Southestern Synod Logo
Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands. 


E-News Weekly
Issue: #260February 17, 2011
In This Issue
Southeastern Synod Assembly
Identity Theft
Catch the Spirit
Book of Faith Brief
News from LLMI
All Aboard for Theological Education
Around the World--Around the Church
Did You Take It Yet?
Around the Synod
Quick Links
 

Southeastern Synod Assembly

Notice of Meeting 

                 2011 Assembly                             

The Southeastern Synod will meet in Assembly

June 3-5, 2011

at Marriott's Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta GA

 

The theme for 2011 will be

"Listen to Your Children Praying"

 

Our special guest speaker will be the Rev. Andrew D. Genszler,

Director of Advocacy at the ELCA Washington Office. 

 

Find out more about the Synod Assembly or register at

www.elca-ses.org/Assembly.html

 

         

Identity Theft

by the Rev. Nancy Christensen, Director for Evangelical Mission, Southeastern Synod

 

 

I was upstairs at home on Monday night when my husband Gary called out to me, "Hey, did you buy two cameras for someone named Joy Elaine Porter in New Boston, Texas?"  A bill for $673.68 had arrived in the day's mail, and he was understandably confused...So was I!

 

Immediately, I called the store, only to discover that someone had set up an account in my name, using my social security number. Ten phone calls and a visit from the Chamblee police later, I collapsed, numb and distraught, into my bed, feeling violated and afraid... 

 

(Click here to read the rest on the synod blog.)

Last Chance to Register

Catch the Spirit

February 25 & 26, 2011Catch the Spirit

 

Redeemer Lutheran Church

Atlanta, GA

 

Join a gathering of ELCA church leaders who want to learn and grow.  Take the time to re-equip yourself for leadership in your church home!

  

Click here to register now 


Visit www.catchthespiritlutheran.org for more information.

 

 

Book of Faith Brief
Book of Faith
 
                                                   http://www.bookoffaith.org/
 
Your synod Book of Faith advocates invite you to join us in a Bible study workshop at Catch the Spirit in Atlanta, February 25 & 26.  We'll use one session of a Book of Faith Bible study series called "Being the Body of Christ: Studies in First Corinthians" to discuss how members of the church can use their varied gifts together for mission.
 
We hope participants in the workshop will gain at least two things: a better idea of how to use Book of Faith resources in their congregations, and deeper appreciation for how we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to do "God's work with our hands."
 
If you'd like to come to the workshop, please do these three things: 1) Visit http://www.catchthespiritlutheran.org to find out more about attending Catch the Spirit; 2) read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; and 3) bring a Bible with you.
  
Blessings,
Your Book of Faith advocates
 
Pastor John Rossing                         
Christ the King, Dalton, GA
706-278-3979
[email protected]              
                         
Michelle Angalet, Associate in Ministry
Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA
770-924-7286
[email protected]
News from Lutheridge/Lutherock/Lutheranch

Anonymous Donor Provides Mortgage Relief for Lutheranch

LutheranchA very good friend of Lutheranch, who wishes to remain anonymous, has provided relief from the burden of the $2.6 million outstanding loan balance on the Lutheranch property by providing a 12 year loan at just 0.5% interest.  Even though the original appeal to pay for the Lutheranch property met its $3.5 million goal, the loss of a promised $1.4 million gift left Lutheranch in a position that made it difficult to both develop the land and keep up with the mortgage.     

John Schuerholz, honorary chair of Standing on the Promise campaign for Lutheranch, had this to say about the refinancing: "This is a great day for the future of Lutheranch!  We are so blessed by this donor's generosity and vision to not only save hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest, but also get so much closer to the day when God will use Lutheranch to touch and change thousands of lives in a dramatic manner.  I hope Lutherans across the Southeast will join me in thanking God for sending this generous friend to us and share their gifts to Standing on the Promise, helping make the vision for Lutheranch a reality."

This generous action also means that over $600,000 in remaining pledge payments from The Challenge campaign will now go to reducing the loan principal and not to interest payments.   Proceeds from Standing on the Promise will go both toward construction of the multi-use retreat center and to further reduce the loan balance, resulting in a reduction of over $1 million.  A future campaign for youth facilities will further lessen the loan balance, which will then be able to be covered through budgetary means. 

Lutheranch3Keith Johnson, LLMI Executive Director, when hearing of this unprecedented action exclaimed, "When the history of Lutheranch is written, I believe this generous act will be remembered as the turning point for Lutheranch.  January 27, 2011 will forever be remembered."   Johnson went on to say that leadership gifts to Standing on the Promise are currently being solicited, with congregational campaigns beginning in January 2012.  If you would like more information on how you can help with the campaign, please contact Pastor Mike Ward, VP of Advancement, [email protected], 828-209-6325.

