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Issue #419 August 1, 2014
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Great expectations not novel
Signs of life to be found across this church
if we take the time to notice
In her August column for The Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton reminds readers that God gives us what we need to participate in God's mission. She asks ELCA members to share the signs of life, of mission, they see across this church. They are there if we take time to notice. Our own Bishop Gordy is noted for his report of signs of life in our own Southeastern Synod. Read her column here.
This column originally appeared in the August issue of The Lutheran. Reprinted with permission.
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Faith in Action - How People of Faith Can Respond to Influx of Unaccompanied Children in the United States
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Photo from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS)
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The humanitarian crisis created by the influx of children and families from Central America into the United States is a crisis to which people of faith can respond. Here in the Southeastern Synod, Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) is already involved in fingerprinting potential sponsors for children and in providing case management for unaccompanied children in the care of sponsors. In the coming weeks, LSG will begin providing short-term foster care for unaccompanied children and families. Foster parents will be recruited, as well as volunteers (individuals and congregations) needed to assist in providing resources to meet the needs of unaccompanied children and families. An excellent resource list for learning more about this humanitarian crisis and how the church can respond is located on the LSG Blog here (scroll down to July 30th post). To volunteer, contact Melanie Johnson. To learn more about becoming a foster parent/family, contact Taylor Brand.
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College Students Surpass Fundraising Goal for
ELCA Malaria Campaign
Students attending some of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) colleges, universities and campus ministries surpassed a matching challenge goal this month of raising $125,000 for the ELCA Malaria Campaign by $6,619.20 and counting. Continue.
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Mission Support Letter Sent to Synod Rostered Leaders
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We Are Church Together...
in 90 seconds
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A letter, co-signed by Acting Southeastern Synod Bishop Delmer Chilton and Synod Vice President, Doris Underwood, was sent to rostered leaders last week addressing lagging mission support income through June 2014. You can read the letter here. All congregations are urged to be sure that their mission support contributions are up-to-date and encouraged, when possible, to consider giving beyond their pledged amounts. Mission support is the financial support that congregations give to synods and synods give to the churchwide organization to support the work that we are called to do together. Click here to read more about mission support. Click the above video link to see how your generosity is at work today!
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2014 Leadership Convocation
 The 2014 Leadership Convocation will be held from October 14 -16, 2014, at the Lutheridge Conference Center in Arden, NC. The Convocation, a yearly gathering for the rostered leaders and church professionals of the Southeastern Synod, offers stimulating presentations, inspiring worship, sabbath and fellowship. This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Anna Madsen, an ordained Lutheran pastor with a Ph.D. in systematic theology from the University of Regensburg, Germany. She serves as the director of OMG: Center for Theological Conversation. To learn more about Dr. Madsen, click here. To register, click here.
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Funding Requests Now Being Accepted
The Southeastern Synod's Budget and Finance Committee is now accepting proposals for funding in the 2016-17 Ministry Funding Plan. Agencies, institutions and other groups are invited to submit their requests between now and the
October 20th deadline, using the online request form available HERE.
Funding for committees and task forces is approved on a different cycle and requires a different form. Please use the online form located HERE to request support for a committee or task force during the next fiscal year (2015-16). The deadline for submitting committee/task force requests is October 20.
Anyone unable to submit an electronic funding request may obtain a paper copy of the necessary form by contacting the Synod Office (404-589-1977).
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Lutheran Services of Georgia
(LSG) will host its Heroes of Hope, Healing & Strength Gala on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at the Defoor Centre in Atlanta, GA. Among this year's honorees, the Rev. Darrel and Mary Peterson are being recognized as Lutheran Leaders. Pr. Peterson, recently retired, served on the Southeastern Synod Staff as an Assistant to Bishop and as an LSG Board member. Mary Peterson is a Wealth Advisor for Thrivent Financial and active in the Atlanta area Lutheran community. They are members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marrietta, GA. Mr. Erroll B. Davis, Community Leader, and R.N.C. Industries, Business Leader, will also be honored this year. Click here for tickets and information.
