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Ms. Marcia
Brown
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Since 1970, communities have taken one day each year to be especially mindful of the earth and its many gifts. The Lutheran tradition as well as the Bible are full of language and theology for celebrating and caring for God's creation. Each year, Creation Justice Ministries focuses on liturgical resources as well as Christian education material around a particular environmental theme. The theme for 2016 is "Care for God's Creatures." Congregations are encouraged to celebrate Earth Day Sunday either the Sunday before or the Sunday after Earth Day, Friday, April 22. The Earth Day Sunday resource also highlights a number of ways individuals and congregations can celebrate and protect God's creation. These ideas and resources can inspire further thoughts, conversations and actions in answering God's call to be faithful stewards of creation. They include ideas for youth & adult discussions, worship resources, and more. See Living Lutheran for planning ideas for "Earth Day Sunday".
We are church together for the sake of the world. God's work. Our Hands.
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Grace-Based Evangelizing:
Living and Telling the Story of Jesus
Thursday April 14 - 7:30 PM EDT
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- Why are we, who have experienced the grace of God in Christ, so unlikely to
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Malfatti |
talk about Jesus? - What holds us back?
- What sets us free?
- What practical practices might be put into place to offer testimony to others?
The Synods of Region 3 have come together to create a TED talk style event -- Live-streamed and open to all people -- to explore these questions and offer foundations and approaches to "Grace-based evangelizing".
To learn more or register for this event visit http://www.swmnelca.org/events.html |
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WHAT'S COVERED
on our insurance policy?
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Ms. Kathy Neugent
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One of the first questions after a fire, traffic accident or slip and fall on your property is always "is it covered" on our insurance policy? Calls are then directed to your insurance broker/agent and ultimately, we discover some things we EXPECTED to be covered are not.
For most of us, reviewing our insurance policy is not a fun way to spend our time, nor is it part of our ministry and would we really understand it if we did read it? And so, the easiest route is to assume that our broker/agent knows all and is keeping us covered for EVERYTHING.
The synod encourages all congregations to consider inviting your agent/broker to attend a Church Council meeting to do a presentation regarding your insurance policy and to answer your questions. This is the only way your agent/broker can truly understand all of your needs.
Don't assume that you are totally prepared for whatever comes - KNOW YOU ARE PREPARED!
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The Lutheran Magazine is now the Living Lutheran Magazine
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 March 30, 2016
Dear colleagues in ministry,
I have exciting news to share. Beginning with its April issue, The Lutheran magazine will be called Living Lutheran. A new accompanying website - LivingLutheran.org - will make its debut tomorrow, March 31. As the flagship publication of the ELCA, Living Lutheran will continue to belong to the members of the ELCA in all of our diversity. We will continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ through feature stories and theological reflections, and provide other news and information. The magazine's departments will continue the "Deeper understandings" series, reflections, the presiding bishop's column and more. New departments will include a youth and family page, and a page devoted to social media and resources.
LivingLutheran.org will also offer original content and breaking news, stories and blogs from various voices across this church, photo and video galleries and more. There will be an enhanced "letters" section and a place to submit your story ideas and photos. Through this new venture, we hope you'll discover more opportunities to connect and share your faith stories with members across this church and beyond.
Please know that we are committed to providing a consistent editorial voice and high journalistic standards and will continue to generate content with integrity and fairness.
A special thanks to many of you who took part in research and surveys, offering feedback that has influenced our changes.
Please plan to visit LivingLutheran.org tomorrow for its debut and bookmark the site. Invite your colleagues and constituents to consider a subscription to the print magazine and sign up for a new e-digest on the site. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter - look for social media icons at LivingLutheran.org.
Thanks for your partnership in sharing the story of this church and God's amazing love through Christ Jesus.
Sincerely,
Christina Jackson-Skelton
Executive Director, Mission Advancement
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Watch for Upstate NY Synod inserts in January, April, July and October issues.
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 On Tuesday, April 19, at 4PM EDT, the ELCA is hosting our first StewardTalk with author Bob Sitze. His book Stewardshift: An Economia for Congregational Change offers theoretical and practical ways for lay and clergy leaders to ensure the sustainability of stewardship ministries to help their congregation flourish.
There are two parts: Part I, Scriptural Stewardshifts, reinterprets familiar biblical passages on stewardship, introduces new ones, and helps congregations expand the use of the Bible in their life; Part 2, Secular Stewardshifts, examines resources available to congregations from the "continuing revelation" that is occurring in the secular world, including philanthropy, financial planning, community organizing and other areas.
To participate call 1-877-820-7831 and when asked enter the Participant Passcode: 6314685#.
