 |
|
ELCA observes 2015 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
|
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will join millions of Christians around the world Jan. 18-25 to observe the 2015 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
"Each year, Christians throughout the world observe The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," said the Rev. Donald McCoid, ELCA director for ecumenical and inter-religious relations. "In keeping with Jesus' prayer for His disciples in John 17:21 'that they may be one so that the world may believe,' Christians pray for this unity among followers of Jesus today."
The theme of the 2015 observance is "Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink,'" taken from the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:1-42.
Traditionally the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed during the week between the feasts of St. Peter and St. Paul. In the Southern Hemisphere, the observance is held later in the church year, often during Pentecost.
|
| |
Atonement Syracuse to be Partner Site for Racial Justice Event
|
You're invited to attend Trinity Institute, an annual conference that takes place at Trinity Episcopal Church in New York City-but you can attend right here via webcast at Atonement Lutheran Church!
Trinity Institute 2016, Listen For A Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice, will explore the most pressing issues of our time, including structural racism and mass incarceration. The conference will take place over three days, from Thursday evening, January 21st through Saturday afternoon, January 23rd. Pre-registration is requested.
WHERE: Atonement Lutheran Church
116 W. Glen Ave., Syracuse NY 13205
WHEN: Thursday, January 21st (6:30-9:00 p.m.)
Friday, January 22nd (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Saturday, January 23rd (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
COST: $20 for Thursday, Friday & Saturday
(includes Lunch on Thursday and Friday)
$10 if only attending Thursday or Friday
(scholarships are available, nobody will
be turned away.)
CALL TO REGISTER by Sunday January 17th :
Contact Atonement Church Office at (315) 492-9065)
For information call or email Laura Light at laura.light@alcsyracuse.org
|
 In this season of Christmas take time to recall the proclamation of the Gospel and sharing of the Sacraments and, giving thanks, by offering a gift to support this years Bishop's Appeal for Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Every dollar given will support seminary studies and the ministry of LTSP. Bishop Macholz invites you to be a part of that giving at whatever level speaks to you of generosity. Together we are the church and together we are able to raise up leaders for our future and the work of the kingdom of God. Donate here.
|
| |
NOTES FOR TREASURERS
By: Karen Brundige, Synod Bookkeeper
|
 As we come to the end of the year, I would like to remind you to review your Mission Support Commitment for fiscal year 2015/16. Mission Support payments for calendar year 2015 should be received in the synod office no later than January 31, 2016. If you anticipate that you might have trouble meeting this deadline, please contact me directly at kbrundige@upstatenysynod.org or by phone at (315) 299-4955.
I have the ability to book a "promise" to pay at year's end that I can include in your 2015/16 commitment. Please do not book a promise unless you are sure you will be able to fulfill it. In addition to adding this to our year end income, I will send our Mission Support to the ELCA based on this number.
|
|
Young Adults in Global Mission Now Accepting Applications
Do you know young adults (ages 21-29) who are passionate about the serving God's people in the world? Please invite them to check out the life-altering year-long experience in international mission service through Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM). Applications are due February 15 for service beginning in August.
In giving a brief summary of YAGM Heidi Torgerson-Martinez, the program director for the YAGM program, says this: "A few basic details: Full room and board, medical insurance, international travel, a small monthly stipend, and all training & program costs are fully covered. YAGM volunteers commit to working with their sending congregations and communities in an effort to raise $4,000 toward the cost of service, but an inability to raise that amount will NEVER preclude the ELCA from sending someone into YAGM service. (If your congregation would be interested in sponsoring a YAGM volunteer, please reach out to me. YAGM sponsorship has been enriching for many congregations.) College degree is welcome, but NOT required."
|
 IN OUR PRAYERS
Prayers of Healing
- For all refugees and the alleviation of suffering around the world.
Prayers of Comfort
- For Rev. Valerie deCathelineau, St. John's, W. Seneca and Chaplain, Mercy Hospital, Buffalo on the death of her mother.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
- For Lutheran colleges and seminaries.
|
2016 Synod Assembly Resolutions and Memorials Reminder
The deadline for submission of Resolutions and Memorials to the Synod Council for consideration at the 2016 Synod Assembly, which will be held June 5-7, 2016 in Rochester, is January 15, 2016. Resolutions and Memorials are formal ways we can get an assembly of people to consider new ideas or make changes. Most of us are familiar with motions/resolutions that are made at annual congregation meetings, local government meetings, service clubs, etc.
