Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands.
E-News Weekly |
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Please note: There will not be an E-News Weekly next week as the editor will be on vacation. As a result, this week's issue is a bit longer than usual. Look for the E-News to return to your inbox the week of September 27. |
Issue: # 239
| September 16, 2010 | |
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| Join ELCA Online Town Hall Forum on Sept 19 | |  You're invited to attend a one-hour live webcast Sunday, Sept. 19, at 5 p.m. EDT (4 p.m. CDT) with ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and ELCA members from across the county. Visit www.elca.org/townhall to find out how you can participate in this event. |
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 Southeastern Synod blog entry by the Rev. Dr. Beverly Wallace Assistant to the Bishop of the Southeastern Synod
This will be my last blog entry as Assistant to the Bishop for the Southeastern Synod. It has been at the pleasure of the synod and of God that I have been allowed to serve in this office since the death of my husband Richard Wallace.
I would very much like to thank the Southeastern Synod for the space and care even as I offered my gifts and talents in service, first as the Assistant to the Bishop for Pastoral Care for the Katrina Recovery Effort and more recently as Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy. It has now been five years since Richard's death and it is a time for change and a time for me to move on. As I have told some folks, I believe God is in this movement because I believe God has other things for me to do. What they are, I am not certain of at this time.
I must admit that these last few months since the announcement was made at Synod Assembly that my position would be eliminated have not been easy for me. Many folks, perhaps not knowing what to say to me, have said nothing thus far. However, even during this period of uncertainty in my life, I have found joy.
Read the rest on the synod blog. |
It's not too late to register... | |
Setting the Table
Lutherans in the Southeastern Synod Engage on the African Descent Strategy
Join with other Southeastern Synod congregations who want to plan and engage in the opportunity to welcome more that 500,000 people of African Descent who will be re-locating in the future and becoming our neighbors in the Southeastern Synod.
When: September 17-18, 2010 Where: Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Pkwy, Norcross, GA 30092 Register at http://settingthetable2.eventbrite.com/
Friday Schedule:
6:00 PM - 9:15 PM Includes dinner, worship and plenary session
Saturday Schedule:
8:00 AM - 11:45 AM Includes continental breakfast, worship, and small group exercises |
| Book of Faith Brief |
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http://www.bookoffaith.org/
If you're looking for some good, readily accessible, and easy to use (and free!) Bible study resources, you might start by checking out the ELCA's own website. Go to http://www.elca.org/ and look under "What We Believe." There's a whole menu of Bible links, including a guide to reading the Bible in a year, daily Bible verse and daily devotion subscriptions, an index of Bible passages for various life situations and needs, and many Bible study tools.
For downloadable Bible studies, select "Study the Bible with Others." There you'll find Bible study series (in reprintable PDF files) on ministry in daily life, prayer, faith practices, diversity, evangelism, and other topics. You'll also find links to other resource collections, such as the Book of Faith and campus ministry Bible studies.
Next time you need a good Lutheran Bible study resource, see what's online at www.elca.org! |
Reminder for ELCA Board of Pensions members | |
The Mayo Clinic Health Assessment closes September 30!
This online tool helps you take stock of your health and lifestyle habits in less than 30 minutes. It's confidential; and it identifies your health strengths and risks, recommends strategies to maintain or improve health and delivers a personal action plan. Taking it earns you a $150 personal wellness account credit (both plan member and eligible spouse can earn credit)  Push the button and head to the Mayo Clinic EmbodyHealth Assesment now!
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| Send Someone to Guatemala in 2011 |
| Since 2006 the Southeastern Synod has sent delegations to Guatemala to build the relationship with our sister church in Guatemala (ILAG). The goal each year is to get more congregations to send individuals so more can have this great experience and grow the partnership between our two churches. This is a living relationship and the months ahead offer opportunities to get engaged in this mission.
 The dates for the 2011 Southeastern Synod delegation visit to ILAG have not been set. We want to find those interested in going and then set dates that work for them. In recent years delegations have gone in May or June, but other months are possible. A trip handbook is available that gives very detailed information on what is needed and what to expect on a visit to ILAG. This is not a fitting trip for those who would not tolerate extensive walking and a very warm climate.
The Southeastern Synod has many individuals who have visited ILAG and are willing to share their experiences. Bill Emerson, who has made three trips to ILAG and led the delegation twice, is willing to come to a congregation or cluster meeting to share photos and outline what individulas can expect.
Also, Pastors Amanda and Horacio Castillo of ILAG will be in the synod this December (from the 9th through the 20th.) Are you interested in having them visit your congregation or cluster? They are wonderful ambassadors for ILAG and come with a great presentation.
For more information, please contact Pastor Scott Peterson scott@mlutheran.org or 256 721 0041.
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Out of the Waters: Resisting the Power of Fear
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Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is excited to introduce a new Bible Study, available now, called: "Out of the Waters: Resisting the Power of Fear."
Written by Pastor David Vásquez, this six-session study is the first in the Faith on the Move Bible Studies series. "Out of the Waters" will engage you in exploring the biblical story as it relates to issues of migration. Participants will have the opportunity to take on the roles of Moses, Miriam, Pharaoh and others, bringing the stories to vivid life.
