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Time After Pentecost
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September 30, 2015
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New Dollars and Partners for Your Sacred Place
Are you wondering how to make better use of your building?
 The New England Synod has arranged for Partners for Sacred Places to present a one-day workshop introducing their New Dollars/New Partners for Your Sacred Place training program.
Congregational teams of clergy and 2-3 lay leaders are encouraged to attend.
The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 311 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106
Please register by Nov. 2 to ensure a space for your congregational team. The registration fee is $10 per person.
New Dollars/New Partners is an innovative training program offered by Partners, available to congregations with older or historic buildings. This training combines the best of the resources, techniques, and knowledge developed by Partners since 1989, and is the only one of its kind. Partners has developed a strong expertise on fundraising for older religious properties since its founding in 1989. For example, Partners' Complete Guide to Capital Campaigns for Historic Churches and Synagogues is considered the definitive book on the subject. Partners' staff are joined during the year-long training program, of four day-long workshops, by consultants with in-depth experience in specialized topics.
Congregations that typically participate in and benefit from the training have a sacred place older than 50 years, have capital needs beyond the current financial capability of the congregation, and also possess a desire to deepen their community connections and use their buildings more effectively. Each training course includes four leaders (senior clergy and lay leaders with responsibility for property, outreach, and finance/fundraising) from 8 to 12 congregations that want to find new ways to fund and support their older or historic buildings.
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Portico selection periods coming soon
 The Synod would like to remind Portico healthcare plan members and employers of two important periods that are approaching soon.
First, Portico Employers should be aware that they will be expected to select their ELCA-Primary health benefit option on EmployerLink between Oct. 5 and 30. We encourage employers to be prepared ahead of time and to register their plan selections promptly so that their employees have time to prepare for open enrollment.
Which brings us to reminder No. 2: Open Enrollment for Portico plan members begins on Nov. 2, and runs until Nov. 30. Members are encouraged to start figuring out their choice by visiting their personalized Enrollment Guide, which is now available at myPortico.
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Rev. Renée LiaBraaten named Associate to the Bishop
 The Synod is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rev. Renée LiaBraaten as the new Associate to the Bishop for Generosity!
Rev. LiaBraaten served as a parish pastor for 14 years before becoming a stewardship consultant with Kairos and Associates in 1999. Renee has extensive experience in leading congregations of all sizes through customized stewardship, capital funding and visioning programs. Renee is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. She has worked in Estonia and Latvia, raising funds and organizing summer work projects to help rebuild churches in the Baltic States. She has led stewardship workshops at The Parish Resource Center in Lancaster, Pa., the Northeast Stewardship Conference, and numerous Synod Assemblies. Renée lives on the coast of Maine with her husband, Jerry, a newly retired ELCA pastor.
In her position, Rev. LiaBraaten will have primary responsibilities for cultivating thanksgiving and generosity in our synod by assisting congregations in their stewardship practices, working with the Macedonia Generosity Team, leading efforts in a newly-designed Mission Support partnership, and working in the area of development. She and Ms. Kimberly Bergstrand, the Associate to the Bishop for Mission, will work in tandem to perform many of the duties formerly tasked to the director for evangelical mission.
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Ask, Thank, Tell - Now!
Inspired by the book by Charles Lane, and serving as an extension of the Crazy Stewardship Consults, Bishop Hazelwood has started a new Facebook group which will be a place to exchange ideas on how to implement a year-round stewardship emphasis, creating a culture of thanksgiving and generosity in your faith community.
The group will have updates, ideas and news with practical ideas on how to engage in meaningful, year-round stewardship, all based on "Ask, Thank, Tell," by Charles Lane - the book Bishop Hazelwood calls "the single best book on stewardship ever published."
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An Introduction to the Christian Faith
"Just to be clear, this is not the answer. This is the question."
In a series of six brand-new videos, Bishop Jim Hazelwood explores our Christian Faith, but not through the lens of the regular churchgoer. Rather, the video series is aimed at helping those who are not a part of a faith tradition understand just what it is we Christians do, specifically within the bounds of the Lutheran Church.
The "Understanding the Faith" videos are available for free on YouTube, at the links below. However, if you would like to have a DVD copy to keep and use within your own group, you can contact the New England Synod to order a copy for $15.
Sessions
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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: Eric Worringer
 October 17, 4 p.m.
St. Paul - Arlington, Mass.
