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Issue #426
October 10, 2014
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The synod office will be closed next week due to a staff wellness retreat and
the annual Leadership Convocation at Lutheridge.
Please pray for all of the clergy and lay leaders of the Southeastern Synod.
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ELCA bishops respond to various assembly actions, topics
CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathered here Oct. 2-7 to consider an array of topics ranging from this church's commitment to starting new and renewing congregations to discerning the landscape of theological education, from funding the mission and embracing a new comprehensive campaign to the assignment of more than 100 rostered candidates. Other topics included an invitation to study The Use of the Means of Grace, a proposed new Word and Service roster, the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation and more. Continue.
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Presiding Bishop Visits Atlanta, GA
We are pleased to welcome ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to the Atlanta area in November.
Bishop Eaton begins her time in Atlanta with a 3:00 p.m. Community Forum on Saturday, November 22, held at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 3264 Northside Parkway NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. During this two-hour session, she will talk about the work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Specifically, Bishop Eaton will invite us to think about what it means, as she has said, that "We are church. We are Lutheran. We are church together. We are church for the sake of the world." There will also be time for those in attendance to ask questions of Bishop Eaton. Southeastern Synod Bishop H. Julian Gordy will in attendance too. All are welcome and invited to attend!
On Sunday, November 23 Bishop Eaton will preach at the three morning services in the nave at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Worship services are at 8:15 a.m (traditional), 9:45 a.m (jazz) and 11:00 a.m. (traditional). Redeemer is located at 731 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308.
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ELCA provides $100,000 to support containing Ebola
 CHICAGO (ELCA) - In an effort to help contain the Ebola outbreak in Africa, provide food assistance and more, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have committed an initial $100,000 as of Sept. 25 to support the response efforts of partners and Lutheran companion churches there. Click here to continue reading.
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See each other as brother, sister
This is most certainly true: Remember Eighth Commandment explanation
I remember a particularly contentious meeting with a church council when I was a synod bishop. It didn't start out that way, but bit by bit the mood changed. Council members
began to question my motives, then my veracity, then my character. Finally I said, "Hey, I have a mother you know." That broke the tension. My point was that I was a human being just like them, not a bloodless functionary. I had become "The Man," which made me sad and was hugely confusing for my husband. Continue.
A monthly message from the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Elizabeth A. Eaton. Her email address: bishop@elca.org. This column originally appeared in The Lutheran's October 2014 issue. Reprinted with permission.
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Welcome to the Southeastern Synod
We have added a number of new faces to our roster these past few months.
Please take a moment to meet two Tennesse leaders.
 The Rev.Stanley W. Combs has been pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in the Hixson area of Chattanooga, Tennessee since May of 2014. Born in Daytona Beach, FL, he was raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina. He graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC in 1984 with a BA in religious studies and a minor in psychology. During his summers in college Stan worked at Lutheridge as a camp counselor and area director. In 1989 Stan received his Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA. He was ordained the same year and served as pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Hallam, PA for 4 ½ years.
Prior to coming to Trinity, Stan served 20 years as the Lead Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in York, PA. During that time the congregation grew from 90 to over 1300 members. Over the course of his years in ministry, Stan has served as a volunteer hospice chaplain and a police chaplain. He has also served as the Vice-chair of the Board of Directors of Lutheran Social Services of South Central Pennsylvania. In 2000 Stan received The Servant of Youth Award from the Lutheran Committee on Civic Affairs.
Pastor's wife, Susan, is in the nursing field having both her nurse practitioner degree and certified school nursing certification. They have two young adult children, David and Rachel. While in Pennsylvania Stan and Sue were therapeutic foster care parents and over the years fostered a number of children in their home. They have two cats - Sweet Potatoes and Grace. Stan enjoys running, traveling, cooking and cheering on the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Orioles
The Rev. Lesley Radius held her first Southeastern Synod worship service on Palm Sunday, 2014 
at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Ooltewah, TN where she serves as Pastor/Redeveloper. She joins us from the Central States Synod where she has served calls as a mission developer, redeveloper and a congregationally called pastor.
