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 Issue #448                                           September 3, 2015
            WE ARE CHURCH                  
If God is enough
We can be free from attachments to our plans, self-will, success
By Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop

From time to time I am invited to celebrate congregational anniversaries. It's wonderful to see the church in action and to meet members from all across the country. 
     
It is also interesting to see the variety of sizes and architectural styles our buildings come in. Looking at building additions in churches is like studying growth rings in a 
tree-one can see the periods of rapid growth and contraction. Often the first unit was built one or two centuries ago, the expansion of the sanctuary constructed when the original one was outgrown, and the education wing added in the late 1950s or '60s. I have seen dozens of churches like this and recall that my last parish had a similar growth pattern. Continue

Originally published in The Lutheran's September 2015 issue, this column is reprinted with permission.
The ELCA Southeastern Synod Together We Can! Appeal is now underway! Through your generous contributions to Together We Can!, we'll strengthen our mission support, expanding our reach to do more of the work God has called us to in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. 


Want to see what your mission support dollars do in the Southeastern Synod? 
Click the video link below and see!


Thank you for your generous support.

   Southeastern Synod Leadership Convocation

Lutheridge Conference Center
Arden, NC
September 15 - 17, 2015

Don't miss your opportunity to be a part of a dynamic conference! 

Click here to read about the 2015 Leadership Convocation and to learn about our keynote speaker, Mr. Robert Benson, pictured above. To register visit the NovusWay website at www.novusway.com . Click on "Our Programs" and "Registration Information." If you already have a NovusWay username and password, you will need to have it available when you register.

 

First Call Theological Education will also be offered for first call candidates beginning on Monday, September 14 and the Interim Pastor's Gathering will begin on Thursday afternoon and conclude on Friday. You can register for both of these events by following the instructions for registering on the NovusWay website above.

ELCA to join AME Church Sept. 6 for prayer, 
commitment to end racism

CHICAGO (ELCA) - In response to a statement and call to action from the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has pledged the 3.8 million-member ELCA to participate Sept. 6 in "Confession, Repentance and Commitment to End Racism Sunday." Continue.
Community Conversation
"Race: The Power of an Illusion"

St. John's Lutheran Church
Saturday, September 26, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

 Facilitated by:
 Ms. Cathi Crimi, Chair
 ELCA Southeastern Synod Anti-Racism Task Force

Lunch will be provided by the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta.
All are welcome.  Come and join the conversation!
No Bigotry Allowed: Losing the Spirit of Fear
Towards a Conversation About Race

This resource is written by the Rev. Ronald Bonner, pastor, Lutheran Church of the Atonement, Atlanta, GA.  Speaking of his book, Pr. Bonner said, "I believe that it will help to create common ground for open and honest conversations about race."  The Kindle eBook is available here. The paperback version will be available in early fall 2015.
September 20, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. EDT
The Rev. David Osborne will be installed as interim pastor of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia.

September 27, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. CDT
The Rev. Lynda Ernst will be installed as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 525 Sneed Road, Nashville, Tennessee.

October 4, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. CDT
Sister Sylvia Countess will be installed as an interim minister at Faith Lutheran Church, 6704 Deerfoot Parkway, Clay, Alabama.
                                                                               
October 4, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. EDT
The Rev. Stephen Friedrich will be installed as a pastor at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 4814 Paper Mill Road SE, Marietta, Georgia. 

October 10, 2015 1:00 p.m. EDT
Ms. Susan Thisell will be ordained to the office of Word and Sacrament at Christ Chapel, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, 4201 North Main Street, Columbia, S.C. 29203.

October 24, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. EDT
Ms. Melanie Johnson will be consecrated as a diaconal minister.  The service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia.

December 6, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. EDT
Dr. Everett Flanigan will be ordained to the office of the Word and Sacrament at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church, 2165 Highway 138, Riverdale, Georgia.
New Campus Ministry in Murfreesboro, TN

  In the 2015-2016 school year, Advent Lutheran Church, Murfreesboro, TN, is entering into a collaborative partnership with the Wesley Foundation, the Methodist student organization, for joint young adult campus ministry at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), in Murfreesboro, TN.   MTSU is home to the largest undergraduate population in the state of Tennessee.  With an Intercultural & Diversity Affairs department, MTSU is dedicated to making students of all backgrounds and cultures welcome on this campus, and this campus ministry will also be an intentional place of welcome and hospitality.

If you know of someone who is attending MTSU this fall and would like them to be invited into this ministry, please contact Pastor Michael Jannett, [email protected], 615-893-9705.

Click here to LIKE the "Wesley Foundation at MTSU" Facebook Page and find event dates and times for September 2015.
                              WE ARE LUTHERAN                   
Bolz-Weber is coming to Nashville

The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado, and noted author will be speaking at Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee on October 1.  She will be introducing her new book, Accidental Saints, scheduled for release on September 8.   

