November 16, 2003
Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit
Lincolnshire, Illinois

To the Holy Spirit Congregation and Future People of Faith:

We’re writing to you from your past, how distant we cannot anticipate. But we write at a time in our collective history when the disaster that came to be known as “September 11th” continues to hold the United States of America and much of the world in a condition of post-traumatic stress. We are engaged in the aftermath of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that have become increasingly deadly and difficult. We hope and pray that you find yourselves in better times of safety and peace.

These political and social defining moments of the early 21st century have been accompanied by an unparalleled rate of technological change, unprecedented shifts in cultural values and demographics, and the deepest desire to see our children safely through these troubling times and into God’s future. We hope and pray that they and their descendents are among you.

And still, in the lifetime of all our church members, no one has ever seen the Cubs win a world series.

We are enclosing some of the materials we found in the time capsule that was discovered during construction of our new 12,000 square foot building addition. We have just begun to adapt to this glorious new space, sorting through new possibilities in our outreach as Lutheran Christians. We hope and pray that the congregation has expanded and enjoyed our vision for growth.

As we think about the future we wonder if your world is one of tolerance and peace. Has English become a second language? Do cars hover—will they ever? Have you overcome the need to use non-renewable resources for the production of power and fuel? Has a human walked on Mars—or beyond?

Have the Cubs won a world series?

We enclose some new items along with those we received from 1967. We provide you with a little picture of our church of 2003. We have been careful to avoid including videotapes CDs or DVDs. We assume those technologies are long obsolete. We can only marvel in our imaginations at the thought of what may have replaced them, and at the computing power you must have at your disposal.
We hereby send this letter on its way and now take our leave to live out our lives. May the peace of the Lord be with you always. And in the words we hope you still recite each Sunday…Lord, hear our prayer.