 |
|
Registration for the 2015 Upstate New York Synod Assembly, God's Story, Our Voices, is now open. Synod Assembly will be held May 29 - 30, 2015 at the Joseph A. Floreano Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, NY. The registration fee is $95. Hotel and food costs are in addition to the registration fee and are outlined on Synod Assembly Registration Form. Accommodations will be at the Hyatt Regency Rochester. Reservations at the Hyatt Regency may be made, modified or canceled by individuals on-line at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/SYNOD2015 .
Come and explore the many ways we tell God's stories and learn some new ideas for using our voices to reach out into the world with the good news of Jesus. We will hear stories about God's work in the larger church from our ELCA Churchwide representative, The Rev. Brenda Smith, and from our keynote speaker, The Rev. David Lose, the president at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Come early to participate in Thursday evening, May 28 pre-assembly programs. There will also be opportunities to participate in worship, synod business including electing our voting members to the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, learn about faith formation, attend workshops, Mission Faire, and much more.
Synod Assembly is open to all who want to attend, not just rostered leaders and congregational voting members. Child care will be offered. To get the latest information about this year's synod Assembly, we encourage attendees to sign up for the Upstate update. Visit Synod Assembly Information before and during the assembly and join the conversation through our social media outlets.
|  |
|
|
PRAYERS of HEALING
for John Kasting, father of Rev. Bob Kasting (Southwest Conference)
for Rev. Becca Ehrlich (Southwest Conference)
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING as Craig Swanson is installed as Pastor to Transfiguration, Rochester on April 11th as Ivy Gauvin is installed as Pastor to St. Mark, Mayville and St. Timothy, Bemus Point on April 11th as Gail Swanson is installed as Pastor to Atonement, Rochester on April 18th
WE HOLD IN PRAYER Genesee Finger Lakes Conference Congregations and Leaders ELCA Region 6 Synods and Bishops |
| |
"TRANQUI"
This article was written by Hannah Watson who is spending a year in Argentina as part of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program, a ministry of the ELCA.Currently, over seventy 21-29 year olds are spending a year of service in one of 12 countries to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, providing critical support to ministries and projects in communities of need
|
|
"Tranqui" means, relax, no big deal, it's all good, don't worry about it.
I am told this a lot; when I'm running late because I had to wait for the bus for over 40 minutes, when I'm frustrated because I can't find the Spanish word for something, or when my site-placements all have something going on the same day and I'm not sure I can make it to everything. I am often too hard on myself, so it's always great to hear.
During the summer, much was tranqui. Both CreArte and Petisos, two of my placement sites, took vacations for the summer, and many of my friends also had time off. My community told me to "disfruta el verano," to enjoy the summer. I spent New Year's Day at the beach with my madrina, Laura, and her family. I drank mate at the beach with friends. I read books. I went to a youth camp with my church in El Bolson. We participated in theological discussions, went on hikes, and led a service with Pastor Reiner near the Rio Azul on the Sunday morning of camp.
I've been learning "to be" more than "to do." "To be" is to give a part of myself. While I can't tell you that I've built houses this year, I can tell you that when working with CreArte, I hold some of the students hands while going up and down the stairs so they feel safer. I lead the adults who are physically able to in running, and I love when some come up to me afterwards and tell me how much they love running, and that we share a hobby. I play guitar for church services even though I'm still incredibly shy about playing and singing. I sit with the kids at Petisos, and hope I am helping them make even a small progress on their reading and writing skills, as it hurts my heart to see them struggling.
I know that when I return to the United States in five months, I will not be the same person that left, and that's OK. I will only truly be "tranqui" by trusting God - letting go and putting all my joys and brokenness in God's hands.
Your mission dollars help support Hannah and the other YAGM. Thank you!
We are church together for the sake of the world. God's Work. Our Hands.
|
|
The Lutheran Summer Conference at Silver Bay
|
|
 Looking for a family or individual vacation experience this summer like no other and that will draw you back time and again? For over eight decades Lutherans have found that experience at the YMCA Conference Center at Silver Bay on Lake George. This historic and sprawling campus has all that a resort offers - grand buildings and landscapes, fine all-you-can-eat meals, beaches, boats, tennis and basketball courts, and state of the art fitness center with climbing wall. There are cultural offerings, an ice cream store, hikes, children's activities, watercolor classes, and crafts of every kind.
But more than that, there are inspirational offerings to refresh the soul: Sunday worship in the historic 600 seat wooden auditorium, weekday morning services of Matins and evening family Vespers, and a closing candlelight service. Pastor Valerie deCathelineau, Buffalo NY, serves as this year's chaplain; Pastor Eric Olsen, Saranac Lake, NY, as Youth and Family Chaplain; and Mr. Joe Krupa, as Director of Music.