Pastor Lesley entered Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1997 after having worked in the newspaper advertising industry for over 20 years. She tells us that the call for ministry was on her heart for a long time. When she was packing for seminary in 1997, she found a brochure at the bottom of a box that she had received at age 13 addressed to Mr. Lesley Radius. It was from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, inviting Pr. Lesley to consider attending the Fort Wayne Seminary Preparatory High School. Finally, 30 years later she answered the call to parish ministry.
Excited about the opportunity to partner with Resurrection, Pr. Lesley seeks to discover where God is calling this faith community and what way this congregation can share God's love and mercy with the world. She has a passion to share the Gospel with those who are not yet inside the church building and to find where the church can partner with the community to help people and live out our baptismal call. You may welcome her at lmradius@gmail.com or call 423-396-3497.
Demonstrating that 'We Are Church Together', indeed, Pastors Combs and Radius were installed on Sunday, September 14, 2014 during a progressive day of installation. The event began with the members of Trinity, Hixson and Resurrection, Ooltewah joining together for lunch at Trinity. Following lunch, the combined installation service began and continued through the installation of Pr. Combs. Service was suspended while everyone drove to Resurrection where they continued the service with the installation of Pr. Radius. All shared dessert and fellowship following the service.
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The Rev. William E. Flippin, Jr. to Preach on 'Day 1'
 The Rev. William E. Flippin, Jr., pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Atlanta is the featured preacher for All Saints' Sunday Nov. 2 on "Day 1" with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org.
Flippin came to Emmanuel last year after serving for five years as pastor of St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, GA. He also served at Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta (where his father is pastor), Progressive Community Church in Chicago, Messiah-St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church in Chicago, and St. Stephen and St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, both in Decatur, GA.
He draws his All Saints' Sunday sermon "Coram Deo" from Revelation 7. He says, "To stand Coram Deo [in the presence of God] is to be aware of God's presence and to be sensitive to the involvement of God in human life." The program includes interviews with Flippin conducted by Wallace, who is also executive producer.
"Day 1" has been broadcast every week for 69 years, formerly as "The Protestant Hour." Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, "Day 1" is currently distributed to more than 200 radio stations across America and overseas. The program is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media, based in Atlanta, GA. For more information, call toll free 888-411-Day-1 or check the program's website. |
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Faith Lutheran Breaks Ground on Expansion
 Due to membership growth and commitment, the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church, Cleveland, GA joyfully breaks ground to expand their church property. The plans are to add a 3,500 square foot building which will house new Sunday School classrooms as well as a fellowship hall. The facility is intended for use by the congregation as well as the community. |
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Dancing on the Head of a Pen
 Nashville resident and critically acclaimed writer on the contemplative life, Robert Benson will be the featured speaker at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 650 East Main St., Hendersonville, TN 37075 for the first of three events in the 2014-15 Education & Arts Series beginning Sunday, November 9 at 4:00 p.m. Join Benson as he discusses his latest work, Dancing on the Head of a Pen, a look at the work and rewards of a writer's life - from a practical and spiritual perspective. Click here for a flyer.
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Bluegrass Mass Coming to Griffin GA on October 16
 The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass originated as a commission by the highly-regarded Minneapolis-based choral ensemble VocalEssence, directed by Phillip Brunelle. (Brunelle and this ensemble are frequently heard on A Prairie Home Companion.)
Monroe Crossing, a Twin-Cities-based group, was the bluegrass band commissioned to premiere the work. Since the 2007 premiere, this bluegrass mass has been performed widely across the country, including three times at Carnegie Hall (twice with Monroe Crossing).
Monroe Crossing will be joining Griffin Choral Arts in concert on Thursday, October 16, at the First United Methodist Church in Griffin. Monroe Crossing and Griffin Choral Arts will each perform a section of works by themselves, but will join forces for the bluegrass mass following the intermission. The concert begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available at the Griffin Choral Arts website (http://www.griffinchoralarts.org) and at the door. Also available at the website are program notes on the concert, as well as other information about Griffin Choral Arts and about Monroe Crossing.
