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Issue #400
January 23, 2014
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2014 Southeastern Synod Assembly
Living Into the Future Together
Chattanooga Convention Center
One Carter Plaza
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 756-0001
Begins Friday, May 30, 2014
Ends Sunday, June 1, 2014
Note: New this year there will be optional programming beginning at 9:00 am on Friday.
Watch for more information with registration!
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Dr. Rolf Jacobson,
Assistant Professor of Old Testament
Luther Seminary
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The Rev.
Wyvetta Bullock,
ELCA Assistant to the Presiding Bishop,
Executive for Administration
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Speakers:
Dr. Rolf Jacobson
Keynote Presenter
The Rev. Wyvetta Bullock
Churchwide Representative
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St. Olaf Choir Tours the Southeast
The world renowned St. Olaf Choir launches its 2014 national tour in the
Southeast United States on Saturday, February 1, and will perform 15 concerts under
the direction of Conductor Anton Armstrong in Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
South Carolina,and Tennessee. Click here for dates and locations near you!
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Redesign of The Lutheran - what do you think?
The redesign of The Lutheran was launched with the January issue. If you have opinions about the redesign, The Lutheran would like to hear from you. What works? What doesn't? Email your comments to Carolyn Davis and we'll forward them on to the magazine staff. |
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Bishop H. Julian Gordy
Southeastern Synod
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I've been thinking about atheists lately. Last week I heard a story about the "Sunday Assembly," a sort of atheist church, read a story about a schism in that same church and had a conversation that reminded me that once-rare atheists are now common, especially among young people. Some have suggested that for many teens, it's even cool to be an atheist.
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Bishop Porter Taylor
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While I was thinking about all this, Pr. Delmer Chilton sent me
this blog piece from his "other bishop," Porter Taylor of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. I share it with you with Bp. Taylor's permission.
Epiphany blessing,
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News from NovusWay 
- Architects selelected to design Lutheranch Retreat Center. Click here to read article.
- Registration is open for 2014 Summer at Lutheridge, Lutherock and Luther Springs. Click here for information on available camps and programs.
- Auction Artwork wanted for Lutheranch Roundup. To participate, E-mail Holly Anderson at quiltholly@bellsouth.net. Note "ART AUCTION" in the subject line.
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Steve Bullock Appointed to Care for the Troops Board
 | | Mr. Steven Bullock |
Mr. Steven Bullock, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, St. Simons Island, GA, was appointed to the Board of Directors for Care for the Troops. Mr. Bullock retired in 1994 as an Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel with the 210th Theater Army Area Command. Also a recently retired Vice President for Business Development with
L3 Communications, Mr. Bullock has 40 years of experience in business development and major programs management. Congratulations, Steve!
Care for the Troops, a ministry partner of the Southeastern Synod, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mental health care of our returning troops and their families. Visit their website here. | |
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It's That Time of Year Again!
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Rostered Leaders Report (RLP): All rostered leaders who are not retired should complete an RLP annually. Click here and then click on Synods to access the forms for the report. Once completed, please email them to bishop@elca-ses.org or you can send a copy to the Southeastern Synod Office. Reports are due by February 15, 2014.
Congregation Parochial Reports: These annual reports filed on behalf of congregations are due and can be accessed here.
Portico Health Assessment: Not only does this program remind us of the need to be good stewards of our health for the sake of our ministries, but ELCA employers (congregations, seminaries, other organizations) earn a 2% discount on their health contribution payments if 65% or more of the ELCA-primary plan members and eligible spouses take the online Mayo Clinic Health Assessment between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2014. It only takes 10-20 minutes and you get $150 in wellness dollars just for taking the assessment! Plus, if you do the follow-up activities, you can earn even more wellness dollars! For the last two years, our synod's success in achieving the participation goal earned us money from Portico which has been used to fund sabbatical and wellness grants for our rostered leaders. Make time today to take the assessment! Click here to get started.
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Thrivent Supports Green Team
The Green Team is pleased to announce that Thrivent Financial has awarded a fund request in the amount of $1,200 to support the Care for Creation Retreat. Find retreat details and registration information here. To follow the development of the retreat, go to "Care for Creation," as an event on Facebook.
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Stay Informed. Be Inspired. Get Involved.
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 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. This is the seventh of ten articles. Click here to read the series.
Financial stewardship is placing all of our finances under God's rule, which is Jesus' good news to change our lives as the Holy Spirit directs us in using all our material resources. Giving to God and giving to the church are not equal. Continue.
