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As we remember Veterans Day...
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Bishop H. Julian Gordy
Southeastern Synod
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The Rev. H. Julian Gordy, Bishop of the Southeastern Synod, reflects on Veterans Day.
I am the son of a World War II veteran. I became an adult during the Viet Nam War years, when the reality of the draft kept military service at the center of controversy for many of us.
For fourteen years, I served Christus Victor in Ocean Springs, MS, a congregation in which most of the men and many of the women were veterans of our armed services or were serving in the Air Force or Navy. I think about my father and the "greatest generation" on Veterans Day and I think about those parishioners at Christus Victor who taught me a thing or two about war and theology and life.
In my naïveté, I assumed that all those military families at CVLC would be hawkish, ready to go and fight at any provocation. What I found instead and for the most part were very thoughtful followers of Jesus who struggled daily with their vocations in military service and their baptismal vocation to be disciples of Jesus. What does it mean to follow Jesus, who said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who abuse you," while you are planning and preparing to make war against your enemy should the need arise?
Click here to continue reading this message. For a resource on ways to provide help, compassion, or advice to our military community access the CarefortheTroops website. |
Super Typhoon Haiyan - A Call for Response
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Photo credit: Zander Cases/REUTERS
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One of the most powerful storms recorded, Super Typhoon Haiyan, struck the central Philippines on Friday, November 8. Over 700,000 people were forced to flee from their homes as the storm swept through causing massive destruction.
Lutheran Disaster Response in partnership with Action for Churches Together Alliance, of which the ELCA is a member, is assessing the needs for recovery. As individuals, we can respond by offering our prayers and financial assistance. Click here to learn how you can help. |
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Leadership Change at Camp Lutherock
After 24 years of service in a variety of capacities with Lutheridge and Lutherock, Van Van Horne announced that the time has come to move on effective December 31, 2013.
Kara and Jacob Ridenhour have been named interim directors at Lutherock and will move to the site in January 2014. Click here to read about the plans of the Van Hornes and to meet the Ridenhours.
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Open Enrollment is here...
Open Enrollment - From 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. New Benefit Offering - In addition to choices of benefit coverage, the ELCA Survivor Benefits Plan is changing. It is transitioning to fully-insured, group life insurance benefits offered through Minnesota Life. These benefits include basic group life insurance protection and optional supplemental and dependent life insurance for the plan member, spouse or eligible same gender partner, and children at discounted group rates. For more information, login to myPortico and visit the Open Enrollment Center. 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. |
Support for our Military Families
This Veterans Day, as we remember those who serve and their families, let us take a moment to consider the ways in which the ELCA is doing God's work with our hands through the work of our brothers and sisters in the United States military organizations. The ELCA Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries supports pastors in uniform in every branch of the military.
Watch these brief videos to learn more.
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Mission Minute: Supporting Military Families
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Consider Military Chaplaincy
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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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St. Mark's, Huntsville, AL - Blessed to be a Blessing.
 St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Huntsville AL celebrated the anniversary of the ELCA with fellowship, food and finding a number of ways to reach out to the community.  From the youngest to the oldest, St. Mark's members are "truly blessed to be a blessing." |
Volunteers Needed: Action Ministries' Smart Lunch, Smart Kid Program
Kids going hungry at school, families missing meals at home; November can be a devastating month for families.  Action Ministries' Smart Lunch, Smart Kid Program would love your help this season. While the kids are out of school for Thanksgiving break, with your help and commitment, lunches can be served on the 25th and 26th, day of November. Click here for additional information and to volunteer.
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Support Lutheran Services of Georgia on Georgia Gives Day!
Georgia Gives Day is just around the corner, and Lutheran Services of Georgia needs your help! LSG aims to raise $5,000 on November 13 to support individuals and families throughout Georgia.
There are several ways you can help LSG reach their goal!
1) Share this link to the LSG online profile with your family, friends, congregation members, and communities.
2) Become a "friendraiser" and run your very own fundraising campaign to benefit LSG.
3) Give online to LSG on November 13! No gift is too small.
LSG relies on the generosity of Lutheran congregations, donors, volunteers, and other supporters. For more information on ways you can support Lutheran Services of Georgia, contact Abby Koning.
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Enews Schedule Change
In an effort to make the enews more timely and improve our readership, we have moved our publishing day to Tuesdays. This issue, however, is published on Monday in honor of Veterans Day.
In support of Tuesday publishing, our deadline for receipt of information is Thursday at 5:00 pm. We will make every effort to include submissions received by the deadline in the following week's enews.
Please send your enews submissions to Carolyn Davis. You can also help us improve our distribution by forwarding this email to one or two friends right now and invite them to subscribe using the button below. |
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are crucial to the mission of the Southeastern Synod. Click here to find ways you can serve. Thank you for your generosity! |
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Diabetes: Are you at risk?
