Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands. E-News Weekly |
|
Issue: #311 |
March 14, 2012 | |
|
|
|
|
A Sidelined Faith? | |
by the Rev. Dr. Joy Blaylock
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Mobile, AL
 I had a churchmember hand me an article from Time magazine recently entitled "The Rise of the Nones." It was basically another article about the "spiritual but not religious" crowd and the person who shared it wrote simply at the bottom, "I'd like your thoughts on this."
Realizing that this person has a child now in their twenties, I could imagine the source and motivation of her inquiry. And, I'm guessing she will be somewhat surprised to find that I have no defense arguments about the reality of brokenness in institutions, particularly those that are "religious." I've read many of the books by the "emergent church" authors and find that I agree with most of their indictments. I think the return to small groups, churches with less organized bureaucracy, and "mission interpretation" efforts is a no-brainer for faith communities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southeastern Synod Pre-Retirement Seminar | | |
 A two-day pre-retirement seminar is planned for pastors, rostered laypersons and lay employees in the ELCA Pension and Other Benefits Program, offered by Portico Benefits Services (formerly ELCA Board of Pensions.) In this seminar you will explore issues that form the foundation of a healthy retirement - and learn how your financial decisions can help you achieve your retirement dreams. Persons who will be 50 years of age or over are invited to attend.
Seminar leader:
Barbara Debski, Regional representative, Portico Benefit Services
Dates:
May 1 - Seminar 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm., Bishop's hour 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
May 2 - Seminar 8 am - 12 pm
Hosted by:
Trinity Lutheran Church, 5001 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343-3951
Cost:
$35 per person, $50 per couple (cost includes dinner, refreshments and seminar materials - cost DOES NOT include accommodations)
To register:
Registration for the pre-retirement seminar is limited to 20 members of the benefits program (plus financial partners) and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Financial partners (i.e., spouses) are strongly encouraged to participate.
Please complete the registration form and send your check by April 16th to:
ELCA Southeastern Synod
Attn: Pre-retirement Seminar
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta GA 30303
Questions: Contact Elaine Schwartz in the synod office at 404-589-1977, ext 235 or eschwartz@elca-ses.org.
|
|
Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA Annual Resource Guide | | |
Beginning June 1 of this year, the Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Women of the ELCA. Because of this special anniversary celebration, the Synodical Board has selected "Rejoice" as the theme for the 2012 convention.
We are delighted to share with you our joys and our missions. Click here to download the 2012 Annual Resource Guide, in which you will discover project and service opportunities in the areas of Action, Growth, and Community. As a Woman of the ELCA, may you Rejoice in sharing your time, talents and special gifts with those in your community and around the world.
|
|
Synod Assembly - June 1, 2 & 3, 2012 | | |
 The Southeastern Synod will meet in Assembly June 1-3, 2012 at Marriott's Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta GA.
The theme for 2012 will be
"What in God's Name are We Doing Here?"
Our special guest speaker and Bible study leader for 2012 is Diane L. Jacobson. Jacobson is director of the Book of Faith Initiative for the ELCA. The Churchwide Representative at the assembly will be the Rev. Mary Frances, ELCA Assistant Director for New Evangelizing Congregations.
ELECTIONS AT SYNOD ASSEMBLY
BREAKING NEWS!! NOMINATING DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 31!
Elections to fill vacant positions will take place at the 2012 Synod Assembly. The deadline to nominate individuals has been extended to March 31.
DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE
Two vacancies on the Synod Discipline Committee have developed recently, due to clergy accepting calls outside of the Southeastern Synod. The Discipline Committee consists of 12 members elected by the Synod Assembly. Committee members function as a pool of individuals available for potential participation in disciplinary hearings, as described in Chapter 20 of the ELCA Constitution.
Requirements for the positions are:
1 Clergy (either male or female), to fill a 5-year unexpired term to 2017
1 Clergy (female) to fill a 3-year unexpired term to 2015
Persons wishing to be considered for one of these positions should complete the Nominating Committee's online biographical form by March 31, 2012.
OTHER SYNOD ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
In addition to the openings on the Discipline Committee, there are several other elections scheduled to take place during the 2012 Synod Assembly. The Nominating Committee intends to nominate two to four persons for each position to be elected. Individual skills and qualifications, as well as the Synod's inclusivity goals, will be considered. The inclusivity goals address the balance between lay persons and pastors, gender, status as a youth or young adult, and racial/ethnic background. Achieving some geographical diversity of nominees will also be a factor in the Nominating Committee's decisions.
