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Presiding Bishop's Easter Message
In his 2013 Easter Message, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson shares the promise of forgiveness and reconciliation with the more than four million members of the ELCA. Watch the video above or click here to read the full text. |
Congregation Observers at the 2013 Churchwide Assembly
 This year's ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be held on August 12 through 17 in Pittsburg, PA. Each congregation of the ELCA may register with the secretary of this church one congregation observer for the Churchwide Assembly prior to May 31 in the year of a Churchwide Assembly.
- Provision shall be made for such an individual to have reserved seating in the observers section of the plenary hall. Such congregation observers will receive a copy of the report of recommendations for assembly action and also materials distributed on the plenary floor to voting members, advisory members, and non-voting members during the assembly. Such observers shall have neither voice nor vote in plenary sessions of the assembly.
- A registration fee shall be established by the secretary of this church for registration and related costs, including enabling observers to receive the same meals as are provided for voting members.
- Transportation costs, housing, other meals, and related expenses shall be the responsibility of the registered observer or sending congregation.
The registration fee for congregation observers is $150. Please contact the assembly registrar at 800-638-3522 ext. 2807, or via e-mail to CWARegistrar@elca.org if you have any questions. Please note the meal package is not included in the registration fee, but may be purchased separately when registering. Online registration will open in April here.
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Churchwide Nominations Workbook
The 2013 Churchwide Nominations Workbook is now available on the synod website. The workbook will provide guidance through the following complexities of this year's nomination process:
1. The ELCA remains committed to raising up faithful, wise, and courageous leaders in the church. This means both developing a wide pool of nominees, and being proactive in identifying persons of color, women, youth, young adults, and others who may not be in the existing governance structures of this church.
2. The actions of the 2011 Churchwide Assembly going to a three-year assembly cycle and the follow-up actions of the Church Council create unusual complexities for nominations and elections. Also, there are a number of election-related governance proposed amendments to The Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA that affect the nomination process.
3. This year's Nominating Committee meeting will need to identify persons as nominees for the "open" positions on the Church Council, positions that are identified in ELCA Secretary David Swartling's memo to the workbook.
In the Workbook, please note the revised and simplified way to submit nominations. The Nominating Committee will meet on April 26 and 27, so nominations are needed by April 15. Click here to for more information and to access the Workbook.
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April Deadlines - Please Read & Act
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TODAY!! April 3: When Strangers Become Neighbors
 Today is the last day to register for When Strangers Become Neighbors: Immigration and the Church Today! Don't miss out on this excellent opportunity to learn more about the church's response to immigration issues and to gain the skills you need to host productive conversations in your congregation and community.
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April 4 & May 2: Roots and Wings Tour
 The Southeastern Synod's Roots and Wings tour will take up to 30 youth (age 16 and older) and adults to Germany on July 6-21, 2013. This trip will strengthen relationships between churches in our synod and churches in the Augsburg Diocese, one of our companion synods. Participants will spend one week with host congregations and families in Augsburg, and spend the second week touring Lutheran sites and relaxing at a retreat center. There are still spots available for this trip, but they are going quickly! A number of unfilled airline seats will be returned to Delta on Thursday April 4 and then there will be two airline seats available until May 2. Visit the Southeastern Synod Young Adult and Youth Ministry website for more information. Contact Rachel Alley or Bill Alderfer immediately if you are interested in going.
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April 5: Clergy Nominees Needed for Consultation Committee
 The Nominating Committee is still in need of clergy willing to be nominated for possible election to the synod's Consultation Committee. This committee is advisory to the synod bishop, assisting the bishop in investigating situations that are potentially matters for formal discipline. While it is unlikely that the committee will be called to meet in any given year, it is very important that there are wise persons ready to serve when needed.
If you know of pastors who would be good candidates for this service, please encourage them to submit their biographical information for consideration by the Nominating Committee. The online biographical form is available HERE. The submission deadline is this Friday, April 5.
