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E-News Weekly

Issue: #305

February 1, 2012

In This Issue
A Stranger in a Strange Land
ELCA News
Update on Alabama Tornadoes
Candidate Information
LTSS Announces
The Month of Hearts
News from LLMI
Postion Announcement
Uncovering the Mysteries of Job
Around the Synod
Quick Links

Synod Blog 

Synod Website 

Synod Staff 

ELCA News Service 

ELCA Website

A Stranger in a Strange Land

Submitted by the Rev Dr Ann M Bassett
 
Peace Lutheran Church,Spring Hill, TN

 

Each time I'm in Honduras I'm reminded that I am an alien (non-citizen) in a strange land. The language is different, as well as the culture, food and living conditions. My skin and hair coloring immediately set me apart as a gringa. People take one look at me, label me as a gringa and then assume all sorts of things about me being arrogant, stupid or rich. I'm always so grateful for those who go out of their way to accept me and make the effort to get to know me as simply another human being.

 

Read the rest on the synod blog. 

 

 

 

ELCA News

ELCA leaders' effort to protect families pays off

 

CHICAGO (ELCA) - Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) believe progress has been made with a recent policy change that would keep some families living in the United States, without legal residency, to remain here while applying for legal status -- a step intended to keeping families together.
 

Such "policies have significant human consequences that affect the lives and well-being of our neighbors," said the Rev. H. Julian Gordy, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, Atlanta, and chair of the ELCA Immigration Ready Bench.
 

Before the policy change, people living in the U.S. undocumented who return to their country of origin to apply for legal U.S. residency or green card face years of separation from their family.The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the new regulation Jan. 6.  According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the proposed change will only permit the applicant to apply for a waiver of the "unlawful presence" bar while still in the United States. They must still, by law, leave the United States for immigrant processing. The proposed change, expected to take effect later in 2012, is designed to make the wait outside the country shorter.

 

Read the rest of the story from the ELCA News Service.

Update on Alabama Tornadoes

Governor Bentley Requests Federal Assistance for Individuals Affected by Storms

  

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley on Friday requested federal assistance for people working to rebuild following last week's severe weather.

 

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, left, and state Rep. Oliver Robinson inspect tornado-damaged Center Point Elementary School on Tuesday Jan. 24, 2012, the day after several tornadoes swept central Alabama including the EF-3 storm that hit Center Point among other metro communities. (The Birmingham News/Joe Songer).

The request was submitted following a week of damage assessments that concluded last Friday. The assessments showed more than 1,500 houses sustained various degrees of damage. By requesting assistance from President Barack Obama through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Governor Bentley is seeking as many resources as possible to help Alabamians recover.

 

The assistance Governor Bentley is requesting would benefit storm survivors in Jefferson, Chilton, and Perry Counties. All three counties were impacted by powerful storms last week.

 

"I am hopeful the President will provide the necessary resources to help people recover as quickly as possible," Governor Bentley said. "Nine months ago today, our state was impacted by a disaster of historic proportions. The scope of this week's severe weather may not be the same as on April 27, but for the people in the neighborhoods that were torn apart, the damage is just as real, and the need for assistance is the same."

 

Potential assistance could include grants for temporary housing, financing for home repairs that are not covered by insurance, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other programs. 

 

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For more information, contact Governor Bentlely Press Office at 334-242-7150. 

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Info from Lutheran Ministries of Alabama 

 

Every Tuesday through Thursday from 9am-2pm, Lutheran Ministries of Alabama (LMA) will be offering a free walk-in center at Faith Lutheran Church (6704 Deerfoot Parkway, Clay, AL 35048). The center serves as a mini-case management focal point meant to connect people affected by the recent tornadoes with available resources. Some available resources are: access to volunteer labor, PODS for storage and gift cards to purchase necessary supplies. This ministry is a joint partnership of LMA and Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), who understand that disaster recovery is not a short-term activity and are committed to being here for the long-haul; recovery is a marathon not a sprint. It is in this light that the center will also be doing intake to help track people's situations as the response moves through the phases of assessment, relief and rebuild.

 

To find out more, contact Heather Turney, Development Director, Lutheran Ministries of Alabama, 205-259-6480 or [email protected]

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Donations

   

Monetary donations for Alabama Disaster Response can be made to:

ELCA Southeastern Synod

100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600

Atlanta, GA 30303

 

Or go to www.elca-ses.org, click the "Contact Us" link and follow the directions to make a secure on-line donation.

Important Information for Candidates for Rostered Ministry

  

Candidates, Plan Ahead!


