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 On Saturday, April 23, 2016, Julia M. Groom and Sally Dresser O'Brien, the president and vice president of the Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF) will in Syracuse, NY to present JumpStart! CNY/UPSTATE. This vital conference is being co-hosted for the people of the Diocese of Central New York and the Upstate New York Synod-ELCA. Jumpstart! CNY/UPSTATE will take place at the DoubleTree Hotel in East Syracuse from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. You are invited to arrive as early as 8:30 a.m. to enjoy a continental breakfast and conversation beforehand. The cost is $25 per person, including breakfast, lunch, and all materials.
ECBF describes Jumpstart! as: A one-day event aimed at parish leaders who are ready to take a hard look at the challenges congregations face over their future...Jumpstart workshops are an exciting and compelling way for parishioners to "jump start" their parish into new and revitalized ministries and mission. Join in! Organize a team of both clergy and lay leaders from your congregation to attend this one-of-a-kind event. Register online at: www.cnyepiscopal.org.
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Rev. Greg Tennermann Transitions
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Beginning February 1, 2016 Assistant to the Bishop
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Greg recently celebrated his40th anniversary of Ordination
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Rev. Greg Tennermann will transition from his
current position to serve in a new way as the synod's
Natural Systems Program Coordinator. The Upstate
New York Synod is one of several synods chosen by the ELCA to participate in the first round of a four year engagement (Oct. 2015 - Oct. 2019) with family systems theory, theology and clinical work. Pastor Greg will serve as our synod's staff lead for this program focused on promoting congregational well-being through the means and lens of family systems thinking. In this role Pastor Greg will be attending regular training sessions of the ELCA Natural Systems Academy in Chicago and work to promote, offer and resource Healthy Congregations training, materials and workshops as well as recruit and train others in this ministry. Watch for more information as Natural Systems roles out throughout 2016. Pastor Greg can be reached at gtennermann@upstatenysynod.org.
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As part of the suggestions from the synod's Racial Justice Task Force that the Synod Council adopted in September 2015, an all-Synod book read was recommended that would address some aspect of the racial justice topic. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander is the book that was chosen. We hope that as many individuals, congregations, conferences across the Synod will take time to read this book, the Study Guide and Call to Action that accompany the book and to participate in opportunities for book group discussions. It ties in with our 2016 Synod Assembly theme, In Christ One New Humanity as well. As part of carrying on the work of Christ in tearing down the barriers that separate us as people of God, and removing the hostility that is between us, through the cross of Christ and the love poured out there, we hope you will join us in this important work of living into the kingdom of God.
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2016 Bishop's Convocation
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- In an ever-changing world, how do we continue to offer the Means of Grace, inviting all into these as gifts and not legalistic prescriptions to our faith?
- How do we as church leaders offer the Means of Grace, but also receive the Means of Grace?
- How do these gifts of grace help shape our liturgy and our own lives of study and prayer?
- What are the biggest challenges facing worship today and pastoral care ?
The Rev. Kevin Strickland, Executive for Worship/Assistant to the Presiding Bishop will be with us to lead us in learning and conversation around the Means of Grace. Some of the conversation will focus on the questions listed above while others may direct us toward conversations around the issue of lay presidency and best practices regarding the preaching, teaching and sacramental life of the church.
We will gather at St. Michael's in Camillus on Saturday, March 12. Registration will begin at 9:30 with the morning session starting at 10:00 am. Cost is $10, lunch is included. All are invited to attend. This is for lay leaders as well as rostered leaders so that together we may learn and grow and strengthen the witness of the church in this place.
To register for the 2016 Bishop's Convocation online go to our website or call the synod office and talk with Karen Brundige at 315-299-4955. Registration ends March 4, 2016.
