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Issue #469 September 7, 2016
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How will people know?
by Elizabeth A. Eaton
 On Wednesday, Aug. 10, the voting members of the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly received the document "Declaration on the Way." More than 99 percent of us affirmed this significant ecumenical statement in which Lutherans and Roman Catholics have achieved agreement on 32 issues regarding communion, ministry and the church, declaring that these are no longer church dividing (page 16). Fifty years of ecumenical dialogue in the United States and around the world led to this point.
When asked if declaration was a step closer to eucharistic sharing between Lutherans and Roman Catholics, Bishop Denis Madden, Catholic co-chair of the dialogue task force, answered, "Yes." There were tears of joy. The assembly responded with a standing ovation. Continue.
Originally published in Living Lutheran's September 2016 issue, this column is reprinted with permission.
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A Message from ELCA Secretary Wm. Chris Boerger
September 6, 2016
Dear colleagues in ministry,
This letter is to inform you of the changes to the rosters of ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that were adopted by the 2016 Churchwide Assembly. The major change is that on Jan. 1, 2017, the current rosters of associates in ministry, diaconal ministers and deaconesses will be merged into one roster of "Ministers of Word and Service." Anyone currently on any of the lay rosters will automatically be listed on the new roster. We will be working to update the website and online records by Jan. 1, 2017. It may be that this part of the transition will continue into early January. Continue. |
Bishop Eaton's Message on Suicide Prevention
Click here for more information
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Southeastern Synod
2016 Leadership Convocation
Discounted Registration ends September 15!
Lutheridge Conference Center
Arden, NC
October 11-13, 2016
Lord, listen to your children praying;
A communal conversation and action on racial reconciliation  Click here for a message from Bishop H. Julian Gordy, detailed information and registration link for the Leadership Convocation.
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In this 10th anniversary year of the publication of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America invites you to attend a
Strong Center-Open Door worship event this fall in one of three locations:
October 7-8 in Englewood, CO
October 14-15 in Rochester, MN
November 4-5 in Lansdale, PA
These are opportunities for pastors, musicians, lay leaders, and worship committees - whether new to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, exploring its treasures more deeply, or seeking to build on its foundations - to focus on the ongoing renewal of worship in our current context.
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September 11, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. CDT
The Rev. Gordon Myers will be installed as pastor at Living Word Lutheran Church, 6108 Chester Street, Arlington, TN.
September 11, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. CDT
The Rev. Monica Weber will be installed as pastor at Epiphany Lutheran Church, Agape Chapel at St. George's Independent School, 1880 Wolf River Blvd, Collierville, TN.
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Candidacy - Your Synod at Work
The Candidacy Committee announces the following decisions from its July 2016 meeting. A glossary of terms may be found below.
Approved for ordained ministry:
Sandra Braasch, Trinity, Tullahoma, TN
Carolyn Hayford, Shepherd of the Hills, Birmingham, AL
Eun Young Kim, Christ the King, Peachtree Corners, GA
Jin Ko, Christ the King, Peachtree Corners, GA
Karen Slappey, Redeemer, Atlanta, GA
Chris Smith, Celebration, Mount Juliet, TN
Jeniffer Tillman, Christ the Lord, Lawrenceville, GA
Endorsed for ordained ministry:
Sue Lynn White, Christ Our Shepherd, Peachtree City, GA
Entranced for ordained ministry:
Nyahaley Labor, St. Stephen. Decatur, GA
Ashton Roberts, St. John's, Knoxville, TN
Jennifer Roberts, St. John's, Knoxville, TN
Glossary:
An Entrance decision means the Candidacy Committee has affirmed the candidate's potential for ministry and initiates the candidate's candidacy process in the ELCA.
An Endorsement decision affirms a candidate's specific ministry track (happens about half-way through the process) and his/her continued progression through the candidacy process.
An Approval decision affirms the candidate's readiness for rostered ministry in the ELCA and initiates his/her assignment to a synod and eligibility for a call.