 

******************************************************** 

LutherHostel at Lutheridge: October 16-21, 2011
 

The Rev. Dr. William Trexler will lead a study of architectural elements that have shaped worship space over the centuries.  The event will invite you to consider how our theology influences decisions related to church design. There will be visits to a variety of sites to view and reflect on the surroundings as places for worship. Effects that our worship spaces have on us as we experience them over time will be explored. Pastor Trexler is the former Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, a native North Carolinian, and graduate from Duke University and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Bill and his wife, Karla, are year-round residents of Lutheridge.

 

Visit www.llmi.net/adult/Lutherhostel.aspx  for more information and instructions on how to register. Call the Registration Office at 828-684-2361 with questions. 

All Aboard for Theological Education 

Is someone in your congregation interested in learning more about...

 

Candidacy?

EngineACT NOW!  The Candidacy Committee now requires a "Meet & Greet" with the committee about a year prior to an Entrance interview.  This serves to build a stronger relationship between candidates and committee but since the committee meets only three times a year (April, August, November), planning ahead is crucial.  If you have a prospective candidate in the pew, direct them to a phone (404-589-1977, ext. 232) or a computer ([email protected]) to get on board for the candidacy journey!
 

Attending Seminary?

Spend a weekend on the campus of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC to learn how God could be calling you to ministry.  The seminary has programs that prepare pastors, youth ministers, Associates in Ministry, Christian educators, military chaplains and others to do Jesus' work in today's world.  Registration for a weekend open-house is now open at www.ltss.edu or by calling 803-461-3238. 

 

Going to Bishop's School?

Take a minute to think of that one special youth in your congregation.  You the know one... he or she is always asking you the hard questions, excelled in Confirmation class, and just seems to have a yearning to deepen his or her faith.  If that youth is a current 11th or 12th grader, consider nominating him or her for 2011 Bishop's School.


The 2011 Bishop's School will be held the week of June 19-25 on the campus of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC.  Youth from all over the southeast will come together to study with seminary professors, worship in Christ Chapel and witness the way God is working in the world and in their own lives.  They'll learn what it means to think theologically!
 

Click here for a brochure with additional information.  Please note, nominations are due by March 15, 2011.  (Feel free to nominate more than one youth from your congregation.)  Should you have any questions, please contact the Coordinator for Bishop's School, Ms. Sandra Holland, AIM at [email protected] or call Ms. Tiffany Pieters in the Region 9 office at 803-461-3263 or email [email protected].

Around the World--Around the Church 

Save the Dates:  August 4-6, 2011

A Glocal Event is coming to the Southeastern Synod

 

The Southeastern Synod has been selected to host a 2011 ELCA Global Missions "Glocal" (Global + Local) event.  The event will be held from August 4th-6th, at Christ the King in Norcross, GA. The theme for 2011 is "Immigration and Migration." Through workshops, worship and plenary speakers, participants will be challenged to consider how congregations can connect the global with the local. If you are interested in serving on the planning team, or helping in any way, please contact event coordinator, Kyle Cristofalo at [email protected]  or 404 589-1977, ext 222.  Look for more information in the coming weeks!

 

                      Glocal

 

Water Crisis in Ethiopia

Millions of Ethiopians, many of them fellow Lutherans, are currently going without clean drinkable water.  They are instead using unsanitary water from ditches or puddles or simply going without - most often causing childhood malnutrition, disease and an average life expectancy of only 47 years. 

 

The Southeastern Synod is responding.  A mission team is leaving for its third trip to Ethiopia in Africa starting on February 20 to install one or more industrial-sized well water pumps.  Each pump that we raise funds for ($2,200 each) provides up to 1000 people with fresh, life-sustaining water while we build strong sustainable friendships and worship there with our fellow Lutherans! 

 

Email [email protected] or visit www.ethiopiawatermission.com  if you would like
to get involved. It may make a difference in someone's life.

 

EAD9th Annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days

Development, Security and Economic Justice:

What's Gender Got to Do with It?

 

March 25-28, 2011 Washington, D.C.

 

Join faith-based advocates from across the U. S. in the nation's capital March 25-28, 2011 to be inspired and equipped to speak boldly on behalf of people-centered sustainable development and economic justice, physical safety, security and peacemaking, with a  particular focus on those most impacted - women, girls and families. 