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God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday
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Celebration of Grace Lutheran Church donates to the Baby Layette Ministry. Pictured (left to right) Herb Lambert, COG, Dale Cooper, Executive Director, MUST Ministries, and Charlotte Dibbles, COG
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Celebration of Grace Lutheran Church (COG), Canton, GA decided to direct their service to meeting the needs of the Baby Layette Ministry sponsored by MUST Ministries of Cherokee County, GA. Members of COG donated 1,267 items for newborn babies to include: receiving blankets, diapers, nightgowns, towels, washcloths and baby oil. These items will be distributed to families with children in need throughout Cherokee County. Click here to enjoy pictures and stories of activities in the Southeastern Synod. If you have a picture or two to share, please send them to Carolyn Davis. To read more about "God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday" click here.
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 Newberry College Part of a $2.5 Million National Science Foundation Grant NEWBERRY, S.C. (Oct. 7, 2014) - Newberry College is part of a group that has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a project that will digitize thousands of plant specimens into a database that can be used by researchers globally. Click here to continue. |
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Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
The Academy of Faith & Leadership at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is providing lots of opportunities for the people of God to learn and grow this fall! Check out the website for full details and registration information for each event. Stay up to date on Facebook.
Events in October & November:
- October 23: Fireside chat with Bill Stanfield, founder and CEO of Metanoia Community Development Corporation (this event will be available via live-stream!)
- October 26, 30, and 31: Reformation week celebration
- November 3: Being the Church in Our Changing World: Impacting Education in Our Communities (this event is co-sponsored with Columbia College and will be hosted on the Columbia College campus)
- November 6: Military Service: Keeping Faith & Finding Hope
- November 18: Clergy in the Legal Domain
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2015 Open Enrollment
Act Now to Benefit the ELCA Fund for Leaders
Sponsoring employers and plan members have been receiving information from Portico about 2015 Open Enrollment. Every sponsoring organization and sponsored plan member are asked to make online benefit selections for the coming year - even if you simply want to keep your current option. This includes members who are on leave from call, receiving disability benefits, or retired health plan members under age 65. The timeline is as follows:
- Sept. 15 - Oct. 17: Sponsoring employers will select one of four ELCA-Primary health benefit options to provide in 2015. The Southeastern Synod has selected the Gold+ option.
- Oct. 27 - Nov. 21: Sponsored plan members will enroll in their employer-provided option or waive ELCA health benefits. They'll also make decisions about tax-advantaged accounts, life insurance, pretax retirement contributions, and beneficiaries.
New this year is a challenge for plan members to make selections early to help smooth out the enrollment process. If at least 60% of members enroll Oct. 27 - Nov. 11, Jeff Thiemann, President and CEO, Portico Benefit Services and his wife have pledged to give $5,000 to the ELCA Fund for Leaders. Please act early! Portico's website is rich with information and tools to help organizations and members make their decisions. In particular, there's a new video that recalls why participation in church-sponsored benefits matters to ministry. This can serve as a powerful conversation starter in council meetings and among colleagues. Please take four minutes to watch this video, so you can lift it up to others.
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Synod Treasurer to be Elected in 2015
Nomination Deadline: December 1, 2014
An election for Synod Treasurer will take place at the 2015 Southeastern Synod Assembly. This office is open to both clergy and lay persons. The term of office is four years in length, beginning September 1, 2015 and ending August 31, 2019. The office of Treasurer is a volunteer position which requires attendance at the Synod Assembly, approximately three Synod Council and Executive Committee meetings per year, meetings of the Budget and Finance Committee, and occasional meetings of board of directors of the Southeastern Lutheran Holding Corporation.
An ad hoc nominating committee will consider all potential nominees and will recommend at least one person to be nominated by the Synod Council for election at the Assembly in June. All persons nominated by the Synod Council must undergo a criminal background and credit check prior to the 2015 Assembly.
Additional details about the position of Synod Treasurer, including a job description, have been mailed to all synod congregations and are available upon request from the synod office. An online biographical form, available here, must be submitted by all potential nominees. Nominations received by December 1, 2014 will receive full consideration.
