The Upstate Update for Wednesday, July 27, 2016


Thinking about Evangelism
with our Director for Evangelical Mission


We are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America yet often when I say evangelism people get a little nervous and wonder if I'm really going to make them say Jesus out loud.  It is often because people equate evangelism with proselytizing.  To proselytize means to go out to actively convert; to recruit or coerce one to another way of thinking.  In essence it's going out to convince people to believe in God, even strong arming people into belief.  While this has been a part of the history of Christianity, this is not what evangelism is.  Christian evangelism is enveloping people in the reality of God's love.  It is not to convert, it is not to recite a theological treatise, it is not to tell others that what they believe is wrong.  Evangelism is, quite simply, wrapping people up in God's love with our words and actions.  This automatically means that evangelism is grounded in relationship, relationship, relationship.
 
First and foremost is our relationship with God.  We cannot tell other people about God's love if we ourselves are not grounded in God's love for us and the world through the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  Lifelong faith formation is critical so that we as disciples continually grow in our relationship with God.  Second, relationship with each other.  Congregations that share God's love with one another and "share the comfort and love of God that we ourselves first received" (paraphrasing 2 Corinthians 1:4) are practiced in healthy Christian community... and in evangelism.  Last, but not least, we go out to be in better relationship with the world around us. 
 
Feel confident in your relationship with God and with one another but not sure where to start growing your congregation's relationship with the community?  Think about these questions together:  Do you know who the principals/ administrators/teachers/nurses are of the local schools?  What about local government officials?  Business owners? Have you had conversation with them about the issues they face in their roles or what their students/constituents face? Do they know who you are and how your congregation is already making an impact in the community and the people they serve? 


Being in relationship with community leaders not only provides the opportunity to better live out the greatest commandments of "love God, love neighbor" but also let's people know that you actually care about the community, not just getting more people to come to your church or believe what you believe.  Just as Jesus never made faith a requirement for feeding, healing or serving the people who came to him, so we too are called to show God's love and forgiveness without restraint or conditions.


Upstate New York Women of the ELCA Fall Retreats


The Niagara Frontier and Southwestern Conferences will be hosting a one day spiritual retreat entitled The Master's Table on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at the Newman Center, SUNY, Fredonia.  It will be a spiritual, educational and fun filled day centered on wine, its place in Scripture, the world in the time of Jesus and our world today. There will be opportunities to taste wine and food samples from the time and location of Jesus' ministry. Peter Green, Regional Wine Guide, will be the host who guides you through the experience of how and why Jesus used wine, grapes and vineyards in his parables and miracles. Wine consumption is not required. Non- alcoholic juice provided. Cost for the day is $20 and registration deadline is September 1, 2016. For more information contact Ruth Schmidt at 716-827-8694 or walrus1973@verizon.net.
 
The Hudson Mohawk and Foothills Conferences will host a retreat with the theme, Called to be ... One in Christ, on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the Kateri Tekawitha Shrine in Fonda, NY. There will be an opportunity for Bible study with Pastor Pamela Hoh, learn about the history of the Shrine and Native American Christianity, participate in a guided tour of the archaeological dig,  a Racial Justice Advocacy Workshop, Worship with our Akwesasne and Kahnawake Native American friends,  a Healing Circle and more. For more information contact Marilyn Dyer at 518-326-5276 or dyermm48@gmail.com.
 
The Central Crossroads, Genesee Fingerlakes and Southern Tier Conferences will be hosting a two day event on October 28-29, 2016 at the Christ the King Retreat Center in Syracuse, NY. The event is based on the book, Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown. You will meet the characters from the book, four very diverse women from different walks of life, learn of their struggles in their faith journey and how they join together and experience a new awakening of faith. We will be using the spiritual practices from the book to help us all continue in our own spiritual journey to draw closer to God. You do not have to have read the book to enjoy the day but it is recommended. Cost for the event varies depending on if you will be coming for one or two days. Friday evening is a fellowship and worship time. Saturday is a time for experiencing different activities to refresh and renew our faith. For more information contact Judy Holmes at 315-673-9393 or judyholmes76@gmail.com or Barbara Morey at 585-682-3457 or bamtreas@yahoo.com. 




FAITH FOR A FAIR 2016 CONFERENCE


September 25-27, 2016


New Yorkers of all faiths are compelled by our traditions to seek justice. How do we do so faithfully and effectively in a time of increasing inequality, poverty and ideological division?
The New York State Council of Churches, in partnership with Faith for a FairNew York, invites you on September 25- 27 to join people of faith from across New York as we learn and reflect together on how to organize, educate, advocate, and agitate for economic and racial justice in our state.
Over three days of presentations, workshops, and small group reflection, we will help local churches (pastors and people) make justice and advocacy work a stronger part of their ministry through:
*   Networking with other justice-seeking New Yorkers from different regions and faiths.
*   Building knowledge of issues and movements through a moral/faith-rooted lens.
*   Learning skills about how to be an effective advocate for justice in your community and on the state and national level.
*   Being energized and inspired to continue working for justice - or to get involved for the first time.
Speakers will include:
More presenters to be announced soon!
REGISTRATION
Full registration (including dinner Sunday, lunch and dinner Monday and lunch Tuesday) is $100 if you register by August 1, after that the fee is $125.
Sunday only registration (including dinner) is $30.
If you prefer to pay by check, please call 518-213-6000, ext. 6348.
Financial assistance is available to those who need it. Please do not let a lack of funds keep you from attending! To apply for a scholarship please email emcneill@labor-religion.org with your name, phone number, a paragraph about why you want to attend the Faith for a Fair NY Conference, and the amount of assistance you are requesting.
If you have questions, please contact our Executive Director, The Reverend Peter Cook at 508-380-8289 or pcook@nyscoc.org. 
 
