Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands.
E-News Weekly |
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| ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls Oil Spill in Gulf 'Heartbreaking' |
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 The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is "heartbreaking and infuriating," wrote the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
"Although the spill causes deep sorrow, all who care for the earth and work for its restoration can be confident that they are not pursuing a lost cause," he wrote in a June 28 pastoral letter to the 4.6 million-member ELCA.
More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4562
Photo courtesy AP |
| Trust God for the Future |
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by Southeastern Synod Bishop H. Julian Gordy
"Those who want to save their life will lose it," Jesus said. Still, we followers of Jesus spend most of our time, energy and money trying to do just that. Last year, health care accounted for over 17% of the GDP, increasing amounts of that going for "extraordinary measures" to prolong life for a bit longer. Of course, who's to say what an "extraordinary measure" is and what a "reasonable attempt" at better health is?
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| Synod Committees Need Additional Lay Members |
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Five synod committees have at least one opening for additional lay members. Groups actively seeking lay members at this time include: Budget & Finance Committee Audit Committee Candidacy Committee Nominating Committee Mission Outreach & Renewal Committee A description of the work of these groups is contained in Chapter 11 of the synod's Constitution & Bylaws. If you would like to be considered for possible appointment to one of these committees, please fill out the synod's online Volunteer Form. You will be contacted to confirm your interest and availability prior to any official appointment. |
| Copyright -- Call and Response |
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A recent resurgence of interest in copyrights spurred us on to print the following frequently asked questions/comments. Based on our research, we have included a response to each.
Call: It's worth the risk to reprint without permission; nobody ever checks on churches.Response: You may not hear about churches getting caught, but it happens! Depending on whether the court deems it willful infringement or not, fines can range from $200 to $150,000. (Think of all those copied anthems in your files; fines can be given per piece!) Besides, remember the commandment: You shall not steal. Those who hold copyrights to songs and other intellectual property make their living from fees paid for the use of their material.
Call: We use a screen, not bulletins, so we're okay.
Response: The copyright law applies to any reproductions - bulletins, overheads, any electronic reproduction, handouts, websites ... the works.
Call: Well, at least it's only applicable to music!
Response: Copyright law applies to any printed materials - VBS skits and lessons, articles handed out in adult Sunday school class, even Bible translations! Some of these are available for use free of charge, provided you include a copyright notice with their use.
Call: I have OneLicense; since our hymnal is published by Augsburg Fortress and they're listed under OneLicense, I can copy any hymn from the hymnal without obtaining additional permission.
Response: Each hymn has its own publisher from whom Augsburg Fortress had to obtain permission. That means AF has permission to reprint, not you! Unless the copyright line for a specific song lists AF as the publisher, you still have work to do before reprinting. Many, but not all, of the hymns and songs in the ELW may be used if you have a OneLicense or CCLI license. Copyright information for all the hymns in the ELW are provided in the hymnal.
Call: When printing one or more hymns, each copyright permission line must appear immediately underneath its hymn.
Response: According to the U.S. Copyright Office/Library of Congress, June 2010, "the (copyright) law does not identify where or if the permissions need to be displayed." Each publisher has its own protocol; when you call/write for permission, you should be given this information if applicable.
Call: Hymns in Public Domain should be listed as such.
Response: If a piece is Public Domain (no copyright in effect), you may but are not required to note it. (Note the ELW index on page 1173, for instance - #309 is considered Public Domain, thus omitted from the copyright list.)
Call: It's out of print so it's okay to copy.
Response: Only if you ask the publisher first! Just because it's out of print doesn't mean the copyright has expired.
Call: Spending money on a license or individual reprints is a waste of our congregational resources.
Response: OBTAINING COPYRIGHT PERMISSION IS THE LAW. As noted above, this is how authors and composers make their living; it is our duty as Christians to do our best to honor our commitment to those who aid our ministries.
