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| Spotlight
TIM Event for All Synod Congregations Next Month
  The annual synod event sponsored by the Division for Congregational Life, Together in Mission (TIM), is coming on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at King of Kings Lutheran in Fairfax, Virginia. The event will explore the synod's theme in 2011, "To See Ourselves As Others Do." Dr. Amy Oden, Dean and Professor of History of Christianity at Wesley Theological Seminary, will bring the keynote address, sharing insights from her work including writing "God's Welcome"(pictured at right). Workshops to advance congregational life will be offered. Cost is $25/person with a reduction for groups of six or more. Find flyer online.  EXTRAS
Celebration of 10th Anniversary CCM  Called to Common Mission is the full communion agreement between the ELCA and The Episcopal Church, and the 10th anniversary of the relationship will be celebrated with activities on Jan. 14-15 at St. Paul's Lutheran in D.C. On the synod Web site, find a full agenda and link to registration for activities including an address by Kenneth G. Appold of Princeton Theological Seminary, briefings and worship in which Bishops John Chane (Episcopal Diocese of Washington) and Bishop Richard Graham (ELCA Metro D.C. Synod) will participate. Conference fee is $45; reduction for keynote alone. Learn more under "Events" tab at www.metrodcelca.org, or go directly to registration at www.edow.org/events. |
| Synod Happenings
Choirs of Jesus College in Concert
Bethlehem Simulcast on Saturday
Although Presiding Bishop Hanson is no longer able to attend, the fourth annual simulcast service between congregants in Bethlehem (Christmas Lutheran Church) and the D.C. area is set for Saturday, December 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Washington National Cathedral and is open to all. Lutheran leaders scheduled to participate are Bishop Graham, and Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Rev. Mitri Raheb of Christmas Lutheran Church. Episcopal leaders scheduled to participate locally include Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Bishop John Bryson Chane, Dean Samuel T. Lloyd, and in Bethlehem, Episcopal Bishop Suheil Dawani.
Ring in New Year at Lutheran Camp RetreatA 2010-2011 New Year's Family Celebration is hosted by Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, Md., with great activities and worship in lovely surroundings. Lodging in heated cabins with a bath for each family. Adults are $85, less for children, with a family $300 max. Fees cover two night's lodging between Dec. 30 and Jan. 1, five meals, snacks and on site recreation. Learn more at http://www.mar-lu-ridge.org. Registration form on synod site. EXTRAS
Estonian and Baltic Music Performance in RockvilleOn Jan. 9 at 3:00 p.m., the Baltimore-Washington Estonian Chorus will perform music from Estonia and the Baltic region in the chapel of The Village at Rockville, a National Lutheran Community. This event is part of the 2010-2011 Artist Series. Refreshments are served. The event is free and open to the public. For further information, visit www.thevillageatrockville.org or call Jason Gottschalk, Music Specialist, at 301-424-9560, ext. 17602.
High School Dance in GaithersburgGood Shepherd Lutheran in Gaithersburg is having a high school dance on January 15 from 7-9:00 p.m. Admission is $5 to cover pizza and drinks, and at least three cans of food are requested for Gaithersburg Help. EXTRAS
Companion Synod Sunday Highlights El SalvadorThe 2011 Companion Synod Sunday is scheduled for Jan. 30. Featured will be El Salvador. The El Salvador Companion Synod Task Force is preparing items to celebrate our relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ in El Salvador through prayer, song and message. Contact co-chairs Jane Hanlon ( janehanlon@aol.com or 703-830-5791) and Deena Bulick-Terry ( deena222c@aol.com or 571-238-6284) for advance information. EXTRAS |
| Local Learning
Social Networking in Youth Ministry "Best Practices"
Try Ready for YM102? The workshop is open to all youth ministry adults working with congregational Youth Ministry programs (whether or not the person attended YM101 offered in fall) and engages a vital topic. Robert Lewis and Anita Smallin will talk about social networking in youth ministry, looking at both how teens are wired differently - literally - than any previous generation, and best practices for congregations reaching youth where they're focused. It will take place Sat., Jan. 15 from 9:00 a.m.-noon at Emmanuel Lutheran in Vienna. Cost is $10/person (max $30/congregation), although those who attended YM101 get a 50% discount. Register by Jan. 12. Registration form available on the synod Web site and at http://metrodc.youthgroupstuff.com/. EXTRAS
Confirmation Retreat at Mar-Lu-RidgeConfirmands can meet new people, have fun, share in the Scripture, learn about our Lutheran faith and discover more about being part of a community in Christ at the "Here We Stand" Confirmation Retreat at Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, Md. The theme is "Luther, the Reformation and Media" when the group gets together for the March 18-20 retreat. Learn more at http://www.mar-lu-ridge.org or call Sarah Lefler at 800-238-9974.
