MNYS Pr. Katrina Foster spoke about the upcoming presidential election with the NY Times.
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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: Koinonia, Highland Lake; All Saints/Todos Los Santos, Southwest Queens; Saint Peter's, Manhattan; St. Lydia's, Brooklyn; Emanuel, Pleasantville; Immanuel, Manhattan; Ascension, Franklin Square. Thank you!
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It's the time of year...
...to fill out the annual parochial report. Your participation provides us with the accurate congregational information we need to effectively oversee ministry in our synod. Please complete this report by February 15. Access Forms A and C electronically here. You will need your congregation's 5-digit ELCA code number and your 8-digit password. (Please contact Branden Dicks at 212-870-2384 if you need your code.)
2015 mission support
The mission support of our congregations makes it possible for us to walk together with others in the mission and ministry of the Metropolitan New York Synod and to support ministries of the ELCA. All mission support for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016 should be received in the synod office by February 10. Thank you!
 Helping individuals report their 2015 health coverage to the IRS
New this tax season individuals must report to the Internal Revenue Service whether they had minimum health coverage throughout 2015 or potentially pay a financial penalty (unless you had Medicare as your primary coverage). Portico will mail notice of coverage (Form 1095-B) to all plan members and file with the IRS. Plan members should keep this for their records and simply check a box on their 2015 individual income tax return to report they had minimum essential coverage. Because Portico is mailing Form 1095-B, congregations do not need to provide this form to leaders or their dependents with ELCA-Primary health benefits.
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 #WeWalkTogether
Join the Metropolitan New York Synod and multiple other sponsors in "#WeWalkTogether: Multi-Faith Service for Victims of Violent Extremism". As the world witnesses extremist attacks on religious and ethnic communities and random terrorist attacks, please join us to affirm our belief in religious freedom for all-in a multi-faith service to learn, share, celebrate, and commit ourselves to the compassionate spirit of all our faiths. Learn more and RSVP here.
 "Our God" and "Your God": Christian Faith Among Other Faiths
Join Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia for a lifelong learning course on five consecutive Thursday evenings, February 18 - March 17. This short course explores some of the challenges in Christian relations with people of other religions in a pluralistic society with The Rev. Dr. J. Paul Rajashekar. Learn more and register here.
ELCA stewardCast: Why Mission and Giving
As church together we face the challenges of current culture and world issues while striving for a deeper understanding of what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means today. Addressing these circumstances is not a financial issue, but spiritual. This ELCA event is available for free via webcast on February 27. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be the first keynote speaker. The purpose is to thank, inform, teach, inspire and connect steward leaders with fresh perspectives, practices and skills to address challenges faced in stewarding congregations today. Learn more and register here.
 Together we can do more: Youth editionSponsored by the Sent and Multicultural Committees, this day-long event is an opportunity for youth and young adults between 12 and 35 to gather together for community, worship and to engage the topic of racial justice with keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Alphonso Wyatt. Congregations are invited to bring groups. The event is free and meals will be provided. Learn more here and contact Pr. Perucy Butiku to RSVP.
 Gotta save 'em all
This is a retreat led by the Lutheran Youth Organization of the Metropolitan New York Synod for high school 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.
 Concordia, Moorhead ChoirHear one of the nation's finest college choirs perform Tuesday, February 23 at 7:30 pm in St. Bartholomew's Church. René Clausen conducts the 72-voice a cappella choir in several spirituals and hymns plus some new dramatic new Clausen arrangements. Tickets are available online or by calling 212-378-0248. Learn more here.
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 Souper Bowl of Caring
It's not too late to be involved with the "Souper Bowl of Caring," on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7. This national youth movement to collect monetary and food donations to help fight domestic hunger has been an annual event for over 25 years. With 1 in 7 Americans struggling with hunger, nearly one-third of whom are children, the need is great! 100% of the money raised goes to the hunger-fighting charity of your choice. This year, why not donate your gifts to ELCA World Hunger as part of the Forty Days of Giving? Learn more and register your group for the "Souper Bowl of Caring" here.
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Pr. Daniel Ward is retiring as pastor of St. John's, Poughkeepsie, effective November 13, 2016.
Pr. Robert Rainis' term call as pastor of Trinity, Wyandanch, is completed, effective February 17.
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- 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 Ben Warner, serving in Rwanda
- For ELCA missionary Rev. Tessa Moon and Jon Leiseth, serving in South Africa
- For Bishop Wilma Kucharek, the staff and people of the Slovak Zion Synod
- For the care of God's creation
- For the unity of this church and its mission
Download the synod prayer calendar here.
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Embracing Diversity