After 29 years in the parish, I know what it's like to preach during the fall of the year and to have people complain, "If I hear one more sermon about money....!" Or, "All the church cares about is the almighty dollar." I've even heard people say, "Well, of course he wants us to give more money. It's budget time and he wants a salary raise!"

--Caroline Mocko, grant planning director

We have received preliminary praise for our proposal. Award decisions will be made in November. The mission of Faith + Finances + Freedom is to support our rostered leaders to enhance the quality of their ministries for the blessing of the world! Within this effort is the development of The Lifeline Fund which provides a means of escape from difficult situations for rostered leaders by giving cash awards to individuals. Please consider giving to the fund in any amount. Send to "NC Synod, The Lifeline Fund," 1988 Lutheran Synod Dr., Salisbury, NC 28144.

All are invited to the Installation of the Rev. Laura Wind as Duke Lutheran Campus Pastor on September 11 at 4:30 p.m. at St. Paul's, Durham. Clergy are requested to vest and the color of the day is red. Triangle Conference Dean the Rev. Ken Ray, installing; the Rev. Dr. William Trexler, Proclamation of the Word.

Seminarian Analyse Triolo (vicar; Trinity, Manhattan) mourns the death of her mother, Diane Triolo, on September 4.

Don't you just love 3rd-5th graders? "YouthQuake," our annual event for all 3rd through 5th graders, is a high-energy day centered around fun, fellowship, worship, learning and food. Join us in Hickory (10/22) or Raleigh (11/12) this year to celebrate with these young disciples. 

Each year the NC Women of the ELCA collect kits going to Lutheran World Relief (LWR) at sites all across the synod. Those boxed kits are then all loaded into a tractor trailer and delivered to the LWR warehouse in Maryland. Last year, 973 cartons were donated with a total weight of 27,387 pounds!

So, maybe you were just thinking, "I sure would like to see that LWR warehouse in person." You are in luck! The NC Women of the ELCA are going again this fall--November 10-13--to tour the warehouse and volunteer their time there. You are invited.

At the Churchwide Assembly in August, the ELCA (that's us!) elected a new vice president. Bill Horne of Clearwater, Florida, was elected for a six-year term. Meet Horne in this two-minute video. 

Holy Trinity/Lutheran Campus Ministry, Chapel Hill, has received a grant of $14,600 from STEAM (Science and Theology for Emerging Adult Ministries) and Fuller Theological Seminary to engage conversation and dialogue between faith and science. The grant's goal is to break down stereotypes between the two cultures--not "faith or science" but "faith AND science." The project emerged out of a simple "Faith and Science" book discussion. They are excited to see where God will lead.

Don't forget the free study by our synod's Reformation500 Task Group and the accompanying coloring pages to use this fall and into the spring (or anytime). The forty-four sessions are written by NC Synod authors and examine the Reformation in Luther's day, today, and in the years to come.

Check with the synod's Heilig Resource Center (HRC) to reserve the DVD "Luther" or any number of other movies or DVD-based studies for your congregation this fall. Whether your favorite Luther is Fiennes (2003) or MacGinnis (1953) we've got you covered. The DVDs may be borrowed free; pay only return postage.

The Together by Grace study guide is now available as a free digital download. Discuss Together by Grace (purchase here) as a group to look at Lutheranism from its roots in the Reformation to its realities 500 years later. Each of the six sessions offer a variety of exercises and questions from which to choose. 

Mission Investment Fund (MIF) has special rates for a limited time only. Get great interest earnings on your savings in a low-interest environment. MIF's rates are available for all new 4-year (2.1% APY) and 6-year (3% APY) Fixed-Rate Term Investments (minimum investment of $1,000) as well as the balances on maturing 4-year and 6-year MIF Fixed-Rate Term Investments.

To learn more about MIF investments and ministry loans, contact your Regional Manager, Jerry Johnson, at 904-645-9829.

Don't miss this opportunity to read through music from St. James Press with President and Editor, Mark Schweizer, at the Leadership Program for Musicians fall workshop on Saturday, October 8, in Richmond, Virginia.

"The Wisdom of Our Elders," a CBS Interfaith Special, features interviews with three faith leaders about how they became who they are today and what they think about the current state of religious affairs in the U.S. and throughout the world. This special broadcast will be on September 18 on CBS.

September 17, 9:00 a.m. Apex UMC "Faith & Immigration Summit"

"Keeping Sacred Spaces Sacred" Learn more.

September 20, 10 a.m. St. Paul's Episcopal, Greenville
September 21, 10 a.m. First Presbyterian, Durham
September 22, 10 a.m. Selwyn Presbyterian, Charlotte
September 23, 10 a.m. First United Church of Christ, Asheville

September 26-28, Lutheridge "Fall Convocation"

Boundary Training (rostered leaders received an email from the synod office)

September 28, 11 a.m. Nativity, Arden

October 17, 10 a.m. St. John's, Salisbury
November 10, 10 a.m. Christ the King, Cary
December 6, 10 a.m. Calvary, Morganton
January 12, 10 a.m. Our Father, Greensboro

October 6, 8 p.m. Roanoke College "The 95 Theses: What was that all about?"

October 8, 9:30 a.m. Richmond, VA; Leadership Program for Musicians workshop

October 22, 10 a.m. Mt. Pisgah, Hickory

November 12, 10 a.m. St. Philip, Hickory

October 22, Camp Agape' "Agape' Work Day"

November 4-5, Trinity, Landsdale, PA "Strong Center Open Door: ELCA worship"

November 10-13, Lutheridge "Tending the Fire"