Before receiving a positive Entrance decision for ELCA candidacy, a prospective candidate must:

  1. Be a member of an ELCA congregation for one year (unless already ordained in another tradition)
  2. Have one year of contact with the synod

Example of acceptable order:

  1. Be a member of an ELCA congregation
  2. Contact the synod office to express interest and get more infomation
  3. Schedule and attend a Meet and Greet with the Candidacy Committee
  4. Complete paperwork/evaluations for Entrance interview
  5. Have Entrance interview and receive positive Entrance decision, at least one year after steps 1 and 2
  6. Begin first semester of seminary


2012 Candidacy Committee Meetings and deadlines for materials:


April 12-14 (deadline March 1)

August 16-18 (deadline July 1)

November 8-10 (deadline October 1)


(If you plan on starting seminary in the fall of 2013, contact the synod office NOW!)


Contact Jeanette Burgess at 404-589-1977, ext. 232.

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Announces

 

Open House for Seminary Admissions 

 

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary will be holding two open houses for prospective students on Saturday, February 18, 2012 and Sunday-Monday, April 22-23, 2012 on its campus in Columbia, SC.  Experience life on the seminary campus by talking to students, faculty members, and others discerning God's call.  Visit www.ltss.edu for more information and to register.
 

 

 

Easter Lectionary Workshops
 

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is sponsoring an Easter Lectionary Workshop Series on March 22 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Norcross, GA.  The Rev. Dr. Marcus Miller, President of the Seminary, will lead interactive workshops on preaching the lectionary texts.  For more information and to register, please visit www.ltss.edu.

The Month of Hearts

Here we are once again in the "Month of Hearts."  When we think of hearts, we immediately think of Valentine cards, candy and flowers, but there is a lot more to this heart business during February. The month of February is designated as American Heart Month on the list of National Health Observances. It is during this time that organizations and groups with a vested interest in heart health strive to interest the American public in doing those things that will make our hearts healthier. They also give us statistics showing our risks and telling us how we can improve our chances of avoiding heart disease and living healthier as we age. The message of how to stay heart healthy is ingrained in our children through years of education. While the particulars of the messages may change from year to year, we all know that exercise, eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy blood pressure are a few of the things that we can do to stay heart healthy.

 

A Top Ten List of Ways to Help Children Develop Healthy Habits from the American Heart Association is an excellent reminder of what we can do to ensure our family's good health. As Valentine's Day approaches, why not turn this list into your Month of Hearts list by focusing on improving the heart health of your family. If there are no children in your family, you can work on these ideas individually or with another family member regardless of age.

  1. Be a positive role model. If you're practicing healthy habits such as brushing and flossing your teeth, it is a lot easier to convince children to do the same. (Remember, healthy teeth can mean a healthy heart.)
  2. Get the whole family active. Plan times for everyone to get moving together. Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming, or just play hide-and-seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the exercise and the time together.
  3. Limit TV, video game and computer time. These habits lead to a sedentary lifestyle and excessive snacking, which increases the risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease.
  4. Encourage physical activities that children really enjoy. Let children experiment with different activities until each child finds something that he or she really loves doing.
  5. Develop positive responses rather than negative ones to help children and teens develop good self-images. Celebrate successes! Even small ones are never too small to celebrate in order to help someone feel good about himself.
  6. Set specific goals and limits, such as one hour of physical activity a day or two desserts other than fruit per week. When goals are too abstract or limits too restrictive, the chance for success decreases.
  7. Find ways other than food rewards to celebrate good behavior. Candy and snacks as a reward encourage bad habits.
  8. Make dinnertime a family time by inviting the children to help in planning and cooking the meals. When the family routinely sits down together to eat, the children are more apt to eat a wide variety of heart healthy foods.      
  9. Make a game of reading food labels. The whole family will learn what's good for their health and be more conscious of what they eat. Perhaps this exercise will become a habit for life.
  10. Stay involved. Be an advocate for your health and your child's. Make sure your healthcare providers are monitoring cardiovascular indicators like BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol. Insist on your children taking or making good food choices every day of the year.

 

Stay well and be heart healthy!

 

Connie Pearson, Chair

Health Ministries Task Force

News from LLMI

Come to the mountains to enjoy life--Experience the serenity of fly fishing

Fishers of Men

April 13-15, 2012 (Friday-Sunday)

 

This men's retreat at Lutherock offers an opportunity to be in a place where God can teach us a lot about ourselves and faith through the mountain waters. There is time for learning knots, entomology, and for casting practice before heading out together to the rivers on Saturday and Sunday morning.
 