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April 15: Synod Assembly Report Deadline
All reports to the Synod Assembly from committee chairs, task force chairs, agencies, and institutions are due to Sandra Gustavson by April 15.
April 15: Sabbatical/Wellness Grant Applications
 Thanks to a $12,000 grant from Portico, the Southeastern Synod is offering grants to promote self-care of its rostered leaders who serve in congregations. The grants will provide funding to support intentional wellness activities or sabbaticals. Congregations must be willing to match the requested funding amount. Round 1 applications are due April 15. Click here.
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April 22: Interim Pastors Conference
 Registration for the April 30 Southeastern Synod Interim Pastors Conference is due by April 22. If you are, have been, or are interested in beginning interim ministry, this conference at the synod office is for you! Assistants to the Bishop Darrel Peterson and Paul Summer, and Pr. Delmer Chilton will lead the group in an informational day:
9:30 AM: Gathering and Coffee
10:00 AM: Devotional
10:15 AM: The Growing Edge in Interim Ministry
11:00 AM: Call Process Review and the Interim Pastor's Place in It
Noon: Lunch with Synod Staff
1:00 PM: Expectations of Interim Pastors
2:00 PM: Questions and Answers
3:00 PM Dismissal
RSVP to Jeanette Burgess, Administrative Liason for Leadership by email or at (404) 589-1977, ext. 232.
The synod office is located at 100 Edgewood Ave., NE, Ste 1600 (16th floor), Atlanta, GA 30303. You may park in the ramp on the same block (use cobblestone driveway between the two buildings) and we will validate your ticket.
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April 30: Portico Health Assessments
 The Portico Health Assessment program allows ELCA employers (congregations, seminaries, other organizations) to earn a 2% discount on their health contribution payments if 65% of more of the ELCA-primary plan members and eligible spouses take the online Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by April 30. It only takes 10-20 minutes and you get $150 in wellness dollars. Click here to get started!
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Holy Week Around the Synod
Redeemer Member Carries the Cross
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Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Last Friday, the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta hosted the 33rd annual Good Friday Pilgrimage in downtown Atlanta. Matthew Johnson, member of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, and 17 other Lutherans involved in refugee work and migrant detainee ministry joined hundreds of pilgrims for an urban stations of the cross. Matthew carried the El Refugio Holy Week Pilgrimage cross covered with the names of migrants and immigrants held in detention centers around Georgia. At the fifth station of the cross, Melanie Johnson, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer member and volunteer coordinator at Lutheran Services of Georgia, read scripture about Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross for Jesus and led the gathering in prayer. El Refugio friend Reuben read the scripture in Spanish and Christina, a Dominican Volunteer, shared a reflection about Jesus' call for us to love the "strangers" among us. Click here for more photos in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Lutheran Services of Georgia's Friends in Hope Detention Visitation Ministry partners with El Refugio to visit detainees at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, GA. Friends in Hope volunteers visit immigrant detainees to be a compassionate presence for them. El Refugio is a hospitality house outside Stewart that provides food and lodging to family and friends who come to visit men being detained there, as well as hospitality and education for detention visitors. Click here to learn more about El Refugio.
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Easter Preparations in Tupelo, MS
 Check out this video interview with Pastor Will Rogers at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Tupelo, MS. Pastor Rogers shares ELCA Easter preparations with news station WCBI. "It's no accident," he said, "that [Easter] coincides with spring when all things are made new again. But through death, new life is created, so we celebrate life through the resurrection." Click here to watch! ********** The Real Meaning of Easter  Have you ever wondered about the history of secular Easter traditions such as colored eggs, the Easter bunny, and eating chocolate? This article from The Daily News, a Murfreesboro, TN newspaper, examines the real meaning of Easter--the love hiding underneath pagan traditions and commercial trappings. Our very own Pastor Michael Jannett of Advent Lutheran Church, Murfreesboro, is quoted at length. Click here to read more!
