In memory of
Ben, the La Crosse Area Synod Council, at its January meeting,
established a memorial fund to be open through the rest of the school
year, with all gifts going to the general fund of Wartburg seminary.
These difficult economic times have been especially hard on all of our
seminaries, and we wish to give them our assistance in honor of Ben.
Please make your gift payable to "La Crosse Area Synod" and
write "Ben Larson--Wartburg" in the memo. Send your
check to the synod office, 2301 South Ave., La Crosse, WI, 54601.
Your entire gift will be given to Wartburg seminary.
Please see the attached
bulletin insert for information regarding
another way that your congregation can help Ben's wife, Renee and
cousin, Jonathan, on their road to recovery from the trauma of the
earthquake.
The
Larson family has also encouraged memorials be directed to one of the
following places:
Lutheran
World Relief announced today that it is launching a text-to-give
campaign to raise funds for its response to the devastating Haiti
earthquake. On Friday, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced that
they will match members’ gifts to LWR for Haiti, giving $1 for every $2
donated. The $1 million challenge, “Helping Haiti,” is expected to
generate a total of $3 million for Haiti relief through LWR, the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod and the Lutheran World Federation.
Starting
Sunday, January 17, to support LWR from your cell phone, just text the
keyword “LWR” to 40579 to donate $10. Remember to reply YES to the
confirmation. It's quick and easy, and the donation will appear on your
next cell phone bill. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.
Donations can also still be received at
www.lwr.org/Haiti.
Thrivent
Financial members interested in making a financial gift to help
earthquake victims in Haiti can make their donation online at www.thrivent.com/helpinghaiti or
by phone at 1-800-236-3736 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central time,
Monday through Friday. When prompted, please say “directory” then enter
ext. 83003. Thrivent Financial will add a maximum of $250 per member
donation, and donations will be accepted through March 31, 2010.
Jan. 14, 2010 6:30 p.m.
A personal statement from Pastors Judd and April
LarsonAs
an infant Benjamin Judd Ulring Splichal Larson was wrapped in the
arms of God in the waters of baptism, and from those waters, his
life was an outpouring of love and joy, laughter and play, in
response to God first loving Ben.
Ben’s love of God,
walking in accompaniment, passionately loving others, listening and
learning from those who are poor across the globe, drove his
serving.
We give thanks to God
for the incredible joy of knowing Ben. His laughter, playfulness,
passionate heart for those who are hurting was manifest in his daily
life. He delighted in the privilege of serving and knowing God,
laying out his life in joy.
We are blessed by still
being able to hear Ben‘s music. His father Judd says, “If you want
to know Ben, go to his music.“ In his tender music remains some of
the treasure that is Ben: what he believes, what he cares about, his
deepest soul.
Most of the people who
died in this deadly earthquake in Haiti are the poorest of the poor
in this hemisphere. Ben went to Haiti to teach theology and
scripture in the new Lutheran Church of Haiti; but more deeply to
learn from these people loved by God. In his young death his life
joins the bodies of the poor. In the Haitian rubble Ben’s life joins
these dear beloved people of God: all those parents crying for their
children; young widows calling out for their husbands; new orphans
searching for their parents.
God have mercy on us.
Contact information for the Larsons is as follows:
Address:
6030 E Superior St #308
Duluth MN 55804-2567
E-Mails:
April - acularson1@gmail.com
Judd - juddlarson8@gmail.com
.