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Together in Christ

Have you ever heard someone say, "I don't know what's happening around the synod"? In preparation for our Synod Assembly, the Bulletin of Reports can help answer that question. Read what the staff has been working on, see reports from each conference, and view the ministries of our many committees and synod partners. There's exciting work being done, and we do it all together in Christ. Download Section B of the Bulletin of Reports here. For all financial information, including congregational partnership reports and the budget, download Section C. Assembly participants are encouraged to prepare by downloading Section A of the Bulletin of Reports: Welcome, Agenda, and Voting Materials.  

 

United for common prayer

The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost gathered persons of many nations to hear a common proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ. In similar fashion, the Holy Spirit at our Pentecost celebrations unites us for common prayer. The chairpersons of our strategic plan committees invite all congregations and ministries of our synod to incorporate special prayer petitions into the Prayers of Intercession on the Festival of Pentecost, May 24. These prayers relate to special emphases of our plan for mission: may such prayer unite us for the mission we share! Download the prayers 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: St. Paul's, Bronx; Christ, Wantagh; Trinity, Wyandanch; Northern Staten Island congregations; Emanuel, Pleasantville; Leif Erickson Day School, Brooklyn; St. Paul's/Parables, Williamsburg; Messiah, Greenpoint; Holy Trinity, Rockville Centre; Our Saviour, Port Washington; New Hope, Jamaica; Redeemer, Flushing; Prince of Peace, Cambria Heights; Saint Peter's, Manhattan; Gloria Dei, Huntington Station; Abiding Presence, Fort Salonga; Epiphany, Hempstead; and Abiding Presence, Bronx. Thank you!

Synod Assembly News

 

Get connected

For our assembly this year, we are happy to introduce Guidebook. This is an app for desktops or mobile devices that allows you to have everything you'll need right at your fingertips. It is available for those not attending assembly as well to follow along. Click here to get started.

Business Matters

 

Tappan Zee completes parochial reports

Congratulations to the Tappan Zee Conference for being the first conference to get all of their parochial reports in (for the second year in a row)! We are still welcoming 2014 annual congregational reports. Will your conference be next?

Our Wider Church

 

Energize and Engage Your Faith Community

MNYS Pastor Danielle Miller will be one of the leaders speaking at "Energize and Engage Your Faith Community: Strategies that Work" on May 31 in Commack. This event, presented by the Long Island Lutheran-Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue, focuses on meeting the challenge of evangelization in today's world, and will also feature the Rev. Kerlin Richter and Chris Wesley. Download the flyer here.

Going Global

 

On the trail of Martin Luther

In light of the upcoming 500th anniversary of the Reformation, St. John's, Poughkeepsie is leading an April 2016 trip to Germany, including visits to the Gutenberg Museum, Worms, Wartburg Castle, Leipzig, the Castle Church in Wittenberg, and more. Learn more here and contact Sue Ward with questions. There will be an informational meeting at 6:30pm September 21 at St. John's.

For Rostered Leaders

 

We reached the health assessment goal!

Along with every other synod in the ELCA, we reached the Portico health assessment goal! This translates into health care reductions of approximately $38,000 across our synod--each congregation will save 2% on health contributions now. In addition, a health-and-wellness bonus will make it possible for the Bishop's Retreat to be offered at no cost again. Thank you to ELCA-primary members for taking the health assessment and helping us to reach this milestone. Congratulations!

Events

 

All Saints - Todos Los Santos

As a pilot project of our synod's strategic plan, four ministries in the Southwest Queens Conference voted in March to band together to form a new regional congregation. Please pray for the congregations of Christ, Ozone Park, St. Luke's, Woodhaven and its Latino ministry, San Lucas, and St. Philip's, Brooklyn as they hold closing worship on the morning of Pentecost, May 24. Christ, Ozone Park is demonstrating that the power of our Lord continues as it celebrates the first communion of one of its members, Sara Anne Naudus, in spite of the last day of worship. Pastor Micah Stumme has been appointed interim pastor for the new congregation, and Pastor Jorge Ospina will continue as the Latino pastor. We give thanks for the work of Pastors Karen Kuttler and Donald Lemke in bringing All Saints - Todos Los Santos to birth.

 

     All are welcome to celebrate the opening worship of All Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southwest Queens - Todos Los Santos at 4pm on May 24 at the site of the former St. Luke's, 87-34 85th Street in Woodhaven. Bishop Rimbo will preach; Interim Pastor Micah Stumme will preside. Clergy are invited to vest; the color of the day is red. The first 200 people to arrive will receive free inaugural "All Saints - Todos Los Santos" T-shirts.
Transitions
  • Pr. James Smith was called as pastor of Bethlehem, Baldwin on May 17. He begins June 1.
  • Pr. Justin Johnson will be installed as pastor of Trinity, Kingston on June 14 at 4pm.
Calendar
New on www.mnys.org
We're Praying

  • For comfort for those affected by the recent Amtrak derailment, and strength for those who come to their aid
  • For the friends and family of Pastor Robert Harris, who died in Christ on May 6
  • For the friends and family of Pastor Hugh Whitaker, who died in Christ on May 4
  • For the friends and family of Pastor James Gunther, who died in Christ recently
  • For comfort for those affected by the earthquakes in Nepal, 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 Ira Nebrasky, husband of Pastor ElizaBeth Nebrasky, who is undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • For ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission Mae Helen Jackson, serving in Southern Africa
  • For ELCA missionaries Pastor Andrew and Barbara Hinderlie, serving in Tanzania
  • For Bishop Brian Maas, the staff and people of the Nebraska 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.