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 Issue #438                                                         March 12, 2015
            WE ARE CHURCH                  

ELCA members participate in 50th anniversary of 

Selma-to-Montgomery march

               

CHICAGO (ELCA) - Some members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) joined civil rights activists, faith leaders and elected officials, including President Barack Obama, in Alabama March 7-8 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery civil rights march.  Continue.

Lenten Services and Fish Fry
Lutheran Church of the Atonement
1875 Joseph E. Boone Blvd
Atlanta, GA

Friday, March 13, 2015
Fish Fry
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Lenten Service
Conversation between Simon of Cyrene and a Roman Centurion
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 27, 2015
Fish Fry and Skit
4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m

Living Last Supper reenactment
6:30 p.m.

Click here for flyer.
                              
June 5 - 7, 2015 
Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex
2100 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N
Birmingham, AL 35203 

Information and links to Assembly Registration, Hotel Reservations, Speakers, Elections and more may be found through the Guidebook Assembly site. 
You can also download the 2015 Southeastern Assembly app for your mobile device by: 
1) searching for the event in the Guidebook app you used last year;
2) download the Guidebook app from the Apple App      Store or Android Play Store and search for the event; 3) visit http://guidebook.com/getit  and download the Guidebook app and search for the event

Online registration extends through May 1st; however, there is a cost savings for registrations made prior to April 1st.

Nominations Sought for 2015 Assembly Elections

Bio Forms Due March 31

 

The Southeastern Synod Nominating Committee is currently seeking potential nominees for several positions to be elected at the 2015 Synod Assembly. Positions for which nominees are needed include:

 

2016 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member

Members of the Consultation Committee 

Members of the Discipline Committee

Synod Council Members

Job descriptions and specific requirements may be found here under the Elections TAB. 

 

The Nominating Committee's goal is to nominate two to four persons for each position. The Committee will consider individual skills and qualifications, as well as the Synod's inclusivity goals. These goals address the balance between lay persons and pastors, gender, status as a youth or young adult, and racial/ethnic background. Achieving some geographical diversity of nominees will also be a factor in the Nominating Committee's decisions.


DEADLINE for submission of biographical forms to be considered by the Nominating Committee: March 31, 2015.
It's That Time of Year Again!
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% (112 for the Southeastern Synod) or more of the ELCA-primary plan members and eligible spouses take the online Mayo Clinic Health Assessment between January 1 and April 30, 2015.  

Thank you to the those of you who have completed your assessments.  As of February 28th, 43 members (25.15%) have completed their assessments. We need 69 more to meet our goal of 65% and earn approximately $38,000.

If you have already completed your assessment, THANK YOU!  If not, it only takes 10-20 minutes. You will receive $150 in wellness dollars just for taking the assessment!  Plus, if you complete the follow-up activities, you can earn an additional $350 more in wellness dollars!  Click "Take It Now."

Click the logo for more information.
                              WE ARE LUTHERAN                   

Important New Information on the Lutheranch Round-Up 

 March 14, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.


Due to recent rains, the road to the New Retreat Center site is muddy and may cause traffic problems. The Lutheranch Round-Up will be held at the Lutheranch Barn and Horse Arena, located at the Holy Trinity House entrance.  Please note this new address: 342 McGinnis Road, Tallapoosa, GA 30176.  Activities include an Art and Quilt Auction, New designed t-shirt sale, a country band, kids' play arena, and updates on Lutheranch.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, and homemade cakes will be served. Parking is available with assistance as needed. Don't miss this exciting place to gather.  For more information or questions, contact Libby Bedenbaugh at 803-940-6523 or libby@novusway.com. The Gratitude Gathering will still be at The Holy Trinity  House.

   www.ELCA500.org. 

 

  The ELCA Reformation Anniversary Observance website is live at  www.ELCA500.org. In addition, the ELCA Reformation 500 Facebook page is also up and running!  We hope that each synod will use these new online spaces to share any synod observances as well as find other events to share with your synods, congregations and observance planning teams.

 

The site will host news, events, resources and connections to other partners and networks in this Reformation Observance. Planners and communicators may share events and resources on the website under the "Post It!" tab, on the Facebook page or by sending them along to 500@elca.org.  Sharing with others will not only create community around observances across the ELCA but also facilitate ideas and information for planners and observers on any scale.

 

 ELCA National Youth Gathering

July 15 -19,2015

Detroit, MI 

Click here to read the latest edition of gNews.

 

To order Southeastern Synod T-Shirts for the Gathering, click here.

 

Visit the Gathering website.

The March edition is available here.
     The Passion Collective

The Passion Collective, a brand new Lutheran Campus Ministry sponsored program in Atlanta, seeks grads and post grads interested in working through a calling in life. It's a "gap year" style program based in intentional community, structured to uplift and hone natural gifts.  In return for housing in Midtown Atlanta, the participant will work 10-15 hours per week in the Grace House campus ministry serving Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory and Agnes Scott College.  Click here for application and information. To subscribe to "Grace Life" the Lutheran Campus Ministry newsletter, click here.

News from LTSS...

 

Lecture by Scott Bader-Saye

"Guns, Violence, and Fear: A Theological Response to the Idolatry of Security"

Thursday, March 26, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, 

Columbia, SC

 

Dr. Bader-Saye is a professor of Christian ethics and moral theology at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX. His publications include Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear and Church and Israel After Christendom, and his professional interests include politics, economics, sex, culture, and interfaith dialogue.

