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In Case You Missed It
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 Celebrating Women in Public MinistryInternational Women's Day is held every year on March 8. It is meant to both celebrate achievements of women and mark a call to action towards accelerating gender parity. March also is set aside as Women's History Month. With that, and the recent commemoration of 45 years of women in ordained ministry in our church, we asked some female pastors who have been ordained for the longest and shortest amounts of time to share their experiences. Read the full News Story here. You can also find resources here.
Transformative conversations
"The transitions our congregations face range from issues of leadership, worship styles, and financial matters, to community engagement and social justice," writes Bishop Rimbo. "We can all identify urgent concerns and growing questions for how we are a church in today's society." Read more how he urges us all to engage in transformative conversations in a recent blog post.
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 Read one volunteer's reflections on the impact Trinity Place Shelter at Trinity, Manhattan has made in the Huffington Post.
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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: New Hope for All Saints, Bronx; Epiphany, Brooklyn; Transfiguration, Bronx; Emanuel, Pleasantville; Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Manhattan. Thank you!
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 New synod staff position
Sue Brandt has joined the staff as Executive Administrator. In this new position, Sue's portfolio includes grant management and providing support to candidacy, the conference of deans, and our strategic plan. She can be reached at sbrandt@mnys.org or 212-870-2378.
Parochial reports
It is not too late to complete your 2015 annual congregational report. Online reports will go directly to the ELCA and hard copies should be sent to the synod office, care of Ardath Heard. Please be sure the total for #8 (Form A), active participants for worship, and the total for #34 (Form C), breakdown of active participants, match. Thank you to all the congregations who have completed their report or are in the process of doing so.
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 Organ scholarships for Long Island music students The Suffolk Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is seeking applicants for its 2016 scholarship awards program. Awards will be given for beginning, high school, and college organ students. Three awards are available for Suffolk County residents. Musicians, music teachers, clergy members, and others are invited to assist in identifying eligible candidates. Learn more here.
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Chrism Mass
A growing number of people in our synod have found the Chrism Mass to be an important part of their spiritual journey in Holy Week. All are welcome to this liturgy on March 22 at 1:30pm at Holy Trinity, Manhattan. A light lunch of soups and fresh bread will be provided at noon. Please bring cleaned, empty glass vials from last year so they can be reused and refilled.
 The Institute of Lifelong Learning at LTSPWhether you are a lay person, neighbor, leader in the church, or someone who is curious about faith in the world and has a desire to deepen your understanding, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia offers a wide selection of courses and workshops, taught by internationally acclaimed faculty and speakers, that are available in various formats - on-campus and online - to meet your busy schedule and satisfy your theological curiosity. Click here to learn more about the courses offered.
 Candidacy Retreat A 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. Learn more here. Invitation to Redeemer's final worship
With thanksgiving to God for 88 years of ministry, the congregation of Redeemer, Flushing will be closing. You are invited to the closing worship, held on Sunday, March 13 at 3 pm at St. Paul's International Lutheran Church, Floral Park. For more information about the worship, contact Pr. Daniel Peter.
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Wondering about the Church 
Wondering about the church in a time of cultural shift is important if we want more than survival for our congregations and especially for the children, youth, and families we serve. Join this free webinar from Practice Discipleship focusing on developing the courage and faith necessary to become to leaders we are called to be on March 10. Learn more here.
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Pr. Michael Thomas completed his call as pastor of New Hope for All Saints, Bronx, effective February 29.
Pr. Benjamin McKelahan completed his call as pastor of Parables, Brooklyn (CUD), effective January 31.
Pr. ElizaBeth Nebrasky has retired, effective February 1.
The installation of Rev. Robert Kasting as pastor at Faith, Syosset is scheduled for Sunday, March 13, 5 pm.
The congregation of Redeemer, Flushing will close on March 13. A closing worship service will take place March 13 at 3 pm.
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- For the friends and family of Pr. Jack Traugott, who died in Christ March 2
- For refugees and those who come to their aid
- For our Anti-Racism Task Force, as they plan for trainings for leaders
- 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 Ryan Martin-Yates, serving in South Africa
- For ELCA missionaries Dr. Ron and Ingrid Eggert, serving in Tanzania
- For Bishop Tracie Bartholomew, the staff and people of the New Jersey Synod
- For the care of God's creation
- For the unity of this church and its mission
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