In Brief...
Preview Stewardship Workshops at Assembly
Our Synod's Stewardship Resource Team is working on several workshops to help your congregation grow mission-minded stewards. Among the topics the team can present on are "Healthy Congregations/Healthy Families: Being Good Stewards of God's Gifts" and "Five Smooth Stones: Asset-based Stewards." You can get a taste of these workshops during the Friday afternoon forums at Synod Assembly May 2. For more information about engaging with these workshops for clergy and lay leaders contact the team leader, Rev. Larry Smoose, at lvsfish1@aol.com.
Undivided Hearts: Sustaining Hope in a Broken World
The annual Lutheran Day at the Capitol and a special celebration of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania's 35th Anniversary will be held Tuesday, May 6. The annual Lobby Day and workshops will be keynoted by the State Rep. Dave Reed, chair of the House Majority Policy Committee, speaking on "Empowering Opportunities - Gateways out of Poverty." That evening the Rev. Dr. Timothy Wengert will keynote the anniversary celebration in the Capitol Rotunda with a talk entitled "God's Two Hands and the Christian's Undivided Heart." Get all the details at http://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/lutheran-day-at-the-capitol/
Help Lower Your Energy Costs
If your congregation is a PECO Energy customer, you may be eligible for incentives and direct installation to help you install energy-saving measures and reduce your costs. The process starts with a free, comprehensive on-site energy analysis. Learn more at http://bit.ly/PECOsmart.
Order Your Free "Global Church" Directory Today
Our Global Church is the annual directory highlighting ELCA missionaries, scholarships and ministries. It features the 240+ missionaries, including 60 Young Adults in Global Mission, introduces the new evangelism projects in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East and provides information on how you can help expand opportunities for international women leaders. Request one free copy (no shipping and handling) at 800-638-3522 or RIS@elca.org. Order two or more free copies at http://www.ELCA.org/globalmission-resources and pay only shipping and handling. For more information, contact globalchurch@elca.org.
Expand Ministry to People with Disabilities
Do people in your congregation have family or friends with intellectual or developmental disabilities? If your congregation would like to start, enhance or expand outreach to persons with disabilities, the "One God One Call" conference features experienced presenters on autism, adapted worship, family outreach and more. Held April 27-29 in Omaha, NE, this event will help you to build inclusive and supportive ministries. For info, contact Rev. David deFreese, 877.366.7242, david.defreese@mosaicinfo.org. Register online at www.BethesdaInstitute.org/OGOC.
Make a difference on World Malaria Day
World Malaria Day is coming up on April 25, and it's another great opportunity to do something big for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. We are looking to you to help take the ELCA Malaria Campaign work into a 13th country - Namibia. If we raise $250,000, we'll have enough to kick-start programing in this last country in our rollout plan. Please consider observing this day by taking a special offering for the ELCA Malaria Campaign on Sunday, April 27. Find special World Malaria Day resources that will help you activate your congregation to learn about malaria, the ELCA Malaria Campaign, our work in Namibia and more.
