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Epiphany
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February 11, 2015
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Thanks from Bishop Hazelwood
Bishop Jim Hazelwood checks in with a note of thanks to everyone who helped us raise money for ELCA World Hunger in the Super Synod Challenge! While Northwest Washington beat us $19,204 to $12,100, our Synods were able to combine for a great boost to the ELCA's efforts across the globe! For more on the challenge, click here.
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Portico Wellness Survey - Off to a great start!
Once again, we have the opportunity to earn a 2% discount on our ELCA health contributions again this year through the Mayo Clinic health assessment.
Each congregation and organization in our synod will receive a 2% discount on contributions for all of this year if 65% of the eligible ELCA-Primary health plan members and spouses in our synod complete the online Mayo Clinic health assessment by April 30. Our estimated collective savings for this year is $35,000.
As of Jan. 31, we're already off and running! Almost 23 percent of our eligible members have taken the assessment, giving us a great start. But we still need your help! If you have ELCA-Primary health benefits, please take 30 minutes between January 1 and April 30 to take the assessment. Completing it earns you $150 wellness dollars you can use to offset out-of-pocket medical expenses.  If your spouse has ELCA-Primary health benefits and completes the Mayo Clinic health assessment, too, you'll receive another $150 wellness dollars and will help us earn our synod-wide 2% discount on health contributions. And even more important, completing the assessment is an act of stewardship benefiting you and this church.
New this year: To take the Mayo Clinic health assessment, access Mayo Clinic Healthy Living online directly through myPortico - no separate Mayo Clinic ID and password necessary. Go to PorticoBenefits.org/HealthyLiving for details.
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Workshop: "Blinded by the Light"
 The religious landscape is ever evolving. As individuals, faith communities, and religious organizations, how do we contend with constant change? How do we save the best aspects of our spiritual traditions, while also embracing future innovations?
Over the next few months, Dr. Pam Shellberg, Scholar-in-Residence at The BTS Center (formerly known as Bangor Theological Seminary), will offer a workshop that addresses the topics of transformation and change. Using the biblical narratives of Paul and Ananias as a framework, Pam will lead small groups of clergy and lay leaders in inquiry sessions. Working together, participants in The BTS Center's "Blinded by the Light" program will identify:
- disruptions and discontinuities experienced in ministry today, along with their practical, spiritual, and vocational implications;
- resources for reorientation and recovery in the midst of change; and
- what is needed for the development of innovative responses.
This workshop is designed to support the efforts of faith leaders and faith communities to live into the challenges and opportunities of 21st-century ministry. The one-day event is scheduled for four Saturdays in locations around New England, beginning with registration at 8:30 a.m., and concluding at 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided. There will be no cost to attend the event, but we ask attendees to register so we may plan accordingly for workshop space and meals.
Registration is now open for "Blinded by the Light." Click here to go to the BTS Center's Programs page and scroll down to the list of dates/sites to select whichever date/site is most convenient for you. You will be taken to a registration page, where you may sign up for that workshop.
Dates/Sites
- Saturday, Feb. 28 - Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, Mass.
- Saturday, March 28 - The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.
- Saturday, April 25 - Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Hartford, Conn.
- Saturday, May 16 - Augusta, Maine (site to be determined)
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The Bible and Handel's Messiah
Understanding the Words of the Music We Hear Every Year
 Feb. 25-April 1 (Wednesdays)
Emanuel Lutheran Church, Manchester, Conn.
Year after year we hear choirs sing the "Hallelujah Chorus," "Worthy is the Lamb," and other choruses from George Frideric Handel's iconic Messiah. But how many of us have thought in-depth about the words of Messiah in their biblical context?
Emanuel Lutheran Church invites the Greater Hartford community to attend a six-week course that will explore the texts from parts two and three from Handel's Messiah, led by pastor Scott Cady and director of music Brett Judson. This study is intended for both the music lover and the biblical seeker. Everyone is encouraged to join us regardless of musical knowledge or familiarity with Messiah. The course will use a fantastic resource developed by Carol M. Bechtel called "Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel's Messiah." Even if you did not attend the Advent series, you are encouraged to join in.
The dates for the course are February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25 & April 1 (all Wednesdays). We will meet at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 60 Church Street, Manchester, CT 06040, in Luther Hall. There will be a light meal from 6-6:30 p.m., discussion from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and Holden Evening Prayer from 7:30-8 p.m.
The cost is $20, which pays for the book needed to participate. We ask that you commit to attending all six sessions, which build on one another.
To sign-up please contact the office by calling 860-643-1193, or by emailing Anne at aheinrich@emanuelmanchester.org. Checks may be sent to Emanuel Lutheran Church, 60 Church St., Manchester, CT 06040, memo: Messiah course. The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, Feb. 18.
