CHECK IN February 10, 2015

METRO D.C. SYNOD E-NEWS UPDATE

Reminders

Sat. Feb. 14, 1-4 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virg.

What does it mean to forgive? How does this happen? This is not just a lecture but an interactive workshop where people will be invited to participate naming (not publicly but for themselves) people or situations where forgiveness has not been possible. Mariah Fenton Gladis is marvelous at helping people find ways to approach forgiveness and find it for themselves, says Pr. Phil Hirsch who heard Ms. Gladis and invited her to share her "Forgiveness Workshop" in our synod. RSVP to metrodcelca@metrodcelca.org or 202-417-3682.

Sat. Mar. 7, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Springfield, Virg.; OR
Sat. Mar. 21, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, Md.

Expect practical, implementable steps that you can take right away to have a big impact on your congregation's annual Stewardship Campaign. Leave the Stewardship Campaign Workshop, presented by Paul Erbes, Gift Officer for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, with a plan customized for your setting. The synod's Stewardship & Mission Support Table is hosting the free workshop twice, but RSVP. Online registration from www.metrodcelca.org/events/stewardship-campaign-workshops/.

February, in your congregation

Are you taking advantage of I Love Camp Month resources? I'm partial to the latest - a fond remembrance from our treasurer about the joys of camp life WITH photo! Worship ideas, bulletin inserts and more at www.metrodcelca.org/2015/01/february-is-i-love-camp-month/.

Event notices

Tue. Feb. 17, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran in Falls Church, Virg.

Looking for pancakes? The youth program benefits from the annual pancake meal with eggs, sausage, bacon, OJ & coffee time and fellowship event. The congregation invites you to contact 703-532-6617 or admin@htluther.org with questions.

Sat. Feb. 28, 6 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virg.

The band Lost and Found puts on a great show and plays lots of youth gatherings, camps and colleges - but this is their farewell tour. Enjoy a great chance to see the fun concert - invite friends! Please bring nonperishable food items to keep the food bank stocked. Dessert reception to follow concert. More at FB.com/events/1519226398357414.

Sat. Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-noon, Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virg.

Two of the current issues being hotly debated in our country are our immigration laws and use-of-force issues between police and citizens. This lecture in the Faith & Wisdom series will focus on these issues as they apply to daily life on the U.S.-Mexican Border, in a lecture presented by Brian J. Erickson called "Out of Focus: Our Values, Rights and Laws on the U.S.-Mexico Border." Register online at www.flcva.org/out-of-focus.

Sat. Mar. 7, 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church in North Bethesda, Md.

The 50-voice Wagner College Choir or Staten Island, NY, will present "A New York Romance (and Other Passions)," conducted by Dr. Roger Wesby. The program opens with sacred works by Copland, Virgil Thomson, Gretchaninoff, Rachmaninov and others, then moves on to Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday," plus much more such as works by Stephen Foster and the Gershwins. A freewill offering will be taken. Concert information at 301-881-7275.

April 17-20, locations in Washington, D.C.

The 13th annual national gathering of Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice is titled, "Breaking the Chains: Mass Incarceration and Systems of Exploitation." Join more than 1,000 Christian advocates, including Lutherans, from all over the country in building a movement based upon Acts 16:16-40. The ELCA is among sponsors. Registration information and other details at http://advocacydays.org/2015-breaking-the-chains/.

Thu. Apr. 30, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Gettysburg Seminary

LTSG's Preaching Perspectives continuing ed resource for preaching will focus on "Preaching from the Heart of the Holy Land: Reaching Toward Unity and Peace in Our (?) Broken World." The Rev. Dr. Angela Zimmann will present. More at www.ltsg.edu.

May 11-15 in Pittsburgh, Penn.

"Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders" will be offered by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center of Illinois. The five-day institute includes skills for dealing effectively with interpersonal, congregational and other forms of group conflict, plus a component on congregational mediation and consultation placed within the context of family systems theory. More at www.lmpeacecenter.org.

May 13-17, Heartwood Retreat and Conference Center in Trego, Wisc.

This 2015 Lutherhostel announced by Adult Lutherans Organized for Action (ALOA) is themed "Passing on Our Legacy of Faith, Family and Patriotism," and is cosponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. More at 800-930-2562 and https://aloaserves.org/events/luther-hostels/.

July 26-Aug. 1, Gettysburg Seminary

Theological Education with Youth (TEY) offers two one-week summer Academies for high school students to live in an intentional Christian community on the LTSG campus. The Summer Leadership Academy is geared to connect youth with ministry leaders to help shape leadership skills and style to encourage a life of servant leadership. The Summer Theological Academy is a worshiping and learning community that gathers for theological exploration and discovery. Learn more at www.theologicaleducationwithyouth.com.

July 30-Aug. 1,Bon Secours Conference Center in Baltimore, Md.

