New England Synod
NES News 
The Season of Lent  
March 7th, 2012
In This Issue
LSS Ingathering at Synod Assembly
Faith Alive April 28
Women in Ministry Retreat
Mission Area Assemblies
'To Do List' for Doing What Matters Sunday May 13

Synod Assembly  

Assembly Reg Logo 
 
LSS Ingathering at Synod Assembly to Aid Refugees
Agency Seeks Bed and Bath Items
 

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) has welcomed nearly 1,000 refugees to Massachusetts and New Hampshire over the past year.  For each refugee family that arrives, LSS must provide a completely furnished apartment. LSS is in urgent need of: 

  • Queen and single bed sheet sets
  • Comforters and quilts of all sizes
  • Mattress covers, queen and single, that zip and completely protect the mattress
  • Towels, towels, towels 

LSS especially would welcome new items. However, gently used -- but not old and worn - items also are useful. Bring your gifts to the LSS exhibit.  Refugee staff and clients will be on hand to deliver your gifts directly to the families who need them the most. Questions?  Contact Marty Mann at  mmann@lssne.org or 774.243.3920.

Around the Synod

Faith Alive, Stewardship for Life 

You are invited to come and experience Faith Alive in Worcester, Mass., on Saturday, April 28. The entire day is to help growing Christians deepen baptismal connections between stewardship and faith in every facet of life. To explore a rich variety of stewardship topics and inspiring speakers please go to the workshop page.  

Registration is easy, either online or you may print a form to mail. If you have questions regarding registration. call Debra Brown, registrar at 413-237-2463. Each workshop will be offered three times. On the registration form, mark the three workshops you wish to attend. Workshops fill on a first come-first serve basis, so return your registration as early as possible.

Women in Ministry 

Women in Ministry Retreat Set for May 13-15   
A Women in Ministry Retreat Set for May 13-15   If you are a woman providing ministry in the New England Synod (rostered leaders and interns), you are invited to join us for our annual Women in Ministry Retreat May 13-15 at St. Edmund's on Enders Island, near Mystic, Conn. Theme is "Exploring Spirituality through Our Senses."  We will enjoy interactive workshops, contemplative prayer, worship, good food, conversation and beautiful scenery. Cost is $245 per person. Massages will be available at extra cost. Register online by March 12th 
 

Mission Area Assemblies 

Mission Area Spring Assemblies Begin Saturday, March 10th

The Ad Hoc Committee for the Election of a New Bishop and the Doing What Matters 
Faciliteam are coming to a mission area assembly near you. Each gathering runs from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Register now!  

 

March 10

►Central Massachusetts

Bethel, Auburn, Mass. 

►East Central

Trinity, Chelmsford, Mass. 

►Northeast

Holy Trinity, Newington, N.H. 

 

March 17

►Southeast*

Zion, Plymouth, Mass.  (NEW location ... please plan accordingly!)

►Northwest

Trinity, Brattleboro, Vt. 

►Southern

St. John's, Stamford, Conn. 

 

March 31

►South Central

First, New Britain, Conn. 


Doing What Matters

Making a 'To Do List' for a Doing What Matters Sunday  
Purpose and Principles

1) Choose Sunday, May 13, for your Doing What Matters Sunday OR decide on an alternative date that suits your congregation's needs.

 

Doing What Matters Symbol

  

Texts for Easter 6:  John 15:9-17; Psalm 98; Acts 10:44-48; I John 5:1-6

 

2) Plan worship to incorporate the themes of the synod purpose statement with the texts for the day.  In next week's issue, you will be provided with a litany, prayer of the day, preaching points, hymns and contemporary songs, along with a petition for the prayers of the people. You may also reproduce one of two templates for a bulletin cover OR the synod purpose statement/guiding principles piece.    

 

 God's purpose for the New England Synod . . .  to go where love leads . . .  to serve where love calls.  

 

3) Prepare for a time at the end of the service to ask members and visitors to fill out copies of the "Community Survey." 

 

Make copies of the Community Survey.

Have pens available.

 

4) If you wish to use the information gleaned in the surveys to enhance your own ministry planning, tabulate the results and share them with your leaders and the congregation.

 

 

Consider having a small team in place to tabulate surveys.

 

5) Ask your voting members to bring your congregation's completed surveys to Synod Assembly, placing them in the box designated for "Community Surveys" at registration.

  

Next week: "Doing What Matters Sunday" worship suggestions.

 

Check out the updated "Doing What Matters" Web Page 

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