Click here for a link to a September 5 update on the Hurricane Isaac aftermath presneted to Lutheran Disaster Response from Jon Biggs, one of the the Southeastern Synod Disaster Support and Development Coordinators on the Gulf Coast. 

In his latest email, John said, "Sorry it has taken a few days to get an update out; as you can imagine we been kinda busy down this way."

Remember to keep those affected by Isacc in your thoughts and prayers.

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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.

Since my announced resignation, I have fielded enough questions and comments that I feel I need to clear a few things up:

1. I have not become an Episcopalian.  Because of our full communion agreement with the Episcopal Church, "Called to Common Mission," ELCA pastors may serve Episcopal parishes and Episcopal priests may serve ELCA congregations.  I will remain rostered in the Southeastern Synod and be under call from the Synod Council to serve an ecumenical partner congregation. (You didn't think you were going to get rid of me that easily did you?)
2. I continue full-time with the Synod office until Sept. 30, 2012.  After the Synod Council meets this weekend, we will be able to announce my replacement who will begin on Oct. 1, picking up where I left off.
3. I am not "moving back to North Carolina."   I already live in North Carolina, just a few miles north of Blairsville, GA.   Messiah Episcopal Church is in Murphy NC, which is also a few miles north of Blairsville and only 7 miles from my house.  It's also only 110 miles from downtown Atlanta.  By comparison, it is 357 miles from here to Raleigh (the state capital) and 239 miles to Salisbury, home of the North Carolina Synod office. I am a Southeastern Synod boy through and through.   

Full On-Site Registration--$260.00
Commuter--$210.00
Spouse--$100.00
Child/Youth (4-18)*--$50.00
 

Rates are per registrant and all-inclusive (rate covers lodging, all meals, and materials). Partial rates are not available.
 

* Children 3 and under free, however, neither programming nor babysitting is provided.

from the Health Ministries Task Force

Connie Pearson, Chair  

September is designated as Whole Grains Month and the Whole Grains Council invites individuals and communities to celebrate with them in a variety of ways. With the harvest of corn, wheat and many other grains during late summer and early fall it seems fitting that we celebrate this key source of disease fighting nutrients throughout the month of September.  

Whole grains or foods made from them contain all of the naturally-occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed (bran, endosperm and germ). Even if the grain has been processed (e.g., cracked, crushed, rolled, extruded, lightly pearled and/or cooked), the whole grain food product should deliver approximately the same balance of nutrients that are found in the original grain seed.  Some examples of whole grains are amaranth, buckwheat, corn (including cornmeal & popcorn), millet, oat (including oatmeal) quinoa, triticale, wild rice, rye, and many varieties of wheat. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming three or more ounce-equivalents of whole-grain products a day. At least one-half of our grains should come from whole grains. The remaining servings for those who do not prefer all of their grains to be whole, should be from enriched or whole-grain products.

The following 100% whole grain foods each count as one serving: 1/2 cup pasta, 1/2 cup rice or other grain, 1 slice of bread, 1 cup cold cereal, 1/2 cup hot cereal, 1 small bagel or muffin.   For partial whole grain products, sixteen grams or more of whole grain ingredients count as one serving.

So why should you eat whole grains? Whole grains are often a better source of disease fighting phytochemicals and antioxidants than fruits and vegetables. Adults who eat three daily servings of whole grains have been shown to reduce their risk of heart disease by 25-36 percent, Type II diabetes by 21-27 percent, digestive system cancers by 21-43 percent, stroke by 37 percent and hormone-related cancers by 10-40 percent. In addition, children who eat whole grains have a lower risk of obesity and diabetes, have lower cholesterol levels, reduce their risk of asthma, feel fuller and more satisfied and may reduce acne significantly.

To help you celebrate Whole Grains Month, the Whole Grains Council has developed an interactive calendar featuring a special "Whole Grains Deal of the Day" surprise for every day of the month.   Each day a calendar door is opened to reveal a coupon, a giveaway, a link to a contest or other surprises. In addition, EatingWell magazine is sponsoring a Whole Grains Recipe Makeover Contest and Women's World magazine is sponsoring a Whole Grains Sweepstakes.  

