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E-News Weekly & Prayers, Please
The Southeastern Synod staff will be participating in the Leadership Convocation next week. The office will closed. Also, the E-News will take a week off and will resume the week of September 30.
In the meantime, consider signing up for Prayers, Please. Prayers, Please sends prayer requests from around the synod directly to your inbox. You can sign-up by clicking here and opting in to Prayers, Please. |
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Lutheran Disaster Response Responds to Colorado Flooding
 Record rainfall in September has produced major flooding in Colorado. According to news reports, hundreds of people remain unaccounted for or are missing and as many as seven people are feared dead. Three ELCA church buildings have sustained damage. More than 18,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed or impacted. Some areas continue to experience mudslides, damaged roads and downed power lines. Your help is needed to make a difference in affected areas.
Gifts designated to "U.S. Floods" will be used in full -- 100 percent -- to help disaster survivors clean-up, rebuild and recover. Your generous offerings of prayer and financial support will help those affected in Colorado and other areas on the long road to recovery. Click here to learn more about giving through Lutheran Disaster Response.
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Immigration Reform Will Benefit Georgia
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Floyd R. Blair
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Floyd R. Blair, President and CEO of Lutheran Services of Georgia, addressed immigration reform in an op-ed recently published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He writes, "Nearly 1 in 10 Georgians is an immigrant. Immigrants are our neighbors, friends, employees, and employers. Our diversity is what makes our state so vibrant. Immigration reform holds out the promise that newcomers will be able to more fully enrich our society and economy." Blair celebrates the progress towards humane immigration reform and family unity represented in U.S. Senate Bill 744. He also encourages Lutherans to urge leaders in the House of Representatives to pass bipartisan legislation confronting "the human suffering in their own communities and congregations" under our broken immigration system. Click here to continue reading.
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Southeastern Synod and Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta Coaching Training - Oct. 3-4, 2013
 Welcome to Coaching is a two day coaching immersion event led by experienced coaches. It is sponsored by the ELCA-CSM (Congregational and Synodical Mission) Coaching and Natural Church Development office. The Rev. Dr. Larry Clark, Pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL and Ms. Helen Harms, Coordinator of Coaching and Natural Church Development will be the leaders for this two day event that focuses on learning and practicing the skills of excellent coaching. Registration deadline is September 27, 2013. Click here to register or here to view an outline for the day.
Please contact conference registrar Maria Maldonado if you have any other questions at 733-380-2748 or by email. |
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Important Deadlines Coming Up
By October 14, all employers need to have entered their organization's 2014 Health Benefit Selection. For more information or to get started visit the Open Enrollment Center.
Open Enrollment for individual plan members is
November 1-22. Beginning November 1, individuals will be able to enroll in the health benefit program. Vist the Open Enrollment Center to learn more about open enrollment for individual plan members.
Don't Leave $500 on the Table
Time is running out to earn 2013 wellness dollars. ELCA-Primary members, earn up to $500 - or $1,000 if you have a spouse on the plan. Complete 30-A-Day and a few small steps by Nov. 30. (Prerequisite: Health assessment completion by Sept. 30.) Click here to learn more.
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LVC Suspends Program in Atlanta
 For the past few years, Lutheran Volunteer Corps volunteers have worked with organizations throughout Atlanta. This year, Abby Koning served as the Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator in our Southeastern Synod office. Lutheran Services of Georgia has also received several volunteers in refugee resettlement, communications, and other areas. It is with great regret that we announce that Lutheran Volunteer Corps' Board of Directors has decided to suspend the Atlanta program at the end of this volunteer year in August 2014. A number of factors influenced this decision including a failure to meet national recruitment goals for both volunteers and placements, and a weak financial position over the last several years. For these reasons, LVC is no longer able to sustain its program in Atlanta. Click here to read a letter from Sam Collins, President of LVC, describing the reasons for this difficult decision and expressing gratitude for the support of congregations, placements, volunteer supports, and companions. Thanks to all of the volunteers who have worked for peace with justice in Atlanta. |
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ELCA Hunger Education Grants
 ELCA World Hunger is eager to support educational efforts that help reach our goals of teaching, organizing, and mobilizing Lutherans to fight hunger and poverty in our communities and around the world. ELCA Hunger Education grants are available to support local ELCA efforts to educate and mobilize ELCA congregations, groups, and/or synods toward better action and engagement against hunger and poverty. This particular grant program is most appropriate for ELCA congregations, synod teams, or organizations which seek to teach others about the root causes and solutions of hunger. Proposals must be received by December 31,2013 to be considered. Click here. |
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"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday
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September 8 was "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday! Congregations throughout our synod are sharing photos and stories from their service projects on our website. If you'd like to see your congregation featured, email stories, photos, and reflections to Michelle Angalet. We'll also rotate "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday stories in our E-News Weekly!
