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Bishop Hanson's Assembly Sermon
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Pr. Michael Huntley, Holy Trinity, Daphne AL and Martin Luther, Mobile, AL (far left) and Pr. Tom Kenny, Prince of Peace, Alpharetta, GA, take out their cell phones to make a call during Bishop Hanson's Friday afternoon sermon at Synod Assembly.
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At our 2013 Synod Assembly, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson preached on how, in Christ, we are always being made new. He also asked conference attendees to take out their cell phones, call a loved one, and share the good news of Jesus' love for the whole world. Click here to read his sermon on our website. |
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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 Thomas, 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 the script.
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2013 Southeastern Synod Assembly Video
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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. Let's join together for a dedicated day of service as 4 million members and nearly 10,000 congregations. Please place September 8 on your congregation's calendar!
 Visit the ELCA website for bulletin inserts, flyers, and other resources to help promote the day. You'll also find a toolkit available for download that will help your congregation prepare for this exciting day of service. You can order personalized T-shirts for your congregation to wear through OldLutheran.Com. |
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Submit a Short Video for this Summer's ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Being Made New". Congregations are invited to submit short videos that showcase their ministries living out that theme. In 60-90 second videos, congregations should share what the theme "deeply rooted in faith, and always being made new" means to them and how they live out that statement in their continuing work.
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. Contact Janice Rizzo via email or at 800-638-3522, ext. 2949 for more submission information.
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This Week is Affirm!
Youth from around our synod are meeting this week at Berry College in Rome, GA for Affirm 2013! Affirm develops discipleship skills, leadership skills, and teaches Lutheran theology. This year's theme is "Be the You That God Made and Calls You to Be". We ask for your prayers for the youth and staff at Affirm. For more information about Affirm, visit the ELCA Southeastern Young Adult and Youth Ministry webpage or Facebook page. |
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Retirement of Ms. Pauline Suggs
St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church (Decatur, GA)
Would like to Honor and Thank
Ms. Pauline Suggs
For Her Years of Dedicated Service
Upon her retirement as the Church Secretary
Thank You Pauline
for your hard work for over 15 years!
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Share Your VBS Photos!
 Summertime means Vacation Bible School (VBS) time for many congregations! We would like to hear what congregations around our Southeastern Synod are doing for VBS. Send us photos along with a brief description of your program. What time of day did you have it? Was it only for children or did you have an intergenerational VBS? Did you try something new or different this year? If so, why, and how did it go? Did you purchase a curriculum (if so, which one?) or did you write your own? We'll share what we learn.
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LVC Highlight: Meet Taryn Arbeiter
Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota
College: St. Olaf's College
Major: Political Science, French
Placement: Lutheran Services of Georgia
My history with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America goes back to 1990 when I was adopted through Lutheran Social Service of Iowa. I gained an appreciation for the ELCA's theology and legacy of social justice work at St. Olaf College in MN....My most memorable Lutheran Volunteer Corps experience was visiting Alterna, an intentional community focused on immigration issues located in LaGrange, Georgia. Our host Anton Flores demonstrated radical hospitality to us as his guests and gave us a moving tour of the city from the view of an undocumented immigrant....
Click here to read more about Taryn Arbeiter, LVC Volunteer, in the June issue of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer's Newsletter. Lutheran Volunteer Corps unites full-time, stipended volunteers with financial supporters, non-profit organizations, and ministries to work for peace with justice across the nation. In addition to working for justice, LVC volunteers live together in intentional household communities of 4-10 people to encourage simple, sustainable living. Visit the website 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. Here are some resources and opportunities for you and your congregation to support refugees in your community.
ELCA, Episcopal Church Observe World Refugee Day:
As the U.S. Senate continues to debate the bipartisan immigration reform bill introduced earlier this spring, leaders of the ELCA and the Episcopal Church commemorate World Refugee Day with a joint statement to "celebrate our churches' shared commitment to welcoming the stranger through service, accompaniment, and advocacy." Click here to read more about this joint statement of commitment.
 World Refugee Day in Clarkston, GA!
