Coming Your Way -- Hunger, Poverty and Justice Task Force Survey

The recently formed Southeastern Synod Task Force on Hunger, Poverty and Justice issues is looking for your assistance and input as it begins its work.  Specifically, they are hoping to identify any ongoing efforts by the member congregations to address the issues of hunger, poverty and justice in communities around the synod and to find areas where congregations would like to be more involved or would like to receive more information.

The data will be used immediately to coordinate efforts among congregations, committees and task forces in addressing these issues.  The areas in which congregations wish to be more involved/receive more information will be used to identify and ideally distribute resources about that area.  This could be in the form of websites, books, materials for small group studies, speakers or organizations near your community who can assist you.

Immigration Task Force 

By way of brief introduction, I am Kent Lewis, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Shelbyville, TN. Some of you may remember me presenting the documentary, Welcome to Shelbyville at last year's Leadership Convocation.  

How we welcome and incorporate others, and allow others to transform who we become is a major task facing us as Church and as a nation.  I ask you to prayerfully consider joining the Immigration Task Force, or to prayerfully recommend others who would like to serve. I expect the Task Force will define itself; for me, it would be marked by few meetings, each of which would be long on sharing pragmatic ideas, networking and striving not to re-invent the wheel!

What kind of issues do we explore?  Here's an example:  This past week I was invited to be on a panel, which represented a receiving community.The meeting was inspired by and modified South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation groups. The three-hour community gathering attracted about 75 from the Hispanic immigrant community who spoke of discrimination experiences.  The power of being heard and of finding their voice, was a most powerful and valuable experience. There are great possibilities in such gatherings for any risk-takers out there.

If you would be willing to join, even for just a brief time, you're welcome.  At  this time, short-term commitments are certainly understood.  Please contact me at the information given below or complete the form here.   

Pr. Kent E. Lewis

 bklewis@lighttube.net

Christ Lutheran Church

(931) 434-0231

Synod Council Minutes Available 

Although these minutes have not yet been officially approved, they are being made available so that all interested persons may know the decisions that were made. If you have any questions about the minutes, please contact the Synod Secretary, Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier.

Congregational Opportunities 

2011 Calling Congregations Conference in Atlanta

Featured guest speakers are Dr. Parker J. Palmer and the Rev. Eustacia Moffett Marshall. Instead of traditional panels, keynotes and breakout sessions, participants will work in small groups facilitated by Palmer and Marshall. The groups will:

• Assess emerging social behaviors that affect church transformation;
• Discern their individual roles in developing future church leaders;
• Brainstorm and design approaches to move the church forward.