| 2013 Reformation Day at LTCA
 The Rev. William Flippin Jr., Senior Pastor, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA will preach at Reformation Day Chapel at The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Atlanta, GA. The service will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 11:00 am. LTCA is housed on the ITC campus. The Rev. Flippin joins past notables to commemorate this astute occasion when Martin Luther and other men called "the Reformers" helped the church find its way back to the Bible and back to Jesus.  |
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14 Reasons to Get a Flu Shot!
It is time again for an annual flu shot! Will you go willingly to get that shot or will you be one of those who looks for an excuse for not putting your arm out? We know that there are some people who cannot receive vaccines for a variety of reasons. For the rest of us, there are plenty of reasons to get a flu shot! Here are mine - I hope these help you to decide to protect your health with a flu shot this year! Click here to read more about flu shots.
Submitted by Ms. Connie Pearson, Chair, Heath Ministries Task Force
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Outdoor Altar Dedicated in Memory of the Rev. William Diamond
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Pictured left to right at the altar dedication are Deacon Joy Davis (St. Patrick's Episcopal Church), the Rev. H. Julian Gordy, and the Rev. Jay Weldon
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On Pentecost XXII, 2013, Bishop H. Julian Gordy, ELCA Southeastern Synod, rededicated the baptismal font of the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour (LCOS) and dedicated an outdoor altar in memory of the Rev. William F. Diamond. Pastor Diamond, who died on the Eve of the Sixth Sunday of Easter, 2013, served St. Patrick's Episcopal Church as its first Lutheran-Pastor-in-Residence.
The Rev. Jay Weldon, pastor of St. Patrick's and LCOS was the preacher of the day. He began: "Many of you are no doubt disappointed to see me preaching this morning. You hear me every week, and here the bishop has come and yet he asked me to preach. So I have decided that I won't preach to you this morning. Instead, I would like to talk only to the bishop. Bishops are so hard to talk to because their minds are busy with important things, so since I have a captive audience with one H. Julian Gordy today, I would like to take advantage of that. And since I will be talking about many of you, you probably don't want to listen." Click here to continue reading.
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Stewardship. There. It's been said. Many congregations and congregation leaders struggle with saying the word. It's often heard said that the word makes people uncomfortable, that it too often implies "money," something many are reluctant to talk about in the church, for lots of different reasons.
But stewardship is more than just talk about how we manage our money. It's about discipleship and how we live out our lives as children of God, blessed with an abundance, even when what we have might not seem like much.
Beginning today, the Southeastern Synod Stewardship Table will have a weekly presence in our enews. We want to talk about stewardship. We want to begin creating a culture in which the word "stewardship" brings to mind the way we live out our lives as stewards of what God has given us. We want you to talk with one another about what stewardship means in your congregations, in your homes, in all areas of life.
We'll lift up resources. We'll share stories of how God is working in our Southeastern Synod and around the world. We'll ask for your thoughts and ideas.
So, here goes... 
If you haven't already seen this, check out the ELCA's newest stewardship resource - Stewards of God's Love. It's intended to help congregations think about year-round stewardship. Copies are $7 each. It's also available free as a download.
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Southeastern Synod Kicks Off ELCA Malaria Campaign Goal
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Mr. Jonathan Trapp, Southeastern Synod Malaria Campaign Coordinator
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Jonathan Trapp, Synod Malaria Campaign Coordinator, reflects on the campaign goal... I feel very fortunate in that through the various activities and groups I am involved in, I get to talk with a lot of people. It seems that whenever discussions turn to problems in our local area, or something we wish our government would (or wouldn't!) do, or about problems in the world, I hear a constant refrain of, 'yeah, that is awful... but what can I do? I'm just one person.'? It's a sentiment I completely understand, I've said it on too many occasions myself! Read on
More about the Southeastern Synod's Malaria Campaign goal...At the September 2013 meeting of the Southeastern Synod, a synod goal of $250,000 and 100% congregation participation was set for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. To date, Southeastern Synod congregations have already raised $80,299.73 towards that goal. That means we are about one-third of the way there! Our goal will help the ELCA Malaria Campaign achieve it's goal of $15 million dollars through 2015. Read here about how Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa, doubled its ELCA Malaria Campaign goal because the congregation knows their gifts make a difference in the lives of many in sub-Saharan Africa. They know it's a Jesus thing! |
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God's Work. Our Hands.