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How America is Truly Exceptional
 Feb. 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
Niebuhr Hall - Yale Divinity School
450 Prospect St., New Haven, Conn.
The Lutheran Studies Program at Yale Divinity School presents "How America is Truly Exceptional: Innocent Domination from the Pequots to Shopping Malls to Ferguson," a lecture by Jon Pahl.
Amidst all the clamor about "religious violence" in the Middle East, U.S. scholars ought to contribute to public discourse self-critical attention to the ways religion is implicated in the violence that is truly America's most exceptional feature.
This lecture is free and open to the public. Free parking is available in a lot across from the main entrance. For more information, contact Tim Keyl at timothy.keyl@yale.edu
Jon Pahl is the Peter Paul and Elizabeth Hagan Professor of the History of Christianity at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He's the author of six books, including most recently, "Shopping Malls and Other Sacred Spaces" and "Empire of Sacrifice: The Religious Origins of American Violence." He's working on a book with the title "A Coming Religious Peace," and on a biography of the Turkish public theologian M. Fethullah Gülen.
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Water in the Wilderness: An Overnight Retreat
for Rostered Leaders
March 16-17, 2015
Rostered leaders, join us for a Lenten timeout in companionship with colleagues. We will use Ignatian meditation for scripture reflection; no experience in Ignatian Exercises necessary for participants. Our focus is simply on prayer, rest, refreshment. Time for intentional prayer and quiet are balanced with open time for conversation, walking, or relaxing in the beautiful houses and grounds of the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center. This retreat is sponsored by the synod's Continuing Theological Education Team.
Date: Monday, March 16, 2 p.m.-Tuesday, March 17, 1 p.m.
Cost: $150 per person for overnight accommodation and meals; $100 for commuters.
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Nominations open for 2015 Synod Assembly elections
At our June 2015 Synod Assembly, we will be electing our voting members for the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, which is to be held Aug. 8-13, 2016, in New Orleans, La.
NOTE: The nominations committee is strongly encouraging people who have never attended an ELCA Churchwide Assembly to submit an application - even for categories not explicitly designed for first-time attenders. We want many new people to connect with the wider church.
We will be electing the following positions:
- 1 Clergy who is a person of color and/or with a primary language other than English
- 2 Clergy who have never served as a Voting member at an ELCA Assembly
- 2 Clergy at Large
- 1 Clergy who is the Bishop
- 1 Layperson who is the Synod vice president
- 1 Layperson who is the Synod vice president-elect
- 1 Male Layperson who has never served as a Voting member at an ELCA Assembly
- 1 Female Layperson who has never served as a Voting member at an ELCA Assembly
- 1 Layperson at Large
- 1 Male Layperson who is person of color and/or with a primary language other than English
- 1 Female Layperson who is person of color and/or with a primary language other than English
- 1 Male Youth/Young Adult
- 1 Female Youth/Young Adult
Nomination forms are now available. Click one of the links below to download the nomination form you require.
Nominating Committee
Ms. Donna Kerry, First Lutheran, Malden, Mass.
Rev. Christian Holleck, St. Peter's Lutheran, Harwich, Mass.
Mr. Dave Farabaugh, Immanuel Lutheran, Holden, Mass.
Ms. Judy Armelin, St. Paul, Gloucester, Mass.
Rev. Lena Warren, Grace Lutheran, Naugatuck, Conn.
Ms. Cassandra Wilson, Redeemer Lutheran, Woburn, Mass.
For more information, contact the Synod Council Secretary Charlene Pederson at (203) 435-0313 or email attycwright@comcast.net.
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New Compensation Guidelines meetings added
 The task force on compensation guidelines has scheduled two new public meetings to gather input from both lay and rostered leaders. The following dates are open to anyone from any of our congregations. The meetings will include discussion of a document outlining proposed changes to the guidelines. Please contact the Dean from your conference for a copy of the document to be discussed. Those deans are listed here, and you can ask your pastor if you are not sure who the dean is for your congregation.
We want lots of lay leadership participation in these discussions. This proposal is a work in progress throughout the entire synod.
Some points to stress:
1. This proposal is merely a jumping point for discussion.
2. It is important that both rostered and lay leaders participate in these meetings.
3. Please encourage one another and share the schedule and documents broadly.
Wednesday, Feb. 11 - First Lutheran, East Greenwich, R.I. - 7 p.m. (Led by Susan Lindberg-Haley)
Saturday, Feb. 21 - Concordia Lutheran, Manchester, Conn., - 11 a.m. (Led by Beth Anderson)
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"Welcome One Another" Fellowship Retreat 2015
 May 1-3, 2015
The Walker Center, 144 Hancock St., Auburndale, Mass.
The Synod Team for LGBT Inclusion extends an open invitation to all members and friends of the Synod to the 2015 "Welcome One Another Retreat." The retreat will include worship, fellowship, meals, small group reflection, and large group plenary as participants learn more about the "B" in LGBT: bisexuality. For more information, please contact Pastor Nathan Pipho at 617-328-8348 or by email at PastorPipho@aol.com
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Cross+Generational Ministry Workshop
Saturday, February 28, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Emanuel Lutheran Church, 311 Capitol Ave, Hartford, Conn.
