What is it like for a newcomer to walk into the doors of our sanctuary and worship with us for the very first time? Congregations are invited to take part in the Secret Visitor Program - trained teams from your congregation can have that first-time experience by visiting others, and trained teams visiting your congregation can offer gentle feedback that will help us all "To See Ourselves As Others Do," the synod's theme in 2011. Secret Visitor Training on Saturday, March 5 will prepare teams from your congregation. It will run from 10 a.m.-noon at St. John's Lutheran in Rockville. The event is free, but registration is required. Register on the synod Web site (under "Events" tab).

There are other ways "To See Ourselves As Others Do." For example, request a visit from a young adult who can offer feedback on their experience worshipping with your congregation. Request more information from the Rev. Phil Hirsch using the form online.

  

 Synod staff share experiences and expertise in "Staff Insights" - a blog under the "Faith Resources" tab on the synod Web site. Get new, periodic posts delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for the RSS feed on the top of the page, or view online. Just this week, the Rev. Phil Hirsch shared a tax credit tip for churches...

"Christianity and Islam - Faith and Politics in Today's World" is the inaugural program of the Faith & Wisdom discussion series at Faith Lutheran in Arlington on Saturday morning, Feb. 26, from 9:00 a.m.-noon. Dr. Abed Amala, Campus Dean and Professor at Strayer University (Alexandria) will be featured in the informative and thought-provoking interfaith lecture and discussion. A breakfast hosted by the congregation's "Men at Faith" group will precede the program at 8:00 a.m. Fee is $15/person. To register, contact office@flcva.org or 703-525-9283.

  

Christian Musicians in Concert  

A concert featuring Monte Leister, acoustic Christian rock musician, and Jericho, Metro DC Synod Youth Band, will take place on Sat., Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at King of Kings in Fairfax. Admission is free; free-will offering to support Leister's music ministry will be collected. For more info, see www.musicwithmonte.com or contact the congregation at 703-378-7272.  EXTRAS  

  

Compassion Walks Explore LSS Service  

Learn more and be inspired during Compassion Walks - a living tour of how Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSS/NCA) walks with those in need. Actively experience the LSS/NCA mission through the stories of the neighbors it has served, with ministries including adoption, foster care, refugee resettlement and Camp Kids' Haven. Start your tour from the LSS/NCA Northern Virginia office on one of the following dates: March 1 (6-7:00 p.m.), March 5 (11:00 a.m.-noon), April 5 (6-7:00 p.m.) or April 19 (11:00 a.m.-noon). RSVP by noon on the Monday prior to the tour date by contacting Summer Parrish at parrishs@lssnca.org or 703-698-5026, ext. 138.  EXTRAS  

  

Holden Evening Prayer During Lent 

Holden Evening Prayer will be the worship setting during Wednesdays in Lent at St. Mark's in Springfield. The services, beginning March 16 at 7:30 p.m., will also include a brief meditation on "Questions of Faith." Learn more at www.stmarks-elca.org.

  

Dramatic Women of the Bible  

"Water Jars: A Women of the Bible Workshop" will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran in Vienna, Virg., on Mar. 20 Lunch begins at 12:15 p.m., and the workshop concludes at 2:30 p.m. A dramatic description of "Water Jars" begins with, "Rebekah sashays into the room..." to "Gentle Ruth describes how her life was transformed by love-by loving a man she was supposed to hate..." Cost is $30. For more information and to register, contact Kathy Uffelman at 703-938-2119 or email info@elcvienna.org.

  

C.S. Lewis & Inklings Topic of NCLA Event  

The local chapter of the National Church Library Association is hosting an event, "C.S. Lewis and the Inklings: Storytellers of Faith" on Saturday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Oakton United Methodist Church (2951 Chain Bridge Rd., Oakton, VA 22124). Melanie Jeschke, author of The Oxford Chronicles and Jillian Dare will speak. In addition to her works of fiction, Jeschke is a freelance travel writer who contributed the chapter on Oxford to the Rick Steves England guidebook and has lectured on C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Inklings to young professionals, university students and church groups. Contact Mary Bowen at bowenjm@verizon.net or 703-533-3637 for more information and to RSVP.

