Photo credit: Live Science

 Hurricane Isaac weakened Wednesday morning but remained at hurricane strength as officials warned that the Gulf Coast will have to endure many more hours of pounding rain. Forecasters predict Isaac will continue to weaken as it moves over land during the next 48 hours, but threats of dangerous storm surges and flooding will continue through Wednesday night. (Source: CNN)   

The Synod Disaster Task Force reports Camp Victor Ministries in Ocean Springs, MS and Lutheran Ministries of Alabama are ready to respond in the aftermath of this storm.  Volunteer Disaster Response Coordinators are working with the congregations along the coast.

We will continue to monitor the situation and send updates. One thing we know from disasters before, funds are needed in the immediate aftermath to help provide relief for those impacted by the storm, and also to begin a coordinated response.  

If you would like to provide funds to help in this response you may send them to the Synod Office. We will distribute these funds to the congregations and social ministry organizations actively responding in the wake of Isaac.

Please send your check made payable to:

ELCA Southeastern Synod

100 Edgewood Ave, NE,  Suite 1600

Atlanta, GA 30303

and designate as "Synod Hurricane Relief"

OR

Make a secure, on-line donation to the Southeastern Synod by going to

http://www.elca-ses.org/Contact-Us.html.

New website for Young Adult and Youth Ministries

Take a look at the new website for Southeastern Synod Young Adult and Youth Ministries at www.sesyouth.org. 

Rachel Alley, Assistant to the Bishop for Young Adult and Youth ministries, is looking for ways to expand the synod Congregational Contact List for Youth and Young Adult Ministry.   If you are active in this ministry at your congregation, please fill out the information form found at

http://www.sesyouth.org/contact-us.html

Abby Koning, LVC staffer

Please welcome Abby Koning.  Abby is serving through Lutheran Volunteer Corps as Community Outreach Coordinator for the synod and the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta. This past May, Abby graduated from Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, MI, with a degree in Stories and Development, an interdisciplinary major cutting across the fields of International Development, Literature, and Communications. She recently left her home in Grand Rapids and moved to East Atlanta where she lives in an intentional community with four other volunteers. When she isn't in the office, Abby enjoys reading, writing, exploring, experimenting in the kitchen, community gardens, and long conversations over a cup of coffee. Abby is looking forward to pursuing justice and practicing mercy during her year in the ELCA Southeastern Synod.

Keith Johnson, Executive Director of Lutheridge+Lutherock Ministries is pleased and 

 Atlanta Braves vs the Washington Nationals
Saturday, September 15th, 2012
NEW Game time 4:05 PM  

Turner Field, Atlanta 

Cost:  $16.00  ($2.00 of every ticket goes to support Lutheran Services of Georgia)

Order your tickets now--last day to order is tomorrow, August 30th.

Visit website at www.lutheransonline.com/rfo190 or call the Thrivent FL/GA Regional office at 866-380-0558.

LPM Empowers Your Music Ministry

What is LPM?

The Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) covers key areas in church music, liturgical education, and spiritual formation, and is open to anyone from any denomination! Visitors are welcome to observe.

 Classes call on participants' imagination and creativity. Attention is particularly given to the needs and ways of smaller churches. The program's goals are to give an increased commitment to music ministry, to improve their musical, pastoral, and leadership skills, and to expand our vision of the variety of music and leadership practices. For full details, go to www.lpm-online.org.

If you have ANY questions about LPM, contact one of the coordinators: Sue Mitchell Wallace, (770) 594-0949, or smw30076@bellsouth.net; Joanne Brown, (770) 210-4985, or organist227@bellsouth.net; John Marsh, (713) 206-8896, or jmarsh@ctklutheran.org.

Click here for brochure.

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Catapult: A Men's Event

 First Worship and Eucharist

ELCA students at Vanderbilt University celebrated their first worship service and meeting on Thursday, August 23rd, at Benton Chapel. The necessary requirements for registered organizational status at VU were completed and the student-led organization is already growing! If you know of Lutheran students who are or will be attending VU, please tell them about the ELCA student organization and please share names with Pastor Gretchen Person at the Office of Religious Life at 615-322-2457. Thanks for your prayers for this new ELCA student organization!

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All church & community members are invited to a newly-organized Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group 101 for Caregivers at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross/Peachtree Corners, GA.  Meetings every Thursday at 10 a.m.  Questions?  Contact Pastor Dee Donnelly.

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Quilt Ministry

Faith Lutheran Church in Lebanon, TN, has members who are in leadership with the Middle TN chapter of "Project Linus" - making blankets for hospitalized and traumatized children.  They have several blankets, most made of fleece material.  Does your congregations have a quilt ministry that could use these blankets?  Email Pastor Matt Steinhauer to find out more.

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 2013 Tour to Germany and Paris

Dr. Darryl Miller, Director of Music and Organist of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Franklin, Tennessee, will lead a 10-day tour to the land of Martin Luther and J. S. Bach next June. The tour will end with a weekend in Paris and Dr. Miller's concert at Notre-Dame Cathedral. If possible, a choir will be formed for participation in worship and concert. A descriptive brochure is available; simply email darrylraymiller@bellsouth.net. All musicians and non-musicians are welcome!

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In the News--Celebration of Grace, Canton, GA

Celebration of Grace in Canton has made close to 100 prayer shawls since the ministry began.  Read the story.

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Photos of the week 

Photographs from Service of Organization , Epiphany Lutheran Church, Collierville, TN, and the Installation of Pastor Lynda Ernst, Sunday, August 12, 2012.

 Bishop Gordy and Dean Cliff Bahlinger

     with Pastor Ernst 

Diaconal Minister

Rebecca Kolowe,

Director of Evangelical Mission

 Pastor Lynda Ernst

Photos by Rick Barnard, used with permission.