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Issue #402  - corrected                                 February 05, 2014
News                                                                                

Learning to speak a hard truth

Needle barely moved on ELCA becoming a diverse church

 

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton shares a thought provoking commentary on diversity in our church. This column originally appeared in the February issue of The Lutheran. Reprinted with permission.

 

Consider this: how many of you are left-handed? Of those of you who are, how many times a day are you reminded that you are left-handed? At every meal when you sit next to a right-handed person and bump elbows? When you use scissors? When you write? When you shake hands?

Now, how many of you are right-handed? Chances are you never have to think about being right-handed. Most of us are right-handed. The world is set up for right-handed people. This isn't necessarily bad. It just is. Continue. 


ELCA Embarks on First Comprehensive Fundraising Campaign

 

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seek to grow the life-changing, life-sustaining ministries of this church, they can do so through "Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA." The five-year comprehensive campaign is the first ever for the ELCA.

 

A goal of the campaign, overwhelmingly approved by the voting members of the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, is to raise $198 million to help sustain and grow the ministries of this church. Click here to continue reading.


2014 Southeastern Synod Assembly

 

   

 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! 

Dr. Rolf Jacobson,
Assistant Professor of Old Testament
Luther Seminary
The Rev.
Wyvetta Bullock,
ELCA Assistant to the Presiding Bishop,
Executive for Administration

Speakers:

 Dr. Rolf Jacobson
 Keynote Speaker

The Rev. Wyvetta Bullock 
Churchwide Representative

 

 

 

Registration opens mid February. Look for details in future Enews editions.

Redesign of The Lutheran and Southeastern Synod Enews

Tell us what 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.

In order to accommodate the growing number of users who access the Southeastern Synod Enews on mobile devices, we have reformatted the resource to a single column layout.  In keeping with that, and with less staff to maintain the Enews as a communication tool for the Southeastern Synod, the resource is a bit briefer than it has been in the last year.  We continue to use it as the primary means to communicate important and timely information about the work that we are called to do together.  Please take a minute to send an email to either Carolyn Davis or Michelle Angalet and let us know what you think. 

Around the Synod                                                                              
How Can You Care for the Troops?

 

AIM Michelle Angalet, Assistant to the Bishop - ELCA Southeastern Synod offers thoughts and resources for the care of our troops.
Did you know that military personnel and their families rank religious organizations second only to family when it comes to providing helpful nonmilitary support?  Did you know that it is estimated that 38% of veterans from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq suffer either PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), TBI (traumatic brain injury), or significant mental stress?  Did you know that a veteran commits suicide every 65 minutes?  Did you know that there are ministries that congregations can engage in to be designated as "Veteran Friendly" congregations?  Continue.

2014 Commemoration Weekend for the 
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Fresh Anointing Dance Ministry, St Paul Lutheran, Decatur, GA 
Keith Wahlig, photographer

Thank you to the many Lutherans, neighbors, and volunteers
 in the metro Atlanta and surrounding areas who participated in events held in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Click here to visit our Facebook page, then click photos to view our album of wonderful photographs from the Sunday afternoon worship service, courtesy of Keith Wahlig, Christ Our Hope, Riverdale, GA.  A report on the Lutheran Day of Service can be found here, courtesy of Abby Konig at Lutheran Sevices of Georgia.  Photographs from that event can be found here.

Lutheranch Round Up - You are Invited!

March 15, 2013

    

The Round Up will include a BBQ lunch, site tours, afternoon activities, auction, and a conceptual design and plans presentation for the new multiple use retreat center.  Registration begins at 11:00.  Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A free will offering will be taken to offset costs for the day. If there are auction items that you would like to donate, please contact Libby Bedenbaugh.   For more information on the Round Up, contact Libby Bedenbaugh, Senior Development Associate at 803-940-6523 or [email protected].  Note that the Round Up will be held at the new retreat center site on the Lutheranch property. Please use this address to 344 Salem Church Road, Tallapoosa, GA 30176 to go to the new retreat center site.