  

Rwanda Benefit Concert  

Announcing a Rwanda Benefit Concert at Luther Place Memorial Church in D.C. on Saturday, March 26 at 5:00 p.m. to be led by Eric Maring. This will be a family-oriented concert with active participation of the children. Luther Place is just above Thomas Circle and three blocks north of the McPherson Square Metro station. Donations to the concert will benefit the Medical Clinic Solar Project in Mumeya, in rural Rwanda. A team of members of Luther Place and St. Stephen Lutheran in Silver Spring is helping to develop and implement the project. The project is being led by the Rev. John Rutsindintwarane, General Secretary of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda, who has visited Luther Place and St. Stephen as a guest preacher and speaker. "Please come and spread the word; we would like to see a full house!" writes the Rev. Ann Dwiggins, St. Stephen. Learn more about the project from the Luther Place Web site.

  

Chamber Music Performed in Rockville  

Chamber music will be performed by the Rosen-Spector-Stern Trio at the Village at Rockville - a National Lutheran Community - on Sunday, March 27 at 3:00 p.m. This performance is part of the 2010-2011 Artist Series. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.thevillageatrockville.org or call 301-424-9560, ext. 17602.

  

Annual Conference of Synodical Women  

 Our Synodical Women's Organization will hold its annual conference on Saturday, May 7 at Lutheran Church of the Abiding Presence in Burke, Virginia. The theme is "Renew, Respond, Rejoice!" Worship, workshops, keynote speaker and service project opportunity are part of the experience. Learn more on the synod Web site. Fee is $25 including light breakfast and lunch. Register online by April 1 if delegate and April 22 if visitor.  EXTRAS

  

Youth Working for Social Justice Weekend Event  

The Steinbruck Center for Urban Studies at Luther Place Memorial Church in D.C. is hosting a weekend of empowering youth to work toward social justice. It will take place May 14-15. Learn more about their programs at http://www.lutherplace.org/steinbruckcenter/.

  

Chi Rho for Senior High Youth  

 Chi Rho is a weeklong servant event trip for senior high youth (completing 9th-12th grade in June 2011) sponsored by the synod. On July 10-16 this year, the group will return to HOMES in Neon, Kentucky. Information available at http://metrodcyouthgroupstuff.com.

 If you haven't decided your entire Lenten series this year, you may wish to discuss Kairos Palestine written by our Palestinian Christian sisters and brothers. It was sent to your congregation included in a fine 24-page study booklet that provides three lessons on this moving theological statement. This educational resource, along with the ELCA Peace Not Walls DVD and a power point presentation prepared by Rev. Robert Smith for the ELCA Conference of Bishops (among other items on a CD) were in a packet sent to your congregation in early February.
They represent, in part, a means of responding to "Kairos Palestine Document," a resolution adopted by the 2010 Synod Assembly in Spring Session. The Middle East Working Group (MEWG) of our synod recommends these materials to you and your congregation as you seek (whether in Lent or later) to understand the context in which the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) finds itself, and how the larger ecumenical community to which it belongs gives witness to their faith in Palestine today. (*This article was submitted by Jean Martensen, MEWG member from Good Shepherd Lutheran in Gaithersburg)

  

Lent Video Primer from LTSG  

A 17-minute video primer called "Making the Most Out of Lent" is being offered by Gettysburg Seminary Video productions. It is suitable for use in personal spiritual enrichment and Christian study groups. In it, the Rev. Mark Oldenburg, Dean of the Chapel and Steck Miller Professor of the Art of Worship, outlines the basic and deepening spiritual practices for Christians in the Lenten time. See it on the seminary's resource page, http://www.ltsg.edu/resources, and directly at www.youtube.com/ltsgvideo.

  

YM103 on Basic Christian Practices  

 On April 16, the third in a workshop series for adults in youth ministry will be offered from 9:00 a.m.-noon at Emmanuel in Vienna. The YM103 Workshop will include a 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering Info Session. Jessicah Krey Duckworth will explore Christian practices that ground youth ministry, including hospitality, prayer and play. Cost is $10/person with a max $30/congregation. If someone attended YM101 or YM102, you will receive a 50% discount for YM103. Learn more at http://metrodc.youthgroupstuff.com/

The World Day of Prayer, an ecumenical event conducted by Christian women around the world for more than a century, will highlight the women of Chile on March 4. The 2011 theme of the annual event is "How Many Loaves Have You," based on the biblical story of Jesus' feeding of 5,000. Additional information and resources for celebrating the World Day of Prayer can be found at http://www.wdpusa.org. Resources are also available from Women of the ELCA.

