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Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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E-News Weekly

Issue: #303

January 19, 2012

In This Issue
Invitation to Lent
Elections Q & A
Affirm Registration
2012 Reports
News from LLMI
Earn a 2% Discount
Discover Islam
Around the Synod
Quick Links

Synod Blog 

Synod Website 

Synod Staff 

ELCA News Service 

ELCA Website

Invitation to Lent:  A Faith Formation Event

February 4, 2012

 

Invitation to Lent: A Faith Formation Event is an exciting pre-Lent workshop hosted by Knoxville area ELCA congregations. This February 4, 2012 event is perfect for lay members, rostered leaders, parents, worship teams, Christian Education committees, and all who seek to prepare for a holy Lent. Our keynote speaker is the Reverend Anne McKee, Campus Minister at Maryville College. Our workshop leaders include Pastor Bradley Schmeling, Father Ragan Shriver, and Ms. Noel Reagan AIM. Music and worship leadership will be provided by Pastor John Tirro.

This event runs from 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM on Saturday, February 4.  The cost is only $15 per person and includes program, refreshments and lunch. 

Click here for a flyer and registration form. For additional information, check out "Invitation to Lent" on Facebook or visit http://web.me.com/elmurray/Invitation_to_Lent.

 Elections Q & A (Part 2)

Q&A

 

 

 

Last week we published the first of two articles addressing comments made by 2011 Synod Assembly voting members about elections. Two additional concerns are addressed below, along with brief explanations from those involved with Assembly elections:

 

The biographical forms don't provide enough information!  Certainly, there are trade-offs between providing sufficient information for voting members to make good decisions, while at the same time not overwhelming the process. During its deliberations, the Nominations and Elections Task Force members discussed the logistical challenges of including pictures on the biographical forms, as well as the possibility that pictures could inappropriately sway voters and thus hurt rather than help the elections process. The final decision was not to include pictures. Instead, this year you will see two new open-ended questions on the biographical form for churchwide assembly voting members. All nominees will be asked: "Why do you want to attend the churchwide assembly?" and "What are your hopes for the ELCA?" Answers will be included on the biographical forms distributed to Synod Assembly voting members.

 

Can more time be provided for reading biographical information?  Plenary session time is much too short to wait until the balloting begins to review biographical information for candidates. This information will be available on the synod web site by mid-May for all nominees of the Nominating Committee. Voting members should plan to study this material prior to the start of the Assembly, so that they are not rushed when the actual balloting is taking place. Information about candidates nominated on the floor of the Assembly will be distributed as soon as the Elections Committee and synod staff can produce it. Every effort will be made this year to avoid scheduling a ballot immediately following distribution of new biographical information. 

Affirm Registration -- Now OPEN

Grounded in Word and Sacrament, the Southeastern Synod Affirm Youth Event develops discipleship, leadership skills, and teaches Lutheran theology. We follow Christ, we live in a Christian community, and we teach youth how to be His hands in the world.

 

This year, Affirm will be held June 17-22 at Berry College in Rome, Georgia.  Youth who have finished 6th-12th grades may register. Affirm also offers a unit called Young Adult Youth Ministry Institute for college freshmen and sophomores.   Cost for 2012 is $375. Scholarships are available; applications are due before March 1.  Visit www.sesyouth.org to register and pay online using Paypal! 

 

 

Be sure to check out ALL the latest Southeastern Synod Youth Ministry News at

http://www.elca-ses.org/Youth-Ministry-News.html !

2012 Reports Due

 

2012 Rostered Leader's Report to the Synod Bishop now due 

 

Click here for complete instructions on how to complete the Annual Rostered Leader's Report to the Synod Bishop and to download a blank report form.

