Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands. E-News Weekly |
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Issue: #313 |
March 28, 2012 | |
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| The Question of the Cross | |
Blog by the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton
Assistant to the Bishop
ELCA Southeastern Synod
The question of the cross is a fairly simple one.
Many people suffer. Many people suffer innocently, abused by cruel and heedless power. Many people die. Many people die innocently, murdered by cruel and heedless power.
 Jesus of Nazareth is one of these millions of people who have suffered and died at the hands of cruel and heedless power. And the question is, "Why does his suffering, his death, his cross, matter more than any of the other millions?" Put another way, "What difference does one more martyr make?"
It's not an easy question to answer, is it? We in the church often glibly talk about Jesus "dying for our sins," but how often do we stop to think about what that really means, and how it really works, and if it's true (and I firmly believe it is,) what difference it makes in the way we are called to live our lives this day and every day that follows.
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Presiding Bishop's 2012 Easter Message | |
The 2012 Easter message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson is now available on the ELCA website. Text and video links will be sent out to ELCA members and leaders during Holy Week. Use this link to read the message now. |
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Synod Assembly Information | | |
The Southeastern Synod will meet in Assembly June 1-3, 2012 at Marriott's Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta GA.
The theme for the 2012 Assembly is "What in God's Name are We Doing Here?"
Visit www.elca-ses.org/Assembly.html for information and to register.
LAST CALL FOR NOMINATIONS--- DEADLINE IS MARCH 31
Several elections will take place at the 2012 Synod Assembly.
Click here for details about nominations needed for:
- Discipline Committee
- 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Members
- Synod Council
The deadline for submission of biographical forms is March 31, 2012. |
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Two Important Upcoming Synod Events in the Chattanooga TN Area | | |
Thursday April 19, 2012
Interim Ministry Conference
Ascension Lutheran Church, 720 S Germantown Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37412
Southeastern Synod Interim Pators and those interested in doing Interim Ministry are invited to gather at Ascension Lutheran on Thursday, April 19 from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Lunch will be provided. We will
- review exectations of Interim Ministries in the Southeastern Synod
- talk about specialized roles, such as mentoring
- have time for questions and answers
- worship and share fellowship
Interested? Please RSVP to Pastor Delmer Chilton at dchilton@elca-ses.org.
May 1 & 2, 2012
Pre-Retirement Seminar
Trinity Lutheran Church, 5001 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343
This is a two-day pre-retirement seminar 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 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $35 per person, $50 per couple (cost includes dinner, refreshments and seminar materials - cost DOES NOT include accommodations)
To register: Space for the pre-retirement seminar is limited. Interested members of the benefits program (plus financial partners) should register soon. Financial partners (i.e., spouses) are strongly encouraged to participate. Please complete this 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. |
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Two Important Upcoming Synod Events in the Chattanooga Area | | |
Thursday April 19, 2012
Interim Ministry Conference
Ascension Lutheran Church, 720 S Germantown Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37412
Southeastern Synod Interim Pastors and those interested in doing Interim Ministry are invited to gather at Ascension Lutheran on Thursday, April 19 from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Lunch will be provided. We will
- review expectations of Interim Ministries in the Southeastern Synod
- talk about specialized roles, such as mentoring
- have time for questions and answers
- worship and share fellowship
Interested? Please RSVP to Pastor Delmer Chilton at dchilton@elca-ses.org.
May 1 & 2, 2012
Pre-Retirement Seminar
Trinity Lutheran Church, 5001 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343
This is a two-day pre-retirement seminar 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 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $35 per person, $50 per couple (cost includes dinner, refreshments and seminar materials - cost DOES NOT include accommodations)
To register: Space for the pre-retirement seminar is limited. Interested members of the benefits program (plus financial partners) should register soon. Financial partners (i.e., spouses) are strongly encouraged to participate. Please complete this 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. |
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How Much is Enough | | |
Region 9 of the ELCA and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Council on Stewardship Education have published a book on stewardship entitled, "How Much is Enough - A Deeper Look at Stewardship in an Age of Abundance." The book was made possible by a grant from the Stewardship of Life Institute (SOLI).
A copy of the free e-book can be downloaded through various websites, including The Stewardship of Life Institute, www.stewardshipoflife.org. Also, hard copies of this publication can be ordered through the Region 9 office. The pricing scale for hard copies is as follows (shipping not included):
1-24 copies - $10.00 each
25-49 copies - $8.00 each
50-99 copies - $7.00 each
100 or more copies - $6.00 each
To order, contact Tiffany Pieters in the Region 9 Office at tpieters@ltss.edu. |
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Care For the Troops | |
"Care For the Troops" is a veteran-friendly congregation initiative that has been endorsed by our Southeastern Synod. It addresses the spiritual and psychological needs of our returning troops and their families. To find out more, visit www.careforthetroops.com or contact Peter McCall at petemccall1@gmail.com or 770-329-6156. |
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Immunizations: Not Just for Children! | | |
The week of April 2 - 8, 2012 will be celebrated as National Public Health Week. One of the most significant achievements in public health during the 20th century is the worldwide use of immunizations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
 Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated polio virus in the United States and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough) and other diseases. Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting community effort regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic background or country of origin. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout a lifetime, offering safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. Being aware of and receiving the various vaccines that are recommended for every stage of life is critical to protecting ourselves and our community from disease.
Read the rest of this article. |
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Ole Spring Relief | |
Instead of heading for the beach for Spring Break last week over 100 students from St. Olaf College (an ELCA affiliated school in Northfield, MN) arrived in Clay, AL, to help with response to this spring's tornadoes.
Called "Ole Spring Relief," this is an annual Spring Break to work with cleanup following disasters. The tradition began after Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Northern Gulf Coast in 2005. Lutheran Ministries of Alabama coordinated the work of the students.
For a video of the students at work, click here:
http://videos.al.com/birmingham-news/2012/03/clay_gets_tornado_clean_up_hel.html |
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Around the Synod | | |
The Via de Cristo Movement is designed to help Christians gain a deeper, more personal relationship with Christ, better equipping them to be more effective leaders in their churches and communities. This goal is accomplished through intensive three-day weekends and follow-up activities, including the formation of small groups which meet regularly (usually weekly) and regular get-togethers of the entire community (Ultreyas) which are held every other month.
Upcoming Atlanta events
Coed # 26 - 17-20 May 2012
Men's # 58 - 23-26 August 2012
Women's # 57 - 20-23 September 2012
For information, visit http://www.atl-vdc.org/
This week's photos:
The Consecration of Allison Ward as Diaconal Minister took place Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Savannah, GA.
Diaconal Ministers Rebecca Kolowé, Allison Ward, and Sandra Braasch
with the traveling Diaconal Minister's Banner
Rostered Leaders at Allison Ward's Consecration, March 24, 2012
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| View the entire Synod Calendar | | |
March 31
Deadline for Nominations for the 2012 Synod Assembly
Click here to learn more and for a link to the biographical form
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
April 27-29
All-Georgia Youth Gathering
FFA Camp, Covington GA
May 1
Mission Conference Gathering
Location TBA
May 1 & 2
Southeastern Synod Pre-Retirement Seminar
Trinity Lutheran Church, Hixson, TN
Click here to learn more and register
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ELCA-Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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