Disability Ministries of the ELCA Newsletter Available


Welcome to the first newsletter for the Disability Ministries of the ELCA. The focus of this newsletter will be to share the stories, ideas and resources that highlight the gifts of being in communion with people with disabilities for building up the body of Christ. Each newsletter will also include an article dedicated to empowering a specific ministry, person, story or event. In this edition, we share an overview of All Right Ministry in Massachusetts by Disability Ministries Team Chair Susan Lindburg Haley. What's the Disability Ministries Team, you ask? We invite you to read more below.  
 
Make plans to attend the 5th National Gathering of Cherish All Children!  Become a Prevention Champion!!!


Date:     Thursday October 20 @ 7:00 pm - Sunday luncheon October 23, 2016


Place:    Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, NY, just outside of Buffalo. 


Wondering how your congregation can help end the trafficking of children? Then the Cherish All Children National Gathering is for YOU! You will learn:
  •          The reality of trafficking  (Presenter: Tara Hughes, International Institute of Buffalo)
  •          Valuable skills and insights for engaging your congregation (Trainer: Pastor Susan Engh, ELCA Director of Community Organizing)
  •          Best practices from experienced congregation leaders
There will be thoughtful, engaging prayer services each morning and evening, led by Pastor Joanne Stewart of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Webster, NY.
On Sunday morning, participants will go to Buffalo area ELCA congregations to learn what they are doing and share what you have learned.
Lodging at the Seminary will be in a dormitory, with single rooms and a shared bathroom on each floor. Linens and towels are provided. There is limited availability of dorm rooms, so make your reservation early to obtain this inexpensive lodging option.


For more information or to register, call 612.280.1259 or go to www.cherishallchildren.org/2016-national-gathering.
$250.00 early registration fee ends July 31, 2016!!!
For questions on cost and/or financial assistance call Dianne Klafehn 585.690.1148 or madmim4@yahoo.com
Cherish All Children is an ELCA ministry that equips 
congregations to prevent child sexual exploitation. 
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 Healing
Rev. Charles Lindholm



Prayers of Thanksgiving 
as our Churchwide Representatives attend the 2016 Churchwide Assembly.   May your travel be safe and your work be blessed by the hand of God.


for Tara Eastman and the Tree of Life Parish as she is ordained by Bishop Macholz on July 30


for Karen Brundige and John Eadon as they marry on August 6
 
TIDBITS
Synod Assemblies Confront Racism
Synods across the ELCA are taking measures to confront racism. Synod assemblies in the Upstate New York Synod and East-Central Synod of Wisconsin included workshops, and discussions addressing race and privilege in the church and in our world.  Watch the ELCA video on UTUBE!!


Annual Ministerium Retreat
Rev. David Lose


September 12-14, 2016
The Rev. Dr. David Lose "Preaching Jesus Today"


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


LTSP Emblem
HOPE
It's different than optimism.
That may seem like a distinction without much of a difference, but on that score I beg to disagree. Optimism, you see, is the belief that things will always get better, circumstances will naturally improve, present challenges will eventually pass, and so are not to be worried about. Read more from President Lose at HOPE and then visit PS Portions for more news from LTSP.


Bishop's Appeal 2016
Please remember to make your donation. It will help create a fund to offer assistance with educational debt to those in need who become rostered in our synod. Donate on-line


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. 


Visit the new website augsburgfortress.org on August 1, 2016
We're excited to launch the new augsburgfortress.org  on Monday,
August 1, developed with both web experts and people like you. Finding what you're looking for will be easier than ever. We've improved the focus on the most useful, best quality resources to support Lutheran ministries, and we've streamlined the transaction experience. It will work great on tablets and mobile devices, too.


How can we support your ministry?
Refocused on supporting vibrant congregational life
A curated selection of the best and most useful products from 
Augsburg Fortress, Fortress Press, and Sparkhouse
Simpler navigation and product categorization
Easier to find whatever you're looking for
Streamlined transaction experience






Gods Work  Our Hands
Sunday, September 11, 2016
T-shirts available from Old Lutheran until August 19th. 
Visit http://elca.org/dayofservice for the 2016 toolkit and more.




Golf Shirts Available
The participants in the golf tournament were given the option of purchasing embroidered polo shirts or fleece pullovers.  These items are still available to everyone until September 13th if interested.  The polo shirts are manufactured by NikeGolf ® made of Dri-FIT moisture wicking fabric and are selling for $40.00.  The fleece pullovers are Sport-Wick® ¼ zip pullovers and are selling for $47.00.
 
Please click here HERE if you would like to order.




Get 13 FREE books, Bibles, and videos for your church!  




 
Host a Book Fair and give families a way to bring faith into everyday life this Christmas--with a special savings just for them.


TELL ME MORE    
Beat the Heat with the FEMA app
It's hot across the U.S. and folks are out traveling for summer break. Download the FEMA app for free in the App Store and Google Play to stay cool and know ahead of time when extreme heat and other severe weather is on the way. Add up to five locations to include your upcoming travel destinations, and watch over family and friends out-of-town. The FEMA app also provides other safety tips to help you stay prepared:

  • What to pack in an emergency kit with an interactive checklist.
  • What to do to stay safe before, during, after each type of emergency.
  • Where to go with directions to open shelters and where to talk to FEMA in person if disaster strikes.


Help us promote the FEMA app on your social media networks with the FEMA app social media toolkit


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 
kneugent@upstatenysynod.org
Phone: 315-299-4955 Fax: 315-299-4981 
 
 Resurrection people who pray first, walk together and change lives.   
© Copyright 2016 Upstate New York Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. All Rights Reserved.


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