It's That Time of Year Again!

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 [email protected]  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. Reports are due by February 15, 2014. 

 


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.
 
Southeastern Synod Wellness/Sabbatical Grant Applications:  Thanks to our synod's participation in the Portico Health Assessment the last two years, we have been able to award grants to rostered leaders for sabbaticals and wellness initiatives.  The next deadline for grant applications is April 15.  Learn more and find an application here.
Green Team Scholarships for Rostered Leaders

 

 

Just a reminder that the Green Team is hosting a Care for Creation Retreat March 7-8 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  The registration fee is $25.  A member of the team has offered to pay for any rostered leader who wishes to come.  The fee pays for all food except Friday evening dinner. Click here for an application. We have reserved rooms at the Microtel Motel.  Singles are $58 and Doubles are $65; both of these rates are before taxes.  Please join us and/or encourage members of your congregation to attend.  Find retreat details and registration information here.  To follow the development of the retreat, go to "Care for Creation," as an event on Facebook.

Stewardship                                                                              
From Giving to God
 
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 ninth of ten articles. Click here to read the series.
  
In the 1970's, Pink Floyd's hit song called "Money" had two things wrong with the lyrics.  First, those who know their Bible realize the love of money, not money itself is the root of all evil and second, sane people give away money every day.  Responsible church members are called by God to support their church with proportionate donations (pledges paid by automatic fund transfers) not in relation to one's approval of church or pastor's decisions. Continue.

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!
LSG Spotlight
 
A Breast Cancer Awareness event, Lutheran Night at the Gladiators is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 7:05 p.m.  The event is sponsored by Lutheran Services of GA. Tickets must be ordered by February 17, 2014. Metro Atlanta Chapters of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will provide matching funds for a portion of each ticket cost.  Click here for details and ordering form.

Seeking Loving Adoptive Families - Click here for a flyer and here to register for pre-adoption training.
 
Join LSG for Expressions of Hope! - Click here for details.
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.
 
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 [email protected]. Suggested donation of $10 per child or $20 per family. Money raised will be donated to the Hunger Walk/Run 2014.
 
Has your congregation planned a special event to support the Hunger Walk? Please send the details of your event to Carolyn Davis.
Resources, Retreats, Learning Opportunities                              

The Month of Hearts!  

Connie Pearson, Chairperson, Health Ministries Task Force shares some heart healthy approaches to living for children of all ages.
 
Here we are once again in the "Month of Hearts."  Immediately we think of Valentine cards, candy and flowers, but there is a lot more to this heart business during February.  The month of February is designated as "American Heart Month" on the list of National Health Observances.  It is during this time that organizations and groups, with a vested interest in heart health, strive to engage the American public in doing those things that will make our hearts healthier.  We are also given statistics showing our risks, with information on how we can improve our chances of avoiding heart disease and living to a ripe old age. Click here to continue reading.

 

Considering Seminary? 

 

Wet Toes Weekend is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with what it's like to be part of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP).  Click here for registration information for the event scheduled from February 7 - 9, 2014.

To schedule a "Come Visit" at Lenoir-Rhyne Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC, click here.

 

Leadership Can Be Transformational

 

 Discover 21 principles of transformational       

 leadership.

 

 Webinar Dates & Time - 60 minutes each:

 February 6, 2014 - 10:00 AM (CST)   
 February 17,  2014 - 1:00 PM (CST) 
Price: $49 for as many people as can fit into your room. HealthierChurch offer webinars on a variety of topics to help your congregation grow. Save by signing up for multiple webinars - $79 for 2 webinars and $99 for 3 webinars. Click here to register. 

