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Attention!
Attention, all E-News Weekly readers! This will be our last regular E-News Weekly until after the 2013 Synod Assembly. In the two weeks prior to assembly, as well as the week after, we will be sending out an abbreviated version of the E-News containing important assembly-related information. Look for assembly highlights during the assembly, as well. The E-News Weekly will resume on June 15.
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Peace Corps Volunteer, and Member of Emmanuel, Atlanta, Dies in Ghana
Danielle Dunlap, a 25 year-old Peace Corps volunteer and member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA died on
April 28 in Ghana. Danielle, who earned a bachelor's degree in neuroscience in 2010 from Brown University, was actively engaged in community outreach activities around nutrition, HIV/AIDS and malaria awareness, and sanitation. Read more here.
We grieve Danielle's untimely death with her family and friends and remember them in our collective prayers.
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"God's Work. Our Hands" Sunday
September 8, 2013, is "God's work. Our hands." Sunday,
an opportunity to celebrate our 25th anniversary as the ELCA. Please place that date on your congregation's calendar!
We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. Whether it's cleaning up a neighborhood park, delivering meals or helping a child learn to read, let's join together for a dedicated day of service on Sept. 8 as 4 million members and nearly 10,000 congregations. You work every day to welcome your neighbors and make your community a better place. Now let's do it together as one church, freed in Jesus Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
Visit the ELCA website to order personalized T-shirts for your congregation to wear on "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday, as well as bulletin inserts, flyers, and other resources to help promote the day. Check back later in May to download a "toolkit" to help your congregation plan for the day of service.
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Submit a Short Video for this Summer's ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Dear friends,
 The theme for the 2013 Churchwide Assembly this August is "Always being made new," which follows our church's 25th anniversary focus: We are a church that is deeply rooted and always being made new.
Again for this assembly, we invite congregations to submit short videos that will allow us to showcase their ministries in living out that theme. These videos should be 60-90 seconds long. In them we would like congregations to share what the theme "Deeply rooted in faith, and always being made new" means to them and how they live that statement in their continuing work.
The congregations may also wish to consider and address these related questions:
- In a rapidly changing culture, where is God leading and calling us as the ELCA?
- Where are we "showing up" as a church in your community?
Videos should be completed and available for posting to YouTube by June 30.
Many thanks to you for your assistance with this project. It will help to bring alive the theme of the Assembly and put a spotlight on the wonderful work of your congregations.
Pax,
Janice Rizzo
ELCA Public Relations-Member Engagement
8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631
800-638-3522, ext. 2949
Janice.Rizzo@elca.org
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May 31, June 1 and 2, 2013
Chattanooga Convention Center
"Always Being Made New"
Be sure to check the
information for assembly preparation.
Voting members should start to read the agenda materials as they are posted in order to be informed and prepared for assembly.
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Congratulations - We Made Our Goal!
 The Southeastern Synod office is delighted to announce that our synod met the Portico Health Assessment goal with a 71.5% participation rate. Many thanks to all who participated! With our earned 2% discount, our synod is estimated to save a collective $33,000 this year in premium discounts. We'll also receive additional funds that will be used to support sabbatical and wellness grants for rostered leaders. Click here to read more about what the 2% discount means for us. |
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Sabbatical/Wellness Grant Awards
Four sabbatical grants and three wellness grants have been awarded to congregations in the Southeastern Synod on behalf of the rostered leaders for whom the grants were requested. These grants were made possible by funds received from Portico. The money was awarded to the Southeastern Synod for achievement of a 65% participation rate on the 2012 online health assessment. Additional applications can be submitted through September 1. Click here for a grant application and instructions. |
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Germany Trip - Breaking News!
Two spots have opened up for the Roots and Wings trip to visit our partner synod in Germany this summer. Please email Bill Alderfer if you are interested in going. Cost is $1900. |
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Congratulations Pastor Robb Harrell!
