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Time After Pentecost
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September 9, 2015
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Joined on the Journey
 In December 2014, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Claremont, N.H., celebrated its 50th anniversary. Like many rural and small town congregations in northern New England, Prince of Peace has been struggling for a number of years. Over the past 10 years, worship attendance has been declining, and financial reserves had to be drawn upon to meet yearly expenditures. However, the congregation has the asset of a debt-free building, located on a spacious piece of property with sufficient parking. Last fall, Prince of Peace brought in a new part-time pastor, Pr. Patricia Harris, with hopes that there would be sufficient financial reserves to allow time to launch the congregation on an upward track.
However, shortly after the new pastor began her ministry, it became clear that the financial reserves were dwindling more quickly than had been anticipated. Around the time of the 50th anniversary, the Prince of Peace Council began to grapple with the reality that the congregation would no longer be able to afford to maintain its building and pay for even a part-time pastor.
After much prayer and deliberation, the Council received the congregation's approval to list the building for sale, and to explore other avenues for ministry in the Claremont area. The Council also asked the pastor to begin discussions with a local congregation, nearby Trinity Episcopal, concerning the possibilities for a joint ministry.
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Walk in the Steps of Martin Luther
 On October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg with the stroke of his hammer, he set the Reformation in motion and changed the world.
Pastor Joe McGarry and Pastor Rick Olson invite you to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of this great event by following in Luther's footsteps throughout Germany. Watch as the Reformation comes to life as you discover the history and spirit of the Great Reformer and the places and people important to our Lutheran heritage:
- Visit Castle Church in Wittenberg where Luther nailed his 95 Theses.
- Visit Eisenach and see the Reformation Room in Wartberg Castle
- See Luther's birthplace in Eiselben.
- Erfurt, where Luther was struck by lightening and entered the Augustinian Cloister.
- Explore Leipzig where he debated Johann Eck
- Visit Augsburg where Melanchthon presented the "Augsburg Confession" in 1530
We will be traveling for 11 days visiting 13 sites. The dates are May 11-21, 2016.
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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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Ordination: James Daniel Bixby
 Saturday, Sept. 12St. Mark's Church
North St. Paul, Minn.
The New England Synod announces the ordination of James Daniel Bixby, who has been called to serve as pastor of Clifton Lutheran Church in Marblehead, Mass. Jim is a 2014 graduate of Luther Seminary, and a 2008 graduate of Trinity College.
Jim will be ordained on Saturday, Sept. 12, at St. Mark's Church in North St. Paul, Minn. Bishop Patricia Lull of the Saint Paul Area Synod will preside, and the color of the day is red.
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Ordination: Brian Rajcok
Saturday, 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 Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church (505 South Main Street, Thomaston, CT). The Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Zeiser, Bishop of the Northeast Pennsylvania Synod, will preside. After his ordination, Brian will serve as assistant pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Cherryville, PA.
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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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SPARK learner resources available
 Free for the taking!
Trinity Lutheran Church in Chelmsford, Mass., has switched curriculums and has unopened SPARK learner resources available to whoever can use them. Available are 13 packets for Grades 3-4, Year Green/Winter and 12 packets for Grades 1-2, Year Green/Winter. If you are interested, please contact Beth at secretary@trinity-chelmsford.org or call 978-256-6300 to arrange for obtaining the material.
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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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