Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands. E-News Weekly |
Issue: # 240
| October 1, 2010 | |
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| A Message from the Next Generation | | |
Southeastern Synod blog entry by the Rev. Nancy Christensen, Mission Director, ELCA Southeastern Synod
"Let's face it: the synod e-news is largely irrelevant. The items posted are mostly 'fluff,' and no one reads it anyway."
This statement was made by a young adult at a recent synod gathering, and my immediate response was, "Yikes." Is this how people really feel about the communications they receive  from our synod office? Are the subscribers to this network wishing for more substance, or for different kinds of information? Are they pushing the "delete" button, rather than reading what is posted? Are blogs (like the one I'm writing now) just a waste of everyone's time?
It's easy to feel defensive, as one of the people who regularly provide news and information to these weekly issues. I think I can speak for the whole staff when I say we try hard to use this vehicle to communicate clearly, and often, about those items that we hope are relevant to folks. We also seek out information from countless people throughout the synod, inviting congregations to send material that can be shared, and asking individuals and agencies to contribute items as well.
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Updates from overseas |
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From the Lutheran Church in Guatemala
Tomorrow, September 15, Guatemala celebrates one hundred and eighty nine years of independence from Spain. Once the capital of all of Central America, Guatemala now struggles to claim the pride of its citizens. Every flag that we see in the street these days or hanging from the window of our neighbor's home lifts our spirits. Even the parades, which block our access to Guatemala City, can be tolerated as the streets fill up with young marching bands. Many civic activities were cancelled this year in Guatemala due to a month or more of nearly daily landslides and heavy rains. As we celebrate the independence achieved in 1821, we are living the reality of lives lost, deteriorated infrastructure from rains that will fall for another month or two and a change in identification documents that is leaving everyone fearful of our next democratic elections.
This weekend our leaders will once again come to Guatemala City for classes. Thank you for the letters that have been sent for us to share. We are expecting Stephen Deal from the Global Mission Unit of the ELCA to be present for classes. He will participate with Karen in giving a class on HIV/AIDS.
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From Our Missionaries in Hong Kong
Dear Friends,
 The Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) in Hong Kong opened its academic year with a worship service (pictured) in which Cyrus holds high the cross. He begins his third year of studies at LTS, but Ted and I knew him four years ago when he worked as office manager at one of the apartment congregations that we attend in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong (ELCHK). It is a delight for Ted and me to see him mature and contribute in this way. Cyrus is one of about 300 LTS students from Hong Kong. Plus, there are 50 international students from places like China, Myanmar, Indonesia and Laos.
These students give reason for hope as we consider the potential for them to contribute their unfailing energies, growing wisdom and abiding faith to people---both those who already know and those who have not yet heard the story of Jesus and his love.
Read the rest of this letter here. |
Announcements and Deadlines | |
Synod Council Minutes Available Online
The preliminary minutes of the September 2010 Synod Council meeting are now available online at http://www.elca-ses.org/Synod-Council-Minutes.html. While these minutes have not yet been officially approved, they have been posted to make timely information about Council actions more widely available. Questions about the minutes should be directed to the Synod Secretary, Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier, at PastorTerri@crossoflifelutheran.org.
ATTENTION All Rostered Leaders and Congregations...
There are new mobility and call process forms! As part of the mobility and call process, rostered leaders (Ordained, AIM, Diaconal Ministers, and Deaconesses) are asked to complete a "Rostered Leader Profile" (RLP). This is a new, updated version of the former "Availability" and "Bishops Personnel" forms. The RLP and accompanying documents found on the www.elca.org site are now the only valid forms of those looking for a call. If you simply revise your old mobility forms, they do not answer all of the same questions, nor can they be submitted online and therefore do not go to the synods you have requested.
In like manner, congregations looking for rostered people should NOT complete the old "Congregational Profile" but the new online version called "Ministry Site Profile".
