|
|
|
Issue #454 December 21, 2015
|
|
Attention Windows 10 Users
If you are experiencing difficulty viewing PDF documents attached to the Synod E-News, you will need to change the default setting of your device. Search "Windows 10 and pdf files" in your browser for instructions.
|
|
It is Nearly Christmas - ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton - Christmas 2015
|
Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning
Live Webcast
Thursday, January 14, 2016
8:00 p.m. CST
Click here for details and to view the August 6, 2015 webcast.
|
|
Your Voice Makes a Difference
The Southeastern Synod Advocacy Team has scheduled an event to provide information and allow an opportunity for discussion of issues related to advocacy. Your Voice Makes a Difference will be held at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 on January 23, 2016. Please register for this free event at Eventbrite. Additional information may also be found on the Advocacy Facebook page or you may contact Hilton Austin at haustin337@att.net. |
January 24, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. EST
The Rev. Leland A. Armbright, II will be installed as Senior Pastor, Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA.
January 31, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. EST
Ms. Anna Tew will be ordained to the office of the Word and Sacrament at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA.
|
|
Trott Received onto the ELCA Roster
Southeastern Synod Bishop H. Julian Gordy received the Rev. David O. Trott onto the roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on September 26, 2015. The Rev. Trott, pastor, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Decatur, GA was welcomed by pastors from the Trinity Conference and neighboring congregations.
|
|
Service of Commemoration
for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The 2016 Southeastern Synod Service of Commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin  Luther King, Jr. will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. The service will be hosted by St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Decatur, GA and held at Living Grace Lutheran Church, 1812 Cooledge Road, Tucker, GA.
Plans are underway for a festive worship service. With that in mind, the MLK Planning Committee extends an invitation to all children and adults who would offer to share their gifts of voice, both singing and speaking; of dance; and of playing an instrument. For information or to sign-up to serve, please send an email as follows:
Please plan to attend. All are welcome!
|
|
Branch to Preach at St. Luke, Cordova, TN
MLK Sunday, January 17, 2016
8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
 The Rev. Lonnie Branch will preach at St. Luke, 2000 Germantown Plwy N, Cordova, TN, for the congregation's Martin Luther King Service. Rev. Branch is the author of "Reflections of Light, the Odyssey of a Black American Lutheran Pastor During the Civil Rights Years." He is a former pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA and Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Mobile, AL.
"We are very grateful for the Southeastern Synod Multicultural grant that is supporting this event", said the Rev. Cliff Bahlinger, pastor, St. Luke. "We are also planning a congregational visit to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis with Rev. Branch on Saturday, January, 16. All are invited to join us in welcoming Rev. Branch back to our Southeastern Synod."
|
"Ku Imba Mungu"...Sing to God
an African Advent Concert
 The mass choir of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Decatur, GA presented Ku Imba Mungu (Sing to God), an African Advent Concert, on December 13. St. Paul was joined by members from St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Living Grace Lutheran Church, World Changers Ministries, Hosley Temple CMEC and Big Bethel AMEC.
|
|
Preaching the Lectionary Texts for 2016
at Lutheranch
An enlightening opportunity for study with
the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton and
the Rev. Dr. John Fairless.
January 11 - 13, 2016
Click here for details and here to register.
Your support of Lutheranch programming is greatly appreciated. |
|
Hardscape Plan for Lutheranch Being Developed
Two landscape architects are volunteering their time to develop a "hardscape" plan for Lutheranch that will include the roads, trails and site features. It is important that these features be in place prior to construction of the new retreat center. With the architect authorized to develop detailed plans and construction drawings for the center, Lutheranch is very fortunate to have two volunteers step forward to begin work on the plan. Stephen Schrader is from Birmingham, Alabama where he is a member of Shades Valley Lutheran Church. Jim Burtt is from Lawrenceville, Georgia. Continue.
|
Handbell Workshops at Lutheridge 
February 19-21 and February 26-28, 2016
Click here for information. |
 Continuing Education Opportunities
Rostered leaders and congregation leaders looking for continuing education events for 2016, click here to check out the short courses offered by Columbia Theological Seminary's Center for Lifelong Learning. |
 Lutheran Worship & The Lectionary
January 4 - 8, 2016
St. John's Lutheran Church 1410 Ponce de Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Click here for information and registration. |
Affirm 2016, to be held June 19-24, 2016 at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, is a synodical youth leadership and discipleship event. We predict over 300 youth from across our synod will participate in grades 6 through 12. Youth are able to choose between 10 different age appropriate units that will build up their faith while developing skills they will
use in their daily lives, in their congregations and in their world. Each day is filled with activities including small groups, community time, meals, and worship.
