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Synod Publications |
Submissions for MetroLiner Notes, our events-based e-news, as well as MetroLines other synod communication tools should be sent to Karen Krueger, editor. Feedback invited. |
Don't Miss These Opportunities | |
Together in Mission - Jan. 21
Register soon for TIM if you haven't yet done so, but no later than Jan. 18 to facilitate necessary logistics. The annual synod-wide Together in Mission Gathering will take place on January 21. Find info on our keynote, Brian McLaren, plus workshop descriptions and more on the flyer, available from the synod Web site. Register at
under the "Events" tab. Don't miss this chance to energize your congregation with new ideas and enhance relationships between us as we carry out exciting ministry in the Metro D.C. area.
Companion Synod Sunday - Jan. 29
 Once a year, synod-wide we put the spotlight on the rich Companion Synod experience. This year's Companion Synod Sunday will be observed on Jan. 29, celebrating our synod's relationship with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic. Materials from the Global Missions Committee, such as country facts and prayer ideas, can be found online for sharing with your congregation to enrich our understanding of global Christianity.
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| SPOTLIGHT | | Souper Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday
 The Souper Bowl of Caring is an ecumenical, youth-led movement with more than 2,000 ELCA youth groups raising money for hunger-related charities on the day of the Super Bowl - this year on Sunday, Feb. 5. A starter-kit is available from www.souperbowl.org or 800-358-SOUP. The effort can be as simple as collecting $1 from parishioners in soup pots as they exit a worship service, or find other ideas on the ELCA Web site. Money raised can be donated to the hunger-related charity of your choice.
St. Olaf Choir at the Strathmore & at Luncheon for High Schoolers The Strathmore in North Bethesda is an exciting venue for the St. Olaf Choir on Mon., Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m., presented in partnership with Lutheran Volunteer Corps. Founded in 1912 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., an ELCA institution of higher education, the choir has been consistently recognized internationally as an ensemble that sets an uncompromising standard of excellence and innovation. The choir will honor its 100-year legacy under the direction of Anton Armstrong. Contact www.strathmore.org for tickets.
→ Newly announced: A luncheon and forum for high school students with the St. Olaf Choir members will be held after worship on Sun., Feb. 5 at Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill. The choir will sing at the 10 a.m. worship service. The luncheon and forum will be an introduction to liberal arts education adn music at St. Olaf. Contact Sarah Patterson at patters@stolaf.edu for luncheon reservations.
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| SYNOD HAPPENINGS | | Advocacy Day in Richmond
Virginia Interfaith Center is hosting its annual advocacy day on Tue., Jan. 17. The day begins at the Holocaust Museum in Richmond where advocates receive briefings before heading to the Capitol for advocacy work. Beginner participants get in-depth, hands-on training about how to be an effective advocate, including a policy briefing and guided experience at the General Assembly. Lunch and an afternoon keynote will follow. Bus transportation may be arranged with Holly Coy at 804-643-2474. See details at http://virginiainterfaithcenter.org under "Get Involved" tab.
School's Out Day Camp at Mar-Lu-Ridge
Looking for something fun for kids to do when school is out? Mar-Lu-Ridge is offering School's Out Day Camp for elementary-aged children who will enjoy hikes, crafts, games a Bible lesson and a hot lunch. School's Out Day Camp will be held Jan. 23 and Feb. 20 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., with extended care available. Cost is $25. Call 800-238-9974 to register your child.
Living With Mental Illness PresentationSt. Mark's Lutheran in Springfield, Virg., will host an event sharing personal experiences of living with a mental illness featuring presenters from the National Alliance on Mental Illness ( www.NAMI-NorthernVirginia.org). All are welcome to the free, public education program taking place Sun., Jan. 29. A presentation in English will be offered at 12:30-2:00 p.m., and a presentation in Spanish will be offered at 2:30-4:00 p.m. EXTRAS
LLF Luncheons will Feature Bishop, Dr. Solt Lutheran Lay Fellowship (LLF) luncheons in the new year will continue to be held on Thursdays at noon at St. Luke Lutheran in Silver Spring. On Feb. 2, Bishop Richard Graham will offer the program. On Mar. 1, Dr. Barbara E. Solt will speak on "The Holy Land, Then and Now." Cost of the meal is $9, payable at the door. RSVP no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the event by contacting Vicki Porter at 301-229-9884 or luncheon@LutheranLayFellowship.org.
