The Upstate Update for Wednesday, October 21, 2015

 
LTSP Emblem
Bishop's Appeal

Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia


Bishop Macholz
"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless, of course you want the same treatment.  Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang.  Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier.  Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back - given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way.  Generosity begets generosity."  Luke 6:37 - 38 The Message
 
The Upstate New York Synod currently has several LTSP students in our candidacy program as well as some pastors in advanced study.   Pastors Scott Hannon(St. John's, Williamsville) and Douglas Stewart (Incarnate Word, Rochester) are studying for DMin advanced-level degrees at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) in order to become better, more relevant pastors in their congregational settings. But both serve in considerably different contexts.  Recently both pastors participated in an interview and video production about their decision to study at LTSP. 
 
"I got a really great education at Southern Seminary," Hannon said, "I am trying to learn by studying for this degree how to be a better pastor in today's world, how to better build an approach to worship and service, how to build a community of faith for all kinds of people, whether they may be 84 or in the 30 and under age bracket."
 
"We probably have the highest crime rate in the state of New York," Stewart said.  "We have shootings almost every day and at least 200 homeless people who daily do not have access to a shelter.  Our downtown church takes seriously being 'in the city for good.' As their pastor I am taking this DMin study so I can acquire the tools to better serve and lead the congregation in our setting."
 
Read more about their return to seminary for continued education and hear about their journey and visions for God's church in their own words in a short LTSP video.  https://ltsp.edu/two-upstate-new-york-graduate-students-striving-to-become-better-pastors/ 
 
Your generous support to this year's Bishop's Appeal helps to support both future pastors studying at LTSP and our current pastors who are seeking to be equipped to lead our congregations in the 21st century as God calls us into the world to share Jesus.  Make a donation today.  

St. Timothy, Geneseo Community Garden
By Helen Thomas, Member 

The St. Timothy Community Garden, funded in 2013 by an ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant, had a successful 2015 year of gardening that included growth not only of vegetables, but also in participation and in the number of beds built. 
 
Two energetic church members tended two raised beds in 2014. In spring 2015, thanks to the garden construction team, four more beds were built with an additional four constructed during the summer to meet increased demand. Two more were constructed in fall for use in 2016. We now have twelve beds of varying heights and widths, all about seven feet long. We also purchased an eight foot vinyl banner to advertise the garden to passersby.
 
Gardeners included a team from ARC, a group of Daisy Scouts, community members and the same two energetic church members. Our garden was featured in the Livingston County News. In addition to feeding our gardeners, produce was provided for Monroe County food banks on "God's Work Our Hands" Sunday. In fall, one of our members also presented a well-received public session, "Preserving Your Produce."
 
Many lessons have been learned from our pilot project and our first year of full operation.  Our rain barrels have been a good source of water, filling up when the rains come. But, in year one, we discovered that the water pressure is weak and the hose unwieldy, complicating watering when there is no rain. We let gardeners purchase seedlings this year and reimbursed them for the cost. That was somewhat problematic as purchasers had to pay tax, and often ended up with more of a particular plant than they wanted. This can be easily remedied by taking orders for plants and coordinating the need. The raised beds have been exceedingly productive, thanks to a rich soil and compost mixture ordered from local vendors. Reaching people who want to garden has been a challenge.  A suggestion that we distribute flyers seems like a good plan for next year. Advertising can be expensive, but may be necessary to ensure a full house of gardeners. The need to create a structure to display our banner closer to the road and purchasing a second banner to increase visibility also seems important. Monies are available because we have had volunteer labor to construct and fill our garden beds and we have not yet constructed the deer fence that was included in our original budget. We continue to operate at a budget surplus. God has blessed this mission. 


[Building off our 2015 Synod Assembly theme God's Story, Our Voices is an Upstate Update feature where we share ways that congregations in our synod are sharing God's story in the world.  We welcome submissions of 2 - 3 paragraphs (350 words or less) and accompanying photos to be submitted to Kathy Neugent, [email protected].  We will print stories as  received and space allows.]


2016 Portico Health Benefits Decisions


Friday, October 30 is the deadline for all employers to make their 2016 health benefit option selection on Portico's Employer Link.  Be sure to review your congregation's Custom Comparison Report for help in making decisions.  If your congregation had someone enrolled in Portico Benefit Services plans on October 1, 2015 you are eligible and encouraged to make your 2016 selection to participate in Portico health plans and offer Portico health coverage for your pastor and/or employees in 2016 by the deadline.  Congregations who do not currently have a called pastor or anyone participating in the plan, but anticipate calling a pastor in 2016 will be able to make a selection and enroll the pastor when he/she is called in 2016.  
                          
The employee enrollment period is Nov. 2 - Nov. 30.  During this time the pastor and any other participating employees at your congregation will need to go on MyPortico to sign up for coverage. 
 
If you need assistance in choosing a plan or in actually getting on EmployerLink to make a plan selection please contact a Portico Customer Service Representative at 800.352.2876.
 
A Message from Bishop Macholz and A $219 Challenge from Emanuel, Stuyvesant Falls

 

Recently I received a wonderful letter.  It was from Emanuel Lutheran Church in Stuyvesant Falls, one of our smaller buildings and congregations. In this case size doesn't matter! The letter indicated a remembrance from Synod Assembly that indicated the budget was approximately $38,000 in the red due to three unexpected budgetary expenses last year.
 
As Emanuel's members discussed this and did some basic math, they arrived at the conclusion that if each congregation in the synod donated $219 that cost could be covered. In fact, included with the letter was a check for that amount but even more importantly a challenge that they asked me to issue to each of the congregations of the Upstate New York Synod, namely that each and every congregation contribute $219 to help offset the cost! It was one of the most wonderful and joy-filled letters I have ever received.
 
