Synod Servant E-News

August 2, 2016

Joys and Cares

We pray for

Bob Bishop, husband of Pastor Carrie Bishop (Mt Hermon, Concord), who is home from the hospital recovering from pneumonia and pleurisy.

The family of Bishop Richard Thompson upon his death on July 16. Bishop Thompson served as Board Chairman of Hood Theological Seminary. He was elected the 86th bishop in the line of succession during the A.M.E. Zion Church's 44th General Conference in 1992. Hood Seminary is the seminary of the A.M.E. Zion Church and is located next to our synod office.

The family of Leta Kendall Hawn Swartz upon her death on July 18. She was the widow of the Reverend John Martin Hawn who served congregations in NC.

The family of Frank Foil upon his death on July 29. He was the father of Karen Russ, wife of the Rev. C. Pierson Shaw. Frank was a member of Kimball, Kannapolis.

The congregation of Hawk Creek Lutheran Church near Sacred Heart, Minn., whose church suffered major damage in a fire July 23. "It is not going to be the same, although we know God continues to be at work wherever we worship," said the Rev. Daniel L. Bowman, pastor.

Pastor Steve Ridenhour (chaplain, Trinity View, Arden) as he anticipates knee replacement surgery on August 10.

We give thanks for


	Pastor Chris Webb's wife, Janine,welcomes him home.

The safe return of Lt. Colonel Chaplain Chris Webb (St Mark's, Asheville) after more than seven months of deployment. Thank you for your service to our country, Pastor Webb!

The Lilly Endowment Fund Project Team upon the completion of the grant writing for the Implementation Grant Proposal. Thanks also go to Caroline Mocko and Pastor John Mocko for coordinating that effort.

From Bishop Smith's office

Bishop Smith's reflections

ELCA Churchwide Assembly

Everyone is profoundly, if not painfully, aware of our national political process churning along in the wake of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and in the home stretch of a presidential election. Regardless of your political persuasion and candidate preferences, most would agree that the stakes are high in this election, and much of our country's future identity and direction is at stake.

What most Americans and maybe even most ELCA Lutherans don't know is that there is one more important convention on the docket this summer. The ELCA holds its highest legislative assembly every three years. This year the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, consisting of just shy of 1,000 voting members from across the ELCA, will gather August 8-13 in New Orleans. Continue reading...

NC Synod sponsors Holy Land study tour

January, 2018

Southern Seminary offers an annual cross-cultural tour of the Holy Land led by Dr. Lamontte Luker. The 2018 tour will be sponsored jointly by the NC and Florida-Bahamas Synods. I plan to be on this journey along with as many of our seminary students as possible, and I am inviting members of congregations in our synod to travel with us. We will visit important biblical and historical sites in Israel and Palestine, meet with leaders who are Israeli and Palestinian, Jewish, Christian and Muslim, enjoy local food, and worship and study together. Please see the brochure for itinerary and pricing. Registration is now open! For more information, contact Beth Kearney. Beth is a three-time veteran of this tour and loves to talk about it.

I would also invite you to contribute to a scholarship fund to help make it possible for NC seminarians to participate. Gifts can be sent to the synod office (1988 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144) with "Seminarian Holy Land Scholarship" in the memo line.

I look forward to sharing this experience with some of you!

--Bishop Tim Smith

ELCA Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM)

August ministry emphasis

As the dog days of August hit us, young adults from across our state are finishing up their summer activities and headed to university campuses. Some are returning students, while others are leaving homes, families, and home congregations for the first time. There are active campus ministry programs at many of the universities in NC. These ministries welcome students, provide pastoral care and guidance, provide community, provide opportunities for faith growth, and provide a place for students to figure out who they are and whose they are.

Unfortunately, many students arrive at school not knowing about the campus ministry there or if there is a Lutheran church nearby. Please share with your students, LCM contact information for their school and/or contact the school and provide your student's contact information. Click here to go to the Lutheran Campus Ministry referral page. Also, check out this video from Lincolnton native, Pastor Zach Parris on 3 reasons you should refer a student to Lutheran Campus Ministry today!

News

NC Young Adults in Global Mission

CORRECTION: Thanks to members of First, Greensboro, for alerting us to the omission of one of our own!

Our NC Synod YAGM are now all listed here, including Caroline Mize of First, Greensboro.

Building partnerships and more

The NC Synod adopted a Synod Mission Strategy in June, 2015. The goals of the strategy defined with the acronym, BASIC: build partnerships, advocate renewal, spread discipleship, initiate new missions, and cultivate courageous leaders.

