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Just a reminder...be sure to register for Synod Assembly by APRIL 30, 2011!
There's an old saying that "good things come to those who wait." But that proverb does NOT apply to 2011 Synod Assembly! In order to receive the discounted rate of $115, you must register by April 30. After that date, the registration fee will be $130. What's more, service projects are already in the process of assignment. Those who register later cannot be guaranteed that they will be matched with a project that best suits their skills and talents. Last but not least, there's the matter of T-shirts. If you register after April 30, you will no longer have a choice of sizes. (Yes, that means if you wear a size Small, you may find yourself "swimming" in an Extra Large instead!)
But there's a more important reason to register for 2011 Synod Assembly as soon as possible. Just listen to this story, provided by Pastor Jim Hazelwood, who is in charge of service projects for this year's assembly:
"A single elderly woman, Monika, had heard through a local agency that 'the Lutherans are coming' to Springfield to help area residents. She applied to have some work done at her house - including having a big holly bush removed, gutters cleaned, a step repaired, and a small gate installed so that she can keep her garbage cans outside instead of in her house. When a member of our Assembly Service Planning Team called Monika, she said, 'Oh, you are so wonderful; this is an answer to my prayers!' She is older now, and unable to do these basic repairs in her home."
The Rev. Jim Hazelwood thinks voting members and registered visitors should come prepared to experience "God moments." As Jim says, "there is a power in serving that is unlike anything else. Springfield has heard the Lutherans are coming to town. Attendees should plan on being the hands and feet of Christ as we paint murals in a transitional housing project, clean up yards for older residents, paint garage doors, sing in area nursing homes, knit prayer shawls, and write letters about issues we care about. I really believe it's going to be the best Synod Assembly...ever!"
To register for 2011 Synod Assembly today, click on this link.
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A "paperless" assembly? Well, almost...
The 2011 Pre-Assembly Book of Reports will be posted in pdf format and linked to the New England Synod website by May 2. In the interest of good stewardship, we will not provide either printed copies or binders at Assembly this year
. At the assembly hall, there will be free Wi-Fi access, but very limited access to electricity
. Please plan accordingly. Resolutions will be worked on live during the plenary, and will be available via web after they are finalized.
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Doing What Matters to God: A Time for Reflection  and Giving Thanks
"It's hard to believe we're already wrapping up the first year of Doing What Matters," the Rev. Lisa Stoen Hazelwood said, as she reflected on the New England Synod's three-year mission strategy process. "We held Doing What Matters events from Bridgeport, Conn. to Newington, N.H., in seven different congregations, in seven different parts of New England. Many of you shared your hopes and dreams for the synod - and had fun doing it! We were so pleased with your enthusiasm for the work we did together, and we thank you for your time and participation."
The Rev. Hazelwood, who serves as a Synod Ministry Specialist as well as co-pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Charlestown, R.I., looks forward to sharing some of the images and outcomes from these events at 2011 Synod Assembly in June. "By then, we will be able to present you with a purpose statement and guiding principles that will articulate our sense of what God is calling us to be as a synod AND the qualities of working together that will help us get there!"
Speaking for the Doing What Matters Faciliteam (aka, "The Silly Team"), Lisa added, "we hope you will continue to be engaged with the progress of Doing What Matters as we move into year two of the process. We'll continue to depend on your insights and invite you to participate as we strive to do what matters in the New England Synod."
Click here for the "Doing What Matters" webpage
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Register NOW for "Living Liturgy"!
It's not too late to register for Living Liturgy, which takes place at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, May 5-7. Just $100 includes all sessions, lunch on both Friday and Saturday...and a wonderful Songfest! The Best Western Airport Inn is offering attendees a reduced nightly rate of $72. To register, contact Elisabeth Remming Vergun at:
parishasst@pilgrimlutheranri.org
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Summer gathering for retired rostered leaders, spouses is Aug. 10-12 in Vermont
The Annual Summer Gathering for retired rostered leaders, their spouses and widows is set for Aug. 10-12 at the Blue Gentian Lodge, Londonderry, Vt.
The Rev. Don and Phyllis Helfrich will guide conversation on this year's books - "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo and "Hot, Flat and Crowded" by Thomas Friedman. Other activities will include worship at Weston Priory and a local playhouse production. For more information, click here
or email the Rev. Paul Alberti at pgadga@gmail.com.
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 | | Bishop Margaret G. Payne with the Rev. Mark Peterson, son Charlie and wife Carrie at his ordination April 16 |
Pr. Mark Peterson is ordained to serve First, Brockton, Mass.
