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This Friday, May 15, is the deadline to Register for Synod Assembly , God's Story, Our Voices and to reserve a room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. After May 15 you will need to wait to register in Rochester at Assembly and will not be able to purchase meals. Reservations at the Hyatt Regency may be made, modified or canceled on-line athttps://resweb.passkey.com/go/SYNOD2015. Individuals are also able to make reservations by calling central Reservations at 1-888-421-1442 and referring to the Upstate New York Synod Assembly 2015. Reservations must be made by MAY 15 TO GUARANTEE THE $109 RATE.
Pre-Assembly Materials are now posted on the synod website. Please read them and download them to your laptop or other electronic device prior to assembly. Watch for information on the Guidebook Application and other final Synod Assembly information in next week's May 20 Assembly Upstate Update.
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PRAYERS of COMFORT
- for Rodney and Janice Klinzing at the death of his mother June Rose Klinzing
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING
- for Paul and Betsy Herpich as first time grandparents of twins Brooklyn Isabella and Katherine Marie
WE HOLD IN PRAYER
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If you would like to learn more about Lutheran Disaster Response in Upstate New York, are wondering how your congregation can get more involved in responding following local and regional disasters or would like to be able to explain to others how to be prepared for the unexpected, JOIN US on Tuesday, June 23, 10am - 2pm, at Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Rochester. The program will include an LDR overview - the local, regional and national perspective; a preparedness presentation by an American Red Cross representative and a panel discussion with representation from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the local Humane Society, and 2-1-1. Learn how all these groups work together following a disaster and how you can support disaster preparedness and response. Pick up a brochure at the LDR table in the Mission Faire at Synod Assembly or contact ldrunyteam@gmail.com.
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NEW ELCA DISABILITY BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR -LIBERTY MUTUAL
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Effective June 1, Portico is transitioning from Aetna to Liberty Mutual for
administration of disability benefits. Information about the change can be found at
Portico.disability.
Key Things to Know:
- There will be no changes to the ELCA Disability Benefits Plan, and no changes to 2015 employer contributions.
- Portico will send a letter to members currently receiving disability benefits in the next couple weeks to notify them of the transition, and to look for a letter and forms from Liberty Mutual.
- In May, Liberty Mutual will send a letter and forms to members currently receiving disability benefits. Members will have to complete and return the forms, and Liberty must receive them by June 1 to ensure uninterrupted delivery of monthly disability benefits.
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ALL ABOARD THE DISCIPLE SHIP
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There is still time to be sure your congregation is a part of the 16th Annual World Hunger Appeal at the Synod Assembly May 28-30, 2015. Help our synod reach the Synod's World Hunger Task Force goal of $35,000 and the challenge for every congregation to bring a minimum of $400 set by the Synod's World Hunger Task Force for this appeal and we are challenging every congregation to bring a minimum of $400
Here's how:
- Collect donations for ELCA World Hunger. Have each person making a donation sign their name on an individual boarding pass (see attached). Post the boarding passes on the walls of your church building as a visual reminder.
- Write a check in the amount of all donations received, payable to Upstate NY Synod. Complete the congregational boarding pass and tally sheet (see attached), and bring them along with your check to the hunger table at the Synod Assembly. For security reasons, please do not bring cash.
- Take the Bishop's challenge and Bow (tie) up for Hunger. Wear a bow on to the Saturday morning Plenary session, 5/30. The Bishop and his wife will make a $5.00 donation to World Hunger for every person wearing a bow in some way above their shoulders.
Join us on the Disciple Ship! The world is waiting. Materials are available at posted on the synod website - 2015 Hunger Facts; Disciple Ship Bulletin Insert; Disciple Ship Boarding pass; and Disciple Ship Tally Sheet.
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 Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Depew has accepted the "disciple ship" challenge on behalf of World Hunger Relief. One of our members, Glenn Ruettimann, built a "disciple ship" from tongue depressors and glue, giving us a fun way to receive donations of money every Sunday leading up to Synod Assembly. We display the ship weekly in our Welcome Center and invite the congregation to help fill it up. It's creativity like this that helps us live out our vocation as God's people in so many large and small ways, each and every day!Pastor Debi Turley
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| Pr. Grecious Moyo
at the Rochester, NY zoo |
Last summer, former bishop Marie Jerge wrote about meeting Pastor Grecious Moyo in Zimbabwe in 2003 and how she was able to rekindle that acquaintance in Rochester, NY last summer. Grecious spent a couple months in our synod to acclimate to life in the US before traveling to Luther Seminary in Minnesota.
Rev. Grecious has survived the Minnesota winter and will be returning to the Upstate NY Synod this summer as an exchange pastor from Zimbabwe. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ) is one of our companion synods and the exchange of personnel is a blessing, which strengthens our understanding of each other. Pastor Moyo will be hosted by the Central Crossroads Conference in July, with a brief break midmonth to attend confirmation camp at LCLC, and will be in the Niagara Frontier Conference in August, 2015.
We had hoped to bring Grecious' wife and small daughter to New York to join him in his ministry this summer, but she was unable to obtain a visa for entering the U.S. Please pray for Grecious and his family as they remain separated while Grecious works toward a May 2016 graduation from Luther.
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| Pr. Gracious &
Beth Walker |
The next step in the exchange process is for pastors or AIMs from the UNY Synod to participate in the life of the church in Zimbabwe for two to four weeks over the next couple of years. For more information about the Global Mission Committee of the UNY Synod or for information about Grecious' visit, please contact Beth Walker, committee chair, at rbowsend@rochester.rr.com
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SAVE THE DATES:
- Synod Ministerium, September 21 - 23, 2015 at Notre Dame Retreat Center, Canandaigua, NY. Guest is ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
- Inaugural Synod Golf Outing - Saturday, September 19, 2015 at approximately 1:00 pm at Shadow Pines in Penfield, NY, just east of Rochester.
- Bishop's Convocation, March 12, 2016. The Rev Kevin Strickland, Director of Worship for the ELCA will be our presenter. Location TBD.
Vanderkamp's Spring 2015 E-Newsletter
Vanderkamp Needs You... is now available on our website. Click here to read it today! This issue draws attention to our current volunteer and staffing needs. There is much work to do in His Name here at VK to fulfill the mission of our outdoor ministry, "To provide facilities and opportunities for people to relate to God, renew their faith, and respond in service." An army of volunteers is needed ... the Lord's Army... to respond in service. Be all that He created you to be... and prayerfully consider sharing your knowledge, skills, or abilities with VK today.
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