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An Easter story of renewal  

The story of Augustana, East Elmhurst merging with Grace, Astoria is a true Easter story of renewal. Two Queens congregations in precarious positions explored the options and worked through tough decisions to become a congregation that was stronger together. Now worship attendance has tripled; a Sunday School was started; giving has increased and a diverse council is providing fresh vision. "There are just so many possibilities now that weren't there before," says Pastor James Klockau. Read more about this merger in the most recent News article.   

 

In the news

Last Thursday's Tribute to Dietrich Bonhoeffer was featured in Newsday's article "Theologian killed by Nazis remembered for stand against tyranny." Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Jonathan Linman gave the keynote address; you can view a brief video here.

   Pat Almonrode, a member of Saint Peter's, Manhattan and of the synod's Environmental Stewardship Committee, is featured in "Restoring creation with faith" in the April 2015 issue of The Lutheran. (Subscribe to The Lutheran for as little as $12.)

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 two weeks, our staff was warmly received by the following congregations: Holy Trinity, Manhattan; Emanuel, Pleasantville; New Hope, Jamaica; Christ, Islip Terrace; Grace, Yorktown Heights; Saint Peter's, Manhattan; St. John's, Poughkeepsie; Good Shepherd, Brooklyn; Our Saviour, Brooklyn; and Salam Arabic, Brooklyn. Thank you!

Synod Assembly News

 

We are church together in prayer

Throughout our two-day assembly, we will by praying for our congregations and partner organizations. As a part of this, we would like each congregation to tell us their prayer concern, joy, or thanksgiving. Let us know how to pray for your congregation before April 24.

 

Sing to the Lord a new song!

If you are interested in singing as a soloist during the Synod Assembly where we will be recording a special song, there will be closed auditions on Friday, May 15, 7-9pm, at Saint Peter's, Manhattan. Download the flyer and reserve your audition time here.

 

Assembly registration deadline

After April 15, Synod Assembly registrations will increase by $50 per participant. To take advantage of the lower fee, be sure to complete your online registration today!

Our Wider Church

Helping seminary students

The staff of The Abundant Life Student Advising Center at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia thanks everyone for saving students thousands of dollars through generous donations of clergy shirts, robes, vestments, and books. Thanks for supporting your future leaders of the church. Have something to donate? Learn more here.

For Rostered Leaders

Changing Church Systems

Dr. Peter Steinke will be the presenter at the annual conference of the National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP), June 18-20 in Maryland. The conference theme is "Changing Systems: The Interim Experience." The content is sure to be helpful to all pastors whether serving an interim setting or not. Dr. Steinke will address topics of "Context, Content, Challenges, Connections and Calling" as they apply to congregations. Learn more here.

 

Strategic planning comes to Long Island

"[Our] strategic plan was accepted at our council meeting last night; it was well-received. I can feel the excitement in the air," wrote one pastor after bringing a congregational team to a Quadrant Visit workshop. Strategic planning may not sound very exciting, but in a world of limited resources, it's a valuable process for churches to discern their priorities. The next Quadrant Visit workshop will take place on May 2 for Long Island congregations; make plans for your congregation to participate. To register your congregational planning team, please complete this document.

Events

Setting apart of deacons

Donna-Mari Fieldsa, Jean Hansen, Camile Holman, Karen Maulen, Marva Montalvo, John Ogren, Charles Rogler, Grace Sabella, Karen Turnator, and Donna White, candidates for the rostered diaconate, will be set apart on April 18 at 3pm at Grace, Yorktown Heights. Everyone is invited to this festival Eucharist with Bishop Rimbo preaching and presiding.

 

"Renew & Rejoice Always"

So often in our lives, we are determined to do things 'our way.' Yet, Jesus invites us to follow him in new and mature ways. The spiritual life is not about doing things our way, but following God's way. God continually invites us to a new place in our spiritual journey. All women are invited to join us on May 16 for the fifth annual Region 7 Great Gathering of Women and explore what it means to "Renew & Rejoice Always."

 

Together We Can Do More
People from all places and races are invited to come together on April 18 for a day of unity and understanding. Join us for "Together We Can Do More," a free, multicultural event sponsored by the Sent Committee. Bishop Rimbo will preach at morning worship; Pastor Rub�n Dur�n, ELCA Program Director for New Congregations, will be the keynote speaker. Workshops will consider how we can cross barriers that divide us; how we are all interconnected; and how we can collaborate together. Light breakfast and lunch will be served. Download the flyer here.

 

Diakonia Graduate Seminar: Isaiah

Have you ever wondered where the everyday phrases "swords into ploughshares" and "voice in the wilderness" come from? Diakonia graduates are invited to study the book of Isaiah, one of the heavyweights in the Bible, with Pastor Arden Strasser on April 25. Learn more here.

From Our Committees

 

Metro New York T-shirts

Are you interested in purchasing Metro New York shirts for the National Youth Gathering? T-shirts will be priced at $7 each for S-XL. (2XL will be $9 and 3XL will be $10). T-shirts can be ordered by sending Lisa McCaffrey an email with the congregation name, number of shirts, and sizes. The last day to order is April 24.

Calendar
New on www.mnys.org
We're Praying

  • For health and healing for Faith Ressmeyer, sister of Associate in Ministry Judy Ressmeyer Hinsch, who died in Christ on April 12
  • For the friends and family of Anna Christ, mother of Pastor Richard Mueller, who died in Christ on April 6
  • 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 Becky Guldin, serving in the United Kingdom
  • For ELCA missionary Judith Langholz, serving in Tanzania
  • For Bishop Michael Rinehart, the staff and people of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast 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

 


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.