CHECK IN  March 2, 2015
METRO D.C. SYNOD E-NEWS UPDATE
Reminders

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.
It needn't be difficult to talk about money. Expect practical, implementable steps that you can take right away to have a big impact on your congregation's annual Stewardship Campaign by attending the Stewardship Campaign Workshop, presented by Paul Erbes, Gift Officer for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. Leave 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/.
stewardship workshops

Apr. 26, 2-5 p.m., King of Kings Lutheran in Fairfax, Virg.
Shema 2015's theme is "Miracle Threads: Charlotte's Web Lessons in Giving, Friendship and Miracles." A video introducing the synod-wide experience for older elementary-age youth and registration info can be found at www.metrodcelcayouth.org/shema/.
Event notices

Tue. Mar. 3, 1-2 p.m. EST, webinar
Are you planning a new health and human care ministry for your congregation or community? This "Starting Smart" webinar series from Wheat Ridge Ministries could be valuable, beginning with the first session on Mar. 3: "Discovering and Listening to Your Community." Upcoming webinars are: Mar. 31 - "Building Community Partnerships;" May 13 - "Defining Mission and Vision;" and June 3 - "Measuring and Reporting Impact." Register and find more info at www.wheatridge.org.

Sat. Mar. 7, 9:15 a.m.-noon, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virg.
Cultural diversity and racial differences within our congregations and communities will be explored during a mini event. Educators Laura McDowell and Sheri Swackhamer, members of the "Today's Dream: Tomorrow's Reality" (TDTR) leadership team - a Women of the ELCA initiative, will present sessions. Schedule at www.metrodcelca.org/2015/03/todays-dream-tomorrows-reality/. RSVP for the TDTR mini-day program to Sheri Swackhamer at (wk) 571-970-0454 or (cell) 703-304-7092.

DATE CHANGE (weather related) - Sun. Mar. 15 (Session 1) & Sun. Mar 22 (Session 2), 2:30-5:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Washington, Md.
Support U Seminar: A Crash Course 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.

Fri. Mar. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., National Museum of American History (also via webcast)
"Religion in Early America" is a one-day symposium organized by the Smithsonian's National Museum in American History. Major themes are diversity of religious traditions, the principle of religious freedom, and the growth of many forms of religion and how these shaped American society during the first half of the 19th century. More at http://americanhistory.si.edu/events/symposium-religion-early-america.

Apr. 17-19, Gettysburg Seminary
"The Weekend" is an experience for those discerning a call to ministry. Participants will be invited to wonder, imagine and learn how God is calling them through worship, small group conversations and a new learning platform called "GETT Talks" (Gather, Education, Tell Transform = TELL). Find full schedule and registration for the low-pressure, low-cost, spirituality-focused event at www.ltsg.edu/theweekend.
extras

Sat. May 2, 2:30-4:30 p.m., St. Luke Lutheran in Silver Spring, Md.
Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Maryland encourages you to save this date for a celebration of the Rev. Elizabeth Platz' 50 years of ministry: "Looking back; Looking forward." Placeholder flyer available.
extras
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.

Camp Nurse at Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, Md.
Mar-Lu-Ridge Summer Camp is searching for a Registered Nurse to serve campers and staff this summer. Duties include medication administration and treatment of illness and injuries. Applicant must be currently licensed in Maryland or have reciprocity. Background clearance required. Sessions begin June 14 and end Aug. 7 and the commitment is Sunday afternoon through Friday evening. Experience with children and an enthusiastic spirit are desired. Lodging and meals provided, along with a small salary. Full summer commitment preferred but shorter terms considered. Contact Sarah Lefler to inquire: 301-874-5544 or mlr@mar-lu-ridge.org. Mar-Lu-Ridge is certified by the American Camp Association.
Is once enough? Repeats

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 will feature Bob "Sarge" Sargeant, LLF president, leading a group discussion on "LLF in the Future." Future presentations are scheduled for Apr. 2 (topic tbd) and May 7 (Ruth Manchester on "Trip to Cuba"). RSVP by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to luncheon at luncheon@lutheranlayfellowship.org. More at www.lutheranlayfellowship.org

 

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.

extras  

 

Tue. Mar. 10, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Mar-Lu-Ridge Conference Center in Jefferson, Md.

The Sojourners Connect Spring session has begun with W.J. "Bill" Buckley, who leads 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.

extras  

 

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

Shekinah 2015 is a synod-wide youth ministry event for junior high (7th and 8th grade) youth. Through large, small, and e-(xperiential) group sessions, Shekinah provides opportunities for learning, growing in faith, worshiping, meeting new people and renewing old friendships - and having fun with other youth just like themselves outside of their home congregation. Our theme this year will challenge us to look at identity - how do we see ourselves, how do others see us, and how does God see us - and to explore what it means to be a beloved and baptized child of God. Registration details 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/.

 

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 pen 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 

 

Found around

"Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it kills your enemies." - Nelson Mandela (quoted by Forgiveness Workshop leader Mariah Fenton Gladis)
indicates synod sponsored event.
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