Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands.
E-News Weekly |
Issue: # 233
| August 5, 2010 | |
|
|
|
| Interstate Theology, or Something Like It |
|
 by the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton
As an Assistant to the Bishop I spend a lot of time on the road. Although my personal preference is the "scenic route," the pressures of time and distance dictate that I spend most of that time on the large network of interstates that crisscross our synod. Sometime during a marathon seven city, four state, 1500 mile road trip, I began thinking about the church and how it works. It was an alternative to saying things a man in a minister's collar shouldn't think, much less say.
One thing that I spent a long time thinking about was the "two lanes, three types of driver," problem. It is my opinion that there are three broad categories of interstate drivers: 1) Go as fast as you can, 2) go 5-10 miles over the speed limit, 3) speed limit or below. This is fine when there are three or more lanes. Slow to the right, fast to the left; everybody else in the middle. Traffic flows, people find their spot, things work. Now; put those three styles of driving on two lanes and let traffic get a little heavy, and; oh my...
Read the rest of this meditation on the synod blog. |
| "Preaching Law in the Christ-Haunted South" |
|
The current issue of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics has an article by Bishop Gordy: "Preaching Law in the Christ-Haunted South." The current issue of the Journal is devoted to preaching the law in various contexts, and is available on-line at http://www.elca.org/jle |
|
|
|
|
|
| Spiritual Directors Workshop Available Prior to Leadership Convocation |
|
Attention: All Spiritual Directors and Persons Interested in Spiritual Direction in the Southeastern Synod
 You are invited to attend a workshop starting on October 11-12 (prior to the Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation) to explore how Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Directors might best serve the Southeastern Synod. This workshop will include time for group prayer and worship and much wonderful discussion.
Southeastern Synod Professional Leadership Convocation
"Being Lutheran in the South"
A yearly gathering for the rostered leaders and church professionals of the Southeastern Synod, this year's Leadership Convocation will carry on the long-standing tradition of stimulating presentations, inspiring worship, Sabbath, and fellowship.
October 12-14, 2010
Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center
Arden, NC
Online registration is available at www.llmi.net. Click on the "Registration" link at the top of the page. If you have never registered online for an event at Lutheridge or Lutherock, you will need to create an account. Registration for the Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation can be found under "2010/2011 Lutheridge Special Events." We regret that on-line registration is not available for the Spiritual Directors Workshop.
Questions about registration? Call Lutheridge at 828-684-2361.
|
| Rau-Wood Now Functioning as Volunteer Staging Area |
|
It is an unfortunate reality that Camp Victor is closing at the end of August. For the many volunteers who have faithfully been the feet and hands of Christ at Camp Victor, there are always opportunities to serve. Same overwhelming need, same work, just a different location.
Nestled in a quiet bend of the South Harpeth River, the beautiful Rau-Wood Retreat Center sustained devastating damage during the Nashville flooding the first weekend in May; however, despite the damage, Rau-Wood/Nashville Lutherans, Inc. is now functioning as a staging area for volunteer groups.
Through collaborations with Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Services of Tennessee, Rau-Wood/Nashville Lutherans, Inc. is now housing volunteer groups from other churches and states. These preliminary volunteer groups are repairing structures and doing clean-up at the Rau-Wood Retreat Center. Future volunteer groups will stay at Rau-Wood while providing much needed flood recovery assistance to qualifying families in the greater Nashville area. If you would like more information about being a part of volunteer group, please email LDR.TN.FLOOD@gmail.com or call 615-630-8565, or click here for more information.
|
| Is Your Congregation a "Muhlenberg Congregation"? |
|
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was a patriarch and pillar of Lutheranism in eighteenth-century North America. His ministry was instrumental in developing the church structure by which pastors were called, chuches organized and ministry was done. The year 2011 marks the 300th anniversary of Muhlenberg's birth. The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and Muhlenberg College are marking this occasion with a yearlong series of special events.
Does your congregation have a legacy that includes Muhlenberg's ministry? Be a part of this 300th anniversary year by helping to tell the whole story of Henry Muhlenberg. Complete the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia's online questionnaire about Muhlenberg congregations. Explore the history, heritage, and enduring influence of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg in congregations like yours, from New England to Georgia.
|
| 2011 Region 9 Global Mission Consultation |
|
Global Gatherings
Regional consultations for synod leaders in global mission, world hunger, and companion synod relationships
Network with other synods in your region + Learn what's new in global ministries + Share what you are doing + Explore models for synod global ministry + Strengthen leaders + Make plans for future ministry + Build your synod's global team + Experience a new global worship resource + Discover how Lutherans work together around the world (with HIV/AIDS ministry as an example) + Stay connected in the global body of Christ!
Region 9
April 1-2, 2011
Sponsors: ELCA Global Mission, ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI) and HIV and AIDS Strategy, and the nine regions of the ELCA
|
| International Day of Prayer for Peace, September 19 and/or 21 |
|
 Got Peace? Let's Grow It and Share It!
How can we as Christians share hope with those feeling discouraged about violence today? How can we learn more about how conflict can be transformed into peace? And how can we help peacemaking to grow in a world that direly needs it?
More than 10,000 congregations worldwide observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace (IDPP) as a chance for people to grow in faith and action for peace. Now is the time to put this on the fall calendar, to explore resources, and to plan prayers, forums, and advocacy for the weeks before and after September 19 (and/or September 21).
Why organize a day like this? Prayer is central to peacemaking. We are capable of far more when we place our efforts in the hands of the One who is Peace, who has called us to be peacemakers, and who walks with us on the Path fostering Shalom. Use the half-page bulletin insert written by two Lutheran leaders for the first IDPP and revised for 2010 at www.lutheranpeace.org. Find more from the World Council of Churches or the ELCA.
The Day of Prayer is a chance to inspire and encourage people of faith to realize that we can grow as God's peacemakers in our families, churches, communities and world, empowered by the Gospel's deep roots of Shalom. God has given us the peace that passes all understanding. Let's learn together how to grow it - and share it! |
| AROUND THE SYNOD |
|
St. James, Greeneville, TN is providing its final concert for the Summer Family Series of 2010. The FREE concert Saturday, August 14, 6-7pm, will feature Erik Bledsoe. Bring some school supplies to donate to Appalachian Helping Hands. Questions? Call (423) 638-1588.
 The congregation and Montessori school at Holy Trinity, Nashville, TN will present their 6th annual Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, September 25th. The event, which is sponsored by Thrivent for Lutherans, runs from 12:00-4:00 PM on the church grounds, 525 Sneed Road, Nashville, TN 37221. For more information, please call 673-6289 or visit www.holytrinitynashville.com.
Editors note: We know that several synod congregations are planning Oktoberfest festivities. To have yours included in the E-News, send a short 1-2 line description to eschwartz@elca-ses.org. Don't forget to follow-up with information and photos after the event! |
|
Synod Calendar |
|
August 6-8 SESYALL Service Retreat
August 11 Audit Committee Conference Call
August 18 Budget & Finance Conference Call
August 19-21 Candidacy Committee meeting
August 25 Global Mission Committee Meeting
August 27-29 SESLYO Board
August 30 Compensation Guidelines Committee meeting
|
Share this e-news with a friend Do you know someone who might enjoy receiving news from the Southeastern Synod? Please forward a copy of this E-News and invite them to join the group!
ELCA-Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
|
|
|
