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ML - September 2014

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.
Local Focus
SYNOD-WIDE RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS
If Jesus needed to get away sometimes, don't you think you might too? An opportunity for Metro D.C. young adults to take a few days of retreat, withdrawal and contemplation on the beautiful grounds in Pennsylvania of the Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie will be hosted on Nov. 6-9. Cost of $225 includes rental vehicle for travel. Explore the monastery, pray, read, engage in spiritual conversation, and final chance to rest and recharge. Hold your spot and RSVP by Sept. 30 to the Rev. Wendy Moen, [email protected] or 202-737-4859, ext. 605. More at www.dcyoungadults.org.

AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE "LIFE CHANGING"
The delegation from our synod that traveled to Australia for AIDS 2014 returned, and it was described as a "life changing experience" for the ELCA Youth Delegation by Karin Klingman of Christ Lutheran Church in D.C. Find a record of the experience in an ELCA Youth AIDS 2014 blog: http://elcaaids2014.wordpress.com/.
          "We distributed about 900 cards overall in the Global Village," said Klingman of a practice started by many in the synod during the AIDS 2012 Conference in D.C. "I had two people remember the cards from last time, and several who were impressed that Lutherans cared enough to do something like distribute prayer cards with individual written prayers/thoughts/Bible verses from people from churches in metro D.C."

VISIT TO COMPANION SYNOD IN NAMIBIA
A delegation from the synod traveled to El Salvador in August, location of a Companion Synod of Metro D.C. Synod. Worship, deep conversations and generous hospitality marked the time spent. Check out reflections by the delegation in their blog at http://2014metrodcelsalvadormissiontrip.blogspot.com/ .

Resource Alert
STEWARDSHIP EDUCATION GRANTS
September 15 is just around the corner, which is a deadline for grant money available for creative, collaborative stewardship education projects. The Stewardship of Life Institute (SOLI) is accepting grant proposals from ELCA congregations and other ministries. Proposals of primary interest will be those which assist in seminarian education or first call theological education. Proposals that assist in stewardship leadership education among laity and clergy will also be considered, and those that involve collaboration between groups of congregations or ministries within the ELCA will be viewed favorably. Grants are awarded twice each year, with application deadlines on March 15 and September 15. More at www.stewardshipoflife.org/grant.

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN
Women of the ELCA offer scholarships to women who are members of ELCA congregations in four categories: * Lutheran laywomen studying for a career other than ordained ministry; * women interested in pursuing additional education for administrative leadership; *women in their final year at an ELCA seminary; and *women administrators and faculty at ELCA colleges and seminaries for participation in leadership training and management training institutes. Learn more at www.womenoftheelca.org. [from "Joyful News" (August 2014), newsletter of the Synodical Women of the ELCA]

BILINGUAL TUTORING FOR CHILDREN IN FAIRFAX COUNTY
The office of Multicultural Ministries of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington supports a student bilingual mentoring/tutoring program, free to children grades 3-6 in Fairfax County. Tutors and mentors for this Bellarmine Kids Leadership Club are George Mason University students. Tutoring begins Sat. Sept. 27 at noon and is ongoing.
extras

GLOBAL CHURCH SUNDAY POSSIBILITIES
Congregations observing Global Church Sunday can find ideas on how in a toolkit with stories, posters, bulletin inserts and other resources at www.elca.org/resources/globalchurch. ELCA resources suggest that a day to observe Global Church Sunday 2014 can be picked - including a day in conjunction with World Communion Sunday (Oct. 5), Lutheran World Federation Sunday (Oct. 26) or International Day of Peace (Sept. 21).

WEBINARS FROM AUGSBURG FORTRESS
Every week, Augsburg Fortress and sparkhouse offer free educational webinars, some product-specific and some more general in nature. Webinars are usually 30-60 minutes in length and open to everyone, such as Sunday School teachers, pastors, interested congregation members and others. Find a list of topics, dates and times at http://gatherlearnlead.org .

Announced Churchwide
GETTYSBURG SEMINARY OFFERS OPEN COURSE
What's a MOOC? A "massive, open, online course" offered by Gettysburg Seminary. "Survey of the Lands of the Bible" is running Sept. 1-Dec. 17, led by the Rev. Dr. Mark Vitalis Hoffman, to provide a deeper understanding of the Biblical story and its geography. The free, online course is especially helpful to clergy who teach Bible study, and others who are ready for a stimulating experience with a seminary professor adept at teaching online. More at www.ltsg.edu/BibleMOOC.

MONTHLY PRAYER VIGIL FOR HOLY LAND
Did you know that many Lutheran World Federation congregations maintain a monthly prayer vigil for peace in the Middle East on the 24th of each month? The ELCA's Peace Not Walls campaign notes that the International Prayer Vigil organized by companions in Jerusalem calls for all faith communities worldwide to pray for peace with justice in the Middle East on the 24th. More about the prayer vigil at http://actpalestineforum.org/vigil/.
 
Blog Post Reprise
sparkler heart
Divine foolishness: Christ crucified is God's clearest and most complete act of love
In the ELCA Presiding Bishop's monthly column, she says, "This is the overwhelming simplicity of God. God loves us completely. There is no way or any need to dress that up. It just is."  Read more...
campus ministry
Friends already waiting for you at school
An invitation to connect with Campus Ministry - available locally and across the country. Can you make out in the photo what these young women in Baltimore are doing? A "blessing of the brains!"  Read more...
oil
Great expectations not novel: Signs of life to be found across this church if we take the time to notice
Have you noticed #signsoflife? In the ELCA Presiding Bishop's monthly column, she suggests using that hashtag to share ways we see God providing abundantly.  Read more...
fearless generosity
Fearless Generosity
A heads-up about stewardship resources being distributed by the synod's Stewardship & Mission Table.  Read more...


News to share? Feedback? Contact the Editor, Karen Krueger, at [email protected].