The Upstate Update for Wednesday, February 24, 2016


2016 Bishop's Convocation
March 12, 2016
  • 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 ?
Rev. Kevin Strickland
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

 
 
TAKE your Health Assessment today and JOIN THE GO! Challenge!

There are many ways that you can start down the path of a healthier you and resources are available through Portico's GO! Challenge to help support your efforts. 
 
First take the Health Assessment (link).  As of February 1, the Upstate NY Synod was at 32.6%, about half way to our goal to reach 65% participation by plan members in our synod in order to receive our 1% discount on health care premiums across the synod.  We need at least 35 more plan members and their participating family members to take the assessment before April 30.  Last year we surpassed the 65% reaching 77%.  Let's top that in 2016!
 
Second review the GO! Challenge materials and learn about the Wellness Reformation.  Then consider what one step you could take toward a healthier life.  Did you make New Year's resolutions around more physical activity?  As we come toward the end of February maybe you are struggling with this.  Maybe like Tammy Devine, ELCA Wellness Manager, who shared her Go!Challenge story in the January 19, 2016 Portico e-news, you would like to become more emotionally resilient. 
 
Maybe your congregation would like to help the church create more resilient leaders.  What does it mean to be a healthy leader?  Portico offers resources and suggestions for supporting health leaders.  They identify 4 key characteristics of healthy leaders -
  • A healthy leader is comfortable talking about money. 
  • A healthy leader cares for himself emotionally and physically.
  • A healthy leader knows there is strength in vulnerability.
  • A healthy leader speaks openly about his life
Then, make a commitment and reach out to others to ask them to support you in your personal GO!Challenge.  Share your plan with God and ask him to walk the challenge by your side. 

VITAL REPORTS ARE DUE!
The two vital reports below contain important data used in planning not only for congregational mission and ministry, but also for the collective mission of our synod and the whole church.  Data compiled from these reports over a period of time reflects trends in the congregation, trends in society, and opportunities for ministry and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.  In addition, maintaining and filing accurate reports is a requirement of the synod and congregational constitutions as outlined below:
  • Synod Constitution: 
S14.05.    Each ordained minister on the roster of this synod shall
submit a report of his or her ministry to the bishop of the synod by 

March 1 each year. 

  • Congregational Constitutions: 

C9.13.   The pastor shall submit a report of his or her ministry to the Bishop of

         the Synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod

         Assembly.


1) 2015 Rostered Leader Reports are now available and are due to the synod office.  Access all report forms by going to Annual Rostered Leader Reports and clicking on "Synods"  For assistance with the forms on the website, please contact by e-mail Kathy Neugent or by phone at 315.299.4955.


 

2) Congregational reports can be filed online.  Please send a copy of your Annual Congregational Report (both the reports from your annual congregation meeting as well as Churchwide forms A and C) to Karen Brundige at the Synod office.  


 

Reports are now due.  Please make submitting these forms a priority.


 
2016 Lutheran Summer Conference at Silver Bay
July 16-22, 2016

We invite you to join three hundred others this summer
at the annual Lutheran Summer Gathering on the YMCA's spectacular campus at Silver Bay on beautiful Lake George in the Adirondacks.

Included in your vacation package at Silver Bay, you will find kayaking, sailing, tennis, crafts, swimming, hiking and most every other land and water activity, all in a safe environment for children. The Lutheran Summer Gathering offers many opportunities for worship; family Eucharist, morning matins, and evening vespers by the lake. The Gathering also offers engaging weekday morning courses to inspire, renew and expand your mind, as do rocking chair chats on the Inn porch with family and friends, old and new. Be uplifted, find grounding, relax, have fun, engage the body, engage the mind, make new friends, play. It's your choice. An all-inclusive, Christian getaway with fun for every age. Visit Silver Bay Brochure for information on rates, registration, course descriptions and activities.


The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG) today announced a dramatic increase in the amount of financial aid each school is giving students, including making full-tuition scholarships available to all new full-time, ELCA rostered leader candidates studying in residence. "In partnership with the ELCA, our supporting Synods, and many faithful congregations and individuals, we decided the time is right to make seminary education far more affordable for our students," declared Presidents Michael Cooper-White (LTSG) and David Lose (LTSP). In addition to this generous offer for new students, the schools also expect to increase scholarships for all current full-time enrollees.

Moreover, the two schools have also committed to supporting all other students from any denomination enrolled at least half time in a first theological degree program by matching dollar-for-dollar all support made to students from sponsoring congregations and church bodies up to the amount of full tuition. "Our goal," the presidents said, "is to make it possible for any student to receive a superior education tuition free." This significant increase in financial aid comes as the first major initiative of the new school of theology and leadership formation the two schools plan to start. "By making more robust financial aid a central commitment of the new school," the presidents continued, "we can build a new budget with that level of aid as the fixed commitment."

"What is the total cost of attendance for graduates from West Point or the Naval Academy?" the presidents asked, and then answered, "Nothing. Because the graduates of those schools will pay back their education through at least five years of service to their country. Our students," they continued, "will also repay the gift of their education through a lifetime of service to the church." The goal, the presidents explained, is to create a more cooperative approach to theological education. "Students don't simply pay for or earn their degrees," they said, "they receive them as a gift of the church they will be serving. And congregations don't merely sponsor 'their' student but are investing in the future leadership of the whole church."

