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Ash Wednesday is February 10th
What does your congregation have planned for Lent?
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This Lent, ELCA World Hunger invites you to take a special 40-day journey as we take a deeper look at our work throughout the world. Starting Sunday, Feb. 7, and extending through the season of Lent, congregations across the ELCA will join together in ELCA World Hunger's 40 Days of Giving to lift up this life-changing work through new levels of giving - spiritually, intellectually and financially.
Will you join us for 40 Days of Giving? Participating congregations will receive:
- Exclusive access to ELCA World Hunger's 40-day Lenten devotional (in the form of a desktop flip calendar) for you and your congregation's members.
- A six-week study guide suitable for Wednesday or Sunday Lenten worship or study to accompany the 40-day devotional.
- The opportunity to sign up for ELCA World Hunger's 40 Days of Giving daily e-blasts featuring the devotion-of-the-day throughout Lent.
- A special certificate recognizing your efforts to help end hunger and poverty through ELCA World Hunger.
- New Lenten resources, including Super Bowl, Valentine's Day and leap-day ideas, to help you reach your goal and engage in this work.
Visit ELCA.org/40days and click the "Sign Up" button to join ELCA World Hunger's 40 Days of Giving.
We are church together for the sake of the world. God's Work. Our Hands.
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ANNUAL ROSTERED LEADER REPORTS TO THE BISHOP
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Once again, it's time to file your annual Report to the Bishop. As you contemplate completing your report, know that Bishop Macholz reads each and every one. He finds them quite helpful to him in getting to know and understand the ministries of his rostered leaders. His greatest focus is on where you are in life and ministry and what needs might exist that he can help with as we move forward.
To quote the Bishop "Whether, retired, on leave from call or actively serving, together we are the body of Christ and together we are growing in relationship and understanding of who we are and whose we are."
Reports are available at Annual Rostered Leader Report. Contact me by phone at 315.299.4955 or at [email protected] with any questions or assistance you may require. We're looking forward to hearing from you if you haven't yet responded. If you've sent your report already, thank you!
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"But seek the welfare of the city... and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." --
Jeremiah 29:7
Members of the Southeastern Michigan Synod are serving their neighbors in the wake of the lead-poisoned water crisis in Flint by addressing the immediate need for clean drinking water in the city. Their efforts are focused through Salem Lutheran Church, Flint, distributing safe water, lead-removing filters, and raising funds for new pipes and a filtration system for the church to supply water to its neighborhood throughout the 48505 zip code, as well as the larger community.
Many concerned Lutherans around the country are praying for the city and asking what else they can do to help the people of Flint. ELCA Advocacy and the Southeastern Michigan Synod are collaborating to invite you to advocate for an amendment to a bipartisan energy bill that would increase immediate relief and work towards long-term solutions for Flint. As church together, we will continue to advocate to for clean water for all God's children, particularly in impoverished places or communities of color, such as Flint.
Please join us in prayer and action today! Click here to show your support for the welfare of Flint by sending a message to Congress.
Grace and peace,
Bishop Donald Kreiss, Southeast Michigan Synod
The Rev. Amy Reumann, Director, ELCA Advocacy
ELCA World Hunger will also be providing funding for relief efforts in Flint as it looks at how the ELCA can best accompany the community as it looks to move forward.
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St. Timothy's, N. Greenbush
Celebrates the Ministry of Rev. Greg Tennermann
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A joyous event was held at St. Timothy's on February 16, 2016 in celebration of the retirement and 40 years of ministry of Pr. Tennermann. During his career he has served at St. Timothy's; King of Kings, New Windsor; Prince of Peace, Clifton Park and St. Peter's, Verona. Pastor Greg also served on synod staff part-time as Assistant to the Bishop. Visit Pastor Greg's Celebration and view the many pictures of of this special Thanksgiving for his ministry. Congratulations Pastor Greg! |
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2016 Winter Retreat/Kamp Kick-Off
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"You're hot then you're cold..." We're going to cool things off and then heat them up again at this NEW annual Christian Youth Retreat! We'll tear up Cherry Hill and enjoy the beauty and grace of God's creation during this magical time of year at Vanderkamp. We'll "chill out" indoors and warm by the fire... AND THEN... We will unveil this year's summer kamp program!
