Synod Servant E-News

April 12, 2016

Joys and Cares

We pray for...

The family of Pr. David Lohr upon his death on March 27.

Pr. Linda Voelker (retired) who is recovering at home from surgery on March 31.

Bea Petrea, wife of Pr. Pete Petrea (retired), who had surgery on April 8 in Greensboro.

Ruby Smith, wife of Pr. Bill Smith (retired), is hospitalized following a stroke. She is stable and awaiting treatment.

Continue to pray for...

Pastors Hugh Mozingo, C.P. Fisher, Sam Shores, Jan Huntley, Lou Bauer, Gary Weant, and Beverly Rust (wife of Pastor Ted Rust).

We give thanks for...

Bishop Tim and Wendy's safe homecoming from their visit with the Iglesia Luterana Costarricense (ILCO), the Lutheran Church in Costa Rica.

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.

From Bishop Smith's office

Bishop Smith's reflections

Among the many needs for pastoral ministry that we might highlight, today I lift up Federal Chaplaincies. Historically, the ELCA and its predecessor-body pastors have been among the most highly-regarded and sought-after clergy to serve as chaplains among our armed forces and in correctional facilities. Emphasizing both Word and Sacrament, Lutherans provide an ideal perspective for serving a broad spectrum of Christians, from liturgical and sacramental to free-form expression, from more literal interpreters of scripture to those less so. Chaplains serve non-Christians as well.

Rostered leader transitions

Pastor Carolyn Remaklus has accepted the position of Supervisory Fellow in Pastoral Care Services at Rex Hospital in Raleigh. This position will prepare Carolyn for achieving national ACPE certification to be qualified for CPE supervisory positions.

From Presiding Bishop Eaton

Why? In her April column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton asks if we can answer the question "why"? She says knowing the "why" is important as the church begins to engage in conversation about its future directions and priorities. Read her column which first appeared in Living Lutheran's April issue.

Early registration deadline

The deadline for early assembly registration is April 15. Please encourage attending members to take advantage of the savings and register now!

For all other information, including how to reserve your hotel room, go to our Assembly Event page.

Breakfast table conversations

If you are attending assembly and would like to reserve a breakfast table for conversation around a specific topic, please sign up here. Examples of possible topics include: confirmation, milestone ministries, young adult ministries, discipleship, etc. Assembly attendees will be able to see the list of Breakfast Discussions at the assembly and plan their meal around that topic. We need your help to have a wide variety of topics.

Ministry Emphasis-April

Agap�+Kure Beach Ministries' Stories of Faith

As Christians there is no more important skill we can teach than that of passing on and teaching our faith and values as we proclaim the love of God.

Darren, a former staff member, called recently to say thanks for guiding him in his faith journey. As a child and through college his career path in forestry was clear. During his last year of college he was suddenly feeling without direction; unsure of his calling. He enjoyed forestry, but was that his call?

During Darren's second summer serving as a camp counselor at Agap� he found new gifts that were being used to nurture others. Those gifts gave him a new sense of direction. Through the power of the Holy Spirit he found a fresh look at what a rich relationship with God and God's people could be. His experience as a camp counselor affirmed his gifts and guided him in a new direction.

Today Darren is an ELCA Pastor-thankful for the place apart (Camp Agap�) where he developed his leadership skills and recognized his untapped gifts in serving others. We are building leaders for the future of the church and our world.

Reformation 500 Events

Choirs perform together

April 24

The Newberry College Singers and the Lenoir-Rhyne University A Cappella Choir will hold a joint concert on Sunday, April 24, at 7 p.m., at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1001 Queens Road, Charlotte, in anticipation of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. This will be the first time that the feature choirs of these two Lutheran institutions have joined forces. Both schools are institutions of the ELCA. Newberry is a college of the South Carolina Synod, and Lenoir-Rhyne University of the North Carolina Synod.

The choirs will perform separately and together. The program will open with the Bach extended chorale from Cantata BWV 79 for the Reformation, "Now Thank We All Our God," and will end with F. Melius Christiansen's perennial favorite, "Beautiful Savior."

Luther-descendant Priesmeier events

April 21-25

Christian Priesmeier, a direct descendant of Martin Luther, will speak at four Lutheran churches across the synod, April 21-25. There is no charge for these events. For details and directions, please contact each church.

April 21--St. Paul's, Durham, at 7 p.m. (919-489-3214)
April 23--Grace, Hendersonville, at 3 p.m. (828-693-4890)
April 24--Old St. Paul's, Newton, at 6 p.m. (828-464-9786)
April 25--Morning Star, Matthews, at 7 p.m. (704-847-4502)

Christian's presentation details Luther's family, his children and his wife, Katherina von Bora, his struggle with the church and finally the brave and historic action of Martin Luther that began the Protestant Reformation.

Priesmeier is a seminary-trained licensed lay minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany. He lectures, leads worship, and delivers sermons. He is also the secretary of the governing board of Lutheriden Vereinigong, a genealogical society of documented Luther descendants or those of Martin's siblings.

News

Mission support news

This report comes from Gerry Gehl, AIM, CCA, the synod's director of finance & administration.

At our recent Synod Council meeting, action was taken to adjust the 2016 budget. That adjustment was made in a downward direction due to partnership agreements received and trends in our mission support over the past few years. The budgeted income from mission support was changed from the approved budget of $3,076,390 to $2,806,795. This was possible by reallocating some grant money, using designated funds to fund a few of our ministries, and appropriating reserves.

February was a good start to the new fiscal year. Mission support for the month was over the newly-adjusted budget by 6% and was 3% more than last year's February support. Please see the attached report.

The proposed budget for 2017, which includes the 2016 adjusted budget, will be posted to the NC Synod assembly web page, along with other assembly documents, by April 15.