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| National Opportunities
Lutheran Writers at Writers Conference Bookfair
A national event is happening locally: the Association of Writers & Writing Programs Annual Conference & Bookfair on Feb. 2-5 at the Marriott Wardman Park & Omni Shoreham Hotels. Why might we care? A table featuring works by Lutheran authors and a gathering of Lutheran authors will be sponsored by the Lutheran Writers Project at Roanoke College on site. The bookfair is open to the public on Saturday, Feb. 5. Learn more about the conference at http://www.awpwriter.org. Learn more about the Lutheran Writers Project at http://www.lutheranwriters.org/.
ALOA LutherHostel in Florida
The Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA) Florida Regional LutherHostel will offer, "Listen, God is Calling," on Mar. 6-9. The time of education, inspiration and relaxation will be held at Canterbury Retreat Center in Oviedo, Fla., near Orlando. Cost is $540/person with double occupancy, including program, materials, room with private bath, meals and snacks. Learn more by contacting Doris E. Hanson at heldor@aol.com or 727-461-5135.
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Second Glance
A Madrigal Dinner will be hosted by Epiphany Lutheran in Burtonsville, Md. (14411 Old Columbia Pike, 20910) on Dec. 18 at 6:00 p.m. The evening will be filled with food, song and festivities. All are welcome to join in this fun celebration of the Season of Christmas. Tickets are $7/adult, $5 for children. For tickets and info, contact epiphanylutheran1@verizon.net
Young adults (age 18-30) from all over the East coast are invited to Project Connect's young adult Baltimore retreat on January 2-7, 2011. It will be a fun experience of Christian community, an opportunity to serve and be served, and a time to consider a variety of ways of serving through the vocation of public ministry. The "Two-Way Street Retreat" is timed to take place during winter break. Find Project Connect info at http://www.projectconnect.org. Cost of the retreat including lodging, meals and registration is $25. Contact Don Johnson at 603-539-7257 or contact@projectconnect.org with questions. EXTRAS
Lutheran Lay Fellowship (LLF) Luncheons are bringing in great speakers for upcoming events. - Jan. 6 - the Rev. Eric Shafer, Senior Vice President for Philanthropy, Odyssey Networks, with experience using electronic media to enrich spirituality and build bridges of understanding among people of faith.
- Feb. 3 - Deacon Katherine Miller-Holland, Director of Church and Community Ministries, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area.
Lunch ($9) while listening to these inspiring presentations. RSVP to Vicki Porter (301-229-9884 or luncheon@lutheranlayfellowship.org) by 5:00 p.m. the Tuesday before the event. Luncheons are held at St. Luke Lutheran in Silver Spring at noon. Visit http://www.lutheranlayfellowship.org/ for more information about LLF.
"Diaconal Ministry: Discernment, History and Formation" is a course offered by the Deaconess Community of the ELCA and Southern Seminary on Jan. 11-20 at the seminary campus in Columbia, South Carolina. Tuition for all participants will be paid by the Deaconess Community. The course covers the history of the diakonia through the centuries, its present expressions and its future possibilities. Three credit hours offered. Limited campus housing available for $325. Early registration advised. See http://www.elca.org/deaconess/jterm for more information. EXTRAS
"January Jubilee: A Day for the Part-Time Parish Musician" is being planned by the American Guild of Organists. It will be held Jan. 15 from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Christ Congregational Church in Silver Spring (9525 Colesville Rd.). There will be 10 workshops, including Organ Literature, African American music, Service Playing, Public Relations, Pastor/Musician Relations, Choral Music Techniques, the Digital Organ, Handbells, and Wedding-Funeral Music. Bishop Eugene Sutton, Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland of the Episcopal Church, will bring a keynote address. Cost is $15 including lunch. Deadline to register is Jan. 5. Find the brochure at http://www.agohq.org/national/pdf/JanJubilee2011.pdf.
