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Time After Pentecost
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September 2, 2015
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Synod Office Closed on Monday
The Synod Office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. When we re-open on Tuesday, Sept. 8, we will also return to normal operating hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
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Come and hear Bishop Eaton preach!
 Oct. 18, 10:15 a.m.
University Lutheran, Cambridge, MA
Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Emanuel Lutheran, Hartford, CT
Elizabeth Eaton, the presiding bishop of the ELCA, will make two stops at New England congregations in October, in conjunction with her visit to this year's Bishop's Convocation.
Bishop Eaton is scheduled to preach at University Lutheran Church in Cambridge, Mass., on Sunday morning, Oct. 18, at UniLu's 10:15 a.m. worship service. University Lutheran is located at 66 Winthrop St., Cambridge, Mass. Bishop Eaton's visit to University Lutheran is also a return to her old stomping grounds, as she earned her Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. On Oct. 19, Bishop Eaton will preach at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hartford, Conn., at 7 p.m. Emanuel is located at 311 Capitol Ave. in Hartford.
Bishop Eaton will also be joining rostered leaders Tuesday morning for an informal conversation as part of our annual Bishop's Convocation.
In addition to Bishop Eaton, we will also be joined by "Community Change," a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote racial justice and equality by challenging systemic racism and acting as a catalyst for anti-racist learning and action. Community Change will be leading a workshop for all attendees of the convocation on Tuesday afternoon.
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Day of Confession, Repentance, Prayer
and Commitment to End Racism
 Sunday, Sept. 6
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton has pledged the 3.8 million-member ELCA to participate on Sept. 6 in "Confession, Repentance, and Commitment to End Racism Sunday." We are asking every congregation to focus on race, while asking every pastor and leader to preach on race, reminded that out of one blood, God created all of us to dwell together in unity. Bishop Eaton said, "I will invite our bishops, pastors, and leaders to reach out to ecumenical and inter-religious partners to encourage them to do so as well, and to consider possible ways of joining together."
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Green Team Message of the Month
 In the months leading to the December Paris Climate Conference, it is very important that churches give a strong voice to caring for creation. Pope Francis's Encyclical on Climate Change & Inequality is tremendously moving, informative and helpful in supporting our efforts. The New England Synod Green Team wants to help by providing suggestions about things that your congregation can do. These first suggestions focus on preaching.
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Ordination: Brian Rajcok
Sunday, Sept. 19, 2 p.m.
Our Savior Lutheran Church
Thomaston, CT
The New England and Northeastern Pennsylvania Synods announce that Brian Rajcok will be ordained on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church (505 South Main Street, Thomaston, CT). Bishop Samuel R. Zeiser of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod will preside. After his ordination, Brian will serve as assistant pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Cherryville, PA.
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 Executive Skills for Pastors
Jan. 11-15, 2016
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center
Carefree, Ariz.
Leadership and Management - is there a difference? The answer is yes! At times, pastors and their staff manage. At other times, they lead. How do you get the best from every member of your staff, your congregation and yourself for ministry? How do you manage the complexities of change while building capacity for fulfilling your congregational mission and vision?
Faculty from the School of Management at California Lutheran University will lead a one-week retreat at the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in January. The week-long program will offer contemporary management insights into your organization. Those insights will emerge as the group discusses and reflects on meeting today's challenges for pastors and their congregations.
The retreat will explore:
- Finance/Stewardship
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
- Information technology
- Strategic planning and direction
Costs: $875 for double occupancy room; $990 for private room - reserved for those with medical needs; $550 for commuters.
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Stewardship Coaching
Sept. 23, 2015
Christ the King - Holliston, Mass.
The New England Synod Stewardship Team, a.k.a. the Macedonia Team, is offering a training event for people who are interested in serving as stewardship coaches in their congregations. This event will provide an excellent refresher course in stewardship ministry in your congregation.
There is one remaining date: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Holliston, Mass.
There is no fee for this training. If you are interested, or just have a question, contact Rip Hoffman via phone at (203) 454-2842, or via email at kantonen@aol.com.
