The New England Synod's YouTube page is relatively new, but we're looking to improve and enhance it throughout 2014. You can become a subscriber to the channel, and any time we upload a new video, you'll get a notification. To give you an idea of the kinds of videos we post, check out one of our video updates from last year's Churchwide Assembly:

We're also looking to use YouTube's broadcasting abilities to bring you to live events, including Synod Assembly. To subscribe, click here and then click on the red "Subscribe" button at the top right of the page.

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!

Please encourage your pastor, spouse/partner and any lay employees in your congregation who have ELCA-Primary health benefits to take the 2014 Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by April 30. As of Jan. 31, 40% of the ELCA-Primary plan members and spouses in our synod completed the confidential Mayo Clinic Health Assessment. We thank those who have done their part!

We still need 50 more people to take the health assessment to reach 65% participation and earn a 2% discount on 2014 ELCA health contributions for synod employers. ELCA-Primary plan members and spouses who complete the assessment by April 30th are taking stock of their health, earning $150 wellness dollars and getting us that much closer to earning the 2% discount this year.

In addition to the $150 wellness dollars, plan members can earn $350 wellness dollars by watching a short video and participating in Portico's Make or Break activity. To help your leader get started, send him or her to porticobenefits.org/go.

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 current geopolitical 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.

May 10

Trinity - Worcester, Mass.

Registration: 8:15 a.m.

Conference: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Timothy Wengert recently retired from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) where he taught and researched Reformation History and the Lutheran Confessions. He has written several books and is considered an expert on Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. 

In this day-long seminar, participants will have an opportunity to discover anew the heart of Martin Luther's Reformation, which one scholar recently described as "Gift without Giving Gifts in Return." By looking at the basics of Luther's Biblical theology (justification by faith alone, the distinction between law and gospel, the theology of the cross), one discovers a way of doing theology that spells freedom from guilt and working our way into God's good graces and, at the same time, freedom to serve the neighbor in all of our God-given callings on earth.

Registration is open until April 15. For more information (including registration), click here to download the flyer for the event.

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 Lutheran in Cambridge, Mass., started one in partnership with a local synagogue. St. Andrew in Charlestown, R.I., started one to partner with community agencies to help people stay in their homes. This video 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." This years theme focuses on "Worship and Mission in the Age of the Spirit." 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.

Among the many events and actions planned for the assembly is the election of a series of positions on Synod Council and the Discipline and Consultation Committees. Click on the link above to see a list of all the positions up for election at this year's assembly. 

Update on job listings policy

St. James is seeking a talented, creative leader to provide musical direction and piano/organ accompaniment for traditional and contemporary worship services.  Duties include: Leading and rehearsing the adult choir, contemporary praise band, and youth choir, collaborating with the pastor and Worship and Music Team in the planning of worship, and recruiting and facilitating participation from all age groups and abilities within the congregation. For a full job description click here, or contact Mary Hassan, mehjaime@aol.com (401) 246-1502.