Registration will be open before youth depart... and all youth in attendance will receive a $25 multiple session discount good toward one week of summer kamp in 2016. That's right folks... use it toward any Uniquely Vanderkamp, Explorer Kamp, LIT Program, or the NEW CIT Program!
Event Begins: Saturday, February 13th at 1:00 pm Event Ends: Monday, February 16th at 5:00 pm Open to ALL youth ages 7 to 18 Fee: $115 per youth all inclusive Discounts and kampership assistance available.
Outdoor activities include: snow sculptures, sledding, cross-country skiing, maybe even a snowball fight or two. Indoors we'll relax, play games, enjoy warm beverages and snacks... and the company of our friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. We'll pray and play together. Pack your long undergarments and beg, borrow... and bring a warm sleeping bag!
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Just in case you missed it... here it is again: Click here to see a REALLY COOL Kamp 2016 preview video, for more information & to register
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IN OUR PRAYERS
Prayers of Healing
- Rev. Rick Klafehn
- Tom Collins
- Erna Wedemeyer
Prayers of Thanksgiving
- 1/2 Niagara Frontier Conference Congregations
- Genesee Finger Lakes Conference Congregations
- Ecumenical Partners
- Conference Deans
- ELCA Region 6 Synods and Bishops
- Barb (Macholz) Grimaldi who is now in remission
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Parochial Reports
The deadline for filing reports is February 15th. Congregations, please file your reports at Parochial Reports. Direct all questions or concerns to Karen Brundige at the synod office at 315.299.4955 or at [email protected]
Congregation Report Covers
Women of the ELCA celebrate Bold Women's Day, February 28. Learn more about this and other programs and resources of the Women of the ELCA at WELCA
"Our God" and "Your God": Christian Faith Among Other Faiths
Five consecutive Thursdays, February 18-March 17, 2016 | 7:00 pm-9:00 pm LTSP campus OR online
$70/individual | $125/congregation Presenter: The Rev. Dr. J. Paul Rajashekar, Luther D. Reed Professor of Systematic Theology, LTSP This short course explores some of the challenges in Christian relations with people of other religions in a pluralistic society. It will examine the following critical theological issues: Are there one God or many gods? Does our God hear the prayers of others? How Is Christ related to people of other faiths? Are Christians the only people saved by Christ? How does one engage in interreligious dialogue? What is the place of Christian mission and witness in a multifaith society? - See more at: LifeLong Learning and Register on-line
Winning $15: How You Can Help End Poverty Wages in New York?
As local churches from many denominations address the poverty of their parishioners and community members, the New York State Council of Churches seeks to offer resources that help congregations be strong advocates for those in need. Over a third of New York workers make less than $15 an hour. Every day, hard working men and women go without things they need but can't afford. Please join the Raise the Wage Coalition in Albany for a community teach-in about how you can help end poverty wages in New York.
We'll hear from low-wage workers, policy experts, and activists and get the tools needed to take action and build a movement for justice! "The laborer deserves to be paid." (1 Timothy 5:18)
In Christ One New Humanity
2016 Synod Assembly workshop and Mission Expo applications for presenters and vendors are now posted on the synod website. This year our goal is to inform, engage, and equip the Upstate New York Synod members so that they are able to pursue racial justice in our congregations and communities. We will be looking for both our workshop presenters and Mission Expo vendors to address our assembly theme and focus on racial justice in their presentations and displays. Information can be found at Workshop Invitation and Workshop Application. Workshop questions can be addressed to Jerry Holland, [email protected].
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