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Ventures in Growing Stewards Workshop Begins in March
Want to transform stewardship in your congregation? Are you ready to move from an annual campaign to a year-round model of living as stewards? Ventures in Growing Stewards is a four-part workshop series that develops a vision and plan for growing stewards through a year round stewardship ministry. For more than ten years, the ELCA has offered this workshop series. Through it, more than 600 congregations in over thirty ELCA synods have learned how to grow faithful stewards and increase giving. For many congregations this experience included moving from a "paying the bills" approach to stewardship to a healthier response of "living the mission". A new workshop series will begin in Georgia on March 22. Contact AIM Michelle Angalet, Assistant to the Bishop, 404-589-1977, for more information and to see how your congregation can be a part. Space is limited so don't delay! | |
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Fundraising From the Heart
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Henri Nouwen
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Join the Henri Nouwen Society and The Upper Room for a series of three call-in seminars featuring Henri Nouwen's A Spirituality of Fundraising, hosted by John Mogabgab, founding editor of Weavings Journal. For details and registration information, click here.
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Messiah Supports Hunger Walk/Run 2014
 Lutheran Church of the Messiah, Decatur, GA will host two events in support of Hunger Walk 2014. Join us! Your participation is greatly appreciated.
Sunday, January 26, 2014: Spaghetti Luncheon to benefit Hunger Walk/Run 2014. Team Messiah will be hosting a homemade spaghetti lunch immediately after worship service. Suggested donation of $5 per plate.
February 14, 2014: Date Night! Let your children join us for an evening of fun and games while you celebrate Valentine's Day with your loved one! Contact the office at Messiah to reserve your space office@messiahdecatur.org. Suggested donation of $10 per child or $20 per family. Money raised will be donated to the Hunger Walk/Run 2014.
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Stewardship Symposium: Stewardship for Adults Under 40
 A Stewardship Symposium, led by Chick Lane and Grace Duddy of the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary, Columbia, SC, is scheduled for January 31, 2014. Details and registration information are available here.
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Resources, Retreats, Learning Opportunities
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 Reaching the Facebook Generation
Are you interested in reaching the young adults in your congregation and your community? You are invited to attend a webinar designed to give you some ideas on how to engage the Facebook Generation. Information can be found here. |
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Ninth Triennial Gathering 2014
"Of Many Generations"
Charlotte, NC
July 24 - 27, 2014
Join the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) as they gather for a weekend of prayer and celebration at the Ninth Triennial Gathering. Given its close proximity to the Southeastern Synod region, this gathering is a rare opportunity for our synod to be well represented. Click here for details and registration information. Louise Hamilton, the Southeastern Synod Triennial Gathering Promoter, is also available to provide information. She may be contacted by telephone at 404 680-4687 or email lhami630@bellsouth.net. | |
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Columbia Theological Seminary
Center for Lifelong Learning
Columbia Theological Seminary has space available in a number of their Lifelong Learning Courses. For details and registration information, click on the course names listed below.
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Southeastern Synod Young Adult and Youth Events
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 AFFIRM 2014 at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, June 13-20.
SESLYO Assembly Registration is open. The Assembly will be held at the Cherokee Retreat Center, near Cartersville, GA, February 21-23.
Alassippi Lutheran Youth Gathering at Shades Valley Lutheran Church in Birmingham, AL on March 1-2.
"GO GREEN" for young adults at Ascension Lutheran Church in Chattanooga, TN, March 14-16.
For additional details, applications and registration forms for all of these events, please visit the Southeastern Synod Young Adult and Youth Ministry website.
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Fishers of Men at Lutherock: April 4-6, 2014
Come to the mountains to enjoy life and the serenity of fly fishing. This men's retreat at Lutherock offers an opportunity to be in a place where God can teach us a lot about our faith through the mountain waters. There is time for learning knots, entomology, and casting practice before heading out together on Saturday and Sunday mornings to the river. Through devotions and worship, we will prepare for time of reflection and prayer; enhancing the fishing experience beyond just catch and release. A North Carolina fishing license is required and can be purchased online at www.ncwildlife.org. There will be a limited amount of basic gear for rent.
Leaders: John Lord, Hooked Guide Service Cost: $219 per person
Visit the NovusWay website to register online or find out more information.
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2014 - A New Year for Immigration Reform
The Immigration Task Force was established by the 2006 Synod Assembly  expressly to "...study the effects and implications of immigration reform and ways to educate and inform members of Southeastern Synod congregations of the issues..." To that end, chairperson the Rev. Justin Ask, Associate Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Woodstock, GA, will provide monthly articles in this newsletter. Pastor Ask will also, in a subsequent edition, provide an introduction to the members of the task force. Click here to read this month's article.
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Installations & Ordinations
Sunday, February 23, 2014
The Rev. Stephen Hilgeman will be installed as pastor of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 51 Wilmington Island Road, Savannah, GA 31410. Details coming soon.
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Save the Dates
May 30 - June 1: Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
Details will be provided in upcoming issues.
September 7: God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday 2014
Details will be provided as received.
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Click here to view descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions:
Full-Time Director of Music Ministry:
Clairmont Presbyterian in Decatur, GA
Assistant Director of Development and Director of Alumni Relations: Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC
Full-Time Director of Youth and Education:
Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, AL
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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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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Share this E-news with a friend!
Please send this email to those you know who would benefit from this information.
ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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