By Pastor John Hulden

But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; Where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die — there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!” When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
Ruth 1: 16-18 NRS

The first meeting with other staff every Monday is my check-in with Maya and Nick. Our Lectio Divina this morning was from the first verses of the Book of Ruth. Since very few women are named in the Bible, I suppose it’s both terrible and remarkable that two women have a book named after them. The Book of Ruth is a wonderful antidote to the horrible things that happen in the previous Old Testament book: Judges.

The “Where you go …” verses highlighted above are powerful, and therefore, of course, Christian-Bookstore-refrigerator-magnet-and-wall-hanging worthy. I suppose that’s how newlyweds picking out wedding scripture end up choosing those verses. I’m trying to remember if I were at all tactful in explaining to those newlyweds this “happily ever after” scripture is really about a mother- and daughter-in-law.

Naomi and Ruth choose to be companions.

 

NEXT ON MY SCHEDULE today was our synod staff’s Zoom meeting with Archbishop Musa Filibus of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN). The internet connection both here and in North East Nigeria was strong enough for us to hear powerful words from the leader of our synod’s companion synod.

Archbishop Musa Filibus leading a staff devotion with the Minneapolis Area Synod staff.

Among many other things Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus said:

“I’m often asked, are you not threatened where you live? Of course. I don’t have an option. But God is in charge. God is the light. God is the one that remains. Let us be a loving, caring community”

“During the corruption, hate, war, and discrimination, there are so many people who are suffering in the margins. It is precisely in this that we are called to bring a word of hope.”

“Companions show up. Companions listen. Companions show compassion. Companions accompany. Companions advocate.”

In 2013, I was honored to represent the Minneapolis Area Synod at the weeklong Centenary Celebration of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN). At the final worship service, a new local bishop was installed: Musa Filibus. Pastor Filibus felt the call to leave his job in Geneva working for the Lutheran World Federation, and he and his family moved back to his home area in rural Nigeria. A few years later, he was elected Archbishop of the LCCN.

Archbishop Filibus continues to be a shining example for me on how to be a companion. His leadership has brought companionship to the forefront in everything he does as he leads the LCCN. Companions show up. Companions listen. Companions show compassion. Companions accompany. Companions advocate. Companions know much of the work we do, we do better together.

 

NOW ARCHBISHOP FILIBUS is spearheading an effort to start Lutheran University Nigeria. He has heard the plea of teenagers unable to attend college. So, he turned his attention and efforts to starting a university. His companion list is long for this work: families in rural areas, local politicians, government officials, LCCN’s pastors and congregations, ecumenical partners in NE Nigeria, and, yes, the Minneapolis Area Synod (LCCN’s companion synod here in the U.S.).

“Why start a university in North East Nigeria?”

Why start a university in NE Nigeria? See this video. (Bishop Filibus says this video is going viral in NE Nigeria; folks are very excited about this new Lutheran University.) Also see this web page.

How can you be companion? Time is short. There is an important deadline looming for the LCCN to be granted approval for their university. All they need is money, … some of our money.

I hope that someday soon our synod might be able to host a trip to visit our companions in Nigeria again. But the best way to be a companion today? Give in any of these ways:

  1. You can mail cash or a check to the synod office:
    • Minneapolis Area Synod
      Attn: LUN Fund
      122 W Franklin Ave, #600
      Minneapolis, MN 55404
  2. You can text “LUN” to 44-321.
  3. You can give online through GiveLively.
  4. You can use the QR code below.