|
ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Diplomacy Over Military Strike in Syria
 In response to a possible U.S. military strike against Syria, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, urged President Barack Obama to strengthen international diplomatic efforts to resolve the civil war in Syria. In a Sept. 3 letter to the U.S. president, Hanson expressed concern over Obama's Aug. 31 announcement that the U.S. intends to launch a military strike against Syria in response to the use of chemical weapons within that country. "I agree with your clear renunciation of any use of chemical weapons. Such weapons have no place in our world and their use by any party is unacceptable under any circumstances," wrote Hanson, adding that while "we weep for the victims of the most recent incident...I am nevertheless convinced that any U.S. military intervention within Syria will potentially release even greater suffering on an even wider scale." The ELCA presiding bishop wrote that the 4-million-member church is directly engaged in responding to the needs of Syrians displaced from their homes both within the country and in neighboring countries.... Click here to read more or click here to write to the president and your members of Congress to urge peace for Syria.
|
|
Elizabeth Eaton to be Installed as Presiding Bishop on Oct. 5
 The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton will be installed as presiding bishop of the ELCA on October 5 at Rockefeller Memorial College in Chicago. The installation is open to the public; tickets are not required. Worship begins at 2:00 pm (Central); doors open at 1:00 pm. A free public reception will follow. Click here for more. If you'd like to learn more about Elizabeth Eaton, MSNBC had loaded an clip from her interview on their "Morning Joe" show here. |
|
Health Care Reform: Information from Portico Benefit Services
To read about the open enrollment process and what steps employers and participants need to take in the days and weeks ahead, click here.
If you are an employer, be sure to visit the Employer Link for guidance in managing changes to health care benefits for employees.
Read Bishop Gordy's message on Portico and health care changes here.
Calculators and tools are available to help congregations estimate 2014 health insurance costs. Four plan options are available. The Southeastern Synod is recommending the "Gold+ Plan", which is the most comparable to current 2013 benefits. After employers have chosen a plan, Portico plan members may also choose to purchase additional coverage for themselves.
|
|
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday
|
|
 September 8 is "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday. Congregations throughout our synod are sharing their service projects for the day on our website. If you'd like to share your ideas with the synod, email Abby Koning. Don't forget to send us stories, photos, and reflections on what "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday meant for you and your communities! |
|
A Congregational Resource To Use
Our synod Administrative Liaison for Leadership Jeanette Burgess has written a special hymn for "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday. Jeanette has given permission for her text to be used, free of charge. It is also permissible to sing it to the tune of "Gather Us In" as long as you don't reproduce the tune. If the tune or accompaniment is to be printed or projected, you must either use OneLicense or seek permission from GIA, the publisher. Click here to download the lyrics for use in your congregation's worship service. Jeanette's hymn is also available on our website. |
|
Advocating Together
Is your congregation planning a service project for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday? Think about using this day of service to encourage more people in your congregation to become advocates at the local, federal and international levels. Write to your elected officials about a current public policy issue that relates to your Sept. 8 service work.
Ask your congregation to write a relevant elected official, sharing with them the story of your service and urging their support of policies that serve similar needs. For example:
- If you're working in a food pantry, you could relate that work to the greater needs of those who are hungry or undernourished in our country. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the federal food assistance program that helps millions of low-income Americans including children, senior citizens, persons living with disabilities and low-income workers access nutritious foods they need. Write to your member of Congress and urge them to pass a farm bill that maintains robust funding for SNAP. Here is an alert that you can use to write those letters.
- If you're cleaning up a local park, discuss what more your local government should do to help protect your local parks and open spaces for recreation and environmental protection. Contact your elected city or county officials and urge them to increase the amount of local funds designated to protect and preserve open space in your community.
- If you're packing supplies for refugee families or raising money for your companion synod overseas, relate that work to the federal government's international poverty-focused development assistance programs that provide emergency assistance to those who have been displaced from their homes by food scarcity or conflict and invest in local agricultural development so that communities can support themselves and avoid leaving their homes as refugees. Write to your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support reforms that would increase the U.S. Food for Peace program's efficiency and expand its reach.
