by the Rev. Darrel Peterson
Assistant to the Bishop in the Southeastern Synod

My brother sent me an email a few days ago informing me that the country church where we grew up has determined to disband on June 19 of this year. It wasn't really surprising. The filled church of our youth has become a small gathering of the remaining faithful. I'm not aware that there is any conflict and folks aren't trying to leave the denomination. But the part-time retired pastor has really retired and the heating system has given up the ghost. Area demographics tell the story. It's time. Norunga Lutheran Church was organized by Swedish immigrants in western Minnesota 140 years ago. Thanks be to God!

Read more on the synod blog.                          

New Lay Member of Budget & Finance Committee Needed 

Atlanta Lutheran Volunteer Corps Open House on May 1

Youth Ministry News 

Do You "Like" Us?

Help us get to our goal of 100 likes on Facebook!

 Did you know that the Southeastern Synod has its own page on Facebook? We are excited about this page and its potential for outreach. Facebook is a great way to keep up with all of the latest information from the Synod.  We currently have 70 fans and would like to have at least 100 by the end of the month. Can you help us with this by "liking" our page?

Pages are different than personal profiles; unfortunately, you can't be our friend on Facebook, but you can "like" us! To "like" us simply enter "Southeastern Synod ELCA" in the search bar at the top of the page. Once our page pops up, press "like" and you're done!  You can share thoughts on our wall and will automatically get information from the Southeastern Synod in your Facbook Newsfeed.

Already a fan? You can still help! Suggest that other friends who you think may be interested like us by "sharing" our page with them. To do this, simply hit the "share" button found on the far right corner of the page, under the "about" section. You can send it as a message to as many people you would like to, or post our information directly to your profile. We'll update our progress on our Facebook page, so stay tuned!

Sandra Braasch named as Greninger Scholar

The Southeastern Synod's own Sandra Braasch was selected as the 2011-2012 Greninger Scholar by the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina.  Sandra,  a Diaconal Minister, is the Director of Disaster Preparedness and Response with the Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi.

The Greninger Scholar Award at the seminary recognizes a rostered leader who exhibits excellence in ministry and expresses a desire for further theological study related to special projects or publications in ministry. As the recipient of the Greninger Scholar Award, Sandra will spend one week in residency at the seminary. During that week, she will be able to study and interact with seminary faculty and students, as well as enjoy a period for growth and renewal. 

Congratulations, Sandra!

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"New Kid on the Block" shares ecumencal tradition

Jonesborough Presbyterian Church

Cross of Grace Lutheran Church in Jonesborough, TN is the "new kid on the block," being one of the youngest Southeastern Synod mission congregations.  They currently rent worship space for Sunday services, and recently found out that the space would not be available for Maundy Thursday.  Mission Pastor Ed Wolff took his dilemma to the Rev. Allan Huff, the pastor of Jonesborough Presbyterian Church (JPC), one of the oldest churches located in the downtown area of Jonesborough, one of the oldest towns in Tennessee.

When Pastor Wolff asked if Cross of Grace members could worship with those of JPC on Maundy Thursday, Pastor Huff responded by asking Pastor Wolff to be a full partner in the service.  The sermon will be a dialogue between the two.  Both will participate in administering Holy Communion, and each will read psalms while the altar is stripped.

Since JCP does not have a Good Friday service, Pastor Wolff then invited Pastor Huff to participate in Cross of Grace's Tenebrae service on Friday evening.  Pastor Huff is delighted and many JPC members plan to attend.   What a wonderful way to be God's people, together.

Lutheridge/Lutherock Ministries was the recipient of a $250,000 gift to name the "great room" in the new multi-use retreat center at Lutheranch.  The gift came from St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Forest Park, GA, which closed its doors following the December 24, 2010 Christmas Eve worship service.  While it is disappointing for a congregation to close, the remaining members are very excited about the legacy that they will be leaving at Lutheranch as the great room will be named the St. Timothy Room.  The cross from the nave will also be in the great room, along with a Luther rose window.  A granite altar will be used for an outdoor worship area on Wood Duck Lake. 

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Congratulations to the Rev. Robert and Jean Graetz, of Montgomery, AL, who will recieve the Alumni Distinguised Service Award from Capital University in Columbus, OH on April 30.  Pastor and Mrs. Graetz openly supported the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a landmark event of the U.S. civil rights movement.  For his support of the boycott, Graetz and his family were ostracized by other whites and suffered several episodes of harassment, including tire slashings, arrest and bombings. Graetz wrote A White Preacher's Memoir: The Montgomery Bus Boycott about his experiences.

Pastor Will Rogers with the first group of Venturers to be chartered by the Boy Scouts of America at Christ the King Lutheran, Tupelo, MS.

Cub Scouts in action at Christ the King in Tupelo.