Are you looking for a devotional guide for the season of Lent? Pastor Jon Niketh and the members of First in Lynn, Mass., wrote reflections on scripture, and prayers. This guide has a nice clean look, and equally fine content. I'll be using it as my devotional booklet this year. You can download your own copy, courtesy of Pastor Niketh, by simply clicking here. 

Thursday, March 6, 7-8 p.m.

On Thursday, March 6, all are invited to join Bishop Jim Hazelwood for an informal hour-long web chat!

Is a little bit of heresy a good thing? Bishop Hazelwood will talk about why doubt, wonder and heresy, among other things we don't understand or agree with, are a part of our faith, and why we should embrace that. That will lead to a wide-ranging discussion that starts with that thought, but will be open to any topic. The web chat will be hosted on the Synod's GoToWebinar account, which allows audience members to submit comments and questions while watching the Bishop talk in real time. If you want to chime in with questions or comments, join the chat!

To register for this web chat, click here. Upon registration, you will receive an email with instructions for logging in to the chat. Spots are limited, so group gatherings are encouraged!

March 31-April 1

Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center

This two-day, one-night retreat offered by the Continuing Theological Education Team is a prayerful time-out for rostered leaders in the middle of Lent. The retreat's structure is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, but no prior experience with the exercises is necessary.

Registration has been extended! The cost per participant for the full weekend is $160, which includes three meals and room. One-day cost is $90. Please register with the New England Synod by clicking here.

Directions and more information on the retreat center can be found on its website.

March 26

Hartford Seminary; Yale Divinity School; First Church of Christ Congregational (Redding, Conn.)

You're invited to hear internationally acclaimed Palestinian author, pastor and theologian Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb at one of three locations in Connecticut on March 26.

In his latest book, "Faith in the Face of Empire: The Bible Through Palestinian Eyes", Raheb presents a new reading of the Bible from the perspective of the "people of Palestine." In light of the current geo-political turmoil, after the hopes of the Arab Spring, and in the face of the latest round of US shuttle diplomacy, Raheb asks, "Can we imagine another Middle East? Can there be a different
future?" 

Dr. Raheb will speak at Hartford Seminary at noon during a luncheon and book signing. He will then speak and sign his book at Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Conn., at 4 p.m., followed by another talk at First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Redding, Conn., at 7:30.

Note: Space is limited at Hartford Seminary. All three talks are free to attend, but registration for the Hartford Seminary talk is suggested. Click here to visit the registration page. 

For more on Dr. Raheb, click here to visit his website.

Engaging in mission

The 2014 New England Synod Assembly will be held Thursday, June 5, through Saturday, June 7, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. Our theme for 2014 is "Mission and Worship in the Age of the Spirit."

More and more congregations are starting a separate non-profit organization as a way to engage in mission to and with the poor in their communities. Faith (Cambridge, Mass.) started one in partnership with a local synagogue, and St. Andrew (Charlestown, R.I.) started one to partner with community agencies to help people stay in their homes. The video above highlights one ministry, called the Family Supper Table. 

Come to the 2014 Synod Assembly for the workshop "How a Non-Profit can Help Your Congregation Engage in Mission."

Online registration is open through May 30, and yes, visitors are welcome to attend, but must also register.

The 2014 New England Synod Assembly will be held Thursday, June 5, through Saturday, June 7, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. Our theme for 2014 is "Mission and Worship in the Age of the Spirit."

Our keynote speakers are Rev. Dr. Scott Thumma and Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes. 

For more information on this year's assembly, click here to go to the Synod Assembly page on our website. That page also includes registration links for voting and non-voting attendees.

Sept. 5-7, 2014

Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, Conn.

It's never too early to be thinking about Hammo!

Hammonasset is an annual gathering of youth groups from all over New England for three days of camping, music, fellowship and fun at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut.

"Held" is the theme for this year's Hammonasset gathering, which will feature music from Red Letter Reign and speakers Rev. Mark Huber (Sanctuary - Marshfield, Mass.), Rev. Tiffany Chaney (The Intersection - Dorchester, Mass.) and Bishop Jim Hazelwood.

To register, and to get more information on this year's gathering, go to www.hammoconnect.com. You can also like Hammo on Facebook, and follow the Twitter feed. You can also download the poster to help spread the word!

2% Discount: What, How, and Why

What: Money saved by ELCA employers throughout the New England Synod

Who: You, if you are an ELCA-Primary plan member or eligible spouse.

How: All congregations and organizations in our synod will earn a 2% discount on ELCA health premiums for all of 2014 if 65% of the eligible ELCA-Primary plan members and eligible spouses in our synod take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment Jan. 1-April 30.

Why we need you: If you're an ELCA-Primary health plan member, we need you to take the health assessment. You may be the one to push us over the 65% discount threshold and save us all 2% on all 2014 premiums.

Take the health assessment by clicking here.