The Whole Grains Council states that "Whole Grains Month is a great time for everyone to get on the whole grains bandwagon. Eating better is not an all-or-nothing choice; every little improvement you make in your food choice helps to better your health."  The Whole Grains Council has a number of suggestions to help you try whole grains if you are not currently eating whole grains. If you are already enjoying whole grains you might use the suggestions to boost your nutrition with whole grains that you have never tried. For a daily surprise throughout the month of September, go to www.wholegrainscouncil.org and have fun!

References:

Whole Grains Council, www.wholegrainscouncil.org

EatingWell magazine, www.eatingwell.com

Woman's World magazine, www.WomansWorldMag.com 

Calling All Lutheran Golfers

Do you want to play a beautiful course while benefiting those in need? If so, join Lutheran Services of Georgia and "Play for Hope" in the 18th annual Atlanta Golf Classic at Heritage Golf Links on October 1. Deadline to register is September 24. Contact Jeff Banks atjbanks@lsga.org or at 678-686-9633 for registration details.

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Conference 1 Youth Gathering

Youth from Conference 1 are invited to a fun-filled day at the Southeastern Synod Lutheran Youth Organization Conference 1 Youth Day, October 13, 2012 at Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Rincon, GA. Large Group, Small Groups, Service Projects, Worship, Music, Fun and Fellowship!

Click here for a registration packet to find out more and to register.

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 You Lost Me--Live!

It's no secret that today's younger generations do not view the church the same way their parents and grandparents do. But what can we do about it? Barna Group President David Kinnaman, author of "You Lost Me: Why Young Christians are Leaving the Church" will present a FREE one-day seminar on this very topic in Nashville, TN on Wednesday, October 24. Kinnaman will present and explain Barna Group research on the Millennial generation and then offer ideas and solutions for connecting with a generation that longs for relationships. For more information or to register, follow this link http://www.barna.org/training/barna-group-presents.

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Reformation Day at Emory 2012

The twenty-fifth Reformation Day at Emory will be held on Thursday, October 25, and takes as its theme "The Kessler Collection after Twenty-Five Years." This year's program celebrates the first twenty-five years of the Kessler Collection by noting its value for scholars, students and the church. The day will begin at 9:00 a.m.  Click here

for full schedule.

Beatles Liturgy

  As part of "singing to the Lord a new song," the Graceflock service at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Peachtree City, GA is starting to use a liturgy set to the tune of all Beatles music.  Inviting the community to this unique summer service, attendance jumped by 50% and is inspiring dialogue around expanding forms of alternative worship and creative outreach. The liturgy, which follows the traditional flow of Word and Sacrament, was written by Pastor Fritz Wiese and is available to other congregations who would like to try it. Contact pastorfritz@coslutheran.org.

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Jesus Cares

The people of the Church of the Messiah, Decatur, GA, are pssionately committed to the God-given worth of every person.  That's why they have developed a ministry called "Jesus Cares."  "Jesus Cares" is Messiah's project to share God's love for our neighbors who have developmental disabilities and for their families.  Through social time, simple Bible study, and support time for parents, members at Messiah aim to form meaningful connections with their neighbors who may not often hear a message of love.

Messiah is hosting a meet & greet on Saturday, September 15, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  Thereafter, the "Jesus Cares" team will host sessions on the second Saturday of each month from 10-2.  If you would like to assist or learn more, contact lmessiah@bellsouth.net or 404-373-1682.

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Artists Among Us 

The Rev. John G. Anderson, retired, Savannah, GA, recently had work selected for the Manhattan Art International online gallery.  The link to view his art is http://manhattanarts.com/Gallery/index.htm.  Pastor Anderson is the fourth artist down on the page.

 The Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards, Christ Lutheran Church, Marietta, GA, was a part of a week long Chick Corea Master Workshop, along with Antonio Sanchez and John Patitucci. During that time, the four of them recorded the song "Prism" with lyrics by Rusty Edwards and music by Chick Corea. The recording session was also filmed by Chick Corea Productions. Chick and Rusty have been friends since 1973, and Chick wrote the Foreword to Rusty's book, "The Yes of the Heart", which contains three hymns that are in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship. 

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Celebrations

Messiah, Mongomery, AL

Advent, LaGrange, GA