Helpful (though not exhaustive) contact information:
U.S. Copyright Office, (202) 707-3000, www.copyright.gov
Augsburg Fortress Copyrights & Permission, 1-800-328-4648, copyright@augsburgfortress.org
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| Conferences and Conventions |
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The European American Lutheran Association would like to announce its first biennial conference and invite all interested parties in our synods.
October 28th-30th, 2010*
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"Unraveling the Knot of Privilege, Power and Difference"- Allan Johnson
Workshops - Prayer - Banquet - Inspirational Speakers - Networking - Worship
The mission of the EALA is to live out our commitment to dismantle racism and white privilege by "speaking truth to power" within the institutional church and the wider society.
*Registration, program and accommodation information forthcoming
More information on the EALA can be found here
 Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA--Early bird registration is ended, but it's still not too late to register for the Twenty-Third Annual Convention of the Southeastern Synod Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to be held at the Hilton Marietta Conference Center in Marietta, Georgia, September 10-12, 2010. There will be Bible Study, worship services, workshops, a reception on Friday evening, and a special surprise on Sunday morning. Come be a part of this exciting weekend.
Each congregation, intercongregational, or special unit of the Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA is entitled to one delegate. It is important that all congregations be represented as we conduct the business of our organization.
For information and to register, go to the synod website, www.elca-ses.org and click the quicklink to "Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA." |
| Changes in Thrivent Support |
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by Pastor Darrel Peterson
If you are Lutheran, you soon realize that Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a significant player in supporting Lutherans with their efforts to minister in congregations, communities, agencies and institutions, jurisdictions, as well as benefiting individuals in need. In 2009, Thrivent provided some $113 million of support in these various contexts! How do they do this? They are a unique financial services organization in that they are both a fraternal benefit society and a Fortune 500 company (the only such company in the country). They are able to provide these funds because the government allows them, as a fraternal benefit society, the privilege to provide this support in lieu of paying federal taxes and state insurance premium taxes.
Their mission is stated, "Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based membership organization called to improve the quality of life of its members, their families, and their communities by providing unparalleled solutions that focus on financial security, wellness and caring for others."
Some things are changing in Thrivent support. Thrivent members now have a greater role in deciding where fraternal dollars go. And in general terms, the more business they have with Thrivent, the more dollars they can choose to designate. (visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice.) For example, last year in the state of Georgia, under the previous "Care in Congregations" program, some $60,000 was available to Lutheran congregations. That program has been discontinued. This year with "Choice Dollars", Georgia Thrivent members have some $340,000 to designate for Lutheran camps, schools, seminaries, campus ministries-even local congregations. Choice dollar amounts available to members range from $25 to $500.
So our Southeastern Synod congregations, agencies and parishioners need to be aware of what Thrivent is and what Thrivent support changes are occurring. In these challenging economic times, Thrivent members have some new opportunities to give and our congregations and organizations need to be alert for new opportunities to receive. In addition to information on the Thrivent website, additional information can be gotten from Thrivent Representatives and Thrivent Chapter leaders.
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| Correction |
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The ELCA Global Mission "Glocal Gathering" set for Sept. 10-11, 2010 is in Lexington, South Carolina, not Lexington, KY as was reported last week. We apologize for the error. For information or to register click here. |
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St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mobile, AL, celebrated its 80th Anniversary on June 27, 2010 with worship, a catered meal and entertainment afterwards. Pictured in the lower right hand of the collage (left to right) are Rev. Paul Haffly, former pastor of St. Paul's, Rev. Dr. Karnig Kazanjian, current pastor of St. Paul's, Bishop Julian Gordy, and Dr. Joy Blaylock.
Covenant Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, AL, closed it's doors for the last time on June 27, 2010. One way Covenant is sharing the life it once had is through donating goods to charity. Nothing in the church will be sold, everything will be a gift.
Click here to read an in-depth article from the Annistion (AL) Star regarding the closing.
For a list of items available for congregations, click here. |
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Synod Calendar |
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July 5 Synod office closed
July 30-31 Alassippi Youth Gathering
August 2 Ventures Stewardship Event
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ELCA-Southeastern Synod 100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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