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Season of Pentecost |
June 20, 2012 |
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Bishop-elect Hazelwood jokes with Bishop Payne. |
Photos, Photos ... and More Photos
Click here to check out three albums of assembly photos. Two albums come from Tommy Monareh, a member of Immanuel Indonesian, Newington, N.H., and a 2012 graduate of the synod's School of Lay Theology. He's becoming one of the synod's valued volunteer photographers. We'll be adding those video clips soon, so "stay tuned". In the meantime, mark your calendars for next year's synod assembly -- June 7-9, 2013 (Friday through Sunday), at the MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass. |
 What's Your Story?
Recently, Trinity Lutheran Church, Westbrook, Maine, led a "food train" down the Main Street of Westbrook to the local food pantry, collecting donations from other churches along the way. Read more. What's your story? How are you Doing What Matters? Tell us and we'll post it to the synod website as one of our mission stories. |
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Vermont Congregation Offers Liturgy for Sabbatical Transition
 Ascension, South Burlington, Vt., used a special liturgy in May as the congregation transitioned from Pr. Nancy G. Wright, who was leaving on a three-month sabbatical, to the Rev. Ann Larson, who is serving as sabbatical pastor during the interim. The transitional liturgy was written by Pr. Larson, who said she "borrowed (heavily)" from the service of installation for the parts relating to her as sabbatical pastor. It is offered here as a possible example for other congregations to follow.
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 Help Us Decide How to Spend the Money!
Remember when you were getting hounded every week to fill out the Portal/Board of Pensions health survey? Well, you all did it, and $18,000 came back to our synod. That's right, $18,000! Now, the Health and Wholeness Team needs some input on how to direct some of these dollars toward improving rostered leaders' health. If you are a rostered leader, please take 10 minutes right now to follow the link below and take the survey. The deadline is June 30. Your input makes a difference in shaping the offerings in the coming year that support your health. Click here to take the survey. |
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ELCA Advocacy and Justice |
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Speak Out Now for Healthy Food, Farms and Rural Communities;
Support Increased Funding for SNAP
 Monday night, the U.S. Senate agreed to move forward with debate on the renewal of food and farm programs. According to the Washington, D.C., Office of the ELCA (the advocacy and justice arm of the ELCA), this week is a very critical time as to whether or not the Senate will pass a bill that will support a healthier, stronger, and more productive country, especially in our rural counties and small towns.
Federal agriculture programs shape what farmers grow, what is sold in our grocery stores, and all of the steps in between that make up our food system. Agriculture programs impact the efforts of churches and community organizations to fight hunger at home and abroad, and the efforts of the health community to encourage all of us to eat a healthier diet. Accordingly, we must ensure a stable food supply, and help uplift strong farm policies for our country's rural communities.
Please call or write your Senators today, asking them to support amendments by Senators Gillibrand and Nelson that will increase funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Learn more. |
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Register Now for Glocal Mission Gathering
 Register now for an upcoming ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering. For only $35 per person and in only 1 1/2 days, a team from your congreationn can:
- Enhance your connections with local and global Christians
- Gain practical skills for mission
- Learn how churches are changing how they proclaim and serve
At the end of the gathering, your team will be equipped to:
- Lead inviting worship that includes global voices
- Serve in a way that is sustainable, respectful, and cross-culturally sensitive
- Give, receive, lead and serve in different ministry settings
- Practice and share best practices in mission in your own congregation, the local community and across the globe.
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