Nominations are currently invited for all positions to be elected, including:
2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Members:
3 Clergy (both males and females)
1 Lay male person of color or primary language other than English
1 Youth (under age 18)
1 Young adult lay person (ages 18-30)
3 Other lay persons, (so that the total is half male and half female)
Synod Council:
1 Young adult, 2-year term (male or female, ages 18-30)
2 At-large lay persons, 2-year term (Gender designation to be determined)
Click HERE for more information about these positions.
DEADLINE for submission of biographical forms to be considered by
the Nominating Committee: March 31, 2012.
Find out more about the Synod Assembly and register at
www.elca-ses.org/Assembly.html. |
Go. Baptize. Make Disciples. | | |
"Go. Baptize. Make Disciples."
 A 3-day immersion event in the catechumenal process for newcomers and experienced practitioners offered by the North American Association for the Catechumenate (NAAC).
Offered in three beautiful locations:
Baltimore, MD area: April 13-15, 2012
Minneapolis, MN area: May 18-20, 2012
Spokane, WA area: August 3-5, 2012
"Go. Baptize. Make Disciples." is a new training institute for pastors, worship leaders, and educators (e.g. directors of spiritual formation) being offered in 2012. These events will equip newcomers and experienced practitioners to begin or deepen the catechumenal process in their setting. Congregations are encouraged to send a team to this event for maximum benefit.
Go to the NAAC website at www.catechumenate.org to download a brochure or to register online for the institute of your choice. |
|
Around the Synod | | |
_______________________________________________
Grace Lutheran Church, Gulf Shores, AL
A Unique and Blessed Congregation
Article by Pastor Jim Korzun
For the past 2 ½ years, I have had the privilege to serve as pastor of a rather unique
congregation in the Southeastern Synod, Grace Lutheran Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Our year round membership is about 40, and during a great portion of the year the average weekly attendance is about 25. However, during the winter months of January through March, our average weekly attendance swells to over 300 (400 during the month of February) as we welcome our winter family of retirees from the Midwest. People primarily from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan migrate to the South to enjoy the warmer climate along the Gulf Coast, and they become an integral part of our congregation. To accommodate all of these worshipers, our worship schedule goes from one service on Sunday to three Sunday services as well as a Saturday afternoon service.
Our winter visitors (some of whom are associate members) not only account for about 50% of the financial support of the congregation, but their ready involvement in the activities and ministries of Grace enhance the vitality of our small but extremely dedicated year-round membership. Music during worship rises to a whole new level with the addition of all of the voices in the congregation as well as a winter choir that swells to as many as 25 people. Winter family members also participate in the worship service as ushers, lectors, and communion assistants. WELCA participants increase from a handful of devoted year-round members to a group of approximately 20 women who work on quilting. Last year around 100 quilts were made!
 Winter members enliven our weekly Bible Study, help out as Sunday school teachers, and have been blessed by and been a blessing to the people in the community that come weekly to Grace to receive food through our "Grace's Table" ministry. The enthusiasm and spirit of cooperation is especially present in Grace's Annual Free Pancake Breakfast, Yard Sale, and Bake Sale that provided over 550 free meals to those in Gulf Shores while raising approximately $3000 for the local Christian Service Center.
 There is a symbiosis between our small group of dedicated local members, who provide a church home for winter visitors numbering more than ten times our regular membership, and those visitors who enrich the life of Grace each year. Grace Lutheran is indeed a unique and blessed congregation within the Southeastern Synod.
_______________________________________________
With One Voice
Does your congregation have any used With One Voice hymnals that you would like to sell or donate to another church home? Please contact Lois Graff (Messiah Lutheran Church, Madison, Alabama) at jelograff@msn.com.
|
| View the entire Synod Calendar | | |
March 15 EXTENDED TO MARCH 31!
Deadline for Nominations for the 2012 Synod Assembly
Click here to learn more and for a link to the biographical form
March 23-25
Alasissippi Youth Gathering
Gulf Shores Christian Retreat, Gulf Shores, AL
March 23
Synod Personnel Committee meeting
Synod Office, Atlanta, GA
March 24
Allison Ward Consecration 3PM
Redeemer, Savannah, GA
March 31
Deadline for Nominations for the 2012 Synod Assembly
April 6
Good Friday
Synod Office closed
April 12-14
Candidacy Committee Meeting
Synod Office
April 19
Interim Ministry Conference
Ascension Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, TN
April 19
Nominating Committee Conference Call
Coming up...
May 1 & 2
Southeastern Synod Pre-Retirement Seminar
Trinity Lutheran Church, Hixson, TN
|
Share this e-news with a friend Do you know someone who might enjoy receiving news from the Southeastern Synod? Please forward a copy of this E-News and invite them to join the group!
ELCA-Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
|
|
|