Minstry Funding Requests: Deadline Extended to November 1
The synod's Budget and Finance Committee has extended the deadline for submitting funding requests to be considered for the 2012-13 Ministry Funding Plan (budget). Synod committees and task forces, which operate on a different budgeting cycle from other groups, should now be requesting funding for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The deadline for all funding requests has been extended to November 1. Forms are available online HERE. Questions may be addressed to Pastor John Rossing, who chairs the synod's Budget and Finance Committee.
Synod Treasurer to be Elected in 2011
Nomination Deadline: December 1
An election for Synod Treasurer will take place at the 2011 Southeastern Synod Assembly. This office is open to both clergy and lay persons. The term of office is four years in length, beginning September 1, 2011 and ending August 31, 2015. The office of Treasurer is a volunteer position which requires attendance at the Synod Assembly, approximately three Synod Council and Executive Committee meetings per year, and meetings of the Budget and Finance Committee.
An ad hoc nominating committee will consider all potential nominees and will recommend at least two individuals to be nominated by the Synod Council for election at the Assembly in June. All persons nominated by the Synod Council must undergo a criminal background and credit check prior to the 2011 Assembly.
Additional details about the position of Synod Treasurer, including a job description, a nomination form, and a letter from the Treasurer Nominating Committee are posted at www.elca-ses.org/Treasurer-Nomination.html. Nominations received by December 1 will receive full consideration. |
| The ELCA Southeastern Synod invites you to DIA DE LA RAZA |
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International Food Festival
Ethnic Folklore Dances
Ethnic Music
Raffles
Silent Auction
Multilingual Singing Time
Saturday, October 9, 2010
11am to 7pm
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Norcross GA
Register for this event on-line and get 5 free food tickets!
http://diadelaraza.eventbrite.com |
| Book of Faith Brief |
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http://www.bookoffaith.org/
Looking for a resource to study one of the gospels? Take a look at "Learning Luke: The Apostolic Gospel!" hosted and led by Dr. David Tiede, noted Luke scholar and former President and Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, Dr. Tiede helps study participants to "fall in love with the gospel of Luke." The course features twelve 30-minute DVD sessions, a comprehensive study guide, and an audio recording of the Gospel of Luke in MP3 audio format. It is available through Select Multimedia Resources at www.selectlearning.org or 1-877-675-6275 for $89. From a review of the resource in Lutheran Partners Magazine, Fall 2009, "Learning Luke: The Apostolic Gospel" is impressive in scope, effective in execution. The depth of the study's scholarship and its commitment to equipping the faithful to carry this gospel out into the world is profound. It offers extensive, detailed guidance and support for leaders and learners alike."
As always, please feel free to contact either of us if you would like help in discussing ways to engage your congregation or those you serve in studying our Book of Faith! We are also able to speak to the resources that are highlighted each week in the Book of Faith Brief if you would like to discuss in more detail. We look forward to hearing from you!
Blessings,
Your Book of Faith advocates
Pastor John Rossing
Christ the King, Dalton, GA
ctkdalton@optilink.us
706-278-3979
Michelle Angalet, Associate in Ministry
Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA
michelle.angalet-gslc@comcast.net |
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Introducing an Exciting New Iniative for the ELCA--
Lutherans Restoring Creation | | |
Lutherans Restoring Creation ("LRC") is a grass roots movement within the ELCA, seeking to foster
care for God's good creation in all expressions of our church's life. It is a program designed to encourage the ELCA to incorporate care for creation into its full life and mission at all levels. LRC is inviting ELCA members to become partners in these efforts at the congregational, synodical, seminary, and national levels. The goal is to incorporate care for creation into the organizational patterns, worship life, educational programs, responsibility for buildings and grounds, lifestyle of members at home and work, and public ministry of all of these institutions, so that earthkeeping and justice for all earth community becomes integral to the identity and purpose of our church.
 The main outlet for LRC is its website: www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org, where resources for congregations, pastors, synod employees, seminaries, ELCA colleges, and individuals can be found to help everyone engage in this important work. All of this is free of charge.
One goal of LRC is to feature reports from the various synods as to what each synod, and/or congregations within the synod, are doing for environmental ministry. Each synod will has its own page on the site (http://www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org/Home/synods/list-of-synods-by-region). For example, Central-Southern Illinois Synod now has an official "green team," as does the New England Synod.