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Wheelchair Ramp Build with Messiah!
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On September 7, the Carpentry Team of Messiah Lutheran Church (Madison, AL) built another wheelchair ramp in partnership with Case Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound (CASA) of Madison County. This was our biggest wheelchair ramp to date. The ramp was 62 feet long. It was also our biggest build in terms of attendance. Thankfully, we had a crew of 18 carpenters on the job. The family we built this ramp for was very grateful. The ramp took a bit longer than normal because of the size of the project and the build last 7 1/2 hours including load-up time. The above video is a time lapse of those 7 1/2 hours. Watch the video above or on the Messiah blog. Many thanks to everyone who participated in the build.
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Candidacy - Your Synod at Work
 One of the primary ministries for which synods are responsible is candidacy. Candidacy is the process of raising up, walking with, and preparing those who want to serve in public leadership roles in the ELCA. Public leadership roles include pastors, associates in ministry, diaconal ministry and deaconesses. These leaders are often referred to as "rostered" leaders in the ELCA.
Synods do this work primarily through candidacy committees. The Southeastern Synod Candidacy Committee meets three times per year over a three day period. A candidate is first "entranced", which means the committee recognizes potential for rostered ministry. Endorsement follows about halfway through the candidacy process and is the point when the candidate specifies, and the committee and seminary faculty validate, a specific roster category. Approval is the last official decision a candidacy committee makes, affirming the candidate's readiness for rostered ministry. The candidate then goes through the ELCA's assignment process and is "assigned" a particular synod from which their first call will come.
To lift up the important ministry that the Southeastern Synod Candidacy Committee carries out, and to get a glimpse of the candidates that this synod supports in the candidacy process, we will begin posting highlights after each committee meeting in the E-news.
At the August 2013 meeting, the Candidacy Committee:
-Endorsed John Billa for ordained track
- Home congregation - Telugu Mission/Cross & Crown, Chamblee, GA
-Endorsed Cory Driver for AIM track
- Home congregation - Redeemer, Atlanta, GA
-Endorsed Katherine Museus for ordained track
- Home congregation - Christ, Nashville, TN
-Endorsed Monica Weber for ordained track
- Home congregation - St. Timothy, Hendersonville, TN
-Endorsed Becky Whitlock for ordained track
- Home congregation - Holy Trinity, Kingsport, TN
-Approved Stephanie Luedtke for AIM ministry
- Home congregation - Gloria Dei, Knoxville, TN
-Approved Melody Simpkins for ordained ministry
- Home congregation - Redeemer, Atlanta, GA
Next candidacy meetings:
- November 7-9, 2013
- April 3-5, 2014 (deadline for paperwork is Feb 15)
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Bring Words of Hope to Detainees
 This fall, Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) will bring Words of Hope to detainees at the North Georgia Detention Center. Located in Gainesville, the NGDC houses immigrants, migrants, and asylum seekers awaiting deportation proceedings. Words of Hope is a new ministry of Friends in Hope, LSG's detention visitation program in which volunteers become compassionate presence for detainees. Adrainne Gray, a student at Columbia Theological Seminary and LSG volunteer, will coordinate this ministry. Female volunteers will travel to Gainesville, where they will use storytelling and story gathering to share inspiring Bible stories. Each volunteer group will include at least one fluent Spanish speaker. Contact Melanie Johnson for more information on how you can join LSG in this ministry. All interested volunteers must participate in a criminal background check and mandatory volunteer training conducted by the NGDC chaplain on Saturday, October 19, 2013. Click here to read more on the LSG blog.
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Physical Activity! Who Needs It?
 Less than one-half (48%) of all US adults meet the CDC 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Only three high school students in every ten are receiving 60 minutes of physical activity each week. Those living in the South are more likely to be less physically active than those living in the Northeast, Midwest, and Western regions of the country. How is your health? Do you need to add physical activity to become more fit? In her September article, Connie Pearson, Chair of the Southeastern Synod's Health Ministries Task Force, shares the benefits of physical activity and encourages people around our synod to become active and get moving! Click here.
