Nov. 10, 7 p.m.

Emanuel Lutheran Church

Hartford, Conn.

This is your last chance to register to attend a public lecture by celebrated author, speaker and activist Brian McLaren at Emanuel Lutheran Church (311 Capitol Ave., Hartford, Conn.), sponsored by the New England Synod and several ecumenical partners. 

McLaren is the author of several books including "We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation and Activation" and "Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words." A graduate of the University of Maryland with a bachelor's in English, McLaren was awarded Doctor of Divinity degrees from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, B.C., and Virginia Theological Seminary. He's also the theologian in residence with the Life in the Trinity Ministry. To learn more about Brian, click here to visit his website.

McLaren's lecture will be held Monday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45, with discounts for clergy and students. 

To register and purchase your ticket, click here!

It's time for member Open Enrollment at Portico. Member and family benefit decisions for 2015 must be made online now through Nov. 21, by clicking here. 

For those selecting benefits during Open Enrollment, early enrollment is encouraged. If 60% of plan members make their selections by Nov. 11, Portico President the Rev. Jeff Thiemann and his wife Pam will donate $5,000 to the ELCA Fund for Leaders.

Emanuel Lutheran Church invites the Greater Hartford community to a Thanksgiving Hymn Festival led by Encore Music Creations, Saturday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. Brett Judson (organ, piano), Lars Gjerde (organ, piano) and Scott Perkins (saxophone, tenor, composer) will lead the audience in well-known hymns from around the world.The concert will take place at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 60 Church Street, Manchester. Admission to the concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted. A reception will follow the concert.

For more information, contact Brett Judson, Director of Music, at music@emanuelmanchester.org, (860) 643-1193, x 306

Nov. 1, 8 p.m.

University Lutheran Church, 

66 Winthrop Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA

UniLu's coffeehouse welcomes Pamela Means on Saturday, November 1 at 8 p.m., doors open at 7:30 p.m. Pamela Means, singer-songwriter and jazz musician, with "mad guitar-and-vocal skills" (Time Out New York) has toured throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, selling tens of thousands of her seven independent releases along the way. The evening includes coffee and baked goods and the featured entertainer. Tickets at the door are $15/$10 for students (under 12 free.) All are welcome!

Nov. 19, 7-8:30 p.m.

Messiah Church

Amherst, N.H.

Loss of any type is felt most keenly during the holidays. It seems as if everyone is celebrating, except you. Perhaps you feel paralyzed by your grief. The idea of making special food, going holiday shopping, attending parties or even decorating your home seems too stressful and out of place. 

If you are wondering how you're going to make it through the holidays, you are invited to take part in an informative and interactive presentation on Coping with Grief and Loss During the Holidays. It will be held Wednesday, November 19th, at Messiah Church in Amherst, N.H., from 7-8:30 p.m. The evening's presenter is Theresa Bianchi, M. Div, BCC from Professional Chaplain Services of New Hampshire LLC, who brings to the event both personal and professional experience in coping with grief and loss.

The event will gather together people who are mourning a loss of any kind. You will find people here with stories similar to your own; you will experience the validation of your "less than merry" experience. And discover some ways you can cope during this intense time. Learn how to take care of yourself, and to celebrate the holidays in ways that are suited to you.

Please let us know you are coming by calling 673-2011 or email messiahnh@comcast.net to register, so we know how many will be joining us.There is no charge for the program, but a free will offering will be received. Messiah is accessible to all, and there is plentiful parking in our lot. Messiah is located at 303 Rte. 101 in Amherst - right next to our friends at The Amherst Garden Center.

The LGBT Asylum Support Task Force is a group of dedicated volunteers in Central Massachusetts who provide support to those who are seeking political asylum in the U.S. based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. As of December 2013, the Task Force has helped more than 78 individuals.

Asylum seekers are vulnerable and traumatized individuals who have fled to the U.S. in fear of being killed or harmed in their countries of origin due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The violence resulting from homophobia and anti-homosexuality laws in many countries in the world is rampant.

The volunteers of LGBT Asylum Support Task Force contribute to the financial, housing, social, and spiritual needs of asylum seekers in many ways. Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester, Conn., will host a presentation by the LGBT Asylum Task Force on Sunday, Nov. 16, following the 10:30 a.m. service. Help raise awareness of this critical humanitarian issue and to raise funds to donate to the Task Force. Lunch will be provided by Emanuel's Social Ministry Team through a generous gift by Thrivent Financial. 

Please contact the Emanuel Church Office to let us know you will attend (Phone 860-643-1193).

• How much money will I really need in retirement?
• How can I create a lifetime income that I won't outlive?
• What steps can I take to ensure a smooth transition into retirement?

Did you know the Synod offers access to the GoToMeeting and FreeConferenceCall online meeting platforms, free of charge? We do! They can be a great tool to connect with folks when distance is a barrier, and all you need is a computer and a reliable internet connection! 

If you're interested in using those tools, we'd like to remind you to please coordinate and reserve all meetings through the synod office - before scheduling them with your team or committee. To reserve time, email Marianne Uva at muva@nesynod.org.

Job listings policy

St. Paul Lutheran Church (ELCA) seeks a Minister of Music with the creative initiative to evolve the musical program of the church while honoring the tradition of our heritage. The ideal candidate will possess a varied musical repertoire, and work collaboratively with the pastor, choir, and worship leaders to engage the congregation in spirited worship, with consideration of the abilities and desires of its constituents. This is a permanent, part-time salaried position starting with an estimated weekly time commitment of 10-15 hours per week, starting in the fall of 2014. Compensation will be commensurate with experience, and will include vacation/professional development benefits. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Dave Melanson c/o St. Paul Lutheran Church, 181 Elm Street, East Longmeadow MA, 01028 or at stpaullcel@verizon.net.