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  Issue #473                                    November 8, 2016
2017 Annual Enrollment for Portico Benefit Services
ends on November 16.  Click here to begin.
            WE ARE CHURCH                  
Let us strive together for justice and peace! Vote today!
"Casting our ballots and serving our neighbor by ensuring that all voices are heard is one way in which we live out our affirmation of baptism to "serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus," and "to strive for justice and peace in all the earth."
- The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA
Click here for more information.


November 16, 2016
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Central Presbyterian Church
201 Washington St, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Joint Statement on the Occasion of the
Joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation
Lund, 31 October 2016
 

Click here to read. 
I was a stranger 

I was a stranger and you welcomed me ....(Matthew 25:35)

Today there are more than 60 million displaced people in the world, more than at any time since World War II. From Syria, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Somalia, Afghanistan and Colombia,
people are fleeing for their lives from war, famine, gang violence, crushing poverty, drought and floods. Parents make the wrenching choice to send their children away with the hope that the possibility of a better life in a new country outweighs the violence of their home countries and the perils of the journey.  Continue.

Originally published in Living Lutheran's November 2016 issue, this column is reprinted with permission. 
ELCA presiding bishop calls for Veterans Day prayers

CHICAGO (Nov. 2, 2016) - In honor of Veterans Day (Friday, Nov. 11), the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is calling on the church to pray for members of the armed services, veterans, chaplains and their families. 

"Let us pray for an ordered civic life and respect for the dignity and worth of every person," Eaton wrote. "In worship on these days, please remember the impact of family separation and mobility for veterans and those currently serving, many of whom are members of our congregations and communities." 
 
In her letter, Eaton refers to a memorial adopted by the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, which asks "the Office of the Presiding Bishop to establish a Sunday of prayer and action closest to Veterans Day each year to unite this church in prayer and encourage practical assistance for military members, veterans, ELCA chaplains and families." 
 
Eaton's letter is available at http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/veteran-day-bishop-letter-1116.pdf
ELCA presiding bishop and other faith leaders offer 
Advent devotions

CHICAGO (Nov. 7, 2016) - The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of Advent devotions for members of the four denominations.  Click to continue reading and to download Advent devotions.
Ecumenical Election Night Communion Service

Join Messiah, Decatur, GA and St. Stephen, Decatur, GA as they participate in this Ecumenical Election Night Communion Service with Decatur First United Methodist Church, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. at 300 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA.
December 9, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. EST
Ms. Karen Stephenson Slappey will be ordained to the office of Word and Sacrament and installed as Pastor for Outreach and Evangelism at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA.

Our apologies for previously reporting Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Fresh Anointing Dance Ministry Presents
5th Annual Dance Fest
It's Time for a Revolution
  2569 Tilson Rd
 Decatur, GA
   November 12, 2016
       3:00 p.m.
This Changes Everything

ELCA Youth Gathering team announces the theme of the 2018 gathering. "This Changes Everything," based on Ephesians 2:8, "By grace you have been saved..." Read more about the theme and the plans ahead for the Youth Gathering.
2017 Election for Synod Secretary
 
An election for Synod Secretary will take place at the 2017 Southeastern Synod Assembly. This office is open to both clergy and lay members of the synod. The term of office is four years in length, beginning September 1, 2017 and ending August 31, 2021. The current Synod Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Ruth Hamilton, has indicated that she will not be available for re-election to a second term.
 
The office of Secretary is a volunteer position which requires attendance at the Synod Assembly, approximately three Synod Council and Executive Committee meetings per year, and two or three meetings of the Southeastern Lutheran Holding Corporation Board of Directors. The Secretary works with synod staff to prepare agendas and minutes for all of these meetings. In addition, the Secretary regularly reviews the synod's constitution, bylaws, and continuing resolutions to identify areas in need of change and to suggest specific language for amendments.
 
An ad hoc nominating committee of the Synod Council has been appointed to consider potential nominees. The committee will recommend at least one individual to the Synod Council for official nomination. Note that all persons nominated by the Synod Council must undergo a criminal background check prior to the Synod Assembly.
 
Persons interested in being considered for possible nomination for Synod Secretary must complete the ONLINE BIOGRAPHICAL FORM by JANUARY 2, 2017.
 
