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A limited edition of the Southeastern Synod ENews will be published during the week of May 19th. We'll take a break for the Synod Assembly and will resume in early June. We will continue to publish special editions to keep you informed about the upcoming Southeastern Synod Assembly. See you in Chattanooga!
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 The Southeastern Synod exceeded the goal of 65% and finished with 70% of eligible plan members completing the Mayo Clinic health assessment. Congregations will share a $36,000 reduction in their 2014 health premiums. Adjustments will appear on the June or July billing statements. The synod will also receive a gift of $18,000 which will be used to continue to support wellness and sabbatical grants for rostered leaders.
Thank you for your support!
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Sharp sword, polished arrow 
God equipped prophets-and continues with us-to bring hope to God's people
By The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Picture this: Surrounded by an alien culture; worried about keeping young people engaged; a nonfunctioning government; a religious establishment in disarray; the economy is a mess; competing and beguiling demands on people's attention, time and loyalty; a worship facility in serious need of repair; a dizzying rate of change; and people either tempted to throw out all forms of the past or to cling mindlessly to tradition for fear of change. Continue.
This column originally appeared in the May issue of The Lutheran. Reprinted with permission.
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Bishop's Letter Regarding Georgia House Bill 60
Recently Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 60, also known as the Safe Carry Protection Act of 2014, into law. The Rev. H. Julian Gordy, bishop, Southeastern Synod, in response to inquiries to the synod staff, wrote to Georgia congregations and rostered leaders, to provide clarity about the new law and to provide for congregational consideration. A copy of his letter is provided here. Please pray for all affected by this legislation.
If you would like further information about Georgia's new law, you can read the legislation in its entirety here. You can also follow links to read and study the ELCA social message on Community Violence and the ELCA social statement on Peace. You may also want to refer to the May 2014 of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics (JLE). There is a variety of opinion expressed about the use of guns in our society, and one of the articles is written by a Mississippi Special Assistant Attorney General, who is also the organist at one of our congregations, New Hope, Sallis. While you are there, you might want to subscribe to JLE. It's free. Finally, Bishop Gordy recently signed a letter written by the Interfaith Coalition Against Gun Violence. You can read it here.
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Prayers for Bishops and Synods Across the Nation
Please hold in prayer our ELCA Bishops and Synods, listed on our website, as they gather for their synod assemblies.
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Campaign for the ELCA Appoints Director
 The Rev. Ronald T. Glusenkamp, Senior Pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village, CO, has accepted the position of Director for the Campaign for the ELCA, effective June 16. Pr. Glusenkamp will lead the campaign in strategic planning and implementation, including synodical and congregational engagement and individual outreach, to help achieve the objectives of the campaign. Click here for press release.
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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
Visit the webpage now for all of the latest information, including the Assembly orientation video. Check back often as documents and materials continue to be added. | | |
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Before and After Synod Assembly Events
Hosted by Ascension Lutheran Church
720 S. Germantown Road
Chattanooga, TN 37412
Ascension Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, TN invites you to attend two events while you are in the Chattanooga area for Synod Assembly.
Thursday, May 29, 7:00 p.m. - the annual Ascension Day service featuring the "Unfailing Light" setting for Holy Communion composed by Marty Haugen and Susan Briehl.
Sunday, June 1, 3:00 p.m. - the "Spring into Summer" concert of the Chattanooga Flute Choir.
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Talsness Writes for "God Pause"
 For the past several years, Luther Seminary has provided
"God Pause", a daily email devotion, to over 12,000 households. The Rev. Jason Talsness, pastor, Amazing Grace Lutheran, Lawrenceville, GA, and Luther Seminary alum, has accepted the assignment to write the devotions for the week of July 14 -20, 2014. We look forward to Pr. Talsness' devotions and offer appreciation for this extension of his ministry. To read or subscribe to God Pause Daily Devotions, click here.
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Plan Ahead with Long-Term Care Insurance
 Portico is pleased to announce that members and eligible family members have the opportunity to apply for discounted long-term care insurance directly through LTC Financial Partners (LTCFP) and Transamerica Life Insurance Company (Transamerica). LTCFP is one of the nation's most experienced professionals in long-term care planning, and Transamerica is the underwriter. In the next few weeks, you'll receive information from LTCFP on this new opportunity. In the meantime go to myPortico, then select the long-term care insurance link on the home page.
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Ordinations & Installations
May 18, 2014, 3:00 p.m.
Ms. Antoinette Robinson will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Peace Lutheran Church, 1548 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38107. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. A reception will immediately follow.
May 18, 2014, 5:00 p.m.
The Rev. William Gerald Weeks will be installed as pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6632 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is white. A reception will immediately follow.
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Candidacy - Your Synod at Work
Committee Meeting Highlights
April 2014
Entranced for ordained ministry: 
Susan Anderson, St. Paul's, Mobile, AL
Crispin Ilombe, St. John's, Atlanta, GA
Sin Ong Kim, Advent, LaGrange, GA
Younggu Kwak, Messiah, Norcross, GA
Jessica Morton, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA
Kristofor Perkola, Epiphany, Suwanee, GA
Anna Tew, St. John's, Atlanta, GA
Henry Ziemiecki, Our Saviour, Albany, GA
Click here to learn more about Candidacy.
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Coming Soon - More Around the Synod!
