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Invited into God's work
This past fall a presenter at the Bishop's Retreat reminded pastors that "forgiveness is God's work, we are invited to participate in it." We invite you to learn more about this particular means of grace and engage it within your faith practice. Find resources on our Growing in Faith webpage, including a new Lenten Bible Study from the Claimed Strategy Committee.
                  As we continue to engage this year's synodical theme of Confession, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, we would love to hear from you, leaders in local ministry settings, about your creative best practices in worship and ministry in daily life. Learn more and share ideas here.
 
40 Days of Giving
Lift up the life-changing work of ELCA World Hunger through new levels of giving--spiritually, intellectually, and financially--starting with Lent. Beginning Sunday, February 7, and extending through the season of Lent, congregations across the ELCA will join together to raise $2 million to benefit the ministries of ELCA World Hunger. This support will enable crucial work to get underway and help us kick-start the ELCA's year-of-emphasis. Learn more here.
                  You can learn more about the work of our MNYS World Hunger Committee through their webpage and the most recent edition of Bread and Justice, focused on the Syrian Refugee Crisis.
Out and About
 
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: Trinity, Staten Island; Redeemer-St. John's, Brooklyn; Transfiguration, Harlem; St. Paul's, East Northport; Saint Peter's, Manhattan; St. David's, Massapequa Park. Thank you!
Business Matters

Lutheransonline.com 
Does your congregation use Lutheransonline.com for their website? As of January 31, 2016 these websites will be discontinued. Make sure that your congregation is not left without an important part of your web presence! Learn about the discounted rate Thrivent Financial is able to offer with a new provider here. Also consider applying for a Website Assistance Grant through our Strategic Plan. Applications must be received by January 31 to be considered.
Going Global

Reformation tour
In celebration of Wartburg's 150th anniversary, Pastor Carol Fryer and Wartburg are leading a Reformation tour to Germany and Prague in May 2017, including Berlin, Wittenberg, Leipzig, Dresden, and more. Download the complete itinerary here. For further information, contact Pastor Fryer.
For Rostered Leaders

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 January 31. Learn more and download the application here
Events

St. Olaf Band
The St. Olaf Band, dubbed "one of America's preeminent bands" by The New Yorker, will perform in New York City as part of its upcoming national tour. The concert will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 8 p.m. at Carnegie Hall. The St. Olaf Band is the oldest music organization at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, a campus internationally renowned for its high caliber of musical ensembles. Learn more about the tour and how to get tickets here.
 
Be still and know
This is a retreat led by the Lutheran Youth Organization of the Metropolitan New York Synod for confirmation aged youth. Teens will explore the theme verse and the idea of praise through large and small group sessions. The cost is $120/person, which includes room, board, programming and T-shirt. Learn more and download the flyer here.
Disaster Relief

Rising Storm 2016 Workshop and Exercise Overview
Today's changing environment has increased the need to be prepared for the unexpected. Join FEMA for a workshop Using the principles of risk management in learning to identify, weigh, control, and minimize the impact of the various hazards your organization might face. Register and learn more here
Transitions

Pr. Bob Kasting (Upstate New York Synod) was called as pastor of Faith, Syosset. He will begin on February 21. 

Pr. Becca Seely will be installed as pastor of Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education on January 31 at Gustavus Adolphus, Manhattan.
Calendar
New on www.mnys.org
We're Praying

 

  • For health and healing for Pr. John Heller who is recovering from cellulitus and a broken ankle
  • For the friends and family of Judge Daniel Joy who died in Christ on January 4
  • For the friends and family of Charlotte Klockau, mother of Pr. James Klockau, who died in Christ on January 2
  • For refugees and those who come to their aid
  • For our Anti-Racism Task Force, as they are begin to meet and plan for our synod's involvement
  • 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 Michael Boyd, husband of Pastor Jennifer Boyd, who is awaiting a lung transplant 
  • 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 Chad Nelsen, serving in Rwanda
  • For ELCA missionaries Rev. Chad and Natalie Rimmer, serving in Senegal
  • For Bishop Kurt Kusserow, the staff and people of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod
  • For the care of God's creation 
  • For the unity of this church and its mission 

Download the synod prayer calendar here.


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.