Celebrating New Citizenships

By Pastor Matt Clark

gagan gurung, arun gurung, rev. matt clark

Two different kinds of citizenships were recently celebrated by Nepali new Americans who became connected to Ascension Lutheran Church through Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA).

At the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse in downtown St. Louis on February 26, Chattra and Shiva Gurung were naturalized as citizens of the United States of America. After living approximately six years in the US and passing the rigorous citizenship test, the Gurungs pledged their allegiance to their new country and were welcomed to their new home. Individuals from both Ascension and CFNA were present to celebrate this important occasion with them.

newly confirmed members if the rai and gurung families

A new citizenship of a different kind was celebrated at Ascension on March 6 for Arun Gurung, as he became a citizen of the kingdom of God through water and the Word. Through Holy Baptism, Arun is now a part of the body, and family, of Christ. At this same service, a total of eight Nepali men and women (including Arun) were also confirmed. These brothers and sisters in Christ pledged their allegiance to their Savior, and were welcomed to His Church. This celebration followed a period of bilingual instruction covering Scripture and much of Luther’s Small Catechism in both English and Nepali.

New citizenship on earth, and in heaven, is reason to celebrate and rejoice!