If you cannot find an action alert on the ELCA Advocacy site that relates to your service activity, here is a link to some general tips for writing your public officials.
When your fellow workers have written their letters, collect and send them! Also, suggest that participants sign up for the ELCA e-Advocacy Network.
|
|
All-Tennessee Youth Gathering
 All-Tennessee Youth Gathering Registration is OPEN and available here. Please download the congregational informational packet which includes all your forms, then register your group online when you've received all your data from your participants. Registration closes on October 20. Our theme this year is GO! Did you know that the word GO is used in the Bible over 1500 times yet the word stay is only used 62 times? God is always moving his people forward! God is always sending us out! Come be inspired to Go! All-Tennessee is a weekend retreat for 6th-12th graders. Cost is $45 per person which includes meals, programming, a t-shirt, and a Riverboat Cruise! This year's Gathering will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson, TN. (Chattanooga area) Our In Kind Offering will go to the Trinity Voucher Program.
|
|
Back to School Bash!
The AUC Lutheran Campus Ministry along with the Episcopal Campus Ministry would like to thank all of the students who came out and celebrated the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. Over 118 students enjoyed food, games, new friends and dancing to music by DJ-Rich. The pinnacle of the bash was the drawings for AUC bookstore gift cards totaling $1,200 to assist with purchasing books and supplies. Congratulations to the following nine students who were awarded $100 gift cards: Braxton Shelton-Epps, Emmanuel P. Louis Jr., Chinnelle Mitchell, Christopher Jackson, Megan Martin, Ashley House, Donte Huffman, Destini Walton, and Rodney Perry. The following six students received $50 gift cards: Jawanza Harris, Jared Ross, Randall Patterson, Amani Jackson, Raven Benjamin and Chanel Trice. The AUC Lutheran Campus Ministry is housed in the Absalom Jones building at 807 Atlanta Student Movement Blvd. (formally Fair street). Stay tuned for much, much more!
|
|
"God's Work. Our Hands." ELCA Youth Coalition
 This past summer two hundred youth and their adult leaders worked together to serve the people of Nashville and Milwaukee. They are part of a coalition of ELCA congregations who combine their efforts to create mission trips for middle and high school youth. Borrowing the slogan of the ELCA, the coalition is called "God's Work. Our Hands." Many of these youth were from the Southeastern Synod; Christ the King (Cumming, GA) Epiphany (Conyers, GA), and Good Shepherd (Woodstock, GA) are all part of this coalition, in addition to congregations from North Dakota, Illinois, and numerous congregations from Minnesota.
 The combined efforts of these congregations and their dedicated youth allowed for two weeks of service in Milwaukee and two weeks of service in Nashville (the latter being hosted by First Lutheran). In addition to daily devotions and worship experiences, the youth grew in their faith and discipleship by serving at homeless shelters, food ministries, a thrift store operated by Lutheran Social Services, Boys & Girls Clubs and other organizations dedicated to children, Soles for Souls, First Lutheran's Vacation Bible School, nursing homes, urban gardens, and other organizations dedicated to serving others.
Throughout all of these activities youth were surrounded by Lutheran partners in ministry. In addition to the many ELCA congregations that send youth to serve, we are hosted by ELCA congregations and serve in the ongoing ministry of ELCA congregations such as Saint Paul's in Nashville and Ascension in Milwaukee. Youth who attended the Milwaukee trips were also engaged in conversation with leaders from the Greater Milwaukee Synod in topics of poverty, justice, advocacy, and race throughout the course of their service.
The coalition is actively engaged in planning for the summer of 2014 and looking forward to more impactful experiences of faith and discipleship as we return to serve our friends in Milwaukee and Nashville doing God's work with our hands. If your congregation would like to join us please contact Pastor Justin Ask.
