|
ELCA to Install New Presiding Bishop on Saturday - Watch it Live.
 The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton will be installed as presiding bishop of the ELCA on October 5 at 2:00 pm CDT at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Chicago. The installation is open to the public. A live video stream of the installation will be available at the link below. The Rev. Jessica R. Crist, bishop of the ELCA Montana Synod and chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, will preach the sermon. Among the guests attending are representatives from the ELCA's full communion partners, members from The Lutheran World Federation, ELCA companions from around the world, and others. The liturgy will include a diversity of music led by organ, piano, bagpipes, brass, choir, soloists, drum, guitar, and more. Additional information on the installation is available here. Watch the installation live here. |
|
Southeastern Synod Staffing Changes
 | |
The Rev. Darrel Peterson
|
Effective November 1, the Rev. Darrel Peterson will retire after serving as an Assistant to the Bishop in the Southeastern Synod since 2007. Rev. Peterson joined the synod staff as a part-time Stewardship Specialist. Since then he has served in roles of increasing responsibility, always willing to serve as the synod had need. For the last several years he has served congregations in Georgia in the call and mobility process. He has also been a member of the Lutheran Services of Georgia Board of Directors and continued in his role as a stewardship resource for congregations throughout the synod. Rev. Peterson is a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta, GA. We give thanks for Pastor Peterson and for his many years of faithful service to the ELCA and the Southeastern Synod.
 | |
AIM Michelle Angalet
|
On November 1, Associate in Ministry Michelle Angalet will become Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Communications. In this role she will work with congregations in Georgia to support them in the call and mobility process. She and the Rev. Paul Summer, Assistant to the Bishop, will also begin working with Bishop Gordy and the Southeastern Synod Candidacy Committee. She will also continue to be responsible for synod communications. Ms. Angalet has served as Executive Assistant to the Bishop since December 2012. She is a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Woodstock, GA.
 | |
Ms. Carolyn Davis
|
Effective today, October 4, we also welcome Ms. Carolyn Davis to the synod staff. Ms. Davis will serve as Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Communications Support Specialist. In this role she will work closely with Bishop Gordy and Ms. Angalet. For the last two years, Ms. Davis has served as a volunteer in the synod office. She brings years of experience as a service representative and manager at Bellsouth and most recently served as accounts manager with a local dental practice. Ms. Davis is a member of Living Grace Lutheran Church, Tucker, GA. You can email Ms. Davis at cdavis@elca-ses.org.
 | |
Ms. Abby Koning
|
On September 27, we also bid farewell to Ms. Abby Koning. Ms. Koning served as our Lutheran Volunteer Corp Volunteer from August 2012 through July 2013. During that time she was the synod's Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator. Since July she has continued to support our synod communications on a part-time basis. We give thanks for her and for her work and wish her Godspeed as she transitions to employment with Lutheran Services of Georgia as their Communications Coordinator.
|
|
NovusWay Announces Staff Changes
 | |
The Rev. Mike Ward
|
Keith Johnson, executive director for NovusWay Ministries, has announced that the Rev. Mike Ward will be changing his work status effective January 1, 2014. For the past 12 years Ward has served first as Development Director and later as VP of Advancement with responsibility for financial development and marketing. Ward will continue to be responsible for marketing on a part-time basis. Read more here. |
|
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. You must have completed a health assessment in order to earn the additional wellness dollars. Click here to learn more.
|
|
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. |
|
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday
|
|
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 Carolyn Davis. We'll also rotate "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday stories in our E-News Weekly.
|
|
At the Firehouse with St. Stephen!
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Decatur, GA celebrated the ELCA's 25th anniversary along with St. Stephen's 57th year anniversary on September 6th - 8th. On Saturday Aspiring Adults filled gift bags with water, chips, and snacks and made a "thank you" poster to surprise our local fire house, station #24, in Stone Mountain, GA. They filled the van with the gift bags, the poster and cases of water and arrived at the fire house. They presented the poster and thanked them for all they do to protect the community. The firemen on duty were surprised and thankful. They were working their 12 hour shift but took time out to show the youth around, explain fire safety, answer their questions and let them get inside the fire truck.
|
|
Christian Theology Course at LTCA
The ELCA Southeastern Synod Mission Lay School is offering Christian Theology Made Simple, a two session course for people interested in learning more about what it means to think about how God works in the world.
