Around the Synod

Synod Pilgrims Encounter Lutheran Palestinians 'Face-to-Face'

Pr. Timothy J. Keyl, Bethesda Lutheran Church, New Haven, Conn., is on his fifth trip to the Holy Land in six years. He is leading a group of six people from three congregations in the New England Synod who left Nov. 1 on a two-week pilgrimage. Keyl, who is serving as the bishop's liaison for our companion relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), feels that "one of the most important connections we can make with our sisters and brothers in the ELCJHL is face-to face." Walk with our synod's newest pilgrims by reading Keyl's blog, and keep them in prayer. Consider the vision of the prophet Micah, who is guiding their feet (Michah 4:3-4). Learn more about our companion relationships with the ELCJHL and Honduras.

Bishop's Blog: 'Occupation'

In her blog for Nov. 1, Bishop Margaret G. Payne reflects on the word occupation as it pertains not only to Wall Street, but to the continuing occupation of the Palestinian territories. Read more.

Video Explains the Process to Elect a New Synod Bishop

What is the New England Synod?  What is the process to elect a new Bishop for the New England Synod?  Watch this video, which is being shown in all New England Synod congregations this fall in order to involve everyone in the process that will lead to a new Bishop being elected at Synod Assembly in June 2012.

Bp. Payne and Pr. Bolz-Weber

'You Guys Are Really a Fun Synod'

-- the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber
Her visit to the New England Synod was much anticipated ... and when she delivered her keynote address at the 2011 Bishop's Convocation in Hyannis, Mass., last week, the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber did not disappoint. The pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints, an ELCA mission congregation in Denver, Colo., Nadia began with the obvious: "It has sometimes been a problem for me to be a smart-mouthed girl in the house of Christ." But what may not be so obvious to those who first meet her is that Nadia Bolz-Weber is Lutheran to her core. "We don't have to improve ourselves," she said. "God comes to US. He interrupts our lives all the time."

With poignancy and humor, Nadia told the story of how her own life was "interrupted" years ago, when she had a "pesky chemical dependence problem." She felt the desire to go back to church, "but no one looked like me in the pews of ELCA churches, so I had to start my own church." Today, House for All Sinners and Saints is a magnet for millennials, the young  audience many Lutheran churches are hoping to attract. If your church is among them, Nadia offered words of encouragement. "We are uniquely poised to speak to a postmodern culture," she said. "We have a theology that is based on paradox. People in my church are much more comforted by mystery than they are by certainty. We're sitting on GOLD here."

But Nadia cautioned against ignoring the large population of Baby Boomers in our efforts to be "meaningful" to their grandchildren. "Baby Boomers have been marketed to their entire lives," she said. "They don't want to be the objects of anybody's ministry, but they're willing to be the subjects of it. We need to create a product that they don't even realize they need yet."

Throughout the convocation, Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber mingled easily with rostered leaders from throughout New England, and even joined them for some spirited singing during a "Beer and Hymns" gathering. Declaring herself a "fan" of Bishop Payne, she commented on the upcoming bishop's election: "Somebody's got some awfully big little shoes to fill."

The convocation is the annual continuing education event for all pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers in our synod. Bishop Payne reflects about the gathering in "Cape Cod, Tats and Icons" on her blog.

Next week in "NES News": More on Pr. Nadia Bolz-Weber at the 2011 Bishop's Convocation, including some specific suggestions on how to attract millennials to your church.

God's Purpose for the New England Synod 

to go where love leads

to serve where love calls

Mission Investment Fund Offers Account to Save for Youth Gathering

Start saving for youth ministry events! Open a Youth Ministry Demand account with check writing (formerly a Youth Ministry Mission Plus account). Earn interest on funds your congregation's youth raise for the 2012 Youth Gathering and other events. Easy access to funds during the Youth Gathering at the MIF service center. Your investment in the Mission Investment Fund helps build and renovate ELCA congregations. Applications available online or from the regional manager, Pr. Mark Wimmer, at 267-203-1137 or mark.wimmer@elca.org.