Whether you attended Spring Session or not, you're invited to the Fall Session of the 2011 Metro D.C. Synod Assembly. The one-day event on Sat., Sept. 24 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in McLean, Virg., will feature a noted keynote speaker, Len Sweet, and workshop opportunities as well as a worship service joining voices from across our area. Visitor fee is $50. Register by Sept. 19 from www.metrodcelca.org/events/2011-synod-assembly/.

The annual 100 Family Benefit Yard Sale is coming up at Christ Lutheran in D.C. (corner of 16th & Gallatin Streets, NW) on Sat., Sept. 24 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Sun., Sept. 25 (noon-4 p.m.). Beneficiaries include Transitional Housing Corporation, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, and the Rwanda School Project. Books, jewelry, furniture and more will be inside and out during the sale. Find a flyer and complete list of beneficiaries in our "Extras" section.   EXTRAS  
 
Saturday Retreats at Mar-Lu-Ridge

• Sept. 24 - "For the Beginning, a First Spiritual Retreat" presented by Dr. Connie Devilbiss;
• Oct. 22 - "What Jesus Was Dying to Tell You" presented by the Rev. Scott Gustafson
• Nov. 5 - "Called to Ponder Mystery" presented in Advent by Dr. Wayne L. Wold
• then the series resumes in March with spring installments.

Cost is $30 including lunch. Overnight accommodations available. Register with form in "Extras" or by contacting mlr@mar-lu-ridge.org or 800-238-9974.   EXTRAS 

• On Oct. 6, Deborah Rutt, Vice President for Fund Development, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, will make the presentation.
• On Nov. 3, the Rev. Michael Cooper-White, President, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, will make the presentation.

RSVP no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the meeting by contacting Vicki Porter at 301-22909884 or luncheon@lutheranlayfellowship.org. Meal cost is $9.00, payable at the door. For more info about LLF, visit www.lutheranlayfellowship.org.

Sojourners Connect Retreats at Mar-Lu-Ridge are resuming on September 13 after taking the summer off. Six contact hours of continuing education units (CEUs) will be issued per retreat. These retreats take place on the second Tuesday of each month for clergy and church leaders. Leaders are invited to these opportunities to get away from the ordinary at the beautiful campus near Jefferson, Md., featuring presentations by Dr. Eric Gritsch, Emeritus Professor of Church History, Gettysburg Seminary. "[Dr. Gritsch] is both a renowned church historian and an up-to-date communicator of what people are seeking today as 'Good News,'" says the Rev. LaVern D. Rasmussen, Mar-Lu-Ridge Development Team-Retreat Ministry. Registration is $30 including lunch. New flyer is posted.  EXTRAS

The Wittenberg Center of the Lutheran World Federation, located in Wittenberg, Germany, will host a 4th International Seminar within the Luther decade on Oct. 30-Nov. 13. The aim of the seminar is to become better acquainted with Luther's theology, particularly in relation to the respective contexts of participants and with an ecumenical openness to other confessions. It will be led by Professor Theodor Dieter and Professor Sarah Hinlicky Wilson from the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg. The theme is "Luther's Understanding of the Sacraments (Baptism and Lord's Supper) and of Confession." Registration requested by June 10. Learn more at http://www.lwb-zentrum-wittenberg.de/.   EXTRAS 

• A workshop in Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders will be held Nov. 14-18 at the Forest Lake Presbyterian Church. Contact hours and a certificate available for attendees. The workshop equips pastors, church and judicatory leaders with skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal congregational and other forms, of group conflict within the context of family systems theory. (See brochure for workshop dates in August in Chicago area, and in November in Dallas.) Tuition is $695 including some lunches. Participants must arrange for own lodging and additional meals.  EXTRAS
• A two-session Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process will bake place in Lombard, Illinois. The Clergy Clinic helps participants understand implications of concepts for one's family system, as well as one's functioning as a leader within a congregational system. Concepts include triangles, differentiation of self, sibling position and emotional cutoff. Pick a Group A date (Oct. 24-26, 2011; Feb. 6-8, 2012; or Apr. 23-25, 2012) and a Group B date (Nov. 7-9, 2011; Feb. 27-29, 2012; or May 21-23, 2012) to complete the Leadership Training Program. Details in brochure.   EXTRAS 

Campus Ministry Office Administrator (part-time)
The Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Maryland in College Park is seeking an Office Administrator who will report directly to the Lutheran Chaplain. The work load is most heavily concentrated during the two 15-week periods corresponding to the fall and spring semesters. During high times, hours are 25 hrs/wk. Tasks include maintaining the web page and social networking sites, assistance to those visiting the office, bookkeeping and more. Find the full job description at http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/resourcejobs.html. Command of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Publisher; ability to maintain confidentiality; and a basic understanding of university and church structure are among qualifications. Salary is $15/hour. Position open until filled. To start as early as September 1. To apply, send cover letter and resume with two references to lutheran@umd.edu with "application" in the subject line; or mail to Lutheran Campus Ministries, 2103 Memorial Chapel, College Park, MD 20742.