September 8 was "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday. Congregations throughout our synod shared photos and stories from their service projects on our website.
We're pleased to know that "God's Work. Our Hands." continues past September 8. If you'd like to see your congregation featured, email stories, photos, and reflections to Carolyn Davis.
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God's Hands...
Fifteen members of Peace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, TN, put their hands to work and set a record for shortest time to restock the FISH food pantry on September 22, 2013. About 400 bags of groceries were bagged and the pantry shelves were restocked within 1 ½ hours. The bagged groceries are used throughout the month to provide food for people in the Knoxville area who struggle daily to provide nutritious meals for their families.
and Feet!
Peace members also put their feet to work on October 6, 2013. Over 19 members joined 300 people in the Hunger Hike to raise funds to purchase food for the FISH pantry. With supplemental funds provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Peace raised over $2,000.
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Funding Request Deadline Extended to November 1
The Southeastern Synod's Budget and Finance Committee has extended the deadline for submitting proposals for funding in the 2015-16 Ministry Funding Plan. The new deadline is November 1. Agencies, institutions and other groups who wish to request synodical funding should submit their requests online, using the following link:
2015-16 Funding Request.
The deadline for committees and task forces to submit their requests has also been extended to November 1. Committee and Task Force chairpersons should submit their funding requests for the 2014-15 fiscal year, using the online form located at: Committee/TF Funding for 2014-15.
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New Anthem Inspired by Get Low
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The. Rev. Scott Seeke
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Just released by Augsburg Fortress is a new choral anthem co-written by Southeastern Synod musician, Bill Pasch, and Southeastern Synod pastor, the Rev. Scott Seeke.
The 2009 feature film Get Low, starring Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, and Bill Murray, was filmed in Georgia (Newnan, Dallas, and other locations around Atlanta). The story that became the screenplay was authored by Scott Seeke, based on the true-life events of the Rev. Beth Birkholz's family history. Pastor Birkholz is married to Pastor Seeke.
In preparation for Scott's appearance as guest speaker for a
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Dr. William Pasch
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screening of the movie in the "Faith and Film" series at Saint John, Griffin, GA, Bill composed a tune and musical setting to which he and Scott added words and developed into the full anthem.
The "bluesy-gospel style" of the anthem (as described by the Augsburg Fortress website) pays homage to the setting and major themes of the film. As the Augsburg website also says of the new piece, "This anthem reminds us that we need to humble ourselves before entering the kingdom of God."
While written for unaccompanied SATB, many choirs will find the anthem accessible and even fun to sing. Perhaps most appropriate for Lent, it can be used any time that repentance and humility are emphasized.
Click here to order sheet music from the Augsburg Fortress online store.
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Social Media for Congregations - 
A How-To Workshop
Know that you need to do something with social media for your congregation but not sure what or how? Join us for a workshop to learn together. The Rev. Scott Seeke will lead a hands-on discussion to talk about communicating and connecting through social media - why, how to, best practices, and your questions. Join us on November 18 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm in the Southeastern Synod Office. Space is limited. Email Carolyn Davis or call her at 404-589-1977, X235 to sign-up. The office is located at 100 Edgewood Avenue, Suite 1600, Atlanta, GA 30303.
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An Everyday Hero
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The Rev. Marcia Schultz
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The Rev. Marcia Schultz, pastor, Bethel Lutheran Church, Biloxi, MS is being honored as an "Everyday Hero" by Interfaith Partnerships for Information, Education and Training. Of Pastor Schultz' accomplishments, the review panel noted, "your community activities have clearly made a positive impact in improving the quality of life for your congregation as well as the community."
