion—just circular repetitions of unfounded and false allegations (gossip).

At some point, this matter must be resolved, and we will need to find a path toward reconciliation. In the meantime, Pastor Karen will lead worship tomorrow, as scheduled. The Gospel calls us to be accountable, especially when acting in God’s name. I, along with the majority of Council members and Pastor Perkins, take this responsibility seriously. I ask for your patience and prayers during this challenging time. Let us pray that this dispute may be resolved in a way that glorifies God and reflects the love that Jesus taught us: “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Peace and Blessings, Karen Lawfer, President

Download Forward Together

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