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Rusty Edwards Joins The Marshall Tucker Band!
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Dr. Rusty Edwards (Christ - Marietta) played congas and percussion with The Marshall Tucker Band in Woodstock, Georgia on Saturday, September 14th, 2013, in front of a crowd of 14,000. Click here to see one of the songs, entitled "Take the Highway."
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Christ Lutheran Invites You....
Christ Lutheran Church (Cullman, AL) invites you to attend two upcoming events:
Afternoon Prayer Service and Open House Sunday, September 29, 3:00-5:00 PM
Join us as we joyfully celebrate the dedicate of our new church and the renewal of our life together in Christ. A brief prayer service will be followed by an Open House with refreshments.
Oktoberfest Dinner Friday, October 11, 5:00-7:00 PM Join us for a full German dinner including sour braaten, dumplings, German potato salad and green beans, applesauce, roll, drink, and cake. Adults - $10; Children - $3 Children can enjoy a German dinner or a hotdog, chips, drink, and dessert. Bouncies and games for kids are included. |
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Synod Council Meeting Highlights
The Southeastern Synod Council met on September 6-7, 2013, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta, Georgia. The council began its work with prayer and paused regularly for prayer during the meeting. It also engaged in activities to welcome new members and introduce members to each other. Click for highlights from this Synod Council meeting or to read the meeting agenda and exhibits . |
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WELCA Grant Recipients
 Granting funds to organizations and programs that support the needs and the development of women is one way that Women of the ELCA lives out its mission. This year, Women of the ELCA has awarded grants to the following two organizations in the Southeastern Synod:
Lutheran Services of Georgia (Atlanta, GA) has received a $2500 grant for Empowering Refugee Women through Education. This project eliminates barriers to attend an extended cultural orientation course and empowers recently-arrived refugee women to gain life skills needed to successfully assimilate into U.S. culture.
Applachian Helping Hands (Greenville, TN) has received a grant of $2000 for Bible Promises Health Kits for Women. This project offers hope and health care for women affected by poverty in Appalachia.
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Evangelism: Telling Your Story
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Advent Workshop with Gertrud Nelson
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Gertrud Mueller Nelson
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On Saturday, November 16, 2013, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Nashville, TN will host an Advent Workshop with artist and author Gertrud Mueller Nelson. Gertrud Mueller Nelson, author of To Dance with God: Family Ritual and Community Celebration, will help parents, pastors, and other church leaders make the connection between sacred story, community worship, family ritual, and living the Gospel in the world. This presentation will help spark ideas for bringing faith forming practices into the home and encourage the development of a deeper understanding of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Admission is free. Please RSVP by November 11 by emailing pastor.brian@first-lutheran-nashville.org or neelie.crooke@gmail.com. Click here to learn more. |
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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.
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Melt Me, Mold Me, Fill Me, Use Me
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Executive Assistant to the Bishop Michelle Angalet
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Last week I attended the Day 1 Prayer Breakfast at 2nd Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Our morning prayer was led by the Rt. Rev. Robert Wright, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. He led us in an a cappella singing of the old hymn, Spirit of the Living God. We sang the first verse through a couple of times, and it felt good. Here are the words:
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
I've thought a lot about what Bishop Wright said that morning. Maybe it's partly because we are preparing in the synod office for the Southeastern Leadership Convocation next week at Lutheridge. Or maybe it's partly because what he said was good food for thought. Maybe it's the Spirit working. Most likely it's all three. I'd like to share what I heard at that prayer breakfast last week, because good food is meant to be shared...
Continue reading.
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Sept 30 Deadline Approaching Funding
Have you submitted funding request?
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).
