Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands.
E-News Weekly |
Issue: # 237
| September 3, 2010 | |
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| Hurricane Katrina, Five Years Later |
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- a reflection by Bishop Julian Gordy This past week saw several five-year retrospectives of Hurricane Katrina on TV, from National Geographic's Witness Katrina to Spike Lee's HBO If God Is Willing and the Creek Don't Rise, sequel to When the Levees Broke. The nation wants to remember the worst natural disaster in its history. For many of us, it's impossible to forget. Our family had just moved to Middle Tennessee after fourteen years on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I remember Sunday evening, August 28th, sitting in my bedroom, not yet fully moved in, watching the coverage on the web, talking with Suzie Harvey, parish administrator at Christus Victor. I remember a growing sense that this was the storm we had all dreaded.  The next morning, after the storm made landfall, I remember the early pictures of the devastation we saw, thanks to a Biloxi TV station's web site. I remember calling and calling and calling people on the Coast, hoping that someone would and could answer the phone. Just about everyone on earth we knew and loved had been in the path of this monster storm. On Tuesday morning, I mentioned to a few members of St. Andrew, Franklin, TN, that I hoped to go down later in the week and, if possible, carry relief supplies in my ten-foot open trailer. Thanks to the amazing generosity of St. Andrew Church, by Thursday, I was looking for additional trailers and trucks to carry the huge volume of supplies that had been brought to the church in just two days.
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| Update:
Southeastern Synod Professional Leadership Convocation |
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Pastor Robert S. Graetz & Bishop Jim Arends to attend this year's Leadership Convo!
We are delighted to announce that, in addition to Dr. Susan McArver's presentations about "Being Lutheran in the South," we will also hear from other distinguished guests at this year's Leadership Convocation. Bishop Jim Arends, from the LaCrosse Area Synod in Wisconsin, will be with us to preach for our opening worship and to bring greetings from our sister synod.
In addition, we are thrilled to announce that Pastor Robert Graetz, from Montgomery, AL, will attend the event and will make a presentation about his experiences during the civil rights movement of the 1950's and the 1960's. He will also preach at our closing worship.
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from the blog entry by the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton
Assistant to the Bishop of the Southeastern Synod
I was first confronted with this question not in a seminary lecture hall but in a cramped Sunday School room in a tiny Methodist Church in rural North Carolina. I was serving as the "student pastor" of a three- church "yoked parish," while attending Duke Divinity School. A young man who had recently graduated from college and come back to the community to teach High School was saying "If we were a real church we would have . . ." At that point I stopped listening. What does he mean "A real church? Of course we're a real church," I fumed.
But I knew what he meant. He meant a "full service" church; one with nursery and youth group and robed choir and men's breakfast and a large fellowship hall and a gymnasium and . . . . , well you can fill in the blanks.
When I got home that night, I went into the church office (which was also our spare bedroom) and I sat down at my desk and pulled down some theology books to help me think about this question, "What is the church?"
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Welcome LVC Staff Member, Kyle Cristofalo | |
Meet Kyle Cristofalo, our new Lutheran Volunteer Corps staffer. Originally from Mamaroneck, New York, a suburb just about 30 minutes outside of New York City, Kyle graduated with a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies from Messiah College (outside of Harrisburg, PA) in 2009. Upon graduation, he began a year of service with the Mennonite Central Committee in Israel-Palestine. Kyle served as the administrative assistant at a non-profit organization affiliated with Bethlehem Bible College. During his time in Palestine, he was a member of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem, which served as his introduction to the ELCA.
 In August of 2010, Kyle joined the Lutheran Volunteer Corps as it began its inaugural program in Atlanta. He will work with both the Lutheran Theological Center and the Southeastern Synod, focusing on how local ELCA congregations can become involved in justice issues in the greater Atlanta area.
Kyle will also have involvement with synod and churchwide initiatives such as the World Hunger Appeal and Glocal, an effort to build local and global mission consciousness in congregations.
Kyle is one of nine LVC staffers who have located in Atlanta for a year of service. We invite you to welcome him and to utilize his services. Contact him at kcristofalo@elca-ses.org or 404-589-1977, ext 222. |
| Southeastern Synod Volunteer Opportunities |
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Volunteers are crucial to the mission of the Southeastern Synod. Some volunteers have agreed to be responsible for specific ongoing projects. Others volunteer for whatever the needs are at the times they are available. Some of the needs for volunteers and ways for potential volunteers to be in touch with those who can use their assistance are outlined on the synod website at http://www.elca-ses.org/Volunteers.html.
Current needs include:
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| Book of Faith Brief |
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www.bookoffaith.org
Announcing four new Book of Faith Adult Bible Studies! As you look for resources for Bible studies in your congregations or other settings in which you serve, take a look at these new studies:
Songs of the Faithful - Studies in Psalms (6 sessions) - Together in Faith Series
Great Expectations - Studies in Isaiah (4 sessions) - Together in Faith Series
Jonah (4 sessions) - Books of Faith Series
Philippians (4 sessions) - Books of Faith Series
They are available through Augsburg Fortress - www.augsburgfortress.org.
