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God's Purpose for the New England Synod
to go where love leads
to serve where love calls
The Guiding Principles for the New England Synod
pray always
give of ourselves
stand with others
embrace change and diversity
make room for joy
Coming to a Church Near You on Nov. 5
On Saturday, Nov. 5, Doing What Matters events will take place in the following three churches: St. Paul, Arlington, Mass.; Messiah, Amherst, N.H., and Concordia, Manchester, Conn. Each event will run from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include lunch. Leaders from the DWM Faciliteam will be on hand to help you and your congregation assess where you are in the process and to provide the tools and resources you need to help your church "do what matters." Many of our congregations already are becoming more missional as they "go where love leads" and "serve where love calls." So, let's get together on Nov. 5 to take the next step. It's time to start sharing our AWN's -- assets, wows and needs! |
| Mission Support Material for FY 2012 Now Online
The material for the 2012 Mission Support Consultation Packet for the New England Synod is now available online. This includes a letter from Bishop Margaret G. Payne, a pie chart interpreting how your congregation's Mission Support money is used to help both the ministries of the synod and the ELCA, and a response form. Please return this form by Jan. 31, 2012. The packets will be mailed soon. If you have any questions, please contact Pr. Alice Kerr Laird at aklaird@nesynod.org or 508-791-1530 x104. |
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| Two Spots Open in Pilgrimages to the Holy Land Later This Fall
Still want to go on a pilgrimage this fall to the Holy Land? Well, here's your chance.
- A spot for a woman just opened in the pilgrimage being sponsored by the New England Synod Nov. 1-15. Contact Pr. Timothy J. Keyl, Bethesda Lutheran Church, New Haven, Conn., at pastor@bethesdanewhaven.org or 203-787-2346. Click here to view the itinerary.
- A spot for a man is available for the Holy Land visit being sponsored Nov. 25-Dec. 10 by Calvary Lutheran Church, Clarkston, Mich., a member of the Southeast Michigan Synod, another companion synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Contact Pastor Jonathan Heierman at j.heierman@aol.com or Scott Thams at scott@xrayindustries.com.
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| Online Synod Directories Updated in September
The three directories providing contact information for synod rostered leaders, staff and teams have been updated on the synod website. Click here to view:
- Rostered Leader Directory with a listing of congregations by conference
- Synod Staff and Team Directory
- "Who Ya Gonna Call?" synod contact list
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| Collection of quilts, kits for LWR Set for Spring 2012
For the third year in a row, women from the New England Synod will join with their sisters in Christ from the New England District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to organize a pick-up of quilts, layettes, health kits and school kits for Lutheran World Relief in April and May of 2012. The same 14 collection sites will be used. Watch for exacts dates, but start collecting now. Contact Marie McDermott, the coordinator, for more information. She is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Quilters (LC-MS), Bristol, Conn. Click here to read about the 2011 collection. |
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Bishop's Blog: 'Synod Council Rocks!'
Bishop Margaret G. Payne has resumed blogging. Click here to read her Sept. 26 reflection on how our Synod Council "rocks!" Her blog also is available under "Quick Links" below. |
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 LSS Kicks Off Year-Long Celebration
of 140 Years of Ministry
Lutheran Social Services is one of New England's oldest and largest social service organizations. Between this fall and next fall 2012, LSS will celebrate this fact throughout the region. The anniversary theme is "Celebrating the LSS Family," honoring all LSS clients and their families. Events already are underway and will continue throughout the year ahead. Regular LSS communications -- such as LSS Today, e-newsletters and the website -- will offer regular updates as events are scheduled. Click here to see latest anniversary events. Anyone reading this announcement is invited to attend! |
Lutheran Study Bible goes mobile
Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA, and Olive Tree Bible Software have teamed up to offer the Lutheran Study Bible in the BibleReader app. Learn more. |
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Doing What Matters Devotions |
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God's Purpose for the New England Synod
to go where love leads
to serve where love calls
"Doing What Matters" Devotions
Session 9: See What Matters -- Neighbor
Bible Passage
Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you." So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink." As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth." She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.
Guided Imagery
Let's Pray -- Prayer Walk
- Take a walk around your neighborhood. Begin with this intention - to experience God in the walking. Express your intention to God and ask for God's grace along your walk.
- Ask God to use this time to communicate something to you.
- Use all your senses as you walk and experience all the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings are around you.
- Walk slowly. Listen to your breath as you walk. Listen to your heartbeat.
- Listen to the sound of your footsteps. Listen to the environment around you.
- Pay attention to each person that you see. Ask God to bless each one.
- Return to your starting point.
Closing Prayer
God of all life, we thank you for giving us ways to experience your beautiful world. Open our hearts and minds to the needs of all creation. We pray in the strong name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
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