All are welcome to participate! |
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Spiritual Journeys Retreat Day at Atonement
Exploring Faith in Our Lives as We Change and Grow
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Saturday, April 23, 2016
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Registration and coffee 9:00 to 9:30 AM
Atonement Lutheran Church
1900 Westfall Road, Rochester, New York 14618
585-442-1018
Bless now, O God, the journey that all your people make, the path through noise and silence, the way of give and take. The trail is found in desert and winds the mountain round, then leads beside still waters, the road where faith is found. - Sylvia G. Dunstan (C 1991 GIA Publications, Inc.)
Our life experiences shape our faith. Were you born, baptized and raised in one faith? Did you leave your faith and return? Or did you discover something brand new? Come, explore and share your own spiritual life journey and perhaps even move closer to God in the process.
MORNING GENERAL SESSION: Bend in the Road? Transformation? Crossing to a New Place? The Many Dimensions of Our Spiritual Journeys
Sister Joan Sobala will touch briefly on a wide spectrum of elements that people over time have recognized and named as part of their spiritual journeys. You may recognize some of these in your life, or hearing them named may trigger for you the memory of other elements of your spiritual journeys. The afternoon workshops will offer you opportunities to say and hear more.
During her 57 years as a Sister of Saint Joseph, Joan Sobala has worked with people as an educator, social justice advocate, pastoral minister and pastoral leader. Her radio program, "Good Morning God," aired for ten years, and gave rise to a journal of the same name. Her weekly blog, "Fresh Wind in Our Sails," appears at the website, ssjrochester.org. She also coordinates onsite spirituality programs at the SSJ Motherhouse on French Road, Rochester to which you are all welcome.
For more information visit:
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2016 National Gathering
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"You and your children can live..." 2 Kings 4:7b
October 20-23, 2016 @ Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, NY
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Pastor Susan Engh will provide community organizing training, specifically designed for our work to prevent child sexual exploitation.
Much of our work requires organizing people to get into action on behalf of children. Pastor Sue's training sessions at the National Gathering will help all of us do that more effectively. This is a tremendous opportunity to gain and/or strengthen your skills to better serve the needs of children in your community.
Pastor Susan Engh was born in Chicago and raised in its northwest suburbs. She received her B.A. in Religion and Music from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD and her M. Div. from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN.
Pastor Engh served as a pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran in Minneapolis MN from 1987 to 1995, and at Mount Calvary Lutheran in Excelsior MN from 1995 to 2003. From 2003 to 2006 she was called into specialized ministry as a full-time organizer for ISAIAH, a State of Minnesota congregation-based community organizing network.
Pastor Engh began her work as Director for Congregation-based Organizing with the ELCA in October of 2007. In October of 2012 Rev. Engh's responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Directors for Evangelical Mission (DEMs) who serve in each of the ELCA's 65 synods. In 2016 she transitioned from full-time employment with the ELCA Churchwide Office in Chicago to a part-time contract as Director for Organizing, working now out of her home in Minneapolis MN.
Pastor Engh is married to Michael Engh and they have two adult children: Samantha and Nathanael. Samantha and her husband Matt have a three-year-old daughter, which adds the happy status of grandmother to Susan's biography!
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April 23, 2016 8:00 - 4:00
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Adopt-A-Project Day is a day at LCLC for accomplishing prearranged work projects. By knowing in advance who's coming and for which projects, we're better able to successfully get things done. Previous skill or experience in the project adopted is preferred.
Projects available for adoption include:
- Painting the exterior of camper cabins
 - Re-roofing camper cabins
- Wood cutting and splitting
- Spring gardening and raking
- Trail clearing
- Pressure washing
- Installing french drains in Redeemer field
A complementary breakfast and lunch will be served for all volunteers. Please contact the office to adopt a project and RSVP today.
Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center
5013 Rt. 430
Bemus Point, NY 14712
Sponsored in part by Thrivent Financial 
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 IN OUR PRAYERS
Prayers of Healing:
- for Pastor John Klatt
- for Pastor Neil Kattermann
- for Pastor John Knarvik
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 Jumpstart! CNY/Upstate Registration closes on Monday, April 11th
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).
Synod Retirees
Remember to register for Luncheon with the Bishop during synod assembly on Monday, June 6 at noon. Return your RSVP card, e-mail Kathy Neugent or call the synod office 315.299.4955.
The 2016 NALIP Annual Conference
Only 24 days left to take your
Mayo Clinic Health Assessment AND Help congregations across our synod save 1% on 2016 health care premiums.
 As of March 1 our synod was only at 45%. The goal is 65%. The deadline is April 30. All sponsored plan members and their spouses or eligible same gender partners with ELCA-Primary health benefits can participate in the Mayo Clinic health assessment. Please don't delay - take your health assessment TODAY!
Portico Benefit Services makes a number of other resources available through GO!Challenge and the Wellness Reformation for a path toward a healthier you and healthier living in general.
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The registration fee is $95. Meal costs are in addition to the registration fee and are listed on the registration page. 
