Southeastern Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our hands. E-News Weekly |
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Issue: #325 |
June 20, 2012 | |
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Take Time to Smell the Roses | |
By the Rev. Darrel Peterson
Assistant to the Bishop
One of my most cherished learnings occurred in Yellowstone Park while on vacation many years ago. A park ranger / college professor said, "You have come here to Yellowstone Park to vacation and to enjoy. You are privileged to be here. You likely will remember this visit for many years. This may be the only time in your life that you come to Yellowstone. Let me suggest how you can make this visit an even richer experience. Back home you have many examples of nature. It may be a park in your town. It may be a tree in your back yard. It may be a creek in a state park. Yellowstone may be more spectacular, but you can bring your Yellowstone experience home with you". Then he invited the children present to come closer and he skillfully conducted a lesson on how some of the miracles of nature happen.
Read the rest on the synod blog.
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from the ELCA News Service
ELCA leader grateful for halt in some youth deportations, but more to do
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Calling the Obama administration's decision to stop the deportation of young undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria a step in the right direction, the Rev. H. Julian Gordy said there is still more to do.
Gordy said the administration's policy change, announced June 15, follows an action of the 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that calls for comprehensive federal immigration reform and support for the DREAM Act -- legislation that would provide a path for citizenship for undocumented immigrant youth.
The administration's decision, however, falls short of what's called for in the DREAM Act, according to Gordy, who is bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, Atlanta, and chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops' Immigration Ready Bench.
Read the rest of the story. |
You Asked For It---You Got It | | |
During and following the Synod Assembly, so many people asked for a copy of the prayers Pastor William McDonald used to open and close each of the plenary sessions, we just had to post them on the assembly web page, www.elca-ses.org/Assembly.html.
Also posted on the webpage are highlights from the Assembly, and the liturgy text by the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton, music written by the Rev. Joel Emerson which was a part of Saturday's worship. |
Beth Birkholz to Preach on "Day 1" | | |
Associate Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta, GA
The Rev. Beth Birkholz, associate pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta, Ga., is the featured speaker July 15 on "Day 1" with host Peter Wallace, the nationally syndicated ecumenical radio program also accessible online at www.Day1.org.
A graduate in communications from the University of Tennessee, Birkholz earned her Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. She blogs regularly at chickpastor.wordpress.com, and communicates her faith actively through other websites and social media.
Before coming to Holy Trinity in 2008, Birkholz served churches in Elberton, Dahlonega, and Atlanta, GA.
Birkholz's "Day 1" sermon for the seventh Sunday of Pentecost, based on 2 Samuel 6:1-5,12b-19, is entitled "David's Dance."
"What David remembered, and what we remembered too, is that the presence of God is a blessing, and is to be celebrated," she says. "In this story, David was liturgically dancing because God mandates celebration as the presence of God, in the ark, comes into the community.... Can you imagine simply dancing in the presence of God?"
The program includes opening and closing interviews with Birkholz conducted by Wallace, who is also executive producer.
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"Day 1" has been broadcast every week for 67 years, formerly as "The Protestant Hour." Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, "Day 1" is currently distributed to more than 200 radio stations across America and overseas. The program is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media, based in Atlanta, GA.
For more information, call toll free 888-411-DAY-1 or check the program's website, http://day1.org |
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Augsburg Fortress Publishers Will Hold Free Summer Music Clinics Across United States | | |
Augsburg Fortress Publishers, the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will hold free summer music clinics in the months of July and August in cities across the US and open to church musicians of all denominations. The featured clinicians will be Bradley Ellingboe (Director of Choral Activities at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM), Michael Bedford (Organist/Choirmaster and Composer-in-Residence at St. John's Episcopal Church in Tulsa, OK), and Scott Weidler (Program Director for Worship and Music for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, IL).
 This year's clinic in the Southeastern Synod area will be held on July 27-28 at Redeemer Lutheran Church; 525 St Andrews Road; Columbia SC 29210.