New Lenten Resources for 

Your Congregation

 
Too Deep for Words: Devotions for Lent 2014 will assist your congregation in the traditional Lenten practice of praying more than usual.  For information on this Augsburg Fortress resource, click here. For additional resources, click here.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship - Seasonal Liturgies
 
Liturgies for Ash Wednesday, Sunday of the Passion, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday are reprinted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and are especially useful for services that take place outside the usual worship space. Click here to order from Augsburg Fortress. 

Global Church PlaceMaps

 

This FREE resource has been newly redesigned and made available for use as dinner place mats, displays or coloring sheets. Click here and select "General" to download an 11 X 17 copy. Request 100 or 200 in pre-printed pads with free shipping and handling at 800 638-3522 or [email protected]. Order larger quantities here; shipping and handling                                             charges will apply.


Prayer Breakfast
 
You are invited to a community prayer breakfast sponsored by the Day1 ministry on Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 7:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church 2715 Peachtree Road Northeast,  Atlanta, GA 30305.

The hour-long breakfast will feature an inspiring message by Coach Dan Reeves.   Day1 Host Peter Wallace will also be joined by other members of the clergy for an uplifting program. The event is open to the public and all members of the Atlanta faith community and friends of the Day1 ministry are welcome! Click here to register.

The Little Lutheran: How do we talk with God? 

Children and adults can use the February issue of The Little Lutheran to explore prayer throughout the day and other ways of talking with God, including through reading Scripture,talking with other people and exploring God's creation. Click here for additional information on The Little Lutheran.

 

Guys, Guts and God's Glory, the 2014 Lutheran Men in Mission Gathering, will take place in Nashville, TN, July 18-20. The Rev. Larry Clark, The Rev. Jay Gamelin and musician Peter Mayer will not only be there (along with Tim Wright, author of Searching for Tom Sawyer and other books), but they are helping to plan it! We're going to play, we're going to serve, and we're going to grow- come join us! Early bird registration is now open. 
 
Synod Calendar                                                                              
Installations & Ordinations


Sunday, February 23, 2014, 3:00 pm
The Rev. Stephen Hilgeman will be installed as pastor of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 51 Wilmington Island Road, Savannah, GA 31410.  Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green.
 
Sunday, March 16, 2014, 2:00 pm
AIM Melody Simpkins will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree Street NE Atlanta, GA 30308. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red.

Coming Up!

 

 

 

January 31 - February 16:  The St. Olaf Choir Tour 

February 3 - 5: Two Bubbas and a Bible - Lent 2014

February 21 - 23: SESLYO Assembly

February 23: Installation of the Rev. Stephen Hilgeman

March 1 - 2: Alassippi Youth Gathering

March 7 - 8: Green Team Retreat

March 9:  Atlanta Community Food Bank's Hunger Walk

March 14 - 16: "Go Green", Ascension Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, TN 

March 15: Lutheranch Roundup

March 16:  Ordination of AIM Melody Simpkins

April 1: Nominations due for 2014 Bishops' School at LTSS 

May 30 - June 1: Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN

June 13 - 20: AFFIRM 2014, Berry College, Rome, GA

July 18 - 20: Lutheran Men in Mission, "Guys, Guts and God's Glory", Nashville, TN

July 21 - 28:  Young Adults Go to Guatamala

July 24 - 27: WELCA Ninth Triennial Gathering 2014

 

View the entire synod calendar here.
Save the Dates

 

 

September 7:  God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday 2014

 Details will be provided as received.

October 13 - 16:  Leadership Convocation, Lutheridge

July 15 - 19, 2015: ELCA Youth Gathering, Detroit, MI

Employment Opportunities                                                                    
Click here to view descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others listed on our website:

Full-Time Campus Pastor: (New)
Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX

Full-Time Children, Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator: (New)
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (HTLC) in Hickory, NC

Full-Time Lay Staff Christian Education Coordinator: (New)
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (HTLC) in Hickory, NC

Part-Time Interim Worship Service Accompanist:
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Suwanee, GA

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

 

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.
Synod 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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ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977