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 Tending the vineyard of campus ministry
"I've been feeling it a lot recently," reflects Pr. Becca Seely. "I can't believe that this is my job and what I get to do day in and day out." She started as the pastor of The Vine NYC and Executive Director of Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education (LMHE) a mere four months ago. "It has taken me time to understand all of our branches and see ways that this ministry unfolds in a unique area." Learn more about Pr. Seely and this ministry in a recent News Article.
We are not dying. We are changing.
Since the ELCA began in 1988, more than 500 new congregations have been "planted, organized, and [have] joined the ELCA. That is a milestone worth celebrating," says Ruban Duran, Director of ELCA New Congregations. We are not dying. We are changing. The "changing part" he added, is that 56 percent of all ELCA new starts are in ethnic-multicultural communities, and 27 percent in communities where people are living in poverty or low income. Put that all together, he said, and "we have 10 percent of the denomination in the growing stages. This is a good moment to celebrate."
Learn more about the variety of ways our church is changing through congregations, leadership, and our global church in the latest issue of Stories of Faith in Action. Click here to order full copies (and only pay shipping) or download printable inserts and posters.
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Warm welcomes
Bishop Rimbo and the synod staff appreciate the welcome hospitality provided by our local congregations and partner organizations 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 communities: Christ, East Northport; Cross of Christ, Babylon; Leif Ericson Day School, Brooklyn; Incarnation, Cedarhurst; Parish Resource Center, Valley Stream; Holy Redeemer, Brooklyn. Thank you!
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 Urgent: Open enrollment
ELCA benefits help compensate your leaders for their faithful service and are an investment in your shared ministry. By Friday, October 30, all organizations/congregations who sponsor members with Portico must make a health care choice for 2015. If there are no changes from 2015, it is a quick and easy process. Call Portico at 800-352-2876 if you have any questions.
Anti-Racism Task Force
We are looking for persons interested in helping to lead our anti-racism efforts through a newly formed task force. This task force is a part of the 2015 Synod Assembly Resolution calling for a continued commitment for addressing racism in church and society. Download the nomination form now.
Strategic Plan Applications 
The strategy area committees are each accepting applications for new members. Members are appointed to a 3 year term on the committee and work with policy and implementation of our Strategic Plan. If you would like to be considered for membership on one of these committees, please download and complete an application by October 25.
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Wider Church Fund grants available
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 Register now for the (free!) Bishop's Retreat
Join us for the Bishop's Retreat, November 3-5, where we will focus on confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Professor Michael Battle, recently appointed Director of the Desmond Tutu Center at General Theological Seminary, will be with us to provide a keynote presentation entitled, "Restorative Justice: the brilliance of Christian spirituality." The retreat is free, but participants must reserve a spot by October 25. Register here.
 Leadership Development Grants deadline Our Leadership Development grant program offers up to $50,000 a year in grants to individuals and groups of rostered leaders to further their lifelong learning and formation for leadership in mission. The next quarterly application deadline for leadership development grants is October 31. Learn more and download the application here.
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David Lose at Preaching the Lectionary
Preachers, do you need new inspiration? Save the date of November 17 as Dr. David Lose offers exegetical highlights for preaching on the texts and the liturgies of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany at the next "Preaching the Lectionary" seminar. Dr. Lose is the president of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Click here to register.
 Playing to our Strengths
NYU Lutheran Medical Center is hosting their tenth annual Health and Spirituality Lecture on November 20. Rev. Dr. Gary Gunderson will be presenting "Playing to Our Strengths: Aligining Public Health Science, Population Medicine and Faith-Based Community Assets for the Common Good." Learn more about this free event here.
Religious Corporations Conference
The Interchurch Center and Cappell, Barnett, Matalon, and Shoenfeld LLP are joining to host a free educational conference about changes to religious laws. Topics range from property use to charitable donations, to payroll and insurance. This free event will provide useful information for pastors and church leadership alike. Register here or download the flyer.
Communicating the Good News 
Ideas travel faster than ever, but it is harder than ever to be heard among the thunderous voices calling for the attention of our audience. In this rapidly changing world of communication and community, how can the voice of the church be heard over the noise? Rev. David Hansen helps congregations & leaders to use new tools to share the Good News and build community. He will be leading a workshop hosted by the Hudson Conference and made possible by a Leadership Development Grant from the Metropolitan New York Synod. Learn more about this October 24 event and register.
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 Scholarships available for ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza
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 Koinonia Program Assistant
Koinonia in Highland Lake, NY is looking for candidates to join our staff community. The ideal candidate is someone with prior outdoor or congregational ministry experience and a passion for the ways in which people can experience God through the outdoors and environment. This position is specifically designed for young adults who want to gain experience in outdoor ministry and explore the possibility of establishing a long time career. Learn more here. Contact Gary Schaeffer (845-557-8335 or gary@koinoniany.org) with questions or to receive and application.
Executive Director
New York Interfaith Power and Light is seeking an Executive Director. This is a part-time position with mostly remote work from home. To learn more, please see the full job description.
Parish Administrator
Redeemer, Kingston is hiring a new parish administrator for 20 hours a week to support the pastor and volunteers in the ministry of the congregation. Please email redeemerkgn@gmail.com to receive a copy of the job description, to submit your résumé, or ask any questions.
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Pr. Wolfgang Laudert is called as pastor to Christ, Staten Island, effective November 21. Pr. Laudert comes to us from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
Pr. Ronald Gothberg is retiring as interim pastor of Gloria Dei, New Hyde Park, effective October 30.
Pr. Timothy Kennedy is retiring as interim pastor of Grace, Yorktown Heights, effective October 31.
Pr. Susan Nagel is called as interim pastor of Grace, Yorktown Heights, effective November 1.
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- For health and healing for Kay Brown, sister of MNYS volunteer Ardath Heard, who is ill
- For the friends and family of Norma Hendrickson, Principal Emerita of Leif Ericson Day School, who died in Christ on September 30
- For the friends and family of Ryan Faret, son of Deacon Eric and Lisa Faret, who died in Christ on September 30
- For refugees, especially those from Syria, and 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 Brett Torgler, serving in Southern Africa
- For ELCA missionary Rev. Kirsten Fryer, serving in Egypt
- For Bishop Robert Schaefer, the staff and people of the Florida-Bahamas Synod
- For the care of God's creation
- For the unity of this church and its mission
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