|
|
Installation of The Rev. William Funk
 | |
Rev. Funk is installed by Rev. Paul Summer, Assistant to the Bishop
|
Living Word Lutheran Church (Arlington, TN) welcomed a new interim pastor to the pulpit on Sunday, August 11th. Pastor William Funk and his wife Helen have re-located from Spanish Fort, AL to serve as pastor of Living Word Lutheran Church, 11974 Walker Street in Arlington. He was installed by Rev. Paul Summer, Assistant to the Bishop. "I am excited to be the Arlington/Memphis area and to have the opportunity to preach regularly to these good people here in Tennessee," Funk said. The retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be with the congregation until they are able to call a pastor to replace Pastors Jason and Andrea Peterson who served the congregation for the nine years until accepting a call to Augusta, Ga. During his 44 years of ministry, Funk served six congregations, three of which were in Ohio. The last two congregations Funk was the founding pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, Louisville, KY in 1988 and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Daphne, AL in 2001. Living Word will be celebrating a 50-year anniversary on November 16 during the 9:30 worship service with Bishop Julian Gordy presiding. Worship is at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday followed by Sunday school. |
|
Correction: Welcome Back Cookout
Last week, we ran an article on a Welcome Cookout at Tyson House, the Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of Tennessee. Although Tyson House did indeed have a successful welcome feast, the article and photos in question were from Project Canterbury. Project Canterbury is a Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The photos were from their Welcome Back Cookout on August 15. Click here to learn more about this dynamic campus ministry! |
|
Cross & Crown Telugu Mission Anniversary Celebrations
|
|
St. Stephen Invites You...
Come and join us for one or all of our upcoming events at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church! We will be blessed to have you with us. For more information, call 404-284-7271.
|
|
Dedication Service at Christ Lutheran
You're invited to join Christ Lutheran Church (Cullman, AL) as we joyfully celebrate in two events the dedication of our new church and the renewal of our life together in Christ.
Event One: Sunday Morning Dedication Service
Saturday, September 15 at 10:30 AM
Rev. Paul Summer, Assistant to the Bishop
Guest Presiding Minister
Event Two: Afternoon Prayer Service and Open House
Sunday, September 29, 3:00-5:00 PM
A brief prayer service will be followed by an Open House with refreshments.
Both events will be open to the public.
|
|
Listening to the Sirens
 | |
The Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton
|
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville was located almost directly across the street from a firehouse and was on a main avenue between I-440 and a major hospital. All day, every day, sirens were a normal part of life, including during almost every worship service. One time at Church Council meeting a young pediatrician noted the fact that there were always sirens during worship and suggested we stop and acknowledge the need of those in danger and pray for the safety and skill of those going to the rescue. We eventually decided to include a brief moment of silence whenever there was a siren and a weekly petition in the prayers of the church.....
Click here to read more about listening and responding to life's "sirens" on our synod blog.
|
|
The Sarcastic Lutheran in Atlanta
 ELCA Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber, also known by her blog name as "The Sarcastic Lutheran", will be at Sandy Springs Christian Church for their "Real People, Real Faith" event on September 13 and 14. Pr. Bolz-Weber is the founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints, an ELCA mission church in Denver, CO, and a leading voice in the emerging church movement. Her writing can be found in The Christian Century and Jim Wallis' God's Politics blog. Click here for more details on this event. |
|
Planning Your Last Days Intelligently
 Thursday October 10 - POLST: What is the POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) & does it apply to me and my loved ones? POLST is a new form with actionable medical orders for the care a person receives at the end of life. Medical personnel from many settings such as nursing homes, ambulances, and hospitals will be able to turn the wishes of your advance directives into actions. The POLST form can be completed with your doctor. We will learn about the choices you can make, who the form is for, and when it is appropriate. Clarice Wasmuth, MSN, RN-CS, ANP, Optum Nurse Practioner, Christ the King, Norcross, GA member will lead the discussion. Wasmuth earned a BSN and an MSN from Emory. She has been a Nurse Practitioner in nursing homes in the greater Atlanta area since 1999 caring for the elderly and helping their families understand the diagnosis and care of their loved ones. For further information, call Christ the King Lutheran Church at 770-449-1211. The church is located at 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross, GA Peachtree Corners.
