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  Issue #456                                           February 5, 2016
            WE ARE CHURCH                  
Time to get to know each other
And get ready to consider priorities, future direction of ELCA
By Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop
  
Sometimes I just don't get us. We are the least likely of all people to speak enthusiastically about our church. I don't know if it is some cross-cultural Lutheran modesty that compels us to hide our light under a bushel, but the effect is that the ELCA is one of the best kept secrets-from ourselves.

Other people in this country and around the world value who we are as a church and the work we do in Jesus' name. Recently I was in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan observing the work of the Lutheran World Federation. The Syrian refugees knew what is Lutheran.   Continue reading...
A Message from Adrainne Gray
ELCA Southeastern Synod World Hunger Ambassador

ELCA World Hunger is extending an invitation to the Southeastern Synod to give for Lent.

Beginning Sunday, Feb. 7, and extending through the season of Lent, congregations across the ELCA will join together to raise $2 million to benefit the ministries of ELCA World Hunger. ELCA World Hunger's 40 Days of Giving will kick off this campaign. This support will enable crucial work to eradicate hunger globally and domestically and its byproducts: poor health, violence, and despair.  Continue reading...
Lenten Resources 
  

Book of Faith Lenten Journey is a study of the Epistle of James being presented at Living Grace Lutheran Church, 1812 Cooledge Road, Tucker, GA.  Classes begin on February 17, 2016 and end on March 11, 2016. This is a four week course, with each class presented three times each week.  Please register as soon as possible so that books may be ordered. The cost of the books is $7.00.  

I Am With You: The Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2016 by the Rev. Dr. Kathryn Greene-Wright, Episcopal priest and theologian, is a reflective and thought-provoking guide to the solemn season of Lent.
February 13, 2016, 2:00 p.m. EST
Mr. Edward Keith Lankford will be ordained to the Office of Word and Sacrament at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 800 West Lake Drive, Athens, GA. 

February 21, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. EST
The Rev. Scott Seeke will be installed as Senior Pastor, Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, 3305 Highway 29 South, Lawrenceville, GA.

February 21, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. EST
The Rev. Norman L. Deal, Jr., will be installed as Pastor, Salem and Luther Memorial Lutheran Churches, 3001 Salem Road, Parrottsville, TN.

March 13, 2016, 2:30 p.m. EST
The Rev. Mary Louise Sitton will be installed as Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 191 Central Heights Road, Blountville, TN
Lutheran Services of Georgia
Prayer Breakfast

March 31, 2016
7:30 a.m - 9:30 a.m.

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
Sims Atrium
731 Peachtree Street NE
                                        Atlanta, GA 
 
Please join Lutheran Services of Georgia in welcoming Ms. Linda Hartke, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, to the LSG Prayer Breakfast.  Ms. Hartke will share heart and faith-filled messages regarding the journeys of our refugees in crisis and how we as people of faith can help. The event will be hosted by the Rev. H. Julian Gordy, Bishop, ELCA Southeastern Synod and the Rev. Gregory S. Walton, President, LCMS Georgia-Florida District. Click here to register.  Tickets are $40.00 each and there are opportunities for sponsorship.  For more information, contact Allison Purves,  [email protected], 404-558-5771.
2 ELCA Seminaries to Merge

            CHICAGO (ELCA) - In simultaneous meetings held on their respective campuses January 12-13, the boards of Gettysburg and Philadelphia Lutheran seminaries adopted identical resolutions calling for "the creation of a new school of theology and leadership formation."
            Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia are two of eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Continue reading...

Daily ELCA news reports may be found in the News Feed section at the bottom of the Southeastern Synod website home page and on the ELCA website.
Handbells Wanted

Epiphany Lutheran in Conyers is seeking to purchase handbells for its music program.  They already have 2.5 octaves on Schulmerich bells, and  would like to purchase the 7 lowest bells (and case) to complete the 3rd octave.  Please contact Don Harris at [email protected].
Rostered Leader Reports Due February 15   

Annual rostered leaders reports are now available online.  Click here for access to the report and instructions for submission. Reports are due to Bishop Gordy by February 15.
Clergy Financial
 Resources
IRS Announces 2016 Mileage Rates
   

