 With the launch of our new MinistryLink website we've rebranded our newsletter so its name and design are consistent with our website. We've rebuilt the site to make it easier for you to find information fast, and included a number of new or enhanced features, including our new Resource Library. Learn about all of the new website features here.
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Thanks for your support of MinistryLink!
Bob Fisher
Assistant to the Bishop
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Lutherans Respond to Tornadoes
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Lutheran Disaster Response is already working to assist residents of Oklahoma who are starting to long road to recovery after violent tornadoes struck in several parts of the state Sunday and Monday. Oklahomans were already digging out from weekend storms when a two-mile wide funnel devastated Moore and surrounding communities Monday. Storms also affected Kansas, Illinois, Iowa and Texas.
On Wednesday, Bishop Mike Girlinghouse of the Arkansas-Oklahoma (A-OK) Synod posted this note on his Facebook page:
"Search and rescue in Newcastle and Moore, OK is finished and now the long road of recovery and rebuilding begins. We also don't want to forget those in Shawnee, Carney and Little Axe who are also in recovery after Sunday's tornadoes. We are all still working at organizing a coordinated recovery effort... we'll let everyone know as we move forward. God is with us!"
What you can do:
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 Post-Modern Church Videos Online People at the 2013 Synod Assembly were inspired by Jay Gamelin's two presentations on "The Gospel in a Post-Modern Era." Now you can watch Jay's presentations online in the MinistryLink Video Library. The first presentation covers how emerging generations are wired, and what that means for the Church. In the second, Jay shares his faith story and ideas from forming a campus ministry at Ohio State and transforming his current congregation in South Carolina. Some congregations have already shared these videos with leaders. You can view them online (Part 1 is at https://vimeo.com/65876166 and Part 2 at https://vimeo.com/65690597) or visit the site to download them to play offline. (Hint: People who have tried this tell us that the "SD" version download plays well on most computers.) |
Help Support MacPherson Mission for Third Year
Tom and Susan MacPherson, missionaries in Tanzania, have agreed to serve at the Irente Children's Home for a third year through the fall of 2014. As self-funded lay missionaries, they rely on support from individuals and churches to carry out their work at Irente. You and your congregation can help fund this important work.
Download a bulletin insert
The Irente Children's Home, a mission of the North Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, cares for babies and toddlers who have lost their parents or whose families are too destitute to raise them. The MacPhersons, members of St. John's, Mayfair, were commissioned by the Synod for this service in 2011. To find out more about their experiences, please read their blog at http://macphersonmission.blogspot.com/
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 Ground Broken for Thrivent Builds Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans broke ground April 27 for construction of a Thrivent Builds duplex home on Penn Avenue in Hatfield. David Enlow of St. Andrew, Audubon, David Ochocki of St. John Center Square, and the Rev. William Vanderslice of St. Paul's, Red Hill and dean of the Upper Montgomery Conference participated in the dedication. View photos on our website. The Upper and Lower Montgomery Chapters of Thrivent are partnering in this project. If you'd like to become involved, contact David Enlow of St. Andrew, Audubon, via email. |
Ride (or Walk) to Support Lutheran Charities
The 23rd Annual Lutheran Charities Bike Ride & Walk will take place on Saturday, June 22. This annual event raises funds to benefit eight Social Ministry Agencies of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. It includes a SteepleChase Bike Ride on roads through Montgomery and Chester counties and a Fun Ride & Walk on the Perkiomen and Schuylkill River trails. Visit the Lutheran Charities webpage for more information and registration forms.
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Mission Idea: ROAR for Tanzania
 are sponsoring ROAR: Ride Organized for A Reason to raise funds to help purchase a motorcycle for use by their mission partners at Cathedral Church in Tanzania. This 75-mile scenic motorcycle tour will be held rain or shine on Saturday, June 8. Registration and pre-ride meeting starts at 8 am at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, 411 Susquehanna Road, Ambler, PA 19001. Registration fee $25 per bike.
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Apply Now for Hunger Grants
The 2014 domestic hunger grants application and criteria may now be obtained online at the ELCA website. Applications close July 17, 2013. For more information, please feel free to contact Mr. Joe Young at Joe.Young@elca.org, or Ms. Johnnie Thompson at 1.800.638.3522 ext. 2693 with any questions concerning the Domestic Hunger Grant Process.
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Film Honors Philly's Black Firefighters
On June 9, 2013 at 3pm, St. Peter's Lutheran Church in West Oak Lane will host a screening and discussion of "Valients, Inc.," a documentary about the city's black firefighters association, Club Valients. The club marked its 50th anniversary in 2012 and the documentary tells their story of struggle, courage, determination and valor. It is produced by Chanda Jones of 21 Street Studio, a member of St. Peter's. Please contact her for more information: via email or at 215.884.3753.
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