Issue #374
07/03/2013
NEWS

Faith Lessons from Gettysburg

Faith lessons from Gettysburg - July 4th, 2013

As this nation embarks on a celebration of Independence Day, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said the freedoms we celebrate today came with great sacrifice and continue to generate controversy.  In this pastoral video message, Hanson contextualizes the recent Supreme Court decisions and Congressional actions, as well as the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement and the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg by asking, "What does all of this mean in the work of freedom and justice that has now been bequeathed to us?"
ELCA, Episcopal Leaders Celebrate Senate Passage of Immigration Reform

The leaders of the ELCA and the Episcopal Church released a joint statement that commends the U.S. Senate for passing comprehensive immigration reform. On June 27, the bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 68 to 31. "Lutherans and Episcopalians celebrate the Senate's passage of comprehensive immigration reform. As people called by faith to welcome the newcomer, we are thankful for the relief the bill seeks to provide to migrants who are our friends, family, neighbors, and members of our congregations," the statement reads. Click here to read the rest of the statement or visit the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service website for more information on what passage in the Senate means for immigration reform. 
Environmental Urgency

Caring for God's creation is increasingly important in a time of global climate change. "Environmental Urgency", the cover story of the July issue of The Lutheran, reflects on the difficulty of changing our behavior and ways of thinking to better care for the earth. By following "The Little Way" approach to environmental issues, we can embrace "small things done over a long period of time by many", small things that can truly make a difference. Click here to read more. 
 
Interested in thinking more about how we as a church are called to care for creation?  The Southeastern Synod is looking for individuals to serve on a Green Team Task Force. This task force is being formed as a result of a resolution titled Regarding Energy Stewardship which was passed by the 2013 Synod Assembly.  Interested individuals should contact the Rev. Ed Wolff at (423) 833-8932  Pr. Wolff serves as Synod Council representative from Conference 6, the Life Together Conference.  Conference 6 sponsored the Regarding Energy Stewardship resolution.  Appointments to the task force will be made by Synod Council at its September 2013 meeting. The number of taskforce members is limited by our constitution and bylaws. Click here for more information about how task force members are chosen. 

Additional resources:
More Assembly Videos Now Available Online!
ELCA Southeastern Synod - 2013 Assembly Slideshow
Southeastern Synod - 2013 Assembly Slideshow

The 2013 Synod Assembly featured video slideshows compiled from footage submitted by individuals, congregations, and ministry partners throughout the southeast. All of these videos are now available in one central location on our synod website. You can also find them on our YouTube Channel. Don't forget to subscribe!
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday

September 8, 2013 is "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday. Visit the ELCA website  for bulletin inserts, flyers, and other resources to help promote the day. You can order personalized T-shirts for your congregation to wear through OldLutheran.Com
Around the Synod

Save the Date!

Mark September 24-26 on your calendar for the 2013 Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation at Lutheridge. This annual gathering is an expectation of all rostered leaders in our synod.  Watch for registration to be posted soon!
Husband, Wife Installed as Pastors

The Rev. Jason Peterson and the Rev. Andrea Windsor-Peterson lead the morning service. 
On Sunday, June 30, the Reverend Jason Peterson and the Reveredn Andrea Windsor-Peterson were installed as pastors of Advent Lutheran Church, Augusta, GA. Together, they hope to work with the congregation to help it continue to grow as a welcoming, life-giving church. Click here to read more about this husband-wife pastoral team in The Augusta Chronicle
Beth Birkholz to Preach on 'Day 1'

The Rev. Beth Birkholz
The Rev. Beth Birkholz, associate pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta, GA, is the featured speaker July 28 with host Peter Wallace on "Day 1", the nationally syndicated ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. Birkholz's "Day 1" sermon for the 10th Sunday of Pentecost, based on Jesus' teaching on prayer in Luke 11:1-3, is entitled "Do It Yourself." Click here to read more about The Rev. Beth Birkholz. 
Synod Delegation Returns from Guatemala

The Southeastern Synod welcomes back our delegation from a week-long visit to the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG), our companion synod in Guatemala. Below, Cathy Crimi (Holy Trinity, Nashville, TN) reflects on what she learned about community, faith, and gratitude. 

I am always reminded when I visit Guatemala (this was my third trip) how much we learn about being more thankful to God, and praising Him for all the blessings we have that we take for granted. This trip was no exception. Our first worship with the Iglesia de San Marcos was preceded by a Mayan celebration which gives thanks and is an intercessory prayer to God.....

Click here to read more on our website. 

Interested in learning more about our relationship with ILAG, the Lutheran Church in Guatemala? We offer a synod delegation every year. Please consider joining us next year!

