Synod Servant E-News


Synod logo
August 16, 2016       
Joys and Cares
We pray for
The family of Jonathan Otto Bost of Bethlehem, PA, who died suddenly on July 26. Bost was the son of the Rev. Raymond (retired) and Margaret Bost of Hickory.

Pastor Lou Bauer (retired) who is hospitalized following surgery for injuries sustained in a bad fall.

Pastor Steve Ridenhour (chaplain, Trinity View, Arden) who had knee replacement surgery on August 10.

Pastor Adrienne Martin upon her August 17 ordination.


We give thanks for
The sixteen faithful voting members of the NC Synod to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, including Bishop Tim Smith and Vice President Diana Haywood. They gathered in assembly with other Lutherans from across the church from August 8-13 in New Orleans.

Head Bishop Jack Urame and his wise leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. We pray for his safe travel home after his visit to the U.S. including a short visit to the NC Synod prior to time at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. (See story beow.)
From Bishop Smith's office

Bishop Smith's reflections
Church and state
"So what's the deal with the NC Synod messing around in the political process? What happened to separation of church and state?" If I've heard that once, I've heard it a hundred times since our NC Synod Assembly in early June, during which time we passed six resolutions/memorials. Most bring up that question because they strongly disagree with one or more of those resolutions. Many assume that such deliberation and statements on current issues from the ELCA or the NC Synod are entirely new--perhaps because we have a new bishop. Continue reading...

Bishop Urame visits the synod
Bishop Jack Urame, Head Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG), came to the U.S. to attend the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans last week and bring greetings to those gathered there. Prior to the assembly, he visited each of the four Companion Synods with whom ELC-PNG has relationships. he was elected Head Bishop (similar to our Presiding bishop) in January, 2016. During his quick visit to our synod, he visited Camp Agape and Grace Chapel at LRU. Continue reading...

Don't miss boundary training!
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, at Nativity, Arden. Lunch will be provided. We will begin at 11:30 a.m. and conclude by 4:00 p.m.
 
Boundary Resource Day: If you have already attended a Basic Boundary Training, you may choose one of these dates to attend. 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. These days will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m.
  • Monday, October 17, at St John's, Salisbury
  • Thursday, November 10, at Christ the King, Cary
  • Tuesday December 6, at Calvary, Morganton
  • Thursday, January 12, at Our Father, Greensboro

Rostered leader transitions
The Rev. Josh Tucker has been called to Amazing Grace, Waxhaw, (NC) and Crossroads, Indian Land (SC).
 
The Rev. Scott Swix has been called to St. Luke's, Mt. Ulla.
 
The Rev. Richard Goeres has been called to Macedonia, Burlington.

Adrienne Martin has been called to Sardis, Hickory. Her ordination and installation will take place on Wednesday, August 17, at 7:00 p.m. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. Red is the color of the day.
News
ELCA gathers in New Orleans
NC Synod folks at CWA

Lifting up the central Lutheran theme of God's grace in action through God's church, members of the ELCA are gathering under the theme, "Freed and Renewed in Christ: 500 Years of God's Grace in Action." The assembly--the highest legislative authority of the ELCA--is meeting Aug. 8-13... Continue reading...


AMMPARO strategy passes
 On August 10, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed the AMMPARO strategy, acting as a church for the sake of the world to bear witness to the conditions affecting children and families being forced out of their communities in Central America. One of our NC Synod voting member, Rachel Birkedal, gave touching testimony about why the church must continue to accompany these communities. Be an advocate today.


University Christian H.S. breaks ground
A groundbreaking for the future site of the University Christian High School (UCHS) was held on Sunday, August 7. The site is located at 602 7th Avenue NE on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University, near the high school's current location in St. Andrews Lutheran Church. Continue reading...

Congregations
Fly like an eagle
Photo credit: Aaron Canipe. Used by permission. www.aaroncanipe.com

Helping teens soar is the focus of a North Carolina tutoring and mentorship program that involves a small group of Lutheran volunteers working in partnership with public schools. Based out of Zion, Hickory, the program is called EAGLES-an acronym for its focus on education, adventure, God, leadership, the environment and service. Continue reading...


Savannah mission trip
Hoofs 4 Healing is a therapeutic horseback riding barn for children with special needs. Youth are from Morning Star and Messiah Lutheran Churches.
 
Morning Star, Matthews, youth recently returned from a fantastic GLOCAL (serving globally by acting locally) mission trip to Savannah, GA, where they partnered with youth from Messiah, Mauldin, SC. The combined 17 youth and five adults served at five different community agencies during their visit: Lutheran Services of Georgia, America's Second Harvest of Coastal GA, Loop it Up Savannah, Hoofs 4 Healing, and Family Promise in Guyton. During the week, the group packed 21 Welcome Home baskets filled with supplies to help families get settled as they arrive, created key chains together, sewed Hope dolls, helped to paint a barn, packed 304 boxes of emergency food supplies, painted outdoor furniture and helped spruce up a home.
 