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Parochial Reports
The ELCA has closed out 2014 in their on-line parochial reports entry system and are able to process 2015 information. These reports are due on February 15 th. You may access the on-line entry system for Forms A & C at the following link www.ELCA.org/congregationreport Congregations will notice some changes in 2015 reporting forms. ELCA Secretary Chris Boerger has prepared an introduction letter and guide to the new questions. You may access these on our website in the Resources section under the General reports title or by clicking 2015 Annual Report Discussion Guide and 2015 Introductory Letter - Forms A&C . These reports are vital to the ELCA's commitment to improving its efforts of spreading the good news and are used in allocating the ELCA's resources to synods and congregations. Did you know that the information you submit (or do not submit) in your parochial report goes into your congregation's trend report, which is publicly available online? Seekers looking for your congregation can see not only the information you submit but also whether the congregation has submitted parochial reports
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ELCA World Hunger News
by Rev. Marsha Irmer
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In keeping with the ELCA's 2016 year-of-emphasis on World Hunger, your UNYS Hunger Team will be encouraging you to make alleviating hunger the high priority it has been so faithfully given by our Synod over the years. As Lent begins, there are several ways to enhance awareness and response:
February 3: Ash Wednesday - marks the beginning of this year's ELCA Lenten emphasis - 40 Days of Giving. See information elsewhere in this update from Mission Interpreter Marcia Brown. It's still not too late to order materials at http://www.elca.org/hunger/resources.
February 7: The 'SOUPERBOWL OF CARING' - a familiar, user-friendly way to "kick off" the 40 Days of Giving on a day when American consumers will spend $10 billion on food and other items for the Superbowl. Consider passing soup pots during worship and incorporate the collection into the offertory with hunger-focused prayer; upping the anti on food bank collections; and a simple soup meal, mindful of those right in your community who lack something so simple as a bowl of soup.
Sunday, February 14: ST. VALENTINE'S DAY - Begin now to encourage adults and kids to celebrate the holiday while giving back to ELCA World Hunger by showing their love with 'Valentine Grams', from the ELCA's 'Good Gifts' collection. "HOGS AND KISSES" and "BEE MINE" are samples of the grams which, given In honor of loved ones, will raise money to benefit '40 Days of Giving' and help provide fruit tree seedlings, honeybees, fish and other resources to empower families to break the cycle of hunger and poverty. Order packets of 30 free at resources.ELCA.org. Coloring sheets for the holiday are also available (www.ELCA.or/resources/ELCA-Good-Gifts)
Monday, February 29: LEAP YEAR DAY - AN EXTRA DAY TO END HUNGER. Raise awareness by encouraging: a special offering to represent the extra day people around the world will spend without food; fasting for all or part of the day and giving what would be spent on food as part of the "40 Days" emphasis; and participation in the 'ONE-DAY-MORE' SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN - an opportunity to encourage donations through your customized page. Sample media images and messages are available at www.ELCA.org/40days
God be with you on your Lenten journey and throughout this year of emphasis on hunger. May it be one of the most fruitful in the history of our Synod's generous record of world hunger relief.
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IMPORTANT PORTICO COMMUNICATION
RE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX REQUIREMENT
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January 22, 2016
Dear Partners in Ministry,
As you may know, a new tax requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) takes effect in early 2016. I'd like to share a quick update about how Portico is managing this on behalf of the ELCA. We are emailing all sponsoring employers later this week and ELCA-Primary plan members next week. Please use this for synod communications and for questions regarding this requirement.
Helping individuals report their 2015 health coverage to the IRS New this tax season, each of us as individuals must report to the Internal Revenue Service that we had minimum essential coverage throughout 2015 or potentially pay a financial penalty (unless we had Medicare as our primary coverage). The ACA calls this the individual shared responsibility requirement, or individual mandate.
- Later this month, Portico will mail IRS Form 1095-B, Health Coverage, to anyone who had ELCA-Primary health benefits in 2015. Portico will also file a copy with the IRS. The IRS recently granted employers more time, but Portico still plans to meet the original deadline of Jan. 31.
- Plan members should keep Form 1095-B for their records and simply check a box on their 2015 individual income tax return to report they had minimum essential coverage.
- Because Portico is mailing Form 1095-B, congregations do not need to provide this form to leaders or their dependents with ELCA-Primary health benefits.
Support for Applicable Large Employers (ALEs)
The vast majority of congregations will have no action to take regarding coverage under the ELCA Health Plan. However, if any congregations or ministries in your synod are considered Applicable Large Employers (ALEs), they must report to the IRS that they offered minimum essential coverage to employees. The ACA calls this the employer shared responsibility requirement.
