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Southeastern Synod
E-News Weekly
Issue: # 225
June 11, 2010
In This Issue
Oil Spill Update
Lutheran Volunteer Corps Recieves $100,000 Grant
ELCA Global Mission Gatherings
Around the Synod
Synod Calendar
Quick Links
Oil Spill Update
from Kevin Massey, Director Lutheran Disaster Response
 
June 10, 2010
 
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 
We continue to monitor the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and pray fervently for all those who have been affected.  Indeed, while the long-term effects of this tragedy will be felt by all of us, for those whose lives and livelihoods have been directly impacted, the needs for help are acute and overwhelming.
 
Earlier this week, Jessica Vermilyea, disaster coordinator with Lutheran Social Services of the South, took part in an ecumenical listening tour into the bayou marsh areas of Plaquemines Parish in southeastern Louisiana.  As part of this group, Jessica heard from fishermen, business owners, and other local leaders about how the oil spill is affecting them, even as many of them continue to struggle with recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
 

Thick crude oil floats just off the white sand shores of Orange Beach, AL, June 10, 2010.  Photo from www.bp.com, Gulf of Mexico response. 
Orange Beach AL

We have received numerous inquiries from Lutherans around the country about volunteering in some capacity along the Gulf Coast.  At this moment, only people who are being specifically trained and equipped by BP are being permitted to work directly in the clean-up process.  This has much to do with the health and safety risks of handling the crude oil.  In the future, opportunities may emerge for other types of volunteer roles, and each state in the area is receiving names of volunteers who are interested in helping.  To register, follow one of the following links:
 
Louisiana:  www.volunteerlouisiana.gov
 
Several questions have been raised about whether a national funding appeal should be launched in response to this tragedy.  Our commitment has always been that we will find the most efficient ways possible to use financial contributions to meet unmet needs that arise from disaster.  At this time, BP has pledged that it is their responsibility to pay for all costs related to clean-up as well as to reimburse those who have experienced a loss of income as a result of the spill, and anyone seeking to file a claim can do so directly through the BP website.  Given the unique nature of this situation, we will not be seeking funding for this response.
 
Lutheran Disaster ResponseInstead, we lift up the unfolding needs of those in the many states affected by flooding and tornadoes so far this spring, including as recently as this past weekend in Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.  I ask you to consider giving a gift to support the responses getting underway in places like Yazoo City, Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee.  Click here to give today.
 
In the mean time, we will continue to listen for emerging unmet needs along the Gulf Coast and for meaningful ways that we might engage there.  As we do, I ask for your continued prayers for the beautiful land and people of the Gulf Coast as they struggle to overcome this continuing tragedy.
 
In service,
Rev. Kevin A. Massey, Director
Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Volunteer Corps Receives $100,000 Grant for New Collaborations
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation Grant Facilitates Program Expansion
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 5, 2010) - Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC)recently received a $100,000 grant from the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation. The grant will help LVC expand to Atlanta, Georgia, and Detroit/Port Huron, Michigan, as well as add new Volunteer placement sites in current cities.
 
"This grant is a great boost to our expansion efforts. We're seeing record numbers of applicants and it's exciting to be able to add more placement sites. Because of this gift, more Volunteers will have the chance to spend a year working for peace with justice through LVC," said Development Director Sue Gaeta. Teams of local supporters have formed in Michigan and Georgia in preparation for welcoming new Volunteers in August.
 
LVCThese teams are responsible for raising awareness of the program among local congregations and individuals, recruiting and selecting placements, and finding and furnishing volunteer housing. LVC anticipates a total of 150 volunteers for the 2010-11 program year-a 25% increase compared to the current year.
 
"We are delighted to assist LVC through this grant, said Karen Coonen, executive director of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation. "We trust that this support will strengthen LVC's ongoing ministry." The grant is part of the foundation's Lutheran Grant Program. This program is designed to help Lutheran institutions and organizations take advantage of unique growth and service opportunities.
 
About Lutheran Volunteer Corps
A community of faith, LVC is a national servant-leadership program that unites people to work for peace with justice. Volunteers live together in intentional community, practice simple and sustainable living, and work full-time with social justice organizations. LVC is open to persons from all spiritual traditions and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, creed, age, culture, disability, economic class, gender identity, or sexual orientation. LVC is an affiliate of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America and Catholic Network for Volunteer Service. LVC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Financial statement requests may be directed to the national office. For more information, visit www.lutheranvolunteercorps.org.
Setting the Table

Lutherans in the Southeastern Synod Engage on the African Descent Strategy

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 
I believe it is time for Lutherans in the Southeastern Synod to talk seriously about the ELCA African Descent Strategy and what impact it should have on us.   As you are aware, talking about anything that relates to race can be problematic unless one is clear, focused and intentional about both the reason for and the outcome planned.    
 
Recently I read an article in the May 2010 issue of The Lutheran magazine, called, "Hospitality: It takes guts! Are we up to the Challenge?"  In this article, the author, Elizabeth Hunter, Dean and professor of the History of Christianity at Wesley Theological Seminary, strongly suggests that, "We can trust God to lead us.   We don't need to have it all figured out.  We just have to take some risks."  
 
I am convinced that we have a rare opportunity to grow.  More than 500,000 people of African Descent are relocating to become our neighbors in the Southeastern Synod.  This provides an unparalleled opportunity to grow from the current base of fewer than 2500 people of African Descent in our synod. 
 