Eric Worringer has been called to serve as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, Mass. He will be ordained on Oct. 17 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Arlington, Mass., at 4 p.m. Bishop James Hazelwood will preside and preach, the color of the day is red, and clergy are invited to vest and process. All are welcome.
Eric Randall Worringer holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the Ohio State University, and a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Theological Studies from Luther Seminary, where he is also a candidate for the degree of Master of Theology in Pastoral Theology.
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Young Adults in Global Mission - learn more
 The ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission program sends more than 70 young adults every year to more than a dozen different countries, living and working in and with some of the ELCA's many companion churches for a year of service and accompaniment. The volunteers experience life and community in a totally different context and culture, learning in relationship with their brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world.
Michael Dickson, a 23-year-old Global Mission recruiter who just returned from a YAGM year in Jerusalem himself, is now visiting the New England area to share about his experience and the many opportunities in Global Mission. He will be in the area starting around Oct. 9 and staying for a week or two depending on interest.
Age requirements for YAGM are 21-29, but it's never too early to get youth and young adults thinking about global mission. Michael can preach or speak in a worship service, a Bible study, or any other sort of forum, and he'll be available as well to meet individually with interested young adults or with pastors or community leaders who want to learn more about the program before recommending it to their young adults.
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On the Trail of Martin Luther
October 12-22, 2016
Dennis and Karin Kohl will be leading a group to Reformation sights in October 2016. They have been in these paces many times and would like to share the Reformation history through travel. The trip will last 11 days and includes 14 meals. The trip will include Mainz, Worms, Erfurt, Eisenach (Wartburg Castle), Eisleben, Dresden, Leipzig, Wittenberg, and Berlin. If you would like more information, please contact Pastor Kohl at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1817 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI 02889, by telephone at (401)-739-2937, or by e-mail at pastorkohl@icloud.com.
A deposit of $250 is due with registration, and is fully refundable until April 13, 2016. Final payments are due for this trip by Aug. 12.
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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.
- Visit 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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Worship and research materials available
Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church (Claremont, N.H.), which has formed a joint ministry with nearby St. Paul Episcopal, has some materials available to congregations and individuals who might be interested in having them. Those materials include:
- Two enlarged-print editions of the ELW (in binders)
- One LBW minister's edition (missal)
- Three congregational leader series, "Our Context; Exploring Our Congregation and Community
- One "Renewing Worship; Congregational Song-Proposals for Renewal"
- One "Renewing Worship; Principles for Worship"
- One "Indexes for Worship Planning-Revised Common Lectionary-LBW & WOV"
- One "Psalm Antiphons for the Church Year-Musical Settings for the Antiphons from the LBW, Series A, B, C" - by Roger T. Petrich
To inquire about these items, email pop64739@gmail.com, or send mail to:
Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 1334
Claremont, NH 03743
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Parish-Based Music Schools
 One-day workshop for church musicians, clergy, and lay leadership on the campus of Yale University
Saturday, Oct. 24, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fee: $20 for lunch and materials
As music education programs in public schools face funding challenges across the U.S., many congregations are working to fill the void in their communities by creating innovative programs that provide individual or group music lessons for local children. Such initiatives expand vital outreach, use existing church resources (both facilities and personnel) more fully, and can provide an additional revenue stream for the church.
The workshop aims to equip church musicians, clergy, and lay leadership with practical tools for creating and sustaining a thriving music instruction program in their parish setting. Artistic and administrative leaders of successful programs in three states will share their first-hand experiences, addressing topics such as:
- Assessing needs/opportunities for music education in the community
- Establishing the program's mission/purpose/values
- Organizational structure & relationship with church administration/leadership
- Hiring teachers, other personnel
- Setting rates/payment deadlines, other policies
- Facilities & instruments
- Program administration & staffing
- Beyond private lessons: group classes for pre-K through adult, instrumental ensembles, etc.
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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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Bell Choir Director
Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer - Foxboro, Mass.
Handbell Director needed for a teaching role to a 10-12 member intergenerational choir of three octaves with limited experience in a small, growing church. Position would run September to May or June, with 30-35 one-hour rehearsals at noon on Sundays ( flexible), and four to five Sunday morning ringing sessions. The ideal candidate will have bell knowledge and strong directing skills. Stipend salary, $1,500 to $2,000 commensurate with experience and duration of ringing year. For more information, e-mail Office@lcor.org or call 508-543-4071.
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