Two different, but equally important, gatherings will be held between January 1 and March 31 that will affect the process for the election of our new bishop. During January and February, rostered leaders and all interested lay people will gather in conference meetings to consider the mission of the synod and the gifts needed in the new bishop. Information from those conference meetings will be shared and reviewed at the Doing What Matters Mission Area Assemblies to be held throughout the synod during the month of March.  Lay people and rostered leaders attending these assemblies will formulate questions which will be asked of the seven top candidates on Friday evening, June 8, at the Synod Assembly.

 

The Mission Area Assemblies schedule is as follows:

           

              March 10:       Central Mass - Bethel, Auburn, MA

                                    East Central - Trinity, Chelmsford, MA

                                    Northeast - Holy Trinity, Newington, NH  

              March 17:       Southeast - Sanctuary, Marshfield, MA

                                    Northwest - Trinity, Brattleboro, VT 

                                    Southern - St. John's, Stamford, CT

              March 31:       South Central - First, New Britain, CT  

 

 If you have not heard about your conference meeting date and place, please contact the dean of your conference. Widespread  participation in the process leading up to the June Synod Assembly is desired. Your input is important. Join us in Doing What Matters.   

Good News Garage (GNG) is a nationally recognized program established by Lutheran Social Services (LSS) in 1996 to help qualified low-income families move from welfare to work by providing them with low-cost automobiles that have been donated by generous friends of LSS. Since its founding in Burlington, Vt., GNG has awarded more than 4,000 reliable vehicles to individuals and families in need.
 
Unlike the vast majority of car donation charity programs, GNG repairs as many donated cars as possible in order to provide them to low-income individuals who need transportation to gain access to employment, shopping, school and medical facilities. The program also accepts luxury or high-value cars (classic and antique), which it either sells or auctions to raise funds to pay for repairing the vehicles that go to families in need. GNG tows donated cars free of charge and has car donation drop-off locations in all six New England states. However, cars aren't the only vehicles the program accepts. It also accepts trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, vans, commercial vehicles, jet skis, snowmobiles, motor homes, buses, lawn tractors and even boats. Remember: a vehicle donated before the end of 2011 becomes a tax deduction for the year. 

 

In addition to donating cars, congregations are invited to assemble car kits, which include a three-five gallon bucket, car cleaning supplies, sponges, a quart of oil, windshield washer fluid, a tire gauge, first aid kits, jumper cables, an ice scraper and a gas card. Your cash donation will be used to repair donated cars, pay towing costs and promote the program so that more people are aware of it. For more information, call toll free 877-448-3288 or email Michael Muzzy.

Jan. 15 is the deadline to apply for a 2012 mission support grant from the Deaconess Community of the ELCA. In 2011, the Deaconess Community awarded $200,000 in grants. The amount budgeted for 2012 is $173,000 or 21 percent of the community's income for 2012. In addition to financial assistance, the community offers the recipients prayer support and help with developing the mission project. The first step in the application process is to submit a one-page letter of intent by Jan. 15. Following a review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. For more information and forms, click on www.elca.org/deaconess/grants. The Deaconess Community consists of theologically trained, professionally prepared women, called to ministry and service by congregations and synods of the ELCA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Compelled by the love of Christ and sustained by community, deaconesses devote their lives to proclaiming the Gospel through ministries of mercy and servant leadership. Two deaconesses, Sister Virginia E. Strahan and Sister Carol M. Weaver, currently serve in the New England Synod through Lutheran Social Services.