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Grants for non-profits available
Augustana's final worship
Lutherans Restoring Creation retreat
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Fresh footprints for God's kingdom

Did you know that our synod manages one of the largest partnership grant rosters in the whole ELCA? Learn how $625,000 of your mission support is strengthening new starts, renewed congregations, ethnic strategies, and ministries with the poor in the partnership grant issue of The Lutheran New Yorker. Find out how exciting new starts Ascension Table and Two or Three Project came to be. Read The Lutheran New Yorker online, pick up a copy at your church, and share the free copies with other members and friends.

 

The epidemic of gender-based violence

God calls us to stop, listen, see, name, and minister in the midst of ugliness and pain, among and to those whose lives are affected by gender-based violence. Every instance of violence is different, yet every act of gender-based violence hurts a beloved creature of God. Read anonymous personal stories in the "Draft of a Social Message on Gender-based Violence" that is being prepared at the direction of the ELCA Church Council. These stories start to unveil the reality of what gender-based violence does and is. Learn more about the ELCA's draft social message on gender-based violence and help shape this message by sending your feedback by November 26.

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: King of Kings, New Windsor; Our Savior's, Glen Head; Koinonia; St. John's, Poughkeepsie; United, Mount Vernon; Good Shepherd, Bay Ridge; St. Peter's, Huntington Station; Zion, Staten Island; and St. Paul's International, Floral Park. Thank you!

 

New president of LWR visits New York

Bishop Rimbo (with wife Lois and Atlantic District president David Benke, with wife Judy) had an opportunity to meet the new president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief, Ambassador Daniel Speckhard, at a luncheon on November 5. We look forward to partnering with Lutheran World Relief to enhance our ministries!

Our Wider Church

 

Wider Church Fund grants 

In 2014, it was our joy to give away over $200,000 to 12 well-deserving non-profits, supporting our partners in ministry. Do you know of a 501(c)3 organization that could benefit from a Wider Church Fund grant? These grants are intended to help fund programs outside of our synod's regular operating budget. The application deadline for 2015 grants is November 30. Find the application here.

 

Donate extra albs, vestments, books

The goal of the Abundant Life Student Advising Center is to help the students of Philadelphia Seminary save money while they are completing degrees. The center is accepting donations of gently-used clergy shirts, vestments, albs, and books. Learn more here.

For Rostered Leaders

Portico Open Enrollment challenge met

Thanks to all our leaders who completed their Portico open enrollment decisions by November 11. More than 60% of ELCA leaders did so, earning $5,000 for the Fund for Leaders in Mission. If you haven't yet made your 2015 benefit selections, be sure to enter them online no later than November 21--current selections won't automatically roll over. Learn more here.

Events

Invitation to Augustana's final worship

With thanksgiving to God for 117 years of ministry, the congregation of Augustana, East Elmhurst announces that it will be closing in order to merge with Grace, Astoria. You are invited to the closing worship, held on Sunday, November 23 at 3pm. Clergy are invited to process; a luncheon will follow.   

 

Lutheran Schools Association Free professional development opportunity for school leaders

Administrators and pastors of preschool-grade 12 schools are invited to attend "Even Better Together," hosted by Lutheran Schools Association and Long Island Lutheran High School, on December 15. Join with colleagues in an "action day" related to connecting our schools via social media and website linking. With support from Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Marc Herbst and online marketing specialist Tom McClintock, participants will leave the session having moved forward in a way that will help build traffic on the web! Please RSVP here.

Thinking Green

Lutherans Restoring Creation training retreat

As people of faith, we have a special call to care for the earth by reducing our negative impact upon God's creation and to seek ways we can act as true stewards. As Lutherans, we have unique resources to empower collaborative restoration. Lutherans Restoring Creation offers a regional training retreat, January 8-10 at Hartford Seminary, for clergy and laity who want to learn how to encourage congregations to integrate care for creation into the entire life of the church. Download the bulletin insert here. Registration ends December 1; the cost is $35.

Job Corner

 

Office administrator 

Advent Lutheran Church in Manhattan seeks an office administrator, responsible for the smooth functioning of the office, including providing support to the senior pastor and coordination of financial management, administrative office work, and scheduling. The office administrator supervises and is assisted by a part-time building manager and bookkeeper/accountant. The office administrator works collaboratively with staff and volunteer lay leadership to support Advent's mission and goals. Find the full job description here.

 

Building manager

Advent, Manhattan is seeking a part-time Building Manager, responsible for the smooth functioning of the church building shared by Advent Lutheran Church and Broadway United Church of Christ. The position involves both on-site and emergency on-call time, ensuring the facility and property are maintained in good working order. The Building Manager supervises three part-time cleaning / building event staff, oversees vendor orders, and works with contractors as needed. The Building Manager should have repair skill experience, good communication and organizational skills, and a positive, friendly attitude. Find the full job description here.

Transitions
  • Pr. Faith Ballenger is retiring as coverage pastor of Transfiguration, Manhattan, effective November 23.
  • Pr. Sarah Geddada was installed as associate pastor of St. Paul's International, Floral Park on November 16.

  • Pr. William Beljean was called as pastor of Our Savior, Nokomis (Florida Bahamas Synod). He began November 1.
  • Pr. Roldano Auguste was removed from the ELCA roster, effective October 4. He now serves as an Episcopal priest in Haiti.
New on www.mnys.org
We're Praying

  • For the friends and family of Thora Rusch, wife of Pastor William Rusch, who died in Christ on November 11
  • For the friends and family of Joseph Kelly, after-school counselor at New Hope, Valley Stream, who died in Christ on November 11
  • For health and healing for Yvonne Guella, aunt of Associate in Ministry Nadine Cordes
  • With thanksgiving for Pastor Annemarie Noto and her many years of service coordinating the synod prayer calendar
  • For the friends and family of Deacon Donna Lange, who died in Christ on October 29
  • For comfort for those affected by the Ebola virus, and strength for those who come to their aid
  • 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 Ira Nebrasky, husband of Pastor ElizaBeth Nebrasky, who is undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • For ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission Emily Bishop, serving in Rwanda
  • For ELCA missionary Stephen Hilger, serving in Slovakia
  • For Bishop Tracie Bartholomew, the staff and people of the New Jersey 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.