Shekinah for Middle School Age Youth Shekinah is the synod's weekend retreat for 7th and 8th grade youth (6th and 9th graders are welcome if they are part of your congregation's confirmation ministry). Dates are Mar. 16-18, once again taking place at the 4H Center in Front Royal, Virg. The theme is "Imago Dei - Image of God!" Cost is $125/participant; financial assistance available. Registration deadline is Feb. 15. Find details at http://metrodc.youthgroupstuff.com/.
Confirmation Camp Coming Confirmation Camp has been nurturing the faith of youth in the Metro D.C. Synod for over 20 years. Confirmation Camp 2012 will be held June 24-29 at Caroline Furnace ( www.carolinefurnace.org). The theme is "Exodus," and it will be a time with other youth for fun while learning and exploring faith. Cost is $350. Pastors and/or lay confirmation leaders are strongly encouraged to accompany their youth to camp. Find an information letter and registration forms on the synod Web site. Contact the Rev. Jeff Wilson, Confirmation Camp Dean, at pastorwilson@comcast.net or 703-368-3943. EXTRAS Summer Camp Season Opens
Summer camp registration is now open! It's a great time ofyear to enjoy dreams of summer breezes.
- Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, Md., is offering a variety of programming designed for ages 6-17, with Adult Camp and Family Camp as well. Scholarship money available for those in need. All people are welcome to come and meet Jesus in this special place. Learn more and register online from www.mar-lu-ridge.org or call Sarah or Elliot at 800-238-9974.
- Caroline Furnace in Fort Valley, Virg., has also posted their Summer Schedule. Find it at www.carolinefurnace.org.
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| LOCAL LEARNING | | Pre-Seminary Day at LTSP
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia will welcome those interested in attending seminary and their college chaplains and campus ministers for a Pre-Seminary Gathering on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. through Feb. 12 at noon. Meals, housing and program are free, and transportation reimbursement is available upon request. Persons ages 18-30 from ELCA Region 8 (ours) and Regions 7 & 9 will come together. Project Connect, an initiative of the Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries, will host the event. Find a schedule and registration form on the synod Web site. EXTRAS
Ecumenical Advocacy DaysPeople from across the nation come, but it's happening in town. Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) will be held Mar. 23-26, when hundreds of Christians gather to explore the economy, livelihoods and our national priorities. The group will worship, hear from theologians and policy experts, equip themselves to speak confidently on key policy issues, and take a message to elected officials in Congress (see http://advocacydays.org/). The ELCA has some scholarship money available for EAD - apply by Jan. 23. Details found at http://elcaadvocacy.wufoo.com/forms/elca-scholarship-ecumenical-advocacy-days/.
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| NATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES | | | Webinars for Youth and Family Ministry Leaders
Youth and family ministry volunteers and professionals can take part in free training through a partnership of the ELCA Youth Gathering and ELCA Youth Ministry Network. The following Webinars are scheduled.
- Jan. 22, "Lutheran Theology: God at Work in the World" presented by Dr. Jeremy Meyers
- Feb. 5, "Lutheran Theology: How Lutherans Read the Bible" with Dr. Jeremy Meyers
- March 4, "Your Role as Leader" Dr. Terri Elton
- March 18, 2012 "Strategic Planning" presented by Dennis "Tiger" McLuen
- April 1, "Leading a Small Group" presented by Dennis "Tiger" McLuen
- April 15, "Faith Conversations" presented by Dennis "Tiger" McLuen
- May 6, "Planning for the Unexpected" presented by Dennis "Tiger" McLuen
Connect with this opportunity from www.elcaymnet.org/elcatraining.
LCM Funds Webinars on Family Violence Education
The Ending Family Violence Initiative of the Lutheran Community Foundation (www.thelcf.org) is making available several free Webinars which may be of interest to congregations. Katharine English, ELCA Office of the Secretary, highlighted their availability to anyone in recent communication. Offerings in the near future:
- Religión, Espiritualidad y la Sobreviviente de Violencia Doméstica, Jan. 26
- Social Networking and Healthy Boundaries in Ministry: What You Need to Know, Jan. 31
- Helping Teens Develop Healthy Relationships, 2/7/12
- Addressing Domestic Violence in Premarital Counseling, 2/28/12
Access and learn of additional Webinars at www.faithtrustinstitute.org/training/upcoming-webinars.