Here's one story about building partnerships. A new synod mission start in Charlotte is Christ South, a satellite congregation of Christ, Charlotte. Pastor Matt Simpkins (left) has been called as the mission developer. In consultation with leaders in the Mecklenberg/Union Conference, plans were made for Pastor Matt to spend the first eight months of his call working with three Charlotte-area congregations to increase their evangelical outreach. Our synod's mission is being fulfilled as we build creative partnerships for God's mission to the world.

Please prayerfully consider ways your congregation can fulfill our Synod Mission Strategy by building partnerships in your community. Ask God to lead you to partnerships: with other Lutheran congregations, with ecumenical congregations, or with community organizations which share your mission, vision and values. Contact John Mocko if you have questions or would like assistance.

Domestic hunger pilot project

The 1K Churches Initiative is a pilot project of ELCA World Hunger in partnership with Criterion Institute. Congregations can use a five-session Bible study to ignite conversations about economic systems and our relationships within them as communities of faith. The congregation can then actively engage around these topics by providing a small loan to a local business. This project model can be one way that builds faithful and just economic practices within their local setting. Learn more.

Lilly Endowment grant update

The Lilly Endowment Project Team has completed the grant writing for the Implementation Grant Proposal. We are very excited for all the research, issues uncovered and rediscovered, and for the solutions we are proposing. We will not be notified until December this year if we have been awarded the $500,000 grant, but we already are receiving contributions for The Lifeline Fund and preparing for additional projects that will be ready to go upon notification of our award.

LSC collaborates with The Arc

Older caregivers of family members with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are often isolated or disconnected from disability services. And too often, they have no realistic plan for their loved one's care when they are no longer able to provide it. To address this issue, Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) is teaming up with The Arc of NC as part of a national initiative to connect older caregivers to future planning resources. LSC Logo

"We are excited to work with The Arc to recruit trainees and help raise awareness about the future planning needs of aging caregivers across our region," said Ted Goins, president of LSC. "Through the relationships we have in our communities and the partners on this project, we will be able to reach senior caregivers more effectively. When you combine our work at LSC with the national scope of the partners on this project, the opportunity to improve the quality of life for caregivers and their adult children has potential to make a real difference in communities across the country."

Congregations

Prince of Peace Gospel Choir Concert

August 20

All are invited to Prince of Peace, Greensboro, for a gospel choir concert at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20. Join the choir, Music Leader Christopher Hairston, and guest musicians as we present familiar favorites and original compositions lifted to the glory of God. Fellowship meal following the concert. Free admission.

Quilting with the Grannies Camp

Holy Trinity, Chapel Hill (HTLC), hosted its third "Quilting with the Grannies Camp" in July. Congregation member, Lenore Shimota, organized HTLC's weekly quilting group members to be paired with a child to learn to make a quilt. Ten youth participated and each went home with a quilt they designed and sewed along with help from the 12 "grannies." It was a wonderful time of cross-generational learning from one another!

VBS participants thank police

The people of Mt. Olive, Hickory, recently presented the Hickory Police Department with a giant card of appreciation signed by Vacation Bible School (VBS) participants.

Penny Lineberger told the police that the VBS kids had been learning about Psalm 23. She let them know they were like shepherds taking care of Hickory's sheep and that God had guided them to the vocation of public safety to serve and protect others. She also shared that we believe God is the ultimate shepherd and will watch and protect all of us forever. The officers were very appreciative of the giant card, several smaller cards, and watermelon provided by the hospitality committee.

Events

September 26-28

Hold the date for this year's Fall Convocation at Lutheridge! All rostered leaders and professional church workers--musicians, administrators, youth and family ministry workers, etc.--are encouraged to attend for education, inspiration and fellowship. Guest speaker is Matthew Skinner of Luther Seminary. Click here for the brochure. Registration will be open by August 1.

Boundary training coming soon!

This is the year that most rostered leaders are due for an update of boundary training. Leaders must document having training at least every three years. This year two versions of training will be offered; invitations will be coming to your inbox soon!

Basic Boundary Training: Leaders who have not ever attended Basic Boundary Training must attend this one. It will be offered immediately following Fall Convocation on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Lunch will be provided.

Boundary Resource Day: If you have already attended a Basic Boundary Training, you may choose one of these dates to attend. These events will take place in locations across the synod. Bishop Smith and other staff will provide information, highlight resources, and facilitate the sharing of wisdom around important interpersonal, financial, and ethical issues we face in ministry. Locations are coming soon. Dates are:

Monday, October 17
Thursday, November 10
Tuesday December 6
Thursday, January 12

"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.

