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Issue #475 November 22, 2016
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 Seven Ways to Live a Faithful Life By Julian Gordy, bishop of the Southeastern Synod, and James Gonia, bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod
We were asked to join with voices of faith from our three Abrahamic traditions to think about how the ways we share comfort, prayer, resources and energy with others beyond our borders can in turn help each of us lead a more faithful life. We are pleased to share them with you from our perspective as fellow Lutherans because, as the ELCA mission states: "We are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. With our hands, we do God's work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus' name throughout the world."
The book of Micah reminds us that God wants us to "act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
Spend a few minutes thinking about these seven ways to participate in our world. |
 The 2017 Southeastern Synod Service of Commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. The service will be hosted by St. John's Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA. The Rev. H. Julian Gordy, bishop, Southeastern Synod will serve as the preacher of the day.
The Lutheran MLK Day of Service will be held on Monday, January 16, 2017 at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, 5135 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain GA. Registration will be from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. the Day of Service, Learning and Seeking Justice will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Justice goes hand-in-hand with mercy in following God's call to care for our neighbors.
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December 4, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. EST
(please note time change)
The Rev. Terri R. Landers will be installed as Pastor of Spirit of Peace, 15985 Highway 144E, Richmond Hill, 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.
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Disaster Response and Recovery
What You Can Do Now!
As immediate needs for post-hurricane disaster response in Georgia and other states continue to be identified and long-term recovery plans are being formulated, help is still needed, now. Click here to learn what you can do. |
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A Living Lutheran Legacy
$56,000 and counting! That's what we've already raised! Be part of creating A Living Lutheran Legacy and bringing the Troutman-Gordy Atrium to the new Southeastern Synod office at St. John's, Atlanta - www.elca-ses.org
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2nd Annual Advocacy Gathering
St. John's, Atlanta, GA
Saturday, February 11, 2017
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The theme this year, "How To ...", will include such topics as How to write an effective op-ed; How to successfully build a network; and How to educate your congregation (without offending anyone). Lunch will be provided. Registration will open by December 1. For additional information, contact Committee Chair Hilton Austin, Jr. at haustin337@att.net. |
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Hear the Joy - See the Hope - Feel the Love
Matsiko World Orphan Choir
Saturday, November 26, 2016, 4:00 p.m.
The Lutheran Church of the Atonement
1875 Joseph E Boone Blvd
Atlanta, GA
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 Holiday Jazz Vespers December 4, 2016 5:30 p.m.
Rock of Ages Lutheran Church
5135 Memorial Dr.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
We would love for you to invite your family, friends and co-workers to come and help us welcome the Holiday Season with professional jazz music from our members Gary and Veronica Motley and a few of their incredibly talented jazz musician friends.
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ELCA presiding bishop and other faith leaders offer
Advent devotions
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.
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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.
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 Take a Catechism Journey with Your Congregation in Lent 2017
Devotionals and Studies for Revised Common Lectionary Year A
Open scripture and join the conversation with bible studies and devotional resources supporting the ELCA's Book of Faith initiative.
Worship Resources in Paperback
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Exciting News from Lutheranch
 Construction is in full swing at Lutheranch, and it is expected the McKanna-Sandrock Retreat Center will be completed in late spring. Two weeks of summer camp are planned - June 18-23 for confirmands and middle school youth and June 25-30 for grade school youth.
Effective August 2017, Lutheranch will be open to serve guests in the new McKanna-Sandrock Retreat Center with a capacity of 100 in several configurations: (60 adults in 30 guest rooms and 40 youth in 10 rooms, or 80 adults in 40 rooms or 100 youth in 40 rooms). The Holy Trinity House will continue to serve small groups of 16 adults or 25 youth. Continue.
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The Southeastern Synod received a pastoral letter from members of the ILAG's pastoral team following our country's presidential election on November 8. Excerpts from that letter are included below:
"Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
May our Lord of peace and mercy be with all of you always.
After your election, we want to express our solidarity with all of you, now that you are facing moments of grief, uncertainty, division,... "
"Please know that you have brothers and sisters who are praying for you, and your entire country.
We know we can feel fear, discouragement, confusion; sometimes we can't understand how people, instead of loving each other, do the opposite. Sometimes we lose perspective.
One thing we can be sure of, and this is that God is present, God is in control, and we can ask God for wisdom to know what to do, to know what our call is now, to understand His plans, and to be willing to listen, accept, respond, and act.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34
We encorage you, no matter which party you voted for, remember that God has commanded us to love one another, even those with whom we disagree...
You are always in our prayers, you are always in our thoughts and our hearts. We have rejoiced together and we have suffered together; and as we have felt your support in difficult times, we want you to feel our support now..."
Godīs peace
Pastoral team
Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala
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St. Olaf College has received a special donation to offer the live video stream of their concert for FREE to all ELCA congregations on December 4 at 3 p.m. CST. This generous gift has been given to the ELCA in an effort to share the joy of the Christmas season together. Enjoy the concert together as a church by visiting stolafchristmas.com and entering code ELCACHRISTMAS during checkout. The above code is for congregational use only. This is not for individual use.
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 "Why Give? The Christian Practice of Almsgiving"
Stewardship Symposium
January 27, 2017, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Stavros Lecture Hall, Virginia Casey Building
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University
4201 North Main Street, Columbia, SC
Click here for information and registration form.
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WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD
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Join Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) in solidarity with migrants and refugees in our communities. Click here to learn ways that you and your congregation can become involved. |
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Young Adults in Global Mission
Applications for the 2017-2018 program year open December 1, 2016 and close February 15, 2017 for service beginning in August 2017 . Click here to learn more about the program and to apply.
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The November edition may be found here. |
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2016 
December 4, 2016: Jazz Vespers, Rock of Ages, Atlanta, GA
2017
January 15, 2017: Service of Commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., St. John's, Atlanta, GA
January 16, 2017: Lutheran MLK Day of Service, Rock of Ages, Stone Mountain, GA
January 20-21, 2017: Synod Council Meeting, Montgomery, AL
February 11, 2017: 2nd Annual Advocacy Gathering, St. John's, Atlanta, GA
May 24 - 25, 2017: Synod Council Meeting, Chattanooga, TN
May 26 - 28, 2017: 2017 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
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
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
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Descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others are listed on our website:
Director of Music Ministry and Pianist, Community of Grace, Grayson, GA
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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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Please send this email to those you know who would benefit from this information.
ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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