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Do you have a submission for Joys, Cares and Celebrations? If so, please submit it via e-mail to Diane Ryan.
Note...
You can subscribe to the ELCA's Prayer Ventures monthly calendars of prayers here.
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Joys & Cares
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 We pray for...
Pastor Gary Weant (Philadelphia, Dallas). Read the recent Salisbury Post article about Pr. Weant and his journey with cancer. The family of Kathryn Terry, widow of Pastor Harold Terry, upon her death on November 26. We give thanks for... The birth of Kaylee Mae to Pastor Ben and Stacey Kifer (Grace, Washington). Kaylee is the Kifers' first child. The December 2 births (at 32 weeks) of twins Anna Elizabeth and Sarah Kate to Pastor Travis and Tori Norton (Community in Christ, Cornelius). The girls join two older brothers, Luke and Sam. For the ministry of the 76 ordained women serving our synod upon the forty-fifth anniversary of the ordination of women in this church. We give thanks for the many gifts and talents rostered women have brought and continue to bring to the ELCA. Today, the proportion of active clergy who are women is 35 percent, compared to 21 percent in 2000. In the past five years, 49 percent of people ordained were women and in the ELCA's eight seminaries, the number of women and men preparing for ministry is about equal. Dr. Kristen King Conrad, wife of Pastor Jonathan Conrad (Grace, Thomasville), and the work she is doing with ADHD college students which was featured in the fall issue of the UNCG Research journal.
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From Bishop Smith's office
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Bishop Smith's reflections:
Call process coordinator transition
 Lutherans have always somewhat uniquely believed that when it comes to
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Sandra Cline-new call process coordinator
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"rostered ministry" (ordained = Word and Sacrament; lay rostered Associates in Ministry, Diaconal Ministers, or Deaconesses = Word and Service), the call of the congregation is the call of the Holy Spirit. Unlike Methodists or Roman Catholics, bishops don't appoint our professional leaders. Congregations pray, envision, interview, and vote to issue the call. Candidates prepare, pray, envision, and interview congregations. Yes, it's a two-way street, a relationship, not just a prospective employee seeking a job!
Young to retire
Dear Rostered Leaders, Call Committee Chairs, and friends,
For 8 ˝ years, I have been honored and blessed to serve under call to the Office of Bishop and the NC Synod as Bishop Administrator and Call Process Coordinator. For the past several years, my husband Terry and I have been planning our retirement, but I felt called to stay until the transition of a new bishop was complete. Since Terry has announced his retirement effective December 31, 2015, I have decided that my last day of service will coincide. We will now have the time to travel together and find where God is calling us on the next journey in our lives.
Reflecting on the years that have flown by, I am thankful for: colleagues who deepen my faith and love of the church; call committee chairpersons who have inspired me with their leadership and dedication; friends with whom I have journeyed "on the road;" and bishops who tirelessly serve our church with love and wisdom. I am so very grateful for the memories and friendships!
Confident that the NC Synod will continue to love and serve others, "walking together sharing Christ," I am giving thanks!
Peace and Love to ALL,
Connie S. Young, Associate in Ministry
Eaton's December message
 The unsettled season of Advent. In her December column for The Lutheran, ELCAPresiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton reflects on Advent. Read her complete column which first appeared in The Lutheran's December issue.
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News
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We have winners!
 Amazing Grace,Waxhaw was the first congregation to register 10 or more people for Bold Like Jesus! They have been sent 10 copies of Shane Claiborne's book, Irresistible Revolution. Congratulations Amazing Grace! See you in January!
Way to go Good Shepherd, Elizabeth City! You have won five copies of Becca Steven's book, Find Your Way Home. You are a congregation with fewer than 100 people worshipping weekly, and you were the first to register five from your congregation for Bold Like Jesus! Congratulations Good Shepherd! See you in January!
Last but not least-Haven, Salisbury-with fewer than 50 people worshipping weekly, three from your congregation registered for Bold Like Jesus and you have won three copies of Becca Steven's book, Sanctuary. Congratulations Haven! See you in January!
So, you didn't win a prize but you can still be a winner if you join us for the Bold Like Jesus event in Charlotte this coming January! See the event website for more information and links to the online registration.
Tell your bold story
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All this and more could be yours!
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Is your congregation already being Bold like Jesus? Please tell us about it in a story.Write your story and send to John Mocko by December 31. If your story is chosen as one of the three best, we will ask you to create a short video of that story which will be shown during the conference. Don't want to (or "can't") create a video? Don't worry, you can read your story live instead.
But wait--there's more! If your congregation is one of the top three, you'll be awarded a big basket of goodies at the conference! Diane Ryan, receptionist at the synod office, is wearing, holding, showing some of the many goodies you could win!
Start writing now if your congregation is bold like Jesus!
ELCA Giving Tuesday
 You might have missed Giving Tuesday (12/1), but you can still take this opportunity to give. Read more.
LSC responds to refugee crisis
 Lutheran Services Carolinas president, Ted Goins, writes:
As the United States joins the world in mourning the victims of the horrific ISIL terrorist attacks in Paris, decisions are being made about how to keep the United States safe. There is worry, and justifiably so, about similar attacks in this country from terrorist infiltrators or from homegrown terrorists.
Synod office holiday hours
The synod office will be closed Wednesday, December 23, through Friday, January 1, for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, January 4, 2016.
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Events
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Ready to listen curiously?