Keeping Sacred Spaces Sacred

Sept. 20, Sept. 21, Sept. 22, Sept. 23

The NC Council of Churches and American United for the Separation of Church and State will offer a series of workshops across the state to help pastors and church leaders distinguish between politicking and issue advocacy. Register today.

The Craft of Preaching

October 3-5

Luther Seminary's "Working Preacher" offers this event for preachers interesting in developing their craft. Speakers include Tom Long, Anna Carter Florence, Karoline Lewis (pre-conference class), and Jana Childers. Learn more.

Lutheridge hosts 50Forward

October 7-9

Gather your 50 (years) & forward friends for an enriching and inspiring weekend at beautiful Lutheridge. Gain new tools for living well at every age! Retreat features two keynote speakers: Jeff Yeager, and Pastor Tom Hafer. Learn more.

Faith in Literature

October 21-22

UNC Asheville and the Wake Forest School of Divinity will jointly convene Faith in Literature: A Festival of Contemporary Writers of the Spirit, a gathering of 11 writers whose work deeply engages--by embracing, complicating, or wrestling with--a faith tradition or spiritual practice. The two-day event at UNC Asheville featuring writers from several faith traditions will include readings, panel discussions, guided conversations and two open productions of On Being with Krista Tippett. Learn more.

Bolz-Weber to speak at Davidson

November 7

Nadia Bolz-Weber, Lutheran pastor and two-time New York Times bestselling author, will be visiting Davidson College on Monday, November 7. She will be delivering a lecture at 7:30 p.m. that is free and open to the public. More details to follow. For more information, contact Elizabeth Welliver.

Radical Disciple Making

November 12 or November 19

In a recent survey, the number one concern by church leaders wasn't growing their churches. It wasn't attracting and retaining visitors. It wasn't preaching or hospitality or staffing. The number one issue pastors are concerned about is: effective disciple making. Address this concern head-on. Join us! Learn more.

Bold Like Jesus-'Cross'ing Borders

February 2-4, 2017

Save the date for our next conference designed to equip leaders--rostered and lay--for leading in mission. This event continues with last year's theme of Bold Like Jesus but adds a focus of 'Cross'ing Borders as a reflection of the many and varied ways the cross of Jesus: removes barriers, builds bridges, and blesses the world. We're excited that this event is being held at Trinity AME Zion Church in Greensboro. Four denominations are partnering together for the conference: AME Zion Church, The Moravian Church--Southern Province, The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and the NC Synod.

Bold Like Jesus--'Cross'ing Borders makes space for the Holy Spirit to come with inspiration and teaching that will equip us to be effective disciples of Jesus in the communities where God has planted us. Please pray for this event as plans continue to be made. Come, Lord Jesus. Come Holy Spirit. Equip us for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ until all of us come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. Amen.

Resources

Say 'yes' to Pokemon GO

Pokemon GO: It's a gaming phenomenon like no other and currently, the most popular phone app in U.S. history. Many people are quick to dismiss the game, whether because of long-held ideas about Pokemon (a successful video game franchise from the 90s), or resistance to social media, technology, or kids using cell phones. But let's face it, Pokemon GO and other apps and games like it are here to stay. Continue reading...

Frolic Online free for one year!

Frolic. Little Steps. Big Faith. This new family of early childhood resources will help congregations support families of young children as they take their first steps in faith. Sign up by October 31, 2016 and your first year is free--a value of up to $249.99.

Drainage, debt and the rain of God

Pastor Bradley Schmeling shares this message of stewardship.

Many of us struggle to balance mission and property. I left one congregation with huge building issues only to discover that my new congregation was about to dive into forty years of deferred maintenance and a three-year capital campaign. Harder than raising the money was considering the theology. Continue reading...

Handbells needed

NC Synod congregations: do you have some handbells sitting in a closet, perhaps feeling dusty and neglected, looking for a new forever home? If you do, hallelujah! We have a handbell choir with nothing to (w)ring but their hands! Please contact Susan Greene of Mt. Pisgah, Hickory, at 828-638-8513, so we can shine those bells and love them up!

Positions

Part-time church musician

Ascension, Wilson, is seeking a part-time church musician. Please call Susan Wethington at 252-315-5983.

Quick Links

Congregations in the Call Process

Career Opportunities

Did You Know...

As a synod we support twelve campus ministry sites in N.C. UNC Charlotte is one of them. Thanks be to God for the ministry we are able to do together!

Contact Information:

Catherine Fink, Editor

Rick Godby, Technical Support