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Season of Easter
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April 30, 2014
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Editor's Note
A previous version of this newsletter went out earlier today with some information missing. This version includes a link to register for the "Effective Small Church" webinar, which was mistakenly omitted from the previous version. The New England Synod apologizes for the confusion and repetitive emails!
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Today is the day!
 Today, April 30, is the deadline for all those covered by Portico Benefit Services to complete the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment, which asks clients to answer a brief series of questions about their health, diet and exercise habits. If you haven't yet completed the assessment, please do so today.
There are two great reasons to get it done:
- You will immediately earn $150 in "wellness dollars," which can go toward out-of-pocket medical costs (and you'll have a chance to earn $350 more).
- You will be helping the Synod reach its goal of 65% completion. When we hit that mark, the entire synod will earn a collective savings of $34,000 on health insurance premiums. At last check, we were just shy of our goal - you could be the one to put us over the top!
So if you receive your health benefits from Portico Benefit Services and you haven't yet completed the assessment, please click here to do it now! The assessment takes less than 10 minutes, and all you need is basic knowledge about your health, diet and exercise.
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The Effective Small Church
 On May 6 at 7 p.m., Bishop Jim Hazelwood will be joined by pastors Anne Deneen (St. Paul - Gloucester, Mass.; right) and Julie Reuning-Scherer (Our Savior's - Newington, Conn.) for a webinar called "The Effective Small Church in New England."
Bishop Hazelwood and Pastors Deneen and Reuning-Scherer will talk about what makes a small congregation (defined as one that worships 70 or fewer people each Sunday) a powerful one, using examples from their experiences. The discussion will include:
- The unique aspects of being a small church
- The challenges and opportunities a small church faces
- Financing a small church and its ministries
- Governance in a small church
- Pastoral care
- Getting more people involved
Click here to register for the webinar. Bishop Hazelwood will host the talk. If you'd like to ask questions of the panel, you can submit them through the GoToWebinar platform during the talk, and the Bishop will read them!
The Synod House in Worcester can also host a limited number of people in its conference room during the talk. If you're interested in attending, please email Andy Merritt at amerritt@nesynod.org.
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Dakota Road in concert
 May 4, 5 p.m.
Emanuel Lutheran Church
60 Church Street, Manchester, CT
Emanuel Lutheran Church invites the Greater Hartford community to an upbeat concert featuring members of the nationally known Christian band Dakota Road from South Dakota. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted. Building is handicapped-accessible.
A ticketed dinner will follow the concert. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. A freewill offering with be taken to benefit students attending the 2015 National Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in Detroit, MI. Please contact Anne Heinrich at (860) 643-1193 or via email to reserve your seat at the dinner.
Dakota Road has become known nationally for their stirring original music and playful performance style. They craft powerful stories of life and faith woven in colorful musical styles ranging from acoustic ballads to rocking anthems. Their songs of struggle and hope connect with people of all ages and walks of life. Individually and as a band Dakota Road has released over 20 recordings with many of their songs being sung all across the U.S. & beyond. www.dakotaroadmusic.com
For more information, contact Brett Judson, Director of Music, via email or at (860) 643-1193, x 306; or Cindy Hall, Minister of Programs, via email or at (860) 643-1193.
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In memory of Rev. Rodney Smith
The New England Synod is sad to share the news of the death of the Rev. Rodney Smith, who was the pastor at New Hope Lutheran Church in Jamaica, N.Y. Pastor Smith was a 2012 graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, along with several of our current pastors, and was formerly a member at Triumphant Cross in Salem, N.H.
A talented drummer who studied at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, he worked for many years at Verizon before enrolling at LTSP and entering candidacy.
He is survived by his wife, Tawnya, and their two daughters, Jessica and Sarah. The thoughts and prayers of the New England Synod are with Pastor Smith's family and friends at this difficult time.
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Get your photo taken at Synod Assembly!
 During the 2014 Synod Assembly, the New England Synod will set up a photo booth to take updated photos of all of our rostered leaders.
The purpose of our photo booth will be twofold: One, we'll have updated photos of everyone for a future online directory that's already in the works. Two, any leaders who wish to have a professional photo for any purpose - websites, Facebook, printed materials - will be able to request a copy.
We're working out the exact details, but we plan to have at least a couple of sessions during which leaders can swing by the photo booth to have their picture taken. We will provide a schedule of when the booth is open so that everyone can find some time during the three-day assembly to visit.
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.
To register for this year's assembly, click one of the links below:
Additionally, nominations are now open for 17 positions that will be elected at Synod Assembly, including 11 spots on the Synod Council, four spots on the Discipline Committee, and two spots on the Consultation Committee. For more information, including nomination forms, go to the Synod Assembly page on NESynod.org and scroll down to "2014 Synod Assembly Elections."
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A Backstage Pass to Nepal
 Oct. 25-Nov. 7, 2014LWF Backstage Pass offers a unique opportunity to encounter Nepal, gain real-life insight into the work of the LWF, and support Department for World Service (DWS) programs in the country.
Spend time with DWS staff and the people whom we serve. Spend time in God's creation trekking high in the mountains. Spend time drinking tea with Buddhist monks and learning how the LWF lives out its values in an interfaith context. The expedition will be led by a Communion Office staff who lived and worked in Nepal for 17 years, with further leadership from a DWS Nepal staff member. In addition to covering costs for food, accommodation, and international travel, and travel and health insurance, participants are required to commit to raising EUR 1,100/USD 1,500 to support the work of LWF/DWS Nepal. Applicants should be physically fit and able to undertake seven days of mountain trekking of up to six hours a day. They should be eligible for a tourist visa to enter Nepal. Registration deadline: 30 June 2014
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Catch us on YouTube!
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.
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Update on job listings policy
Due to the (welcomed) increase in employment opportunities sent in for synod-wide communication, we have updated our policy for NES News listings. Job postings will run for two weeks in the synod's weekly NES News and/or Bishop's E-News, and then will be removed to make space for new listings. The listings will also be edited, so we urge you to submit them as 2-3 sentence listings with a contact if job seekers seek further information. Readers are encouraged to retain weekly emails if they wish to reference the job listings past their two-week publication period.
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Summer camp staff
Mt. Cross Ministries, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Mt. Cross Ministries, a Lutheran summer camp nestled in the beautiful redwood forest of the Santa Cruz mountains and located just 20 minutes from the ocean, is now looking for our 2014 summer Day Camp staff. During a week of Day Camp, Day Camp teams will travel to a church and run a Day Camp program (similar to Vacation Bible School) for elementary aged campers. Responsibilities include supervising counselors, organizing daily activities with the congregation, running team meetings, acting as a liaison between counselors and church leaders and providing guidance and direction for congregation volunteers during the day camp week.
Click here for the application.
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Children/Youth Ministry Coordinator
Christ - Natick, Mass.
Christ Lutheran in Natick, Mass., is expanding its children and youth ministries, engaging youngsters in grades 1 through 8 through music, drama, visual arts, movement and more. The congregation is looking for a new part-time, year-round coordinator who will develop and coordinate programs within those skills and disciplines. Click here to download a full job description. For more information or to submit resumes, email kidminCLC@gmail.com.
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