You may know that Southeastern Synod, in partnership with the St. Paul Area Synod, has sponsored a missionary, Amanda Olson de Castillo, and her family for the last nine years. In May Amanda, her husband Horacio and their two children returned home to Minnesota to explore new ministry opportunities.

Even though "our" missionary has returned home, we look forward to a continued, though changing, relationship with the ILAG. We have a consultation scheduled with ELCA Global Mission and the ILAG in August to discuss new ways that we will be partnering together in the future. We are very thankful for continued relationship with Bishop Horacio Castillo, Pastor Karen, their staff, and all the people of God who make up the ILAG. We are committed to accompanying them in whatever ways we are called to be together in the years to come. If you have questions about our companion synod relationship in Guatemala, please call the synod office or email Rebecca Kolowe.
Funding Requests Now Being Accepted
Deadline: September 30

The Southeastern Synod's Budget and Finance Committee is now accepting proposals for funding in the 2015-16 Ministry Funding Plan. Agencies, institutions, and other groups who wish to request synodical funding are invited to submit their requests online using the following link: 2015-16 Funding Request.

Funding for committees and task forces is approved on a different cycle and requires a different form. The most recent Synod Assembly approved lump sum funding for committees and task forces during the 2014-15 fiscal year. The Synod Council will allocate the approved total among the different groups, based on recommendations from the Budget and Finance Committee. Committee and Task Force chairpersons should submit their funding request from the 2014-15 fiscal year, using the online form located at: Committee/TF Funding for 2014-15.

The deadline for submission of funding requests is Monday, September 30, 2013. Anyone unable to submit a funding request electronically may obtain a paper copy of the necessary forms by contacting the Synod Office (404-589-1977). 
Director of Music Needed

St. Andrew Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Franklin, TN, one of the fastest growing churches in the Southeastern Synod, has an immediate opening for Director of Music. The position is part-time, 25-30 hours per week, and reports to the senior pastor. In collaboration with the Pastoral staff and Worship and Music Committee, the successful candidate will be responsible for the planning, managing, and oversight of the church's total music program. A candidate possessing a Bachelor's degree in Music, Musical Performance, or equivalent is desired with a Master's degree being preferred. Five or more years of experience as Director of Music or organist within a church musical department is also desired. Please contact Amy Vehec at [email protected] or more information. 
The Alliance for Christian Media/Day 1 Seeks Director of Philanthropy

The Alliance for Christian Media, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) based in Atlanta, GA. Its mission is to be a leader in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through all existing and emerging communication technologies. Its goal is to enhance the voice of the historic mainline churches in America to connect the world of faith with the world in which people live. The Alliance was created by the merger of the Protestant Hour/Day1 radio program ministry and the Episcopal Media Center, and continues and expands the work of both organizations in a new ecumenical organization. For more information, visit http://EpiscopalMarketplace.org, http://Day1.organd http://www.allianceforchristianmedia.org.
 
The Alliance is seeking a full-time Director of Philanthropy to work closely with trustees and staff in development and institutional advancement to take us to the next level. Click here for the position description and application information. 
VBS in the Southeastern Synod

It's hot out there, but the Southeastern Synod is keeping it cool. Check out these photos and stories to see how our congregations continue to do God's work with our hands all summer long!
Faith Lutheran Cares for Creation

Together, children water their newly planted garden.

For the past four years, Faith Lutheran Church in Lebanon, TN has developed its own curriculum for Vacation Bible School. Our VBS is four days -- Sunday through Wednesday -- and is held in the evenings from 5 PM to 7 PM. We start each evening with a simple dinner for the children, followed by welcome time with music and prayer, an activity related to our theme, and an arts and crafts project. This year our theme was "Caring for God's Creation." Our congregation cares for God's creation by trying to restore a cedar glade, on our property. Cedar glades are found only in this part of middle Tennessee....
 
Click here to read more about how Faith Lutheran Church is using Vacation Bible School to teach children about caring for God's creation!
Advent Steps Back in Time

This year, the children and chaperones of Advent Lutheran Church in LaGrange, GA stepped back in time for our Vacation Bible School program. We traveled to the biblical time of the Roman Empire era at the Antiquity Center in LaGrange.. 

A group of 10 children and chaperones lived the life of a shepherd, learning about the customs and traditions of a shepherd's life. The children also experienced an archaeological dig, learned about the meanings of various crosses, designed their own crosses, and played on a water slide! Click here to read more.
Shared Meal at Christ Kiswahili

Diaconal Minister Rebecca Kolowe, front left (kneeling) and members of Christ Kiswahili Lutheran Church, Nashville, TN. 

Last week, Director for Evangelical Mission Rebecca Kolowe attended the Vacation Bible School program at Christ Lutheran Church in Nashville, TN. She also preached at the Kiswahili service on Sunday. After the service, Rebecca and the Kiswahili congregation shared a traditional African meal together. 