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Beer & Hymns & Tangled Blue
Tangled Blue and Advent Lutheran Church (Murfreesboro, TN) gathered on a cool Thursday night in March to bring about their first ever Beer & Hymns event at MayDay Brewery, Murfreesboro's only micro-brewery. Around 70 people (some members, some non-members) came together and had a great time! This event was supported by a local restaurant, Maple Street Grill, which helped to sponsor the event with a small financial contribution.  Pastor Michael Jannett said, "Tangled Blue came to us with this idea of a "Beer & Hymns" event, after a few Facebook messages back and forth. I thought it was a perfect fit for [Advent Lutheran Church]. With this event, we aimed to be "obvious, but not obnoxious". What made this event work was the hymns. Some of the local folks could identify with the music and words of famous hymns, such as Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee and Amazing Grace, played to guitar and drums. A fellow pastor and friend, Scott Seeke, reminded me that these types of events help us in three ways. 1) It lets people know we are here, 2) It lets people know we aren't a bunch of weirdos (jury's still out), and 3) We just might make a lasting connection with someone in the community. Can't go wrong with those three!"  Tangled Blue was also present the preceding night to lead Advent's final Wednesday evening Lenten worship service. They did a wonderful job, and even let the little kids come up and tap on the drums afterwards. |
Synod Assembly
May 31, June 1 and 2, 2013
Chattanooga Convention Center
"Always Being Made New"
Online registration closes May 1.
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We Need Your Assistance to Celebrate!
As we commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the ELCA at our Southeastern Synod Assembly, the Synod Staff and Assembly Planning Team are asking for congregational assistance in planning for a celebratory event. Please watch the enews for more information in the coming weeks and for informative emails once you have registered.
Bring a banner for worship: The Synod Worship Team is asking that each congregation bring a banner (with pole and stand) to have displayed in the worship space and throughout the synod assembly. We would prefer the banner to display the congregation's name, but if you have seasonal banners or an anniversary banner, that will also be fine. Please bring these to the synod assembly and deliver them to the worship space upon arrival. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Kevin Strickland, Chair for Worship and Liturgy.
Make and Bring a Quilt: This year the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Quilt Campaign has set a goal of collecting 500,000 quilts to be distributed around the world. As a simple way to demonstrate what we can do together in the Southeastern Synod, we are encouraging each congregation to make a quilt for LWR and bring it to Assembly where we will display them throughout the Assembly. Click here to learn more about the LWR Quilt Campaign and easy 3-step directions for making LWR Quilts. You can also use this quilting resource from "The Happy Quilters" at Shades Valley Lutheran Church, Birmingham, AL.
Submit Photos and Videos of Your Congregation in Action: The 2013 Synod Assembly will feature a video capturing Southeastern Synod congregations and ministries at work. Do you have photos and videos of your congregation doing God's work with your hands in your community? If so, please contact Abby Koning or Michelle Angalet in the synod office, and we'll consider including them in the video! Deadline for submissions is April 29.
For more information and updates about getting ready for the synod assembly, visit the synod website.
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Resolutions Deadline is May 10 at 5 pm
At the September meeting of the Synod Council a new continuing resolution (S11.01.32.A12) was approved which provided for the calculation of resolution deadlines at synod assemblies. You can read it here. |
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Upcoming Day1 Prayer Breakfasts
Please join us for the upcoming
Day1 Prayer Breakfasts
Thursday, April 18, 2013, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
featuring the Rev. Pam Driesell
Senior Minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church
at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer,
731 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta
call Rebecca Kurziak at 404-418-6772
to make reservations.
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Thursday, September 12, 2013, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
featuring a message by the Rt. Rev. Rob Wright
Episcopal Baptist of Atlanta
at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church,
2175 Peachtree Rd. NE Atlanta.
call Rebecca Kurziak at 404-418-6772
to make reservations.
