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Dear Friends in the Southeastern Synod,
 On Facebook, in e-mails, reports to congregations, tweets and a variety of ways those who were voting members and visitors at this year's Synod Assembly have expressed their delight in that annual gathering. As usual, our synod worship team planned worship that was diverse and grounded in the traditions of the church and that invited the Spirit's presence to blow things around a bit. Our guests including our Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, the first bishop of the Synod Harold Skillrud and others were inspiring....
Click here to read the rest of this letter from Bishop Julian Gordy.
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2013 Synod Assembly Video
Use this video to share the story of what our Southeastern Synod is all about. You can access it below or on our website. You can also request a DVD copy by emailing the synod office. Special thanks go to John Tho mas, member of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, GA, who produced the video and to Abby Koning, synod staff member and LVC Volunteer, for her work on script.
 | 2013 Southeastern Synod
Assembly Video |
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Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Members Vote in Favor of Extending Common Bond to Christians
 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced on June 7 that its membership approved an extension of its common bond, which will allow the 111-year fraternal benefit society to serve more Christians. Seventy-two percent of Thrivent members who cast their votes during the March 1 - April 30 timeframe voted in favor of revising the organization's articles of incorporation. Nearly 425,000 members participated in this historic vote - more than double the turnout of other typical membership votes at Thrivent. Click here to read more about what this decision means for Thrivent. |
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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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In Loving Memory of Ben Tucker
 Ben Tucker, legendary jazz musician, community icon, and benevolent spirit had a smile that opened doors and established friendships all over the world. At the age of 82, on June 4, 2013, Ben Tucker was killed when a speeding car hit his golf cart after enjoying a game of golf at his second home, The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Club. Mr. Tucker was a member of Lutheran Church of the Ascension, Savannah, GA. Click here to read an expanded obituary remembering Ben Tucker's extraordinary life. |
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Lutheran Services of Tennessee Announces New CEO
On behalf of the Board of Directors for Lutheran Services in Tennessee, I am pleased to announce our new CEO. The Board prayerfully interviewed many talented candidates and finally discerned to hire Ms. Ellen Koester as the new CEO for LST. Ms. Koester is a rostered Associate in Ministry in the ELCA and brings with her a long history of working within the church and involvement in the social needs of her community. Ms. Koester comes to this position from Raleigh, North Carolina. She will begin her work with LST on July 15th. The Board of Directors feels that LST is moving in all the right directions and Ms. Koester will be a great guide for our ministry and mission in the years to come.
Look for more exciting news to come soon from LST and how you can continue to be a supportive presence in this great ministry that is in our Southeastern Synod. Thank you for your prayers and support!
The Rev. Kevin L. Strickland,
President of the Board of Directors,
Lutheran Services in Tennessee |
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Confirmation at Resurrection,
Newnan, GA
Congratulations to the confirmands at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Newnan, GA! Pictured here are the confirmands flanked by Pr. Barb Gibson, left, and Southeastern Synod Bishop H. Julian Gordy, right. The Rite of Confirmation was celebrated on Pentecost Sunday.
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Art and Spirituality: An Interview with the Rev. John Anderson
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Photo Credit: John Zeuli
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In this interview, the Rev. John Anderson, a retired pastor in the Southeastern Synod currently serving an interim call with the Episcopal Diocese of GA, talks about the interactions between art and spirituality. "Art has a way," he says, "of expressing the deepest sense of mystery." Click here to read the transcript. |
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St. Stephen's International Festival
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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. Thanks to the participation of eligible individuals in the 2013 health assessment, the Southeastern Synod has been granted additional funds which enables us to continue to make these grants available. Click here for a grant application and instructions. Sabbatical guidelines can be found in the synod's Compensation Guidelines. The next submission deadline is September 1. |
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Men's Health Month
 Last month, we featured a piece on Women's health and the celebration of National Women's Health Week. The month of June has been designated as Men's Health Month with a week-long celebration occurring this week, June 10-16, 2013, culminating in Father's Day. Men's Health Month speaks to the need for increased awareness of the significant health problems that men face as well as steps that can prevent these problems. Click here to read more about men's health, as well as five steps for good health. |
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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
 New Opportunities--Refugee Resettlement in Savannah: Lutheran Services of Georgia is expanding refugee resettlement in Savannah, GA. Savannah offers many cultural, religious, and employment opportunities for newly arrived refugees. Deidre Harrison, program manager for Refugee & Immigration Services, writes about the future of refugee resettlement in Savannah and how your congregation can get involved. Click here to read more on our synod blog.
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Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities
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Learning Opportunities
 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!
 Leadership Toolkit #8: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service's most recent leadership toolkit includes resources for World Refugee Day, information on comprehensive immigration reform, reflections from the Lutheran Immigration Leadership Summit in Washington D.C., and more. Click here.
 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
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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LSG Spotlight
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
For Tun, That, Zin Ko, and Mu, four Burmese refugees who recently came to Savannah, GA, baseball was an introduction to American culture. On a Thursday afternoon in May, Allison and Jim Ward, two dedicated LSG supporters, treated these four Burmese refugees to a Sand Gnats ballgame. Allison and Jim explained to them how to score runs, as well as what the strikes, balls, and outs on the scoreboard meant. They also bought some nachos and boiled peanuts for the newcomers to try. Click here to read more about this day at the ballpark!
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Living Lutheran Spotlight
Open Doors
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Brooklyn, N.Y., practices intentional opening of doors and hearts to the surrounding neighborhood. From offering space for musical performances to assisting undocumented immigrants, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd is flinging wide the doors. Click here to read more.
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The Lutheran Spotlight
In this cover story from the June issue of The Lutheran, discover ways "Lutherans nationwide use food - even something as small as a strawberry - as a means of living their faith." Lutherans around the country are starting community gardens, running food banks, teaching nutritious cooking classes, and more. Click here to read stories of faith and food.
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 senses that we will soon see immigration reform. Lisa Sharon Harper expresses her concerns that the Senate will lengthen the path toward earned citizenship or further dismantle the family-based immigration system. Brittney Nystrom compares following immigration reform efforts to looking through a constantly changing kaliedoschope.
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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... | |
June 14-16
Affirm Staff Training
June 16-21
Affirm
June 17-23
SES Delegation to ILAG
June 23-29
Region 9 Bishop's School
View the entire synod calendar
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