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Issue #440 April 22, 2015
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Coming to terms with the times 
Creating programs, chasing youth trail telling the love of God
By Elizabeth A. Eaton
When I'm out and about in the church, I'm often asked what I plan to do to save small congregations, reverse the decline in membership, bring young adults back to church, increase mission support, make the ELCA truly multicultural, boost our relevance in the culture and fix Congress (well, not that last one). I have no plan to do any of that by myself, but I wonder if there is a deeper concern in those questions that requires a deeper answer from all of us. (Continue) Originally published in The Lutheran's April 2015 issue, this column by ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton is reprinted with permission.
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Online registration closes on May 1
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Though you can still register on-site in Birmingham, it is very helpful to our planning to have registration as complete as possible prior to Assembly. We appreciate your support in registering ahead of time.
Click here for the latest information and the registration link. |
 2015 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, May 26 - 29, 2015. Click here for a big-picture overview and to learn the important details.
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Please, Act Now!
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As of March 28th, 57 members (33.33%) have completed their Mayo Clinic Health Assessments, leaving us in need of 55 more to reach the synod goal of 65%. At risk is approximately $38,000 to provide grants for sabbaticals and wellness initiatives.
ELCA primary plan members and eligible spouses have until April 30th to participate. Unfortunately, we can only access results once a month, after the close of the month, so it is critical that we act now!
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."
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 Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!
By Connie Pearson
Chairperson
Health Ministries Task Force
We frequently read about how Americans consume too much and recycle too little. This message becomes even more apparent when one views the overflowing garbage cans each week in a typical American neighborhood. Did you know that 12 percent of the world's population lives in North America and Western Europe and accounts for 60 percent of private consumption spending? Slightly more than 33 percent of the world's population lives in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa yet accounts for only 3.2 percent of consumption spending. ( Continue) |
Christ the King, Cumming, GA Celebrates 25 Years of Ministry
On Sunday, March 22, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cumming, Georgia celebrated the 25th anniversary of being a recognized congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Participating in the celebration was the Rev. H. Julian Gordy, Bishop, ELCA - Southeastern Synod (pictured above.)
"Words cannot express our gratitude to those who years ago dared to step out in faith and form a Lutheran church in Cumming. God has blessed Christ the King over these past 25 years as we glorify God, spread the Word and love one another. May God continue to do so in the years to come!", said Kathy Voerg, Christ the King member and business manager. For more pictures of the celebration, please visit facebook.com/CTKLutheranCummingGeorgia.
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Advent Lutheran Church, LaGrange, GA
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Spring Jazz Vespers
Rock of Ages Lutheran Church
5135 Memorial Dr.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
May 3, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.
All are welcome!
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Crafting a Confirmation Program
Click here for information, registration and other upcoming events.
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Together We Can... RUN!! Affirm 2015
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Rachel Alley, Assistant to the Bishop for Young Adult and Youth Ministries
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Have your youth registered yet? Affirm is a leadership and discipleship camp for youth from the ELCA Southeastern Synod held at Berry College June 14-19. You must have finished 6th-12th grades or be a freshmen or sophomore in college to participate. Participants have a choice of 9 different age appropriate units (courses). Youth will explore their faith through these units and learn how to bring what they learned back to their congregation. Cost is $375. We have over 75 staff ready to work with your youth! Our staff are pastors, youth directors, young adults, and parents who love working with youth!
Our theme verse for the week is from Hebrews 12:1-2a. Bishop Gordy, who is our chaplain this year, will focus our morning devotions on this verse and the Worshiptivity unit will lead us each evening in what this verse and similar verses means to us as individuals and as the church together. "So then let's also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let's throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith's pioneer and perfecter."
On Monday at 1:00 p.m. at Affirm in the College Chapel, the band Lost and Found will be in concert! We'd love to have past participants and staff join us! Lost and Found has been an important part of Affirm's history and Affirm has been an important part of Michael 's and George's life over the years as well. They are excited about being with us on their final year tour. Let's fill up the chapel at Berry and celebrate their ministry!
Already over 140 kids have signed up and units are filling up fast. Visit http://www.sesyouth.org/affirm-2015-registration.html to register. This year we received 42 scholarship requests. This is the most we've ever had. If you'd like to donate to the Affirm Scholarship Fund, we could really use your help. You can send a check to the Synod Office or make a donation online at http://www.sesyouth.org/affirm-2015-online-payment-page.html.