The ELCA Southeastern Synod Nashville congregations will be gathering to grab a meal together and to hear the dynamic Pastor Bolz-Weber.  All are welcome; however, to ELCA Southeastern Synod young adults, ages 18 - 30, a special invitation has been extended with an offer to "buy your meal and Nadia's book, if you like."  For details and to confirm your participation, contact the Rev. Michael Jannett at 615-617-9697 or Pastor@The AdventChurch.com.
Free Youth Ministry Training at Lutheranch

Are you a paid staff or volunteer with youth? Please join Rachel Alley, Assistant to the Bishop, Young Adult and Youth Ministries, at Lutheranch on October 11-12 for the 4th Annual FREE Youthworkers Retreat sponsored by NovusWay and the Southeastern Synod.  On Friday night, we will spend the evening networking, sharing ideas, and catching up with each other. On Saturday morning we will begin with breakfast then immediately go into 6 different workshops with a focus on basic, good youth ministry practices and faith formation ideas.  Lunch and a tour of Lutheranch will also be included. We will conclude our retreat by 5:00 p.m. so you can get back for Sunday morning responsibilities.  Please register online at  www.sesyouth.org
 Preaching the Lectionary Texts for 2016 
at Lutheranch
Two Bubbas and a Bible
an enlightening opportunity with
the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton and the Rev. Dr. John Fairless
January 11 - 13, 2016
Click here for details and here to register.
                         WE ARE CHURCH TOGETHER                  
Messiah Lutheran, Montgomery, Alabama
Puts Mission Plan into Action

Messiah Lutheran Church, Montgomery, AL approved a plan for mission at its Annual Meeting in June of 2013.  One of the initiatives was the adoption of a school in the Montgomery Public School System; one which could benefit from the God given talents of Messiah's parishioners.  The selected school was E.D. Nixon Elementary School, located in one of the more impoverished sections of the city.  During academic years 2013 and 2014, Messiah became active at Nixon by participating in the Read Across America Program, and by providing Christmas gifts for the students to give to their parents or guardians. 

This year, Messiah expanded the relationship with Nixon by also participating in the Back-pack Weekend Lunch Program.  With the help of a grant from the Southeastern Synod Great Commission Fund, twelve back packs are stuffed with non-perishable food items and given to at-risk children to take home over the weekend.  Yet, in spite of the strength of their collective initiatives, the Messiah Mission Planning Team decided they needed to add still another dimension to their plan. Thus, a decision was made to put Messiah's muscles into mission.

On August 8, 2015, the day Nixon had set aside as back to school clean-up day, members of Messiah showed up with cleaning supplies and lots of determination.  Walls were scraped and washed.  Supply cabinets were assembled.  Floors, windows and refrigerators were cleaned, and the school was made ready for the new academic year. 

A lot of work was accomplished by Messiah, Montgomery on clean-up day, but not everything was done that needed to be done.  Not to worry!  The congregation plans to return to E. D. Nixon Elementary to work in the community gardens located on the school campus, on September 13, in celebration of 
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday.

Sunday, September 13, marks the 3rd annual ELCA "God's work. Our hands." Sunday. Please share your congregation's stories and pictures with Carolyn Davis, [email protected], for publication in the E-News, on our website, Facebook and Twitter. Click here to learn more about "God's work. Our hands." Sunday.

 
 
Lutheran Services of Georgia is thrilled to announce our 2015 Heroes of Hope. Please join us for a special evening to include a buffet dinner, drinks, silent auction, and a time to honor our Heroes.
 
Thursday, September 17 | 6:30pm-9:30pm
Historic DeKalb Courthouse
101 E Court Square | Decatur, GA 30030
 
MC: Rick Probst, Host of FaithTalk LiVE
Cocktail Attire | Tickets $125 per person
 

 Funding Requests Now Being Accepted

Deadline: September 25

 

The Southeastern Synod's Budget and Finance Committee is now accepting requests for funding in the Synod's 2017-18 Ministry Funding Proposal, which will be presented for action at next year's synod assembly. Agencies, institutions and other groups are invited to submit their requests between now and the September 25th deadline, using the online request form available here

 

Funding for committees and task forces is approved on a different cycle and requires a different form. Please use the online form located here to request support for a committee or task force during the next fiscal year (2016-17). The deadline for submitting committee/task force requests is September 25.

 

Note that links to the funding request forms are also included as one of the "Quick Links" on the synod website homepage - www.elca-ses.org.

          WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD
Green Team Creation Retreat
at Lutheridge
November 13 - 14, 2015
Click here for details.
Faith & Science in the 21st Century Series

Day1 is pleased to present a special eight-part series of programs: Faith & Science in the 21st Century. "Through our Day1 radio program and podcast and special videos and other online resources, we'll explore together some of the major issues of science today with a goal to facilitate meaningful conversation around these issues, particularly among people of faith." The programming schedule may be found here. For information about Day1, the nationally syndicated radio program hosted by Peter Wallace, click here.
                                     SYNOD CALENDAR                
               
             2015                     
September 11, 2015: Synod Council Meeting, Living Grace, Tucker, GA.
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
September 25, 2015: Deadline to submit funding requests to the Synod's Budget and Finance                                                             Committee.
September 27, 2015:  Together We Can! Appeal Sunday
October 10 - 11, 2015:  Youth Ministry Training, Lutheranch, Tallapoosa, GA
October 31, 2015: Grace Gathering, New Orleans, LA - Early Bird Registration
November 13 - 14, 2015: Green Team Creation Retreat, Lutheridge, Arden, NC
December 13, 2015An African Advent Concert "Ku Imba Mungu"...Sing to God, St. Paul, Decatur, GA

2016
January 11 - 13, 2016:  Two Bubbas and a Bible, Lutheridge, Arden, NC
January 17, 2016: The ELCA - Southeastern Synod service of commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Location to be determined.
May 27 -29, 2016: - 2016 Southeastern Synod Assembly, Birmingham, AL
August 8 - 13, 2016: 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, New Orleans, LA
August 10 - 13, 2016: ELCA Grace Gathering, New Orleans, LA

2017
July 13 - 17, 2017:  Tenth Triennial for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Minneapolis, MN

2018
June 27 - July 1, 2018:  ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston, TX
                        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 Preschool Director
Peachtree Road Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA
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ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977