ELCA disburses $1 million
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Damage caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan. Photo credit: Jessica Dator Bercilla/ACT
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One of the most powerful storms recorded, Super Typhoon Haiyan, struck the central Philippines on Friday, November 8. Approximately 9.5 million people have been impacted by the storm, and local officials estimate that up to 10,000 people have died in the Leyte Province city of Tacloban alone.
The ELCA provided $1 million towards relief efforts for survivors. One hundred percent of the funds are being disbursed through Lutheran Disaster Response to Lutheran World Relief to help those impacted. As individuals and congregations, we can continue to respond by offering our prayers and financial assistance. Click here to make a donation. Use the bulletin insert to encourage support from your congregation.
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We are the church for the sake of the world
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The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop, ELCA
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The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), presented her first report to the ELCA Church Council during the November 8 - 10 session. Speaking to the board of directors she said: "We are church for the sake of the world." Click here to continue reading.
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ELCA pastor honored
 The Rev. Violet Little, ELCA pastor of The Welcome Church, Philadelphia, PA will be presented with the 2013 Purpose Prize on December 5, 2013 in a ceremony in Sausalito, CA. One of seven recipients this year, the award "honors people over the age of 60 who use their experience to make a difference against social problems." Click here to read about Pastor Little's accomplishments.
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Last call for Open Enrollment!
Friday, November 22 is the last day of Portico's Open Enrollment. New this year, individuals must enroll themselves in the health benefit program. Visit the Open Enrollment Center now to begin!. 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. |
 Mark Allan Powell, author of Giving to God: The Bible's Good News About Living a Generous Life, is the Robert and Phyllis Leatherman, Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. With permission from Dr. Powell, his thought provoking insights into what stewardship means and how to embrace stewardship as a duty and delight will be offered in this newsletter over the next seven weeks.
"Imagine yourself at home playing along with two contestants on the TV game show 'Giving to God.' The rivals are vying for a chance to win the spiritual journey of a lifetime where they will forever be cheerful givers to God. The flashing applause sign has just been turned off as the show's host, I. M. Grateful, asks the opponents the following questions:
1) When you hear the word stewardship, money is the first thing which comes to mind. True or false?
2) Money and material possessions are prominent candidates for idolatry. True or false?
3) Stewardship is really a way of life when one gives oneself to God using all God has given in grateful and appropriate ways. True or false?
4) When one understands and practices Biblical stewardship, one will have a happier and better life. True or false?"
If you hesitated on any of your answers, stay-tuned to Dr. Powell's words of wisdom over the next few weeks.
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The Ecumenical Stewardship Center announces the upcoming launch of Steward Leaders Engaging God's Mission, a series of six virtual classes that will explore the perspectives, practices, and skills of a steward leader engaged in God's mission.
Visit the Steward Leaders Engaging God's Mission page on the ESC website for more information.
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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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Living Grace, Tucker, GA - Operation Christmas Child
The children and youth of Living Grace Lutheran Church (LGLC), Tucker, GA participated in the annual event, "Operation Christmas Child", an initiative of Samaritan's Purse. Through "Operation Christmas Child", boys and girls in countries all over the world experience the love of God in the form of a wrapped shoebox gift.  The LGLC children filled each box with hygiene items, toys, books and school supplies as they learned about the future journey of the boxes. During the worship service their boxes were added to those previously prepared by the women of the church as the Rev. David Hardy, pastor, conducted a "blessing of the boxes." Subsequently, all worshippers were given an opportunity to participate by contributing to the cost of shipping a total of 50 boxes. |
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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Celebrating 125 years of ministry
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Ted Hall, Bishop H. Julian Gordy, Jeanne Misenheimer and
the Rev. J. Stephen Misenheimer
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St. John's Lutheran Church, Knoxville, TN, began their 125th Anniversary celebration with a dinner on Saturday evening November 2. Among the guests joining Jeanne Misenheimer and the Rev. J. Stephen Misenheimer, senior pastor, were the Rev. H. Julian Gordy, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod and Master of Ceremonies Ted Hall, Atlanta newscaster and former member of St. John's.
The celebration continued with the Sunday worship service. Bishop Gordy preached, reminding everyone that "we are standing on the shoulders of giants," an apt theme for All Saints Day. St. John's looks forward with thanksgiving and anticipation to their next 125 years as a downtown church in Knoxville, TN.
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Let's talk about The Affordable Care Act
A Town Hall Discussion About Healthcare Reform,
The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act,
and
Healthcare Exchanges & Marketplaces
November 21, 2013
6:30-8:00 PM
Woodruff Volunteer Center--Logan Room
100 Edgewood Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
This event is free and open to the public.
Click here to RSVP.
To download and share our flyer, click here.
 
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Items from church closing in Cairo, IL
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cairo, IL will be closing on December 31, 2013. Several items are available such as the altar, pulpit, lectern, pews, ELWs, vintage grand piano, spinet piano, vintage theater organ, tracker pipe organ, stained glass windows, office furniture and many other items. Please call Charles Althoff at 618-734-2077 if you are interested in any of these items. Please keep all those affected by this closing in your prayers.
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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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Help Your Congregation Grow
 You are invited to attend three webinars designed to help your congregation grow in the coming months and years.
Click here to review the descriptions.
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Youth & Family Ministry Leaders Retreat
Space is still available for this Lutheridge Leader's Retreat scheduled for December 2 - 4, 2013. Click here and scroll down the left side of the page for details and registration information.
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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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Virtual Music
This past summer, Augsburg Fortress offered Music Clinics. If you missed the clinics or would like to review/purchase the featured choral anthems you can do so now. Click here to enjoy a Virtual Reading Session.
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E-Advocacy-Take Action Now! Become a part of the ELCA advocacy effort by signing up for the
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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:
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC
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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Quick Links
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Send us your news
Weekly enews deadline is Thursday at 5:00 pm. We publish the enews (usually) on Tuesdays. We will make every effort to include submissions received by the deadline in the following week's enews.
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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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Care for the Troops
For a resource on ways to provide help, compassion, or advice to our military community access the CarefortheTroops website.
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Installations & Ordinations
January 18, 2014
The Rev. Harry Tedrow will be installed as pastor at Celebration of Grace Lutheran Church, 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton, GA, 30114, at 4:00 pm. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is white.
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Save the dates
~ 2014 ~
January 18
Moving Beyond Intolerance -
An MLK Day Event
at Emmanuel Lutheran Church
3050 Cascade Rd, SW
Atlanta, GA 30311
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
Stone Mountain, GA
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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Synod calendar
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November 28 -29
Thanksgiving Holidays
Synod Office Closed
View the entire synod calendar
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Synod volunteer opportunities
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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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