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| SECOND GLANCE | | Churches Planting Churches
Church consultants tell us that the best way to reach the unchurched is by planting new churches. That's why this seminar was developed, which is coming to our area cosponsored by the ELCA Metro D.C. Synod, ELCA Delaware-Maryland Synod, and Southeastern District-LCMS. "Churches Planting Churches" will take place Jan. 27-28, 2012, at St. Stephen Lutheran in Arbutus, Md. Pastors, congregation leaders, mission executives and district presidents who have taken this seminar have developed a contagious spirit and become advocates for churches planting churches. Mark your calendars and learn more from www.metrodcelca.org/events/daughter-church-planting/. New flyer available. Register by Jan. 4th. EXTRAS
Spring Conference Hosted by SWO
The Metro DC Synodical Women's Organization will hold its Spring Convention on Sat., March 31. It will take place at Christ Lutheran in Fairfax from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Registration fee is $25/person (no fee for women under 40 or first-time attendees). The convention includes celebration of 25 years as Women of the ELCA; guest Anita Gutschick, dramatic presenter of women of the bible; and the Rev. Dr. Marguerite Rourk leading worship and bringing the keynote address. EXTRAS
Summer YIM Programs in Chicago
Students learn about God, themselves and the world while exploring diversity multiculturalism, ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, and local and global issues related to wealth and poverty through Youth in Mission programs at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC).
- Consider the Serving Christ in the World option, June 16-30. Young congregational leaders will engage in theological discussions and more at LSTC and will also travel to Mexico City and Cuernavaca, Mexico for an immersion experience. The final application deadline is Feb. 24. Learn more at www.lstc.edu/yim.
- Church youth groups will connect with Chicago area organizations for urban service-learning experiences with the Beyond Belief program. Summer months fill up quickly, so reserve dates that fit your group's spiritual and scheduling needs by visiting www.lstc.edu/yim or calling 800-635-1116, ext. 725.
Regional Discipleship Training
The North American Association for the Catechumenate (NAAC), an ecumenical organization that connects with the ELCA and its full communion partners, is offering three regional training institutes in 2012 for pastors, musicians and lay leaders. The nearest location for the Metro D.C Synod will be Baltimore (April 13-15). Dr. Jessicah Duckworth is among the presenters. Additional locations are: Phoenix (Feb. 24-26) and Minneapolis (May 18-20). The events, called "Go, Baptize, Make Disciples," are designed to move a congregation from a paradigm of maintenance to one of mission, from membership to discipleship. Music at all three venues will be provided by Bread for the Journey, a well-known ELCA music group. Learn more at www.catechumenate.org. EXTRAS
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| POSITIONS AVAILABLE | |
Director of Youth Ministry (part-time)St. Andrew Lutheran in Centreville, Virg., is looking for a faithful-enterprising Director of Youth Ministry. He/she will be expected to energize the congregation's youth programs and bring new ideas and events while helping the program grow. The position ids currently offered at 20 hrs/wk, with potential for job transition to a f/t position with additional responsibilities. Wednesday evening and weekly worship at St. Andrew is required. Organization, planning and leadership of the congregation's annual Habitat for Humanity high school trip and triennia National Youth Gathering are required. If interested, contact the Rev. Dennis Hagstrom at dennissaintandrewlc.org or Karen Utter at parishadmin@saintandrewlc.org.
President Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) is looking for someone to build upon their strategic planning and fundraising skills by leading the open and affirming national non-profit through significant growth while ensuring sustainability. LVC is a D.C.-based community of faith that unites people to work for peace with justice. LVC places full-time, stipended volunteers into non-profit organizations and ministries in 16 cities to work for peace with justice across the nation, living together in intentional household communities. Find a full position description and instructions for submission at www.lutheranvolunteercorps.org.
Program DirectorSamaritan Ministry of Greater Washington seeks a Program Director to provide leadership for its Next Step program. The ministry was started by a group of Episcopal congregations and serves people who are homeless or otherwise disadvantaged. The Program Director's responsibilities include program policy and planning, supervision of staff, management of day-to-day operations and services, monitoring and evaluation, initiating improvements, public relations/advocacy. Requires BA or equivalent work experience in related field (MA preferred); seven years' experience in social services with minimum three years management/supervisory experience. Learn more at www.samaritanministry.org.
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