These introductory sessions are designed to offer the broad strokes of an outline for equipping individuals for doing constructive and practical theology in congregations, communities and other social contexts. We will learn how to follow Christ's commands to love one another as we love ourselves. In the most practical sense, the class focus is on how we talk and live out our faith. Christianity is about the day to day, hour to hour practice. The ability to speak about why and what we believe is important. The will to practice Christianity is at the heart of the matter. This class will help participants do that.
The course will be taught by Dr. Andrea Green and by Ms. Joanne Astalos. Dr. Green is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA and also serves on the faculty at the Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, GA. Ms. Astalos practices as a spiritual director.
 | |
Ms. Joanne Astalos
|
Sessions are $10 each and will meet at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta GA 30307. Session 1 is Friday, Oct 18 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm and Saturday, October 19 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Session 2 is Friday, December 6 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm and Saturday, December 7 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
You can register here. For questions or additional information, email ltcaadmin@itc.edu or call 404-614-6328.
|
|
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 approved Associate in Ministry Melody Simpkins for ordained ministry, and Ms. Stephanie Leudtke for lay rostered ministry.
 | |
AIM Melody Simpkins
|
About Melody Simpkins - Melody is completing her Master of Divinity degree through Luther Seminary's Distributive Learning Program. She currently serves as Vicar and Minister of Faith Formation at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, GA. She previously served as Associate in Ministry at Faith Lutheran Church in Knoxville, TN. She is married to the Rev. Matt Simpkins, Lutheran Campus Ministries and House of the Rock, Atlanta, GA. She and Matt have two children.
 | |
Ms. Stephanie Leudtke
|
About Stephanie Leudtke - Stephanie has been approved to serve as an Associate in Ministry in the ELCA. She and her husband, the Rev. Eric Luedtke, recently moved from Knoxville, TN to Milwaukee, WI where Eric has taken another call. Prior to their move, Stephanie served on staff at Messiah Lutheran Church in Knoxville, TN.
Click here to see other highlights from the August 2013 Candidacy Committee meeting.
|
|
Ellingsen Featured on Atlanta TV
 | |
The Rev. Dr. Mark Ellingsen
|
The Rev. Dr. Mark Ellingsen, Professor of Church History at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, ELCA pastor, and frequent teacher in classes offered by the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, is on TV again -- this time in a new series on Atlanta's AIB-TV. Tune in Tuesday, October 8 at 5:30 pm EST to learn more about "How African Christianity Has Shaped American Religious and Political Life." We all know about Jefferson's, Madison's and Jonathan Edwards' contributions to American life. But turns out they were indebted to important figures in early African Christianity (esp. St. Augustine). Tune in Tuesdays in October at 5:30 pm to learn more.
|
|
Oktoberfest at Christ Lutheran, Cullman, AL
You are invited!
Friday, October 11, 5:00-7:00 pm CST
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.
|
|
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 . |
|
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.
|
|
Advent Workshop with Gertrud Nelson
 | |
Gertrud Mueller Nelson
|
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. |
|
Tee Off with Lutheran Services of Georgia at the Savannah Golf Classic!
On Monday, October 21 at 11 am EST, you're invited to tee off with Lutheran Services of Georgia at the 10th Anniversary Savannah Golf Classic. Held at The Club at Savannah Harbor, the outing will benefit LSG's many social service programs for people in need throughout Georgia, including adoption, foster care, refugee resettlement and immigration services, family intervention services, and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The outing will feature special opportunities for golfers including Longest Drive Challenge, silent auction, awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, and a chance to win a new Buick, courtesy of Critz, Inc.
Each year, the Savannah Golf Classic receives strong financial support. Over the past nine years, this event has raised more than $175,000 to serve individuals in need throughout Savannah and the surrounding area.
 | |
Mr. Ben Tucker
|
The 10th Anniversary Savannah Golf Classic will also remember Mr. Ben Tucker, legendary jazz musician and member of Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Savannah. Ben died on June 4, 2013, when a car crashed into his golf cart. Ben was a much loved and active supporter of LSG, and will be missed.
