|
In Case You Missed It
|
|
Working together to stop global warming
At our 2015 Synod Assembly, we voted to divest from fossil fuels in our investments. "We added the drop dead date of five years because it helps to make it an attainable goal that is within a reasonable timeline for making changes," said Frank Suttell, Synod Treasurer. "However, we're well ahead of schedule. We completely divested in six months." Read more about how two committees worked together leading up to the 2015 Synod Assembly and what divesting has meant in a recent News Feature.
 Embracing Diversity
North America is becoming more diverse and multicultural, but the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America often struggles to be a multicultural church. In our synod, 25.95% of our congregation's active participants are of non-European descent (Based on summary data from the 2014 congregational reports). In the February issue of The Lutheran, multicultural congregations share their successes and struggles in being diverse. View the article here. (Individual subscriptions for The Lutheran start as low as $20 and as low as $8 per person when congregations subscribe.)
|
|
 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.)
|
Advent Mission Fund
St. Peter's Fund for Special Ministry
The St. Peter's Fund for Special Ministry invites interested persons to submit grant proposals for the 2016 fiscal year beginning July 1. The fund supports significant ministry extensions that the congregation could not support through regular benevolence. Proclamation, worship, educational ministry, and service are ministry categories that are supported. Find more information by clicking here. Proposals are due by April 7, 2016.
|
 Candidacy RetreatA one-day retreat for those currently in the candidacy process or thinking about applying to candidacy will be held on March 12. The day will include Bible Study, lunch, a question and answer session, informal conversation and guided discussion around the theme of Confession, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation. Please RSVP to Sue Brandt by March 4. Learn more here.
Theological Continuing Education at Koinonia
TCEK is actually theological continuing education, which uses the church's rich heritage to shed light on contemporary challenges. Dr. Larry Rasmussen, Rev. Dr. H. Paul Santmire, and Terra Rowe will lead participants through thinking about climate change, eco-reformation, and our responsibilities as Christians. This conference is made possible by a Leadership Grant through our Strategic Plan. Learn more here.
#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.
|
 Share the love!
 Wondering CreativelyVirtually every one of us is creative as a child, but as we grow older we often lose a sense of that wonder and freedom that comes with creativity. Join this Practice Discipleship Webinar on February 11 to re-imagine the concept of creativity, and through hands-on explorations rediscover and reignite God's creative presence and vision for our lives. Register here and learn about future webinars here.
|
Office Administrator
Trinity, Long Island City is seeking an Office Administrator to oversee the administrative functions of the church office and provide direct administrative support to the church pastor and lay leadership. Click here to see a full job description. Contact Pr. Paul Milholland with questions or to apply.
|
Pr. David Rommereim is retiring as pastor of Good Shepherd, Brooklyn, effective April 17, 2016.
Pr. Paul Johnsen is retiring as pastor of St. Andrew's, Yorktown Heights, effective July 31, 2016.
Christine Connell, Diaconal Minister, has resigned as Vice-President of Communications for Lutheran Social Services of New York, effective January 29. She will be the CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area.
Pr. Robert Rainis' term call as pastor of Trinity, Wyandanch, is completed, effective February 17.
|
Congregational Events: Refugee Sunday with a guest speaker from LIRS at St. Luke's, New Rochelle.
|
- 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 Mackenzie Alexander, serving in South Africa
- For ELCA missionary Allison Westerhoff, serving in South Africa
- For Bishop Claire Burkat, the staff and people of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
- For the care of God's creation
- For the unity of this church and its mission
|
|
|
|
|