Not to be outdone, about a week later, I received another letter from St. Luke's              Lutheran Church in Valatie not only rising to the challenge but exceeding it! The good people of St. Luke's, in their conversations and wisdom realized that not every congregation would be able to be involved and meet the challenge so they doubled the original challenge and sent a check for $450. You will note that it is more than double the original amount - they chose to round it up.
 
So, I now pass on to all of our congregations Emanuel, Stuyvesant Falls' challenge as requested. Often times when we look at the big picture and see large numbers the task seems impossible especially if we consider we are alone in the endeavor. When we break it down a bit and realize we are in this together and together can achieve the goal, it becomes much more attainable.  This challenge seems to fit in this category.
 
Consider yourself challenged people of God! And should you accept the challenge I'd love to hear about how arrived at that point. Even if you can't meet the challenge, know that I appreciate your willingness to have conversation around it and the realities we face in these days. May our God bless each of you, the ministry to which you are called and the gifts you so freely share.  We are the church together!
John S. Macholz, Bishop


From the Synod Global Mission Committee: Our companion synod of Zimbabwe has two new local bishops, Rev. Michael Dube (Western Diocese), and Rev. Chemist Faindi (Eastern Diocese).  Rev. Faindi will also be the head bishop for the whole ELCZ.  It would be ideal for a member of our synod to attend the convocation of these bishops in December but the cost of airfare at that time of year is very expensive.  An idea is to accompany them in spirit by contributing to the convocation feast (as well as our bishop sending greetings and best wishes in writing).  Cattle are a valuable part of Zimbabwe families.  During such an important event, one is purchased to feed the multitudes.  If you would like to contribute to "The Beast for the Feast", please make donations to the Upstate NY Synod and right FEAST BEAST in the notes line.   The cost is about $550 and any donation, however small will be a symbol of walking hand in hand with our companion.  The deadline for collecting funds is November 14.  Please keep our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe in your prayers during this time of transition!
Many thanks to Laurel McCurdy for being the Upstate NY Synod malaria coordinator for the last three years.  Laurel voluntarily assumed the task ofcollecting resources and ideas for congregations to use in their 
Laurel McCurdy
malaria campaigns.  Copies of these resources were distributed to the deans of each conference, demonstrated and distributed at our synod assemblies, and were posted in the Upstate Update.  A faithful member of the Synod Global Mission Committee, Laurel has traveled to our companion synod of Zimbabwe and like all of the travelers on that trip, took malaria prevention drugs and slept under mosquito nets. This personal experience made her aware of the power of preventative resources and how those with less resources can become unwilling victims of a mosquito's bite.  Well done, Laurel!    (Beth Walker, Global Mission Chairperson)

IN OUR PRAYERS

Prayers of Healing 
for Pr. Dave Preisinger

Prayers of Comfort 

Family and friends of Dawn Soderquest (wife of Ken Soderquist - retired SW conference)


Prayers of Thanksgiving 
Pastors Jorden and Adam Miller-Stubbendick on the birth of their son, Julian Robert Miller-Stubbendick on 10/6/15.

TIDBITS


LDR Train the Trainer - Forgot to sign up to attend this Oct. 24 event at Trinity Emmanuel in Rochester?  Plan to register on-site and join us.  Registration ($10) begins at 9:30am; program from 10am - 2pm includes lunch and interaction
presentations from LDR, Presbyterian Disaster, Red Cross, the Humane Society and 211 Lifeline.  Be ready for your community's next disaster.  


4th-8th Grade Advent Retreat, December 4-6, 2015, 7:00pm Friday through 11:00am Sunday at The Retreat 
Center at LCLC.  at better way to combine all you love about LCLC with the excitement of this special time of the year.  Join us for this great way of getting your Advent and Christmas seasons off to an appropriate start. The LCLC Advent 
Retreat will include worship and Bible study, time to connect with friends, crafts including cookie decorating, caroling and time for games, hiking and much more. COST: $95 (Includes meals, lodging, and program, $10 of which is a non-refundable deposit. The registration deadline is 11/30/15. Click here for a registration form or call 716-386-4125 for more information.  
 

Karen Brundige
REMINDER*****
Samuel Trexler Grant applications will be accepted until October 31,   2015 for 2016 grants.  If you wish to apply for this grant, please visit Trexler Brochure and Application. Questions should be directed to Karen Brundige at the synod office.



What is 'Lutheran'? "For the past two years, I've organized my work around these four emphases: we are church, we are Lutheran, we are church together and we are church for the sake of the world." Click here to read more of Bishop Eaton's column.

The New York State Council of Churches is pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Peter Manning Cook as Executive Director, effective January 1, 2016.  Peter is ordained in the United Church of Christ and since 2012 has served as Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church of Burlington, Vermont.  Prior to his current position he served churches in Framingham, Massachusetts and Waukegan, Illinois.  He holds both the Master of Divinity and the Master of Arts in Liturgical Theology from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, and the Bachelor of Arts in History from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. 


The Fall 2015 Congregational Assembly Report is now available at 2015 Fall Conference Assembly Report

Synod Website Update
Please make note that Document Center on the synod website is now labeled as "RESOURCES" and appear in the top bar separately - hopefully this makes it easier for folks to find things.  It previously was under "About Us."  Visit the Synod Website and look around.



Please visit our website upstatenysynod.org
 
Thank you for spending some time reading this edition of the Upstate Update. We hope, and pray, that you found it useful. If you know someone who could benefit from the Upstate Update, please forward it to them and ask them to sign up directly.
 
Kathy Neugent
Executive Assistant to the Bishop
Upstate New York Synod of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 
Phone: 315-299-4955 Fax: 315-299-4981 
 
 Resurrection people who pray first, walk together and change lives.