Originally launched as The Protestant Hour in 1945, Day1 has since grown into a radio program and ministry of the Alliance for Christian Media, dedicated to proclaiming the gospel and enhancing the voice of mainline churches. Click here to learn more.
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Missional Planning Resources Now Posted on Synod Website!
 Our synod aims to develop a Missional Work Plan in each congregation focused on engaging the people who live in that congregation's particular neighborhood. Missional Planning and cross-cultural conversational trainings take place in three Setting the Table modules in various locations throughout the Southeast. At these modules, congregations participate in conversation and are connected to resources to help them with mission planning in their communities. These resources include "Fling Wide the Doors", "One Body Many Members," and Talking Together as Christians Across Cultures.To better assist congregations, links to ELCA and Southeastern Synod missional planning resources are now posted on the synod website. Click here to learn more.
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Community Ministry Webinars
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Throughout April and May, independent consultant, author, and community ministry facilitator Joy Skjegstad will lead four web-based hour-long webinars for anyone interested in community outreach. These webinars will help you to:
- Understand how 'outreach' can be one of the engines that drives your church forward.
- Meet your neighbors and learn about the places and events that define them.
- Explore seven creative models for designing a custom community ministry program.
- Get people out of the pew and into engagement with community ministry.
To learn more about these webinars, visit the South Dakota Synod website here.
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World Health Day Highlights High Blood Pressure on April 7
 Each year on April 7 World Health Day is celebrated to mark the 1948 founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). This year's World Health Day theme highlights high blood pressure (hypertension), a major public health concern in the world. High blood pressure affects one in three adults worldwide. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee are among ten Southeastern states with the highest hypertension prevalence rates of 33 to 38 percent, the highest rates in the United States. Click here to learn about the causes, consequences, and prevention of high blood pressure from Connie Pearson, Chair of the Southeastern Synod's Health Ministries Task Force.
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One Constant: An Easter Reflection
 | | Pastor Eric Luedtke, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Knoxville TN |
I never cease to be amazed at the places where the Bible and life intersect. As a pastor preparing sermons on a weekly basis, one of the great blessings is having time to reflect on those intersections--those places where the Bible is not just a story of people and places gone by but a reflection of the life I (and others) are living here and now.
While on vacation in early February my wife got the call that no one wants to get at such a time. It was our pet-sitter to tell us that a pipe was leaking and our house was flooded. If you've had this call, you know the thoughts that rush through your brain. If you haven't had this call, I pray you never have to answer it. After debating our options, we cut our vacation a day short and drove straight home from Orlando to Knoxville to survey the damage and figure out our next moves....
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On April 22, people around the world will celebrate and commemorate Earth Day with events intended to raise awareness about environmental concerns. The ELCA recognizes caring for creation as one of the ways we do God's work with our hands in this world. For the next few weeks, we will be sharing resources and opportunities for you and your congregation to participate in Earth Day.
ELCA Living Earth Reflections
 Living Earth is a monthly reflection series on the environment and our relationship with God's creation. In the March 2013 issue, ELCA Director for Environmental Education and Advocacy Mary Minette reflects on wilderness as a place where "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed..." (Isaiah 40). What, then, does that mean for how Christians should respond to wild places today? Click here to read past issues or here to subscribe.
green&just with LWF
 On May 12, 2013, Lutheran World Federation will host a virtual conference on global poverty eradication and ecological justice. The conference will include webinars on topics including climate change, the theology of creation, climate refugees, small-holder farmers, and Christian earthkeeping. Speakers from around the world will share their stories and experiences with ecological justice. Church leaders, people active in sustainable development, interested rostered and lay leaders, and youth leaders are all encouraged to attend. The conference will take place in real time, with content presented in videos. Click here for more information.
Earth Ministry: Caring for All Creation
 Earth Ministry is an ecumenical non-profit committed to engaging the Christian community in environmental stewardship. Their programs help individuals, congregations, clergy, and denominations connect their faith with caring for the environment in practical ways. Visit their website for books, videos, devotions, worship aids, and other resources on creation care, including a 225-page Greening Congregations Handbook.