 

 

 

Congregational (Parochial) Reports due by February 15, 2012

 

It is important that Congregational (Parochial) reports be submitted by the deadline because these statistics are used to determine our voting strength at Churchwide Assembly, as well as for other important purposes.  Submitting these statistics is easy. Each congregation should have recently received by mail the Congregational Report form for the year ending Dec. 31, 2011.  There are options for filling it out by hand or going online with the password provided and filing electronically. If you have any questions about this, our synod staff will be happy to assist you.  Please call 404-589-1977. 

News from LLMI

 

SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE! WILD WOMEN'S WEEKENDS at Lutheridge 

January 20-22, January 27-29, March 9-11, and March 16-18 (Friday - Sunday)


Adult women of all ages and life situations have four opportunities to gain vision and strength for the new year. Bring a group to deepen fellowship with women you know - or come alone to find kindred spirits in Wild Women from across the Southeast.  The theme this year is "Resurrection."  Participants will encounter Bible women surprised by new life, and discover the power of death and resurrection for themselves today. Cost per person includes lodging for two nights, Saturday breakfast through Sunday breakfast, and all program costs.

 
Leader: Pastor Mary Canniff-Kuhn, Lutheridge Program Director

 

Cost/person: $185 per person. Register now at www.llmi.net or contact Janine Webb [email protected] or 828-684-2361.

 

  

FAITH ALIVE! At Lutheridge


CAMPFIRMATION RETREATS FOR YOUTH in grades 5-10


Unique curriculum uses experiential learning to leave lasting lessons. Lutheridge staff provide supervision for campers, staying in cabins with them and sharing their unique and faithful witness. Campers can come alone or with a group. Lessons are geared to middle school, but 5th grade and high school youth are welcome to attend. (Campers will be placed in cabin groups by age so older/younger youth will be together.) Adult leaders are welcome and encouraged to participate, but not required to attend. Each camper creates a "witness" to share learning back home. The program design and oversight are by Pastors Mary and Tim Canniff-Kuhn, with involvement from others.


February 3-5, 2012 


Holy Baptism:  This retreat teaches the centrality of sacrament in Lutheran worship. Youth will experience baptism as the sacrament of belonging. We are God's forever! (Wilderness Cabins)


Holy Communion:  The sacrament of Communion takes on deeper meaning as the meal of forgiveness, nourishment and community, central to Lutheran worship. (Lakeside Cottages)


April 20-22, 2012


Ten Commandments:  Youth LEARN the Ten Commandments using pictures and stories that make their meaning relevant RIGHT NOW in an adolescent's life. (Wilderness Cabins)


Reformation:  Luther's life and reformation principles inspire youth to continue the reforming tradition by asking questions and keeping faith alive today!  (Lakeside Cottages)

 

Visit www.llmi.net for more information or to register today!

Earn a 2% Discount

 

Here is an opportunity to earn a 2% discount on ELCA health contributions in 2012.

 

Each congregation and organization in our synod will receive a 2% discount on contributions for all of 2012 if 65% of the eligible ELCA-primary plan members and spouses in our synod complete the online Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by April 30. 

 

The 2012 health assessment opened January 1. If you have ELCA-primary health benefits, click the "Take It Now" button between January 1 - April 30 to complete the assessment. It only takes about 30 minutes. Completing the assessment earns you a $150 credit in your personal wellness account to offset out-of-pocket medical expenses.

 

Completing the assessment is an act of stewardship for you and this church. Click here to read more!

Discover Islam

 

Discover Islam is a set of six documentaries produced to dispel the most popular misconceptions about Islam and to portray it, and American Muslims, as part of the American mainstream. Several sets of these videos have been made available to the Southeastern Synod.  Congregations that wish to borrow a set for use, please contact Elaine Schwartz in the synod office [email protected] or 404-589-1977, ext 235. 

 

Click here for a link to find out more about Discover Islam.

