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What are you being called to?

Now in our second year of implementation, our Strategic Plan asks congregations, individuals, and organizations: What are you being called to do "for such a time as this?"

In its first year, the Synod Council approved $200,000 of funding for Capital Improvement Challenge Grants. Congregations were awarded matching grants for roof work, new windows, parking lots, repointing, masonry, boilers, bathroom renovations, kitchen renovations, and chair lifts. Download the new application and submit before September 15.

            We're also putting up to $50,000 every year into Leadership Development Grants for you to gain new skills for ministry in our changing world. These grants provide a special focus on supporting programs that will specifically nurture education, training, and formation for leadership skills and qualities that complement the aims of the Claimed, Gathered, and Sent Strategies. Click here for more information

 

In the news

"In the spirit of Jesus, we applaud the court's decision. We will continue to embrace all of God's children as they seek to have their loving relationships blessed by people of good faith." Read more from Bishop Rimbo on this week's Supreme Court ruling.

 

tea-candles.jpg Responding as faith communities

"It has been a long season of disquiet in our country," writes Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. "From Ferguson to Baltimore, simmering racial tensions have boiled over into violence." As we gather in our communities, we look for ways to make sense and move forward into a society with more racial equality and less violence. Last week, leaders were sent an email blast that included statements from Presiding Bishop Eaton, Bishop Herman Yoos of the South Carolina Synod, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, and Bishop Robert Rimbo.

            Just as our faith communities have stood together for equality and justice in the past, we will join together to affirm our belief in equal justice and dignity, to share our stories, to forge new friendships and to celebrate our unity under God. Join your neighbors from the multitude of faith communities for learning, joyful worship, music, discussion, and dinner on June 28. Click here for more information.  

 

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: St. Lydia's, Brooklyn; St. Paul's, Brooklyn; Parables, Brooklyn; St. John's by the Sea, Long Beach; and Christ, Fresh Meadows. Thank you!

Events

 

Now is the time 

Our annual Urban Leaders Institute (ULI) offers many workshops to strengthen leaders and congregations, along with an awards banquet, a revival, and fellowship. This year's theme is "Now is the Time." The clergy track will take place on July 22 and lay members are encouraged to participate the following two days. Click here to download the flyer.

 

Fall youth and leader event 

Save the date for a fall event on September 12. Youth, young adults, and leaders are invited to join us at St. John's, Manhattan from 1 pm to 7pm. We will gather to celebrate the resources already available through partner organizations and work on ways to practice justice, strengthen our common bonds, and develop tools for our future together.

 

Silver Bay Lutheran Summer Conference  

Looking for a family or individual vacation experience this summer that will draw you back time and again? For over eight decades, Lutherans have found that experience at the Lutheran Summer Conference--a program of the Metro New York and Upstate New York Synods. This conference, July 11-17, offers opportunities for study, daily chapel, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, and children's programs, all at Silver Bay on Lake George. Find more information here. First-time participants save 15%.

 

Job Corner

 

Musician needed

Hope Lutheran Church in Selden, Long Island is seeking a musician (guitarist) to lead and accompany their Saturday Night Live services each week beginning in September (5 pm). Many teens attend this service. For information contact Pastor Richard O. Hill or visit their website at www.hopeluth.com.  

 

Director of Music position available

Church of Our Saviour, Lutheran is seeking a professional organist to begin mid-August 2015.  Must have experience with church liturgy, playing hymns and directing an amateur choir. Ideal candidate will have an advanced music degree and be familiar with playing a Casavant pipe organ. The candidate must be available for one weekly Sunday service and one weekly rehearsal, plus a number of additional church services throughout the year as is appropriate to the church season. Salary to begin at $15,000 but is commensurate with experience. Please contact Christy Flaim (516-676-1417) for more information and an on-site audition.

Transitions

 

Pastor J. Elise Brown resigned as pastor of Advent, Manhattan, effective August 31.  Pastor Brown has accepted a full-time consulting position with Kairos and Associates.

 

Pastor Patrick "Wes" Poole has resigned from the roster of the ELCA, effective June 15.

 

Pastor Dennis Walker is retiring from Holy Cross, Commack, effective July 1.

Calendar
New on www.mnys.org

 

View the latest approved Synod Council Minutes

Conference Events: A Service of Repentance and Mourning in Staten Island

We're Praying

 

  • For the friends and family of the nine shooting victims in Charleston, SC 
  • For our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land as they live amidst the continued Israeli-Palestinian conflict  
  • For the friends and family of Tumpak Hutajulu, mother of Pastor Samuel Silaban, who died in Christ on June 17 
  • For health and healing for Pr. Jerry Gaeta, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer 
  • 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 Amanda Martin, serving in Argentina and Uruguay 
  • For ELCA missionaries Caren Martin, serving in Thailand 
  • For Bishop Larry Wohlrabe, the staff and people of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod 
  • 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 Rebekah Thornhill.