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World Malaria Day April 25, 2013
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We Can't Do It On Our Own
Malaria is a leading cause of death in Africa. Ending deaths from malaria is now a goal within our reach. The ELCA Malaria Campaign is committed to raising $15 million to help our brothers and sisters in Africa prevent deaths from this disease. This five minute ELCA Malaria Campaign video features our Lutheran brothers and sisters in Malawi who are working to contain malaria in their communities. Click here to watch or download this video.
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Fighting Malaria With Honey
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The ELCA Malaria Campaign recognizes that fighting malaria is linked to combating global poverty. In northwestern Zambia, the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa's Malaria Programme is helping connect local beekeepers to local markets, allowing them to make a more sustainable living for themselves and their families. As people move out of poverty, they have more time and resources to invest in preventing malaria in their households and communities. Read this story here or click here for other stories from the ELCA Malaria Campaign.
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Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities
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Smart Lunch, Smart Kid
Hunger is a very real concern facing adults and children in the United States and around the world. Several congregations are involved in hunger ministries in their communities. If you are looking for more ways to combat localized hunger here in the Southeast, consider connecting with a congregational ministry or with Smart Lunch, Smart Kid.
Smart Lunch, Smart Kid is a hunger initiative through Action Ministries and an excellent opportunity for ministry. This initiative delivers lunches to children in low-income neighborhoods, mobile home parks and communities who receive free or reduced lunch during the summer year but have no access to summertime services. Smart Lunch, Smart Kid delivers meals to the community every day throughout the summer. Every single lunch that is delivered to a child in need is prepared by a volunteer.
On June 3, 2013, Action Ministries will kick of the second year of the program. The goal is to provide 200,000 lunches to kids and to enable 1,000 volunteers and partners to make a difference in the lives of children right in their own communities. Volunteers are needed to make the lunches, deliver them to the community, and provide enrichment activities for the children. Click here to learn more. |
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Pastors2Go
 The Pastors2Go program at Living Waters Lutheran in North Port, Florida provides rent-free housing in a resort-style setting for pastors willing to preach once or twice a month and lead a Bible study. Participants in this unique program take up residence in the congregation's 2-bedroom condominium in a gated, golf course community, just a short drive to sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.
This program is designed as an ideal opportunity for people in lots of different situations: pastors or seminary professors planning a sabbatical, interim pastors look for a break between interim assignments, seminary interns with some time on their hands before their internship begins or before classes resume after their internship concludes, seminary graduates eager to get started doing ministry while awaiting their first call.
For more information, pictures of the condominium, and an application form for this program, click here. Inquiries and applications may be submitted to Living Waters Lutheran Church, PO Box 8064, North Port, FL 34290.
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Special Field Military Worship Service
The Military Chaplaincy Program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary will host a special worship service in the style of field military worship setting on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 1:00 pm on the front lawn of the school's North Main Street campus. Worshipers will experience a liturgical service in a unique military setting that is typical of chaplaincy in the United States Armed Forces. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Click here to learn more.
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Lifelong Learning at Columbia
 Columbia Theological Seminary's Center for Lifelong Learning provides non-degree courses and events--opportunities to learn with and from others for faithful discipleship. Led by seminary faculty, the Center's offerings are biblically and theologically grounded, with a practical focus to help participants identify and address specific, real-life needs. Click here to view upcoming courses and events.
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Learning Opportunities
Lutheran Seminary to Host Lecture Commemorating King's Legacy: Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary will honor the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at a special lecture on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. The lecture, which is being held on the 45th anniversary of King's assassination, will feature native South Carolinian and veteran Civil Rights activist, James L. Felder. The lecture will be held in Stavros Hall, the main auditorium in the center of seminary's campus, from 1:00 p.m. until approximately 2:15 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this free event. Click here for more information on the lecture and James L. Felder.
