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 Issue #434                                                    January 30, 2015
            WE ARE CHURCH                  

Baptism begins real new year

Resolutions will always come up short in our attempts 
to remake ourselves
By Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop

A new year. Time to start over. A fresh set of possibilities.Out with the old, in with the new. New Year's resolutions are made-usually along the lines of self improvement. And so, with a combination of optimism and grim determination, we set out into the New Year.

But how long does our resolve last? Days? Weeks? It's a good bet that the gym will be a lot less crowded at the end of January than it was at the beginning.  Continue.   

Originally published in The Lutheran's January 2015 issue, this column is reprinted with permission.
2015 Southeastern Synod Assembly
June 5-7, 2015
  "We Are Church"    
Dr. Mark Allan Powell, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, will
serve as Bible study leader and keynote speaker.

The Rev. Ronald Glusenkamp, Director, Campaign for the ELCA,
will serve as our churchwide representative.

 A GLOCAL Event will be part of the assembly.

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex,
2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203

Registration opens February 16. 
More information will be available soon!
                    The Lutheran Magazine
Southeastern Synod Supplement    

In 2015, four issues of The Lutheran magazine will contain a Southeastern Synod supplement.  These supplements will feature articles written by leaders throughout our synod that tell the story of how it is that "We are church" together.

Click here to read the supplement for the February 2015 edition. Our guest writers are the Rev. Patricia Axel, Nativity, Bethlehem, GA and the Rev. Patrick McLaughlin, Salem Lutheran Church and Luther Memorial Lutheran Church (Parrottsville Parish), Parrottsville, GA. 

Have a story to tell?  Please contact Michelle Angalet.
"What Will We Do? "in 2015. This week's writer shares some lessons that have become an important part of her ongoing ministry.  Click here.
News from NovusWay

Lutheranch Campaign Update   

The "Standing on the Promise" campaign continues in congregations throughout the ELCA-Southeastern Synod.  To date, totals in pledging/giving are $2.7 million. 

 

Recently, Lutheran Church of Redeemer, Savannah, GA ran a congregational campaign for Lutheranch, with Susan Tellefsen serving as the congregational leader.  Redeemer's average attendance is 75.  Their total giving/pledging for the campaign totaled $25,720.00.  Continue.


February is Camp Month!  

NovusWay encourages congregations and individuals to share their camp experience.  Click here to learn how. 
Oops!  

In the December 18 issue, we reported that Bishop H. Julian Gordy was awarded an honorary doctorate at Newberry College in Columbia, SC instead of Newberry, SC.  We apologize for the error.
                              WE ARE LUTHERANS                    
Newberry College Campus Ministry and Church Relations 
is now on Twitter!   
For updates and news, follow Newberry College Campus Ministry and Church Relations @wolvesNministry on twitter.com. You may go to  https://twitter.com/wolvesNministry. 
Region 9 Bishop's School    

Below is a message from the Rev. Phillip Tonnesen concerning the future of Bishop's School in Region 9. Pastor Tonneson serves as Assistant to the Bishop in the North Carolina Synod and as the Chair of the Region 9 Council.

The Bishop's School experience in our region is a tradition that has had a very positive impact on the lives of young adults who desire to learn more about how it is that God is calling them to use their gifts as leaders in the church.  Over the past several months a task force has been evaluating the program and exploring options to enhance the experience.  Continue.
                         WE ARE CHURCH TOGETHER                  
Southeastern Synod
We Are Church Together Appeal
clasped-hands-sky.jpg  
Thank you to those who have generously given to date, and to those congregations and individuals who plan to make a gift by January 31, 2015, the end of the synod's fiscal year.
It's That Time of Year Again!
Rostered Leaders Report (RLP):  All rostered leaders who are not retired should complete an RLP annually.  Click here for instructions and access to forms.  Reports are due by February 15, 2015.

 

Congregation Parochial Reports:  These annual reports filed on behalf of congregations are due and can be accessed here.  Reports are due by February 15, 2015. 

 

 


Portico Health Assessment: Not only does this program remind us of the need to be good stewards of our health for the sake of our ministries, but ELCA employers (congregations, seminaries, other organizations) earn a 2% discount on their health contribution payments if 65% or more of the ELCA-primary plan members and eligible spouses take the online Mayo Clinic Health Assessment between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2015.  It only takes 10-20 minutes and you get $150 in wellness dollars just for taking the assessment! Plus, if you do the follow-up activities, you can earn an additional $350 more in wellness dollars! Click here to begin.

Southeastern Synod Wellness/Sabbatical Grant Applications:  Thanks to our synod's participation in the Portico Health Assessment the last two years, we have been able to award grants to rostered leaders for sabbaticals and wellness initiatives. The next deadline for grant applications is April 15.  Learn more and find an application here.

Eleven Tips for a Healthy 2015!

