Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands. E-News Weekly |
| Issue: # 251 | December 17, 2010 | |
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| Welcoming the Visitor | | |
 Pastor Darrel Peterson, Assistant to the Bishop
Most of us know the importance of being a friendly and welcoming church. But so often reports come back that someone attended worship and no one, NO ONE, (except maybe the pastor) spoke to them. We hate to hear it. Sometimes we make yet another effort to create a system of intentional welcoming. We have the members stand and greet those not standing. We ask visitors to put gold crosses on their clothing, so members can welcome those so identified in the fellowship hall. We have members stand near the pastor, so when the pastor recognizes someone is new, he or she can turn and introduce the visitors to the designated welcomers.
(Click here to read the rest on the synod blog.) |
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| Southeastern Synod Members Appointed to Churchwide Positions | |
Congratulations to members of the Southeastern Synod appointed to the following ELCA churchwide committees:
Synod Vice President, Ms. Doris Underwood, from Montgomery, AL to the Memorials Committee for the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Mr. Al Sagar, Brandon, MS, and Ms. Deborah Covin Wilson, Ellenwood, GA to the program committee for the Congregational and Synodical Mission Unit |
| Book of Faith Brief | |
Even as we wind down 2010, life in the church always calls us to be looking well ahead into the future as we plan our ministries and programs. Here's a link and a sneak peak at an event worthy of your congregation's consideration for 2011. It's the 2011 Book of Faith Jubilee!
2011 Book of Faith Jubilee: Inspiring Everyday People to Engage the Bible
It will be held at Luther Seminary on April 29-May 1, 2011.
Keynote speakers: Nadia Bolz-Weber, Jessicah Duckworth, Craig Koester, and John Roberto. Expect great workshops! Find out more information at www.luthersem.edu/jubilee.
Registration will open January 3. You will hear more from us about this in early 2011, but consider this your "save the date" notice!
We pray that this Advent season finds you filled with hope, peace and joy as we anticipate the coming of Emmanuel. |
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Youth Ministry News | | |
Don't forget to check out the December ELCA Southeastern Synod Youth Ministry E-news for latest happenings in youth ministry around the synod.
Download the Southeastern Synod Lutheran Youth Organization (SESLYO) Assembly Registration and Information forms. The SESLYO Assembly is February 25-27, 2011 at the Cherokee Retreat Center in Cartersville, GA, for two delegates, in grades 6-12 from each Southeastern Synod congregation.
Also, AFFIRM staff applications are due by January 15 in the synod office. AFFIRM is June 19-24 at Berry College in Rome, GA; staff are expected to come for Staff Training beginning June 17. There is no cost for serving on staff. All documents are available online at http://www.elca-ses.org/Youth&Young-Adults.html. |
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LIRS Leadership Summit in Washington, DC | | |
by Kyle Cristofalo
Lutheran Volunteer Corps Staff Member
Synod Coordinator of Programs for Poverty, Hunger and Justice Issues
December 8 & 9, 2010, Bishop Julian Gordy and Lutheran Volunteer Corps Staffer Kyle Cristofalo participated in a Lutheran Immigration Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS). For over 70 years, LIRS has advocated and worked directly on behalf of those who come to the United States in order to seek a better life. LIRS works with immigrants who are already established, contributing members of our society, as well as refugees and asylum seekers who have come to the United States fleeing religious, political, or other forms of oppression.
The event, which brought together over 40 leaders from three different Lutheran Bodies (ELCA, LCMS, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia), combined the latest update on the state of several important legislative items pertaining to immigrants and refugees. It also allowed a chance to engage with current members of Congress, their staff, and representatives from the White House and advocate for the passage of numerous initiatives, including the Dream Act. On the cusp of a vote for this important act, the message sent by the strong Lutheran presence was clear: Lutherans throughout the country, regardless of denominational affiliation, stand firmly for the just and humane treatment of immigrants and refugees. In meetings with members of Congress, participants stressed the importance of passing comprehensive immigration reform as well as extending and renewing emergency resources to elderly and disabled refugees who depend on such assistance for their basic needs.
Bishop Gordy and Mr. Cristofalo had the chance to meet with staff members from the offices of representatives and senators from Georgia and Tennessee. Later in the day, Bishop Gordy accompanied fellow bishops and other leaders from both the LCMS and the Latvian Lutheran Church for a meeting at the White House.
The Southeastern Synod's presence at this event was particularly helpful, given Bishop Gordy's role as the Chair of the Immigration Ready Bench for the Conference of Bishops, and the upcoming "Glocal" (global + local) event on the topic of Immigration and Migration to be held in our synod this summer. Also participating in the event was the Rev. Dr. Gary Danielsen, (LCMS) president of Lutheran Services of Georgia, an organization which the Southeastern Synod supports and partners with on various projects.