Upcoming Candidacy Meetings:
- November 3-5, 2016 (materials deadline is September 15)
- March 30-April 1, 2017 (materials deadline is February 1)
- August 17-19, 2016 (materials deadline is July 15)
To begin the candidacy process, speak with Jeanette Burgess in the Synod Office, 404-589-1977, ext. 232.
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 Have you ever had a brain injury? A number of years ago I had an MRI of my brain and when I read the report I was shocked to learn that a small portion of my brain showed signs of previous trauma. I have no recollection of receiving head trauma but there is always the possibility that a spill from a bike or a horse may have caused my injury as a child or teen. While such injuries may not be unusual there is far more attention given to the care of individuals with brain injury today than there was just a few years ago. Continue. |
Funding Requests Now Being Accepted
Deadline: October 1
The Southeastern Synod's Budget and Finance Committee is now accepting requests for funding in the Synod's 2018-19 Ministry Funding Plan 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 October 1st 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 (2017-18). The deadline for submitting committee/task force requests is also October 1.
Note that links to the funding request forms are also included as one of the "Quick Links" on the synod's web pages ( www.elca-ses.org). Questions about the synod budgeting process may be directed to Budget & Finance Committee chairperson, Fred Weinhold ( jfweinhold@gmail.com) or Synod Treasurer Lee Smith ( leejanmad@knology.net). |
Law & Grace
Martin Luther, Lucas Cranach, and
The Promise of Salvation
October 11, 2016 - January 16, 2017
1531 Dickey Drive, Suite 560 Atlanta, GA 30322
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Lutheran Services of Georgia has a critical need.
Can you help?
 In its work to resettle refugees in the metro Atlanta and Savannah communities, Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) depends on its trucks to transport furniture that helps to make comfortable and welcoming homes for new refugee families. The trucks that LSG owns have been well-used over the years and are quickly approaching the end of their useful lives. LSG case managers and volunteers have been using their personal vehicles to pick up and transport furniture in Savannah, and the Atlanta pick-up truck has almost 200,000 miles on it.
LSG is working to replace its current vehicles with something that will allow it to continue to meet the needs of its newly welcomed refugee families. If you have a truck that you can donate or have connections to a used car dealership who could be interested in partnering with LSG, please contact Janet Tharp, Vice President of Development at jtharp@lsga.org or 678-686-9613 (direct line) 404-372-4518 (mobile).
Your support of the work that Lutheran Services of Georgia does on behalf of its clients throughout the state of Georgia is most appreciated!
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 God's work. Our hands. Sunday, September 11, 2016 |
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A message from the Southeastern Synod Advocacy Team
By Hilton Austin Jr.
As you may or may not know, there were several exciting things that happened at Synod Assembly concerning the Southeastern Synod Advocacy Team.
First, many voting members stopped by our exhibit and signed up to join our efforts to restore and reconcile our world through faithful advocacy.
Second, John Johnson, ELCA Program Director of Domestic Policy, announced that we have been selected to receive a $30,000 grant this year, followed by $20,000 grants in 2017 and 2018. Continue. |
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MIF Special Investment Rates
Limited Time Offer
 Want great interest earnings on your savings in a low-interest environment? Look to the Mission Investment Fund (MIF). For a limited time, MIF is offering special rates on two popular Term Investments.
Visit mif.elca.org for more information and to download an investment application.
For information on all MIF investments and ministry loans, contact MIF Customer Service at 877-886-3522 or your MIF Regional Manager Jerry Johnson, AIM at 904-645-9829 or jerry.johnson@elca.org
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2016 Conference for the American Academy of Ecumenists
Candler School of Theology is privileged to host the North American Academy of Ecumenists for their 2016 Conference, "Commemorating the Reformation: Churches Looking Together Toward 2017 and Beyond," September 23-25, 2016.