  

Grants and Ministry Webinars  

A webinar will connect congregations with information on "Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry" on Tue., March 8 at 2:00 p.m. Joy Skjegstad will lead the webinar hosted by Wheat Ridge Ministries to explore assessing whether grant funding is a fit for a church or ministry, what funders look for in evaluating grant proposals, steps and a template to develop a grant proposal, and strategies for communicating with "secular" funders. Price is $39, and enrollment is limited. Register from www.wheatridge.org.

The same presenter will address "Grant Searches - Finding Funding Sources for Ministry" on Tue., Mar. 15 at 2:00 p.m. Registration at www.wheatridge.org.

  

Lutheran Men in Mission Retreat 

Spiritual boot camp for men on their spiritual journey will be held March 25-27 at Camp Nawakwa (about 10 miles north of Gettysburg), hosted by Lutheran Men in Mission. What would you do differently if you learned that you had one year to live? During the "One Year to Live Retreat," men have the opportunity to look into their lives and work with other men and discover areas they may want to change. This retreat has been held many times throughout the U.S., and men and their spouses say that it is changing their lives. Cost is $195; partial scholarships available. Information and video testimonials available at http://www.lutheranmeninmission.org. Locally, you may also contact Rich White at 703-327-1144 or rwhite743@aol.com for details.

  

Book of Faith Initiative Conference  

A three-day conference of the ELCA Book of Faith Initiative on April 29-May 1 will bring together lay leaders, teachers, pastors and church staff with resources from Luther Seminary, Augsburg College and Augsburg Fortress. Keynote speakers for the "Book of Faith Jubilee!" include the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, Prof. Craig Koester, John Roberto and Prof. Jessicah Duckworth, and the Rev. Kelly Chatman will be worship leader. This conference will inspire and equip congregational leaders in reading the Bible to live into their callings as people renewed, enlivened, empowered and sent by the Word. Learn more from host Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., at http://www.luthersem.edu/jubilee.

  

Spiritual and Intellectual Renewal Event in Mountains  

Modeled after similar continuing education events for pastors and spouses, Wartburg Theological Seminary's Luther Academy of the Rockies will be held June 20-30 at Meeker Park Lodge in Allenspark, Colorado. CEUs offered. Dr. Dan Olson, Dr. Ann Graham Brock, and the Rev. Rich Melheim will be this year's faculty. The setting lends itself to outdoor recreation and relaxation as well as spiritual and intellectual renewal. Cost is $255/person or $325/couple ($85/child). Lodging and program details are available at www.wartburgseminary.edu.

  

Power in the Spirit Planned by Virginia Synod 

Power in the Spirit will be held on the Roanoke College Campus on July 14-16, sponsored by the Virginia Synod. The event is themed, "We Love to Tell the Story." Keynote speaker will be the Rev. Walt Wangerin, the Bible study leader will be the Rev. John Largen, and the musician will be Mr. Kevin Barger. Workshops, a professional storyteller, worship, laugher and fellowship will equip participants to be better Ambassadors for Christ. Fee is $156; meals and lodging are extra, and packages are available. Registration is not yet open. For more information, contact Elizabeth Smythe at esmythe24354@yahoo.com or 276-783-5804.  EXTRAS

  

Lutheran Men in Mission Triennial Conference This Summer 

The triennial Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) Gathering will be held July 22-24 in Denver at the Marriott Tech Center Hotel. This two-day event will provide men of all ages with an opportunity to challenge themselves to focus on what is important in their lives. Speakers will include the Rev. Larry Clark, pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran in Chicago; Jay Gamelin, pastor at Jacob's Porch, a campus mission at Ohio State University; Pat Morley, CEO of Man in the Mirror; Lyman Coleman, general editor of the MasterBuilder's Bible for Men and developer of the One Year to Live retreat; and Paul Hill, executive director of Vibrant Faith Ministries. Music will be provided by Peter Mayer, a dear friend of LMM and lead guitar for Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefers Band. For more information, go to www.lutheranmeninmission.org. Early registration deadline is March 15.

