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| |   Welcome to the E-Communique, the official e-news magazine of the Atlantic District.
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Letter from the President
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Engagement Party
Allow me to encourage you to a summer of engagement parties. As a pastor who does his share of weddings, I go to engagement parties all the time. They're full of hope and expectation, of joy that's just beginning but definitely unfolding, and unless there's a former boyfriend or girlfriend on site, the house is filled with folks having a great time even as they celebrate the importance of matters of the heart.
The engagement on my mind is a bit different, however. I'm thinking of Vacation Bible Schools. Of servant events in the neighborhood. Of parish picnics. Of retreats and relaxed format worship. Of clean-up, paint-up, fix-up events while the building is less frenetically occupied. Of youth group beach trips. All of these to me are engagement party opportunities. Because you and yours can utilize them and many more like them as your way to thoroughly enjoy Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope.
Click here to read full article.
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| 2011 Witness in the Public Square | |
This year at the annual Witness in the Public Square Luncheon we will be having a special focus - the 10 year anniversary of the September 11 attack
on the World Trade Center.
As we remember those terrible events we seek to see God's grace and healing at work. To that end, we have chosen honorees whose presence that day enabled them
to be used by God in unique ways.
Chaplain Stephen Unger of the FBI will be honored as a first responder.
Mr. Harrison Oellrich who escaped the towers will represent the survivors.
Mr. Lee Ielpi of the Tribute Center, whose son gave his life in the attack, and
Miss Jennifer Adams also of the Tribute Center, will represent the victim's families.
Please mark your calendars for Tuesday October 18th and join us for what we know will be a moving and memorable event. To receive your invitation, please contact Carol Mittelstaedt at:
(914) 337-5700 x 6 or carolmittelstaedt@ad-lcms.org
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School Leadership and Development
| After a year-long SLED training event, two of our own commissioned teachers received their certificates of completion. Congratulations to Matthew Dummann from Our Saviour in the Bronx and Chris Reno from Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School in Brookville!
School Leadership and Development
The School Leadership Development Project (SLED) seeks to identify and equip potential Lutheran elementary school leaders. This is done through a process of nomination, selection and intense training over the course of an academic year. Those selected for the program are required to attend and participate at three specially designed training events and are mentored over the course of the project by well respected, experienced Lutheran school administrators. Since 1989, the SLED Project has trained over 200 elementary school administrators now serving in Lutheran schools. |
ATLANTIC DISTRICT LUTHERAN WOMEN'S MISSIONARY LEAGUE
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 And they realized they had been with Jesus. "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:13b & 20 (NKJV)The above was the Bible reference for the 34th Biennial Lutheran Women's Missionary League Convention held June 23-26, in Peoria, IL. 25 members of the Atlantic District attended this uplifting and very inspirational convention. Kay Kreklau from Drayton, North Dakota was elected the 17th President of the LWML. The delegates adopted a mission goal of $1.825 million for the 2011-2013 biennium. The funds raised over the next two years by the over 250,000 members nationwide will be used to support 19 mission grants. You can access information regarding these grants, as well as so much more information at www.lwml.orgATLANTIC DISTRICT MISSION GOAL 2010-2012 Here's an update on our Mission Grants for the 2010-2012 Biennium: MISSION GRANTS PAID (2010-2012 BIENNIUM): MG#1 - Blessed Are You Among Women - $1,500 MG#2 - Building Young Women of the Faith - $4,000 MG#3 - Christian Children's Books for Marshallese Children - $6,000* MG#5 - Bilingual VBS at the Life Church - $3,000* MG#6- Art and Music Enrichment Classes (LCCNH)- $1000* MG#7- Open the Doors and See All the People- $1,250**Paid or ready to be paid (MISSION GRANT #4 SonRise-Mill Neck Outdoor Mission to Special Needs Children -Rescinded by requestor)NEXT MISSION GRANTS TO BE FUNDED:Mission Grant #8 - Let the Children Come - Let the