In addition to serving her congregation, Pastor Schultz is actively engaged in Camp Victor Ministries, Loaves & Fishes and the Interfaith Disaster Task Force. She writes, "This award acknowledges all the gifts of time, talents and finances that our congregation is blessed with and pours out to making life better for people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It is not any more remarkable than what [is done by] most of the other congregations on the coast or around the world. It is good to intentionally recognize the contributions we make in order to encourage others to seek to do the same, and even more, and to uplift the gifts for ministry God has given to us."
Along with four other local pastors, Pastor Schultz will receive her award at the Everyday Heroes Ball on Saturday, November 2.
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| Lutheranch Hosts SES Youth Ministry Leaders
 A great time was had by all! Standing on the dock of Kingfisher Lake are the youth ministry leaders (volunteers and staff) who attended the October 11 - 12 synod training retreat organized by Ms. Rachel Alley, Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Ministries. This overnight retreat packed in valuable discussion and activity time around creating healthy boundaries in our ministries, building congregational youth ministry leadership teams, using games as learning tools, networking, fellowship, and discovering the gifts, beauty, and potential of Lutheranch  in youth and family ministry. Mark your calendar as Rachel plans to offer this retreat on an annual basis in the future!
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Christ Lutheran, Prattville, AL in the News
Members of Christ Lutheran Church in Prattville, AL, participated in a River Region Food Policy Council listening session on Sunday, October 13, to talk about food scarcity and food policy issues affecting Central Alabama. The members of Christ's quilting ministry donated a quilt to the Food Policy Council in appreciation for their visit. The Council plans to auction the quilt at an upcoming fundraiser. You can click here to visit the River Region Food Policy Council website.
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Natalee, Food Policy Council volunteer, Rebeca Kolowe, Diaconal Minister and Director for Evangelical Mission, Southeastern Synod, The Rev. Daniel Pharr, Pastor Christ Lutheran, and Skye Borden, Food Policy Council director
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WELCA Boldly Responds with Love
 On August 23rd & 24th the Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA had seven In-gathering locations across the synod to collect this year's Quilts & Kits for Lutheran World Relief.  A total of 31,628 pounds was collected, exceeding the 2013 goal and surpassing last year's collection by 3500 lbs. Click here and scroll down the page to read more about their success. |
Lutheran-Catholic Discussion 2013
at St. Paul, Mobile AL
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The Rev. Joy Blaylock
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It seems a long way in the future, but the year 2017 is really not so far away, after all. It will be the 500th anniversary of the fateful year when Martin Luther offered his 95 theses for debate on indulgences and abuse, leading ultimately to what we now call "The Protestant Reformation."
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The Rev. Randy Jones
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At 7:00 pm on Sunday evening, November 3 (as near as possible to "Reformation Sunday"), the original issue that set Luther off, that of the sale of indulgences, will be examined. The context of the discussion is to suggest that the "Reformation" didn't have to happen-at least, not the way it unfolded. The background of the 16th century, the 95 Theses themselves, and the "rebuttal" offered by Dominican Johann Teztel, a leading proponent of the indulgence sale, will be explored.
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The Rev. David Tokarz
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The event will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mobile, AL. Presenters include the Rev. Joy Blaylock, Pastor, St. Paul, the Rev. David Tokarz, Pastor, Our Savior Catholic Church, Mobile, AL; and the Rev. Randy Jones, Pastor, Messiah, Montgomery, AL. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. A Q&A session is planned. Please join the discussion!
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Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities
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| News from Novus Way
Modern Mind ~ Ancient Soul presented by AwakeningSoul at Lutheridge
November 7 - 10, 2013
Come experience fresh ways of imagining God with us... engaging the Modern Mind while touching the Ancient Soul within. At the heart of our time together will be conversation sparked by Lauren Winner and Jerry Wright. We've invited them to be with us, not because they have "the answers", but because they speak with integrity, wisdom, vulnerability, humor, and honesty about the journey.
