Synod Servant E-News


Synod logo
June 21, 2016    
Joys and Cares
Pray
We pray for...
 
Pastor Craig Sigmon, (Reformation, Taylorsville), who is recuperating from his June 15 surgery.
 
Natalie Rimmer, wife of Pastor Chad Rimmer (missionary to Senegal), who will begin treatments as soon as possible for Ewing's Sarcoma.
 
The Orlando tragedy victims' families and those injured at the Pulse Night Club, Orlando, during the shooting rampage on June 12, and for those ministering to the families of the deceased and injured, and those investigating the incident.
 
Anyone can help with a financial donation to ELCA Disaster Response by designating your gift to "Orlando." Or you can send a check to the Florida-Bahamas Synod, 3838 West Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33607, with "Orlando" designated in the memo line.
 
 
We give thanks for...
 
The staffs of NovusWay and Agape+Kure Beach ministries as they welcome campers and create learning and faith-deepening experiences for them this summer.
 


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
 
While hiking on the Boone Fork Trail at Julian Price Park this month as a prelude to preaching in Lenoir, Wendy and I met two young women walking toward us. One of them stopped us and the ensuing conversation was a scene that has played out many times for me and, I would guess, for you.
 
She asked me, "Are you saved?" "Yes," I assured her. "Oh?" she continued, "So you're born again? When were you born again?"
 
 
"Survey says..."
Gracious thanks to those 439 rostered leaders, spouses, financial chairs/treasurers, and lay leaders who participated in five different surveys asking about financial needs and financial literacy.

We now have factual information about what economic challenges our leaders and congregations are facing. In case you missed it, the NC Synod was invited by Lilly Endowment, Inc., to participate in their 2016 National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. (Lilly's definition of "Pastoral Leaders" includes Associates in Ministry and Diaconal Ministers. Our synod has decided to refer to this initiative as Economic Challenges Facing Rostered Leaders.) The invitation from Lilly Endowment, Inc., means we could be awarded $500,000 to pinpoint and alleviate these needs. This will be a "life line" for our leaders and congregations!

The surveys said...many of our leaders (and spouses): are struggling with education debt, are suffering from stress due to "not enough money" to meet their needs, are worried about retirement income, and have little or no savings.
 
Surveys of congregational financial chairs and treasurers discovered a need for education for themselves and for congregations relative to how rostered leaders are compensated, congregational budgeting, a need for a better understanding and more teaching about stewardship, and most-frequently, a fear of not having enough income to meet the budget and do ministry.
 
Our focus is on those in need and how we can meet and alleviate those needs. The grant request to Lilly Endowment, Inc., will be presented by August 19, 2016. We will know by the end of this year if we have been awarded the $500,000 grant. Keep your eyes open for ways you can participate! We are "Walking Together, Sharing Christ!"

--Caroline Mocko, Lilly Endowment Project Director

 
2016 Assembly



Assembly actions posted
 
The actions of this year's assembly are posted on our assembly webpage. Read the assembly highlights which were first published in the June 7 issue of E-News. Also, the videos that were shown at assembly are posted on our synod YouTube channel. Check them out!
 
Additional videos of significant portions of assembly will be added to the channel soon, in addition to pictures being added to our Flickr page. Stay tuned!
 
 
A big thank-you to Augsburg Fortress!
We would like to send a big thank-you to Augsburg Fortress for the dozens of fine resources which were offered to assembly attendees as door prizes. Approximately forty-two of those who stayed until the very end were the happy recipients of these marvelous prizes.

News

Your voice is important!
 
The synod's Justice and Advocacy Committee is interested in what issues are important to your congregation as well as your congregation's examples of ministry and outreach.
 
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey: http://tinyurl.com/ncsynod2016.
 
We will use the information that you provide in this survey as a baseline for focusing the direction that the committee takes in the near future. At the first meeting in April, committee members established a mission statement to direct the scope of its actions and initiatives: Our mission is to motivate and equip all members of the North Carolina Synod to embody our faith and live out our baptismal promises through education, advocacy, action, and witness.
--Sandra R. Cline, synod staff liaison
for the Justice and Advocacy Committee
 
 
Sign on to stand with refugees
The NC Council of Churches offers this information.
Faith leaders across North Carolina are standing together in solidarity with refugees and demanding that North Carolina legislators oppose HB 1086 and any other legislation that is intended to stop refugee resettlement altogether in certain jurisdictions.
 
 
 
 
Dickson publishes article about Mary
 
The Rev. Dr. Charles Dickson, interim at St. John's Lenoir, is the author of a recent article in the March 2016 issue of THE PRIEST, titled, "Why all the fuss about Mary?" Dickson is also the author of two books on Mariology.
 
 
Brittain to be in Raleigh Hall of Fame
 
In 1976 out of an office in Holy Trinity, Raleigh, the late Dr. Bill Brittain began what would become Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas. When he retired in 2001, Lutheran Family Services (LFS) was the largest non-profit dedicated to youth and family services in the state with a staff of 450, six counseling centers, 400 foster homes and 50 group homes for adults and children with special needs. Thousands of individuals throughout Raleigh and the Carolinas have been touched by Dr. Brittain's compassion for displaced youth, adults and families. Dr. Brittain was recently selected to be in the Raleigh Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is scheduled for October 3. LFS is now part of Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC).
--Katie Scarvey, LSC Communicator
 
 
New ELCA Federal Credit Union opens
 
The ELCA Federal Credit Union, the new credit union of the ELCA, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 6 at its headquarters in The Lutheran Center in Chicago.
This is the first credit union chartered by the National Credit Union Administration to open in Illinois in 10 years. The institution will serve ELCA members, congregations and ELCA-related ministries and their employees.