|
|
Employment Opportunities
Our synod website will now feature employment opportunities submitted by congregations and ministries throughout our synod. Click here to view descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions:
Full-Time Coordinator of Youth and Family Ministries: St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Memphis, TN
Organist Needed Immediately: Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge, TN
Full-Time Director of Youth and Family Ministries: St. John's Lutheran Church in Springfield, IL
Executive Assistant to the Bishop & Communications Support Specialist, ELCA Southeastern Synod
If you'd like to see your employment opportunity listed on our website, please submit your position title, description, contact information, application instructions, and other relevant information to Michelle Angalet. |
|
Register for Leadership Convocation
 | | The Rev. Dr. Clayton Schmit |
The 2013 Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation is a gathering for the rostered leaders and church professionals of the Southeastern Synod. This year's Leadership Convocation will carry on the long-standing tradition of stimulating presentations, inspiring worship, Sabbath, and fellowship for leaders. The Rev. Dr. Clayton Schmit, Provost of the School of Theology at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, will serve as our keynote speaker and will speak on the topic of Extraordinary Worship. The Convocation will be held September 24 to 26 at the Lutheridge Conference Center in Arden, NC. Click here to register. Visit our website for the agenda.
|
|
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).
|
|
Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities
|
|
|
Learning to Walk in the Dark
 | |
Barbara Brown Taylor
|
On September 26, Candler School of Theology at Emory University presents a public lecture by best-selling author Barbara Brown Taylor. While human fear of the dark is so well-established that "darkness" has become a synonym for everywhere we don't want to go, we are called to keep moving even when we cannot see the way ahead. In spite of everything we've been taught, learning to walk in the dark puts us on the sacred way of unknowing, where there are fewer obstacles to encountering the God we did not make up. This path opens the possibility that walking in the dark nourishes the soul as surely as walking by the light of day. Admission is free, but advanced registration is required. For more information and to register, click here.
|
|
Take Action Against Hunger This Month!
 This month, 200 Feeding America food banks across the country will partner with concerned neighbors everywhere to mark Hunger Action Month. The Atlanta Community Food Bank has put together a list of several ways you and your congregation can take action against hunger. On September 10 and September 22, ACFB will also host two public screenings of the documentary "A Place at the Table", a powerful film that tells the stories of three American families who face hunger in a nation with more than enough food. Click here to learn more or here for a calendar on how you can fight hunger every day this month! |
|
Coming Up with Novus Way!
 Women's Spiritual Retreat at Luther Springs (September 20-22, 2013): See Novus Way spotlight in the red sidebar.
Faith Alive! Confirmation Retreats at Lutheridge: Four weekends - seven retreats! Two separate retreats each weekend except in November. Our unique curriculum uses experiential learning to leave lasting lessons. Lutheridge staff provide supervision for campers, staying in cabins with campers and sharing their faithful witness. Campers can come alone or with a group. Lessons are geared to middle school, but 5th grade through high school youth are welcome to attend (campers will be placed in cabin groups with those close to their own age). Adult leaders are welcome and encouraged to participate, but not required to attend. Each camper creates a "witness" to share what they have learned with those back home. Pastors Tim and Mary Cannif-Kuhn provide program design and oversight, with involvement from other leaders.
Lord's Prayer (September 27-29, 2013): Youth will pray each part of the Lord's Prayer in fun, creative ways that engage brain and heart and make this familiar prayer take on a new meaning.
Apostles Creed (September 27-29, 2013): Learn the importance of saying "I believe" and meet each person of the Trinity in new ways - up close and personal.
New Testament Overview (November 1-3, 2013): Discover how the New Testament came to be, experience the main stories of Jesus' life and explore how Lutherans can understand the NT as the WORD of God.
Visit the Novus Way website to learn more about or to register online for upcoming youth programs. |
|
Making Sense Courses with David Lose
 | |
David J. Lose
|
Get your congregation talking with the Making Sense series by David Lose. Questions are a great way to engage small group participants. Each course in the Making Sense series invites participants to ask their faith questions, and then dialogue, reflect, and share with one another. David Lose, Director of the Center for Biblical Preaching and The Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, has designed each course to stimulate rich discussion, deepening understanding and faith. Click here to learn more!
|
|
Academy of Faith and Leadership
 Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary announces the formation of a new initiative, the Academy of Faith and Leadership.The Academy will offer continuing education opportunities to equip both lay and clergy for their lifelong work as ministers of the gospel.
