Beyond Rite by Rote

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Beyond Rite by Rote

As a synod we have spent the past two programmatic years focusing on the means of grace identified by Martin Luther. We reclaimed and uplifted holy conversations and sought out opportunities for reconciliation. In a newly released resource, Beyond the Rite by Rote, study groups and individuals have the opportunity to explore both Matthew 18 and Corporate Confession and Forgiveness from our Lutheran liturgy. Perfect for a variety of formats, there are reproducible handouts and detailed notes for leaders to enrich conversation and provide background. Learn more about Growing Deeply in Faith, an initiative of our strategic plan, as we commemorate the Anniversary of the Reformation, and continue with Preaching and Proclamation (2018-2019) and the Sacraments (2019-2020).

A hope-filled time

"This Churchwide Assembly gave me great hope for our future as the ELCA," writes Bishop Rimbo. "As Presiding Bishop Eaton said forcefully, we are not a dying church but we are a changing church. I agree and that gives me hope." Read his reflection and a recap of the churchwide assembly here. See photos of MNYS participants here.

In the News...

See how Messiah, Staten Island joined the community in helping to provide donations for almost 200 free backpacks at SILive.com.

View all of the recent mentions in the Media Room.

Events

Rite of Ordination: Maritza Ortiz Cruz

Everyone is invited to the synodical celebration of Holy Communion with the Rite of Ordination, taking place on Friday, October 28 at 6:00pm at Gustavus Adolphus, Manhattan. Maritza Ortiz Cruz, recently called as mission developer to New Hope for All Saints, Bronx, will be ordained. All rostered ministers of the synod are invited to vest and process.

Remembering September 11

Multiple congregations in our synod will be providing opportunities to gather and reflect on the upcoming 15th anniversary of September 11. See more here and find out how to add your observance to the list.

Celebrate Judge Daniel Joy with ADLA

All are invited to celebrate the life of the Honorable Judge Daniel W. Joy during a service hosted by the New York Chapter of the African Descent Lutheran Association. Judge Joy loved God and the Lutheran church, was involved in many aspects of church life and community including Men in Mission, Lutheran Social Services, Kiwanis, Queens Federation of Churches, and was a member of New Hope, Jamaica. There will be a light repast after the service in the Atrium from 1-3pm. Learn more and download a flyer here.

Anti-racism Introductory Trainings
Please note that our Anti-Racism Introductory Training on September 10 is now full. To be added to the wait list, please email Rebekah Thornhill. Similarly, if you are registered, but are no longer able to attend, please email Ms. Thornhill to allow someone from the wait list to attend. Registration is still open for the training on November 12 at Grace, Yorktown Heights.

Neighborfest

Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." But who are our neighbors and how do we love them as ourselves? Join the MNYS Multicultural Committee as they host this event for youth, young adults, and leaders. The time will include workshops, discussion, and worship, all with themes of loving our neighbors in the face of bullying, violence, and strained relations. Learn more and download a flyer here.

Wartburg's Fall Festival

Join in celebrating Wartburg's 150^th Anniversary at their 2016 Fall Festival on September 24. You are invited to be a part of this milestone celebration that will include a children's area, bouncy castle, food trucks, shopping, live entertainment, farmer's market, historic walking tours of our campus and a Wartburg Alumni Homecoming Reception. Learn more here.

For Such A Time as This

Youth ministry workshop

Made possible by a Leadership Development Grant from our synod's strategic plan, Cross of Christ, Babylon is hosting a Youth Ministry Workshop on September 24. A keynote presentation, "It's Complicated (and sort of not): Ministry with the App Generations", will be given by Dr. Nathan C. P. Frambach from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. All are welcome. Learn more here.

Blogs

God calls us to change

"It is a fearsome thing to be asked to speak a word of hope, to craft a faithful response, in such a time as this," writes Pr. David Parsons on the Anti-Racism Task Force Blog. "The situation is unbearably complex, and my location as a white male of considerable privilege properly renders anything that I have to say as worthy of suspicion." Read the full post here.

From our Committees

Wondering about confirmation

Confirmation is a ministry with a long history, yet what is the place of confirmation today? This free webinar on September 8 from Practice Discipleship will suggest ways confirmation can continue to be an adaptive and vital congregation ministry in the 21st century. Register and learn more here.

Transitions

Pr. Don Stiger is retiring as Vice President of Mission and Spiritual Care at NYU Lutheran Medical Center, effective September 1.

Calendar

August 31: Leadership Development Grant Review Team
September 5: Synod Office Closed
September 7: Multicultural Ministry Committee
September 8: Strategic Plan Steering Committee
September 8: Executive Committee
September 10: Anti-Racism Introductory Training
September 11: "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday
September 11: September 11 events
September 12: Financial Management Committee

View the complete synod calendar here.

New on mnys.org

Partner Organization Events: 4th Annual Right of Asylum Mission Reception with Seafarers and International House; Alternate Sunday School Webinar, The Necessary Nine, Churches that Transform, and Basic Youth Leader Resources and Information webinars, plus a monthly Craft Group from Practical Resources for Churches.

We're Praying

For health and healing for Ramiro Surita, father of Deacon Jeanette Surita-Vazquetelles, who is recovering from open heart surgery
For health and healing for Craig who is suffering from a serious infection related to heart valve replacement surgery
For those rebuilding after the earthquake in Italy and those who come to their aid
For the flooding in Louisiana 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 Vickey Casey, serving in the United Kingdom
For ELCA missionary Katie Narum Miyamoto serving in Japan
For Bishop Brian Maas, the staff and people of the Nebraska 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.