Lauren Winner is an author, a Christian Spirituality professor at Duke Divinity School, and an Episcopal priest. Lauren, the consummate seeker, is the child of a Jewish father and a lapsed Southern Baptist mother. She chose to become an Orthodox Jew and was later baptized and ordained.
Jerry Wright is a Jungian analyst, pilgrimage leader and Presbyterian minister. Drawing from the deep well of psychology and theology, Jerry shares his experience of God through the lens of Carl Jung's work.
The event is much more than a series of lectures. Brian Prior, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, will be our chaplain, weaving the experience together through worship and storytelling. Fran McKendree, and an amazing ensemble including Lindsey Blount, River Guerguerian, Charles Milling, and Duncan Wickel, will create music to punctuate the learnings and vibrate our souls. Our space will be surrounded by inspiring images by folk artist RaRa Schlitt.
We invite you to come for Sanctuary, Sustenance, and Inspiration.
Click here to register online.
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BibleWorks Workshop
 The Pitts Theology Library at the Candler School of Theology has invited Mark Cannon from BibleWorks to conduct two three-hour training sessions on BibleWorks 9, powerful Biblical exegesis software commonly used by scholars, pastors, and students. The sessions will be held on Monday, November 4th, from 8:30am to 11:30am, and from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Both sessions will be held in Cannon Chapel at Emory University, Room 106. The first session, the BibleWorks Essentials Workshop, will offer a broad introduction to BibleWorks, and the second, the BibleWorks Intermediate Workshop, will demonstrate more advanced features of the software. Registration is open to all, and the cost is $30 for each session. To learn more and to register, click here.
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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. |
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.
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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:
Part-Time Music Director/Organist:
Epiphany Lutheran Church in Conyers, GA
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. |
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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 Carolyn Davis. Carolyn 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 Thursdays.
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Portico
Open Enrollment Coming Soon...
Beginning November 1 through November 22, individuals will be able to enroll in the health benefit program. Visit the Open Enrollment Center to learn more about open enrollment for individual plan members.
For more information, login to myPortico and visit the Open Enrollment Center.
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Did You Know?
What does it mean when we say in the Apostles' Creed that we believe in the 'holy catholic church'?
Here's a question posed by a LivingLuthern reader. Click here to read the answer.
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Installations & Ordinations
October 27
The Rev. Ben Moravitz will be installed as pastor at Incarnation Lutheran Church, Marietta, GA, at 3:00 pm. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red.
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All-Tennessee Youth Gathering
Youth Gathering Registration is OPEN and available
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 November 2nd and 3rd at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson, TN (Chattanooga area). Our In-Kind Offering will go to the Trinity Voucher Program.
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The Little
Here's a sneak peek at the focus for future issues of The Little Lutheran!
November 2013 Giving
December 2013 Christmas
The Little Lutheran
(for children)
The Little Lutheran excerpts and subscription information are available on
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Living
Lutheran
Spotlight
Congregational Mission Planning With Children and Youth
Fall is here. Donations of notebooks, markers and rulers fill the basket in the narthex for local school children. Canned goods are stacked neatly as they are dropped off each Sunday morning. Coins clink as children add them to the jar to raise money for purchasing a cow for a family in a country far, far away. What a beautiful sight, children and youth making a difference in the lives of others through mission. But is it enough? Is this really all that mission is about?
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ELCA Global Missions
Hand in Hand Newsletter
Check out three compelling stories about Lutheran schools in Central African Republic, open doors in India, and celebrating the global church, in the newest issue of Hand in Hand newsletter.
Free shipping and handling.
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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 |
October 26
Talking Together Cross-Culturally @St. Paul, Mobile, AL.
November 2-3
All Tennessee Youth Gathering
November 7-9
Candidacy Committee Meeting
View the entire synod calendar
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