How can we be Bold like Jesus? Listen curiously, build relationships deeply, tell the Gospel confidently, commit to a bold step in your community. Join us at Christ Lutheran in Charlotte! You'll hear the Rev. Becca Stevens, Episcopal priest and founder of Thistle Farms, a community of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking and addiction. She proclaims love as the most powerful force for social change. Her newest book is Letters from the Farm: A Simple Path for a Deeper Spiritual Life.
This event will bring together Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Moravians from across NC to explore what it means to be bold like Jesus in a complex and changing world. Register now (before midnight on January 7, 2016) to receive a discount off of the regular registration fee. Limited scholarships are available to attendees. Visit the event website for more information
O' Holy Night
December 18 & 19, Camp Agapé
Two shows each evening (6:30 p.m. shows are full; 7:45 p.m. spaces are available). It's not too late to register, contact the office at 919.552.9421.
Confronting Racism webinar
 January 14
ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton states: Racism remains an enduring crisis in the United States. As Lutheran Christians, we must continue our involvement in and commitment to the important work of naming racism as a sin - a violation of God's intention for humanity. Please join me for another live webcast on "Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning" on Thursday, January 14 at 8 p.m. (CST). Read more.
Agape+Kure Beach, Spring 2016
 March 4-6, Kure Beach
BAG Lady Retreat: Recognizing the Good Girls of the Bible and in Our Lives. Calling all BAG Ladies (Blest and Gifted Women of God): you are invited to register and attend Lou Bradley's annual retreat. For registration information call Lou at 910-297-3738.
March 12, Camp Agapé
Spring Work Day Gather your crew together and come on out. Contact Mir to let her know how many folks you'll be bringing!
March 27-30, Kure Beach
Clergy Crash! Rostered leaders (and their families) are invited to come spend three days at the Kure Beach Center. It's Agapé+Kure Beach Ministries' gift to you. Please contact Maureen at 910.458.0783 for more information or to register.
April 4 & 5, Camp Agapé Church Staff Retreat Contact Ava to register.
April 18, Lochmere Golf & Country Club, Cary Spring Golf OutingTo register, contact Carrie.
May 6-7, Camp Agapé Mother Daughter Retreat
Come celebrate Mother's Day, May 6-7, at a special place apart. Contact Melissa.
May 14, Camp Agapé AGAPÉ-GANZA! Register your teams with Ava.
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Congregations
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Mt. Olive serves needy families
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Shown with the results of the projects are: L to R- Susan Garren, Lori Baughman, Rylee Davis, Bob Eliasson, and Amy Hollar.
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The people of Mt. Olive, Hickory, over the month of November served local and international families through two church projects to feed the hungry and provide Christmas surprises for children around the world. Both projects were supported with funds from Thrivent Action Grants. The church's Micah's Cupboard ministry packs food boxes for families in need to use during extended school holidays. For one project, 36 volunteers packed 101 food boxes to be distributed through six schools and three individual families for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Also, 171 people gathered for a free meal and a giveaway of much-needed school supplies, clothing, and various household items. Mt. Olive partnered with Longview Baptist and 40 volunteers served a meal to people representing 23 schools from a multi-county area.
Lastly, 76 Mt. Olive volunteers packed 124 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for needy children around the world. The children of Mt. Olive were assisted by adult volunteers to fill the boxes with small gifts, school supplies, toys and toiletry items as they learned about how they serve as "God's Hands" in our world. The mission statement of Mt. Olive is "Believe. Belong. Serve. God's Work. Our Hands." Projects to support this mission are ongoing throughout the church year.
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Resources
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Advent devotional guide
 The North Carolina Council of Churches' annual Advent Guide is available for faith communities, families, and individuals. This year's resource focuses on refugees and includes suggested activities for children as well as information on NC nonprofits providing assistance to refugees. A free download is available here.
Lutheran Christmas seals available
 If you are interested purchasing a large collection of Lutheran Christmas seals (Wheatridge as well as other Lutheran organizations and congregations) dating back to 1910, please contact Pastor Michael Wendt. Seal pictured here was the first Wheat Ridge Christmas seal that was issued in 1910.
December issue, The Lutheran
 Pastor Brown "Reflection" article. Pastor Tim Brown, new senior pastor at Good Shepherd, Raleigh, offers a reflection, "Put a candle in the window," on page 23 of this issue.
Favorite Bible stories and characters. Readers submitted reflections on their favorite Bible characters and stories. Read a sampling of their responses and ask, "Who in the Bible are you?" To help your discussion, visit The Lutheran website and click on "Study guides" on the left-hand side.
He is born! Reflect on the season by reading "Put a candle in the window." Learn how a congregation decorates on a shoestring budget in "Starry Advent night." Meet Fred, whose gifts started a Christmas tradition. And discover sustainable ways to observe and cherish the season.
Future issues.A playful look at cleaning out the congregational closet for the new year and moving in new directions (January) and Multicultural congregations (February).
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Positions
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Seeking music director/organist
Grace Lutheran Church, Rock Hill, S.C., is seeking a full-time music director/organist. This position is responsible for two adult choirs, bell choir and children's choir. Resumes should be sent to pastorstoxen@comporium.net by December 31.
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Did you know...
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Author Stephanie Paulsell
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"We need place to pray as if someone were listening, to study as if we might learn something worth writing on our hearts, to join with others in service as if the world might be transformed. Churches are places to learn to practice, with others, a continual conversion of life, a permanent openness to change."
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Contact Information:
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