The Rev. Mark Peterson was ordained April 16 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Attleboro, Mass., to serve as the new pastor of First Lutheran Church, Brockton, Mass. Peterson, a lifelong Lutheran, grew up in southeastern Minnesota. He majored in history at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minn., while gaining a secondary education teaching license. Upon graduation in 2001, he volunteered with the ELCA's Division of Global Mission as a teacher in Bratislava, Slovakia. When he returned from Slovakia, he moved back to the Minneapolis area and taught social studies in the Twin Cities while coaching wrestling. After five years of teaching, he entered the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C., in South Carolina, graduating in May 2010 with a Master of Divinity degree. His family includes his wife Carrie, their sixth-month-old son Charlie and their dog Raven. Carrie, who grew up at Holy Trinity LC, North Easton, Mass., also served in Slovakia, where the couple met. A social worker, she served as the women veteran's program manager at the VA Hospital in Columbia, S.C. Apart from school and work, fatherhood has been a wonderful experience for Peterson. "Charlie is a little young to take golfing with me, but for the time being, I enjoy having him around while reading, keeping up with current events or watching sports," said Peterson.
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Concordia, Manchester, Conn., newest name on synod's "green" honor roll
Concordia Lutheran Church, Manchester, Conn., has been added to the "Green Honor Roll" of the New England Synod. The church has formed a creation team, as well as completed an energy audit. Check out Concordia's green page.
Has your congregation "gone green"? If so, email the information to sisterv@nesynod.org, and we'll add you to the list. Thanks!
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Faith Stories
New on our website's "Faith Stories: Click here to read the story of the Rev. George W. Hoyer, who has received the prestigious Christus Rex Award given annually by the Institute of Liturgical Studies at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., to celebrate an individual's life work of contributing to liturgical scholarship and renewal in North America. Got a faith story? Send it to sisterv@nesynod.org.
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Opportunities and Resources
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Wisconsin congregation seeks "Green hymnals" for Lutherans in Liberia
Still have some of those LBWs that need a good home? Well, the Lutheran Church in Liberia is literally looking for thousands of these green hymnals to replace the "red books" (SBH) that are now in poor condition after 30 years of use in a hot and humid tropical climate. "The Lutheran Church in Liberia provides a strong witness for the Gospel," said the Rev. Dr. Mark J. Molldrem, senior pastor at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, who just returned from West Africa. "The people love to sing! They want to put the LBW into every Lutheran church and preaching point throughout the country." LBWs may be sent to the Wisconsin church, which will ship them to Liberia. Donors are asked to provide one dollar per hymnbook to cover shipping costs to Liberia. For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Mark J. Molldrem at 920-885-4497 or revmolldrem@firstluthbd.org.
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Yale Triumvirate offers summer courses in theology, music in June
Yale Divinity School, Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music are again collaborating to offer a collection of summer courses in New Haven, Conn., aimed at a broad audience of clergy and laypersons. Clergy are encouraged to consider these courses for possible continuing education credit. The three-week summer term is held June 6-24. The registration deadline is May 15. Complete information is available at http://sdqsummerterm.sites.yale.edu/.
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LSS offers unpaid summer internships
Lutheran Social Services is looking for college interns to assist staff in the following areas/programs:
1. Services for New Americans in Worcester, Mass.,
or Concord, N.H.
2. Social media projects
3. Human Resource office in Wellesley, Mass.
These are unpaid internships. The intern will work alongside staff impacting client's lives throughout New England. If you are interested in the internship or want additional information contact Lori D'Amico, the volunteer program manager, at ldamico@lssne.org or 781-997-0852 as soon as possible.
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Gear up for summer at Calumet Memorial Day Weekend - three days for the price of two!
Summer's almost here and it's time to start thinking about lounging at the lake, taking a hike into the magnificent White Mountains or going for a leisurely cruise on a pontoon boat. Whatever your fondest summertime memories are, now is the time to take them out of winter storage and try them on at Calumet during Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-30. Available facilities include the conference center, Staff House, cabins and the campground. Plenty of choices! The schedule is full, the meals are great, and the lake awaits you. Pr. Linn Opderbecke will explore the theme, "Jesus Chooses Us." Come with the family, a few good friends or by yourself to kick off summer in high fashion. Contact Betsy at Betsy@calumet.org or 603-539-3223 x219 for more information or to make your reservation.
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Bulletin insert highlights ELCA Disaster Response for flooding, tornadoes
A copy-ready bulletin insert for use throughout the Easter season, requesting support to help the ELCA respond to severe weather across the United States is available here . "These last several weeks have been difficult ones for many parts of the country, affected by flooding and tornadoes, and the weather outlook calls for much of the same throughout the spring and summer," said Mike Nevergall, associate program director, ELCA Disaster Response.
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