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Does being church matter?

"We are church first. All of our work flows from this," wrote Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. What does that mean? The ELCA recently released "Claimed, Gathered, Sent," a five-session resource to help congregations engage in conversation about the nature of our church and understand more fully the ELCA's global and ecumenical commitments. A goal of this guide is to strengthen the mission and ministry of congregations by going back to our spiritual roots. Download the resource here; use it for Bible study groups, Lenten midweek worship; confirmation class; or retreats.

 

Prayers for Southwest Queens

The congregations of the Southwest Queens conference have been engaged in a pilot project over the past year, and in dialogue for many years before that. Leaders who make up the Southwest Queens Exploratory Committee sought to find a way to best continue the mission of God and serve the future needs of their diverse and changing communities. The Exploratory Committee, with the guidance and support of our synod's strategic plan, has recommended that several congregations band together to create one regional congregation at a centralized location. Conversations and informational forums were held to share the processes and goals of this promising proposal with everyone. Now all participating congregations have called special congregational meetings on March 1 to vote on this ministry opportunity. Please hold our brothers and sisters in Southwest Queens in prayer and add this petition to be added to your congregation's Prayers of Intercession on March 1:

You give unity, vision and purpose to those you call and gather. By your Spirit, guide the pastors and people of our congregations in Southwest Queens--Christ, St. James-St. Matthew's, St. Luke's/San Lucas and St. Philip's--as each votes today to complete their separate ministries, unite together and, nourished by Christ and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, form a new congregation to witness more faithfully to your love and serve together in Christ's mission to the city and to the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. 

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: New Hope, Jamaica; Advent, Manhattan; Emanuel, Pleasantville; Saint Peter's, Manhattan; Christ, Islip Terrace; St. John's, Mamaroneck; and Trinity, Staten Island. Thank you!

Synod Assembly News

Synod Assembly registration

Registration for our 2015 Synod Assembly will be open soon! As we move to a new registration system, we appreciate your patience. Learn more about the deadlines and rates on our assembly webpage

Business Mattters

silver-keyboard2.jpg Annual congregational report notes

On the parochial report, Form A, please note that question #5 "Total Confirmed membership" should reflect your congregation's membership at the end of 2014. This should not be the same number as the Baptized Membership or #6 (number of baptized youth who were confirmed). Many reports have been coming in with 0 for #5. If you have questions, please contact synod statistician Ardath Heard at 212-870-2386. Thank you for working on your reports!

Our Wider Church

Advent Mission Fund

Advent, Manhattan established a mission fund to provide support to church and community ministries, particularly those focused on poverty, education, Lutheran ministries, and crisis recovery. Learn more about the fund and download an application here. Proposals are due April 15.

 

St. Peter's Fund for Special Ministry

The St. Peter's Fund for Special Ministry invites interested persons to submit grant proposals for the 2015 fiscal year that begins July 1, 2015. The Fund supports significant ministry extensions that the congregation could not support through regular benevolence. These broad categories of ministry are supported: Proclamation, Worship, Educational Ministry, Service. Learn more here. Proposals are due by April 21.

Events

 

Lutheran Men in Mission Annual Meeting

The Metro New York Synod Lutheran Men in Mission invite men from all congregations to their annual meeting on March 14 at Prince of Peace, Cambria Heights. LMM will be finalizing its strategic plan and, together, deciding upon a year-long project for 2015. The required business portion of the meeting will be kept to a minimum--most of the time will be spent on strategic planning and listening to reports of active men's ministries in congregations. Please attend and bring a friend.

Special Recognition

 

With thanksgiving for Deacon Fielding

Deacon Meg Fielding has served as a synodically rostered deacon since 1998. She became chair of the Synodically Rostered Diaconate Council in 2006, and her leadership has enabled a stronger diaconate. Deacon Fielding is retiring soon and stepping down as chair. "My prayer is that this vital lay ministry continue to grow and serve the people of God and His church," she says. As Deacon Fielding moves to North Carolina, we give thanks for her ministry and wish her all the best. Deacon John Prosen will succeed her as chair of the Diaconate Council.

Job Corner

 

Congregation-based community organizer

The Sent Committee is looking for an experienced community organizer who can help our congregations learn community organizing as we try new ways of advocating for the betterment of our towns, villages, and urban neighborhoods. The fundamental responsibility of the community organizer will be to train others in the principles, tactics, and methods of congregation-based community organizing. The community organizer will identify leaders, both clergy and lay, and teach them how to organize their congregations to better engage the pressing issues their communities confront. Find the full job description and application here. This position will be open for applicants until February 20.

Transitions
  • Pr. Kipp Zimmermann is retiring as pastor of Holy Trinity, Brooklyn, effective June 1.
  • Pr. Margay Jo Whitlock (retired) transferred to our synod from New Jersey Synod.

Calendar
View the complete synod calendar here.
New on www.mnys.org

Synod Partner Events: Lutheran Social Services of New York's President's Awards Dinner

We're Praying

  • For the friends and family of Arthur Egensteiner, father of Pastor Paul Egensteiner, who died in Christ on February 5
  • For health and healing for Pastor William Paulsen, who is recovering from knee surgery
  • For health and healing for Faith Ressmeyer, sister of Associate in Ministry Judy Ressmeyer Hinsch and daughter of Bishop Rudy Ressmeyer, who is battling aggressive cancer
  • 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 Ira Nebrasky, husband of Pastor ElizaBeth Nebrasky, who is undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • For ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission Ashlyn Dell'Osa, serving in the United Kingdom
  • For ELCA missionary Pastor Mawien Ariik, serving in South Sudan
  • For Bishop Richard Hoyme, the staff and people of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
  • For the care of God's creation
  • For the unity of this church and its mission
 

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.