 Global Health and Humanitarian Summit: April 12-14 at Emory University's School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. For information, to volunteer, or to register, click here.
Festival of Homiletics: May 13-17, 2013, in Nashville, TN. Click here for more.
 21st Century Faith Formation Training: May 14-16 in Atlanta, GA. Visit the website for more or click here to view a flyer.
 Israel Study Tour: June 1-14, 2013 with Lenoir-Rhyne University and Newberry College. Click here or call Dr. Luker at (803) 719-2057.
Heaven, Hell...and Purgatory?: June 10-12 at Loyola University Maryland. Click here for more.
 The Book of Revelations and American Apocalyptic: July 9-12, 2013, at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Click here for more.
 Stewardship with Adults Under 40--Possibilities Abound: July 29-31, 2013 at Luther Seminary. Click here.
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Raise Your Voice - Opportunities for Advocacy
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To learn more about the ELCA's approach to advocacy and important issues for 2013, visit the ELCA website.
 Voice What's Important To You!: The advocacy ministries of our church want to hear from you now! Your responses to the short four-question ELCA National Advocacy Priorities survey greatly help the church facilitate this active and growing network of Lutherans speaking out for policy that advances the common good and reflects your commitments to serve and love our neighbor. Get started now!
 Oregon Synod Creates 5 Short Videos on Israel/Palestine: The ELCA Oregon Synod has been very intentional and proactive in raising awareness about the Palestinian/ Israeli people and situation in preparation for their synod assembly, during which they will vote on a synod resolution. They created five short videos you can use that tell the stories of the ministries and challenges facing ELCA companions. View or download the videos here.
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 Bread For the World National Gathering: The theme of the National Gathering is "A Place at the Table," matching the theme of the 2013 Offering of Letters and the new feature-length documentary about the persistence of hunger in America--and the achievable solution. The National Gathering will take place on June 8-11, 2013 in Washington, DC. Click here for more information.
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Churches for Middle East Peace Advocacy Conference:  May 20-21, 2013 in Washington D.C. Click here to learn more about the CMEP Conference. To discover other ways to advocate for a just peace in Palestine and Israel, explore the Peace Not Walls campaign on the ELCA website.
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 E-Advocacy-Take Action Now!: Become a part of the ELCA advocacy effort by signing up for the e-Advocacy network.
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Did You Know?
To help congregations increase their visibility in the communities in which they are located, the ELCA offers customized ELCA roadmarker signs. Click here to learn more about the ELCA brandmark (shown below) and get more information on the roadsigns.
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Share Your Story
Is God doing exciting work in your congregation or ministry that you would like to share with the rest of the synod? Are you looking to spread the word about an upcoming event or opportunity for ministry? The E-News Weekly is open for congregations to share news, stories, photos, announcements and more. Send your stories to Michelle Angalet. Michelle can also be reached at (404) 589-1977, ext. 235. Submissions are due Mondays by 5 pm. The Synod E-News Weekly (usually) goes out on Wednesdays.
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Ordinations & Installations
April 7: The Rev. Jerry Bultman will be installed as interim pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Columbus, GA, during the 10:30 am service.
April 7: Daniel Pharr will be ordained at 4:00 pm CST at Christ Lutheran Church, Prattville, AL. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. Color of the day is white.
April 18: The Rev. Laura Shally will be installed as Pastor at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Loudon, TN on Thursday at 6 pm CST. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process.
April 27: The Rev. William Flippen will be installed as Pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA. More details to come.
April 28: The Rev. Bridget Piggue will be ordained in the ELCA at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA. More details to come.
May 9: The Rev. Jeff Crim will be ordained in the ELCA and installed as pastor in one service at 7 pm at Ascension Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, TN.
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SES Young Adult & Youth Ministry Spotlight
ELCA Youth Ministry Network
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network exists to strengthen and empower youth ministry leaders in service to Christ. The Network's website includes resources and webinars to support youth ministry leaders and encourage stronger faith formation in youth and adults throughout the ELCA. Click here to renew, educate, and connect!
