Rev. David Lose

We welcome The Rev. David J. Lose, President of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia as our keynote 

speaker this year.  Before returning to his alma mater, 

Lose taught on the faculty of Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN) for fourteen years. While there, he also served a term as Academic Dean, was the founding director of the Center 

for Biblical Preaching, and led the creative team that developed WorkingPreacher.org. Author of Preaching at the Crossroads (2013) and the popular Making Sense series of books and resources from Augsburg Fortress, Lose has also written for the Huffington Post, Patheos, and The Christian Century. You can find his daily bible devotions and other writings and reflections on connecting faith to daily life at "...In the Meantime" (www.davidlose.net). A graduate of Franklin and Marshall College (B.A.), LTSP (M.Div., S.T.M.), and Princeton Theological Seminary (Ph.D.), Lose speaks throughout the US and abroad on preaching, leadership, Christian faith in a postmodern world, and biblical imagination. But his favorite thing to do is hang out with his family in Kennett Square, PA, where he can play tennis, root for the Eagles, or get wrapped up in a game of Settlers of Catan with his kids. 

Joining us from the ELCA Churchwide offices will be The Rev. Brenda K. Smith, Program Director for Faith Practices in the Congregational and Synodical Mission Unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  In this role she heads the Faith Practices Team, which is developing strategies to create a culture of discipleship in the ELCA.  Rev. Smith and two other staff members, Rev. Sara Vanderpan and Bill Huff, coordinate the Book of Faith ministry of the ELCA; a ministry that has the goal that individuals and congregations will be intentional about opening the Bible and having conversations about the transformative power of the word of God.  She also convenes the ELCA's Renewal/Prayer/Revival Team that offers healing and prayer services; Lutheran revivals; and workshops on various topics for congregations and synods. 

Prior to her current position Rev. Smith was pastor of New Hope Lutheran Church in Jamaica, New York for 13 years.  Before answering God's call to ministry, she was a pediatric nurse and taught pediatric nursing at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.  She attended New York University where she received both her B.S. and M.A. in nursing.  She received her Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. 

In her spare time Rev. Smith enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies, reading and listening to Motown classics, especially any songs by the Temptations.  

Claimed by God in our baptism we are poured out for the world led by the Holy Spirit.  There will be many opportunities at this year's assembly for prayerful thought and meditation.  Our Chaplains, Pastors Angela Nelson, Derek Cheek, and Pastoral Assistant Tara Eastman, will lead us in prayer and devotion at various times throughout assembly.  Members of St. Martin's and Bethlehem in Webster will once again, provide us with a place for prayer and meditation in the Prayer Room located in Aqueduct A and B.  Look for special prayer cards at your table at all meal times as well.  In the days and weeks ahead please keep our assembly and those persons nominated for 2016 Churchwide Voting Members, Synod Council and other positions in prayer.  

20,000 Meals

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 6:30pm 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 to help with this fun and important ministry by visiting MY SIGN UP  - For more information contact The Rev. Lee Miller II at revmillers@verizon.net. 

MISSION FAIRE 

On the lower level at the bottom of the escalators you will find the Mission Faire.  Please take time to explore the many vendor displays that will be at this year's assembly.   Take a journey on the Disciple Ship to help us raise Hunger dollars.  Stop by and see what is new with programs like Cherish All Children, Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and Women of the ELCA.  Take some new ideas for ministry back to your congregation to share!

SAVE YOUR CAN TABS!  

 Bring can tabs to Synod Assembly and add them to the collection at the top of the escalators near the Assembly Registration area.  Let's see if we can beat last year's dollar total of more than $335!

CHILD CARE IS AVAILABLE AT ASSEMBLY

Be sure to note on your Synod Assembly Registration form under the 'Special Requests' section if you will need child care at assembly.  Help us with planning by telling us the number of children and their ages in this box as well.  Child care will be provided on Friday, May 29 from 8am - 9:30pm and on Saturday, May 30 from 8am - 1pm.  

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! 

Are you attending Synod Assembly as a visitor?  If yes, consider helping out by serving as a Page during assembly.  We are also looking for volunteers to help at the Registration desk and for some strong volunteers who can help us with loading and unloading equipment from the synod both in Rochester and at the synod office.  Volunteers are needed at the Synod office, 5811 Heritage Landing Drive, E. Syracuse on Wednesday, May 27 at 3:00pm for about an hour to load the truck and again on Saturday, May 30 at 4:00pm to unload the truck.  At the Convention Center in Rochester volunteers are needed on Thursday, May 28 at 12:00noon to help unload and on Saturday at 1:00pm to load up the truck.  If you would like to help, please email Patsy Glista, pglista@upstatenysynod.org.

Take note - you could be in pictures!  

We will be web-casting Synod Assembly sessions this year.  It is possible that you could appear on camera.  

 Abundant Life Together 

It's a nine month program in one of two locations - Orange, CA or Toledo, OH is a new kind of gap year experience for ages 18 - 25.   The young people live in intentional community together, and explore issues of faith and vocation while serving in their local communities.   Pastor Josh Graber is the mission pastor who has been organizing these experiences. You can find out more at www.altyear.org.    Applications for the 2015-2016 year are due April 15^th, although applications will be accepted after April 15 on rolling admissions as space is available.