Join Lutheran Services of Georgia and the refugee community in Clarkston on June 22 for a celebration of World Refugee Day. At the Clarkston Community Center from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., there will be cultural performances, awards, speakers, food, games, and more. Be sure to stop by the LSG information booth to learn more about how LSG welcomes refugees to Atlanta and Savannah. Click here for more information. See you there!
Refugee Headlines: Each Wednesday, Linda Hartke, CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, brings you refugee-related headlines from around the world. Recent headlines include:
- U.S. Considers Taking in Syrian Refugees
- Syrian Refugee Girls Married Off to Older Men
- EU Envoy Says Refugee Crisis Worst Since WW2
- A Syrian Refugee Wedding
- Historic Haven in Lebanon
- Returning from Refuge to Syria
Lutheran World Relief: The bible tells us that Jesus became a refugee when Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt shortly after his birth to save his life. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), today there are more than 43 million refugees around the world. Your support of Lutheran World Relief helps refugees in the midst of crisis. Click here to learn how you can help.
 Welcome to Shelbyville: Welcome to Shelbyville is a glimpse of America at a crossroads. Set on the eve of the 2008 Presidential election, the film captures the interaction between Shelbyville residents and recently arrived Somali refugees of Muslim faith. The film explores immigrant integration and the interplay between race, religion, and identity. Ultimately, the story is an intimate portrayal of a community's struggle to understand what it means to be American. Click here to learn more.
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Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities
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Domestic Hunger Grants Available
 The 2014 Domestic Hunger Grants application and criteria can be obtained online at the ELCA website, along with stories of previous grant recipients. Please contact Joe Young via email or Ms. Johnnie Thompson at 800-638-3522 ext. 2693 with any questions concerning the Domestic Hunger Grant process. |
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Stewardship Resources
Stewardship Idea #3 - Plan Your Annual Response Program: Many congregations hold their annual stewardship response program in the fall. If you do, you may have already started planning for that program. If you haven't started planning yet, today would be a good time to get started.
Some congregations create their own program each year. Most congregations use a program that someone else has created. Click here and select "6/18/2013 - Plan Your Annual Response Program" from the drop-down menu to discover three simple, straightforward, and effective stewardship response programs for use in your congregation.
Chick Lane, Director of the Center for Stewardship at Luther Seminary, recently conducted two stewardship workshops. He presented seven ideas for stewardship. For seven weeks, Chick Lane will share these ideas with subscribers to the Stewardship for the 21st Century Newsletter. Visit the archives to see ideas 1 through 3 or subscribe and receive stewardship ideas in your inbox. You can also find the Center for Stewardship Leaders on our resource links page.
 Ecumenical Stewardship Center: The Ecumenical Stewardship Center connects, inspires, and equips Christian steward leaders to transform church communities through a vital relationship with a generous God and in fellowship with today's church - gathered, outreaching, and scattered. Resources include materials, forums, and events for stewardship engagement. Click here to learn more about ESC or sign up for email updates about new initiatives, resources, and events.
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 Stewardship with Adults Under 40 - Possibilities Abound: July 29-31, 2013 at Luther Seminary. Click Here.
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Music Clinics with Augsburg Fortress
 Augsburg Fortress Publishers will hold free summer music clinics in the months of July and August in cities across the US which will be open to church musicians of all denominations. One clinic will be held on July 19-20 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Carolina. The featured clinicians will be Zebulon Highben, Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, and Jeffrey Brillhart, Director of Music and Fine Arts at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Bryn Mawr, PA and Lecturer in Organ Improvisation at Yale University.
Each clinic features a variety of choral, organ, and piano reading sessions to help plan for the coming season, as well as developmental sessions on choral, keyboard, and handbell topics. Our expert clinicians offer valuable insights and ideas to help participants explore ways to revitalize and refresh worship in their local settings.
Attendees will receive a 15% discount on all featured Augsburg Fortress music ordered or purchased during the event. Click here for more details and to register. |
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Power in the Spirit Conference
 Power in the Spirit is an inspirational conference for everyone who wishes to explore God's call to service through joyous worship, Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, and fellowship. In addition, congregational leaders-teachers, organists and choir directors, choir members, committee or council members, family life consultants, pastors and others-will find POWER IN THE SPIRIT especially nurturing and challenging as they consider their mission and ministry. This year's theme is "Joy in the Journey: Celebrating God's Gift". Power in the Spirit will take place from July 11, 2013 to July 13, 2013 at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. Click here for more information and to register or call Deb Worley at the Virginia Synod office at 540-389-1000.