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Lutheran Services of Georgia Tea Party in the Garden
 Join Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) at its Inaugural Tea Party in the Garden at the beautiful Savannah Botanical Gardens on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wear your most radiant derby-style hat and enter it in the Hat Contest for a great prize. Play croquet and enjoy a guided tour of the Gardens. Specialty drinks, tea, and tapas will be served with music and floral arrangements throughout. All proceeds go towards LSG's programs assisting families and children in the Savannah area. Tickets are $50 per person. If you purchase three tickets for $50 each, you get the 4th for $25. Sponsorships are available. Register at http://bit.ly/lsgteaparty. For more information, contact Deidre Harrison at dharrison@lsga.org or Linda Larson at llarson@lsga.org. Visit www.lsga.org to learn more about Lutheran Services of Georgia.
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The ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering brings together congregational teams and leaders for worship, workshops and sharing around global and local mission.
ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering
Atlanta, GA
When?
Friday, October 17, 2014, 2:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2014, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Eastern Time
Where?
The Lutheran Theological Center
700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr
Atlanta Georgia, 30135
Cost?
Just $35 per person
You are invited to gather a congregational team and register for this upcoming ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering. Click here for more information and registration for your congregational team.
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Connect Your College Student with Lutheran Campus Ministry
 Going away to college is one of life's most rewarding experiences. It can also be one of life's most challenging times as well. Students are away from home, family and friends; some for the first time. They'll have the opportunity to try new and exciting things and meet people from other cultures and lifestyles. But, they may find that they need to connect with students who share the same interests and beliefs as they do. Lutheran Campus Ministry at UGA (University of Georgia) offers students a place to go meet like-minded people - a community where other students share your student's values and faith, where they can develop meaningful friendships and connections. Click here to continue reading about LCM at UGA. To learn about all of the Southeastern Synod Campus Ministries, click here. |
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RECAP Meets at Christ the King, Peachtree Corners
RECAP, a group of retired leaders, spouses, and significant others, requests that you Save the Date, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at 11:30 am, for a get-together catered luncheon at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners (formerly Norcross), GA 30092, 770-449-1211. For information, contact Dee Donnelly at 770.416.9056.
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What is Bishop Eaton Doing on September 7th?
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"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday.
The 4 million members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are being called to put their faith into action and engage in service activities across the country Sept. 7 as part of "God's Work. Our Hands."Sunday. Continue.
Visit the ELCA website to order personalized T-shirts, bulletin inserts, and other resources to help promote the day. Remember to take pictures of your congregation in action and share them with us at cdavis@elca-ses.org.
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Immunizations! Is Your Family Covered?
By Connie Pearson, Chairperson
Health Ministries Task Force
The new school season is almost here and parents and children will soon be rushing around to ensure that new school supplies, appropriate clothing, lunch bags, backpacks and other required school items are purchased and ready for the first day of school. As a former school nurse I repeatedly observed parents arriving at school on the first day lacking the required proof that their children had been immunized against seven communicable diseases. Continue.
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Grant Money Available for Stewardship Education
Deadline: September 15
 The Stewardship of Life Institute (SOLI) is accepting grant proposals from ELCA seminaries, synods, congregations and other ministries for projects, workshops or events that encourage stewardship growth. Proposals of primary interest will be those which assist in seminarian education or first call theological education. Proposals that assist in stewardship leadership education among laity and clergy will also be considered, and those that involve collaboration between groups of congregations or ministries within the ELCA will be viewed favorably. Grant funds may not be used for administrative costs. Click here for information.
