|
|
|
Issue #405 March 25, 2014
|
|
The Southeastern Synod ENews will be published every other week for the next couple of months. On the alternate weeks, we will publish special editions to keep you informed about the upcoming Southeastern Synod Assembly.
See you in Chattanooga!
|
|
How are we doing?
Parochial Reports: 103 congregations (62.85%) have submitted their reports.
Portico Assessments: 59 members (31.89%) have participated as of March 1. An additional 62 participants are needed to realize our goal of 65% and a savings of $36,000.00.
Last year 71.5% of eligible members took the assessment.
Rostered Leader Reports: 75 of 318 rostered leaders have submitted their reports.
Southeastern Synod Wellness/Sabbatical Grant Application deadline is April 15. Learn more and find an application here.
|
|
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
|
|
|
ASSEMBLY REGISTRATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Register now for the 2014 Synod Assembly. Note that hotel reservations must be made separately. Visit the 2014 Synod Assembly webpage here to do both. If you plan to participate in the pre-Assembly workshops on Friday morning, you must indicate that when you register for Assembly.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR 2014 ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
DEADLINE: March 31, 2014
In addition to the positions announced earlier this year, the Nominating Committee is now also seeking lay male nominees for a one-year unexpired term on the Discipline Committee. (The Discipline Committee functions as a pool of individuals available for potential participation in disciplinary hearings, as described in Chapter 20 of the ELCA Constitution.) Click here for more information about positions seeking nominees. Bio forms are due on March 31. For additional information concerning elections, please contact Meredith Hendricks at mhendricks1@msn.com.
| |
ASSEMBLY OFFERINGS
Offerings at this year's Assembly will be given to the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta and to the Outreach & Renewal Committee for use in supporting ministry redevelopments and new starts. Congregations are encouraged to consider taking special offerings that can be brought to Assembly by voting members. This is a great opportunity to talk about how congregations work together for the sake of ministry in Jesus' name throughout our Southeastern Synod.
NEW! SYNOD ASSEMBLY MOBILE DEVICE APP
This year Synod Assembly materials will be available before Assembly through the Assembly webpage and through Guidebook. Guidebook is a user-friendly app for mobile devices that provides easy access to all materials. Look for more about the Guidebook app in the coming weeks.
|
|
ELCA members make plans for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday
|
 | |
St. Mark's Lutheran, Huntsville, AL - 2013
|
CHICAGO (ELCA) - As a church that believes "God is calling us into the world together," members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will participate in "God's work. Our hands." Sunday, Sept. 7 - a day dedicated to doing service work alongside neighbors in communities across the country. Continue.
|
|
"(I said) I'd give up chocolate for Lent"
|
|
Written by
Audrey Novak Riley,
associate program director for ELCA World Hunger, this article is published with permission from The Lutheran magazine.
|
"Whatcha gonna give up for Lent?" I remember classmates asking one another years ago. "Cartoons." "Gum." "Fightin' with my little brother."
I always said I was giving up chocolate for Lent. But I always broke that promise - after all, Girl Scout cookies came around in early spring too. Oh well. Continue.
|
2014 Bishops' School at LTSS
| |
 Think of one or two exceptional high school youth in your congregation - the ones who ask the hard questions, stood out in confirmation classes, and exhibit a yearning to deepen faith and explore their relationship with God in more depth. If you have a young person currently in the 11th or 12th grade, please nominate him or her for Bishops' School at LTSS in 2014.
The 2014 Bishops' School will be held the week of June 22-28 on the campus of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. Youth from all over the southeast will come together to study with seminary professors, worship in Christ Chapel and witness the way God is working in the world and in their own lives. They'll also learn what it means to think theologically!
Attached is a brochure with additional information. Please note, nominations are due by April 1st, 2014. You are welcome to nominate more than one youth from your congregation.
|
Help Needed!
To - Newland, NC  From - Franklin, TN
A parishioner is donating a keyboard that is 14-1/2" x 52-1/2" and weighs about 100 pounds. The legs are detachable as well as the pedals. There is also a bench that is 26" x 13" x 18" high. It will fit in a SUV or a car with drop down back seats. The ultimate destination is to Kara Ridenhour at LutherRock in Newland, NC. Her telephone number is 828-467-1333. PLEASE HELP get this donation to its final destination. It can be picked up at St. Andrew Luther Church, 908 Murfreesboro Rd., Franklin, TN 37064, 615-794-1624.
|
Prayers For Our Youth
The All-Georgia Youth Gathering is this weekend at the FFA-FCCLA Camp is Covington, Georgia. Please keep the youth and adults in your prayers as they travel and participate in this weekend as well as the All-Georgia Planning Team who've put so much time and energy into planning this weekend for our youth. The theme is "Get up and GO!" Jim Murate will be our guest musician and speaker.
Also, registration for AFFIRM is still open. Click here for details.
|
Ordinations & Installations
 April 26, 2014, 11:00 a.m.
Ms. Ingrid Schalk will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Southeastern Synod. The ceremony will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 544 Broadway NW, Knoxville, TN 37917. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. A reception will follow at St. John's in Sparks Fellowship Hall. Information about Ms. Schalk's call and installation will be published at a later date.
