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  Issue #463                                            July 12, 2016
            WE ARE CHURCH                  
What it means to be Lutheran   
By Elizabeth A. Eaton 

Lutherans don't often garner much media attention. In this country we don't make up a big segment of the population. When groups of Lutherans began arriving on these shores in the 18th and 19th centuries, they tended to stay in their nationality and language groups and didn't assimilate completely into the surrounding culture. We kept to ourselves and so went relatively unnoticed. Lutherans, with some exceptions, weren't part of the political or economic elite. There are both benefits and problems because of this. More later. Continue.
Originally published in Living Lutheran's July 2016 issue, this column is reprinted with permission.
Weber Ordained
The Rev. Monica Weber was ordained to the Office of Word and Sacrament on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at St. Timothy, Hendersonville, TN.  Pastor Weber will be installed as pastor of Epiphany, Collierville, TN.
Sponsor a Refugee Child for Kids Club 
62% of the goal has been reached with 3 days remaining in the campaign  


In 2015, Lutheran Services of Georgia created Kids Club, a program designed to help refugee children adjust to life in the United States.  View the video above to see how Kids Club impacts refugee children. Click here to sponsor a child for Kids Club.
ELCA Continues to Seek a New Director of Evangelical Mission 
for the Southeastern Synod  
 
This position represents the Congregational and Synodical Mission (CSM) unit in the territory of the Southeastern Synod, and is responsible for engaging synodical leaders, structures and strategies in the formation and development of evangelical congregations which reflect the purposes, principles and commitments of the synod, CSM and the ELCA as a whole. Interested parties may find a detailed job description and access to an application here. Applications will be accepted through July 24, 2016.
Safe Gatherings

Safe Gatherings
Is making sure your ministry is a safe place for everyone on your agenda? The Southeastern Synod has made it easy for your congregation to do just that! Watch the Safe Gatherings video below. Then click here to learn about our synod's connection to Safe Gatherings and how to get started!
Pre-retirement Seminar
Living Grace Lutheran Church
1812 Cooledge Road
Tucker, GA 
Thursday, October 18, 2016

Thinking about retiring soon? Join Bishop H. Julian Gordy, Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Ben Moravitz, and Southeastern Synod Portico Representative Rev. Paul Aebischer to begin planning now.    

This pre-retirement seminar is for anyone over age 50 and considering retiring within the next 15 years. It will be held on Thursday, October 18, 2016 at Living Grace Lutheran Church in Tucker, GA. You must register to attend.    

To learn more and to register, click here.
It's a Low Country Boil for Lutheran Campus Ministry Atlanta (LCM)

LCM serves Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory and Agnes Scott and we need your support. Please come to our fun event on Saturday, August 27th, at Living Grace Lutheran Church, 1812 Cooledge Rd, Tucker, GA at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and anyone under 21 is admitted free! Tickets are available online at the LCM Atlanta webpage, www.gracepeople.org. Willing to donate an auction item for the silent auction?  If so, please contact Evelyn Cannon, [email protected].  She is also available to answer questions about the event.
                              WE ARE LUTHERAN                   
Still Time to Serve!     

Committing to a year of service is a big deal - and it makes a difference. Click here to learn about the experiences of Lutheran Volunteer Corp (LVC) participants, and here to learn about opportunities still available.
Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network (LEVN)   


LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program (August 2016 to July 2017) of non-profit volunteer work and learning about social justice. Applicants need not be either Lutheran or Episcopal top apply - interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation. 

Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Kloehn at 530-756-1550 or [email protected] for more information.
Reformation 500 Sourcebook Now Available!
 
As congregations plan the ways they will mark the Reformation's 500th anniversary, this Reformation 500 Sourcebook will be an essential guide. The Sourcebook content is gathered into three main sections that focus on the areas of worship, education, and service. Within these covers you will find a treasury of ideas for planning worship services, education events, music festivals, service projects, and connections with other Christians. A CD-ROM of content that may be reproduced and customized is also included. Click here to order.

Lutheran Services of Georgia's 9th Annual Awards Event
Thursday, August 11, 2016
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Heritage Sandy Springs
6110 Blue Stone Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30328
Click here for information and tickets.


