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Contemporary art exhibit
People's Climate March
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Almost there!

We received good news recently from the ELCA Malaria Campaign: the Metro New York Synod has reached 95% of our goal! Since 2012, we have been working to raise $207,375 to fight malaria-that's $3 per baptized member. Thanks to everyone who has given. Your support helps families and communities prevent malaria, recognize its symptoms, and seek effective treatment as soon as it appears. Trained health care workers offer malaria education, testing, and treatment in rural communities; the trust that he church has among neighbors makes our work particularly effective. Help us close the gap; make a secure donation here.

 

Conference worship unites Staten Island

It can feel a little isolated on Staten Island sometimes, a little disconnected. Even the Lutheran parishes there can seem distant, spread out between the North Shore and South Shore. To help the eight congregations come together, the Staten Island clergy developed a yearly picnic worship, attended by nearly 300 people this year. Read more in the most recent News story.

Our Wider Church

 

"Survey of Lands of the Bible"

Gettysburg Seminary offers its highly successful online course, led by the Rev. Dr.  Mark Vitalis Hoffman, to provide deeper understanding of the Biblical story and its geography. The course runs September 1 to December 17. The free course is helpful to anyone who leads Bible study, and will increase understanding both of the biblical world and of the realities in those lands today. There is no work required for the course. Learn more here.

Events

 

Because the guilt is so great

Is there a place of contemporary art in a church? Pastor Amy Kienzle and congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Messiah have opened their doors to such a consideration. Opening Sunday July 27th from 6-9 pm, southern artists Andrew Prieto and Rachel Chick will transform the sanctuary through their work, provoking us to ask questions about life and spirituality. The exhibit runs through August 18th, during which time visitors are invited to engage with the art work in individual chapels created inside the architecture of the century old church. The themes of the work range from Americana via Texas trick riding, second hand memories of Cuba, identity construction/disappearance through technology and much more. Learn more here.

 

Universal Peace Day Concert

As a part of the Universal Peace Day, sponsored by the NYC Peace Museum, St. John's, Christopher Street is hosting a concert featuring Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary), David Amram, Spook Handy, Guy Davis and others on August 5. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

     All are welcome to join in ringing bells for peace at 7:15 pm wherever they find themselves. This time and date marks the anniversary of the Hiroshima Bombing.

 

Mercy art exhibit

What is mercy? Where do you see it?For the Creations Art Show this fall, we are asking people who have experienced mercyin some form to share with us how they were shown, showed, witnessed, wanted, or in any way been touched by mercy. People of all faiths, as well as those questioning faith, are welcome to participate in this inclusive event. We welcome all who have a story to tell about mercy. The show will take place September 27-October 5 at Our Saviour's Atonement, Manhattan. Learn more here.

 
An evening of healing

The ELCA Renewal, Prayer and Revival Team and the African Descent Lutheran Association are co-sponsoring a worship service on September 21. This worship is gathering people around renewal and healing for Abiding Presence, Bronx and New Hope, Jamaica as they face challenges after the unexpected death of their pastors. All are welcome as we recognize our own brokenness and struggles. People will be coming together to ask for God's continued strength in living lives of faith, hope, peace and joy. Learn more and download the flyer here.

Thinking Green

 

March for a better worldliness: People's Climate March 2014

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Often "worldliness" is associated with separation from God, but Dietrich Bonhoeffer rejected such opposition of God and world. Clinging to the promise of the incarnation for the world he noted that what his 1940's world of war and genocide needed was a "better worldliness."

     Presiding Bishop Eaton is among a growing number of religious leaders speaking out, urging world leaders to curb carbon emissions. In September we too have an unprecedented opportunity to join our voices and let our feet do the talking! The synod Environmental Stewardship Committee invites you to join the Sept 21, 2014 People's Climate March in NYC. This will be a historic and potentially epoch-shifting event as we join hundreds of thousands of others who also seek a "better worldliness": "a world with an economy that works for people and the planet. In short, a world safe from the ravages of climate change." Look for more details in coming newsletters. Contact Pat Almonrode

 if you want to be involved or have questions.  

 

Job Corner

 

Organist/Event Coordinator needed

St. John's, Manhattan is looking for an organist/event coordinator. Contact Pastor Mark Erson ([email protected]) for job description. Deadline for submissions: August 15.

We're Praying
  • For our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land as they live amidst the continued Israeli-Palestinian conflict
  • For health and healing for Steve Strunck, husband of former synod staff member Joanne Strunck, as he recovers from a serious medical incident
  • For health and healing for Pastor Michael Thomas as he recovers from kidney transplant surgery
  • 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 Scarlett Canaday, serving in the United Kingdom
  • For ELCA missionaries Pastor Jeff Vonwald and Julie Rossate, serving in Jerusalem
  • For Bishop Herman Yoos, the staff and people of the South Carolina Synod
  • 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.