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DONATE ONLINE!
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For your
convenience, you may now make a gift to the Atlantic District online.
Please visit our website often for news
about the Atlantic District and its ministries. |
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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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 The Kingdom Ours Remaineth
My tendency as I get older is to wonder strange things, like what was the weather like on October 31, 1517 when Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg? Were there threats of rain - the ongoing saga of New York in 2011? Was the document protected against rain - weatherized somehow? We've posted flyers on our church door in Brooklyn telling parents there would be no school on Columbus Day only to have those flyers mysteriously disappear and disgruntled parents show up anyway wondering why we took Monday off.
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
We are grateful to the Northeast Region of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for their support of the Witness in the Public Square Luncheon.
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| Connect to the AD Facebook Page | |
 Does your church have a facebook page? Make sure you connect with the Atlantic District page and stay connected online!
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| Hurricane & Storm Report | |
Needed - your prayers, and support with human resources and financial resources.
The Atlantic District, through its Task Force on Human Care and Disaster Response Coordinator, is working to provide a long term response to help those directly affected but the recent storms and flooding in upstate NY.
Our plan is to set up bases of operation at local LCMS churches in Catskill and Albany. These bases can provide housing, kitchen and bathrooms. Some tools and safety equipment will be positioned in these places for volunteer usage. A grant proposal has been submitted to the national LC-MS Department of Human Care and Relief for support beyond our congregational gifts and time in these ongoing efforts.
Click here for full article.
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ATLANTIC DISTRICT LUTHERAN WOMEN'S MISSIONARY LEAGUE
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 SERIOUSLY...WALK ON WATER??That's the theme for the Atlantic District LWML Annual Retreat at Tuscarora. Our retreat leader this year is Jan Struck, nationally known humorist and inspirational speaker. Plan on joining us for a weekend of fun and fellowship! Registration form is available online at: www.adlwml.org SAVE THE DATE!!!!!!
Atlantic District LWML
20th Biennial Convention
Saturday, April 28 - Sunday, April 29, 2012
Best Western Albany Airport Inn
200 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205
518-458-1000
www.bwalbanyairport.com
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
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Concordia College Preview Day
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Concordia College-New York will host its first Fall Preview Day on Saturday, October 22nd. Visit our beautiful campus in Bronxville to see first-hand all that Concordia has to offer. To register, please visit www.concordia-ny.edu or call the Office of Admission at (800) 937-2655.
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| JYE: Save the Date! | |
The Junior Youth Experience is back!
Mark your calendars now: May 18th & 19th
Cost: $80 (or $100 if staying for TWO nights)
Theme: Live Loved!
Stay tuned for details...
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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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NJ JAM 2011 - Registration Opens 10/7
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Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011
St. Paul, Flemington, NJ
Have you pondered why our evangelical brothers and sisters draw post-college singles and young families to their worship services and we Lutherans keep losing those same demographics? Have you wondered how we can connect with 21st century Americans without abandoning our identity as Lutherans?
These are the sort of questions that workshop presenters at this year's NJ JAM will help you consider. Seeking to encourage and equip the Church of today in worship, the JAM will offer over two dozen workshops by clergy and laity who struggle to address the very real needs of struggling congregations-both large and small-in an increasingly postmodern context. Church planters Greg Bearss (Hot Springs, AR) and Matt Peeples (Knoxville, TN) will open our day with keynote dialogue, while worship leaders Dave Frincke and Kip Fox will lead us in our gathering worship and our closing contemporary communion service.
Our day together will offer:
- panel discussions with seasoned contemporary worship planners and sessions on contextualized worship basics
- workshops on reaching out to your community, whether that includes millenials, Latinos, or downtown shopkeepers
- culture-learning and Gospel communication resources to help you decide when to adopt, adapt, or renounce cultural traits in your worship gatherings
- workshops on incorporating the visual arts and dance in worship and on connecting with the arts community in your neighborhood
- sessions on tech issues, onscreen script building, harmonizing, and hymn arranging
- plus, a composers' open mic, and, of course, the JAM itself where participants are encouraged to bring their own instruments and play along with the Frincke, Fox, and the JAM House Band!
NJ JAM's goal is to equip and encourage the Church of today in worship through hands-on, practical sessions. So, save the date on your calendar now-November 19, 2011-and go to www.njjam.com starting October 7th to register.
Registration, including lunch, is $35, but rises to $45 on Nov. 7th. For more information, contact Elaine Schleifer at the NJ District office or Claire Partlow at njjaminfo@gmail.com.
