MetroLines - Synod Ministry News 

Volume 3, Issue 3 � March 2013

 

MetroLines is a publication of the Metro D.C. Synod, ELCA, for our congregations, leaders and friends sharing what's happening in local ministry together.

In This Issue
Position Openings
Local Focus
Local Info
Resource Alert
Announced Churchwide
 

 

Blog Posts Revisited 

Have posts sent to you or check in from time-to-time, but here's what's been posted to the "Forum" and "Staff Insights" recently.

Background check policy update  Read on...

 

Worship in new building adds joy to season  Read on...  

 

Thanking God for ties and tires  Read on... 

 

Pastoral Letter on Violence  Read on...

 

From the Bishop's desk: Lift up the grace and goodness  Read on...

 

Don't keep this secret! - Best & worst secret visitor encounters  Read on...
  
  
 

Position Openings

 

Abiding Presence Lutheran in Burke is seeking a Minister of Music for the growing and vibrant ELCA congregation. Position is 25-30 hrs/wk. the Music Minister will provide vision, leadership and coordination of the congregation's thriving music ministry. The candidate will be a person of faith who has the breadth of talent to embrace three styles of worship services: traditional with choir and organ; praise with band and contemporary music; and a Saturday vespers service. Learn more at www.abidingpresence.net/about/job-opening-music/. Earliest start date likely June 1.


Lutheran Services in America (LSA) is seeking a Vice President of Member Engagement The selected candidate will be responsible for maintaining and improving LSA's current services that bring members together through conferences and events, networking groups, other forums and consulting services. Full job description available online, including from www.philanthropy.com/jobs/0000771263-01/.


Springfield, Illinois's St. John Lutheran Church is looking for a full-time Director of Youth and Family Ministries to provide leadership in the congregation of "over 2,000 disciples." Details under "Resources" at

www.stjohns-springfield.org.

 

Bloomington, Illinois' St. John Lutheran church is looking for a full-time Worship Leader for Contemporary Worship Services. This congregation is made up of 2,500 members with an average worship attendance of 720 per weekend. More at www.stjohnsbloomington.org.

  
 
Share your news!
 
Contact the Editor:
Karen Krueger, at [email protected].

Metro D.C. Synod, ELCA
202-417-3678
 
Local Focus
  
Toward 100% Synod Participation in ELCA Malaria Sunday  
"April 25 is World Malaria Day, and Sunday April 28 is ELCA Malaria Sunday," Bishop Graham reminded us in a letter sent to rostered leaders (3/11/13). "April 28 would be a great day to receive an offering and to get us to our 100% participation goal. Dorothy Sorrell, who leads the Malaria Campaign in our synod, has done great work with this and is ready to work with any congregation." Find resources and contact information for
Sorrell at www.metrodcelca.org/ministries/malaria/.
  
Spring Convo for Synodical Women of the ELCA
"Communications: Vertical and Horizontal" is a day retreat hosted by the Synodical Women's Organization on April 27 at Faith Lutheran in Arlington. It will focus on our communications with God and with the
many people we touch in our lives. Learn more at www.metrodcelca.org/events/swo-spring-convention/.
    
Local Info
  
Background Check Procedures Updated
New on the synod Web site under the "For Congregations" tab are "Youth Protection Policy for Synod-sponsored Youth Events" and "Statement of Policy Regarding Sexual Misconduct by Members of the Clergy and Rostered Laypersons." The Rev. Amy Thompson Sevimli introduces some changes in related background check procedures in her blog post to Staff Insights.
  
Local Advocates join LIRS-hosted Capitol Hill Summit
The Lutheran Immigration Leadership Summit is being held in D.C. on April 15-16, hosted by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). Local participants, described as "powerful advocates," include
the Rev. Amsalu Geleta of St. Mark's Lutheran in Springfield, the Rev. Michael Wilker of Lutheran Church of the Reformation in D.C., and Bishop Richard H. Graham.
     "Compassionate immigration reform centered on family unity and a path to citizenship is crucial to the economic success and social cohesion of Washington, said Pr. Geleta.
     "As a pastor, I've seen how our broken immigration system hurts families and prevents immigrants from sharing all their gifts without nation. That's why I and other Lutherans and Christians are calling for reform that honors refugees, keep s families united and creates a path to citizenship," said Pr. Wilker.
     Learn more about the Summit at http://lirs.org/lils2013/.
  