Keep Affirm, the youth and young adult participants, and its staff in your prayers as we "Run" towards Affirm 2015!
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 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.
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Hymnfest/Congregational Singing Workshops
Sponsored by GA-AALA
(Georgia African American Lutheran Association)
St Mark Lutheran Church
4137 Washington Road
East Point, GA 30344
May 16, 2015
3:00 p.m.
Team Lutheran will be reorganizing and singing at this event. If you are interested in joining Team Lutheran, please contact GA-AALA. |
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Summer Camps at NovusWay
 Click here, to find information about the amazing camps going on this summer at Lutheridge, Lutherrock and Luther Springs.
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Lutheranch Golf Classic
Country Club of Gwinnett
3254 Clubside View Court SW
Snellville, GA 30039
Hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church, Lilburn, GA
May 9, 2015
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News from Lutheran Services of Georgia
 Lutheran Services of Georgia, Inc. (LSG) is piloting Careers and Connections, a refugee career mentoring program with Higher, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service's national employment initiative. Click here for details.
Tee off at the 21st Annual Atlanta Golf Classic to benefit services for individuals and families in need throughout Georgia. Click here for details.
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Lutheran Ministries of Alabama (LMA) Announces
ENRICH Grant Opportunities for 2015
 April 27 is the deadline for LMA ENRICH Grant opportunities. Click here for detailed information.
Also, LMA is seeking skilled repair, rebuild and site coordinator teams to aid in tornado recovery in Central Alabama. Please visit the Lutheran Ministries of Alabama website to register your team by clicking on the volunteer button or call Heather Turney at 205-837-3031.
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Smith to Preach on 'Day 1'
 The Rev. Dr. Timothy Smith, senior pastor of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, (pictured), is the featured preacher May 10 on "Day 1" with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org.
In his sermon for May 10, entitled "Last Words," Smith draws from John 15:9-17, where Jesus gives the command to love one another. He asks, "If you could say just a few last words as you knew you were dying, to whom would they be addressed, and what would they be?"
The program includes interviews with Smith conducted by Peter Wallace, who is also executive producer.
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The April, 2015 issue is available here. |
Resources for the Reformation Celebration
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News from LTSS...
"An Evening with Taizé," a worship experience for youth and young adults. - Sunday, April 26.
Click here for details of this and other upcoming LTSS events.
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Faith Forum
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
4887 Valleydale Rd.
Birmingham, AL 35242
April 28, 2015
7:00 p.m. - 8;30 p.m.
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Beer and Hymns at St.Luke Lutheran Church
St. Luke Lutheran Church in Atlanta is hosting its second Beer and Hymns event -- this time for the Easter season! St. Luke holds Beer and Hymns in their church building with food and drinks provided by the community, and would love for others to experience this event in a local church setting.
Please bring your singing voice, a friend, and beer and/or snacks to share. There will be music, food, drinks, and alleluias aplenty! The gathering is on Friday, May 1, 7:00 p.m at St. Luke, 3264 Northside Parkway NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327. If you have questions or would like more information, please e-mail internanna@stlukeatlanta.org or call the church office at 404-237-4413. |
"Making the Case" takes a look at the need for an excellent Case Statement when planning a Capital Appeal. Click here to read.
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Relational Stewardship Online Course
Live Conference calls May 14 and 28
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WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD
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Why Lutherans Care for Creation
 For this third article, as we consider our care for creation in our journey towards Earth Day, was prepared by Sandra Braasch, another member of the Green Team. Sandra came to the Southeastern Synod as a Diaconal Minister serving in many phases of disaster relief. She is now a candidate for ordained ministry in the Southeastern Synod. Our first article explained the development of Earth Day. Our second, revealed a significant effort as people in the Northwest Georgia area have made a commitment to improve the Soque River Watershed by education and awareness. This article is critical because we Lutherans believe that what we do is a call to ministry. Click here to read. |
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may be found on the Southeastern Synod website.
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Apply for Energy Saving Tool for Churches and Camps
Click here for information. |
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The April edition may be found here. |
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April 22, 2015: Earth Day
April 28, 2015: International Fair, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Decatur, GA
April 28, 2015: Faith Formation, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Birmingham, AL
May 3, 2015: Jazz Vespers, Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, Stone Mountain, GA
May 1, 2015: Beer and Hymns, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA
June 14 - 19, 2015: AFFIRM, Berry College, Mt. Berry, GA
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
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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 Director for Congregational Support
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, IL
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
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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