The staff of the Southeastern Synod and the ELCA churchwide staff would like to walk with you on this journey of welcome.  None of us have it all figured out, but we must be willing to take risks together, and to trust God to lead us.    
 
I hope that you will join other like-minded congregations who want to plan and engage this opportunity for diversity by taking intentional steps to invite African Americans and other people of color into meaningful relations in our Lutheran community.   
 
On June 18-19, we will gather at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Norcross, GA, to share the history of Lutherans of color in the Southeastern United States, to receive some training in public exchanges in cross cultural settings, and to learn how to start cross cultural conversations with our neighbors living in our communities.  We hope a particular congregational plan can take root.
 
Friday Schedule:
6:00 PM  - Dinner
6:30 PM  - Worship
6:45 PM  - Brief Overview on the African Descent Strategy
7:30 PM -  History of Lutherans of Color in Southeastern United States
10:00 PM  - Dismiss
 
Saturday Schedule:
8:00 AM - Continental Breakfast
8:15 AM - Worship & Communion
8:45 AM - Cross Cultural Conversations/Small groups
12:00 PM - Dismiss
 
On September 17-18, those congregations who have made a mission plan will gather so that together we can support one another as our plans take root and produce fruit.   
 
To know more about the specific schedule and to register for the June event, please go to  http://www.settingthetable.eventbrite.com.    I am confident that good work has begun among us in the area of diversity.   Our congregations welcome freely and are learning to invite intentionally.   The diversity of people worshipping, meeting in our buildings, and attending programs is growing.  This is a worthy calling.  
 
In God's Service,
H. Julian Gordy
Bishop
ELCA-Southeastern Synod

Rethinking Stewardship
Our Culture, Our Theology, Our Practices
July 19-21, 2010
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie, Minn.
 
Why aren't American Christians more generous?  American Christians, the richest in history, are surprisingly reluctant to part with their money. What are the limiting forces at work? How do we overcome them to reframe all of life as God's gift?
 
The conference will consist of four conversations that invite rethinking:
 
Rethinking Cultural Assumptions
Rethinking Theological Possibilities
Rethinking Leadership Practices
Rethinking Stewardship Leadership 
 
Rethink stewardship for the 21st century. Make a difference-join the conversation!  Go to www.luthersem.edu/rethinking for more information.  A limited number of $300 scholarships are available for this conference.  Contact Pastor Darrel Peterson at [email protected] or 404-589-1977, ext. 226.
ELCA Global Mission Gatherings
This year's Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Global Mission gatherings are connecting the global with the local. There will be six weekend gatherings this summer and fall that bring together experts and resources on global and domestic ministry. Featured at the gatherings are the following skill-building workshops:global motif

Mission 101
Short-Term Mission
Cross-Generational Engagement
Stewardship
Social Action
New and Renewing Congregations
Preaching, Worship and Mission
 
For more information call, 800-638-3522 and stay on the line to speak with an ELCA
Resource Information Specialist, or visit www.elca.org/globalmission.
 
Upcoming Events: 
Minnesota, July 16-17, 2010
Montana, August 6-7, 2010
South Carolina, September 10-11, 2010
North Dakota, October 1-2, 2010
Oregon, October 8-9, 2010
Pennsylvania, November 11-13, 2010
 
This article is excerpted from "Seeds for the Parish," the resource newspaper of the ELCA. Each issue contains articles about resources that can help congregations in their worship, service, and ministries.   Read the entire issue, including the full article, online at www.elca.org/seedsfortheparish.

Seeds for the Parish

Around the Synod
Free 
to a Good Home
 
RODGERS EXETER 770 ELECTRONIC ORGAN
Features:  2 manuals; full standard pedalboard; antiphonal speakers; tutti, continuo and
solo pistons; sostenuto toe stop; transposer; expression and crescendo pedals; dual
memory; variety of stops including principal, flute, strings, reeds, celestes, mixtures;
variety of changeable presets, lift-lid bench with music storage.  Condition:  New 1987, the organ is currently in use and working.  It can be heard in its present state until early July 2010 when it will be removed, and temporarily stored at the church.  It is offered "as is" at the time of acquisition.  (It is being replaced by a pipe organ.) New owner will be responsible for packing, loading, and transporting it from its current location.  Contact:  Cross of Christ Lutheran Church (LCMS), 3204 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37415, 423-877-7447, [email protected]
 
 
Lost and Found in Concert 
Lost and Found
Lost & Found
Lost and Found, the Christian rock musicians who have captured the hearts of Lutheran youth and many others throughout the country, will be in the Atlanta area July 31, 2010, performing to benefit 18-year-old Zalika Mason.   Zalika has undergone two bone marrow transplants to combat sickle cell anemia.  She and her family are members of St. Luke Lutheran Church in McDonough, GA.
 
Lost and Found will give two concerts, at 1 PM and 5 PM, on July 31 at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro. Tickets will be $20 each and proceeds will go to the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) of Bloomington, Ind., a non-profit 501(c)(3) agency working with the Mason family to help with transplant-related expenses.    For tickets or more information, visit http://cotaforzalikam.com/node/315.
Synod Calendar
June 18-20 Affirm Staff Training
June 18-19 African Descent Strategy Workshop
June 20-25 Affirm
June 20-25 Bishop's School
July 5         Synod office closed
 
View the entire Synod Calendar
 
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ELCA-Southeastern Synod 
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Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
 
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