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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
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. |
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Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities
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Candler School of Theology Launches Five New Degree Programs
 Candler School of Theology is reaching out to doctors, lawyers, peacemakers, social workers, music directors, youth ministers and senior pastors with five new degree programs designed to expand the possibilities of reaching more people who want to make a real difference in the real world. The new degrees include a Doctor of Ministry,* Master of Arts in Religious Leadership, Master of Arts in Religion and Public Life,* Master of Divinity/Master of Development Practice, and Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work.* Click here to learn more. |
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Jesus and the Family
 Pastor Frank Honeycutt has just published a new book called Jesus and the Family: Crisis and Conversion in the American Household. Emory University homiletician Thomas G. Long had this to say, "Honeycutt sees Jesus slowly turning his gaze toward American family life, and sure enough, bombs explode in every chapter. Honeycutt employs his wit, insight, and engaging writing style to disclose how the gospel of Jesus exposes the superficialities of our conventional family dynamics and continually calls us to a deeper faith and a richer life together." Pr. Honeycutt, who was our Leadership Convocation speaker in 2011, has written numerous books on the pastoral vocation. If you are interested in his latest, you can find it at Amazon.com or directly from the publisher. |
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Women, Theology, and Ministry Annual Women's Forum: "Living Out Love"
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The Rev. Becca Stevens
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Featuring The Rev. Becca Stevens
Nov. 1, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Cox Hall, Emory University Campus, Atlanta, GA
Author, social entrepreneur and Episcopal priest The Rev. Becca Stevens will deliver the keynote address, "Living Out Love: Advocacy for Women as a Theological Practice." Stevens is founder and director of Magdalene & Thistle Farms, a community and social enterprise that stands with women recovering from prostitution and addiction. Magdalene, the residential model, serves women for two years at no cost to residents. Thistle Farms employs over 40 residents and graduates who manufacture, market, and sell all-natural bath and beauty products in over 200 retail stores across the globe. Recently named one of 15 "Champions of Change" by the White House, Stevens is the author of nine books and has been featured on NPR, PBS, CNN, Huffington Post and Christian Century, among others.
The Forum includes a luncheon featuring presentations by women of the Magdalene community, the keynote address, a book signing, and an optional discussion session for those interested in action strategies for women's advocacy in Atlanta.
Cost: $15; free for Candler students, with limited scholarships available for students from other schools. Register by Oct. 22 by contacting Brenda Bennefield at bsteven@emory.edu. Cox Hall is located on the campus of Emory University at 569 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322.
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Biblical Insights on Faithful Leadership
 Attend Who Am I to Go to Pharaoh? Biblical Insights on Faithful Leadership this fall on campus or online through The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP). This Biblically based, not for credit course was developed to equip and empower lay leaders, and is being taught by the Rev. Dr. Robert B. Robinson, Anna Burkhalter Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at LTSP. The cost for the course is $200 for individuals enrolling for flexible classroom or online study - a single registration covers both. The cost for congregational groups of two or more will be $250 per group. Click here to learn more and to register. |
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Prelude Music Planner
 Prelude Music Planner, offered through Augsburg Fortress, is a subscription web-based tool for music planning. It provides a wealth of music, thoughtful commentary, and time-saving tools for the church musician. Click here to sign up for a 14-day free trial or to participate in a free webinar. Also, Prelude Notes, Prelude's online newsletter, offers a number of opportunities to learn more about Prelude Music Planning. Click here for the latest issue. |
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Learning to Walk in the Dark
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Barbara Brown Taylor
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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.
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Blessed are the Peacemakers: Online Book Discussion
 From September 16 through October 18, Churches for Middle East Peace, Washington, D.C. and the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio will host an online book discussion for peacemakers across the nation. This five week discussion class is designed to assisted interested parties in becoming more familiar with the background and history of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians and to become better equipped to discern and analyze the issues at stake. Click here to learn more. |
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Join Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary for Campus Tours!
 All are welcome! LTSS invites church groups and individuals to visit our campus in Columbia, SC. We will be happy to arrange a walking tour of our historic campus. During the academic year, visitors are invited to attend chapel at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. A service of Holy Communion is offered at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.
Lunch is available after the chapel service at a cost of $6.75 (plus tax) for blue plate specials. A-la-carte items are also available. Advance notice of one week is requested.
In addition, Mr. James Johnson offers a program entitled "Liturgical Improvisation as Prayer and Devotion", with hymn improvisations on the organ illustrating a variety of combinations of text, tune, and musical form which is spiritual in nature. The program lasts about 30 minutes.
Other area points of interest include the Riverbanks Zoo, the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina State Museum, the state capitol building, and the University of South Carolina with its Gibbes Planetarium and Melton Observatory.
Tours may be scheduled through Diana London, Office of Advancement, at the seminary. Please contact her via email or at (803) 461-3218 during 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please consider a visit. You are always welcome at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary!
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All Aboard for Lands of the Bible Cruise
Join Dr. Monte Luker on October 7- November 1, 2014, for a 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 airfare 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.
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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. 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.
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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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LSG
Spotlight
LSG Case Manager Becomes U.S. Citizen!