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Challenges of the Reformation Jubilee 2017 Podcast Now Available
 Listen to the podcast of Reformation Jubilee Envoy Margot K ässman's June 5 talk at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago here. Dr. K ässman outlines the decade-long 500th anniversary celebration underway around the world. You may also listen to the responses to her talk by:
- Dr. Anna Case-Winters, professor of theology, McCormick Theological Seminary and co-chair of the International Committee on Lutheran-Reformed Relations
- The Rev. Wayne Miller, bishop of the ELCA's Metropolitan Chicago Synod
- Dr. Vitor Westhelle, professor of systematic theology, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
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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.
 Advocate for A Better Farm Bill!: The House of Representatives will vote this week on a farm bill (HR 1947) that would dictate funding for food, farm, and nutrition programs over the next five years. The House farm bill proposes dramatic cuts in food assistance to low-income American families, eliminates a program designed to make international food assistance more cost-efficient, and cuts funding for key farm conservation programs. These cuts would prevent 2 million families from accessing essential food and nutritional support and eliminate 210,000 children from receiving school lunches. Click here to learn more and to take action!
 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.
ELCA Advocacy Ministries: There are three advocacy ministries of the ELCA: ELCA Washington Office, State Public Policy Offices, and Lutheran Office for World Community. Each ministry advocates for just, sound and compassionate public social policies based upon the officially adopted social justice policy positions of the ELCA. Click here to learn more about advocacy ministries.
 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?
The 2013 Southeastern Synod Assembly offerings totaled $7,270.82. This amount will be distributed equally between the ELCA Malaria Campaign and the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta.
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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
June 30: 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.
June 30: The Rev. Mark Beatty will be installed as associate pastor at 4:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Alpharetta, GA.
July 7: The Rev. James Clark will be installed as interim pastor at Christ the King in Cumming, GA at all three worship services.
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LSG Spotlight
Meet The New Staff Members in Refugee Services!
Lutheran Services of Georgia is excited to welcome four new staff members to Refugee Services! Heather Romero will serve as the Employment Specialist for the Savannah Refugee Services Sub-Office. Gayle Cruz will join LSG in Atlanta as an Employment Specialist. Lindsay Futterman will serve as a part-time Case Aide with the R&P program. Zakaria Abdulraek, a former refugee from Sudan, was recently hired as a part-time Case Aid for the R&P program. Click here to read more about these talented, new staff members!
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Living Lutheran Spotlight
Creating Relationships with God and Nature
A warm summer night, crickets chirping, the smell of a campfire and bright, shining stars in the sky above is the vision of a Lutheran camp. Children, teens, and adults enjoy attending Lutheran camps every summer and why wouldn't they? "Outdoor ministries can provide you with a life-changing experience," according to the ELCA's Outdoor Ministry website. Outdoor ministry camps are a great opportunity for those who want to learn more about Christ, grow in their faith, learn about the environment and, most of all, create new relationships with God and others in the ELCA. Click here to learn more about outdoor ministry camps
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The Lutheran
Many Gather
Around the Table
In the June issue of The Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson gives thanks for connections through food. He reflects on the interconnectedness between those at the table, those in the fields, the whole human family, the earth, and God. "Whether we eat with others or alone, the table is always full." Click here to read 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
One of the biggest issues in the current political landscape is immigration reform. In Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service's weekly The Update, panelists offer an insider's view on what's happening right now on Capitol Hill related to immigration reform. This week, Mary Giovagnoli reminds supporters of immigration reform to continue putting pressure on elected officials. Bishop Julian Gordy remembers the devastating effects that our current immigration system has on families. Lisa Sharon Harper expresses excitement about S. 744 and concern regarding opponents to reform. Brittney Nystrom gives her thoughts from Capitol Hill.
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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 | |
June 23-29
Region 9 Bishop's School
June 25
Outreach and Renewal Committee Meeting
July 4
Synod Office Closed
July 6-21
"Roots to Wings" Germany Trip
View the entire synod calendar
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