The congregation has recently received a refugee family from Congo and are working to get them settled and integrated into the community. This family is in great need of gift cards to places like Target and Kroger. If you'd like to learn more about helping the Christ Kiswahili congregation welcome this new refugee family, contact The Rev. Esther Ngomuo via email or at (615) 753-1952. 
Keep the VBS Photos Coming!

Send us photos along with a brief description of your Vcation Bible School program.  What time of day did you have it?  Was it only for children or was it intergenerational?  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.  
Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities

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. 
Religion and Race in U.S. Politics

Johnson C. Smith Seminary, Montreat Conference Center, and Columbia Theological Seminary announce the seventh Montreat Lecture Series, The Role of Religion and Race in U.S. Politics: A Post-Election Conversation on Christian Faith and Public Life. This series will include worship, lecture, and discussion each morning at the Montreat Conference Center from 9-11:30 AM on July 15-17, 2013. To read a complete description of the event, which features speakers Johnny B. Hill, Julia M. Speller, and Mark Douglas, click here. Advance registration is not required, and there is no charge for this event. 

"Putting Feet to Our Faith: Congregations in the Public Square" Clergy, congregational leaders, and others interested in turning theory into practice are invited to a panel discussion at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 17 in Convocation Hall at Montreat Conference Center. This panel will follow the closing session of the 2013 Montreat Lecture Series. Panelists include Joe Harvard, recently retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Durham, SC, Shannon J. Kershner, pastor at the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, and Carolyn and Charles Heyward, clergy leaders at St. James Presbyterian, Charleston, SC. Click here to learn more about this panel and to reserve a box lunch. 
A Bishop and a Bubba: 2013 Lectionary Preaching Workshop

Presenters:  

        
  • The Rev. H. Julian Gordy, Bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA (pictured on left)
  • The Rev. Dr. Delmer L. Chilton, Lectionary Blogger for Living Lutheran, co-creator and writer for The Lectionary Lab, aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible" (pictured on right)
Time: Tuesday, July 23 (all day) and Wednesday July 24 (until Noon)

Place: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 525 Sneed Road, Nashville, TN 37221

Presentations and Discussions: 
  • Why Lectionary Preaching Matters - Bishop Gordy
  • Personal Story and the Proclamation of the Gospel: Narrative and the Sermon - Delmer Chilton
  • The texts for Pentecost 13 (Proper 15) August 18, 2013 and the texts for Pentecost 14 (Proper 16) August 25, 2013
  • Worship using creative resources for those days
Cost: $50

Click here for a registration form. 
Interim Ministry for Today's Church
 
Join us for Interim Ministry for Today's Church 
August 5-7, 2013

Trinity Lutheran Church,
Hixson, TN

This training will be led by Dr. Les Robinson, Vice President of The Center for Congregational Health at Wake Forest University. 

Click here for more information and a registration form. 
Registration deadline is July 30.

This event is sponsored by the Southeastern Synod.
It fulfills the synod's minimal requirements for interim ministry and earns participants 1.7 CEUs.


Prophetic Renewal: A Conference on Starting or Renewing Your Church is the theme for the annual New Church Leadership Institute (NCLI) to be held August 6-9, 2013 and co-sposored by the UCC and PCUSA. Created seven years ago, NCLI features world-class church planting and renewal experts within the progressive church and is one of the main programs of the Center for Progressive Renewal (CPR). The conference will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott Conference Center; 130 Clairmont Road; Decatur, GA 30030. Prophetic Renewal will focus on six major themes including global trends that are reshaping what it means to be church in this time; how leaders can "retool" themselves to lead churches into a new age; and how to build sustainable ministries for the present and future. 

 

For those who desire to spend more concentrated time on specific issues, a one-day pre-conference intensive will be held in seven specific areas including "Pre-Launch Church Planting", "Digital Discipleship: Social Media in Ministry", "Post-Launch Church Planting", "Youth Ministry in the 21st Century", and "Social Justice: Community Organizing Training for Your Church Leaders."

 

Bring a team from your church and come to the conference. You don't want to miss this!

 

Click for more information and a flyer to share

More Learning Opportunities 
    
Augsburg Fortress Summer Music Clinic: July 19-20, 2013 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Click here for this and other summer music clinics. 

Stewardship with Adults Under 40 Possibilities Abound: July 29-31, 2013 at Luther Seminary. Click here.
Raise Your Voice - Opportunities for Advocacy


 
To learn more about the ELCA's approach to advocacy and important issues for 2013, visit the ELCA website.  