More information about the Glocal event will be available in the coming months. If you are interested in learning more about the event, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, and ways in which you can join in the important work of advocacy on behalf of immigrants and refugees in our synod, please contact Kyle Cristofalo at kcristofalo@elca-ses.org.
In related news...
Those in the DC area on Saturday, December 18 are invited to join the 4th Annual Bethlehem Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral. Gather at 9:30 a.m. - Worship Service 10:00 a.m. (EST). This is a joint simulcast service joining the National Cathedral with Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.
If you are elsewhere in the U.S. or around the world, gather with others in your community to watch the service live at www.NationalCathedral.org. |
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Transition Pastors Meeting | | |
Current and potential Transition Pastors are invited to a Gathering with Bishop Julian Gordy, Pastor Delmer Chilton and Pastor Darrel Peterson for a conversation about the nature of Transition Ministry in our Southeastern Synod.
WHEN:
January 31 - February 1, 2011
We will begin at 1 pm on Monday, breaking at 6 pm for the evening, and we will end at 11:30 am on Tuesday. Coffee and snacks will be provided.
WHERE:
Living Grace Lutheran Church, 1812 Cooledge Road, Tucker, GA, 30084, (678) 406-9229.
WHAT:
It is our expectation that all pastors currently involved or wishing to be involved in transition ministry in the Southeastern Synod will attend this Gathering. We will discuss opportunities and challenges, expectations and procedures relating to transition ministry. We will review (in the process of being revised) transition manuals and materials.
COST:
Cost is $15 per person. Click here to register on-line.
If you have questions, please contact Pastor Darrel Peterson in the synod office at 404-589-1977, ext 226. |
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Upcoming Events | | |
Lutheran Day of Service to be held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 17, 2011
The Southeastern Synod is excited to announce a Lutheran Day of Service to be held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In partnership with Team Lutheran, Lutheran Services of Georgia, The Lutheran Theological Center-Atlanta and Thrivent-Metro Atlanta Chapter, the Southeastern Synod invites you to celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday by participating in this full day of events. Held at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in DeKalb County, projects include assembling 50 pound bags of rice to be used by refugee families, and outdoor projects at Wonderland Gardens & Lyons Farm.
About the location:
Wonderland Gardens & Sanford Performing Arts & Community Center are located on the Historic Mathis Dairy site in South DeKalb County. Lyons Farm is located 15 minutes away at Arabia Mountain National Heritage area.
Registration information:
Information about how to register and the specifics of the project will be available in early January. Until then, all questions about registration and details of the event can be directed to Kyle Cristofalo, Synod Coordinator of Programs for Hunger, Poverty and Justice Issues and Lutheran Volunteer Corps Staffer at kcristofalo@elca-ses.org or 404-589-1977 ext 222.
For more information, you may also contact:
Gene Lewis - Team Lutheran - gene1950@gmail.com or 404-299-8880
Lorraine Dorough - Lutheran Services of Georgia - ldorough@lsga.org or 678-686-9613
 Catch the Spirit
February 25 & 26, 2011
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
731 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30308-1281
Keynote Speaker: John Arthur Nunes, President and CEO of Lutheran World Relief
"God's Work. Our Hands."
Turning dreams into action!
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| AROUND THE SYNOD | | |
Nativity Lutheran Churchin Bethlehem, GA entered the float below in the Christmas Parades for Monroe and Winder, GA. Their Outreach Team came up with the idea and a number of members helped put it together on a trailer owned by members Frank and Cathy Williams. The Star reminds everyone to "Follow the Star to Nativity Lutheran in Bethlehem."
 | | Carolann Phillpotts is Mary and her foreign exchange student "brother" Raul is Joseph. Kaitlyn Larson is the angel with a little help from Mom, Dad and Grandma. |
This is rolling evangelizing at its best - and was well received by everyone it passed. One little voice was heard saying, "Look Momma, it's Jesus." Though Nativity may not have won any prizes, they certainly won a lot of hearts! A Blessed Christmas to all!
photo and story by Pastor Patti Axel
Solidarity Presence
On Thursday, December 16th, Daniel Ellsberg, the whistle-blower who released the Pentagon Papers, and others demonstrated at the White House in opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ellsberg was later one of dozens arrested for failing to obey police orders to clear a sidewalk by the White House. Near Helen, GA, The Rev. Sig Arnesen, demonstrated at the square in Cleveland, GA as a sign of solidarity with those demonstrating in Washington. Those who would like more information may contact him at 706-878-1306. |
| Synod Calendar | | |
Dec 19 Fourth Sunday of Advent
Dec 24 Christmas Eve (Synod office closed)
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 27 Synod office closed
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ELCA-Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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Pastor John Rossing 