 

Visit http://advocacydays.org/ to learn more.

 

Get Healthy: Body and Spirit 

ELCA Board of Pensions Health Assessments

If you are a Board of Pensions Health Plan member, please take the health assessment on the Mayo Clinic EmbodyHealth web portal (www.elcaforwellness.org.)  Pick a day to take it, and put it on your calendar. If you take it by April 30, 2011, not only will you earn a $150 personal wellness account credit, your employer can earn a 2% discount on health contributions for all of 2011.  If 65% of ELCA-primary plan members and eligible spouses in the synod take the assesment, the Southeastern Synod could be eligible for a "wellness reward" of 1% of the estimated 2011 health contributions paid by eligible employers in the synod.

Find out more today!

 

Via de Cristo

Beginning a new year brings about the challenges of change, which usually takes the form of more exercise, eating healthier or losing weight.  Are you ready for a new challenge?  Are you up for the challenge of moving outside the box of what is cmfortable in order to see what God might reveal in quilt crossyour faith journey?  Are you ready to move away from the role of observer in your Christian life?  If you have answered "yes" then perhaps a Via de Cristo weekend is for you.

Via de Cristo is a three-day school which takes a New Testament look at Christianity as a life-style and is designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people.  Via de Cristo is a combined effort of laity and clergy working together to bring renewal to the Church.  Who should attend? 
Christians who believe their spiritual lives need strengthening; who have many unanswered questions about prayer, study and sharing their faith; who understand being Christian involves responsibility and would like to have both the spiritual foundation and moral reserve to carry this out in their lives; those who are willing to dedicate their everyday lives to God in an on-going manner. 

 

Here are some of the Southeastern Synod opportunities to attend weekends this spring:

 

 

Notes of Grace Via de Cristo of Middle Tennessee

Where:  Lake Benson Camp and Retreat Center, Bon Aqua, TN (near Fairview)

When:   March 24 - 27, 2011

Cost:  $150.00 (includes meals, lodging, materials)

Contact: Terry Sanders - [email protected]

 

Tennessee Via de Cristo

Where:  Carson Springs Baptist Center, Newport, TN

When:  March 31 - April 3, 2011

Cost:  $160.00 (includes meals, lodging, materials)

Contact: Craig Emerson - [email protected]

 

(Other events will be published as they are made known.)

 

AROUND THE SYNOD

The Gift of Music

 

St Timothy organThe congregation of Grace, Carrollton, GA would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the people of St. Timothy, Forest Park, GA. After making the painful decision to close St. Timothy Church, members made a generous gift to Grace--their Galanti Organ.  This instrument replaces an old Allen Organ, which had outlived everyone's expectations and was showing significant signs of aging. The Galanti's beautiful sounds will enrich Grace's worship life for years to come.

Grace organ
Dan Hagan at Grace, Carrollton

 

In addition to the wonderful gift of the organ, Grace also received numerous liturgical appointments, including a sanctuary lamp, soon to be hung in the worship space. The generosity of St. Timothy means so much to the members of Grace. The years of faithful mission and ministry by St. Timothy will be recalled every time Grace gathers for worship.

 

To celebrate their new organ, Grace will be hosting a dedicatory recital on Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 pm. All are welcome to attend.  

 

  

*************************************************************** 

Sunday February 20th, 10:30 AM 

 

You are invited to join Celebration of Grace Lutheran Church in Canton, GA

as they dedicate their new worship and ministry facility in a service of dedication and Holy Communion.

 

Scott Mill Chapel. 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton, GA 30114

 

Bishop Julian Gordy will preside, with a reception following the service.

 

Questions? Contact Pastor Ginny or Mike Krekling 770-503-5050 or [email protected].

 

 

 

 

 

********************************************************************* 

 

    

Snapshot of the Week

 

 

      Nate the Gnat

Youth from Jerusalem, Rincon, GA pose at a Savannah Sand Gnats game with Nate the Gnat.

 

 

Thank you, synod shutterbugs, for sending photos for our "Snapshot of the Week."  We love to see what is happening around our synod.  Please keep the photos coming!  Contact Elaine Schwartz at 404-589-1977, ext 235. 

 

Synod Calendar
Feb 21           Presidents' Day (Synod Office closed)
Feb 25-26      Catch the Spirit
Feb 25-27      SESLYO Assembly
March 3         Health Ministry Task Force Conference Call

March 3         Anti-Racism Task Force Conference Call

March 5         Leadership Program for Musicians

   
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
Join Our Mailing List