Through devotions and worship we will prepare for a time of reflection and prayer; enhancing the fishing experience beyond just catching and releasing.  A North Carolina fishing license is required and can be purchased online at www.ncwildlife.org. There will be a limited amount of basic gear available to rent.

 

  


Cost for Fishers of Men: $199 per person (Includes Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, housing in Moretz Cabin and Crow's Nest and program costs)
Visit www.llmi.net for more information or to register online.

Position Announcement

Lenior-Rhyne School of Theology

Provost

 

Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU) and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) invite applications and nominations for the position of Provost of the Lenoir-Rhyne School of Theology. Lenoir-Rhyne and Southern Seminary, two institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), anticipate completing a merger into a single institution in the summer of 2012. The expected merger will result in LTSS becoming part of the School of Theology of LRU, the first such affiliation of an ELCA seminary with a college or university.

 

A complete job description and other information on LTSS, LRU, and the anticipated merger can be found at http://hr.lr.edu/jobs and at http://www.ltss.edu/visitors_and_friends/career_opportunities/

 

LRU and LTSS seek a visionary leader to direct the formation of a unified School of Theology encompassing the existing programs of LTSS and the undergraduate programs in religion and theology at LRU on two campuses, in Columbia, SC, and Hickory, NC. The ideal candidate will have a distinguished record of academic teaching and scholarship, administrative experience and skills, and outreach skills. Minimum qualifications include an earned doctorate and ordination in the ELCA.

 

The Provost of the School of Theology will be the chief academic and administrative officer of the School. She or he will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to develop one of the premier seminaries in the country. The Provost will be primarily located in Columbia, South Carolina.

 

The Provost of the School of Theology will report directly to the President of the University and will be a senior member of the university administration. She or he will work closely with the Provost of the University and the Vice Presidents for Administration & Finance, Enrollment Management, and Institutional Advancement.

 

In addition to the Board of Trustees of the University, the School of Theology, and especially the Seminary, will work closely with an Advisory Council. The Provost will take a leadership role in this interaction.

 

Founded in 1830, LTSS is one of eight seminaries of the ELCA. It has prepared leaders for the church through quality theological education in a community environment.  Southern Seminary strives to teach, form, and nurture its students to be public ministers ready to serve from day one of a call.  A beautiful and peaceful 17-acre campus in the heart of a bustling capital city is only part of the history of Southern Seminary.  The true history can be found in the lives and communities that have benefited from the leadership of graduates formed at Southern Seminary. More information can be found at www.ltss.edu.

 

Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is one of 26 universities and colleges of the ELCA. LRU has a long and distinguished history of maintaining its partnership with the ELCA and has historically been a national leader in preparing undergraduates for seminary study. LRU enrolls almost 1900 students, including 250 graduate students, at its campus in Hickory and is experiencing unprecedented growth and financial success. A new campus for graduate studies will open in Asheville in Fall 2012. More information can be found at www.lr.edu.

 

To complete the online application (required), candidates are directed to: http://hr.lr.edu/jobs.

 

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit a Letter of Application, and a Curriculum Vitae (including the names and addresses of three professional references). The application letter should discuss specifically how one's professional experiences and perspectives relate to the needs of the position, of LTSS, and of Lenoir-Rhyne University.

 

Review of applicants will begin on March 1, 2012 and will continue until the position is filled.

 

Lenoir-Rhyne University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all genders and ethnic groups.

Uncovering the Mysteries of the Book of Job

Have you been wanting to take some time for deep spiritual reflection?

Have you experienced loss or seen others experience loss and wondered, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"

Are you interested in delving into the secrets in The Book of Job to find healing, success and happiness again?

If you answered "Yes!" to any of these questions, please say "Yes!" to an invitation to join others "Uncovering the Mysteries of The Book of Job," a half-day retreat on Saturday, February 25th from 10 a.m - 2 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce De Leon Avenue, NE,  Atlanta, GA 30307.  The retreat leader will be Pamela Ayo Yetunde, pastoral counselor and author of "Vigil: Spiritual Reflections on Your Money and Sanity."

The cost for the retreat is $35 and includes a light lunch and a copy of "Vigil."  For information about Ayo visit
www.boundlesshearts.wordpress.com.  

 

This event is being offered as a fundraiser for the Lutheran Volunteer Corps. To register for this event, please contact Ami Hern�ndez at [email protected] or leave a message at the Lutheran Volunteer Corps office by calling 404-591-7054. The registration deadline is Wednesday, February 22nd.

Around the Synod 

 

 

Five volunteers to serve as synod Volunteer Disaster Response Coordinators


On Thursday, January 19 through Saturday, January 21 in Tallapoosa, Georgia at Lutheranch, five volunteers attended a 2-� day training and were commissioned to serve as Southeastern Synod Volunteer Disaster Response Coordinators.