While this decision stems from the creative work to fashion a new school, each seminary will begin awarding these full-tuition and other scholarships immediately to students entering in the fall of 2016 as well as increasing aid to those eligible who are already studying at the school. "We're not leaving anyone out," the presidents said.

The presidents stressed that current and on-going gifts from congregations and individuals, as well as the support of synods and the ELCA, make this dramatic increase in aid possible. "We cannot do this alone," they stated. "Our responsibility is to come up with an educational structure and budget that is efficient and responsible, and we are grateful for the support of so many faithful and generous people to make the dream of a fully-supported seminary education a reality."

For more information on the new financial aid policy or to apply to one of the schools, please contact Nate Preisinger (LTSP) at [email protected] or 215.248.6321, or Lauren Muratore (LTSG) at [email protected] or 717.339.1301. To make a gift to either school to support candidates studying for ministry, please contact Dennis Trotter (LTSP) at [email protected] or Glenn Ludwig (LTSG) at [email protected], or visit the seminary websites (Ltsp.edu and Ltsg.edu). Learn more about becoming a student at each school by clicking the appropriate link: LTSP Admissions | LTSG Admissions

 
Retrouvaille
(rediscovery)

The word Retrouvaille™ (pronounced re-tro-vi with a long i.) is a French word meaning rediscovery. The program offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage relationship. Thousands of couples headed for cold, unloving relationships or divorce have successfully overcome their marriage problems by attending the program.

The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6-12 post-weekend sessions over 3 months. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

You Can Help Your Marriage - Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue or have you stopped talking to each other? Does talking only make it worse? Retrouvaille helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. So many couples struggle alone with their difficulties. Retrouvaille offers those in troubled and painful marriages the chance to rediscover a loving relationship in their marriage. You are NOT alone. This program has helped tens of thousands of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage. For confidential information about or to register for the Spring program beginning with a weekend at Notre Dame Retreat House on March 18-20, 2016, please call 585-293-1552 or visit the web site at  www.HelpOurMarriage.com
IN OUR PRAYERS

Prayers of Healing
for Barry Murdock (husband of Rev. Ernie Varga)
for Sarah and Sawyer (daughter and grandson of Pr. Chuck and Mary Schwartz)

Prayers of Comfort
for Pr. Chuck and Mary Schwartz and Family at the death of Mary's mother, Bette

Prayers of Comfort, Healing and Thanksgiving 
for Redeemer, Rochester as they  recover from their fire. Thanks be to God that no one was hurt.
 
TIDBITS



Congregation Report Covers 
Available at 2016 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

Jumpstart! CNY/Upstate 
Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the DoubleTree Hotel, East Syracuse from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Arrive at 8:30 a.m. to enjoy a continental breakfast and conversation.  Cost is $25 per person including breakfast, lunch and all materials. The event will be presented by Julia M. Groom and Sally Dresser
O'Brien, the president and vice-president of the Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF). 
Register at Jumpstart! Questions may be directed to Kathy Neugent

Remember to send your annual report for the 2016 Pre-Assembly Book by e-mail to Caitlin Donovan or Kathy Neugent by March 10. They can also be mailed to 5811 Heritage Landing Drive, First Floor, E. Syracuse, NY 13057. We ask that you keep your report as concise, clear and brief (no more than one page 12 pt font) but as informative as possible.

Questions about the 2016 Synod Assembly Mission Expo should be emailed to Carol Bonnewell at [email protected].  See the Mission Expo forms at Mission Expo Invitation LetterMission Expo Application, and Mission Expo Application Instructions. The deadline to apply as a Mission Expo vendor is April 15, 2016

ELCA to join International Women's Day celebration On Tuesday, March 8, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will be joining with people around the world to celebrate International Women's Day. We celebrate this day knowing that the work toward gender equality still remains. Through ELCA Global Church Sponsorship's International Women Leaders initiative, we are boldly investing in the education and future of women. In addition to a $100,000 matching challenge on International Women's Day to support the International Women Leaders initiative, we have also created worship resources to use during services. Click here and find them under the "General" tab. 

 ANNOUNCING OUR NEWEST ADULT PROGRAM:
 "Taste of Chautauqua"
 June 26-30, 2016
LCLC's "Taste of Chautauqua" is an affordable way to experience what the renowned
Chautauqua's Athenaeum Hotel
Chautauqua Institution has to offer, in an abbreviated week.  Participants will reside at the comfortable LCLC Retreat Center and spend their days learning and exploring at Chautauqua.  Gate Passes will include access to such notable places as the Hall of Philosophy, the Amphitheater for lectures, public spaces of the Athenaeum Hotel, and the Victorian charm of the residential area.
This is a great way to learn what the Chautauqua Institution is all about while enjoying the beauty and peace of LCLC.  Click here  for a registration form or call 716-386-4125 for more information.  



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.   

Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | 5811 Heritage Landing Drive | First Floor | E. Syracuse | NY | 13057