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CONNECT WITH
THE BISHOP
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Looking for opportunities to connect with Bishop Hazelwood?
Check out these upcoming events:
March 27
5 p.m. - First, West Haven, CT
March 29
Forward Leadership Event, First, Southington, CT
March 31-April 1
Lenten Clergy Retreat, W. Hartford, CT
April 3
10 a.m. - University Lutheran, Cambridge, MA)
Noon - Awards Ceremony honoring ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA
April 4
1 p.m. - Faith, N. Windham, ME;
4 p.m. - Trinity, Westbrook, ME
April 5
Morning services at Emmaus, Falmouth, ME
April 10
Nones at Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia
April 13
Morning Services at Zion, Pittsfield, MA
April 14
Afternoon class presentation at Harvard Divinity School
April 15
Lutheran Episcopal Blessing of the Oils, Worship, and Fellowship Hartford, CT
April 17
Maundy Thursday evening observance, Trinity, Fairhaven, MA
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The Countdown Begins
Bishop Jim Hazelwood only has 13 more congregations to visit before he's completed his whirlwind tour of New England!
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News and notes from the New England Synod
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'New Name-ness' in Naugatuck
The Lutherans at Salem and Immanuel Churches in Naugatuck, Conn., are in the process of finding a new name for their new congregation, and inspired by the bracket-addled month of March, they've dubbed the process "New Name-ness" (instead of March Madness - get it?)
The members of the two congregations, who will unite as one under the new name, have been whittling down their many options to set up a bracket system, and last Sunday began voting on the bracket. On the next two Sundays - March 30 and April 6 - they will continue to vote until reaching a top two, and on April 13, Palm Sunday, they'll vote on the two finalists. The new congregation's name will be announced on April 20, Easter Sunday.
The Elite 8 are:
- Bread of Life Lutheran Church
- Good Shepherd
- Grace Lutheran Church
- Prince of Peace
- Resurrection Lutheran Church
- St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
- Transformation Lutheran Church
- Tree of Life Lutheran Church
The congregations are sharing their voting results with their members via email updates, and the Synod will include the results here in the weekly NES News as "New Name-ness" nears its exciting conclusion!
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Exploring Questions
of Life and Faith (watch online!)
April 10, 7 p.m.
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
Concerned with the decline in church membership? Then join the conversation - live on campus and streaming online - at the inaugural "Exploring" series event at LTSP!
Bishop James Hazelwood will lead a talk called "Exploring questions of life and faith: A conversation with a panel of smart people who don't go to church." The program begins at 7 p.m. (in-person registration at LTSP is at 6:30), and is available to stream free online. For more, go to www.ltsp.edu/ExploringSeries.
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Have dinner with LTSP!
 April 5, 5:30 p.m.
City Steam Brewery Café
942 Main St.
Hartford, CT 06103
Are you considering a seminary education? You are invited, at no cost to you, and with no strings attached, to join the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia for a prospective dinner, gathering at 5:30 pm on Saturday, April 5, at the fun and exciting City Steam Brewery Café, 942 Main Street, Hartford, CT, 06103.
The dinner will be hosted by Rev. Bill Petersen, pastor of Faith (East Hartford); Rev. Becca Middeke-Conlin, pastor of Bethlehem (Georgetown, Conn.); Rev. Chris McKinstry, pastor of Immanuel (Meriden, Conn.); and Rev. Dr. Rolf Hedberg of East Longmeadow, Mass. The visit team from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) will include three current students including Dan Purtell, President of the Student Body; Dr. Jon Pahl, Peter Paul and Elizabeth Hagan Professor in the History of Christianity; Merri Brown, Director of Communications; and D. Guy Johnson, Vice-President for Student Advancement. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 2, by emailing pastor@faithlutheranct.org. Please indicate any dietary restrictions.
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 Greater Hartford Leadership Institute
April 5, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Concordia Lutheran Church
40 Pitkin Street, Manchester, CT
Do you have recently elected council members? Lay people who need to network with other leaders? Leaders or potential leaders interested in Safe Church practices, running meetings, mutual ministry management, stewardship, communications, finance, or the School of Lay Ministry?
On Saturday, April 5, the New England Synod's Greater Hartford Conference will present the Leadership Development Institute at Concordia Lutheran Church in Manchester, Conn. The Leadership Development Institute is a day-long series of talks and seminars aimed at helping congregations identify and foster strong leadership.
The cost for the day is $10 per person, which can be paid via check made payable to Emanuel Lutheran Church and mailed to the address below, or at the door, and includes lunch. To register, download the registration form by clicking here. The form can be returned via email to nwhiton@emanuelmanchester.org, or by mail to:
Emanuel Lutheran Church
Attn: Nancy Whiton
60 Church Street
Manchester, CT 06040
Please register by March 31.
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Welcome One Another retreat
 April 25-27The Walker Center
171 Grove St.
Auburndale, MA
Sometimes it is hard to welcome one another when we do not even know the other's name or local congregation. As a step in the "getting to know" arena, this gathering is provided to build community among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered persons, and their allies in New England Synod congregations.
The Synod Team for LGBT Inclusion extends an open invitation to the 7th Annual "Welcome One Another" Fellowship Retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual allies of the New England Synod, their families and friends. The retreat is offered as an opportunity for LGBT and heterosexual allies to be in fellowship through worship, large and small group sessions, and meals. The retreat begins on Friday evening with Evening Prayer, introductions, and fellowship.
Large group plenary, led by Eda Uca, a candidate for ordination in the ELCA and currently a student at Yale Divinity School. Ms. Uca is organizing a panel of young adults who will be sharing their perspectives on LGBT inclusion from both inside and outside the church. Opportunities for small group discussion sessions will also take place. Participants travel into Boston for dinner and fellowship on Saturday evening. The retreat concludes on Sunday morning with Eucharist. Registration fee covers all meals on Saturday (including dinner in Boston), breakfast on Sunday, and two nights lodging at the Walker Center.
For more information, click here to download the flyer.
To register, click here!
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Save the date!
On May 6 at 7 p.m., Bishop Jim Hazelwood will be joined by pastors Anne Deneen (St. Paul - Gloucester, Mass.) and Julie Reuning Scherer (Our Savior's - Newington, Conn.) for a webinar called "The Effective Small Church in New England." More details, including registration info, to come!
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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.
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 Hammonasset 2014
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!
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Our chance for savings!
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.
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