Our ministry at Portico calls us to lead the ELCA through an evolving health care landscape, so that leaders can access the right care to support their health, and ministries can make the best use of their time and money. As always, if you have any questions, I invite you to contact me ( BDebski@porticobenefits.org) or call the Customer Care Center at 800.352.2876.
Barbara Debski
Regional Representative | Customer Outreach
Portico Benefit Services | A Ministry of the ELCA
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Art and Community
by Vicar Tara Eastman/Lutheran Parish of the Tonawandas
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 What happens when you combine canvas, acrylic paint and an open invitation for people to come and create? Community happens.
Earlier in 2015, I was in the midst of considering a practical way to prayerfully observe the season of Advent and my first inclination was to do something creative. In my own heart, I was longing for some space to rest and reflect upon the season of Advent, where hope, peace, joy and love reside. Through the social networking site, Meetup, I started a group called, "Buffalo Artists Share" and set some dates for a group to gather at a local church to work on an Advent mural project. Church members, as well as folks from the Meetup group, were invited over a period of three weeks to come and paint, eat some lunch and get to know each other. The most engaged participants in the project turned out to be from the general public. Because we "used what we had", the community of St. Mark and Good Shepherd Lutheran Churches was able to connect with the surrounding community of Buffalo both inside and outside of our church and Synod walls.
For the season of Lent, another community art and spiritual life project is being planned.  For five weeks, stories of Jesus life will be shared and people are invited to come, to listen, and to create images based on the story they hear. At the end of the five week sessions, dubbed "Artful Prayer", the group will celebrate with a pot-luck dinner and reveal their creations.
In a time where pastors, parishioners and churches are looking for answers to the questions of how the church can grow; it might be good to take stock in what they already have. Every church might not have a visual artist on hand, but you probably have knitters, woodworkers, cooks, and teachers. If you ask around, I'd bet you find a painter too!
The people who cross your doorstep are our churches greatest asset in helping to build relationships with people on the other side of our church doors. If you long for a place of warmth and hope, you may be surprised to find it in the faces of the people that you already see on Sunday morning. The interests and gifts we already have are the gifts God gives is to share to help build communities of faith that make a difference.
Use what you have, yes you do have it!
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 IN OUR PRAYERS
Prayers of Comfort
- for family and friends of Edward C. Hoffman (father of Rev. Dan Hoffman)
- for family and friends of Jane Yost (mother of Rev. Richard Yost)
Prayers of Thanksgiving
- for Pr. Janet Griffiths as she's installed as LutheranCare Chaplain on January 28th
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Thank you to all those individuals and congregations who have supported the 2015 Bishop's Appeal for Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. By mid January 2016 $6,660 has been raised to support seminary education and our future church leaders. There is still time to make a donation before the January 31, 2016 fiscal year end.
International Women's Day
in March
International Women's Day is held every year on March 8. According to the International Women's Day Website it is a "global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action to accelerating gender parity." This year, Global Church Sponsorship will be lifting up our International Women Leaders Initiative on this day. Be on the lookout for stories and more information about ways that you can help support the initiative on this day. If you would like to join the ELCA in celebrating International Women's Day by hosting an event to support the initiative, please contact Nathan Berkas at nathan.benathan.rkas@elca.org to learn more.
 Disasters are unforeseen and unpredictable. If your property is damaged or destroyed, you will likely have many questions and be faced with many decisions. Concerns about a temporary location, emergency repairs, and the costs of restoring or rebuilding can be overwhelming. >Read More Index of the January 2016 Administrative Matters
MORAL Monday - February 1 at 12:00 Noon:
Vigil and Rally in the War Room, 2nd Floor, NY State Capitol
Join faith and community leaders in demanding a state government that
SERVES THE PEOPLE
REJECTS CORRUPTION
FIGHTS POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
Still thinking about what Sunday Working Preacher mornings or mid-week worship will look like in Lent? Rev. Dr. Matt Skinner from Luther Seminary has created a five week series based on the senses entitled, Sensing the Gospels: A Five-Part Series of Meditations for Lent. You can find it at Working Preacher under the Craft of Preaching section.
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A New Approach to Lutheran Disaster Response 