 After much pondering and going over the list of National Health Observances for 2013, I decided that I could not pass up the opportunity to talk about diabetes. November is identified as American Diabetes Month and rightly so because close to twenty-six million Americans (8.3 percent of the US population) have diabetes. Seven million of these individuals do not know that they have diabetes. Data show that slightly more than fifty years ago 1.5 percent of Americans had diabetes. This translates to an epidemic increase in type 2 diabetes during these years. Click here to continue reading.
Submitted by Ms. Connie Pearson, Chair, Heath Ministries Task Force
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Resources, Retreats, & Learning Opportunities
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Advent Devotional 2013 Available Now!
 The advent devotional Days of Desire - Longing for the Advent dawn, is available for personal and/or congregation use. Written by the Rev. Laura Thelander, the devotions may be accessed and printed here. Subscribers to God Pause will receive these messages as a part of the daily email devotions. To subscribe to God Pause, click here.
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Augsburg Fortress offers free Webinars
Learn about Key Faith Formation Resources from the Comfort of your Home or Office - for free. This week Augsburg Fortress is offering four free webinars.
Jump Start Your Search for Lenten Bible Study
With the Making Sense three book series and multi-media curriculum written by David Lose. Each Making Sense study grapples with tough questions about the Bible, the Christian Faith, and the Cross. Dive into a lesson from Making Sense of the Cross and jumpstart your search for a Lenten Bible Study.
November 12, 7:00 PM US/CST
Register Now
Tools to Get Your Congregation Talking About Their Faith
Join us for a 45-minute introduction to Animate: Faith-an adult faith formation resource. Together we will review the seven session course and unpack session one, God | Faith is a Quest led by author Brian McLaren. Brian's willingness to admit he has more questions than answers sets the tone for inclusive dialog with all participants. Come and experience how Animate: Faith can start animated conversations in your community!
November 13, 9:30 AM US/CST
Register Now
Bring the Art of Bible Storytelling to Your Youth Ministry Program
Come see how storytelling, creative reflection and dialog work together to create a brain-based learning experience that could guide your teens toward a more vibrant understanding of the biblical narrative. This webinar will cover: Big Picture Overview of Echo the Story Curriculum, Methodology and Pedagogy, and Walk through the Lesson "Promise"
November 14, 10:00 AM US/CST
Register Now
Refresh Your Bible Study Leadership Skills
By joining this live interactive one-hour session where we explore best practices for Leading Adult Bible Studies. Participants sample sessions from several new AF and Sparkhouse releases. Learn how to create a safe and vibrant experience for your adult learners. Discover the life cycle of small groups and how to bring balanced sharing to your next session.
November 14, 2:00 PM US/CST
Register Now
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Two Bubbas and a Bible - Lent 2014
 "Two Bubbas and a Bible" is a Lectionary Workshop for the Lenten season. Taught by the Rev. Delmer Chilton, the Pastor-in-Charge of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Murphy, NC, and the Rev. John Fairless, the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL, the workshop is "designed for those who preach regularly and will center on the texts for Lent - 2014."
"Two Bubbas and a Bible" will be held February 3-5, 2014 at the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC. Click here for details, including dates, costs, and a registration form.
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How do I...?
Looking for information about day to day operations and management in church settings? Congregational and synodical leaders should subscribe to Administration Matters, a bimonthly e-newsletter, that addresses issues such as risk management and finance. Subscription information, as well as current and previous issues can be found here.
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There are three advocacy ministries of the ELCA: the ELCA Washington Office; the Lutheran Office for World Community; and the State Public Policy Offices. Click here to learn about the ministries each are involved in and how you can play a part.
To learn more about the ELCA's approach to advocacy and important issues for 2013, visit the ELCA website.
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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:
Assistant Director of Development and Director of Alumni Relations (New):
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC
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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Save the Dates
~ 2014 ~
January 19
Commemoration of
Martin Luther King Jr.
Worship Service
at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church, 2165 Hwy 138 SW, Riverdale, GA 30296
January 20
The MLK Lutheran Day of Service at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church
March 9
Atlanta Community Food Bank's Annual Hunger Walk
May 30 - June 1
Synod Assembly
Chattanooga, TN
Details will be provided in upcoming issues.
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Veterans Day on Living Lutheran
One congregation, many ways to support military service members
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Capt. Warren Vaneman in Afghanistan
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The transition home from active combat zones or multiple deployments is often difficult for men and women who serve in the military, many of whom are young adults. Read on.
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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 |
November 16, 2013
Green Team Meeting
November 28 -29
Thanksgiving Holidays
Synod Office Closed
View the entire synod calendar
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