"How Do We Read Scripture?" is a conference offered thru webcast from Virginia Theological Seminary. Panelists include Walter Brueggemann, Steed V. Davidson, Mary Gordon, Teresa A. Okure and Gerald O. West. They will explore questions including: What concerns do scholars have when reading scripture? What does an ordinary reader bring? And how does our culture influence what truths we may find in scripture? The conference will take place on Jan. 20-21. Cost is $40/person. Register at http://www.vts.edu/icfl/registration. EXTRAS
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network's Extravaganza event is for adults who minister alongside children and youth in ELCA congregations. "Oasis" is scheduled for Jan. 21-24, 2011, at the Hyatt Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Subject-specific intensive courses are available Jan. 20-21, before the main event (fee separate). Early-bird registration cost for members is $220 (before October 2010); spouses and students can attend for reduced rates, and non-members can attend for increased rate. Look into this opportunity at http://www.elcaymnet.org/Extravaganza.
A trip to El Salvador to build with Thrivent Financial/Habitat for Humanity is planned for February 19-27, 2011. One synod congregation is already planning on participating, and additional teams are welcome. The nine-day volunteer work trip costs $604 plus travel for Thrivent members ($959 plus travel if not). No previous experience required for this opportunity to help build a home with a partner family in need of dignified, affordable housing. See online brochure for local arrangements, or visit www.thriventbuilds.com/worldwide for program information. EXTRAS
The 2011 Congress on Urban Ministry, themed "Peacemaking in a Culture of Violence," will be held March 1-4 in Chicago, Ill. The conference explores, faith, social justice e and urban ministry, and is sponsored by the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE) which includes the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and Luther Seminary. The Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., is a co-chair and speaker for the event. Early registration through mid-December. Learn more at http://congressonurbanministry.org/.
Shekinah is the Metro D.C. Synod youth ministry weekend event for junior high (7th and 8th grade) youth, held annually at the 4-H Center near Front Royal, Virg. Shekinah strives to fortify the faith of youth as we gather for a weekend of learning, fellowship, worship and service. This year's event will take place on March 18-20. Deadline for registration is coming in February. Check out details at http://metrodc.youthgroupstuff.com/shekinah.
A regional ELCA event, "Gathering in the East (GIE)," is being planned for leaders of youth and children in Regions 7, 8 and 9. It will be held April 1-2 at St. Paul's Lutheran, located near the University of Delaware in Newark. The GIE is committed to connecting, equipping and encouraging the people of God to serve in youth and family ministry settings boldly. For more information, visit http://www.gatheringintheeast.org or contact Barbara Harner, synod member of the GIE planning team, at bharner@comcast.net.
A synod delegation will be visiting our Companion Synod of El Salvador next summer, and synod participants are invited to get involved and become inspired by the work being done by our brothers and sisters in faith in El Salvador. The trip will take place July 30-Aug. 8, 2011. Total cost is $1,200/person (including airfare, lodging, food and transportation). An online flyer shares additional details. Call Kelly Baugh at 703-988-9973 if interested. EXTRAS
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Positions Available
Bookkeeper (part-time)
The Metro D.C. Synod is looking for a part-time bookkeeper. The bookkeeper processes deposits and expenses, prepares reports using QuickBooks and Excel, and performs other office duties as assigned. The person who fills this role must have bookkeeping experience. Experience with church finances and QuickBooks is a plus. Time commitment is three days per week, 20 hours per week. Hours are flexible; semi-retired person or someone who needs to work around child/elder care arrangements may be accommodated. Starting pay is $17.50 to $20/hour. Interested persons should send resume to John Handley, Synod Treasurer, at jhandley@metrodcelca.org.
Organist (part-time, short-term)The National Lutheran Communities & Services (formerly known as the National Lutheran Home) in Rockville needs an organist for Christmas Eve and Sundays through January. If interested, contact the Rev. Robert L. Day, Jr., Chaplain, at 301-424-9560, ext. 17500, or rday@nlhv.org.
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= planned by the Metro D.C. Synod = follow link to flyer available for distribution Questions or comments? Submissions? Contact the editor or call the synod office at 202-822-1901. |
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Synod Publications:
Submissions for MetroLiner Notes, our events-based e-news, and MetroLines, our printed ministry newsletter, should be sent to Karen Krueger, editor, at kkrueger@metrodcelca.org.
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