If you are aware of congregations within the Southeastern Synod that are doing great local
work for creation care, let us know! Please contact Lutheran Volunteer Corps Staff Member, Kyle Cristofalo in the synod office at kcristofalo@elca-ses.org or 404-589-1977, ext 222.
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| AROUND THE SYNOD |
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Pastor Leads Bible Study in Cascade Mountains
 This past summer, Rev. Rick Mason (pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Prattville, AL) accepted an invitation to lead a Bible study at Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat center deep in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state. Pastor Mason & his wife, Glenna, spent a week during September at Holden, which is an old copper-mining town that was sold to the Lutheran Bible Society. Holden is accessible via a 3 hour boat ride up Lake Chelan or by hiking south from Canada. It is so remote that there is no television or telephone reception on the mountain. Pastor Mason's 5-day study while at Holden centered on the theological implications of William P. Young's book The Shack. Participants from all across the U.S. discussed such topics as the doctrine of the Trinity, why does evil exist, what is the proper role of the church, etc.
 Mason was joined on the Holden teaching staff that week by a friend & classmate from Augustana College, class of 1971, Chuck Kluth. Dr. Kluth is a retired geologist from Chevron Oil & is currently an independent consultant & a researcher at the Colorado School Mines. This was Mason's second trip to Holden, having led a Bible study at the retreat center in 2001.
(photos: Pastor Mason at Hart Lake, a glacier-fed lake near Holden and Pastor Mason & Dr. Chuck Kluth in the Holden cafeteria)
Story and photos submitted by Pastor Rick Mason
35th Anniversary Celebration
 As part of the 35th anniversary celebration on September 19 for St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Franklin, TN , Darryl Miller and David Mansouri performed a wonderful concert in the new nave at 2:00 pm. Over 160 were in attendance. What a magnificent afternoon of music with the Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ and violin performed by masterful musicians. Those in attendance were treated to an afternoon of splendor with the music. What a blessing to have such accomplished musicians in our midst!
Story and photo submitted by Pastor Ann Bassett
Back-to School Bags
Over 3500 students received back-to-school bags filled with supplies at the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance event held at the Savannah Civic Center on August 21, 2010. This annual event was coordinated with the help of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Savannah, GA.
Story and photo submitted by Pastor James Nelson
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Magi Conference Meeting and Hymn Fest
Conference 4 (Magi Conference) will meet February 12, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Bishop will update us on the state of the Synod, and we will share hymns and music from our Conference churches. If you would like to help plan the event or have a musicians (handbell choir, vocal choir, etc.) that would like to participate, please contact Connie Rifkind crifkind@aol.com. Check out the new Magi Conference blog at http://magiconference.blogspot.com
More Oktoberfest Fun - Fill Up the Truck
 Holy Cross Lutheran Church, located at 76 Seabord Street in Hiram, GA will be having their annual Oktoberfest Celebration 2010 on Saturday starting at 4 p.m. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. There will be a live band, LOTS of authentic German foods and kid's activities.
Everyone who comes should bring a canned food item to FILL UP THE TRUCK that will be parked in the church parking lot. Food will be donated to various food banks through Paulding and other surrounding counties. Come out for a day of fellowship, friends, fun and food or if you're in the neighborhood...just drop off a can of food!
Help Needed
PART-TIME ORGANIST/PIANIST to provide prelude, accompaniment for choir anthem and congregational singing, and postlude during one worship service each Sunday morning; accompany choir rehearsal one hour per week. For details, contact:
Advent Lutheran Church
1416 Vernon Road
LaGrange, Ga 30240
706-882-0130
adventlutheran@charter.net
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:
· Office Greeters in the Synod Office
· E-News Reporters
· Synod Committee or Task Force Members |
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Synod Calendar |
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Oct 3 LWF World Communion Sunday Oct 8-9 Personnel Committee Meeting Oct 9 Dia de la Raza Oct 12-14 Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation View the entire Synod Calendar |
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
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