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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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E-News Weekly

Issue: #331

August 1, 2012

In This Issue
Rethinking Stewardship
Workshop
Lutheridge, Lutherock, Lutheranch
Catapult
Special Offer
Convo
ELCA Foundation
Around the Synod
Quick Links

Synod Blog 

Synod Website 

Synod Staff 

ELCA News Service 

ELCA Website

"Rethinking Stewardship" Musings 

by the Rev. Darrel A Peterson
Assistant to the Bishop
ELCA-Southeastern Synod 

 Last week (July 24-26) I participated in the "Rethinking Stewardship" conference at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN.  Here are some thoughts and ideas I took away from the conference.

Jesus and Money:  The only subject Jesus talked about more than money was "the kingdom."  When Jesus talked about money, he wasn't asking for any.  What you do with money will impact your faith.  What you do with money will lead you to Jesus or away from Jesus.

Stewardship Education:  Traditional stewardship education was built on education, tracts, brochures and budget information.  Stewardship education moving forward needs to connect with how we relate to money and our hearts (where your treasure is, that's where your heart will be).  Stories are powerful. Example:  A 3-5 minute scripted personal story prior to the offering.  The best time to preach about stewardship is when there are no pledge cards to be handed out.

Read the rest on the synod blog.

Workshop Presented by Emory Alumni Association

Technology for Ministry: Communication, Community, and Hardware

 

 How does technology affect your theology? Join Candler alumni and Candler's own technology and media experts for a day of learning and sharing about digital communications, selecting software and hardware, and planning for the future.

 

The workshop is from 8:00am to 5:00pm and includes lunch.  The registration fee is $75, but group discounts are available for groups of 3 or more from one parish. Registration and additional details can be found at the Emory Alumni Assoiciation website.

Lutheridge, Lutherock and Lutheranch

Lutheridge + Lutherock in the News 

 

The July 14 issue of The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte NC), contained an article highlighting the work of Lutheridge + Lutherock Ministries.  

 
For several years, Lutheridge and Lutherock have been recipients of The Charlotte Observer's Summer Camp Fund, which raises money for students from low-income families throughout the Carolinas to enjoy time outdoors.

 

Open House - Come See Improvements Made at Lutheranch! 


Lutheranch is having an Open House on Sunday, November 18, 2012!  Come out, tour the site, see the improvements that have been made and learn more about the future plans.

 

The day kicks off at 3:00 pm with site tours and a Bluegrass Band.  At 4:00 pm there will be a special program with Bishop Gordy, and at 4:30 pm, enjoy fellowship and BBQ for dinner!


For more information about Lutheranch - visit www.llmi.net/lutheranch 

Catapult

A Men's Event

Equipping Men to Go the Distance 

 

Where: Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072

When: September 28-29, 2012

Who: For men of all ages and at all stages in life

 

Click here for a brochure.

Special Offer from LACE

 

The Lutheran Association of Christian Educators (LACE) is a network of people who have a passion for Christian faith formation.  LACE continues to work closely with the Book of Faith Initiative to foster biblical literacy across the ELCA, helping people learn the Story of Faith so that they can share it with others.


 LACE realizes that small congregations have limited financial resources and staff to support faith formation. In order to support these leaders, they have extended a special invitation for a complimentary one-year membership for Synodically Authorized Ministers serving ELCA congregations.  They would also like to offer a special membership rate for small congregations worshipping fewer than 150 persons each week. This $60 yearly membership includes the rostered person and one lay volunteer staffperson. (Normal membership in LACE is $50 per person with discounts for group memberships.)

 

Please contact Catherine Puisto, the LACE Coordinator, at 608-514-8441 or [email protected] to access these special membership rates.

 

LACE website:  www.faithfulteaching.org

Southeastern Synod Leadership Convo
Lutheridge

September 25-27, 2012 

Tentative agenda now posted on the website. 

 

Find out more about Convo and register on-line at

From ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planners

The ELCA Foundation exists to sustain and grow ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Through a nationwide network of professional gift planning staff, they assist members in their call to live as faithful and generous stewards. The ELCA Foundation also supports and strengthens the ministry of congregations, agencies, and institutions through financial education, resources, support, and investment management services.

C
hristine Post-Duncan, ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planner in the North Carolina, South Carolina and Southeastern Synods, gives the following helpful tip to those contemplating a gift:
 
 

Donor Advised Fund 

 

When her husband passed away, Karen Coppedge realized that the administrative expenses of operating a private foundation were quickly eroding her fund balance, thus reducing the amount she was able to gift to the ministries she wanted to support. By switching to an ELCA donor advised fund, Karen was able to reduce her total costs to only 1% of her fund balance while continuing to gift in a similar manner as her private foundation.

 

With a minimum initial gift of $10,000, an individual, couple or family can establish a donor advised fund through the ELCA Foundation. The funds, along with any earnings and appreciation, are then used to make charitable gifts. The fund can be used to make charitable gifts to both ELCA and non-ELCA charitable causes.

 

The Coppedges originally funded their foundation with appreciated stock. By using appreciated stock they were able to deduct the fair market value on their income tax return and avoid paying capital gains tax on the growth. Appreciated stock can also be used to fund a donor advised fund with similar income tax advantages.

 

If you would like to find out more information about donor advised funds or other planned giving opportunities, please contact Christine Post-Duncan ([email protected]), or Paul Summer ([email protected]), ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planners in the Southeastern Synod. They can also be contacted toll-free at 1-866-630-3522.

Around the Synod

 

Photos of the week


It was a day of great rejoicing. Beverly Brown Shaw, a daughter of Atonement Lutheran Church in Atlanta, GA, was ordained by Bishop Julian Gordy and installed as Associate Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church, also in Atlanta. 

 

 

  

Exuberant Praise Liturgical Dancers from Atonement

(photo Kim Hodgson)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bishop Julian Gordy and Pastor Ron Bonner (Atonement) with Pastor Shaw 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(photo Kim Hodgson)

   

  

 (photo Greg Williams)

 

 

 

 The Rev Beverly Brown Shaw 

 (photo Greg Williams)

 

 

View the entire Synod Calendar

 

August 5

Ordination of Charles Underwood

Messiah, Madison, AL

 

August 12

Installation of Lynda Ernst

Congregation Celebration

Epiphany, Collierville, TN 

 

August 16-18

Candidacy Committee meeting

Synod Office

 

August 25

Campus Ministry Low Country Boil Fund Raiser

St. John's, Atlanta, GA

4:00-7:00PM

 

August 30

Budget & Finance Committee

Conference Call

 

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