 

These volunteers include Pastor Phil Harkey, Bernice Bland and Kenneth Fee serving the Atlanta GA area and Marty Geiger and Suzanne MacKenzie serving the Eastern TN area. These volunteers will assist congregations with preparedness planning and in response within their local communities.  The training included building congregational resiliency, an overview of disaster ministry and disaster ministry congregational tools, and spiritual and emotional care. A table top exercise was conducted to walk through actions in the event of a disaster. Disaster resources were handed out, along with a list of internet disaster preparedness and response sites. 

 

The training team included the Rev. Morgan Gordy, Disaster Response Task Force chair, Kathy Thoreson, CEO-Lutheran Services in Tennessee, Jon Biggs and John Boettner, synod Volunteer Disaster Coordinators, and Diaconal Minister Sandra Braasch, Synod Disaster Support and Development Coordinator. Kim Boettner served as cook for the group for the weekend. 

 

If you are interested in serving as a synod Volunteer Disaster Response Coordinator, please contact Sandra at [email protected].
 

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Good News to Share!

  

Beckstrom Published

 

Pastor Ed Beckstrom (retired, Equity, AL) lets us know, "Every once in a while something so extraordinary can occur in your life that you want to share it with your entire world of family and friends. Recently, such a thing happened to me, and in the midst of a world of so much bad news, I thought it was appropriate to share some real good news - especially for me."

  

Since retirement, Pastor Beckstrom has spent a good deal of time reading, researching, teaching, and writing about a number of things, but especially biblical studies. This past fall he taught a series of classes at Messiah Lutheran Church in Montgomery. The course was called Jesus: His Faith, His Story, and the Gospels.

 

In the course he gave a class on Jesus' teaching about "The Son of Man," the meaning of which has been in dispute in the Church for almost 2000 years. Pastor Beckstrom reports, "I believe, however, that I have solved the mystery and I described it in detail within the class. During the class I noticed Pastor Randy Jones (Messiah, Montgomery), sitting in the back pew becoming more and more animated until he was on the edge of his seat and at the end stood up and basically said, 'You've done it! I agree! Everything fits!' "

 

Pastor Jones encouraged Pastor Beckstrom to write down his thoughts and seek publication.  A few days ago, Pastor Beckstrom got an e-mail from Dr. David Bossman, the editor of "Biblical Theology Bulletin" letting him know that his article,

The Mystery of Jesus' Teaching about "The Son of Man"  is scheduled for publication in the May edition of one of the most prestigious professional journals in the world of biblical studies, "Biblical Theology Bulletin: A Journal of Bible and Theology," published by Sage Publications. It will be published simultaneously in both the US and the UK.  

 

Pastor Beckstrom would very much like to share this article with the readers of the synod E-News.  You can download a copy here.   Pastor Beckstrom says, "I think it is extremely important for serious biblical studies and I hope it will receive a lot of 'buzz' within the scholarly community, and also within the communities of pastors, church leaders, teachers, and anyone who is interested in biblical studies."

 

If you would care to order a copy of the May "Biblical Theological Bulletin," please call SAGE Journals Customer Service department at 1-800-818-7243. Be sure to ask for "Biblical Theology Bulletin: A Journal of Bible and Theology, Vol. 42, Issue 2, May 2012."   The cost is $18.00. Individual copies of the article alone can be purchased on-line at: www.sagepub.com/journals/Journal201924.

      

 

Edwards' Hymn Sung in Antarctica

  
"Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness," written by the Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards (Christ, Marietta, GA), became the first song to be sung in Antarctica for 2012. It was used during worship on January 1, 2012 at the Chapel of the Snows, at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. It was a milestone for Pastor Edwards, as his hymns have now been sung on every continent on Earth! His hymns have also been published in 76 books, used by over three dozen denominations in at least a dozen countries throughout the world. "Praise the One" is in a dozen hymnals, including Church of Scotland Hymnary, Church of England, and Evangelical Lutheran Worship (843).

 

 

Congratulations, Pastors Beckstrom and Edwards!

View the entire Synod Calendar

 

February 3-4 

Talking Together as Christians Cross Culturally

Nashville, TN

 

February 4

Invitation to Lent: A Faith Formation Event

Messiah, Knoxville, TN

 

February 6-8

First Call Theological Education Stewardship Retreat

New Ebenezer Retreat Center

Rincon, GA

 

February 20

Synod Office Closed, Presidents Day

 

February 25

Consecration of Mary Houck, Diaconal Minister

Cross of Life, Roswell, GA

 

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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