If all this excites you, then please consider applying for Affirm 2016 Staff or if you know of someone who'd be good, please send the application to them. Applications, found at the link above, are due in the synod office by January 15 and you will be notified by February 15. We will need a staff of approximately 75. This includes pastors, parents, youth workers, and young adults to serve as small group leaders. We will also need medical experts to serve on the medical team.
Alassippi is scheduled for February 20-21 at St. Mark's in Huntsville, Alabama. Youth from Alabama and Mississippi in grades 6 through 12 are encouraged to attend. Friends are welcome to come. The theme is Who are We? Beyond Definition. Youth will meet people who have seen the needs of their neighbors and hear how they dreamed to fix it. They will also hear how these people have spent their lives making a difference, locally, regionally, and in the world. Register online at www.sesyouth.org.
All-Georgia Youth Gathering is scheduled for February 26-28, and guess who's coming? David Sherer also known as AGAPE. Because we want everyone to see and experience him, all congregations in the Southeastern Synod are invited to come. The theme of All-Georgia is Who are We? As One. With David, we will delve into Ephesians chapter 4, looking at how we all come from different experiences yet we all have in common One God, One Faith, and One Baptism. Cost is $85 per person which includes the cost of the camp, food, an awesome t-shirt, and programming. Register online at www.sesyouth.org.
If you have any questions about these programs, please email Rachel Alley at ralley@elca-ses.org or call 770-235-7339.
|
CONNECT. REFLECT. DISCOVER.
 Ms. Leymah Gbowee, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and ELCA International Leaders Scholarship recipient,
is a keynote speaker.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS JANUARY 31, 2016
Follow the link above for registration, lodging,
and Gathering schedules.
|
 California Lutheran University - Executive Skills for Pastors January 11 - 15, 2016 Click here for the event schedule and here for additional information and registration. |
 New Programs from PLTS
|
 Celebrate Young Musicians in your Congregation
Lutheran Music Program is excited to announce the first annual Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) Initiative coming this January. Please join with congregations nationwide to celebrate young musicians and spread the word about Lutheran Summer Music to your congregation on January 17th or January 24th. Click here for information.
|
Thank you for your support of the ELCA Southeastern Synod Together We Can! Appeal! Thus far, we have received more than $50,000.00 in contributions to Together We Can! Your generosity will help us to strengthen our mission support, expanding our reach to do more of the work God has called us to in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Thank you for your generous support.
|
|
Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry
 Myth: Suicide rates increase over Christmas.
Fact: Actually December has the fewest suicides of the year. Although this is encouraging, the facts are more complicated. There is a significant uptick in suicide rates in January--almost 40% in some studies.
Help: Click here to find help for yourself or for someone you love.
|
 Kwanzaa Celebration and Book Signing
December 30, 2015
Omega Holiness Church
621 Memorial Drive
Atlanta, GA
6:30 p.m.
The Rev. Ronald Bonner, pastor, Lutheran Church of the Atonement, Atlanta, GA and author of "No Bigotry Allowed: Losing the Spirit of Fear" will be in attendance and signing books.
|
 2016 Stewardship Symposium Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Friday, January 29, 2016 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
|
CPR
Written by Connie Pearson, RN, MN, Chair, Health Ministries Task Force.
Do you know how to do CPR? If you were walking through the mall and someone collapsed in front of you would you know what to do?