On May 18, Pastor Robb Harrell, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, McDonough, GA will graduate from Columbia Theological Seminary, earning a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Spirituality. Building on nearly a decade of experience as a certified Myers-Briggs practitioner, Pastor Harrell's research followed the prayer lives of lay people, examining their personal prayer and devotional practices through the lens of personality type theory. This research resulted in a thesis entitled, "Lord, Teach us to Pray: Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in Spiritual and Pastoral Direction." In an effort to share what he has learned from the process, Pastor Harrell is available for both individual and group consultation/direction, as well as for retreat leadership. He can be contacted via email.
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Synod Task Force for Abolition of the Death Penalty Seeks Your Assistance
 On June 2nd, 2012, The Southeastern Synod ELCA Synod Assembly adopted a resolution seeking the abolition of the death penalty in our four state territory of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
The Resolution directed the formation of a task force to develop informational material regarding the death penalty for distribution to synod congregations, clergy, and lay leaders. A website is now operational (though a work in progress!) providing a variety of information related to the issue of the death penalty. As more information is added to the site, the goal is that it will offer education, inspiration, and support for congregations as well as clergy and lay leaders to work for a moratorium and eventual abolition of the death penalty in the four state territory of the Southeastern Synod. The website provides factual information with regard to the death penalty, (take the quiz!) as well as a scriptural/ theological and societal basis for seeking its abolition. The website also provides assistance to those who wish to take action to work for the abolition of the death penalty in one or more of our four state synod territory. As the website IS a work in progress, your comments and suggestions about the site, and how it can best serve you, are encouraged and appreciated. If you have written an op ed article, letter to the editor, letter to your state legislator, preached a sermon message, led a bible study, or have a personal story focused on abolishing the death penalty, we would very much like to include your work as a part of our website. Please direct comments, written material, and suggestions to the Rev. Randy Palm. We are very much aware of the reality that sincere people of faith do not always agree on how God's children are called to respond to very difficult societal issues such as the death penalty. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the position taken by the website regarding the death penalty, it is our hope and prayer that the information provided by the site will serve to stimulate and encourage prayerful discernment and dialog, so that we can speak WITH and not AT one another. Take care and God Bless, Pastor Randy Palm, Member, Southeastern Synod Death Penalty Task Force |
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Come Serve with LVC Atlanta!
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Trying to decide what to do with your life? Trying to decide what to do next year? The Lutheran Volunteer Corps may be able to help! LVC is seeking applicants, 21 years or older, to live and work in Atlanta for one full year.
Lutheran Volunteers live in community, live simply, and work for justice as part of a year of fulltime service. The Atlanta LVC community still has vacancies for the 2013-2014 volunteer year. So spend a year getting to know who you are and where your strengths meet the needs of your community; spend a year working for justice, building relationships, discovering new parts of this great city, and just having fun!
Interested in knowing more? Contact Ami Hernandez, the Atlanta Regional Director, by email or by calling 404-591-7054. You can also learn more about LVC here. |
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Spring Jazz Vespers at Rock of Ages
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St. Stephen's International Festival
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26th Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA Convention
 You are invited to attend the 26th annual Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA Convention on September 20-22, 2013! Take a leisurely trip to the beautiful town of Natchez, MS on the Mississippi River. Tour the historic homes; walk the River Walk; taste the foods of the south. You wiill have the opportunity to serve others in this community, as we have a bold theme, Boldly Respond With Love. We will worship together in a beautiful, historic church, follow up with an old-fashioned ice-cream social, and so much more. Each congregation, inter-congregational, or special unit of the Southeastern Synod is entitled to one delegate. Early Bird Registration begins June 1. Click here for more information.
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World Refugee Day - June 20
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Each year on June 20th, organizations and communities around the world celebrate World Refugee Day. World Refugee Day was established by the United Nations to honor the courage, strength, and determination of women, men, and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict, and violence. Throughout the month of May and into June, the Southeastern Synod E-News Weekly will feature resources and opportunities for you and your congregation to support refugees in your communities.
