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JOIN IN THE SYNOD QUADRENNIAL REVIEW
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August 21 - 23, ELCA Churchwide Office of Research and Evaluation staff will be on the synod territory for a synodical Quadrennial Review. Congregation members and rostered leaders from around the synod are invited to participate! The review is an opportunity to build on what we have learned so far from the Appreciative Inquiry Process and address questions around healthy pastors and healthy congregations.
Pre-registration is greatly appreciated! Pastors are asked to bring at least one lay member from their congregation with them. Sessions will be held at the following times on Saturday, Aug. 22 at all three locations: 9:00 - 10:15am; 10:30 - 11:45am; 1:00 - 2:15pm; and 2:30 - 3:45pm.
The locations are:
St. John's, W. Seneca
3512 Clinton St
West Seneca, NY 14224
CW staff: John Hessian
First, Albany
181 Western Ave
Albany, NY 12203
CW staff: Victoria Flood
St. Paul's
210 Hazel St,
Liverpool, NY 13088
CW staff: Kenneth Inskeep
In preparation those attending might want to consider the following questions:
- What do you believe God is calling the congregations in the territory of the Upstate NY Synod to be/do in the next 3 - 5 years?
- What are your congregation's primary strengths or assets?
- What are the significant challenges facing your congregation?
- What has the synod office done well in the past? Where does it need to improve?
- What do you believe should be the top priorities of the synod bishop and staff in the next 3 - 5 years?
- What advice would you give to the synod bishop and staff as they work to achieve the priorities you identified in bullet #5
- What do you believe the synod bishop and staff can expect by way of support from your congregation? (Investments of time, moral support, financial support, etc.)
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Why Are Our Health Care Costs Going Up?
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Join Portico Benefit Services in a 30 minute webinar, Friday, Aug. 28, 10:30 - 11a.m. (Central Time); 11:30am - 12:30pm Eastern Time, for a look at what drives ELCA health contribution rates, such as market trends and our faith community's use of care. This live, 30-minute webinar will include an opportunity to ask questions. Organizational decision-makers are invited to attend, such as congregation presidents, treasurers, senior pastors, or others who help shape their ministry's budget. Registration required - Sign-up on EmployerLink on the Portico Benefits web site. |
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"God's work. Our hands." Sunday
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is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. The date for the 2015 dedicated day of service is Sunday, September 13. Mark your congregation's calendar today! In speaking about his congregation's 2014 experience, a 10-year-old member from St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Whittier, Calif., puts it best: "It feels good to give." Read more. |
 PRAYERSof Healing for Pr. Amy Walter-Peterson
of Healing for those impacted by wildfires throughout our country
of Comfort for Pr. Janice Jenson and Family at the death of her husband, Fred Wukits
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 Synod Ministerium, A Visit with The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop - September 21 - 23 at Notre Dame Retreat House, 5151 Foster Rd., Canandaigua, NY 14424. Register at Ministerium Registration Rise Up Youth Gathering Follow-up - Thank you, thank you. Thank you to all who participated and supported the 2015  ELCA Youth Gathering! Together, we were able to learn about and participate in the work of bearing burdens, breaking chains, building bridges, and bringing hope. We were able to Rise Up Together! In this edition of gNews we take a look back at the 2015 Gathering and learn more about the "Staying Ready" materials. NYS Council of Churches Faith for a Fair NY Retreat, Oct. 11 - 13, 2015. This year's Faith for a Fair NY retreat will explore how the shift to a low-wage, high-inequality economy is impacting communities across the state and what people of faith can do about it. To learn more and register visit Faith for a Fair Retreat  500th anniversary Grace Gathering - Oct. 31, 2017, will mark the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany - an act that sparked the Lutheran Reformation. A little more than a year before the anniversary, on Aug. 10-13, 2016, we will be hosting the Grace Gathering in conjunction with the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans. Please save these dates now and make plans to attend the Grace Gathering. ELCA Advocacy August issue - "Read the August issue of ELCA Advocacy for important information on ELCA Advocacy efforts in Washington, across the country and throughout the world. Get all the information at ELCA Advocacy Blog.
Starting Smart Webinar Series from Wheatridge Ministries
is for congregations and organizations planning a new health and human care ministry for their congregation or community. TheFundraising sequence will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. CDT, Cost $20. Register at Starting Smart Registration
National Preparedness Month
is just four weeks away, and the Ready Campaign recently announced the 2015 NPM theme: Don't Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today. Now is the time to be sure you can communicate during emergencies by having up-to-date contact information for those you may need to get in touch with during a disaster. Establish alternate methods of communication in case traditional means are not available. Learn more at http://www.ready.gov/september.
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Bishop John Macholz invites all