"Transforming Congregations through Spiritual Practice: Creating a Discipleship Community" led by Jessicah Duckworth and Paul Hoffman is an event for pastors, seminarians, educators, musicians and other parish leaders. The North American Association for the Catechumenate, an ecumenical organization, is hosting the 2015 Annual Gathering for those who envision their ministry to be "making disciples for the sake of the world." More at www.catechumenate.org.

Sept. 13 at your congregation

Start dreaming about activities in your congregation for the third annual, ELCA-wide "'God's Work. Our hands.' Sunday." More at www.elca.org/Resources/GWOH-Sunday.

Sept. 27-Oct. 2 or Oct. 4-9 at Heartwood Retreat and Conference Center in Trego, Wisc.

Colorama Lutherhostel 2015 announced by Adult Lutherans Organized for Action (ALOA) will be offered on two different weeks. A day trip, a service project, Bible study, worship and outdoor activities are cosponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. More at 800-930-2562 and https://aloaserves.org/events/luther-hostels/.

Oct. 4-9, Roslyn Retreat Center in Richmond, Virg.

The Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church invites participation from our synod in a Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Foundation in partnership with Upper Room Ministries. The Academy is ecumenical and open to all. Details at http://academy.upperroom.org.

Oct. 26-28 and subsequent dates; OR
Nov. 9-11 and subsequent dates at First Church of Lombard, UCC in Lombard, Ill.

The "Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process" meets three times per year following a format of basic themes articulated in Edwin Friedman's Generation to Generation, with reflection on the minister's three interlocking families: the minister's own family, the parishioner family, and the congregation as a family. More at www.lmpeacecenter.org

ADDITIONAL DATE specified for 2015 Calendar

You'all seemed to like that overview calendar of annual synod-affiliated events. A date has been announced for Chrysalis which you may want to add. In 2015, Chrysalis will be held Dec. 4-6.

Job opportunities

Summer Staff at Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, Md.

Young people ages 18-23 are invited to join the Summer Staff at Mar-Lu-Ridge. If you are excited about working with children and adults in a beautiful outdoor setting all summer, sharing God's amazing unconditional love with everyone, and challenging yourself to try new things and develop leadership skills, Mar-Lu-Ridge is the perfect place for you. More at www.mar-lu-ridge.org/camp/summer-jobs/ or call Karl Muhlbach, Associate Director, at 800-238-9974.

Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries (CJM) headquartered in Washington, D.C.

CJM is an ecumenical organization representing the creation care policies of 38 Christian denominations. The Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for CJM programs and execution of its mission. Applicants should have at least three years of experience, including demonstrable skills in fund-raising, grant proposal writing, and communicating the faith voice on environmental issues. Applications will be reviewed starting March 16. Full announcement at http://www.creationjustice.org/uploads/2/5/4/6/25465131/cjm_executive_director_job_announcement.pdf.

Is once enough? Repeats

Tue. Feb. 17, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Mar-Lu-Ridge Conference Center in Jefferson, Md.

The Sojourners Connect Spring Session has begun with William Buckley, who will lead discussion on topics such as suicide and depression, dementia and euthanasia in a series called, "Religious Meanings and End of Life Decision-Making." Gatherings ongoing on 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Sat. Feb. 21, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean, Virg. SESSION 2
Sun. Mar. 1, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Washington, Md. SESSION 1
Sun. Mar. 15, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Washington, Md. SESSION 2

Support U Seminar: A Crash Couse for families with aging loved-ones is again offered by Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area. The classes are designed to support persons who have assumed responsibility for aging or ill loved ones, featuring helpful information and peer group sharing. Attend both a Session 1 & 2, or just a single session. Reserve at https://surveymonkey.com/s/N7YZQT3.

Sat. Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-noon, Emmanuel Lutheran in Vienna, Virg.

A Youth Gathering Information Meeting will include lots of details in advance of the exciting ELCA event in Detroit. Additionally, Mike "Gunner" Rose will lead a session on safety during traveling and while in Detroit. More at www.metrodcelcayouth.org.

Thu. Mar. 5 (ongoing series; monthly on first Thursday), noon-2 p.m. at St. Luke in Silver Spring, Md.

Lutheran Lay Fellowship (LLF) Luncheons are for Lutherans and friends. March presentation being finalized. RSVP by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to luncheon at luncheon@lutheranlayfellowship.org. More at www.lutheranlayfellowship.org.

Mar. 20-22, Northern Virginia 4H Center in Front Royal, Virg.

Shekinah 2015, a synod-wide youth ministry event for junior high (7th and 8th grade) youth, is in the final planning stages. More at www.metrodcelcayouth.org.

April 11, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., The Villages at Rockville in Rockville, Md.

"Love Thy Neighbor" is the theme for this year's Synodical Women of the ELCA Organization (SWO) Convention. Find registration in "Joyful News," the SWO's newsletter, at www.metrodcelca.org/publications/joyfulnews/.

Found around

"I do not understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us." -- Anne Lamott (posted by Lower Susquehanna Synod)

indicates synod sponsored event.
More at www.metrodcelca.org | @dcsynodelca | facebook.com/metrodcelca | 202-417-3678