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Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA
Fall Cluster Meetings
Community of Grace, Grayson, GA
St. Stephen, Decatur, GA
Click the cluster name to view a flyer.
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Southeastern Synod Mission Support Through September 2014
Mission support for the Southeastern Synod through September is now available here. We are now 0.3% ahead of last year on a year-to-date basis (that's about $4,500), while still projecting to finish about 3 percent under budget for the year. Thank you to all of those who have responded by catching up on pledged giving and to those who have given beyond their 2014 commitments.
Mission support is the amount that congregations give to synods. It's one important way that we are church together and allows us to accomplish far more, together, than we could as individuals and congregations. Synods share mission support dollars with the churchwide organization to support the work of developing new ministries, helping congregations with renewal and redevelopment, supporting the education of new leaders, supporting ELCA World hunger, including fighting malaria and ebola, and more. Synods also use mission support dollars to raise up new leaders for the ELCA and to support new ministries and congregations in renewal and redevelopment here in our own synod. Click here to see how your Southeastern Synod dollars are at work, doing God's work here and around the world.
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Funding Requests Now Being Accepted
See the Synod Calendar below for important dates and links.
Contact the Synod Office at 404-589-1977 for help with questions.
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 It's time to get caught up again beginning with two past articles about generosity, followed by this week's offering on the stewardship of enough.Begin by reading "Generosity - Attitude and Action." Then use the pull down menu above Display Newsletter to access "Learning Generosity at Home" and finally "Enough."
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Partners in Celebration
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Diaconal Minister Rebecca Kolowe (kneeling left) next to the Rev. Esther Ngomuo, pastor, and members of Christ Kiswahli Lutheran Mission, Nashville, TN.
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The Southeastern Synod's Partners in Celebration Program provides an intentional way for interested individuals and Southeastern Synod congregations to support new church starts and redevelopment efforts through "targeted" financial contributions. Our highlighted ministry for the fourth quarter of 2014 is Christ Kiswahili Lutheran Mission, a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community located in Nashville, TN. This mission provides support, encouragement and advocacy to families who are of African - National descent, most especially those who have come from refugee camps in Africa. Click here to view our letter to congregations and individuals explaining how Christ Kiswahli provides support to the community and detailing ways to give.
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Glocal Gathering at the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta 
The Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA will host a Glocal Mission Gathering (GMG) October 17 and 18 at the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, 700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Suite 204, Atlanta, GA 30314. The GMG gathers congregational leaders for a day and a half of worship, workshops and sharing around global and local mission. Click here for registration information.
Students with I.D. are eligible to participate for a discounted fee of $10.00.
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Lutheran Church of the Atonement Celebrates 55 Years of Ministry
 The Lutheran Church of the Atonement,1875 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. N. W., Atlanta, GA invites you to join them in celebrating 55 years of ministry on Sunday, October 19 at 4:00 p.m. "There will be an uplifting message, liturgical dances, songs, and more to fill hearts with joy, thanksgiving, honor and praise." Please see the attached flyer for details.
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 Lutheran Ministries of Alabama (LMA)
Double D
(Dinner & Donations)
Fall Fundraising
Come enjoy an afternoon of entertainment, food and fun on
Sunday, November 16, 2014 - 3:00 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Everyone will have a fun filled afternoon at:
German Club Restaurant & Beer Garden
2318 2nd Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203-3808
This is the Fall Fundraiser to help support the ongoing ministries of LMA.
Click here for registration information.
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 The Rev. Karen Castillo,
to Visit
The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
4814 Paper Mill Road SE
Marietta, GA 30067-4046
The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection is very excited that the Rev. Karen Castillo, President, ILAG, will be visiting October 11, 2015 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event will include a southern pig roast with all the fixings to which you are cordially invited to attend. The cost for the pig roast will be $5.00 per person. Please make a reservation by sending an email no later than October 4th to kbbear@comcast.net. Resurrection wants to be certain enough food is available for all!
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2015 ELCA Youth Gathering
The 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering, which will be held in Detroit, MI, July 15 - 19, 2015, is for high school students who will enter the 9th grade or higher in the fall of 2015. This includes 2015 high school graduates. If you are not in this age group and would like to participate, you can, as many young adult/adult volunteers are needed. Please visit the gathering website for more information
about volunteering.