On Saturday afternoon, September 24, 1:30-3:30, Don Saliers will host a panel of local leaders to discuss ecumenism in Atlanta. Among the panelists are:
- Mr. Tony Alonso, Composer, Theologian, and Roman Catholic PhD student in Emory University's Graduate Division of Religion
- Rev. Dr. Dwight Andrews, Associate Professor, Music Department, Emory College of Arts and Sciences, and Senior Minister, First Congregational Church UCC of Atlanta
- Rev. Nancy Christensen, Senior Pastor, St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta
- Bishop H. Julian Gordy, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southeastern Synod
- Bishop Michael Watson, Incoming Ecumenical Officer of the United Methodist Church Council of Bishops
- Rev. Dr. George Wirth, Former Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, and Co-President, Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta
Click here for information and registration.
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Happy Trails Gala: A Clear Success
 106 friends of Lutheranch packed the Georgian  Club in Atlanta on Saturday, August 20, for the first ever "Happy Trails Gala" that netted over $35,000 to help launch the ministry of Lutheranch. They came from as far away as Birmingham, Nashville, and Newberry, South Carolina. The Gala was so successful that it is sure to become an annual event! Click here to continue reading and to enjoy more photos from the event.
Malivuk Appointed Vice President of Program
The Rev. Richard Malivuk, Lutz, Florida will become the Vice President of Program for NovusWay Ministries on, October 1, 2016, according to Keith Johnson, Executive Director. The Vice President of Program position is part of a staff re-organization plan that came about when Susan Troutman concluded her service as Chief Operating Officer in June. Troutman was responsible for program, finance, and support services. Continue.
Opportunities at Lutheranch, Lutheridge and Lutherock
October 21-23, 2016
September 16-18, 2016, May 5-7, 2017, and September 8-10, 2017
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Can Faith and Science Be Friends?
Hosted by
Christ Lutheran Church
176 W Sandtown Road SW
Marietta, GA 30064
September 13, 20 and 27, 2016
Interested? Click here for information.
Have questions and/or want to register?
Just contact
or
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Joint Ecumenical Commemoration of the Reformation
On Oct. 31, 2016, we will make history. Lutherans and Catholics from around the world will come together for the anniversary of the Reformation. The Lutheran-Catholic commemoration will take place in Lund, Sweden, with a Common Prayer service led by Pope Francis, The Lutheran World Federation President Bishop Dr. Munib A. Younan and its general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Martin Junge. Click the link above to continue reading and to learn how you can participate.
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Facilitate a group study with Together by Grace.
 
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 Training & Counseling Center at St. Luke's
Celebrating 40 years
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Open House
Noon - 2:00 p.m.
(including tours of the Edward Gay House)
Click here for information. |
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WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD
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The GrayTones Update
Ben and Adrainne Gray, members of St. John's, Atlanta, GA, accepted a call to be missionaries. On August 9th, with their two children in tow, they began their journey to Palestine, where they will serve as the communication coordinators at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. The Grays share their experiences with us in their blog, The GrayTones Update, which may be found here. Please remember the Gray family in your prayers.
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2016 
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 1, 2016: Oktoberfest, Holy Trinity, Marietta, 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 Ministers Gathering, Atlanta, GA
October 17 - 19, 2017: Leadership Convocation, Lutheridge, Arden, NC
2018
June 1 - 3, 2018: 2018 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
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
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Descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others are listed on our website:
Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, Our Saviour's, Hastings, MN
Organist, St. James, Brunswick, GA
Director of Youth Ministries, First, Detroit Lakes, MN
Organist, Mt. Zion - St. Luke, Oglethorpe, GA
Music Director, Christ, Fairfield Glade (Crossville), TN
Director of Youth & Family Ministry, Christ Our Shepherd, Peachtree City, GA
Regional Office Director for Society of St. Andrew, Birmingham, AL
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SYNOD VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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Volunteers are crucial to the mission of the Southeastern Synod. Click here to find ways you can serve. Thank you for your generosity! | |
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ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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