Emanuel Hartford invites you to an experiential workshop: Setting the Table for Cross+Generational Ministry.
- Learn the ins & outs of leading all age learning, worship, and meaningful interaction.
- Receive hands-on knowledge of the breadth of current resources for creating and leading Cross+Gen ministry.
- Gain confidence to create Cross+Gen community and lead Cross+Gen interaction in one's congregation and home.
Who should come?
- lay and rostered leaders
- anyone (of all ages) interested in Cross+Gen ministry
Our facilitator will be Linda Staats, who brings a life-span approach to congregational ministry. Her hope is to engage, equip and empower all generations for serving like Jesus at home and in the world. You can read about Linda, Coordinator of the ELCA Generosity Project and an experienced workshop leader, on her web site at www.homegrownfaith.net.
Cost: $10.00 per person, payable at the door
To register: email Natalie Bloomquist at Natalie.bloomquist@emanuelhartford.org
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Retired leader retreat at Calumet
 Sept. 27-29, 2015
Camp Calumet
Freedom, N.H.
Calumet has announced a new retreat for retired and "nearly retired" rostered leaders and their spouses, to be held this fall.
The retreat, which will be a complement to the spring retreat in April (more info coming soon), will feature former ELCA presiding bishop Mark Hanson as guest speaker and chaplain. Former Bishop Hanson will lead four sessions and share his experiences as major gifts advisor for the ELCA Campaign.
The retreat, scheduled for Sept. 27-29, will cost $180 per person, which includes two suppers, breakfasts and lunches, as well as two nights' lodging.
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Carbon fasting for Lent
 Over the past few years, thousands of people the world over have welcomed a day-by-day opportunity to fast from carbon as their Lenten discipline. Initiated by the UCC and endorsed by Episcopalians, people of every Christian perspective - and people who are not Christians - have benefited from this opportunity to become more conscious and conscientious in their daily lives.
Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18) marks the beginning of a time when Christians engage in spiritual disciplines involving repentance, fasting, prayer, study and works of love. Living as we are at a time when our actions - along with the actions of only a few generations - have threatened creation as we know it by the excessive burning of fossil fuel, it is fitting to engage in a spiritual discipline of fasting from carbon.
You are invited to join in this Lenten carbon fast by clicking here to sign up.
Beginning Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent, participants will receive a daily email with the day's suggested carbon-reducing activity. Each day's activity will be cumulatively posted on this Facebook page.
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Lent Photo-a-Day challenge
Several leaders in the ELCA have created a new "Lent Photo-a-Day" Challenge. Beginning Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18), a word and prayer will be posted at the challenge's Facebook page. You are invited and encouraged to join the page, and share your own images that reflect each day's word and prayer using the hashtags Lent2015 and LentFaith. |
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2015 New England Synod Honduras Mission Trip
April 20 - 28, 2015 Yuscaran, Honduras
Leader: Pastor Dave Rinas
Estimated Costs: $795 plus airfare (approx. $850) from Boston to Tegucigalpa.
After flying in to the Capital we will take a one-hour bus ride to our living quarters, which are located on the mountains overlooking the town of Yuscaran. Accommodations are more rustic; we sleep in cabins in bunk beds. While pillows, sheets and blankets are provided, we suggest you bring lightweight sleeping bags and your own pillow. Solar showers provide warm showers at the end of each day. Gravity flush toilets are located outside of the sleeping areas. The work in Yuscaran has centered on three projects, and each person finds their own place in one or more of these projects:
- Construction and dedication of the church building through cement and rebar work. We have nearly completed this project.
- Spontaneous after school children's VBS - crafts, games & singing in the town square.
- Women's sewing clinic. We have brought sewing machines and provided an opportunity for women (though a few men come) to sew. We leave the machines and they are used in a nearby church as a resource to the community.
Contact Pr. Dave Rinas for more details or visit www.sdumas.net.
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Job listings policy
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.
Additionally, job listings are now hosted on the Synod website's new job board.
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Parish Assistant
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1817 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI 02889
The Parish Assistant will serve as the initial contact for Pilgrim Lutheran Church as well as represent the face of the congregation. The Parish Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Pastor, with administrative and organizational support provided not only to the pastor but also to other staff members as needed. This position is a part-time, 20 hour per week position. Working hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. For more information and to apply: www.pilgrimlutheranri.org.
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Contemporary Worship Leader
Good Shepherd, Westborough, Mass.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Westborough is looking for an individual to work with our Pastors and Music Director to help lead the Contemporary Worship Service. The position will be contracted for a one-year period beginning Feb. 1, 2015, through Jan. 31, 2016. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate past musical leadership/participation experience as well as organizational skills. Additional keyboard or guitar skills are also preferred. More detailed job requirements are available upon request.Please send application to music@goodshepherdcares.org
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