May 4, 2014, 3:00 p.m.
The Rev. O. Dennis Mims will be installed as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2569 Tilson Road, Decatur, GA 30032. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green. A reception will immediately follow.
May 18, 2014, 3:00 p.m.
Ms. Antoinette Robinson will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Trinity Ministries for New Development at Peace Lutheran Church, 1548 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38107. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is purple. A reception will immediately follow.
|
In honor of the ELCA World Malaria Day, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock, GA will host the Malaria Bites 5K, Saturday, April 26. All proceeds from the race benefit the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Click here for details.
|
|
Created For Community - Called to Serve
 Magi Conference Spring Meeting
Saturday May 3, 2014
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
1825 Killian Hill Road
Lilburn, GA 20047
Everyone is invited! Join Bishop Gordy and members of synod staff in worship, workshops
and fellowship. Click here for an agenda.
|
|
Ready Set GO!!!
| |
 "Ready Set GO!!!"
was the theme of the
2014 Southeastern Synod Lutheran Youth Organization (SESLYO) Assembly. The assembly was held at the Cherokee Retreat Center on Lake Allatoona in White, GA,
February 21-23, 2014. The SESLYO board chose Mark 16:15 as their theme verse. Through three different workshops, led by the SESLYO board, the youth discussed what it means to "Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation." Continue and enjoy photos.
This article is written by Rachel Alley, Assistant to the Bishop for Young Adult and Youth Ministries.
|
|
Care For Creation Retreat
Twenty-two individuals attended the Care for Creation Retreat on March 7 - 8 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Woodstock, GA. This energized retreat focused on several issues, in accordance with the resolution adopted at the 2013 Southeastern Synod Assembly creating a Green Team for the synod. Continue.
|
Women of the ELCA Spring Cluster Meetings
All women of all ages are cordially invited to a WELCA Spring Cluster meeting. Come and join the fellowship and fun. The meetings are listed below.
Gulf Coast Cluster - 09
March 29, 2014
Holy Trinity Lutheran
8271 Whispering Pines Road
Daphne, AL 36526
Click here.
|
Life Together - 06
March 29, 2014
Faith Lutheran
225 Jamestowne Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37934
|
Good News Cluster - 02
March 29, 2014
St. Matthew's Lutheran 4026 Macon Road
Columbus, GA 31907
| |
Diaspora Cluster - 07
April 5, 2014
Christ Lutheran
424 2nd Ave SE
Cullman, AL 35055
Click here
and here.
|
|
Trinity Cluster - 03
April 5, 2014
Lutheran Church of
The Atonement
1875 Joseph E. Boone
Atlanta, GA 30314
| |
Ebenezer Cluster - 01
April 26, 2014
Lord of Life Lutheran
2801 Frederica Road
St Simons Island, GA 31522
|
Magi Cluster - 04
April 26, 2014
Living Grace Lutheran
1812 Cooledge Road
Tucker, GA 30084
|
The King Cluster - 08
April 26, 2014
Trinity Lutheran
705 Wilson Avenue
Tullahoma, TN 37388
|
|
Thank you to the people of the Southeastern Synod who sponsored these long-term Missionaries and Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) in 2013 through ELCA Global Church Sponsorship. You have helped to make God's global mission happen!
|
Megan Ross, Deaconess
|
Indonesia
| |
Rev. Theodore and Jane Zimmerman
|
Hong Kong
| |
Rev. Dorcas Wang
|
China
| |
Rev. Peter Harrits
|
Malaysia
| |
Rev. David Brondos
|
Mexico
| |
Kevin Beebe
|
Jerusalem
| |
Sean Bonawitz
|
Malaysia
| |
Sarah Derrick
|
Malaysia
| |
Tyler Drury
|
Argentina
| |
Meredith Massey
|
Hungary
| |
Gabe Moe-Lobeda
|
Mexico
| |
Katharine Ritzi
|
United Kingdom
|
Young Adults in Global Mission - South Africa
| |
|
|
|
 | | Connie Pearson, Chairperson Health Ministries Task Force |
Note from the editor: Regrettably, Ms. Pearson's article was not published earlier as planned. Her advice, however, is still applicable to those of us who struggle to get a good night's rest.
S eventy million Americans (25% of the adult population) are chronically sleep deprived. Sufficient sleep is increasingly being recognized as an essential aspect of chronic disease prevention and health promotion. Sufficient sleep is not a luxury but a necessity that should be thought of as a vital sign for good health. It is for this reason that March 3 - 9, 2014 is recognized as National Sleep Awareness Week. Continue. |
|
Resources, Retreats, Learning Opportunities
|
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Upcoming Events
 Travis: A Soldier's Story
A Community Film Screening
March 28, 2014 at 7:00pm
Reinartz Hall at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Moment to Moment: the Transformative Power of Everyday Life
A five session workshop with Dr. Amy Montanez
Tuesday evenings, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, and May 27
6:00-7:30pm in Reinartz Hall at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Open to all!