Children Sing - $4,000This grant will provide formal training in music to Inner-City (Detroit, MI) at risk girls and boys (grades 3-8). They will also learn about God's saving grace and his love for them. We are educating, uplifting and supporting our youth with the goal being to raise up church musicians for the future. Sponsored by Mary Smith, LWML Member. We need $3,407.15 in mite donations to pay Mission Grant #8.Mission Grant #9 - Seminary Student Tuition Assistance Matching Grant - $5,000The grant funds will be used for Seminary Student Tuition Assistance in a 1:1 match by The LCMS Joint Seminary Fund through the generous gifts of individual donors, family foundations, congregations and corporations. The funds will be distributed to Concordia Seminary (St. Louis) and Concordia Theological Seminary (Ft. Wayne). Sponsored by Rev. Dr. Glen D. Thomas, Executive Director, Board for Pastoral Education - LCMS.Thank you for your continued support of the Atlantic District LWML. Your generous mite box donations assist in spreading the love of Jesus to a lost and dying world. In order for us to meet our mission goal for the 2010-2012 biennium, it is important to send in your mite donations on a regular basis. No amount is too small! Please send them to:Mrs. Virginia Wirsing 4 Garden Lane Yaphank, NY 11980 Top of Page
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| From Task Force 6- Communications: Announces Mini-Grants | |
The Communications Task Force (TF #6) would like to help congregations and ministries communicate better with mini-grants of $500 to $1,000. We have money allotted for several grants in the 2011 Budget Year.
Are there ways in which your congregation or ministry would like to better communicate within your community or with your neighborhood and the world? Would a small grant help get things started? Send your communications or technology-related inquiry by November 30th to Kristen.Schulz@ad-lcms.org.
Our hope is that congregations and ministries will apply for these small funding or pro bono assistance opportunities to better communicate the Gospel of Hope. Please let us know what you need!
Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell
Chair, TF 6-Communications
Pastor Village Lutheran Church
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| From Task Force 7- Church Worker Wellness | Living & Serving Gracefully Series
We are continuing with the series of articles written by John Eckrich, MD who is the Executive Director of Grace Place Retreats. In this issue of E-Communique, Dr. Eckrich has the first of three articles that will focus on Prayer and Meditation. The title of this first part is "Word-Saturated Meditative Prayer". Dr. Eckrich is not only knowledgeable in the medical field, but a deeply spiritual man concerned with the well being of our LCMS church workers (and spouses!) The title of on-going series of articles is "Living and Serving Gracefully". Please take a few minutes out of your busy day to refresh yourself with Dr. Eckrich's insights.
Disaster Response Updates
Click here to read updates about and see photos of Haiti, Dominican Republic and Joplin, MO.
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Under Jakob's Ladder Premiere
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SAVE THE DATE: July 25, 2011, at 7 p.m.
Manhattan Film Festival Rev. Roberto Munoz, Atlantic District Missionary to the NYC Arts Community, announces that the Manhattan Film Festival will screen Under Jakob's Ladder. The 7 p.m. screening is sold out and a 9 p.m. screening is on sale now. Get your tickets ASAP and don't be disappointed. We are so thankful to God for opening this door for the movie. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will touch the people who see it with the message of salvation in Jesus Christ or encourage them to remain steadfast in their faith. Tickets can be purchased here. Top of Page
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District Congregations News & Events
| See all the latest congregational news and congregational events from Atlantic District congregations, including:
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Bishop Benke Attends Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
| On Wednesday, June 22, 2011, Dr. Benke was privileged to attend an Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and most capable executive Linda Hardtke. He personally spent much time with one of those mentioned in the article, Halima Ibrahimi. The courage of these refugees and their dedication to making a quality life for themselves and their families as well as being active participants in the American economy and lifestyle are heartwarming. Please keep LIRS in your prayers for their ongoing work.