We have received a number of photos, videos and news articles sharing how we do ministry and how we celebrate our service to Christ. The time you have taken to share is greatly appreciated. To do justice to these submissions, we will post them to the Southeastern Synod webpage with a link to the enews. We hope you will visit the site often and continue to let us know what you are doing.
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Bowling Green State University Collegiate Chorale
All Saints Lutheran Church
722 Rockbridge Road SW
Lilburn, GA
May 12, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
This 30-voice touring choir, conducted by Tim Cloeter, will present a concert of sacred and secular music that spans from classical music to American folksongs, from Heinrich Schütz to Ola Gjeilo, and from French chansons to vocal jazz. Admission is free. A free-will offering will be collected to help defray touring expenses. Please call (770) 923-7283 or visit www.bgsuchorale.com for more information.
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Intimate Worship
Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
St. Mark Lutheran Church
4137 Washington Road
East Point, GA 30344
Praise and Worship Artist Diane Nicole presents "Intimate Worship", a Gospel Musical Fellowship, hosted by Delisha Carter and featuring artists: Michael Browing, Chanell Mosley, Gregory Jarre' and Zipporah Taylor.
Admission at the door: $5.00 and two canned goods donations to benefit St. Mark's Pure Grace Ministry and Diane Nicole's "Feed Those in Need" Initiative.
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Partners in Celebration
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Easter Sunday at Faith Lutheran, Warner Robins, April 20, 2014
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The Southeastern Synod's Partners in Celebration Program provides an intentional way for interested individuals and congregations to support new church starts and redevelopment efforts through "targeted" financial contributions. It is a very realistic goal for 100 Partners in Celebration to each contribute $100+ three or four times each year to a featured ministry. We have the potential for these gifts to easily generate additional, unbudgeted income of $10,000 or more which would be an enormous blessing for any size ministry.
Our highlighted ministry for the second quarter of 2014 is Faith Lutheran Church, located in Warner Robins, GA. Members of Faith describe themselves as a small redevelopment congregation -- small in numbers, but mighty in the Spirit.
For more information on Faith Lutheran Church or the Partners in Celebration program, visit our website.
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National Women's Health Week: Improving the Health of Women
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Connie Pearson, chairperson of the Southeastern Synod Health Ministries Team, encourages all of us to become involved in initiatives to promote and improve the health of women and girls. Click here to read her article.
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Ecumenical Stewardship Center
A Network for Growing Stewards
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 This week begins a series of articles prepared by people who will be presenters at Rethinking Stewardship: Exploring Year-Round Stewardship, July 28-30 at Luther Seminary. This first article explores a definition of stewardship as a call to create community in Christ's name. Click here for information.
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Resources, Retreats, Learning Opportunities
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Southern Seminary is excited to host clergy and church leaders for SHIFT, a continuing education event on campus at the seminary July 15-17. Exploring how to lead your congregation through the shift from a membership culture to discipleship culture, consumer church to covenant church, and attractional church to missional church may be the most valuable continuing education you can get this summer. The early-bird registration deadline (May 15) is just around the corner! Get all of the program and registration details here.
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Welcome, Tell, Share: A Worship Workshop at Eastertide
Saturday May 10, 2014 | Tyson House Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry
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Joan Chittister's Keynote at TENS Conference:
Spirituality of Philanthropy
 The Spirituality of Philanthropy: Ministry of Money, will be the topic of Sister Joan Chittister's Keynote Address at the 2014 Conference of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) on June 6 and 7 at Emory University in Atlanta. Follow the links for information and to register for the conference or the webcast.
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Learn about great planning and training tools offered by Augsburg Fortress Publishers to support your worship and music ministries. Click here for information on these webinars.
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The National Church Leadership Institute
Every summer entrepreneurial leaders gather to create new expressions of church that passionately meet the world's greatest needs. This August 7th-10th in Atlanta, the brightest practitioners and creative re-inventors of church for today's age are available all in one place. Register by May 15th for priority access and a $100 registration discount. Click the logo to register.
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Coming Up!
May 12: Bowling Green State University Collegiate Chorale, 7:30 p.m., All Saints Lutheran, Lilburn, GA
May 15: Youth Gathering - Volunteer and Financial Assistance Applications
May 17: Intimate Worship, St. Mark, Atlanta, GA
May 18: Ordination of Ms. Antoinette Robinson, Trinity Ministries for New Development at Peace Lutheran, Memphis, TN
May 18: Installation of the Rev. William Gerald Weeks, Gloria Dei, Knoxville, TN
May 30 - June 1: Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
June 13 - 20: AFFIRM 2014, Berry College, Rome, GA
June 22: Refugee Sunday
July 18 - 20: Lutheran Men in Mission, "Guys, Guts and God's Glory", Nashville, TN
July 21 - 28: Young Adults Go to Guatemala
July 21 - 23: WELCA Ninth Triennial Convention
July 24 - 27: WELCA Ninth Triennial Gathering 2014
View the entire synod calendar here.
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Save the Dates
June 22: Celebrate Refugee Sunday wherever you are!
September 7: "God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday 2014"
Details will be provided as received.
October 14 - 16: Leadership Convocation, Lutheridge
July 15 - 19, 2015: ELCA Youth Gathering, Detroit, MI
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Click here to view descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others listed on our website:
Part-Time Pianist/Organist:
Advent Lutheran Church, LaGrange, GA
Full-Time Campus Pastor: Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, TX 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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Registration opens on May 15 for two Lutherock offerings: 