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Refugee Sunday
Urban Leaders Institute
Know Your Zone
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"God's work. Our hands." Sunday 2014

The first "God's work. Our hands." Sunday in 2013 gave ELCA members of all ages an opportunity to live out their faith in service to others. As a church that believes God is calling us into the world together, we shared Jesus' love with our neighbors through a multitude of service projects--from preparing meals for people who are homeless to cleaning up beaches and parks, from visiting with the elderly to writing letters to military personnel. This year on Sunday, September 7, ELCA congregations will gather once again for a day dedicated to serving the communities in which we live. Every day you do the work of serving your neighbors and sharing God's love with others; "God's work. Our hands." Sunday provides us with the opportunity to do God's work together. We hope you consider plans to organize a day of service. To help guide your congregation's planning, download a toolkit at www.elca.org/dayofservice.  

 

Come, Holy Spirit

"Come, Holy Spirit" was the theme of this year's assembly, and it was evident throughout the event, from the red banners draped from the ceiling to the hymns we sang to the prayers blowing around inside the inflatable whale, an interactive art installation in the chapel. Nearly 600 voting members and visitors filled the grand ballroom of the Hilton Long Island and sang together, "Come, Holy Spirit, lead us...for such a time as this." Read the most recent news story for a full report on Synod Assembly, including highlights, a summary of actions, reports, and videos. View and share assembly photos here.

Out & About

 

Warm welcomes

Bishop Rimbo and the synod staff appreciate the welcome hospitality provided by our local congregations as we visit and help proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and share the mission of our ministries each week. In the past week, our staff was warmly received by the following congregations: Good Shepherd, Roosevelt; St. Andrews, Smithtown; Our Redeemer, Seaford; Holy Trinity, Manhattan; St. Barnabas, Howard Beach; Leif Ericson Day School, Brooklyn; Zion, Staten Island; Bethlehem, Baldwin; Abiding Presence, Bronx; St. John's, Manhattan; Gloria Dei, Huntington Station; Abiding Presence, Fort Salonga; and St. John's, Middletown. Thank you!

Business Matters

New ELCA forms coming

Formatta Filler, which has long been the form tool used within the ELCA, will no longer be used after June 23. Our new forms will be web-based, allowing them to interface more seamlessly with all computers, web browsers, and small tablets. We hope this change will make it easier for rostered leaders as they complete the Rostered Leader Profile (RLP), congregations as they complete the Ministry Site Profile (MSP), and candidates for rostered ministry. If you are currently in the process of completing or updating one of these forms, you can continue to use the Formatta forms and submit them until June 23. The transition to new web-based forms is expected to be complete by June 30, and the data from the old form will be automatically transferred into the new form. We encourage you to review your new RLP or MSP to verify that it does read correctly. As you review your call process forms or experience any difficulty with them, please feel free to discuss your questions or concerns with Rebekah Thornhill or Pr. Kathleen Koran.

Our Wider Church

 

Refugee Sunday

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) will be commemorating Refugee Sunday on June 22 and celebrating 75 years walking alongside migrants and refugees through ministries of mercy and justice. Share the "Courageous Journeys" video and download a resource kit to use for worship or group discussion in a variety of settings.  

 

Silver Bay Lutheran Summer Conference at Silver Bay

The Lutheran Summer Conference--a program of the Metro New York and Upstate New York Synods--has been held at Silver Bay on Lake George since 1932. The conference, taking place this year July 12-18, offers opportunities for study, daily chapel, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, and children's programs. Find more information here. First-timers save 15%.

Events

 

Urban Leaders Institute

The Urban Leaders Institute (ULI) is three days of workshops to empower and strengthen laity and clergy, July 23-25. This year's theme is "What are you looking for?" Workshop topics include holistic living, spiritual discipline, evangelism, website building, and more. The Rev. Al Sharpton will preach at the revival service on Friday night. All are welcome. Registration is $50 a person or $200 for groups of five from the same congregation. Find the registration form and flyer here.

Disaster Relief

 

Hurricane season is here

The 2014 hurricane season began June 1. Congregations and individuals are encouraged to prepare; resources are available at Ready.gov. New York City congregations and individuals are also encouraged to Know Your Zone, a source for information on evacuation zones and hurricane hazards.

Special Recognition 

Oceanside named Congregation of the Year

Oceanside Lutheran Church has been named the 2014 Congregation of the Year by Lutheran High School and Middle School of Long Island's Lutheran Crusader Fund. Oceanside is committed to creating multi-sensory experiential worship opportunities so that people might meet God; mentoring youth into deeper Christian faith; seeking justice with and providing radical hospitality for people on the margins; and living intentionally, flexibly, and, as the Holy Spirit calls, with a willingness to change. Congratulations!

 

Hagedorn receives Lifetime Ministry Award

MNYS Pastor John Hagedorn was recently given the 2014 Alumni Celebrated Lifetime Ministry Award from Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary. "I am honored by this award and accepted it on behalf of all ministers who serve in specialized settings," said Pastor Hagedorn. Congratulations! (Apologies that the photo shown last week was incorrect.) 
Job Corner

Director of Music

Oceanside Lutheran Church is looking for an imaginative and gifted part-time Director of Music to work creatively with lay and professional musicians to continue to grow OLC's vibrant music ministry. If you are interested in pursuing this potential opportunity, please contact Oceanside Lutheran Church at [email protected] or at 516-766-0136 for a complete job description. All resumes can be sent to the same address. Compensation: $12,000/year and four Sundays vacation.

 

Teachers and educational director sought

St. Luke's, Woodhaven is in need of two UPK teachers and an Educational Director beginning September 2014 for the start of the new school year. All applicants need to be NYS Certified in Early Childhood Education.

Transitions
  • Associate in Ministry Rick Erickson was called to Christ the King, Houston (Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod). He begins in August.

  • The congregation of St. Luke's, Brooklyn will close on June 22. A closing worship service will take place June 22 at 4pm.

Calendar
We're Praying

  • For health and healing for Pastor Jonathan Linman, Assistant to the Bishop for Formation, who is recovering from surgery for a detached retina

  • For the friends and family of Mable Bittar (aunt of Associate in Ministry Nadine Cordes), who died in Christ on June 15
  • For health and healing for Pastor Jorge Ospina, who suffered a heart attack on June 5
  • For health and healing for Ira Nebrasky, husband of Pastor ElizaBeth Nebrasky, who is undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • For ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission Rachel Swenson, serving in southern Africa
  • For ELCA missionary Pastor Erik and Tauna Roth, serving in Japan
  • For Bishop Kirby Unti, the staff and people of the Northwest Washington Synod
  • For synods across the ELCA as they hold their annual assemblies
  • For the care of God's creation
  • For the unity of this church and its mission

  Download the synod prayer calendar here.

This e-letter is intended to convey information from synod staff, committees or auxiliaries, and we reserve the right to edit all submissions. All items must be received by the Friday before publication. Items normally run for two weeks. Send submissions to Sarah Gioe.