Resource Alert
  
New Gifts of Hope blog
"God walks 'round in muddy boots" is an entry title in the new Gifts of Hope (GOH) blog. Carolyn Sowinski, director of GOH, is active with social media and invites more followers. Find the blog at www.giftsofhopedc.blogspot.com. You do not need a Facebook account to also read GOH Facebook posts at www.facebook.com/dcgoh. Sowinski invites you to take a few minutes and learn more about GOH, its beneficiary organizations, hope, service and her faith journey.

Online publication for young women includes local contributor
Caf� is an on-line magazine for young adult women found at www.boldcafe.org. It incorporates a Lutheran
perspective for women of Christian faith or simply for any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues that women face today. Local contributor, the Rev. Sarah Scherschligt, has contributed
reflections on topics including: "Resurrection in relationships" and "Expectations: Saying no in order to say yes." Free signup available for all!

Virginia legislature advocacy follow-up
A summary of actions taken by the Virginia legislature on issues of concern to the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) members and advocates is available. The synod is a member of VICPP. Find their "2013 Faithful Engagement Report" from www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org.
  
Lutheran Disaster Response now names national and international work
ELCA Disaster Response has now been rebranded as Lutheran Disaster Response. Lutheran Disaster Response
will now designate both the ELCA's disaster work in the U.S. and internationally. The main reason or
this change was to lessen the confusion which has existed between these two labels of our disaster work. See the new design of the Lutheran Disaster Response portion of the ELCA website at
www.elca.org/disaster.
  
Retreat facilities in Pennsylvania
Did you know there's an ELCA retreat facility - old farm house - near Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania? Not
too far away. Lower Susquehanna Synod works through the Lutheran Camping Corporation to maintain this
and other facilities to host retreat groups. Learn more at http://lutherancamping.org/facilities.php.

Tools to guide necessary notes from ELCA Foundation
Alice Benson, ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planner, alerts us to two resources from the ELCA Foundation. "Important Notes About My Estate" is a six-page workbook that helps you list such things as where you keep your important documents, charitable provisions if any, funeral plans, and other info. "Your Will and Trust Workbook" is a 17-page workbook that includes an optional "Christian Preamble" to your will. Free copies can be obtained from www.elca.org/foundation by selecting "Resources."
  
Announced Churchwide
  
Attend CWA as congregational observer or volunteer
We are approaching the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on Aug. 12-17 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. One member of each ELCA congregation registered before May 31 is invited to attend the 2013 Churchwide Assembly (CWA) as a congregation observer. When online registration opens in April, the congregation observer fee will be listed as $150. Another way to be part of the action is to volunteer! CWA is always an invigorating time in the life of the church, with lots to listen for, see and do as our life together takes shape. Find a volunteer application and other details at www.elca.org/assembly.
  
Thrivent Financial again on "Ethical" list
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has been selected as one of the 2013 "World's Most Ethical Companies" by the Ethisphere Institute. Thrivent Financial was named to the prestigious list for the second
consecutive year as a result of its leadership in promoting ethical business standards as well as for introducing innovative ideas to benefit the public. (Thrivent News Release, 3/6/13)

2012 goal met & ongoing committment in reach
The ultimate fundraising goal of the ELCA Malaria Campaign is $15 million by 2015. Along the way, the Campaign also has annual fundraising goals - to make sure that Lutheran companions in Africa have the resources that they need to keep their malaria programs running every year between now and 2015. Fiscal Year 2012 ended on Jan. 31, 2013, and what do you know - we met our goal to raise $4 million! Thank you so much for giving your time, talent and treasure to this ministry. Anti-malaria programs are making a
positive impact on the health of many, many families. (Update forwarded by Dorothy Sorrell, Feb. 21, 2013).
We hope you enjoyed MetroLines.