Per the synod constitution "Resolutions received by Synod Council after the January deadline, may be addressed by the Synod Council and/or be directly referred to the Reference and Counsel Committee at Synod Assembly."
Submissions may be sent to the attention of Synod Council Vice President, Thomas Madden at the synod office, in care of Kathy Neugent, kneugent@upstatenysynod.org
Submissions for God's Story, Our Voices Still Open
As outlined in previous issues, we are still accepting submissions for God's Story, Our Voices. If you have a story you want highlighted in a future issue of the Upstate
Update, e-mail submissions to Mitch Woite at mwoite@upstatesynod.org
2016 IRS Mileage rates reminder - The IRS has announced the standard business mileage rate for 2016 will be $0.54/mile (down from $0.575/mile in 2015). Mileage for medical or moving purposes will decrease to $0.19/mile (down from $0.23/mile). The standard charitable mileage rate remains at the statutory rate of $0.14/mile. Lower fuel prices are a contributor to the declines in mileage rates. To access the IRS standard mileage document visit this link.
JOIN THE WELLNESS REFORMATION AT PORTICO!
 Ministry is more demanding than ever, budgets are tighter than ever, and the cost of health coverage is higher than ever. As a community, we've taken small steps toward being well, but it's time for longer strides. Late in 2015 Portico's president and CEO, the Rev. Jeff Thiemann, called the ELCA to a wellness reformation. In response, this year's GO! Challenge encourages plan members and sponsoring organizations to work together to shape a culture of greater health. Step one - take the GO! Challenge (found here); Step two - learn about the 1% health discount (found here).
Live webcast January 14, 2016 at 8 p.m. (CDT)
"Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning" - a live webcast January 14 at 8:00 p.m. (CDT). Information about the webcast is available at www.ELCA.org/webcast, where a link to the live webcast will be embedded. A live stream also will be available at www.Facebook.com/Lutherans. Twitter handle is #ELCAConfrontRacism. ELCA members are invited to submit a question to be considered during the live webcast at livinglutheran@elca.org.
LCLC Senior High Winter Retreat
January 8-10, 2016
Fun in the snow at LCLC. Get re-acquainted with your camp friends from summer and make new friends for next year. Come and see what LCLC is all about. Visit LCLC Events
2016 Mission Support
The Synod Challenge letter has been sent out to all congregations. The electronic form for the 2016 Statement of Intent, along with Your Congregation's Plan for Mission Support 2016 booklet that includes a message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton is available on the synod website. Please return your completed Statement of Intent for Mission Support for 2016 to the Synod Office, either electronically or by regular mail as soon as possible to 5811 Heritage Landing Drive, First Floor, East Syracuse, NY 13057. Click here for the 2016 Statement of Intent, and click here to be redirected to a site to download Your Congregation's Plan for Mission Support 2016.
DEM Heads to South Africa
Rev. Norma Malfatti, DEM will be traveling in South Africa January 3-16.
This is a learning/accompaniment trip centered around conflict resolution and race. Organized through Gettysburg Seminary, Rev. Malfatti and the other participants will spend time with faith and
community leaders, explore the culture of all people in South Africa (black and white, orphans, people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS), and learn about the pain of apartheid and how the people of South Africa are overcoming their past, and where they still struggle to do so. You can follow the trip on the DEM's new blog: listeningforgod.tumblr.com.
2016 Bishop's Convocation
The second annual Bishop's Convocation will be held, Saturday, March 12, 2016 at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Camillus. It will bring together rostered and lay leaders from across the synod to focus together on a topic pertinent to the church. We will welcome the Rev. Kevin Strickland, executive for worship and assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop. Strickland will lead us through conversations focusing on the "Means of Grace": how do we offer it, care for it and receive it? How do these gifts of grace help shape our liturgy and lives of study and prayer? What are the biggest challenges facing worship today? In an ever-changing world, how do we as church leaders continue to offer these "Means of Grace," inviting all into these as gifts and not legalistic prescriptions to our faith?
Congregation members and rostered leaders are all invited to join us. Mark your calendar now! Watch for more information in future Upstate Updates.
Rostered Leader ID cards were mailed before Thanksgiving. If you have not received your card, please contact Kathy Neugent, kneugent@upstatenysynod.org or by phone at 315.299.4955.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