The 2013 Farm Bill
 
How Advocacy Impacted Recent Vote on 2013 Farm Bill: On June 20, 2013, the House of Representatives brought a farm bill to the floor for vote, but failed to pass the legislation. This was the first time that a farm bill has ever failed the House. The bill included more than $20 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) and $2.5 billion in cuts to international food aid. Learn more about the role of advocacy in preventing these cuts by watching the video above or visiting the Bread for the World website
 
Launch a Ministry of Advocacy: The ELCA's "That We May Speak...Our Ministry of Action" is a step-by-step guide to help congregations choose an issue and begin a ministry of advocacy. The study helps congregations gain insight and understanding about advocacy, develop a plan of action, and launch (or improve) a ministry of advocacy. The entire guide is available on the ELCA website 

 

E-Advocacy-Take Action Now!: Become a part of the ELCA advocacy effort by signing up for the e-Advocacy network. 
In This Issue
July 4 Message
Immigration Reform
Environmental Urgency
More Assembly Videos
God's Work Our Hands Sunday
Save the Date!
Windsor-Peterson Installation
Birkholz to Preach on Day1
ILAG Reflection
Funding Requests
Director of Music
Director of Philanthropy
Summer in the Southeast
Share Your VBS Photos
Hunger Grants
Religion and Race
Bishop and a Bubba
Interim Ministry
Prophetic Renewal
More Learning Opportunities
Raise Your Voice
Ordinations & Installations

 Quick Links  

























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Did You Know?  
 
The ELCA will elect a presiding bishop in August.  The 2013 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA will be held August 12-17 in Pittsburgh, PA.  The agenda includes elections of a presiding bishop and a secretary.
 
Click here for more information abouth the 2013 Churchwide Assembly.
  
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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

  

July 7:  The Rev. James Clark will be installed as interim pastor at Christ the King in Cumming, GA at all three worship services.
 
July 14:  The Rev. Chris Hansen will be installed as interim pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson, TN.  More details to come.
 
August 9: David Parr will be ordained at Reformation Lutheran Church in Greeneville, TN at 6 pm. Reception to follow. 
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LSG Spotlight
  
Save the Date for Our Gala!
  
 
Please join Lutheran Services of Georgia for its annual Heroes of Hope, Healing, and Strength gala on Thursday, August 29, 2013 to honor the heroes in our community. This year, LSG will be recognizing two important members of the community: The Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Marietta; and For The Kid in All of Us, a nonprofit organization that has supported LSG's programs through its fundraising events, the Toy Party and Backpack in the Park. 
 
If you are interested in coming to the gala or would like more information, please contact Lorraine Dorough at [email protected] or 678-686-9613.
 
For more information on LSG's work, like the LSG Facebook page or visit the website.
 
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Living   Lutheran   Spotlight  
 
Faith, Food
and Justice



Elise Mannebach admits she knew very little about farming before traveling to Chiapas, Mexico. But when the opportunity arose, her involvement with St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Wauwatosa, WI, and their sister congregation in El Salvador made her curious to find out more about how life in these two Spanish-speaking countries might compare. She signed up to be one of a group of 10 attending a "Faith, Food and Justice" trip with representatives of ELCA World Hunger to visit Chiapas and see the work of the Mexican Association for Rural and Urban Transformation or Amextra. Click here to read more about what she discovered. 

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The    Lutheran  
 
Lutherans 
Retrace Ancestors' Footsteps in Southeastern Synod
 
About 75 Lutherans of African and European descent dug into the history of black involvement with Lutheranism on May 16-19 at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church and New Ebenezer Family Retreat and Conference Center, both in Rincon, GA. Participants visited sites where free African-Americans worked with early settlers from Salzburg, Germany. 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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Malaria Campaign Spotlight 
 
  Malaria Program "Doing Wonders" in Malawi
 
 
Ms. Judith Jere, coordinator of the Lutheran Malaria Program in Malawi, spoke with ELCA staff in a March 2013 interview. Judith had excellent insights to share about malaria prevention, education and treatment in Malawi. "What I can say is that the malaria campaign is doing wonders. It's like a mircle. You know, at first many children were dying. But now the mortality rate has reduced significantly, and we're very proud about what ELCA is doing with our church." She also said, "Everywhere you go, you talk about the malaria campaign, women are just dancing and singing, because so many lives are being saved, especially under the young children under 5 years." Click here to read the entire interview on the ELCA Malaria Blog.  
 
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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
 
July 4
Synod Office Closed

July 6-21
"Roots to Wings" Germany Trip

July 23-24
Lectionary Preaching Workshop

August 5-7
Interim Ministry for Today's Church

 

August 12-18

2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

 

September 24-26

Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation at Lutheridge

 

View the entire synod calendar
here

 
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ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977