The Internal Revenue Service has issued its 2016 optional standard mileage rates. Due to falling gas prices, mileage reimbursement rates have dropped to their lowest amount in the past five years. Continue.
                              WE ARE LUTHERAN                   
A Message from Rachel Alley 
Assistant to the Bishop for Young Adult and Youth Ministries

R AlleyAffirm Registration is Now OPEN! Visit http://www.sesyouth.org/register-online-for-affirm.html for details about this summer's youth event!  Affirm is the Southeastern Synod's premier youth event. Held at Berry college in Rome, Georgia, youth grades 6th-12th grades will develop leadership and discipleship skills for the church today while spending their day in community with 375 youth and adults from all across the synod.  Each evening our youth will be lead in worship by their peers. Our youth will be challenged at the opening of each day with a message from our chaplain, Bishop Gordy. New this year is a Faith and Science unit for high school youth. If you know of young adults who would like 30 hours of youth ministry training, the Young Adult Youth Ministry Institute is also held at Affirm for college freshman and sophomores. Continue reading...

Internship Opportunity
 
Tyson House Episcopal-Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Tennessee seeks applicants for internship for the academic year 2016-17.  Click here for information. To learn more about Tyson House, visit their website or Facebook page.

The information link, which did not work in the previous issue, is now repaired. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

NovusWay celebrates February as "Camp Month" in order to give congregations the opportunity to spread the word about the value of a week of summer camp. Congregations can participate in SO MANY ways! One easy way is to hold a "Camp Sunday" event at your church, where you could play a camp game during the Children's Sermon or even sing a camp song during worship. Make it your own! For more information on how to promote a "Camp Sunday" event in YOUR congregation and to get materials, click here or contact Kara Beck at [email protected].
Southeastern Synod Holy Land Study Program 
 
For several years Dr. Monte Luker of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary has offered trips to the Holy Land for members of our synods. In 2017, Dr. Luker is offering a study trip to members of the Southeastern Synod. 

Diaconal Minster Allison Ward and her husband Jim will help coordinate our synod's pilgrimage. Seminarians are encouraged to use this experience as a multi-cultural course. Scholarships are available. Congregations and individuals are invited to offer funds to supplement scholarships. 

Click here for information found on Dr. Luker's travel site. You may also contact Allison Ward at [email protected]
                         WE ARE CHURCH TOGETHER                  
Why is Black History Month still significant?

Written by the Rev. Ronald  S. Bonner, Sr., pastor, Lutheran Church of the Atonement, Atlanta, GA, this article gives voice to the significance of Black History month in today's context.

Black history in general is under attack in an effort to diminish the accomplishments of Black people.  Black history month from its inception (which started out as a week in February) was conceived to promote and highlight overlooked accomplishments by Black people.  Black history month - despite all of the efforts to sanitize it - is still an important time in the lives of Black Americans and others.  Continue reading...
Your Voice Makes a Difference
Advocacy Opportunities

The goal of the Southeastern Synod Advocacy Team is to keep you informed of opportunities to take action, to be a voice for those who have no voice.  Below find opportunities for your consideration.

February 6, 2016:  2nd Annual Islands Women's Day - Embracing Life's Challenges held at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 51 Wilmington Island Rd, Savannah, GA. Click here for a news video and here for registration information.

February 10, 2016:  Immigration and Refugee Advocacy - 2nd Annual New Americans Celebration, an annual day of education and outreach fo refugees and immigrants, and for all who support them.


February 13, 2016:  Your Voice Makes a Difference, information and discussion session at All Saints Lutheran Church, 722 Rockbridge Road SW, Lilburn, GA.  

          WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD

 
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.
                                     SYNOD CALENDAR                
               
              2016                   
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
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
May 26 - 28, 2017:  2017 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
July 13 - 17, 2017:  Tenth Triennial for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Minneapolis, MN

2018
June 1 - 3, 2018: 2018 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
June 27 - July 1, 2018:  ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston, TX

                                                          2019
May 31 - June 2, 2019: 2019 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN

                                                          2020
June 5 - 7, 2020: 2020 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN

                                                          2021
June 4 - 6, 2021:  2021 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
                        EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES                    
Descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others are listed on our website:  
Internship
Tyson House Episcopal-Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Part-Time Church Secretary/Treasurer
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Conyers, GA 
                    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!
                                       QUICK LINKS                           
                                                      
         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