The July/August 2016 edition may be found here.
60th Anniversary Celebration at Lutherock
August 19-21, 2016 (Friday - Sunday)

Come celebrate 60 years of ministry at Lutherock! Join us for a day or weekend of celebration and reconnecting with your brothers and sisters in Christ. The weekend will be full of fun camp activities such as: ice cream making, skits and songs around the campfire, hiking on the property, climbing the Challenge Tower, zipping off the ropes course and so much more! Overnight accommodations are based on availability and require pre-registration. Click here to register online.

Free Youth Ministry Training at Lutheranch
October 7 - 8, 2016

Join Rachel Alley, Assistant to the Bishop for Young Adults and Youth Ministry, for an overnight retreat of networking and workshops on youth ministry that you will be able to use right away at your congregation. Space is limited. Click here to register.

The Passion Collective 

  • Are you a high school graduate or young adult?
  • Are you trying to figure out just where God is calling you to use your gifts and talents?
  • Do you need a place to live and serve while you figure it all out?
Then consider the Passion Collective, a gap-year program of service and spiritual direction in intentional Christian community! The Passion Collective is a part of Grace House and Lutheran Campus Ministries, Atlanta. Passion Collective missioners live at Grace House rent-free, in exchange for part-time service in campus ministry.   

We are now accepting applications for the 2016-17 school year. Contact Devin Strong at [email protected] or visit GracePeople.org to learn more.
Three identical events:
October 7-8, 2016: Bethany Lutheran Church, Englewood, Colorado
October 14-15, 2016: Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester Minnesota 
November 4-5, 2016: Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Click here for details.
Southeastern Synod Holy Land Study Program 
 
For several years Dr. Monte Luker, 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 Minister 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                  
Talk About Hospitality!

All Saints Episcopal Church, Tupelo, MS welcomed Christ the King Lutheran Church, Tupelo into a new relationship as ministry partners on July 3rd. Christ the king sold their building in June of this year. We celebrate this, another fruit of our ecumenical partnership with the Episcopal Church.

Registration closes July 17.  Click here for a video invitation from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and additional information about the Gathering.
 Partners in Celebration   

Thank you in advance for your generous and faithful support of our emerging ministries and renewal efforts through your prayer and our Partners in Celebration Program.
    
Our highlighted ministry for the third quarter of 2016 is Christ Lutheran Church located in Prattville, AL. Christ Church is one of our more successful renewal efforts. The congregation of CLC and Pastor Dan Pharr have worked long and hard to breathe new life and a spirit of health and vitality into this once declining ministry.  
        
Click here to learn more about Christ, Pratville and one of their ministries, Christ's Kitchen, shown in picture.
Cooking Classes for Kids   

During the last week of June, St. James, Greeneville, TN held "Cooking Classes for Kids", a four day class led by congregation member, Ms. Brenda Olafsen. Ms. Olafsen was assisted by several congregation members, but the majority of the cooking and clean-up was performed by the children.
 
Each day, a different meal was planned with the fourth day being about snacks. Proper ways to set a table, slicing and dicing without cutting fingers, cooking on the stove top and with the oven, reading recipes and using measuring instruments was all part of the week. 

Working together, sharing responsibilities and being kind to each other were ingredients used liberally each day. The pi�ce de r�sistance was learning different ways of praying before a meal, as each of us has different family traditions and different ways of talking to God.

 
Building an Inclusive Church Workshop 
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
4887 Valleydale Road
Birmingham, AL
July 22-23, 2016

Are you interested in helping to build Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregations?  If so, the Building an Inclusive Church workshop is for you.  Building an Inclusive Church focuses on ways to create dialogue, building relationships rather than sparking debate and division, while discussing sexual orientation and gender identification.  For more information or to register click here.
          WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD
ELCA Advocacy Update
 
The July 2016 edition is available here.
Summer Seminarian Program     

The Summer Seminarian Program is a student immersion program where Central and Eastern European seminarians will come to the United States and experience life in a congregation.  This not only helps the seminarian, but it also helps congregations understand the ministry of missions.  To learn how you and your congregation may become involved, click here or contact Dr. Thomas Drobena at the Slovak Zion Synod, [email protected] or 855-797-3522.
                                     SYNOD CALENDAR                
               
              2016                   

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 
October 18, 2016: Portico Pre-Retirement Seminar, Living Grace, Tucker, 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
August 7 - 10, 2017:  2017 Rostered Leaders Gathering, Atlanta, GA

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:  
Director of Youth & Family Ministry, Christ Our Shepherd, Peachtree City, GA
Pianist, Celebration of Grace, Canton, GA
Regional Office Director for Society of St. Andrew, Birmingham, AL
                    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