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The August issue of the ELCA Global Links is available online. |
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Resources, Retreats, Learning Opportunities
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 Bikers, Bibles & Blueridge Byways
at Lutheridge, Arden, NC
August 29 - September 1, 2014
(Labor Day weekend: Friday - Monday)
The last hurrah of the summer is best experienced from the saddle of your motorcycle. Join in men's fellowship, worship, food (including a BBQ), and lots of riding in the 3rd Annual Bikers, Bibles & Blueridge Byways! Imagine riding the SE roads with other Christian men and having the opportunity to tell your stories, laugh, and experience genuine camaraderie. Bible study and worship leader for the weekend will be Pastor Chuck Miller. Rate: $195 per person. Go to NovusWay.com to get more information and to register. |
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St. James, Norcross Offers Free Choir Music
 St. James Lutheran Church, Norcross, GA, is disbanding and will close its doors at the end of August. The church has many pieces of choir music which they would like to donate to other choirs. If you are interested, please call the church to make an appointment to look at the music. St. James is located at 4845 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, GA 30093. The phone number is 770-448-5370. The office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment at another time, please call the Rev. Julie Crosby at 404-933-2115 or Ms. Barbara Litke at 404-285-4346. Please pray for Pr. Crosby and the St. James congregation during this transition. |
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Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Academy of Faith and Leadership
2014-2015
 Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary's Academy of Faith and Leadership is excited to announce its calendar of events for the 2014-2015 year! Visit our website (www.ltss.lr.edu/afl) and click on "programs & events" for a full list of currently scheduled events. Sign up for our email list here to stay informed as new events are added to the calendar. Our guest speakers this year include Rolf Jacboson, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Alan Storey, Mark Alan Powell, and many other regional & local favorites.
First up on the calendar is "Hard Sayings of Jesus," a four-session class taught by  Rev. Dr. Charlie Sigel on Tuesday evenings in September (9, 16, 23, 30). Did Jesus really say "Hate your parents," "No divorce," "Cursed be that fig tree," and other hard to hear and understand words? If so, what could he have meant by such difficult words? This four-session class will explore that question and what those sayings have to tell us. Clergy and laity of all denominations are invited to participate in this learning opportunity. Click here for registration information.
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Cruise with Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church Choir
The choir of Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church, Riverdale, GA invites you to join them on a seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise, scheduled to set sail on Sunday, January 11, 2015. Detailed information can be found here.
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Roanoke College will Host
Lutheran Student Visit Day on Sept. 6th
 Is your student beginning to think about life after high school? Roanoke College, the second oldest Lutheran affiliated college in America, is hosting its annual Lutheran Student Visit Day on September 6th. Roanoke would like to invite high school juniors and seniors to attend a day designed to assist students with the college search process. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. and all Lutheran high school students are encouraged to attend. For details, click here.
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Coming Up!
August 23: Low Country Boil, Living Grace, Tucker, GA
September 19 - 21: Southeastern Synod WELCA Convention, Chattanooga, TN
October 5: World Communion Sunday/Global Church Sunday
October 14 - 16: Leadership Convocation, Lutheridge, Arden, NC
October 18 - 19: Glocal Mission Gathering, Atlanta, GA
October 20: DEADLINE for submitting proposals to Synod Budget and Finance for 2016 - 2017 funding or for Committees/Task Forces only fiscal year 2015 - 2016.
View the entire synod calendar here.
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Save the Dates
June 5 - 7, 2015: 2015 Southeastern Synod Assembly,
Birmingham, AL
July 15 - 19, 2015: ELCA Youth Gathering, Detroit, MI
July 30 - August 2, 2015: Association of Liberian Lutherans in America (ALLIA) and African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) Joint Conference, Baltimore, MD
July 13 - 17, 2017: Tenth Trienienel for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Minneapolis, MN
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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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Descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others are listed on our website:
Full-Time Assistant Director for Advocacy (New)
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Washington, DC
Part-Time Director of Communications
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Norcross, GA
Part-Time Director of Music Ministry
Community of Grace Lutheran Church, Grayson, GA
Part-Time Faith Formation Director
First United Lutheran Church, Kennesaw, GA
Full-Time Luther Scholar for a Tenure Track Position - Open Rank
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California Lutheran University, Berkeley, CA
Full-Time Director of Lay Ministry
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta, GA
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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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