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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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AD Pastors' Wives Retreat
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The 2011 Full District Retreat is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 28 & 29th with additional day, Sun. Oct. 30th if desired. The Retreat will be held at the Conference Center at Koinonia in Highland Lake, NY. The Keynote Speaker will be Ruth Koch, and her presentation will be on "Keeping the Sabbath" in our busy lives. Ruth is a mental health educator and is trained in social work and counseling. She has written Prepare to Serve for LWML and A New Song: Planted by the Streams of Water, a woman's Bible study devotional. Ruth is the widow of LCMS pastor, David Koch, and was with us several years ago with "Humor in the Parsonage."
The cost of the two day retreat is being subsidized by a grant from LCMS Ministerial Wellness; one overnight and 3 meals is $90.00 for a double occupancy room. If attendees wish to stay over Sat. night, it is an additional $20.00 and includes dinner on Sat. and breakfast on Sunday, (quite a bargain!) There are also scholarships available, just contact Judy Benke (914-365-6365, ext. 7308 daytime) to request a scholarship.
Registration brochures have been mailed and deadline for sending in registrations is Oct. 1st. Registrar is Amy Lecakes, who can be reached at 518-382-2658. If you didn't receive the registration brochure, please contact the District Office at 914-337-5700, ext. 2, and Kris Schulz will mail one to you.
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From the Lutheran Counseling Center
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Click here for the October 2011 update focusing on Empty Nest Syndrome.
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Lutheran Hour Ministries Hosts Regional Outreach Conference
|  Are your congregation members ready to be inspired, energized and equipped to share God's love, nurture their families and witness to the community? Lutheran Hour Ministries invites people throughout the Northeastern United States to its upcoming Regional Outreach Conference (ROC) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to be held at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center Oct. 7-8.
The roster of expert speakers for ROC-Lancaster includes Rev. Greg Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour; Rev. John Nunes, President and CEO of Lutheran World Relief; Rev. Kirk Dueker, Associate Pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Greece, New York; Rev. Barry Keurulainen, Senior Pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Cabot, Pennsylvania; Dr. Douglas Rutt, LHM's Director of International Ministries; Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, LHM's Director of United States Ministries; and more. Breakout sessions will cover a variety of outreach topics to reach today's culture, including workshops on leading a missional movement, using technology and testimony to share the Good News, sharing the Gospel with various generations, family ministry as outreach and more. The conference will also include a concert by LOST AND FOUND, a five14 witnessing-training track for teens and outreach-themed activities for younger kids.
To register for ROC-Lancaster, click here or call 1-800-876-9880. Top of Page |
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Holy Land Tour - Hosted by Concordia College, NY
| Dates: January 24 - February 2, 2012
Cost: $2,499
Click here for detailed information and registration form.
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Miracle of Christmas - Hosted by Concordia College, NY
| Dates: December 8 - 9, 2011
Click here for detailed information.
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Koinonia Fall Retreats
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For more information: www.koinoniany.org
Healthy Congregations Weekend
Date: November 4-6, 2011
A series of 6 workshops designed to help congregational leaders model and promote life-enhancing behaviors within the church. The first two workshops are: "Creating Healthy Congregations" & "Healthy Congregations Respond to Anxiety and Change." An introduction to "Systems Theory" and "Systems-thinking" will follow. The presentations will include leader-directed conversation on materials, small group discussion, and videos. Also enjoy relaxing, the outdoors, and Sunday worship.
Thanksgiving Retreat
Dates: November 23-25, 2012
Your family is invited to share in fun and fellowship as we focus on our many blessings. Housing is at the Conference Center or Retreat Cabins. The retreat includes time to enjoy the 1200 acres as well as worship, relaxation, and, of course, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner together.
Advent Retreats (I, II, III, And IV)
I - November 25-27, 2011 III - December 9-11, 2011
II - December 2-4, 2011 IV - December 16-18, 2011
Advent is the special time of year as we take time-out to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ Child and reflect on the significance in our lives of this special season. Enjoy hikes, hayrides, crafts, music, and all sorts of fellowship for adults and youth throughout the weekend. Register soon, these weekends fill quickly!
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Lutheran Malaria Initiative Launches
| The Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI) will launch publically Sept. 18-20 with several Lutheran congregations and schools hosting special offerings, awareness events and other activities.
Full press release here.
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L.A.P. and Mission Training Center Fall 2011 Courses
| Click here for full article and course descriptions.
Click here for detailed course information.
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Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
| Please find the following two documents designed to help employers understand and get a feel for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit made available under the Affordable Care Act. Employers whose year-end was June 30 have until November 15 to file for the credit or request an automatic 3 month extension, plus the credit is for tax years 2010 - 2013, so even December 31 year-end employers need to be made aware of the credit for next year's tax filing (due May 15 for December 31 employers).
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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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