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Our commitment to dismantling racism
 Our 2015 Synod Assembly voted to require all our synodical leaders to take anti-racism training. A task force was appointed and synod staff immediately began to coordinate efforts. Five trainings were offered in 2016 throughout the year, which brought in a total of 246 participants. Of those participants, 80 congregations were represented. 27% of our synodically rostered deacons and 28% of our pastors attended trainings. 80% of our Strategy Area Committee members, 70% of our Conference of Deans, 96% of our Synod Council, and 100% of our Synod Staff were all trained in the past year. Pr. Michael Russell, an ELCA pastor and trainer with Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training commented, "As a confessional and reformational church, the Metropolitan New York Synod has engaged a substantial amount of time, financial and human resources to dismantling systematic racism and how it hinders our ability to be the church and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ." We are thankful to Pr. Russell and Pr. Lori Adams who were our trainers for three of these events. Thank you to everyone who has participated! We anticipate more opportunities for discussions and trainings. Find resources on our Racial Justice webpage.
Providing safe and welcoming spaces
Now in its third year, the Capital Improvement Challenge Grant initiative from our Strategic Plan continues to help our congregations provide safe and welcoming buildings. Between a reallocation of unused funds within the Gathered Strategy and almost $8,000 returned by congregations whose projects came in under budget, every congregation that applied was awarded funding. Thirty-six congregations are receiving matching challenge grants totaling over $532,000 that will fix boilers, windows, and bathrooms. Congregations will be able to welcome people with safer sidewalks, stairs, and new chair lifts. See the full list of grant recipients here. Congratulations!
 For such a time as thisIn the wake of the recent election, Bishop Rimbo writes, "No matter where you are, remember that we are a people of faith not fear. I pray that as leaders of our church you will continue to minister to those in need and gather locally as God's people for such a time as this." He also shared a message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA Advocacy, and prayer resources. Read the full message here.
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 20th Anniversary Reception
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 Save the Date
The dates for the next assembly have been set. The 2017 Synod Assembly will take place May 11-13 at the Westchester Marriott. Please save the date and stay tuned for more information.
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 Absentee and proxy voting
We recently had a question about absentee and proxy voting in congregations and whether or not the model constitution might leave room for such voting to happen. We asked both Rev. Chris Boerger, Secretary of the ELCA, and our own legal counsel to give guidance. The provision C10.05 in the model constitution (Voting by proxy or absentee ballot shall not be permitted.) is not required because some non-profit statutes may allow for absentee voting in specific situations. The practice is not advised and not allowed in New York state.
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 Liberated by God's Grace A variety of resources are available for you and your congregation as we wait in abundant hope for the birth of Jesus. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton wrote one devotion in a four-part series with other ecumenical leaders. In addition to Eaton, devotions were contributed by Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, The Episcopal Church; Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Anglican Church of Canada; and National Bishop Susan C. Johnson, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
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 "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community"You are invited to join the African Descent Lutheran Association in the continued celebration of the legacy and life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, with the theme "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community". All are welcome to join on January 15 at St. Paul's, Bronx at 4pm. Dinner will follow the service. Learn more and download the flyer here.
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 Lutheran solasAt the 2016 Bishop's Retreat, Bishop Rimbo preached on the Lutheran solas. Hear why Luther says reading the bible should make us sing, shout, and leap for joy in the blog post Scripture Alone. See how Luther's understanding of grace as a free gift has life-changing consequences in the post, Grace Alone. And in the final blog post, Faith Alone, read why in the Christian life, faith never is alone.
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 #GivingTuesdayTuesday, November 29 is #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving to charities and organizations to help improve people's lives. Why not consider making a gift to ELCA World Hunger on this day? Gifts of any size help make a difference for people challenged by hunger and poverty in our nation and around the world. Give an undesignated gift, or give to specific projects through ELCA Good Gifts. ELCA World Hunger is a very good steward of our gifts--$.92 of every dollar received goes directly to programs to help people!
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Trinity Lutheran of Astoria/Long Island City is seeking a soprano, alto and tenor for their choir to enhance the non-paid members of the choir and build their music and worship. The position will begin in December and runs during the program year. It is a weekly position and includes a Tuesday rehearsal, Sunday morning rehearsal, and the Sunday liturgy. For more information, please contact William Easterling, Director of Music.
Zion, Staten Island seeks a church musician to play organ and piano. This person would provide music for a small Sunday School and one worship service weekly, plus occasional weddings, funerals, and other services. They would also direct a small choir, start a children's choir, and coordinate with the pastor and music committee. Experience with church music desired. Apply by email only by sending your cover letter and resume here.
Church Organist and Choir Director
Trinity, Staten Island is accepting resumes for a half-time Organist/Choir Director. The salary is negotiable and commensurates with experience. Responsibilities include one service on Sunday plus holiday services, weekly choir rehearsals, and making music selections in consultation with the pastor. This congregation places a high value on music and are seeking a musician that can continue to develop the musical ministries of the congregation. Someone familiar with Lutheran liturgy is preferred. For more information, contact Pr. Jennifer Richards.
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- For health and healing of Pr. Carol Kessler, who is recovering from foot surgery
- For the friends and family of Pastor John Heller, who died in Christ on November 15
- For the friends and family of W. Sahat Silaban, father of Pastor Samuel Silaban, who died in Christ
- For health and healing for Pastor Winston Bone
- For our country after the most recent election
- For refugees and those who come to their aid
- 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 Rebecca Hernandez-Ortiz, serving in Uruguay
- For ELCA missionary Lucas Peters serving in Thailand
- For Bishop Andrew Taylor, the staff and people of the Pacifica Synod
- For the care of God's creation
- For the unity of this church and its mission
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