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  Issue #457                                          February 17, 2016
            WE ARE CHURCH                  
A Message from Adrainne Gray
ELCA Southeastern Synod World Hunger Ambassador

Within her community, Ms. Adrainne Gray witnesses the internally displaced struggle to manage inadequate food supplies within the city's many urban food deserts. Adrainne's work with those suffering homelessness in Atlanta, GA has awakened her to the ways in which the unhoused receive and obtain nutritious food. She has also worked with undocumented immigrants and refugees whose concern is how to feed their families amidst political and economic displacement. Adrainne's passion for the displaced led her to accept the call to serve as the ELCA Southeastern Synod's World Hunger Ambassador.  A recent graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary (MAPT '15), she is in the formation process with the Lutheran Deaconess Association (LDA), and seeks to become rostered  in the Southeastern Synod. She is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA.

Southeastern Synod Churches Feed the Hungry
February 15-21, 2016 --- As the church walks its Lenten journey, a season marked by repentance, fasting and wandering, I'd like us to remember those who literally go without, as a result of insufficient food supply.  Continue reading...
The Month of Hearts!
 
Here we are once again in the "Month of Hearts." Immediately we think of Valentine cards, candy and flowers when we think of hearts but there is a lot more to this heart business during February. The month of February is designated as American Heart Month on the list of National Health Observances. It is during this time that organizations and groups with a vested interested in heart health strive to interest the American public in doing those things that will make our hearts healthier.   Continue reading...
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 9, 2016, 5:45 p.m. CST
The Rev. Dr. Joy H. Blaylock, pastor, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Mobile, AL will be installed as Priest in Charge at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Mobile AL.  She will be installed during a service of Celebration of a New Ministry, which recognizes the partnership between St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Mobile, AL and Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. The Celebration will be held at Redeemer, 7125 Hitt Road, Mobile AL. Officiants will be the Rt. Rev. J. Russell Kendrick. Bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast and the Rev. Dr. Ben Moravitz, Assistant to the Bishop, ELCA Southeastern Synod.

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.
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].
                              WE ARE LUTHERAN                   
Philadelphia and Gettysburg Seminaries Offer 
Tuition-Free Education

February 11, 2016 - The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG) today announced a dramatic increase in the amount of financial aid each school is giving students, including making full-tuition scholarships available to all new full-time, ELCA rostered leader candidates studying in residence. "In partnership with the ELCA, our supporting Synods, and many faithful congregations and individuals, we decided the time is right to make seminary education far more affordable for our students," declared Presidents Michael Cooper-White (LTSG) and David Lose (LTSP). In addition to this generous offer for new students, the schools also expect to increase scholarships for all current full-time enrollees.  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.
Lutherock Conservation Easement News Release

NovusWay Ministries recently entered into a conservation easement on 518 of the camp's 750+ acres.  This step culminates a  seven year process of working with the Blue Ridge Conservancy to find a way to preserve and protect the wilderness nature and character of the camp for future generations. Continue reading...

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].
Books Not to Miss
As recommended by faculty at 
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary 


Dr. Brian Peterson
  • William P. Brown, The Seven Pillars of Creation: The Bible, Science, and the Ecology of Wonder (Oxford University, 2010).
  • J. Richard Middleton, A New Heaven and a New Earth. Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology (Baker Academic, 2014).
  • Thomas G. Long and Thomas Lynch, The Good Funeral. Death, Grief, and the Community of Care (Westminster John Knox, 2013).

Continue Reading...

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                  
Churches Respond to Abuse, Neglect 
and Exploitation of Older Adults


4343 Lebanon Pike
Herimitage, TN

Tuesday, April 12, 2016
8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

For information, click here. You may also contact the Rev. Joel Emerson 
at [email protected] or 615-871-8843.

ELCA stewardCast: Why Mission and Giving 
Saturday, February 27, 2016
10:00 a.m. - Noon (CST)

As church together we face the challenges of current culture and world issues while striving for a deeper understanding of what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means today.  Addressing these circumstances is not a financial issue, but spiritual.  We are energized by the opportunity to engage in lively conversation about our faith and life, both individually and as a community of believers.  This event invites and encourages us to do so in our role as stewards.     

Click here for detailed information.  To register, click here.
          WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD

 

The February edition is available here.
                                     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:  
Site Host for Holy Trinity House at Lutherach
Manager for Donor Relations for the ELCA Campaign
Associate Director for Philanthropy for the Fund for Leaders
Internship - Tyson House 
                    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