For information on sponsorship and participation, contact Linda Larson at llarson@lsga.org or 912-353-8875, ext. 120. Click here for more about Lutheran Services of Georgia. |
|
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.
|
|
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
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 Carolyn Davis. |
|
Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities
|
|
|
Connect with Care for the Troops
 Care for the Troops' mission is "to care for those who have borne the battle, and their spouses, children, and families." By working with organizations, congregations, and community leaders, Care for the Troops helps connect military families to providers of spiritual and psychological services. Care for the Troops sends out periodic e-newsletters with useful information and resources. This month's newsletter includes tips on becoming a Veteran Friendly Congregation, upcoming events, webinar series, and more. Read the newsletter or visit the website for more on how you and your congregation can care for the troops!
|
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Women, Theology, and Ministry Annual Women's Forum: "Living Out Love"
 | |
The Rev. Becca Stevens
|
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.
|
|
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. |
|
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. |
To learn more about the ELCA's approach to advocacy and important issues for 2013, visit the ELCA website.
Jesus Weeps--Resisting Violence, Building Peace at Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2014: Join hundreds of Christians at the 12th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days in "Resisting Violence, Building Peace." Guided by the image of Jesus weeping over a capital city that turned from the true way of peace (Luke 19:41-42), we will expose the violence that pervades our culture and world. On Friday, March 21 to Monday, March 24 we will gather in Washington, D.C. to focus on the ways various forms of policies promoting violence can be transformed to policies which enable peace. Click here for more.
 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.
| ************
|
LSG
Spotlight
Celebrating Our Heroes of Hope
LSG thanks all who attended our 6th annual Heroes of Hope, Healing, and Strength Gala on Thursday, August 29, 2013. Each year, LSG honors an employee, donor, or member of the community who embodies our mission of bringing hope, healing, and strength to those in need. This year, we recognized ELCA pastor the Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards and For the Kid in All of Us for their heroic contributions.... Click here to read more about the evening's festivities on the LSG blog!
************
|
Here's a sneak peek at what's coming up in future issues of The Lutheran!
November cover story: Community organizing as a way to "do church."
Special Higher Education Section: ELCA colleges and universities help students find jobs; targeted scholarship for seminarians; a Q&A on vocation; and briefs
Memory: North Carolina church starts a cafe to reach those with dementia.
Sandy: How congregations have recovered after the superstorm.
Veteran help: Social service agency works to reintegrate women who have served in the military.
Drought: Lutherans provide aid in Namibia.
Intergenerational: Lutheran agencies support relationships between seniors, adults, children.
Excerpts from The Lutheran are available on the website. To read the issue in its entirety, consider purchasing a one-year online subscription for only $11.95.
************
|
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
************
|
Living
Lutheran
Spotlight
Part of the
Body of Christ
Before studying to become a diaconal minister, Susan Lindberg had worked for nearly 15 years supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. "For some people with disabilities," she says, "they have not had that opportunity for even the little things at church. We talk a lot about loving God and loving our neighbors, but people with disabilities are all too frequently overlooked."
It was with this in mind that Susan founded All Right Ministry, a worshipping community in Wayland, Mass., that strives to create spaces where people with and without disabilities can come together for worship experiences where all can participate....
|
|
Malaria Campaign Spotlight
Fighting Malaria -
with Pottery!
Recently, Juma Sumahill received a grant from the Lutheran Malaria Program in Mozambique, which helped him to begin his malaria-fighting small business: he makes pottery. With the grant he received, Juma purchased a kickwheel and built a kiln in his backyard. Selling his pottery allows Juma to generate income for his household. His handmade water jugs are specially designed to prevent mosquitoes from getting in. Click here to see Juma's story, in photos and video. 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
'New Models For Alternatives to Detention in the US' - LIRS Staff Write at Forced Migration Review
Forced Migration Review, the foremost international journal aimed at improving policy and practice for people affected by forced migration, has just published an article written by LIRS staff. The LIRS contribution "New Models for Alternatives to Detention in the US" offers insight gained on the front lines of LIRS' work for migrants impacted by detention, as well as their work for migrant children. The authors also examine challenges facing community-based alternatives to detention. Click here to read more!
| | *********** |
|
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 |
October 10-11
ELCA Latino Strategy Team Meeting
October 11-12
Free SES Youth
Ministry Training
October 26
Talking Together Cross-Culturally at St. Paul, Mobile, AL.
November 2-3
All Tennessee Youth Gathering
November 7-9
Candidacy Committee Meeting
View the entire synod calendar
|
|