Click here for full article, including a video interview of Halima Ibrahimi and her exit from Afghanistan.
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2011 NJ Jam: Date Change
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NJ JAM 2011
Saturday, Nov 19th,
at St. Paul, Flemington, NJ
Our second annual all-day conference to encourage and equip the Church of today in worship will feature church planter, Rev. Gregg Bearss of LakePointe Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas as keynote speaker with worship leaders Dave Frincke and Kip Fox.
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LSA Annual Golf Outing
| Click here for a pdf flier and registration form for LSA's Annual Golf Outing and Dinner, to be held Monday, August 8th at North Shore Towers Country Club in Floral Park, NY.
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2012 Retreats and Events at Koinonia
| Click here for brochure of the 2012 events at Koinonia. View information about the camp at their website, www.koinoniany.org
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MLHS Alumni Weekend
| All Graduates and Faculty & Staff Members are invited to join us on Saturday, September 24, 2011 for a fun-filled day of reunions and reconnections!
We're putting together a variety of events for all Martin Luther Alumni, from tours of the school and a dinner reception to the Alumni of the Year presentations, athletic competitions and more!
Watch your mailbox and your in-box for more details and reservation information!
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From the Lutheran Counseling Center
| Click here to read the July update from the Lutheran Counseling Center.
Click here to read an article from LCC about the importance of monitoring your child's television habits.
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News from the Mill Neck Foundation
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LFD Launches Bible Story Project for Deaf and Hearing
Through Mill Neck Foundation, a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, Lutheran Friends of the Deaf (LFD) has launched a Bible Story Project. Using a combination of written language, art work and illustrated sign language, the goal of the endeavor is to aid hearing and Deaf children to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. In addition to American Sign Language (ASL), the Bible Stories will be translated into other written and sign languages, such as Chinese, Spanish and Russian.
Click here for full article and photo.
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Handbell Concert at the Interchurch Center
| You are cordially invited to attend a free concert by the Allegro Bells, the youth handbell choir of Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle, Illinois at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13th, in the Chapel of the Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027.
The choir was formed in 1989 as a group of ten and has grown to its present size of fifty seven choristers. Since 1992 it has made annual summer tours, playing across Canada and the United States.
We hope to see you at this very special event. Please RSVP here.
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Summer Worship in Southern Maine
| The New England District - LCMS will be offering Worship Services in York Beach, Maine, during the summer vacation season of June 26 through August 28, 2011. If you vacation in southern Maine and would be interested in attending, please e-mail us at
pastor@emmauslutheranmission.org with your name and contact information. We will be in touch with you with all the details. You can also visit us at www.emmauslutheranmission.org for more information about the mission.
Click here for flyer.
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Health Care Professionals Needed for Volunteer Medical Teams Abroad
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Positions open for August, October, November trips
The LCMS has an immediate need for medical professionals and others to join short-term volunteer medical teams that provide health care to underserved people abroad.
Medical professionals who serve on LCMS Mercy Medical Teams are generally deployed for 10-day assignments, which provide a lasting and sustainable impact on health-care efforts in international locations and relief projects supported by LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC), the mercy arm of the LCMS.
Teams are now organizing and spots are still open for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, registered nurses, emergency medical professionals and pharmacists for teams traveling to Haiti from August 6-14, Madagascar from October 6-16 and Kenya from November 8-20.
For more information, visit www.lcms.org/mercyteams, email jacob.fiene@lcms.org or call 800-248-1930, ext. 1380.
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Mid-year Mileage Rate Change
| | Click here to read the full announcement from the IRS regarding the modification of the standard mileage rate for 2011.
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| Save the Date |
~ Check the calendar on the Atlantic District website for the latest events ~
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Sponsored in part by:
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This is an e-mail from the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
If you would like to submit an article for publication in the E-Communique, please send it via email to Kristen Schulz @
Thank you and God's Blessings!
Atlantic District LCMS
171 White Plains Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
www.ad-lcms.org
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