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Bishop Eaton What it means to be Lutheran
"In 16 months we'll mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. For a brief time a spotlight will be turned on Lutherans in this country and around the world," writes Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton in her July column in Living Lutheran. "When the local newspaper, radio or TV station comes knocking on our door, what are we going to say?" Read her column here and see how MNYS is beginning to prepare here


Celebrate welcome
Today, for the first time since World War II, there are more than 60 million people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence, and persecution. Yet Lutherans are not discouraged. We continue to meet refugees and those displaced by violence with God's love.
As our 2016 Synod Assembly recommitted to advocacy and justice for refugees, you can lead your congregation, school, or ministry group to connect with the hearts of migrants and refugees rebuilding their lives and react on God's call to welcome the sojourner. Whether the people in your congregation are new to assisting refugees, have a history of newcomer ministry, or are newcomers themselves, you can create a meaningful experience using these online resources.
 
Service of prayer and lament
On Friday, July 8, people gathered at the ELCA churchwide office in Chicago for a service of prayer and lament over ongoing violence and racism. Watch the worship service and join us in praying for the needs of the whole human family. More statements and resources can be found at elca.org/blacklivesmatter.
Buisness Matters


nullFall 2016 Benefit Decisions
Now is the time to look ahead and be ready to make important health and other benefit decisions for the fall Annual Enrollment period. In August, Portico will announce 2017 contribution rates and provide budgeting tools. In October, organizations will select one of four ELCA health benefit options for 2017. Finally, in November, sponsored plan members make several 2017 benefit elections. Help your organization be ready to make important benefit decisions by ensuring your defined compensation is up-to-date, so your employees receive correct benefits today and your organization gets more accurate cost estimates for 2017. Also, confirm that the right people have access to your organization's EmployerLink account, especially if your staff or volunteer leaders have changed recently.
Our Wider Church


Call for sermons 
Are you a young pastor? Are you interested in preaching at the Twelfth Assembly of the LWF? Then and now the message of the Reformation is that we are "Liberated by God's grace." How would you express that in a sermon? The Lutheran World Federation calls for sermons, nurtured by the word of God and communicated through the lens of your experience. Learn more here

Blogs


Invitation to prayer and intentional action
Pr. Lamont Anthony Wells, MNYS Director for Evangelical Mission and National President for the African Descent Lutheran Association released this statement in the wake of the recent tragedies in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Dallas.
Transitions 


Pr. Kit Robison has been called to serve Grace, Miami Springs, FL (Florida-Bahamas Synod). His start date is August 1.
Calendar
New on mnys.org


Congregational Events: Making peace with your past at Trinity, Long Island City; Youth Ministry Workshop at Cross of Christ, Babylon; and Catecumenate Training at Our Savior's Atonement, Manhattan
Financial Information: Mission Support Summary
We're Praying
  • For the strife in Turkey and for peace to be restored
  • For the victims in Nice, France and those who come to their aid
  • For the victims of the shootings throughout the US and those who come to their aid
  • For refugees and those who come to their aid
  • For those attending and planning anti-racism trainings throughout our synod
  • 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 Jonathan Young, serving in Hungary
  • For ELCA missionaries Patrick and Jacqueline Bencke serving in Japan
  • For Bishop Michael Rinehart, the staff and people of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod
  • For the care of God's creation 
  • For the unity of this church and its mission


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.  


Metropolitan New York Synod | 475 Riverside Drive | Suite 1620 | New York | NY | 10115