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All-Georgia Youth Gathering
| Don't forget to register your youth group for the All-Georgia Youth Gathering April 19-21. Registration materials can be downloaded at the website here.
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Novus Way Ministries
Spotlight
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AlOA Boomerang Retreat at Luther Springs
On May 7-9, join Luther Springs and ALOA (Adult Lutherans Organized for Action) for a mid-week retreat targeted for adults! Get away, be refreshed, learn and grow during this time together.
Accommodations are in the comfortable and new Kuehner Retreat Center (single or double rooms with a private bathroom). Activities include options such as nature walks, discussions on topics concerning the second half of life, Bible studies, stargazing, campfire fellowship, and fabulous food. This is your opportunity to familiarize yourself with the new retreat center at a significantly reduced rate due to a generous gift from an anonymous donor. Registration is open.
Why do we call it a Boomerang retreat? Because you know that you will want to return again and again and again....
Cost per person is $100. $75 per ALOA member. Visit the Novus Way Ministries website for more information.
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LSG Spotlight
Atlanta Golf Classic 2013
Calling all golfers! Please join Lutheran Services of Georgia and tee off at Heritage Golf Links on Monday, May 13 for the 19th annual Atlanta Golf Classic. Play this challenging and scenic course while benefiting refugees, foster care children, adopted babies, adults with disabilities, and others in need. Book your place now for $110, which includes breakfast, lunch, a golf cart, green fees, and an invitation to the 19th Hole Party. Contact Lorraine Dorough by email or at (678) 686-9613 to pay online or request more information. Click here for a registration form. Deadline to register is May 1.
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Living Lutheran Spotlight
Easter Hope in the Inner City
Hope is the essential message of the resurrection, a message sorely needed in communities where despair is often expressed through violence. Ken Wheeler, a retired Milwaukee pastor, wrestles with a difficult question: What does Easter look like in the city, where the darkness can sometimes be overwhelming and where death is a part of the landscape? Click here to read stories of Easter hope.
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The Lutheran Spotlight
A New Imagination
How do the things we do, learn, and say on Sunday prepare us to go out into the world on Monday? The April issue of The Lutheran shares stories of congregations with a "new imagination," a vision and desire for reaching out to the surrounding community. By providing meals to hungry students, caring for local veterans, talking to neighbors, and worshiping in a shopping center, these churches are developing vibrant, imaginative ministries to meet the needs of their neighborhoods. Click here for more.
Excerpts from
The Lutheran
are available on their website. To read the issue in its entirety, consider purchasing a one-year online subscription for only $11.95.
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The Update
Every Monday, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service releases The Update, a blog series whose panel of experts will analyze how recent events affect the prospects for immigration reform.
This week, Mary Giovagnoli expresses concern that some who now support immigration reform still continue to believe myths about immigrants. Bishop Gordy is optimistic about the amount of attention that immigration reform legislation has received even during congressional recess. Lisa Sharon Harper celebrates the evangelical community's rising support for reform. Brittney Nystrom reports on four senators' visit to the southwest border this week.
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Who to Contact
Do you have a question or a comment for a member of the synod staff, but aren't sure who to contact? Check out our regularly updated contact page on the synod website.
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Synod Calendar
Coming Up... | |
Apr. 5
Nominations Committee Deadline
Apr. 6 When Strangers Become Neighbors Atlanta, GA Apr. 7 World Health Day
Apr. 15 Deadline for Round 1 Sabbatical/Wellness Grant Applications
Apr. 20 Setting the Table II Savannah, GA
Apr. 25 World Malaria Day
Apr. 30 Interim Pastors Conference Synod Office Atlanta, GA Apr. 30 Portico Health Assessment Deadline May 1 Synod Assembly Registration Closes May 10 Synod Assembly Resolutions Deadline View the entire synod calendar
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