There are also educational offerings to challenge the mind: Weekday morning classes led this year by Pastor Katrina Foster, Amagansett, NY, on "Faith Disciplines;" by Pastor Lena Warren, Naugatuck, CT, on "How do I know it's God? Discovering God's Call in Our Everyday Life;" by Chaplain deCathelineau, leading a Bible Study entitled "Close Encounters of the Divine Kind," which looks at healing texts of the Old and New Testament; and by Pastor Eric Olsen, who offers programs for youth and family.
Afternoons at Silver Bay are usually free of conference programs for participants to make full use of the magnificent Silver Bay campus and its recreational offerings, including swimming at two beaches and free use of watercraft. Optional fun evening programs for all ages fill out each day.
Nothing is required but everything is available - a smorgasbord for soul, mind, and body.
You will find what you need to know on the conference web site, including photos, descriptions, and the downloadable conference brochure and registration form. Check it out at lutherans-silverbay.org . Questions? Please call the registrar as listed on the brochure and registration form.
Offered by the Upstate and Metropolitan New York Synods of the ELCA
Saturday, July 11 - Friday, July 17, 2015. Visit lutherans-silverbay.org
|
|
- 20,000 Meals (CORRECTION) Every day 1 in 5 children in the US go to bed hungry or wake up not knowing where their next meal will come from. Join us Thursday evening, May 28 at 6:30 pm in the Rochester Convention Center as we package 20,000 Rice and Bean meals. All meals will be distributed through Rochester FoodLink Food bank and benefit local families. Sign up today at MY SIGN UP
 Gettysburg Glocal Mission Gathering The Gettysburg ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering (GMG) brings together congregational teams and leaders for worship, workshops and sharing around global and local mission. This event is for everyone interested in the mission and ministry of Christ's church, including youth ages 16 and up. This is a great opportunity to reach out and get to know your brothers and sisters in Christ!
Friday, May 1, 2015, 12:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 2, 2015, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
61 Seminary Ridge
Gettysburg Pennsylvania, 17325
Please RSVP by clicking here
"Living Well with the Dangers of Ministry Leadership" with Emlyn Ott
 You are invited to join us for our annual Growth In Ministry Seminar Thursday May 14, 2015 from 9AM-4PM at Christ The King Seminary. This seminar will help you to identify the processes and dangers of the ministry. We will examine our own experiences in the light of theology, leadership, and from a family systems perspective. For more information or to Register online for seminar here
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK CPE CLASS
SUMMER-FALL 2015
CPE SCHEDULE
Broome County Council of Churches
Wednesday: 12 Noon to 5 PM - Thursday: 9:30 AM to 4 PM
August 12-13
August 26-27
September 9-10
September 23-24
October 7-8
October 21-22
November 4-5
November 18-19
December 2-3
December 9-10
The schedule is Wednesday and Thursday every other week except in December when the group will meet on consecutive weeks. Minor schedule changes may be made and will be reviewed with all participants. Contact Rev. Robert Spilman with any schedule concerns. Visit Congregaton BasedClinical Pastoral Education
(Cell: 716-479-7933) (E-mail: rcspilman@roadrunner.com)
Practice Discipleship is for Everyone!
Practice Discipleship is an initiative of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, and ELCA Youth Gathering but the lessons apply to everyone! This year's theme is STORY. We delve in through conversation, webinars, workshops, retreats, and consultations into the topic of connecting God's Story to OUR story. For more information contact either Pastor Laurie Carson (pastorlcn@gmail.com) or Jonathan Ugalde (jonugald@gmail.com)
Webinar 3: "Story of Place and Displacement" on April 7th!
How does where you live make a difference for how you live and tell God's story? Learn how Jesus's attention to his context(s) and listener(s) shapes how he tells his story and receives theirs, and consider how attention to context and place presents both challenges and opportunities in sharing God's story with others.
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Time: 1:00 pm (central standard time)
Presenter: Dr. Carol Jacobson
 Future Webinars:
- "Story of Adolescence" with Dawn Rundman - May 5th
- "Story of Self and Other" with Mindy Makant - Sept. 1st
- "Story of Service" with Mark Jackson - Oct. 6th
- "Story of Faith Community" with John Cummings, Meghan Sobocienski & Elizabeth Flores - Nov. 3rd.
|
|
|
|
|
The darkness of the night and stench of death
Take the confidential Mayo Clinic Health Assessment. If you have ELCA - Primary health benefits please take 30 minutes TODAY and complete the assessment. The deadline is April 30 for our synod to reach 65% participation.
ELCA leader continues call for racial equity. Visit 