Questions may be addressed to members of the ad hoc nominating committee: Synod Vice President Doris UnderwoodPastor Scott Peterson, and AIM Linda Larson.
Diaconal Ministry:  History, Formation, 
and Spirituality
 
This January term course introduces students to the historical, theological, and social contexts in which the work of diaconal ministry has been expressed throughout the church's history and asks how that history continues to impact the present.  This course also explores a theology of spirituality based on the Lutheran confessional writings and provides opportunity for the discussion and development of a baptismal discipline and vocational discernment, particularly as it pertains to the diaconal calling.  Click here for information and registration which begian on November 1. 
                              WE ARE LUTHERAN                   
Gods Work. Our Hands.
Sunday

For Epiphany, Collierville, TN, "God's Work. Our Hands, Sunday" was a day to celebrate the installation of their new pastor, the Rev. Monica Weber, by the Rev. Dr. Ben Moravitz, Assistant to the Bishop. Epiphany's day of service, however, was actually on Saturday, September 10. Pr. Weber said, "We brought Street Church to persons experiencing homelessness in downtown Memphis, along with Peace, Memphis, St Luke, Cordova and Living Word, Arlington." Click here to read about Street Church and ways other congregations across the synod served their communities.
 Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS)
 
The Experience
The name The Experience was chosen because LTSS believes what you, as a prospective student, experiences is the most appropriate and influential way to determine which seminary is the right place to earn your theological education. During your time with us, we will show you our community and the community surrounding us. You will experience life with our current students and the heartbeat of campus. Also, our faculty will offer you a glimpse of the classroom experience that is essential to your theological formation. We look forward to welcoming you to The Experience!   

We have three remaining opportunities, click on each date below for registration information.  For questions or to schedule a private visit, please contact Kohl Friery at 803-461-3296 or kohl.friery@lr.edu.
Reformation 500 News   
November 11, 2016 - Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and the South Carolina Synod present Martin Luther Visionary Reformer: Understanding Luther and the Arts in the World Today at LTSS with lectures by Dr. Scott Hendrix, Dr. Clay Schmidt, and Dr. M. Patrick Graham.  More information can be found here.
November 17, 2016 is Georgia Gives Day and Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) needs your help! Click here to learn how.
Lands of the Bible Academic Cruise  

Dr. Monte Luker, Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Columbia, SC, will be leading and teaching a Lands of the Bible academic cruise October 22 - November 4, 2017, with an optional Rome pre-tour. This unique itinerary includes both the Holy Land and the Journeys of Paul (the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles). Save $75.00 by registering before December 21. Information is available here. If you register online, beside HOST type Dr. Monte Luker, and beside ID# type 29932. Registration has been brisk, and it seems we will have our own private Lutheran bus for the land tours!
ELCA Available Accounting Positions  

The ELCA Office of the Treasurer has a number of accounting positions open on the churchwide team. 
           Accounting Clerk
Follow the links for information and to apply.
                         WE ARE CHURCH TOGETHER                  
2017 Care for Creation
   
At the 2016 Southeastern Synod Assembly, the voters authorized the synod to declare 2017 the CARE FOR CREATION year.  What a great time to commit to keeping God's Creation for future generations as we celebrate the Reformation, reminding ourselves we are always in reformation.  We can be about "reforming the earth," as we commit it to our care, using our hands for God's work and reforming the way we live with one another and relate to God.  Fr Richard Rohr says, "We worship God by walking with love and respect on this planet and with all other creatures.  What a simple, universal, and wholehearted religion this would be!" Continue.

     WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD       
Haiti Fundraiser 
St. Timothy, Hendersonville, TN   
 
SAVE THE DATE for our annual Haiti fundraiser to benefit the feeding program for the children of Font Baptiste School in Haiti. Join us on Sunday, November 20 at 650 East Main Street, Hendersonville, TN for our live auction and dinner. Items are needed for the live auction, especially large items such as a timeshare, sports tickets, specialty items, boats, etc.  If you can donate such an item, please contact Brenda Parker at brendaandsteven@bellsouth.net.
                                     SYNOD CALENDAR                
               
              2016                   
November 20, 2016:  Haiti Fundraiser, St. Timothy, Henderson, TN

               2017
January 15, 2017:  Service of Commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., St. John's, Atlanta, GA
January 20- 21, 2017:  Synod Council Meeting, Montgomery, AL
May 24 - 25, 2017:  Synod Council Meeting, Chattanooga, TN
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
September 15 - 17, 2017:  Women of the ELCA Convention, Nashville, TN
October 17 - 19, 2017:  Leadership Convocation, Lutheridge, Arden, NC 

 2018
May 30 - 31, 2018:  Synod Council Meeting, Chattanooga, TN
June 1 - 3, 2018:  2018 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
June 27 - July 1, 2018:  ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston, TX

                                                          2019
May 29 - 30, 2019:  Synod Council Meeting, Chattanooga, TN
May 31 - June 2, 2019:  2019 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN

                                                          2020
June 3 - 4, 2020:  Synod Council Meeting, Chattanooga, TN
June 5 - 7, 2020:  2020 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN

                                                          2021
June 2 - 3, 2021:  Synod Council Meeting, Chattanooga, TN
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 Children, Youth and Family Ministry, Our Saviour's, Hastings, MN
Organist, St. James, Brunswick, 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