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 God's Purpose for the New England Synod
to go where love leads
to serve where love calls
Nov. 5 ... Save the Date for the Next
'Doing What Matters' Event!
It will be "unpacking day" on Saturday, Nov. 5, as rostered and lay leaders throughout New England reconvene to explore what the synod's new purpose and guiding principles mean to our life together -- and how the purpose and principles might impact our lives at home, work and play. In order to ensure the best possible geographical coverage, there will be three events, held concurrently at:
- Concordia Lutheran Church, Manchester, Conn.
- Messiah Lutheran Church, Amherst, N.H.
- St. Paul Lutheran Church, Arlington, Mass.
More information will be available in the weeks to come. You can also follow "Doing What Matters" on the synod website and on Facebook. |
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'Doing What Matters' Devotions
Session 2: Following God's Call
Bible Passage
As (Jesus) walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Matthew 4:18-22
Guided Imagery
- Read the passage to yourself slowly.
- Consider which character you would like to engage in conversation. Write the name at the top of a piece of paper.
- Imagine having a conversation with that character. What would you say to him? How would he respond? Write it down on your paper. Let your imagination go wild.
- When you are finished, read your dialogue to yourself, either silently or out loud.
- Did anything about the conversation surprise you? Did you feel God's presence and guidance during the dialogue?
- What did you learn about yourself as you talked with this Biblical character?
- Did you learn anything from the character? Was this exercise easy or difficult for you? Was it useful?
Closing Prayer
Good and gracious God, we are grateful that you have given us the imagination to engage with your Word in different ways. We are grateful for your call to follow you. We do so willingly, with joy. We pray in the strong name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
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Discussion on 'Missional Church' Sept. 27 in Vernon, Conn.
What is the Missional Church? On Sept. 27, the Rev. David Olson, former Minneapolis Area Synod bishop and current Yale Divinity School lecturer, presents a primer for rostered leaders on these topics: "Just Whose Mission is it?" and "Missional Church in Perspective and Practice." Interactive discussion with missional church practitioners via SKYPE backs up the theory presented. This challenging theological discussion takes place at Trinity Lutheran Church, Vernon, Conn., and is sponsored by the New England Lutheran Theological Forum. Registration is open through Sept. 17. Cost is $25, which includes coffee and lunch. Click here for brochure and registration form. |
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Annual Women in Ministry Retreat May 2012
The 2012 annual retreat for women in ministry in the New England Synod has been scheduled for May 13-15 at St. Edmund's Retreat Center on beautiful Enders Island near Mystic, Conn. Watch for more information. The retreat is an opportunity for all women who are rostered leaders, seminarians or serving in lay ministry positions to relax and renew. Organizer is Pr. Nancy J. Beckwith, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Meriden, Conn. |
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Dirty hands? Marvelous! Tell us!
Are your hands dirty? Are they soiled by the hard work of serving people in need? If so, tell us your story. We're looking for "mission" stories of people and congregations serving as God's hands, doing God's work in the New England Synod that we can post to the synod website as an example and guide for others. Why not take a moment right now to click here with a brief story. If we need more information, we'll connect with you. Many thanks! |
Letter from Bishop Hanson
 If you can't be at the Twelfth Biennial Churchwide Assembly (CWA) of the ELCA Aug.15-20 in Orlando, Fla., the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, invites you to watch the business sessions and worship via live video streaming at www.elca.org/assembly. You will witness a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace and believes the good news that we are freed in Christ to serve our neighbors at home and around the globe. You can review the Pre-Assembly Report for the agenda items, as well as intercessory prayers for the Sundays before and after the assembly. Watch your email today for a letter from Bishop Hanson about the CWA. It's a matter of "life and death."
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Voting Members from Synod to CWA seek your prayers
Please keep the 15 voting members from the New England Synod in prayer as they prepare for the CWA and during their time there:
+ Bishop Margaret G. Payne, Resurrection, Roxbury, Mass.
+ Mark Winzler, synod vice president, Concordia, Manchester, Conn.
+ Rachel Anderson, Our Savior, Newington, Conn.
+ Gregory Bassett, Good Shepherd, North Quincy,Mass.
+ Wendell Beckman, Good Shepherd, Rutland, Vt.
+ Pr. William Bogholtz, St. Peter, Newport, R.I.
+ David Bukowy, Emanuel, Manchester, Conn.
+ Jennifer Kilps, First LC of the Reformation, New Britain, Conn.
+ Pr. Elizabeth Krentz-Wee, Our Savior, Thomaston, Conn.
+ Ruth Nunnally, Our Saviour, Dorchester, Mass.
+ Pr. William Preuss, Emanuel, Manchester, Conn.
+ Lloyd Smith, Grace, Hartford, Conn.
+ Pr. Eva Reque Steege, Grace, Hartford, Conn.
+ Pr. Robert Waworuntu, Imanuel Indonesian, Newington, N.H.
+ Charlene Wright, Immanuel, Oxford, Conn. |
East Africa Drought Relief
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Through gifts given by members to ELCA Disaster Response, the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been able to distribute $400,000
for immediate drought relief efforts in the Horn of Africa. For the second year in a row, the rainy season has failed resulting in the worst drought conditions the region has witnessed in 60 years. Donate online or call 800-638-3522 or mail a donation to ELCA Disaster Response, 39330 Treasury Center, Chicago, IL 60694-9300. Please write "Horn of Africa Drought" on your check's memo line. Click for Bulletin Insert. |
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