 
Events

August 1
Join us for a one day to train you in the use of a couple assessment tool, Prepare/Enrich, that will be beneficial in your work with couples. Prepare and Enrich is a customized online assessment for either premarital or marital couples to assess their strengths and growth areas. Based on a couple's assessment results, the facilitator provides 4-8 feedback sessions to help the couple discuss and understand their results as they are taught proven relationship skills. Trainers Carl and Nancy Terry have been leaders in the marriage enrichment field for over 35 years and Seminar Directors for Prepare/Enrich since 2004
The training will be August 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Church of the Nativity, Raleigh. Cost is $195 per person; discounts are available to couples and students. Lunch and snacks are included. Please contact Carl Terry, 919-559-2696, to register or for more information.
 
 
God's work. Our hands. weekends 
September 16-18, 2016; May 5-7, 2017; September 8-10, 2017
There is always something to be done at Lutherock. All are welcome to participate in these volunteer weekends: youth groups, men's groups, women's groups, congregations, families, or individuals! Projects could include trail maintenance, splitting firewood, leaf blowing, power washing, putting up and taking down platform tents, and more! Contact Jacob Ridenhour with questions. Meals provided from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Housing in cabins or Founder's Lodge.
--Kara Beck, Public Relations/Marketing Assistant, NovusWay Ministries
 
 
2017 Travel with Pr. Zimmerman
 
August 25 through September 5, 2017
Travel through some of the National Parks of America: Scottsdale, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton & Yellowstone, See Old Faithful, Sheridan, the Bighorn Mountains, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse Memorial. Twenty spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hosted by Pastor Charlie and Kay Zimmerman of Greensboro, in conjunction with Collette Travel. For more information, contact Charlie at 336-706-5568.
 
Congregations

"Walk Thru the Bible" Old Testament
   
August 27
Coble's, Julian (Greensboro area), is hosting a "Walk thru the Bible, Old Testament" event on Saturday, August 27, from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. Cost is $5 which includes a study book and lunch. Learn the people, places, and events of the Old Testament using the exclusive "Walk Thru the Bible" hand signs memory system. Great door prizes. Open to the first 50 people who register with Pastor Joseph Miller at 336-697-1258.
 
 
Mt. Pisgah honors Pastor Stone
Pastor Mike and Laura Stone show off their cake for the celebration.

On Sunday, June 5, over 400 members of the congregation of Mt. Pisgah, Bethlehem, managed to surprise their pastor, the Rev. Michael C. Stone, with a celebration honoring his 30 years in the ministry, including 13 years at Mt. Pisgah. Mt. Pisgah was recognized at the 2016 NC Synod Assembly as one of only two churches in the synod receiving the "Fastest Growing Congregation" commendation and awarded a monetary grant.

 
Global Mission

New online giving option for YAGM
 
We are excited to share that a new platform has been created to help our Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteers raise support for their year.


  
Myanmar: Strengthening the Emerging Church
 
As part of Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA, a new initiative to help support and strengthen the four Lutheran churches in Myanmar has been created. Through this project, ELCA members and congregations can help build up the capacity of the Lutheran churches in Myanmar, provide support for leadership training, support joint ventures across the four Lutheran churches and help bring them together in more collaborative efforts. Support this project.
 
 
Read Global Links
 
Stay informed, be inspired, get involved, and share with others. Click here to read the latest edition of Global Links.
 
Positions
 
Director of Tend Ministries
 
St. Luke's, Charlotte, is accepting applications for a Director of Tend Ministries. This part-time position is responsible for the financial affairs of the church and oversees property and operations. The position is available at the end of June/first of July. Current pay range is $18.00-$22.38 per hour and negotiable based on experience and the right candidate. For more information please call Beth Borachok at 704-962-4501 or submit resume to syborg#@icloud.com.
 
 
Parish Administrator
 
St. Mark's, Asheville, is seeking a full time Parish Administrator who will be responsible for the main administrative and financial functions of the Church. As such the administrator is the personal face of St. Mark's and serves all with mutual respect, consideration and confidentiality. Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. Please send resume with references to stmarkslutheranjobs1@gmail.com. A complete Position Description is available upon request. Applications received until July 15, 2016. Position begins effective Oct. 1, 2016.

Administrative Assistant
 
Grace, Raleigh, is seeking a full-time administrative assistant to support the pastor and staff, manage production of printed and electronic materials,oversee the production of weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters, and manage the church database and master calendar. Basic accounting skills and knowledge of the use of Microsoft Office and Microsoft Publisher would also be helpful. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to:
 
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Congregations in the Call Process
  
Career Opportunities 
Did You Know...
 
I will be retiring as our synod's part-time communications coordinator on June 30. Bishop Leonard Bolick invited me to serve in this positon beginning May 11, 2012, a couple of months after my retirement as pastor of Holy Trinity, Hickory. Bishop Bolick's directive to me was to help him decide what should be communicated to the synod and how.
 
 


Contact Information:NC Synod Logo resized
 
Bob Shoffner, Editor
Rick Godby, Technical Support