Each clinic features a variety of choral, organ, and piano reading sessions to help plan for the coming season, as well as practical workshops on choral, keyboard, and handbell topics. Our expert clinicians offer valuable insights and ideas to help participants explore ways to revitalize and refresh worship in their local settings.
A highlight of the event is our Friday evening Hymn Festival "Rejoice O Earth" featuring Michael Bedford, organist and Brad Ellingboe, cantor.
Attendees will receive a 15% discount on all featured Augsburg Fortress music ordered or purchased
during the event. Please visit
www.augsburgfortress.org/musicclinics
for more details and to register. |
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Gather a Team - ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering - Baton Rouge, LA
Friday, October 5, 2012 - Saturday, October 6, 2012
The Baton Rouge ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering brings together congregational teams and leaders for worship, workshops and sharing around global and local mission.
As you gather your team, remember that this event is for everyone interested in the mission and ministry of Christ's church, including youth ages 16 and up. Consider inviting your pastors, Sunday school teachers, anyone involved in worship and church music, outreach and stewardship staff and teams, mission interpreters, hunger and global mission leaders, staff and volunteers for youth and children's ministry, young adults and youth in high school.
Invite members of your congregation, a group from your ministry organization, friends from your Bible study, your campus ministry group or neighbors in your community. This is a great opportunity to reach out and get to know your brothers and sisters in Christ!
When?
Friday, October 5, 2012, 2:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday, October 6, 2012, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Central Time)
Where?
St. Paul Lutheran Church
2021 Tara Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Cost?
Just $35 per person
Click here for more information or to register.
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Update from ILAG
Click this link to read the June 2012 newsletter
from the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG). |
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Around the Synod | | |
Induction into the International Order of St. Luke the Physician
On Pentecost Sunday, May 27, Shepherd of the Hills Congregation in Morganton, GA hosted the induction into the International Order of St. Luke the Physician (OSL) for their Pastor Cheryl Kester-Schmidt, and Bill and Sue Canady. The Rev. John Rice, President of the  North American Board of OSL and Director of Region 3, conducted the service.
OSL is an ecumenical organization dedicated to the Christian healing ministry. Its members are clergy, health professionals and lay people who feel called to make Jesus' ministry of healing a regular part of their vocation.
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church offers a Service of Soaking Prayer on the third Monday of the month. Their first service of Soaking Prayer was held June 18. Soaking Prayer lets you rest in God's loving presence as each prayer minister silently intercedes for the request written on a prayer card.
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Groundbreaking
On Monday, June 25, at noon, Christ Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, will hold a ground breaking ceremony for a new building. Many may recall, this congregation lost everything, including their building, in a devastating tornado on April 27, 2011. Members and friends of Christ, Cullman currently worship at the Sacred Heart Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters in Cullman.
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Upcoming Celebrations
Sunday, June 24, 4:00 PM
The Rev. Esther Ngomuo
will be commissioned as
Pastor Developer for
Christ Kiswalhili Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community
at Christ Lutheran Church
299 Haywood Lane, Nashville, TN 37211-5542
The Rev. H. Julian Gordy, Presiding
Thursday, June 28, 7:00 PM
The Rev. James L. (Chip) Lingle
will be installed as
Pastor of
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
41 Main Street, Garden City, GA 31408-1406
The Rev. Wayne Cobb, Preacher The Rev. Darrel Peterson, Presiding
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| View the entire Synod Calendar | | |
June 24
Commissioning of the Rev. Esther Ngomuo
Christ Kiswalhili, Christ, Nashville, TN
June 28
Installation of the Rev. Chip Lingle
Good Shepherd, Garden City, GA
July 4
Independance Day
Synod Office closed
July 8
Installation of the Rev. Dr. Susan Montgomery
Christus Victor, Ocean Springs, MS
Installation of the Rev. Kim Stover
All Saints, Lilburn GA
July 14
Ordination of Laura Stancher
St. John's, Knoxville, TN
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ELCA-Southeastern Synod
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Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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