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Issue #430
November 20, 2014
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Christus Victor, Ocean Springs, MS
Celebrates Fifty Years of Ministry
On behalf of Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Ocean Springs, MS, the Rev. Susan Montgomery, pastor, presents a communion service to ELCA - Southeastern Synod Bishop H. Julian Gordy. The set was made by Shearwater Pottery in Ocean Springs, MS, and given as a gift to the synod in honor and celebration of Christus Victor's anniversary. The congregation celebrated fifty years of ministry in a worship service held on Sunday, November 9, 2014.
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Southeastern Synod Welcomes Bishop Eaton to Atlanta
We are pleased to welcome ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to the Atlanta area on November 22 and 23.
The RSVP deadline for the Community Forum on Saturday, November 22 at St. Luke, Atlanta has been extended to Friday, November 21.
Click here for details. All are welcome! RSVP not required but appreciated.
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ELCA presiding bishop and ecumenical leaders
provide Advent devotions
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, and The Episcopal Church have written a series of weekly Advent devotions for members of the four denominations. Click here to read more about the authors. Click here to read/download the Advent devotions.
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Luther Seminary: 2014 Advent Devotional
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This year's Advent devotional, "Your People Long to Greet You," is now available for download. All devotions were written by Shelley Cunningham, '98. If you are a current God Pause subscriber your daily devotions will match those in the Advent devotional.
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Click here for ELCA Book of Faith Advent Reflections and Bible studies.
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Good News from Portico Benefit Services
On November 13, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, acted to preserve the housing allowance exclusion for clergy, following a year-long legal challenge from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Rather than rule on the issue of constitutionality, the Court determined that the Foundation lacked standing to challenge the housing allowance exclusion and returned the case to the U.S. District Court of Western Wisconsin with instructions to dismiss the lawsuit.
Earlier this year, Portico and the ELCA joined with the Church Alliance, representing a cross-denominational coalition of church benefit plans, to file an "amicus" brief that urged the court to uphold the constitutionality of the housing allowance exclusion. Portico is pleased by the Court's favorable decision, given the value that clergy housing allowance brings to so many of our plan members.
More information about the ruling click here.
Reminder: Open Enrollment ends November 21.
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Familiar with the Southeastern Synod
We Are Church Together Appeal?
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Homelessness: "A Both, And" Issue
As we here in the United States begin to turn our thoughts and our attention to next week's Thanksgiving feast, many of us do so without giving a second thought to where the meal, or the money to provide the meal, will come from. This week is national Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. As we prepare to eat and to gather in our homes with family and friends, it is a good time to reflect on our brothers and sisters who are homeless and hungry. In this season of thanksgiving, it is a good time to reflect on how we, as people of faith, are called to give thanks to God by responding to hunger and homelessness in our communities here and around the world. Read this week's ELCA Hunger Blog, "Homelessness: "A Both, And" Issue, here.
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Ebola Outbreak - Our Response
As we continue to hear about the Ebola outbreak in Africa, many in our congregations have wondered what they might to do respond. Below are some ways that individuals and congregations might choose to act:
1. Be aware of the impact of Ebola including:
-the potential for stigmatization of peoples of African descent or those who have traveled to areas in Africa resulting in shunning within the community due to irrational fear of exposure;
-the trauma of separation from community, for both individuals and families, in the event of isolation and restricted movement due to coming in contact with someone sick with Ebola.
2. Plan for ways your congregation can provide emotional and spiritual support online and by phone as well as provisions during times of separation. Consider providing food and groceries, baskets of goodies, homework materials and fun items for children, or other needed items during their confinement. Let them know that you care and are there.
3. Encourage people to learn about the virus and how it is transmitted. For more information, refer to the CDC resources at www.cdc.gov/ebola.
4. Continue to use good hand washing techniques and avoid touching body fluids as a routine practice.
5. Make a financial donation to the ELCA Ebola Outbreak Response here through Lutheran Disaster Relief (LDR). Your gift will add to the $100,000 already pledged by LDR. Read about the generous financial gift provided by the Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod here.
6. Stay informed about ongoing needs and LDR response through the LDR blog. You can read about ongoing initiatives to provide necessary food to countries impacted by Ebola here.
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Pastors who are serving congregations in a rural context were asked for their counsel on providing stewardship leadership. Today's writer provides some basic training. Click here. |
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Discover the Full Blessings of God
After the first of the year, we will be starting up two new Ventures in Growing Stewards cohorts, one in the Nashville/Franklin Tennessee area and one in the northeast Atlanta area. We still have room for 4-5 more congregations to participate. What is Ventures in Growing Stewards? Continue.
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The Best Christmas Gift for a Child
Do you have a child or teen on your Christmas gift list this year? Consider a gift that will introduce that child to the principles of sound investing-and help grow the church at the same time. Consider opening or adding to an existing MIF4KIDZ account offered by the Mission Investment Fund.
MIF4KIDZ accounts can be opened until a child's 16th birthday and mature on the child's 18th birthday-just in time to help pay for college tuition or other big-ticket items like a car or travel.
To give an MIF4KIDZ gift this Christmas, visit mif.elca.org/youthministry for more information and to download an MIF4KIDZ account application. For information on all MIF investments and ministry loans, contact MIF Customer Service at 877-886-3522 or your MIF Regional Manager Jerry Johnson, AIM, at 904-645-9829 or jerry.johnson@elca.org
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We are church for the sake of the world.
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The December issue of Global Links is available online. |
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St. Timothy Sponsors Dinner for Haiti Feeding Program
St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Hendersonville,TN will sponsor a dinner and auction in support of the Trinity/HOPE feeding program for Font Baptiste School in Haiti. The event will be held on Sunday, November 23, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Beech Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3216 Long Hollow Pike, Hendersonville. For information and tickets, please call St. Timothy at 615-824-6244.
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January 18, 2015: The ELCA - Southeastern Synod service of commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, John's Creek, GA
March 14, 2015: Lutheranch Round-Up, Tallapoosa, GA
March 15, 2015: 2015 Hunger Walk/Run, Atlanta, GA
April 18, 2015: Confirmation Day at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Columbia, SC
June 14 - 19, 2015: AFFIRM, Berry College, Mt. Berry, GA
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 for the Triennial 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!
Special Thanks!
Bishop Gordy and the staff of the Southeastern Synod extend heartfelt appreciation to those who have served as synod office volunteers this year:
Ms. Paulette Alderfer, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA
Ms. Bernice Bland, Living Grace, Tucker, GA
Ms. Beverly Clark, Messiah, Decatur GA
Ms. Margery Kellar, Living Grace, GA
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Descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others are listed on our website:
Part-Time Social Media/Publications Specialist
NovusWay Ministries, Arden, NC
Part-Time Music Director/Organist
Epiphany Lutheran Church, 2375 GA Highway SE, Conyers, GA
Full-Time Faculty Position in Ethic
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary/Church Divinity School of the Pacific,
Berkeley, CA
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ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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