ELCA Board of Pensions Announces Name Change to Portico Benefit Services

The Board of Pensions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will begin doing business as Portico Benefit Services, effective immediately.

In the News

First ELCA member installed as National Council of Churches president
 

Kathryn M. Lohre was installed as president of the National Council of Churches on Nov. 9 at a service held at the Lutheran Center in Chicago. A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lohre is the first Lutheran and ELCA member to serve as president of the council and the youngest woman to serve in that role.

While her presidency marks these two historic firsts, it will also be the first time a woman succeeds a woman as president of the council. 

Read more...

World Aids Day Service 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Bishop Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will speak on December 1st at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Atlanta, as part of the ELCA's national commemoration of World AIDS Day. Bishop Hanson, along with Bishop Ambrose Moyo, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe, will lead a panel discussion at 5:30 p.m. on the global and national implications of the church's commitment to fight the spread of AIDS and to care for those who are HIV positive. At 7:30 p.m., the Lutheran congregations inside the Atlanta perimeter will sponsor an AIDS memorial service, featuring Bishop Hanson as the preacher.

In 1988, the ELCA adopted a message on "AIDS and the Church's Ministry of Caring," which states, "The church's ministry of caring is a grateful response to God's caring for us. The undeserved love of God announced for all in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is our reason for standing with our neighbor in need...In the same way we are called to 'be Christs' for all in our midst who suffer and are ill. Our calling summons us to compassion for, acceptance of, and service with people affected by AIDS both within and outside of our congregations."

The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer is located at 731 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, (404) 874-8664.

How many pastors are truly aware of what that means to them and to their ministry in their congregation? Every pastor on the roster of the ELCA has expectations that extend beyond their local ministry. The lives of pastors are lived under the authority of our constitutions. Thus, every pastor should know how the three constitutions (ELCA, Synodical, Congregational) govern our lives. This learning opportunity is sponsored by the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta and the Southeastern Synod.

If interested in attending (can be attended separately from the Bible study), please email Pastor Randy Jones.

Time to Send in Bishop's School Nominations

Please take a minute to think of that one special youth in your congregation. You know the 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, please nominate him or her for the 2012 Bishop's School.

The 2012 Bishop's School will be held the week of June 17-23 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!  Bishop Julian Gordy of the Southeastern Synod will be the 2012 Bishop in Residence at Bishop's School.

Click here for a brochure with additional information. Please note, nominations are due by March 2nd, 2012. (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 sandrah@salutheran.com or Ms. Tiffany Pieters in the Region 9 office at 803-461-3263 or email tpieters@ltss.edu.

Thank you.

by Connie Pearson

Chair - Synod Health Ministries Task Force 

My mouth is already watering just thinking about the turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie that I might consume during the holidays. Just the thought if it brings some angst for those who wonder how they might get through the holidays without overindulging or gaining weight.

Most of us grew up with the USDA Dietary Guidelines originally known as the Food Groups and more recently the Food Pyramid, reminding us of what comprises a healthy diet.   In 2010 the USDA developed new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, focusing on balancing calories with physical activity. The Guidelines stress consuming healthier foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and seafood, and consuming less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains.

A new food icon - a plate - makes a visual statement in the shape of a plate rather than a pyramid to support the Dietary Guidelines and reinforce what actually goes into a healthy meal. "My Plate" found at ChooseMyPlate.gov shows one-half of the plate to be fruits and vegetables, a little over a quarter of the plate to be grains and a little less than a quarter of the plate to be protein. Dairy, while just as important as the other foods, is shown with the plate in the traditional position given to a glass of milk. Knowing how to fill your plate during the holidays can help to lower your stress and prevent adding unwanted pounds.

For a healthy plate, try the following tips:  

• Envision how you will fill your plate before you do so. Put the lower caloric items on first.
• Make half of the servings on your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Choose whole grains when you have an option.
• Choose fat-free or low-fat (1%) dairy.
• Prepare the food or help to prepare it so that you will know what you are eating.
• Choose prepared food dishes without ingredients such as bread crumbs, heavy cheese sauce and gravy.
• Reduce the portion size that you usually eat.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
• Avoid excessive amounts of alcoholic drinks.
• Choose a smaller plate so that you are not tempted to eat more than you should consume.
• Limit the number of desserts that you eat in one week.
• Know how much you should be eating for your body size.
• Refrain from eating snacks because they are available and part of the holiday routine. Remember, to fill the plates of the less fortunate during the holidays!
• And, balance the calories with physical exercise!

On Reformation Sunday afternoon, the people of St Andrew, Plains and the surrounding community gathered for dinner on the grounds followed by worship in the historic, restored St Mark, Botsford building.  Last Spring St Andrew, Plains donated the 1870 building to a historic development in Webster County in South Georgia.  Until it closed in the 1960s, the building was the worship home for Lutherans that migrated to the Plains area following the Civil War.  

Mr Roy Wise, member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atlanta and a son of St Mark, made a historical presentation.  Pastor Darrel Peterson, Assistant to Bishop Gordy, preached and Pastor Charles Thompson from St. Andrew Lutheran Church, presided. 

Of note, President Jimmy and Roselyn Carter were present for dinner and worship.  Some of Roselyn's family had been members of St Mark. When the Plains Baptist church split over issues of integration in the civil rights era, the St Mark building served as the temporary home for Maranatha Baptist. (Maranatha is where Presdent Carter still teaches Sunday School.)   Pastor Peterson commented that that was the first time he had preached with a Secret Service agent standing in the back of the nave.  

picture L to R: Pastor Charles Thompson, Mr Roy Wise and Pastor Darrel Peterson

Digital Organ for Sale

Roland Atelier AT 90s digital organ with midi capabilities available. Asking $5,000.

If interested, contact the office of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Hendersonville, TN at 615-824-6244.

Dedication of new building at

Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church, Richmond Hill, GA

November 20, 2011

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And finally...

The word of the week is---SCAM.

November 24, 25

Synod office closed, Thanksgiving holiday

December 1

World Aids Day Event, Redeemer, Atlanta, GA  

December 3

Bible Study with Diane Jacobson and Constitution Seminar, Shepherd of the Hills, Birmingham, AL

December 3

Budget and Finance Committee meeting, Synod Office

December 4

Bible Study with Diane Jacobson, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA

December 8

Nominating Committee conference call

December 12

Synod office closed, Staff Retreat

View the entire Synod Calendar