The Morning Star youth group won a grant from the synod's Book of Faith Task Group for their submission to the Tell It! video contest, which enabled them to offer scholarships to youth who would otherwise not have been able to join them for this mission trip.

Events
Pastor Lunch on Interfaith Peace-building
August 26
Religions for Peace USA, through the Our Muslim Neighbor initiative, a public education campaign to end Islamophobia, is holding a Pastor Lunch on Interfaith Peace-building at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. The lunch is open to all pastors who are interested in interfaith work, and building a network of pastors to support, resource and educate one another on the challenges and opportunities of interfaith peace-building in Western NC. Pastors of all denominational affiliation are welcome. Please contact Aaron Stauffer (212-338-9140).
 
God's work. Our hands. Sunday
September 11
It's not too late to make plans! This year's date is also the fifteenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Consider remembering first responders who serve your community. Sign up here.

From Membership to Discipleship
September 12 - October 16
This Wartburg Theological Seminary online course for pastors and ministry professionals will be taught by the Rev. Dr. John Herman. Read more.

Agape+Kure Beach Ministries events
Good News Good Brews!, Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, Kure Beach--Enjoy time on the beach, time in the Word, and time on a tour of a local micro-brewery. Bible study with Pastor Tim Brown (Good Shepherd, Raleigh).
Agapé Fall Work Day, Oct. 22, Camp Agapé--Please note the date change.
Father/Son Retreat, Nov. 4-5, Camp Agapé--Fathers, sons, grandfathers: this retreat offers a great opportunity to connect!
ACE Ed Enviro-Venture, Nov. 5, Camp Agapé--The annual Hike-a-thon & Basket Raffle take on a new look this year.
Learn more about these events as well as others.

NC Synod sponsors Holy Land study tour
January, 2018
This annual cross-cultural tour of the Holy Land will be led by Dr. Lamontte Luker and sponsored jointly by the NC and Florida-Bahamas Synods. The bishop plans to be on this journey along with as many of our seminary students as possible. Members of congregations in our synod are invited as well. 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. Registration is now open! For more information see the brochure or contact Beth Kearney. Beth is a three-time veteran of this tour and loves to talk about it.

Also, please consider contributing to a scholarship fund to help NC seminarians participate. Send gifts to the synod office (1988 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144) with "Seminarian Holy Land Scholarship" in the memo line.

Resources
Ever-Reforming coloring book
The Reformation 500 Task Force is very excited to announce that we now have a coloring book supplement to accompany our year-long curriculum, Ever-Reforming: A Reformation 500 Cross-Generational Study. The coloring book is intended to be used with ALL ages but is an especially important way of engaging the younger members of our communities. It is available on the  synod website.


Congregational energy audits
Congregations now have an opportunity to work with NC Interfaith Power & Light (NCIPL), which is an ENERGY STAR partner organization. NCIPL is currently working to strengthen the community of faith-based organizations in NC that focus on energy efficiency and sustainable energy use so they can more easily learn from and help each other. NCIPL offers support to congregations in the form of energy audits and energy data assessments to help congregations find opportunities to improve their energy efficiency. As equipment and strategies improve, significant dollars can be recovered for the ministries and missions of the faith community. Jennifer Cole is the primary point of contact. (NCIPL is a nonprofit program of the NC Council of Churches.)
 

Best practices for ministry
the_best.jpg The synod's Renewal Team has compiled a list of congregations in our synod who are doing good work in various areas of ministry; congregations eager to share. This information is now more accessible. You will find it on the synod website, in the Congregational Renewal section. Under a variety of categories, you'll find congregations listed and, for each, detailed information about the practices as well as contact information for learning more directly.
Consider which practice might work in your congregation!

Human Trafficking resources
September 25
A demonstration against human trafficking. Photo: OHCHR
Please engage congregations in NC in the fight against Human Trafficking. September 25 has been set aside by International Salvation Army (ISA)as a Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking. Both ISA and  International Justice Mission have created great resources for congregational use. Some options are:
1. Pray for human trafficking victims, traffickers, and buyers during worship.
2. Provide a bulletin insert explaining human trafficking and asking worshipers to seek justice on this issue.
3. Dedicate the entire worship service to the topic of human trafficking.
4. Host a prayer vigil or prayer walk.
More resources are available from the Salvation Army. If you need more time to plan, consider a Sunday in January which is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, or February 8 which is designated by the Catholic Church as the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.

Share your congregation's commemoration of the day on Facebook and tag #NCCAHT (NC Coalition Against Human Trafficking).
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Congregations in the Call Process
  
Career Opportunities 
Did You Know...
If you need help choosing Sunday school curriculum, contact the synod's Heilig Resource Center for preview or consultation. We're here to help!
Contact Information:NC Synod Logo resized
 
Rick Godby, Technical Support