The Upstate Update for Wednesday, July 13, 2016


Bishop's  Annual Golf Tournament 2016

Bishop John Macholz
Monday, July 11th was a gorgeous day for life and for golf! Approximately forty eight golfers gathered along with a dozen or so volunteers at Shadow Lake Golf and Racquet Club in Penfield, NY, just east of Rochester. A Shot Gun start at noon sent folks off to chase a little white ball around acres and acres of grass and trees and woods and ponds. When the golf was over about seventy folks gathered for a delicious dinner, fellowship and raffle to end the day.
 
Approximately $5000 was raised for the Bishop's Appeal that will go toward creating a funding source to help pay down student debt for those graduating from seminary. The fund will continue to grow in the coming year (and into the future) via gifts given by individuals and congregations and then begin to be distributed as needed. Please support the Bishop's Appeal and make your donation here.

Thanks to Keith Nickoloff who chaired the event along with Tom Johnson, Greg May, Karen Brundige and Patsy Glista. There were many volunteers who assisted from start to finish who are to be commended and thanked.  First, second and third place prizes were awarded as was Longest Ball and Closest to the Pin.

All in all it was a fun day that helped raise money for a worthwhile cause as it brought people together from around the synod (Central Cross Roads, Genesee Finger Lakes, Niagara Frontier and Southwest Conferences) to play and gather for fellowship.

Next year's date is already set at Shadow Lake again for July 17th. Mark your calendars now and come out and join the fun!

2016 Annual Deans/Synod Staff/Synod Council Retreat

Kathy Neugent
Executive Assistant
On June 23-25, 2016 Bishop John Macholz once again hosted the Upstate New York Synod Deans, Synod Staff and Synod Council for their annual retreat at the Notre Dame Retreat Center in Canandaigua, NY.  This three day event surrounded itself in prayer, Worship, team-building, shared responsibilities and conversations regarding the Call Process; Healthy Congregations and Pastors; Partnering for Mission; Discipleship and Stewardship.
 
Director for Evangelical Mission/Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Norma Malfatti addressed the group regarding the successful Renewal Table Retreat at Vanderkamp on June 18-19 and the Generosity Project.  Patsy Glista, AIM presented information regarding the 2016 Synod Assembly attended by 420 synod members as well as the anticipated planning team for the 2017 Synod Assembly.  Mrs. Denise Ballou trained the Synod Council as Mission Interpreters. Rev. Dan Rumfelt led conversation about the upcoming September 12-14, 2016 Synod Ministerium that we've invited ecumenical partners from the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester to attend along with the possible guest speakers for the 2017 Synod Ministerium to be held on 9/11-13/2016.  Rev. Frank Hanrahan was elected as Dean Representative to Synod Council from 6/16 to 6/18.
 
Victoria Flood, Director for Mission Support for the ELCA led us in dialogue around issues of new starts and renewal grants; congregational trends in mission support, stewardship and the interdependent relationships between local congregations, synods and the churchwide expression of the church and the important work we do together as God's people.
 
A very interesting and successful event bringing all together to conduct God's Work in this place.
 
Are you ready for Fall 2016 Benefit Decisions?

Patsy Glista
Patsy Glista, AIM
Now is the time to look ahead and be ready to make important health and other benefit decisions for the fall Annual Enrollment period. Portico Benefit Services is recommending the following steps:
  • Be sure your congregation president, treasurer and pastor know that:
  1. August - Portico will announce the 2017 contribution rates and provide budgeting tools for your use.
  2. October - Congregations/orgnaizations will select one of four ELCA health benefit options for 2017.
  3. November - Sponsored plan members will make several 2017 benefit elections.
  • Take action now to be sure that your pastor/employee  defined compensation is up-to-date on EmployerLink, so your employees receive correct benefits  today and your organizaiton gets more accurate cost estimates for 2017. Follow this link to review your employee information: Employerlink
  • Confirm that the right people have  access to your organization's EmployerLink account, especially if your staff or volunteer leaders have changed recently.
Our synod also recommends that you take time to read the recently released 2017 Minimum Compensation Document  for Rostered Leaders.
 
Synod Assembly = Multiple Mission Opportunities, Part 2

Marcia Brown
Marcia Brown
And what a wonderful assembly it was! Over the course of the two days, God's mission was furthered by confronting the unfair and unjust ways many of God's people are treated: We heard very thought-provoking and inspiring discussions on racism, great speakers and preachers and devotion leaders And, as always, there was the joy of reconnecting with people we haven't seen in awhile. 

Mission opportunities abounded. The first afternoon, actually even before the assembly officially started, the Global Mission folks educated us on how much water we use in a day (picture a mountain of gallon jugs), and how various crops differ widely on how much water they need to grow. 

Throughout the assembly, we got continuing updates from the annual World Hunger appeal, which ended up raising $40,000. Aluminum can tabs surpassed last years' collection totaling $150.45. I understand it took two car loads to transport them! And the offering from the Monday evening worship service of $3363.00 was divided between two new mission starts in our synod, one in Buffalo among refugees from Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the other in Syracuse among refugees from Myanmar. Praise be!!! Thanks to all who participated, all who prayed from home, and to our Synod leaders.
 
We are church together for the sake of the world. God's Work. Our Hands.
 