A sample session is available for preview, and the complete six-session leader guide is just $19.39. LIRS will reinvest the proceeds in advocating for the migrants and refugees we have welcomed since 1939.
Each lesson stands on its own as well as building understanding as part of the series. Gather your ministry team or any group to use the study. Participants will be engaged on multiple levels, and invited to think more broadly and biblically about how they perceive their community. No prior knowledge of immigration issues is needed to participate or to lead.
Click here for more information or to order.
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Youth, Campus Ministry and Young Adult News
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Check out September's Youth Ministry News at http://www.elca-ses.org/Youth-Ministry-News.html.
Just some of the upcoming events:
Atlanta Area Youthworkers Network Meeting-September 21 at 9:30-11:00AM,
Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, 4276 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA
All-Tennessee Youth Gathering for 6th-12th graders is "What Kinda Friend Would I Be, If I didn't tell you about Jesus?" Nov 20-21, 2010 at the Clyde York 4-H Center in Crossville, TN with Erik Bledsoe. Packets have been emailed to congregations in TN and forms are posted at http://www.sesyouth.org/.
SESLYO Assembly 2011 is February 25-27 at the Cherokee Retreat Center in White, GA.
All-Georgia Youth Gathering for 6th-12th graders is March 11-13, 2011 at Ebenezer Conference Center. Pastor Jay Gamelin will be the special guest.
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Calling all pastors and parents!
If you have a member, son, or daughter who is a student at Columbus State University, we would like to invite them to a brand new campus ministry sponsored by St. Matthew in Columbus. We would also like to invite them to attend our worship services and other church events while they are in Columbus. St. Matthew is located very near the CSU campus, and transportation can be arranged. Please send student names and contact information (e-mails, cell phone numbers) to Geri Regnier at regnier_michael@knology.net.
Thanks!
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SESYALL Summer Retreat 2010
Thirteen young adults from Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia gathered in Nashville, TN and stayed at Christ Lutheran Church. Friday evening we had a wonderful dinner prepared by the members of Christ, that was much appreciated and delicious.
Saturday morning we traveled to Rau-wood Conference and Retreat Center to help cleanup the damages from the flood. This was particularly hard for some in our group, seeing the devastation the flood had caused. Some members have spent numerous years participating in programs held at Rau-wood, seeing or not seeing places/buildings that held fond memories. Once we arrived, we were ready for work. We sorted shrap metal and loaded dumpsters, took apart appliances, and we demolished a rotted storage shed.
 Saturday evening we had a fantastic worship service with Pastor Rick Roberts of Nashville. There Catalina Ontiveros was elected Chair; Robyn El Toro - Chair Elect/Retreat planner, and Katie Mathis - College liason. They Join Mary Beth Smith - Chaplain, Emily Craig - Alabama Representative, Jamie Kramer - Georgia Representative, and Kate Logan - Atlanta Representative. We are still looking for representatives from Mississippi and Tennessee.
Our next event is planned for October 9 - 11th in Birmingham. I would like to give a big thanks to Christ Lutheran Church, Pastor Rick Roberts and the team at Rau-wood Retreat Center for giving us such a memorable weekend. We hope all young adults from our synod can join us on our next adventure.
Catalina Ontiveros
Chair
Southeastern Synod Young Adults Living Lutheran |
| AROUND THE SYNOD |
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WORD Faith Actionby the Rev. Ann Bassett Last Sunday, September 12, Lake Lambert, liberal arts dean at Mercer University in Macon, GA, returned home to St. Timothy ELCA in Hendersonville, TN. Lake Lambert was this season's first speaker in St. Timothy's informative ecumenical Education and Arts series. His lecture focused on how workplace spirituality is changing both business and religion. Although spirituality and business may seem like polar opposites, they are becoming increasingly linked in America. Active scholar and author of Spirituality, Inc, Lake Lambert discussed how this phenomenon is dramatically reshaping them both, from an historical perspective to current and future trends. November 7 and 14, Amy-Jill Levine will be continuing the series with How to Hear a Parable. The above story was submitted by one of our brand new E-News Reporters. Volunteer reporters are needed throughout the synod to submit short original articles for electronic publication in the synod's E-News. Articles about congregational and conference activities for the "Around the Synod" section of the E-News are especially useful. Click HERE to fill out the online form to volunteer to be an E-News reporter. |
| You are invited |
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Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
cordially invites you to attend the
Dedication Celebration
of their new Sanctuary
Sunday September 26, 2010
at 3:30 PM
Bishop H. Julian Gordy, Officiating
Reception to follow
Clergy are invited to vest in red
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
10250 Hayne Bridge Road
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Unless the Lord builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Psalm 127:1
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Synod Calendar |
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Sept 17-18 Diversity Work Plan Conversation II (Setting the Table)
Sept 17-18 Affirm Admin Meeting Sept 25 Leadership Program for Musicians Sept 26 Magi Conference Meeting Oct 3 LWF Wold Communion Sunday Oct 8-9 Personnel Committee Meeting Oct 12-14 Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation |
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ELCA-Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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