CPR is short for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, a
life-saving measure that dates back to 1740 when the Paris Academy of Sciences officially recommended mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for drowning victims. In 1891 Dr. Friedrich Maass performed the first equivocally documented chest compression in humans. It was not until 1960 that Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was developed and the American Heart Association (AHA) started a program to acquaint physicians with close-chest cardiac resuscitation. Since the 1960's, the AHA, the American Red Cross and others have trained thousands of individuals in this simple method of saving lives following cardiac arrest. Continue.
|
Gifts from St. James, Brunswick, GA
St. James Lutheran Church, Brunswick, GA recently presented donations of $2,050 to both SHARE of Coastal Georgia (Speech, Hearing and Rehabilitation Enterprises) and Heather House, a transitional home for women in recovery. The gifts come from the proceeds of the St. James Oktoberfest event.
SHARE's gift will be used for speech therapy, adult day care, and helping disabled persons live more independently. Heather House's gift will be applied towards their fund drive for a new van.
Pictured (left to right): The Rev. Laurie Williams, pastor, St. James; Ms. Cheryl Meadows-Ussery, Executive Director, SHARE; Ms. Luck Flanders, Director, Heather House; and Mr. Mike Magda, Chair, St. James Oktoberfest .
|
|
Islands Women's Day
Embracing Life's Challenges
Saturday, February 6, 2016
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
51 Wilmington Island Road
Savannah, GA
Click here for information. |
|
Holy Trinity, Nashville, TN Presents
Enrichment Workshop for Couples
Couples of any faith, status or orientation are invited to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Nashville, TN on 2016 Valentines Day weekend for "Discovering God's Love: Marriage as a Spiritual Enrichment."
The marriage enrichment workshop will be facilitated by Ms. Jeannie Ingram, LPC, Certified Imago Relationship Therapist and the Rev. Kevin Strickland, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Executive for Worship.
This weekend event is designed to:
- Improve communication in your relationship;
- Provide education and tools to restore and deepen your
connection to your partner;
- Help you understand each other;
- Identify how relationship challenges help you grow together in your faith
and in your relationship as a couple; - Inspire a deeper awareness of God's presence in
your journey.
Workshop sessions take place Friday night (February 12), all day Saturday (February 13) and Sunday afternoon following worship (February 14).
The cost is $325 per couple for the weekend, with all proceeds benefiting Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. For more information or registration, contact Jeannie Ingram, ingram.jeannie@gmail.com.
|
|
|
WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD
|
|
ELCA, local partners break ground on Lutheran center,
clinic in South Sudan
CHICAGO (ELCA) - As part of ongoing work to bring peace and reconciliation in South Sudan, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and local partners broke ground on a new Lutheran center and clinic in the nation's capital, Juba, earlier this month.
The Lutheran center and clinic, which serves as the launching point for the Evangelical Lutheran Church Africa Mission in South Sudan, will be a place of worship, learning, health care and healing for people of many different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Continue.
|
|
ELCA Global Ministry Projects
The ELCA Global Church Sponsorship Team has updated and launched a new website to help share information and to offer an easy giving platform. Click here for information.
|
The December issue of ELCA Global Links is available here. |
|
2016 
January 15 - 16, 2016: Synod Council Meeting, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Suwanee, GA
January 17, 2016: The ELCA - Southeastern Synod service of commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hosted by St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Decatur, GA. Held at Living Grace Lutheran Church, Tucker, GA
January 17, 2016: MLK Worship Service, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Cordova, TN
January 23, 2016: Advocacy Training - Georgia, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, GA
January 29, 2016: Stewardship Symposium, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir Rhyne University. Registration begins November 16, 2015. Details to follow.
May 27 -29, 2016: 2016 Southeastern Synod Assembly, Birmingham, AL
September 11, 2016: "God's work. Our hands." Sunday.
September 16 -17, 2016: Synod Council Meeting, Christ Our Hope, Riverdale, GA
September 16 - 18, 2016: Southeastern Synod Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Convention, Hilton Hotel, Peachtree Corners, GA
2017
July 13 - 17, 2017: Tenth Triennial for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Minneapolis, MN
2018
|
Descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others are listed on our website:
Full-Time Church Administrator
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Athens, GA
Applications must be received by January 15, 2016
Part-Time Church Secretary/Treasurer
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Conyers, GA
Full-Time Faith Formation Director
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Athens,GA
Applications must be received by December 31, 2015
|
|
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!
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Share this E-news with a friend!
Please send this email to those you know who would benefit from this information.
ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
|
|
|