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Refugee Headlines: Each Wednesday, Linda Hartke, CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, brings you refugee-related headlines from around the world. This week's headlines include:
- Iraq's Invisible Refugee Crisis
- Syrian Refugees in Jordan Struggle to Survive
- State Lawmakers Learn about Refugee Resettlement
- Syrian Refugees 'Sold for Marriage' in Jordan
- Burmese Refugee Boat Capsizes Ahead of Storm
- Things are Getting Ugly for Syrian Refugees in Turkey
- Tensions Rise as Syrian Refugees Flood Jordan
- Asylum Requests from Mexico Triple
 Advocacy Toolkit: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) encourages congregations to advocate on behalf of refugees on World Refugee Kit. This Advocacy toolkit includes LIRS' vision for meaningful reform and ways you can stand for policies that welcome.
 Globally Linked: In a small Iowa town, young ELCA members organized Global Linked, a project to get youth involved in ELCA global missions. Together, Global Linked students are working with Iowa congregations to assist refugees in Syria. Click here.
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Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities
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One-to-One Conversation Webinar
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The Rev. Susan Engh
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Listening to God comes through prayer, Word, and Sacrament. Listening to discover the possibilities for mission and ministry in our congregations and communities happens through listening to one another and to our neighbors. In this one hour training, Rev. Susan Engh, program director of ELCA Congregational-based Community Organizing will offer the basic training for and model/practice a "one-to-one" conversation. Groups learn well together. The webinar will be offered twice: Tuesday, May 28, 7:00-8:00 pm CDT and Thursday, May 30, 7:00-8:00 pm CDT. Cost is $20 per group ("group" includes one link for the webinar to one location on either night).
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The Body of Christ and Mental Illness
 Mental illness and its various manifestations have dominated the news in recent months ranging from the Newtown, CT. killings to the politicization of actress Ashley Judd's previous struggle with depression to the suicide of Pastor Rick Warren's son, Matthew. The May/June issue of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics focuses on mental illness in the light of the ELCA's new Social Message, The Body of Christ and Mental Illness. View this issue on the ELCA's website.
Journal of Lutheran Ethics (JLE) is a free, bi-monthly online publication living out the Lutheran tradition of addressing social issues theologically, using the resources of historical, theological, and ethical tradition, biblical interpretation, and social sciences. Click here to learn more.
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Learning Opportunities
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.
 Theological Dialog at Gettysburg: July 28-August 3, 2013 at the Lay School of Theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Click here.
 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.
Involving Congregations in Advocacy Now (ICAN): Involving Congregations in Advocacy Now (ICAN) is an ELCA guide to developing an advocacy ministry in your congregation. ICAN is an online resource for people who are interested in addressing through advocacy the needs of those persons in our society who live in poverty or experience various forms of oppression. Click here to learn more or to download ICAN for your congregation!
Senate Immigration Reform Bill - LIRS Analysis: The Senate Judiciary Committee has held several hearings on S. 744, the comprehensive immigration reform bill introduced on April 17, to deepen their understanding of the legislation. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) has been carefully studying the bill and judging how it aligns with their principles for immigration reform. The LIRS analysis of S. 744 is now available on their comprehensive immigration reform website, examining everything from the bill's roadmap to citizenship to its refugee provisions. The month of May will be a critical time for senators on the Judiciary Committee to hear from their constituents. Visit the LIRS website to get prepared to stand for welcome in the months ahead.
Help End Global Food Insecurity: Congress is now considering reforms to food assistance policies that would make poverty-development assistance programs more effective in strengthening local agricultural systems and increasing food security for families. Click here to urge Congress to maintain poverty-focused development assistance that supports people like Miguel, a sustainable farmer in Chiapas, Mexico.
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!
 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.
 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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Share Your Story
What is God up to in your congregation or community? Share it with us so we can share it with others! 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
May 19: The Rev. Kay Yates will be installed as interim pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Anniston, AL.
May 19: The Rev. Patti Axel will be installed as pastor at the charter service for Nativity Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, GA at 5:00 pm.
June 28: The Rev. Jason Peterson and The Rev. Andrea Windsor-Peterson will be installed as pastors at 9:15 am at Advent Lutheran Church in Augusta, GA.