 
 
Safe Places

Lutheran Men in Mission is a big promoter of safe places. These are places where men can be honest with themselves, those around them, and with God. This world has too few places like that. Through time and experience our organization has built up some ways we can show and train others about creating these opportunities.
 
This image of a group of men "huddling up" for prayers is one of my favorite spots. Here is where I can speak from the heart and lose that sense of solitude. In this place I am not alone! This circle is a shape of a never ending line. With time, this resembles the trust that I have for the men I'm standing shoulder to shoulder with. It's a bond where we now call each other brothers. They ask me for prayers and support, and I ask that of them too. This bond was modeled for us by Jesus and his twelve disciples. The fruits of the Spirit come when we pray and have the support of a bond of brothers.
 
Lutheran Men in Mission is building many things. There are tangible resources like our Master Builder's Bible, Mantalk Cards, and our website. More importantly LMM is building up menMen who are growing into stronger leaders. Men who know how to pray, and do so with pride and sincerity. Men who see Christ every day in their lives and who want to follow Him. LMM is building bold and daring men!
 
This ministry doesn't happen without prayer- please pray! Would you prayerfully consider sharing a gift?  You can share that gift by mailing it to Lutheran Men in Mission 8765 West Higgins Road Chicago, IL 60631 or on-line via the LMM Donation page.  Your support makes it possible to reach more men for Christ, and create more safe places for men.
         
IN OUR PRAYERS

We hold in prayer 
Transitioning congregations
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and Rev. Michael Cooper White
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and Rev. David Lose

Prayers of Comfort
for Pr. Dawn Rodgers and family at the death of Phyllis

Prayers of Healing
for Pr.  Debi Turley
for Pr. Paul Herpich
for Pr. John Klatt

Prayers of Thanksgiving
as Jasmin Farsi and Matt Macholz marry on July 23

 
TIDBITS
Annual Ministerium Retreat
Rev. David Lose

September 12-14, 2016
Rev. Davic Lose "Preaching Jesus Today"

Remember registrations are being accepted on a first come/first serve basis due to facility spacing requirements. Please register soon.

Portico Calls Us to Wellness
Some things go hand in hand. Summer evenings and cookouts. Flags and the 4th of July. Portico and wellness. For years, Portico has designed ELCA benefits to control health care costs and support healthy leaders. Yet, we know affordability remains a growing concern for many congregations. That's why we're calling the ELCA to a wellness reformation, inviting:
    • Leaders to adopt healthier lifestyle habits and become more careful consumers of health care
    • Organizations to support people working toward healthier lifestyles
Two new resources are available that your congregation can use to lead conversation about health and wellness in the church.
Gary Roller
Results of the 2016 Synod Assembly Can Tab Collection Project 
by Gary Roller, 2016 Synod Assembly Chair

The aluminum can tab collection project that was conducted prior to and during the 2016 Synod Assembly should be considered successful.  Overall a total of 354 pounds of aluminum can tabs were collected across our Synod. This resulted in receiving $150.45 when the can tabs were taken to the recycler.  In addition to that, I also received $10 in cash donations whie at the Assembly.  The proceeds will be equally divided between our two (2) Synod sponsored camps - Vanderkamp and Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center to provide a scholarship fund so that a child who is person of color or whose first language is not English is able to attend camp for a week. Thank you to all the congregations that participated in this project.

Scholarship for CPE
Melvin Coleman Scholarship
Individuals preparing for ordination and/or professional chaplaincy (Clinical Pastoral Education) are invited to apply for financial assistance from the Melvin C. Coleman Interfaith Theological Fund, administered by InterFaith Works. The Coleman Fund awards an annual scholarship to selected Central New York applicants beginning graduate study, or currently enrolled in a graduate program in preparation for ordination and/or for individuals currently enrolled in or accepted into a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program.

The award of $250 to $500 will be given to qualified individuals showing financial need, regardless of gender, race, and religion. For consideration, completed applications must be received by Sept. 30, 2016 and submitted to Marcy Bowles at [email protected]. Marcy can be reached at 315-449-3552, ext. 101.

Mark your calendars for Aug. 7-10, 2017, when the ELCA will host its first ever Rostered Leaders Gathering in Atlanta. This will be an opportunity for our Rostered Leaders to assemble for worship, education, and fellowship. We will gather under the theme, "On the way ... Together," using the Emmaus Road story (Luke 24:13-35) to guide our time together.

We will gather in the name of Jesus, the crucified and risen Christ. We will center ourselves each day around Word and Sacrament in worship. We will have opportunities to be in fellowship and to dwell in God's Word. We will hear from keynote speakers. Then we will be sent forth into this world to love and serve the world in Christ's name. 

"Consider participating in a servant event, a cross-cultural immersion experience, or a retreat in Indian Country.  Our Saviour's Lutheran Church invites you to come to the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation in north central Montana.  Come to learn about the work among the Chippewa Cree people.  For more information, visit our website at www.oslcrb.org

The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)
program has called 87 young adults to service, beginning in August. Two of them have named a congregation, campus ministry, ELCA camp or ELCA college/university as a faith home within the New York Synod.
  • Renee  Celestain - Cornstone Campus Ministry in Albany, NY.  She will be serving in Jerusalem/West Bank
  • Mary Braisted - Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center in Bemus Point, NY, St. John Lutheran Church in Williamsville, NY, Lutheran Campus Ministry in Amherst, NY.  She will be serving in Rwanda

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.