 

If you have not already made at least one New Year's resolution, my guess is that you have at least thought about it.   Each year the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) makes a list of suggested resolutions that are directed primarily toward children.  The 2009 AAP list of New Year's resolutions focuses on suggestions that are applicable for all ages and include many of the topics that I have discussed during the past year.  Keep these tips handy throughout the year and resolve to make your 2015 healthy in many ways! 

 

Do a "childproofing "survey of your home - A "child's eye view" home survey should include a room to room inspection with removal of all "booby traps" that await the curious toddler or preschooler.  When surveying, think of poisons, small objects, sharp edges, knives, firearms and places to fall. Even older children can be at risk just because they are kids.  Continue.

 

Connie Pearson is the Chairperson of the Southeastern Synod Health Ministries Task Force.

Upcoming Event at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary...

 

Lecture by Rolf Jacobson

Friday, February 6, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, SC

Rolf Jacobson's signature combination of humor, enthusiasm and biblical scholarship have made him an in-demand speaker and author. His popular credits include Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms and Crazy Book: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Biblical Terms.  Jacobson is an associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.  Check out his preaching podcasts on "Sermon Brainwave."

 

This event is free and open to the public; however, seating is limited.  In order to receive a guaranteed seat, register online today here.  If any seats remain available on the day of the event guests may register at the door.  The lecture will be held in Stavros Hall. This event is part of Lenoir Rhyne University's Institute for Faith and Life Speaker Series.

Lost and Found Farewell Concert

 

Trinity Lutheran Church

1826 Killian Hill Road

Lilburn, GA 30047

 

February 21, 2015, 7:00 p.m.

Click here for poster.

 
Michael Smith, Guest Conductor
Lutheran Church of the Redemeer, Atlanta, GA hosts free 
Concordia Choir Concert  
March 4, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
731 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 

The Concordia Choir, under the direction of Dr. Ren� Clausen, is widely considered one of the world's premier undergraduate vocal ensembles that tours the world, sings for royalty and garners praise from critics. During Dr. Clausen's leave in 2015, Michael Smith will guest conduct.  The compete 2015 Southeastern tour schedule may be found here.
          WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD
Hunger Walk/Run 2015
Turner Field, Atlanta, GA
March 15, 2015
Register here today!

New Americans Celebration 2015 

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

 

During 2015's New Americans Celebration, refugees and their friends and neighbors will meet with Georgia lawmakers to increase their understanding of the refugee community's contributions as business owners, community leaders, and voting Americans. Attendees this year will also be invited to a Naturalization Ceremony, held in the Capitol Rotunda. Click here to learn more and register.  

The February issue of Global Links is available here.
Get your Global Church PlaceMaps for annual meetings 
and Lenten meals!

 

Inspire your members with a PlaceMap which shows where God is working through ELCA Missionaries, Young Adults in Global Mission, scholarships for International Leaders, and Global Ministries of outreach and education. This FREE resource is perfect for dinner place mats, displays or coloring sheets. Download an 11 X 17 copy at  www.ELCA.org/resources/elca-global-church-sponsorship under the "General" tab. Request 100 or 200 in pre-printed pads with free shipping and handling at 800-638-3522 or RIS@elca.org. Order larger quantities at www.resources.elca.org/Global_Mission-Global_Mission_Support_World_Maps_PlaceMap.html; 

shipping and handling charges will apply.

                                     SYNOD CALENDAR                
                                 
February 7, 2015: St. Olaf Orchestra, Marietta, GA  
February 21, 2015:  Lost and Found Farewell Concert,  Trinity Lutheran, Lilburn, GA
March 4, 2015:  Concordia Choir, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, GA
March 14, 2015:  Lutheranch Round-Up, Tallapoosa, GA                             
March 15, 2015:  2015 Hunger Walk/Run, Atlanta, GA
June 5 - 7, 2015:  2015 Southeastern Synod Assembly, Birmingham, AL
June 14 - 19, 2015:  AFFIRM, Berry College, Mt. Berry, GA 
July 15 - 19, 2015:  ELCA Youth Gathering, Detroit, MI
July 19 - 23, 2015: Called to be a Living Voice, Worship Jubilee of the ELCA & the Biennial Conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Atlanta, GA

July 30 - August 2, 2015: Association of Liberian Lutherans in America (ALLIA) and African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) Joint Conference, Baltimore, MD

September 15 - 17, 2015:  Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation, Lutheridge, Arden, NC

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

                        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!
                   EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES                      
Descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others are listed on our website:  

Full-Time Minister of Community Formation
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Lexington, SC

Full-Time Development Director
NovusWay Ministries, Arden NC

Part-Time Music Director/Accompanist
Nativity Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, GA

Part-Time Social Media/Publications Specialist
NovusWay Ministries, Arden, NC

Part-Time Music Director/Organist  
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Conyers, GA 

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ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977