Eaton introduces Living Lutheran

Easter greetings! I'm writing to you with exciting news: Living Lutheran, the new flagship publication of the ELCA, has officially launched.

Take the Portico Health Assessment!

Help all the congregations in the synod-and help yourself-by taking the Portico Health Assessment by April 30. We need 60 more folks to reach our 65% goal. Then each congregation, agency, and institution in our synod who sponsors employees in Portico primary health insurance will receive a 1% discount for the entire year. This would put $25,000 back into the ministries of our synod. Do it today!

LSC co-managing Dallas apartments

This article is shared by Katie Scarvey, LSC Communications Specialist.

Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) is now co-managing director of the Dallas School Apartments in Dallas, N.C., which provide affordable housing for seniors.

Formerly known as Dallas Graded and High School, the school served both high school and elementary students and was later transformed into a law enforcement training facility before it was closed permanently in the late 1990s. In 2002 the 1925 colonial revival structure was entered on the National Register. In 2003, the building was repurposed through an extensive renovation to provide affordable housing in the form of 32 apartments.

LSC plans to continue to run the apartments much as they have been run, with the Gaston Housing Foundation supplementing the rent paid by the residents. "Part of our involvement will be to help residents find local services to make sure they're getting the things they need, like Meals on Wheels or access to PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)," said LSC President Ted W. Goins, Jr.

Events

EQ-HR workshop coming to Hickory

May 9-13

Learn more about the upcoming event in Hickory and at other locations later in the year.

Attend churchwide assembly

August 8-13

Non-voting members who would like to attend the upcoming Churchwide Assembly may attend as a congregation observer or as an attendee of the Grace Gathering (Aug. 10-13).

Each congregation of the ELCA may register one congregation observer Churchwide Assembly prior to May 31. The registration fee for congregation observers is $100. Additionally, transportation costs, housing, meals, and related expenses are the responsibility of the registered observer or sending congregation. Details and online registration can be found on Churchwide Assembly webpage. Contact the assembly hotline at 800-638-3522, x2911, or CWARegistrar@elca.org with questions.

The Grace Gathering will occur simultaneously during part of Churchwide Assembly and is an opportunity to see the church in action, worship with churchwide assembly voting members, and attend a variety of workshops that will equip congregations. Learn more and register.

ELW intro/renewal events

Oct. 7-8 or Oct. 14-15 or Nov. 4-5

In this 10th anniversary year of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal, you are invited to attend an event focusing on Lutheran worship in our current context. Pastors, musicians, lay leaders, and worship committees-whether you have extensive experience with ELW, are exploring it for the first time, or use other materials for your community's worship-will find a place at these Strong Center/Open Door: Engaging Lutheran worship today gatherings. Learn more.

Novus Way opportunities

Grandparents Camp, Summer 2016

"When can I pack my bag to go home?" was the first question their granddaughter asked as she stepped over the threshold of their hotel-style room in Kohnjoy Inn at Lutheridge. She really hates to leave her mom to go anywhere, so she was NOT excited to spend three days at a sleep-away camp, even if it was with her grandparents. Within twenty-four hours, their ten year-old granddaughter was begging to stay with her counselor because she just wasn't done having fun yet. This is just one of the many fantastic stories from Grandparents Camp at Lutheridge.

This half-week program will bring non-stop smiles to the faces of all who attend, young and old. Are you interested in going to camp with your favorite kids this summer? Join us at any of our sites for a Grandparents Program: Grandparents Camp at Lutheridge, Grandkids-n-Me Camp at Lutherock, and Grands Week at Luther Spings! Register via our website or contact our registrar, Jessica Steele, (828) 209-6329.

Lutherock Women's Wellness Weekend, April 22-24

Come and let us take care of you at our Women's Wellness Weekend. We will focus on ways we can take care of ourselves physically, spiritually, and mentally. The weekend will be filled with fellowship, Bible study, and various wellness opportunities including Wholy Fit classes (a Christian alternative to yoga), Aroma Touch Therapy, on-site adventure options (hiking and the high ropes course), and time with your sisters in Christ!

Lutherock "The Rock 5K," April 30

The Rock 5K will begin at 9:30 a.m. All net proceeds go towards Camp Lutherock's summer camper scholarship fund. Packet pick-up will be on Race Day only from 7-9 a.m.

Lutheridge 50 Forward, October 7-9

Join us for 50 Forward at Lutheridge this fall. Learn more.

Resources

Candelabras and vases available

Holy Trinity, Raleigh, is offering a set of brass-colored, adjustable candelabras and a pair of flower vases at no cost except that you must pick them up from the church. Contact Merrilee Jacobson, Property Committee Chairperson, by email or at 919-274-4539 (cell).

Positions

Director of children's ministry

Grace Lutheran Church, Rock Hill, S.C., is looking for a part-time director of children's ministry. This is a 20-25 hour/month position working with children from age 2 to 5th grade. The Children's Ministry Director responsibilities include planning and implementing children's ministry programs, coordinating with volunteers, and directing summer events such as Lutheroad and Vacation Bible School. At least 2-5 years experience with children's programing, or degree or training in related field is required. A more detailed description of responsibilities can be provided upon request. Please send resumes and references to the Rev. Rebecca Lord- Phillips.

Quick Links

Congregations in the Call Process

Career Opportunities

Did You Know...

What happens when a group of Lutheran women come together in the Central African Republic? Susan Smith is serving as a missionary in the Central African Republic and in her most recent blog she shares a story of a local church meeting that brought together women from 10 Lutheran congregations. The gathering was not only a time for celebration, dancing, and singing, it was also a way to organize together to raise money for a project that will help to benefit everyone. Click here to learn about the ways in which they celebrated and raised funds.

Contact Information:

Bob Shoffner, Editor

Rick Godby, Technical Support