by the Rev. Nancy Christensen
Assistant to the Bishop/Director for Evangelical Mission
 ELCA Southeastern Synod

Luca Cambiaso (1527-1585)

My great-grandfather (x4) on my mother's side, Frederick Rice, was a spy under General Washington in the Revolutionary War, and fought in the Battle of Trenton.  Another of my great-grandfathers (x4), Conrad Auble, also on my mother's side, was a Hessian mercenary who fought for the British in the Revolutionary War.  He was captured in the Battle of Trenton, and was later released in a trade-off of prisoners, at which point he promptly deserted the British ranks.  About one hundred years later, the great-grandaughter of Frederick Rice (Irene) married the great-grandson (Edwin) of Conrad Auble, and my grandfather was born!

The Southeastern Synod Assembly will be held June 3, 4 & 5, 2011 at the Marriott Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta, GA.   Information about the Synod Assembly and the registration form can be found at www.elca-ses.org/Assembly.html. 

The deadline for online registration is May 15, 2011.  Congregations can still pre-register now even if they won't know the names of Voting Members until after the registration deadline.  Simply call the synod office at 404-589-1977 for instructions on how to complete the registration form.

Flowers for Assembly

When synod assembly voting members gather this year, it will still be within the Great Fifty Days of Easter, a time of festive celebration and beauty.  The worship  team would like to invite you to help decorate the chancel and baptismal  areas by being a "flower sponsor."  Potted begonias may be purchased for $9.00 each in memory of a beloved member, in honor of a congregational leader, or in recognition of a ministry in your church.  To ensure your order,  please mail a check made out to the ELCA-Southeastern Synod, to be received in the synod office no later than May 20th.  Mark it for "Assembly  Flowers" and include a note as to how many plants and the names you would  like recognized for each.  These remembrances will be included in the  worship booklet and at the end of assembly, your congregation may take your  flowers home to plant in a church garden as a sign of the growing life of  Christ in our synod.  Thank you for helping to make synod worship a beautiful and life-giving event.

Pictorial Directory 

Photos are still being accepted for the pictorial directory to be compiled at this year's Assembly.  It will be published and distributed once completed.  Those included in the directory will be clergy, associates in ministry, diaconal ministers, deaconesses, and members of Synod Council and staff.  If you are a rostered person and already have a picture you like, you may submit it to Margery at margerykellar@comcast.net prior to Assembly weekend.   If you don't have a current one, a booth where digital photos can be taken will be available during Assembly weekend!

Openings on Budget & Finance and Nominating Committees

The following two synod committees will have openings for persons to serve two-year terms, beginning in June 2011:

Budget & Finance Committee (lay person): Committee members should have an interest in financial matters, but are NOT expected to be experts in finance and accounting. This committee meets by conference call at least twice a year to review the synod's overall financial situation and make recommendations to the synod council as needed. The committee also meets once a year in person to formulate a budget proposal for the synod council and synod assembly. This meeting is usually scheduled for the first Saturday in December, usually at the synod office in Atlanta.

Nominating Committee (clergy): This committee is charged with recommending nominees for positions to be elected at each synod assembly. The committee meets by conference call about four times each year, with most of the work during the period January through April.

Persons interested in being appointed to either of these committees may indicate their interest by completing the form located HERE.                                    

Announcing ELCA Video Contest

Scott Henderson, Director For Marketing Communications at the ELCA, announces a new ELCA video contest for 2011: What does it mean to "live Lutheran"?  The ELCA will accept entries May 17-June 30.

Henderson says, "We're so grateful for the positive response to "God's work. Our hands," our first ELCA video contest in 2009. Videos from that contest were seen and heard by members throughout this church. Thanks for your support!"

"We're delighted to host this new contest," he continues, "and give the members and congregations in your synod another opportunity to share their faith stories in video. ELCA members are everyday evangelists who bring the gospel message with them wherever they go. The ELCA is Christ's church with a place for each one of us. What does this mean for the members of your synod? How do they live Lutheran in today's world?"

Congregations and individuals could win a $3,000 ministry grant or a $1,500 cash prize. There are also prizes for the congregation and individual entries receiving the most popular votes. Plus, a selection of videos will be shown at the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly this August.

Visit http://www.livinglutheran.com/contest starting May 3 to get the information you need, including tips to help everyone get started. The contest will launch on May 17.

Biblical call to hospitality inspires 2011 ELCA 'Glocal' Mission Events

It was a joy-filled day on May 1 as Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, a mission community in Jonesborough, TN, baptized two individuals, Wayne Waskoski and Payton White.  Cross of Grace has had three baptisms in its sixteen month existence, two of them adults.  

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Pastor Torrey O. Johnson officially resigned as pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in East Point, GA on May 1, 2011, accepting an ecclesiastical endorsement to serve as a military Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve. He immediately took the oath of office in the church narthex, administered by one of his own church members, Katrina Delk Jones, herself a Captain in the Air Force. The traditional first salute was given to him by Master Sergeant Darin Thomas.

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Organist/Music Director needed:

Advent Lutheran Church in LaGrange, GA, seeks a part-time, Organist/Music Director.  For more information, please contact Mellody Hartelius Reaves at 706-884-4918 or mellody@bellsouth.net or call the church at 706-882-0130.