"The Academy of Faith and Leadership fills a need for the communities we serve, here in the Columbia, in the Eau Claire neighborhood, and in churches around the region and beyond," said the Rev. Dr. Clayton Schmit, provost of the seminary. "The church is in need of educated and enthusiastic proclaimers of the faith from a variety of perspectives. So whether you are a pastor, Sunday school teacher, nurse, accountant, soldier, parent, retiree-or anything in between-we want to provide you with the confidence to lead Christ's church boldly into the future." Visit the AFL website |
|
All Aboard for Lands of the Bible Cruise!
 On October 17-November 1, 2014, join Dr. Monte Luker on the 16-day Lands of the Bible Cruise through Jerusalem, the Galilee, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Egypt, Italy, Sicily, and more! The all-inclusive starting price of $3998 includes: international airfair and airline fuel surcharges, most shore excursions, administration fee, port charges, fuel surcharges, and taxes. Click here to register or here to download and share a brochure. |
|
Lutheran Interpretation of Secular Law
 A conference on Lutheran interpretation of secular law will be hosted by the Valparaiso University Law School in Chicago, March 27-28, 2014. Lutheran theologians and ethicists and other theological disciplines, along with people in the legal professions, are the primary audience for this conference. W hile the program is still in flux, presenters will include Lutheran legal and theological scholars who are contributing essays to a book on this topic being edited by Marie Failinger of the Hamline University Law School and Ron Duty of the ELCA. The conference will also include a panel of Lutheran judges reflecting on how their faith operates in the way they live out their calling as judges in the courts of the land. Martin E. Marty will also give a luncheon address on March 28. Registration information will be available in early 2014 on the website of the Valparaiso University Law School.
There has been increasing attention paid by legal scholars in recent years to the role of religion in the interpretation of secular law. A number of essays and books have been published about the influence of various religious traditions on the interpretation of law. Until now, none of these works have considered this matter from a Lutheran perspective. This conference and the forthcoming book will begin to fill that void. This conference may also be looking for presenters, so if your field is in legal ethics or Luther and the law, you might consider contacting Ron Duty.
|
|
Fast Action for Immigration Reform
 Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) invites you and your congregations to sign up and participate in an interfaith 40 Days of Fasting, Prayer and Action for immigration reform. This national initiative is part of our interfaith coalition effort to keep the pressure on the U.S. Congress after the August recess to pass compassionate immigration reform legislation. Please join us and other faith communities across the country as we pray, fast, and advocate to change our broken immigration system. The 40 Days Fast Action for Immigration Reform starts the Sunday after Labor Day and lasts from September 8 to October 18. You can find more information and register for the action here. Information in Spanish is available here. |
|
Raise Your Voice - URGENT CALL FOR PEACE IN SYRIA
|
|
|
To learn more about the ELCA's approach to advocacy and important issues for 2013, visit the ELCA website.
Urge Peace for Syria!: APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TO CHOOSE THE PATH OF DIPLOMACY, NOT A BROADER WAR IN SYRIA
Last Saturday President Obama laid before the nation an important question: whether the U.S. should launch a military strike against Syria due to that government's alleged use of chemical weapons against its own people. The use of chemical weapons in Syria is heinous and inexcusable. These atrocities are an assault on human dignity, and violate international standards and law. However, the people of Syria, along with many others in the Middle East who are living through this time of profound instability, deserve our concern, compassion and accompaniment, not the escalation of an already horrendous war.
Bishop Munib Younan, leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and president of The Lutheran World Federation, has called on the world community to seek political rather than military solutions to the Syrian crisis. "While the use of chemical weapons is wrong, the forms of intervention being predicted thus far can do little to bring a positive outcome ... Such military intervention threatens to bring even greater suffering and instability to communities throughout Syria and the region as a whole ... The situation in Syria will be solved not with bombs but with diplomatic efforts and true dialogue among Syrians of goodwill ... To choose the path of diplomacy brings the Middle East closer to the goal of peace. Such a choice is not weakness, but the sign of peace and security."
Early this week, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson sent a letter to President Obama asking him to continue diplomatic efforts rather than pursuing military action in Syria .