In conjunction with the LMM Gathering, the LMM Assembly will be held on July 21-22. Each synod is entitled to six delegates to the Assembly, which is the highest legislative authority of LMM. Currently, the Metro D.C. Synod has two delegates. If you are planning on attending the Gathering and would like to be a delegate to the Assembly, please contact Rich White at 703-327-1144r or rwhite743@aol.com for details.  

Immerse yourself in the faithful and faith-filled Gettysburg Seminary community during their Seminary Weekend on Feb. 25-26. As a guest of the seminary, join faculty, staff, students and their families to learn more about the distinctive curriculum, community life, contextual education settings, worship life, ecumenical opportunities, costs and available financial aid. The weekend is an opportunity to get a sense of the place and discern your sense of call. Learn more at www.ltsg.edu (under "Prospective Students"), or call 800-MLUTHER, ext. 3008, to register. Day/overnight campus visits are also welcome at other times.

  

Forgiveness Topic of Lenten Retreat at MLR  

An ecumenical Lenten Retreat is being held at Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp and Retreat Center in Jefferson, Md., on Saturday, March 5 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The theme is "Living a Grace-filled Life: Forgiveness." The Rev. Dr. Thomas P. Williamsen, pastor of Gloria Dei! Lutheran Church and author, will be the retreat leader. Cost including lunch is $30. The retreat will include two brief lectures, worship, quiet time and group time. Registration form online or call LaVern at 301-662-3564 for more information.  EXTRAS

  

Hein Fry Lecture Comes to Gettysburg  

The Hein Fry Lecture series will present "Hearing the Word: The Global Christian Community Reads the Bible Together" at Gettysburg Seminary on Thursday, March 10. The topic addresses global and ecumenical approaches to biblical interpretation. The 2011 lectures continue the series' multi-year theme on the Bible, this year affirming that the Bible is not an exclusive word and that American Lutherans have much to learn from the ways Christians around the world experience and interpret the Bible. Hein-Fry lectures are free and open to the public. Learn more at http://www.ltsg.edu/Lifelong-Learners/Hein-Fry-Lecture or 717-334-6286, ext. 2231.

  

Shekinah Event for Junior High Youth  

 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 February 14. Check out details at http://metrodc.youthgroupstuff.com/shekinah.

  

Youth Leader Event for Region  

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.

  

Summertime Synod Delegation to El Salvador Forming  

 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

  

Registration Deadline for TEY Events  

The application deadline of Feb. 25 is coming soon for two highly regarded Theological Education With Youth (TEY) summer programs, a joint initiative of Gettysburg and Philadelphia Seminaries. Youth in 9th or 10th grade are invited to the Crossroads Event on June 26-July 2 at Wagner College, Staten Island, NY. Youth will explore advocacy and social justice ministries of the church alongside seminarians and other leaders. Youth in 10th or 11th grade are invited to the Summer Theological Academy on July 23-August 6 at Gettysburg Seminary. Worshipping and diving into theological waters with seminarian mentors will be offered. Find more info at www.theologicaleducationwithyouth.com, or contact Chandler Carriker, TEY Director, at 717-338-3038 or ccarriker@ltsg.edu.  EXTRAS

WTC Executive Director (full-time)

The position of Executive Director (ED) of the Washington Theological Consortium (WTC) is available beginning July 1. This full-time position is offered with a three year term of service, renewable. The incumbent directs the WTC's program manages the organization and supervises a small staff. The ED serves WTC's institutions and reports to the Chair of the WTC Board of Directors. Preferences are for a Ph.D. and Christian Higher Education Academic experience, teaching or administrative. Strong attributes sought are Christian faith and commitment to ecumenism, commitment to higher theological education, management and communications abilities and visionary. WTC offices are located at the Dominican House, 487 Michigan Ave., NE DC. Letters of interest and resumes should be sent to the Search Committee Co-Chairs by February 28, 2011. WTC info found at http://www.washtheocon.org. Co chairs are Ambassador Anthony Quainton (quainton@american.edu) and James Lowe (jrl4615@aol.com).