Registration for the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering opens on October 15, 2014. Two
things to remember about registration are:
1. You can go on the website and start entering your information now.
When registration opens on October 15, you will be able to quickly complete the process.
2. If you plan to travel with another congregation, it will be logistically easier if you REGISTER TOGETHER AS ONE CONGREGATION. This will place you in the same hotel. Same location lodging will not be guaranteed if you register separately.
There are a number of resources for the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering. The best are:
www.facebook.com/youthgathering (Best place to go!)
www.gatheringleaks.com (un-official website, with GREAT info!)
AIM Noel Reagan is serving as the gathering coordinator for the Southeastern Synod. Her role is to share important event information with congregations. Below find a link to a survey, with her request that it be completed for your congregation.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pthGzujjzS0LrZ9GOdIoPjS7ijOx10pTsZbAIShpGVo/viewform
Please contact Noel with your questions or requests for her to come and speak with your congregation. Due to limited resources, when possible, combining several congregations in a group meeting would be greatly appreciated. Noel has requested contact via email at sesgathering@gmail.com to facilitate the quickest response.
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Click the flyer to register.
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We are church for the sake of the world.
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Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) Spotlight
You are Invited to the Launch Event
Careers and Connections
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Clarkston Community Center
3701 College Ave
Clarkston, GA 30021
4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Click here for details and to RSVP
Other upcoming LSG events are listed below.
October 20 - 2014 Hope Tree Gift Drive (expression of interest)
October 27 - 11th Annual Savannah Golf Classic
November 13 - Georgia Gives Day
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Healing God's Sick Earth
 LivingLutheran recently published this blog written by the Rev. Edward Wolff, retired, Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, Jonesborough, TN and current chairperson of the Southeastern Synod Green Team task force.
What do you do when you feel sick? You see a physician and you take measures that will help you to get well. Well, there are signs our climate is sick, and we need to make it well. I believe we have a responsibility, as God's people and stewards of God's grace, to care for the earth that has been given to us. Continue.
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Zimbabwe: Building the Church
In the second largest city in Zimbabwe, an exciting outreach initiative has begun in a downtown location, led by visionary young leaders like Arnold Moyo, (pictured right.) Read what six ELCA visitors learned on the recent ELCA Global Church Sponsorship trip.
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Coming Up!
October 10 - 11: Youth Ministry Training, Lutheranch, Tallapoosa, GA
October 11: The Rev Karen Castillo, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta, GA
October 14 - 16: Leadership Convocation, Lutheridge, Arden, NC
October 16 -17: Interim Pastor's Gathering, Lutheridge, Arden, NC
October 18 - 19: Glocal Mission Gathering, Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
October 19: The Rev. Dr. Ruth Hamilton to preach on Day1.
October 19: 55 Years Anniversary, Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 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.
October 21: RECAP luncheon, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Peachtree Corners, GA
October 23: North Fulton County Syposium: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and Cyber Safety, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Johns Creek, GA
November 2: The Rev. William E. Flippin, Jr. to preach on Day1.
November 22: Presiding Bishop Eaton, St. Luke, Atlanta, GA
November 23: Presiding Bishop Eaton, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, GA
View the entire synod calendar here.
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Save the Dates
March 14, 2015: Lutheranch Round-Up, Tallapoosa, GA
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
September 18 - 20, 2015: Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA annual convention, St. Simons Island, GA
July 13 - 17, 2017: Tenth Triennial for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Minneapolis, MN
 Pre-register now through December 31, 2014, for the reduced price of $280.
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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 Faculty Position in Ethic
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary/Church Divinity School of the Pacific,
Berkeley, CA
Full-Time Assistant Program Director/Hospitality Coordinator
Lutheridge, Arden, NC (Previously listed as Nevada in error.)
Part-Time Organist/Choir Accompanist (New)
Christ Lutheran Church, Fairfield Glade, TN
Full-Time Assistant Director for Advocacy
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Washington, DC
Part-Time Director of Communications
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Norcross, 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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