SHIFT: Three Movements in the 21st Century Church
A continuing education event for clergy and church staff led by Rev. Mark Tidsworth
July 15-17, 2014 at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Click here to find information for all three events on the Academy of Faith & Leadership website.
| |
|
|
2nd Annual Doctor of Ministry Education Conference
Wednesday, March 26, 2014, 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
 The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) is pleased to announce the second annual Doctor of Ministry Conference to be hosted on the ITC campus. The theme of the Conference is "A 21st CENTURY PEDAGOGY FOR TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES THROUGH SERVANT LEADERSHIP". Click here for details.
|
|
New Life Presbyterian Church Presents
A Conversation with Dr. Randall C. Bailey 
Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Hebrew Bible, ITC
March 26, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
6600 Old National Highway
College Park, GA 3034
Click here for a flyer.
|
|
Justice Notes
March 30, 2014, 4:00 p.m.
 St. Timothy Lutheran Church
Hendersonville, TN
In her presentation "Justice Notes" the Rev. Emilie Townes, the Dean and E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society at Vanderbilt Divinity School, will explore four ways to respond to the challenges we face in today's world as people of faith. Click here for details.
|
2017: Celebration?
Commemoration? Controversy?
Recognizing the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in our Congregations
Join the conversation on April 8, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, facilitated by Professor Hartmut Lehmann. Click here to learn more about the Professor Lehmann and the event. To attend, please RSVP to Pr. Nancy Christensen (pastornancy@stjohnsatlanta.org).
|
|
Training From Interfaith Children's Movement
 The Mandatory Reporting Law for Child Abuse and the Faith Community
INTERFAITH CHILDREN'S MOVEMENT
Friday, April 18, 2014
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
(Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.)
Click here for details and registration. |
|
A Community Grant Writing Workshop
Saturday, April 12, 2014
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Atlanta, GA
The workshop will be led by the Rev. William E. Flippin, Jr., pastor and Trey Smith. Click here for details. To register, call 404-699-0346.
|
|
Whirl Lectionary Sunday School
New from Sparkhouse
Click here for details and free samples.
|
|
 "One God, One Call" Conference
April 27 - 29, 2014
Omaha, NE
This conference is intended to strengthen ministry and outreach to people with intellectual and development disabilities. Click here for details. Questions may be directed to Rev. David DeFreese or Cherlyne Beck.
|
|
Pro Ecclesia Conference
Loyola University, Baltimore MD
June 9 - 11, 2014
"Life Amid the Principalities" is the theme of this year's Pro Ecclesia Conference, sponsored by the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology. Speakers will include Paul Hinlicky, Daniel Bell, Beverly Roberts Gaventa, and others. The conference is particularly aimed at pastors. Further information and registration can be found here.
|
|
Bike Tour of Barvaria and Beyond
June 21 - July 6, 2014
 Are you looking for something interesting, exciting to do for a couple of weeks this summer? How about two weeks in Lindau, Bavaria, Germany. Members of the Southeastern Synod have been invited to Lindau for a four day bicycle tour around Lake Constance where we will be going through Austria and Switzerland (and a few principalities). We will be staying in youth hostels for three nights and biking for four days. We will be visiting old Roman ruins and historic churches. Click here for details.
|
The Birth of the Church in Turkey & Rome
June 26 - July 7, 2014
12 Days - Istanbul to Rome
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to study the Cappadocian fathers in Cappadocia and have an audience with Pope Francis in Rome. Registration is needed immediately. For more information, click here.
|
|
| | Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) introduces the first edition of the 2014 Leadership Toolkit. Key features include an important update about the yearlong LIRS 75th Anniversary of walking with refugees and migrants to a brighter new future. Click on the headline above to read the first edition and to find ways to connect with LIRS. |
|
Coming Up!
March 28 - 29: "Building an Inclusive Church", Holy Trinity, Nashville, TN
March 29: Scenic Spring 5k Race, St. Paul, Vonore, TN
April 1: Nominations due for 2014 Bishops' School at LTSS
April 8: Recognizing the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, St John, Atlanta, GA
April 24 - 27: Create in Me, Lutheridge, Arden NC
April 26: Ordination of Ms. Ingrid Schalk, St John's, Knoxville, TN
April 26: Malaria Bites 5K Run, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA
May 3: Magi Conference Spring Meeting, Trinity, Lilburn, GA
May 4: Installation of the Rev. O. Dennis Mims, St Paul Lutheran, Decatur, GA
May 18: Ordination of Ms. Antoinette Robinson, Trinity Ministries for New Development at Peace Lutheran, Memphis, TN
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 21- 23: WELCA Ninth Triennial Convention
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
|
Click here to view descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others listed on our website:
Part-Time Administrative Assistant:
Day1, Atlanta, GA
Full-Time Director of Youth Ministry:
Faith Lutheran Church, Knoxville, TN
Full-Time Campus Pastor:
Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX
Full-Time Children, Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (HTLC) in Hickory, NC
Full-Time Lay Staff Christian Education Coordinator:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (HTLC) in Hickory, NC
Part-Time Interim Worship Service Accompanist:
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Suwanee, GA
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!
| |
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