As a way to invite people into study of Scripture, provide them with a free Book of Faith bookmark. These bookmarks feature the Book of Faith website address and a summary of the four lenses through which we read Scripture in the Book of Faith Bible Study series - devotional, historical, literary, and the Lutheran theological lens. To order bookmarks, call Augsburg Fortress Customer Care at (800) 328-4648 and request the Book of Faith Bookmark or ITEM001486. Bookmarks will be shipped in packages of 20 and can only be ordered by phone (not available through AF webstore). Customers do pay for shipping.
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| Campus and Seminary News |
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Lutheran Campus Ministry needs you!!
Pastor Matt Simpkins wishes to greet you all from Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) which includes Georgia Tech, Georgia State and Agnes Scott of the Atlanta area. They would appreciate your help in three specific ways:
1) They are trying to reach out and need your help! Please email names, emails and cell numbers for any students from your congregations who are at these three schools. Pastor Matt will personally call all students identified by your emails.
2) Grants and funding are shrinking so please remember Lutheran Campus Ministry in your
yearly budget formation. You can help strengthen this ministry that directly influences our "lost" generations. Pastor Matt would also be happy to come and share the vision with your congregation.
3) ATLANTA AREA CONGREGATIONS - Please contact Pastor Matt if your congregation can provide a meal for the Dinner and Devotion Tuesday Night Gathering. We need dinners for all of September, October 5th and 26th, November 9th and 16th, and December 7th.
Please pray regularly for this ministry and let's gather together as the body of Christ!!
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LTSS accepting applications for CFO
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (Columbia, SC) is currently accepting applications for the position of Chief Financial Officer. This position is responsible to organize, oversee, and direct all financial, human resources, information technology, and physical resources of the seminary. Desired qualities include a bachelor's or masters degree in business and finance, related occupational experience, team leadership and management, an awareness of the work and practices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and a commitment to the Christian faith and the mission of the seminary. For more information, please visit www.ltss.edu. Applications are due no later than September 30, 2010 to President Marcus Miller mmiller@ltss.edu.
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LTSS and Lenoir-Rhyne University conducting feasability study
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and Lenoir-Rhyne University are conducting a feasibility study to identify partnership opportunities between the institutions. The board of trustees of each of the two historically Lutheran institutions authorized the feasibility study to determine various options for partnership.
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Seminary Weekends, October 22-23, 2010 and February 25-26, 2011
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
 Come explore how this historic, yet progressive, Lutheran seminary could chart the course of your personal and professional future. Be our guests! Immerse yourself in life at the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Dine with us, reside with us, talk and worship with us.
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| Get ELCA news delivered to your inbox |
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Subscribing to ELCA news will allow you to receive, by e-mail, up-to-date releases and postings regarding the news and events of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
ELCA news releases are detailed accounts describing events and ministries of the ELCA. Just some recent stories include:
Two ELCA Congregations Give $830,000 to Support Global Ministries
Subscribe to the ELCA Newsfeed here. |
| AROUND THE SYNOD |
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 Pastor Delmer Chilton recently preached at Crowell's Chapel near Shelbyville, TN. Crowell's was founded in 1825, and in its 185 year history, it has never been considered a "large" church. But it has always been faithful to its primary task: preaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments.
In his recent blog entry, Pastor Chilton says, "This is what all churches, from the smallest to the largest, are called to be and do. It does not matter how big your building is or how active your programs are; if Gospel and sacraments are not at your core, at your center, you are not the church. And it doesn't matter how modest your facility or how sparse your crowds; if Christ is being presented, then Christ is present and you are the Church in that place. Thank you, Crowell's Chapel, for your many years of service and for reminding me of this basic truth."
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Choir robes looking for a new home
 33 choir robes in varying sizes, plus one director/organist robe (by Oak Hall) Kelly green, synthetic fabric, zip front -- 15 years old but in good condition
Comes with two complete sets of reversible stoles for a total of four color combinations
Asking $20 each -- Call Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Woodstock, office 770-924-7286.
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Upcoming Events
The Leadership Program for Musicians
The Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) is a teaching ministry that gives church musicians an increased sense of vocational awareness, along with the tools and resources to enable congregations to sing well and participate actively in worship. LPM is a cooperative project of the Episcopal Church USA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
You are cordially invited to an
LPM OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, September 25, 9 AM - 3 PM
Living Grace Lutheran Church
1812 Cooledge Road, Atlanta 30084
Telephone: 678-406-9229
Come for all or part of the day!
Please RSVP for the free lunch to John Marsh,
marek2go@gmail.com or 713-206-8896
Everyone is welcome to observe any classes, meet new friends, enjoy fellowship and ask questions.
LPM alumni are encouraged to attend.
Learn about a comprehensive, accessible course of study leading to The LPM Certificate in Church Music.
For more information, LPM news and events, links, and free materials, see www.lpm-online.org |
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Synod Calendar |
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Please note:
The synod office will be closed September 6 for the Labor Day holiday.
Sept 10-11 Synod Council
Sept 10-12 WELCA Convention
Sept 11 Southeastern Lutheran Holding Corp Board meeting
Sept 17 Budget Requests due
Sept 17-18 Diversity Work Plan Conversation II
Sept 17-18 Affirm Admin Meeting
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ELCA-Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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