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LTCA Spotlight
| Lutheran Heritage and Polity: Foundations and Practices
On June 10 through 15, the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta will offer a course on Lutheran Heritage and Polity. The course will examine the theological grounding of the polity of the Lutheran Church, exploring central teachings about the church historically, denominational identity and contemporary practices in the ELCA. It will also touch upon biblical and theological foundations for public worship and members' private devotion.
This course is designed to satisfy academic requirements in Lutheran heritage and theology for persons preparing for rostered ministry in the ELCA, and also to provide an introduction for ministers from other denominations seeking a call or standing in the ELCA.
The teaching team:
The Reverend H. Julian Gordy, Bishop
The Reverend Delmer Chilton, D. Min.
Dr. Everett Flanigan
Click here for more information about the course. To learn more about the LTCA, visit the website here. ***** |
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SES Young Adult & Youth Ministry Spotlight
Affirm Registration Still Open!
 | | Affirm Video 2013 |
We have plenty of room at Affirm, a discipleship and leadership camp for youth in grades 6th-12th on June 17-21 at Berry College in Rome, GA. If you haven't signed up yet or have youth that are considering attending, please
click here for more details and the forms. Cost is $375.00
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Novus Way Ministries
Spotlight
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Summer Camp
Space is still available for summer camp! Don't miss out on a fantastic summer at Lutheridge, Lutherock, or Luther Springs! Staff have been hired and are excited to meet your camper. You can also still sign up for our payment plans.
Scholarships are still available for those requiring financial assistance. Through the generosity of donors, we are able to provide the faith-camp experience to many. We do not want a camper not to be able to come to camp because of finances.
Visit our website to learn more about program opportunities available for youth of all ages. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
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LSG Spotlight
Playing for Hope
at the Atlanta
Golf Classic
With the sun shining brightly and a brisk win blowing through the course, around 60 golfers joined Lutheran Services of Georgia on Monday, May 13 for the 19th Annual Atlanta Golf Classic at Heritage Golf Links. Enjoying the beautiful weather, the golfers relished the opportunity to play the game that they love while benefiting people in need.
After the round of golf, the players gathered in the clubhouse to wait for the most important part of the afternoon: the awards. A team from Lutheran Church of the Resurrection finished in third place, and the top two teams came from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. The second place team included John Timpe, LSG's golf outing stalwart, along with Chris Henry, Doug Hollowell, and Bruce Kollin. The first place team comprised Joe Hensley, Robert Hutchinson, Mark Kupciewicz, and Joe Ruggles. Congratulations to the winners of the Atlanta Golf Classic, and thanks to the many golfers who joined us on a gorgeous day to help us serve people in need throughout Georgia!
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Living Lutheran Spotlight
Creating
Self-Expression
Church of the Abiding Savior, an ELCA congregation in Durham, N.C., had a problem: They wanted their message to reach younger people in the community. Enter Rhonda Hatton, a passionate spoken word artist and outreach minister who started open mic nights that brought in people from all walks of life. Click here to read this inspiring story of how one woman's love of God and the arts created space for youth to express themselves through worship.
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The Lutheran Spotlight
Deeper Understandings: Trinity and Gender
The Deeper Understandings series is intended to be a public conversation among teaching theologians of the ELCA on various themes of our faith and the challenging issues of our day. It invites readers to engage in dialogue by posting comments online at the end of each article. In Trinity and Gender, John F. Hoffmeyer and Amy E. Marga reflect upon "the mystery of God, who rejoices in being at work as father, mother, sister, partner, friend, advocate." Click here to join in the conversation!
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
A complicated debate and legislative process lies ahead for comprehensive immigration reform. In this week's The Update, Bishop Julian Gordy highlights the over 300 amendments filed by Senate Judiciary Committee members.
Lisa Sharon Harper responds to the Heritage Foundation's controversial report on the costs of reform. Brittney Nystrom celebrates the continued engagement of people of faith in comprehensive immigration reform.
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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... | |
May 19
Charter Service for Nativity, Bethlehem, GA
May 27 Memorial Day Synod Office Closed May 31-June 2 Synod Assembly May 29-June 5 Synod Office Closed for Assembly
View the entire synod calendar
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