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Camp Uke in Malden
Members of the Ukulele Ministry at First Lutheran in Malden, Mass., led their second annual Camp Uke this July for neighborhood school children. Twenty-five children of diverse backgrounds and creeds came together for a week of learning about their neighbors as well as how to play the ukulele. Led by Pastor Rachel Manke ( an accomplished ukulele player who recently released her first album), the children went from ukulele neophytes to a band of merry players. Check out the video!
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Senior Leader Retreat at Calumet
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| GUEST CHAPLAIN
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson,
former ELCA Presiding Bishop |
Sept. 27-29, 2015
Camp Calumet
Freedom, N.H.
This brand new fall retreat is an opportunity for the New England Synod's retired rostered leaders and their spouses (and those who are nearing retirement or even thinking about retirement!) to come together in fellowship during the beautiful fall month of September.
Pastor Hanson will offer five sessions: - "What does your heart say that you must do?" - questions and answers about his transition of leaving the office of presiding bishop and his passion for the gospel & concern about preaching
- What does it mean to live as a Christian when my neighbors are of many faiths and our children are questioning their faith?
- Leadership: Lessons learned and continuing questions about personal and communal leadership in church and society
- Q&A about Pastor Hanson's experiences as ELCA presiding bishop and LWF president
- Pastor Hanson serves part-time as a major gifts advisor and is happy to share the latest information about The Campaign for the ELCA and how it relates to the New England Synod.
All rostered leaders & spouses, retired, nearly retired, or not yet retired are welcome to attend this new fall retreat. Opportunities for pontoon boat rides on beautiful Ossipee Lake, swimming and kayaking, walks along the beach and trails, and gentle yoga all will be available. The cost of $180/person includes all programming, meals, and two nights lodging from Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27 through lunch on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Click here to email Alice or telephone her at 603-539-3223 ext 220.
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Luther and the Reformation, 500 Years Later
 Sept. 22-Oct. 3, 2016
In collaboration with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Adventures in Language & Culture has arranged a 12-day tour to include the significant places in Luther's life and ministry. The itinerary includes Worms, where he was told to recant his theses; Eisenach, where he entered the monastery; Eisleben, where Luther was born and died; Wittenberg, where the historic posting took place; and Dresden, as guests at a Lutheran service at the Frauenkirche. Rev. Richard Horner, Dean of the Maine Conference of Lutheran Churches and Pastor of Holy Cross in Kennebunk, is delighted to serve as "pastor-in-residence" for the group.
The tour runs from Sept. 22 to Oct. 3, 2016 and the price is $3495, which includes airfare from Boston, double occupancy in 3-star and 4-star hotels, deluxe motor coach with escort while in Germany, and several meals. Because ALC specializes in small custom group tours, they recommend taking at least 18 participants for affordability but no more than 24 to enhance congeniality.
Good Shepherd and Pastor Horner are interested in getting in touch with anyone who would find such an experience a positive expression of their Lutheran faith. If you are interested to any extent please contact Arnie Besier at abesier@myfairpoint.net or ALC directly at info@AdventuresinLanguage.com.
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Spanish/Hispanic Ministry at LSPS
 Summer 2016
Seminary of the Southwest
Austin, Texas
The Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest announces two new intensive programs designed to help those involved in starting or maintaining Spanish language and Hispanic ministry.
Both programs are being offered in the summer of 2016, and run for about one week
at the Seminary of the Southwest campus in Austin, Texas.
The Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive I runs from May 29-June 3, 2016, and features the Rev. Dr. Javier (Jay) Alanis, the Rev. Al Rodriguez, the Rev. Dr. Eliseo Perez-Alvarez, Dr. Regina Musselman and Lynette Parkhurst. Click here to download the flyer for more information.
The Level II Intensive, titled "Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry," is designed for leaders in congregations that are considering starting a Hispanic ministry in their community. Attendees will learn how to increase capacity for Hispanic ministry, improving facility in Spanish language (especially liturgical Spanish), and more. For more information, click here to download the flyer.
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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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| Communication Coordinator, ELCJHL
The ELCA-Global Mission unit is seeking a Communication Coordinator who will assist the Bishop's Office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) and its congregations and schools with English communication, locally and internationally. The Communication Coordinator position serves as an important extension of the ELCJHL. Therefore, this person will work under the local and close supervision of the Bishop of the ELCJHL - the position is located in Jerusalem. Special assignments unique to the setting may be given, as needed, by the Bishop.
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