Write to the president and your members of Congress urging them to strengthen international diplomatic efforts instead of authorizing military action that will only escalate an already brutal war. Ask your members to vote against an authorization to take military action against Syria. Ask the president not to take such action as well. PLEASE be sure to send to both the President and your members of Congress.
Commit to keeping all of these decision-makers in prayer, asking that God will continue to give them wisdom as they discern the best path to avoid atrocities while pursuing peace.
 E-Advocacy-Take Action Now!: Become a part of the ELCA advocacy effort by signing up for the e-Advocacy network.
|
|
|
************
|
|
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.
| ************
|
Living Lutheran Spotlight
5 Things to Know About 'God's Work. Our Hands.' Sunday
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday on Sept. 8 is an exciting and important opportunity for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary together as one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. If your congregation has been planning to participate, click here for five things you should know about this special day!
************
|
NovusWay Ministries Spotlight
Women's Spiritual Retreat at Luther Springs
September 20-22, 2013
"Come to the Well"
Experience. Encouragement.
Empowerment.
"Come and meet a Man who told me all about myself." (John 4:29)
Are you living too fast? You may be addicted to hurry! We will look at spiritual strategies for slowing down using Addicted to Hurry by Kirk Byron Jones (participants can purchase this book prior to the retreat if desired).
All women are invited to attend! Invite someone who needs to be away from the busyness of everyday life to be rejuvenated through the company of others and the beautiful grounds of Luther Springs. Join Pastor Vicki Hamilton, co-pastor at St. John's in Jacksonville, FL, as she leads us in our retreat. Bring your Bible, knitting, favorite book, favorite blanket, flashlight, and relaxing spirit. Massages (payable directly to the therapist), archery, hayless hayride, relaxation, new and old friends, excellent food, and "real" fresh air are awaiting you. Click here for more!
Cost: Kuhener Center - $115 per person; Morgan Village - $100 per person
************
|
The Lutheran
Hands-on Worship Adds Color, Variety to Church
Joel Eichler never felt totally at home in his congregation growing up because he believed other members "had no use for a deaf young man like me." So he didn't expect a different reception when he first attended Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland, Ore. But the small congregation, and its pastor, Glenn Chase, surprised him - and they continue to do so. Chase and others at Mount Carmel have extended their outreach by learning sign language so Eichler can have a more full worship experience! Click here to read more about how Mount Carmel is literally doing God's work with their hands!
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.
|
|
Malaria Campaign Spotlight
After 2015:
Then What?
 Since the inception of the ELCA Malaria Campaign, we've been aiming for a goal: 2015. This is a time-bound campaign, with a defined beginning and a defined end. We want to raise--and send to our partners--$15 million by 2015. Increasingly I'm hearing the question: then what? And it's a good question. Even "long-lasting" insecticide treated mosquito nets don't last forever. Anti-malarial drugs and testing kits need to be continuously resupplied. What will happen to our partners' malaria programs in Africa after 2015 (or in other words, when the money runs out?). Click here to learn what happens next! If you'd like to learn more about the Southeastern Synod's role in ending malaria, contact Jonathan Trapp, Chair of the synod's Poverty, Hunger, and Justice, task force, via email.
| | *********** |
|
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
National Action Alert - Stop the SAFE Act!
Five bills making changes to pieces of our immigration system have passed various committees in the House of Representatives and may eventually come up for a vote. Among these bills, one deserves careful attention - the Strengthen And Fortify Enforcement Act (HR 2278), or "SAFE Act" as it is known. If enacted, this bill would harm our communities and decrease access to justice, protections, and immigration reflief for certain migrants and refugees. As Lutherans and people of faith, we are deeply concerned over provisions in the SAFE act that conflict with our principles for a fair and compassionate immigration reform. Click here to learn more about the SAFE Act and how you can take action.
| | *********** |
|
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.
| | *********** |
| Synod Calendar |
September 6-7
Synod Council Meeting
September 8
God's Work Our Hands Sunday
September 13-14
Missional Hospitality
Savannah
September 20-22
Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA Convention
Natchez, MS
September 24-26
Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation at Lutheridge
Synod Office Closed
View the entire synod calendar
|
|