This lecture is free and open to the public; however, seating is limited.  Please register in advance by clicking here in order to receive a guaranteed seat.  If any seats remain available on the day of the event guests may register at the door.

 

Alumni Day 2015 - Friday, April 17 - Click here for information and registration. 

 

Experience Taiz� in Columbia, SC at one of the following opportunities...

Sunday, April 26, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

"An Evening with Taiz�," a worship experience for youth and young adults.

LOCATION: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 2100 Bush River Rd., Columbia, SC 29210. 

COST: A suggested donation of $30 per group or $5 per individual. 

REGISTRATION: Online at www.EveningWithTaize.Eventbrite.com or by calling 803-461-3217. 

 

Monday, April 27, 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The brothers will lead chapel at 11:30 a.m. and offer a presentation about their life as a community at 1:00 p.m.  Both occasions will be in Christ Chapel on the campus of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.  All are welcome.  No registration required.

 

Tuesday, April 28, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

"A Day with Taiz�," a retreat for clergy, youth workers, church staffs, and anyone thirsty for a day of spiritual renewal and Sabbath rest. 

LOCATION: Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

COST: $35 per person. 

REGISTRATION: Online at www.DayWithTaize.Eventbrite.com or by calling 803-461-3217. 

All-Georgia, all Success!

 

One hundred fifty five youth and adults from all over Georgia gathered February 27-March 1 at the FFA-FCCLA camp in Covington, Georgia.  The Rev. Mary Caniff-Kuhn, Program Director, Lutheridge, Arden, NC was the main speaker who taught the gatherers how to tell stories and to see Jesus in the story. The youth built three Little Libraries and brought hundreds of books as an in-kind offering for Pastor Mary to take back to Lutheridge for children who will attend camp this summer.  

 

Rachel Alley, Assistant to the Bishop, ELCA - Southeastern Synod said, "Special thanks to all the churches that took a leadership role to make this event such a wonderful success: Resurrection in Marietta, St. John in Griffin, Zion in Guyton, St. John's in Atlanta, Trinity in Lilburn, Cross of Life in Roswell, and Christ the Lord in Lawrenceville! And finally thanks to all of the adults, especially young adults, who served as well. "

 

In a note of thanks, Ron Barron, one of the adults who participated said, "I just wanted to thank you and the All Georgia staff/planners for an awesome weekend! Specifically though, I want to thank everyone for helping to facilitate and foster an environment where our youth feel safe and comfortable enough to be themselves and, in some cases, even open up to the leaders and to one another."  Barron continued, "Often times small groups are thought to only scratch the surface, but I have found that some of the youth at All Georgia are willing to dig deeper. And this is a direct result of the environment that has been created. Again, thank you and we can't wait to come back next year!"

                         WE ARE CHURCH TOGETHER                  
Something to Think About!  

By Connie Pearson, Chairperson, Health Ministries Task Force   

Recently I read an article regarding bullying in the Tennessean (a middle Tennessee newspaper).  This article was prompted by a report from WalletHub on a study to measure the relative levels of bullying in 42 states and the District of Columbia.  The purpose of the study was to help bring awareness to the financial implications of the pervasive violence of bullying.  The study data show Tennessee as the sixth worse state for bullying out of 43 states included in the study report.  The other ELCA Southeastern Synod states, Alabama, George and Mississippi, fared somewhat better with rankings of fifteenth, twenty-fourth and twenty-sixth worst states respectively.The fact that the monthly National Health Observances list includes ten observances highlighting child, teen and adult abuse, bullying and violence is an indication that this topic needs much discussion. Continue.

March 20 - 21, 2015 
Click here for information and registration.
The ELCA Advocacy Update

The March edition of the ELCA Advocacy Update can be found here.  The ELCA website offers additional information and opportunities to take action.
Today's article begins a four-week focus on the Stewardship of Creation
          WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD
Hunger Walk/Run 2015
Turner Field, Atlanta, GA
March 15, 2015
Register here today!
Registration ends at NOON on Friday, March 13.
Earth Day 2015

This year, Earth Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 22.  It is three days after the Third Sunday of Easter.  Ash Wednesday occurred on February 18.  There are eight weeks between the two.  All of Lent and two weeks of Easter are included.  This is a good time, principally as part of our Lenten journey, to reflect on our relationship with the Earth, through God.  Our Earth is provided to us as a gift of grace and love.  We have the freedom through Christ to be stewards of this gift of love.  John 3:16 says, "For God so 

loved the world . . ."  The Letter to the Colossians, Chapter 1, says that all things - all things - are made through and for Christ.  

 

The Green Team of the Southeastern Synod will be providing articles in its electronic newsletter to assist us in a thoughtful reflection of our relationship to Earth. Our first article was prepared by Carolyn Karl, a layperson at Christ Lutheran Church in Fairfield Glade, TN.  Click here to read.

 

Apply for Energy Saving Tool for Churches and Camps

Click here for information.
                                     SYNOD CALENDAR                
                                 

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 13, 2015:  "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday

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 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 

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         ELCA-Southeastern Synod - explore and see what's new!

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