 

Around the Synod 

 

 

"Gospel Without Borders" Video Screening and Panel Discussion

 

The video "Gospel Without Borders" brings more light and less heat to the issue of immigration. It separates myth from fact, examines what the Bible says about treatment of the "stranger," shows the experiences of documented and undocumented immigrants, and provides handles for Christians to advance the common good. The documentary highlights stories in five states: Arizona, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama and Iowa. Some stories break the heart, others inspire the spirit, still others challenge the mind. But all come together and show that the Christian gospel is indeed without borders. 

 

There will be a screening of the video January 24, 2012 at 1:30 pm at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 2100 West End Avenue Nashville, TN 37203.  Admission is free.  

 

After the screening, there will be a panel discussion on the video, moderated by Dr. Robert Parham, Executive Director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, and featuring the Rev. Julian Gordy, Bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Bishop John Bauerschmidt, The Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee; and Retired Bishop Melvin Talbert, the United Methodist Church.

 

Dr. Frank Lewis, pastor of First Baptist Church, Nashville, TN, will provide the opening reflection, and the Rev. Dr. Judy Cummings, Senior Pastor of New Covenant Christian Church, will give the closing prayer.

 

All are invited to attend this special event.  Click here for more information and to view a trailer.

 

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Day1 Benefit Honors Connie and John W. Blend III

 

The annual benefit for the Alliance for Christian Media and the Day1 ministry will take place on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta at 6:30 p.m. Representatives from each of the participating denominations on Day1 will be recognized for their commitment to the good of our community.


This year's Lutheran honorees are Connie and John Blend, lifelong members of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta.


Connie and John have been involved in numerous projects in the Atlanta area with perhaps their most notable Christian ministry being the creation and development of Goshen Valley Boys Ranch near Waleska, Georgia. Goshen Valley was created with a partnership in faith between John and Connie and their Atlanta church, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. The Blends recognized the need for a faith-based home to serve the spiritual and physical needs of children and young adults who had nothing.  In 2002 Goshen Valley opened and has served as a home and sanctuary to over 150 boys with the most needs and the fewest resources. Despair, broken promises, neglect and abuse are the norm of the children brought to Goshen Valley. John and Connie currently support 35 boys who live in 6 houses on the 300-acre main campus.


The event will support the radio and internet ministry, Day1 (formerly the Protestant Hour). Day1 began in 1945 when leaders of several major denominations and church-related colleges and seminaries came together with the goal of spreading the Good News of God's love and justice through radio. Every week since then, Day1 has presented compelling sermons from the most accomplished preachers from across America. Day1 continues to work together with preachers, churches, and denominations to share God's word on the radio and online, bringing faith and hope to hundreds of thousands of people around the world.


Day1 is carried nationally by over 215 stations, is regularly broadcast on the American Forces Radio Network and is also accessible by podcast at http://Day1.org. Day1 has won numerous awards including the George Foster Peabody Award and the Communicators' Award for Excellence in inspirational radio. It is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media in association with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.

 

Tickets for the event are $175 per person. Please call Rebecca Kurziak at 404-418-6772 to make your reservation today.

 

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Recently seen on the web...

 

 

Assistant to the Bishop in the Southeastern Synod, Pastor Delmer Chilton had two blogs recently picked up by LivingLutheran.com--Answering the Lord on January 9, 2012 and Getting Ready for Christ's Mass on December 14, 2011.  Congratulations, Pastor Chilton!

 

View the entire Synod Calendar

 

January 19

Project Connect Discernment Advocate Training

Christ the Lord, Lawrenceville, GA

 

January 23

Lutheranch Luncheon at Turner Field

 

January 27-28

Affirm Administrative Meeting

Christ the King, Norcross, GA

 

February 3-4 

Talking Together as Christians Cross Culturally

Nashville, TN

 

February 6-8

First Call Theological Education Stewardship Retreat

New Ebenezer Retreat Center

 

February 20

Synod Office Closed, Presidents Day

 

March 15

Deadline for Nominations for the 2012 Synod Assembly

Click here to learn more and for a link to the biographical form

 

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