On June 28, 2013, the United States welcomed Mohamed Ahmed as one of its newest citizens! Mohamed works as a Case Manager in LSG's Refugee and Immigration Services department. When he shares his story about becoming a citizen, he smiles with quiet pride. Mohamed's long journey to citizenship and a new home in the United States began when he, his wife, his children, and his mother left Somalia to escape the violent 1991 civil war. In November of 2002, his wife, his two sons, and his four daughters crossed the ocean together and arrived in the U.S. as refugees. Once their feet were firmly planted on American soil, Mohamed's wife applied for a family-based visa so he could join them. He arrived in Atlanta in the winter of 2008 and soon began volunteering with LSG, helping other refugees adjust to life in their new country.... Click here to read more about Mohamed's journey to citizenship on the LSG blog!
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My Job! My Job!
Why have you forsaken me?
My job! My job! Why have you forsaken me? Many of us have raised this litany in writing or praying during that most-dreaded time of losing a job. When forsaken by a job, or a relationship, or an addiction, or any other part of life that we inadvertently turned into a god, the call to discover what doesn't forsake us becomes thunderous. How can we appreciate what doesn't forsake us during difficult times of joblessness? How did the Israelites cope with similar times of loss? Click here to learn more.
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NovusWay Ministries Spotlight
Autumn Adults at Lutheridge Revelation: For the 1st and 21st Century
October 14-18, 2013
Come to Asheville in the fall for the beauty of the mountains, fellowship and stimulating Bible study. Pastor Tim Canniff-Kuhn, program director at Lutheridge, will lead a Bible study of Revelation which is one of the most powerful and misunderstood books of the Bible. The study will examine both the historical setting of the book as well as its application for today. The formats of both lecture and discussion will be used. The week also includes exploring the Asheville area which has become a popular destination. Set in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Asheville is a center for crafts and folk art, craft breweries and apple orchards. The program includes a motor coach trip to see fall colors, an (optional) outing exploring Asheville, and an evening of storytelling with Pastor Mary, co-director of program at Lutheridge.
Cost: $350 per person
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Living
Lutheran
Spotlight
Life-Changing Care in Bangladesh
Eleven-year-old Ratna Mannan was studying at home when the accident happened that would change her life. As she worked by candlelight, her linen dress caught fire and nearly 90 percent of her body sustained burns. Her father was a day laborer and the family did not have much money for medical treatment. Ratna was taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated for several months. As she grew over the years, though, her scars became tight, and her movements became constricted. She underwent operations over the years at a number of hospitals to alleviate her suffering.
Then, finally, at the age of 21, she was admitted to Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh, a hospital that specializes in maternal and children's health funded in part by the generous gifts ELCA members make to ELCA ministries through their Sunday offerings...
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Malaria Campaign Spotlight
Celebrate Program Launch in
South Sudan!
On September 6, our companions in South Sudan celebrated the launch of the Lutheran malaria program. The program will be active in Twic East and Duk Counties. As the program launches, several priorities have been identified for September: Identify and train malaria promoters. Identify and register at-risk households. Train school leaders on malaria prevention and control. Work with health facilities to educate pregnant women on malaria during pre-natal visits. In the coming months, the Lutheran malaria program in South Sudan will change lives. For more information, visit the ELCA Malaria blog. 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.
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Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Humane Enforcement
LIRS advocates for the humane enforcement of U.S. immigration laws and the reform of the U.S. immigration detention system. Migrants apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security are often placed into immigration detention, where they are held in jails or jail-like settings until they win their cases or are deported to their countries of origin. The number of migrants detained by the government has skyrocketed over the past years. In the fiscal year 1996, the government had a daily detention capacity of 8,279 beds. In 2012, that number increased to 34,000. Any non-citizens, including green card holders, asylum-seekers, trafficking victims, and torture survivors, are at risk of detention if federal officials believe they should be returned to their countries of origin. LIRS seeks to reform U.S. immigration detention policy to protect vulnerable migrants and to ensure the fair treatment of all migrants who come into contact with federal immigration officials. Click here to learn more about how you can support more humane enforcement of immigration laws.
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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 |
September 20-22
Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA Convention
Natchez, MS
September 23-27
Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation at Lutheridge
Synod Office Closed
September 30
Funding Request Deadline
October 3-4
Coaching Training
October 11-12
Free SES Youth
Ministry Training
November 2-3
All Tennessee Youth Gathering
View the entire synod calendar
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