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A church that is HIV-positive
World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year. This is a time when we remember people who have died from AIDS-related illnesses and people who are living with HIV; a time to give thanks for the progress that has been made and to reflect on what still needs to be done. It is an opportunity for people around the world to unite to eradicate AIDS and show support for people living with HIV. It is a time to commit anew to ensuring that no one is left behind.
Grounded in God's love and forgiveness, we are called to discern what it means to be a church that is HIV-positive - a community that suffers when one member suffers and that celebrates the joys of each member. Our church has shown its commitment with the social message "AIDS and the Church's Ministry of Caring" and through the development of a strategy to help us to respond. Find resources and learn more about what you and your congregation can do here


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
In the News...


Read how Bethlehem, Brooklyn and Lutheran Elementary School collected food and money for those in need in the Brooklyn Reporter.
 
Out and About


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 two weeks, our staff was warmly received by the following communities: Advent, Manhattan; Redeemer-St. John's, Brooklyn; Holy Trinity, Manhattan; St. John's, Poughkeepsie; Good Shepherd, Roosevelt; Dobbs Ferry, Dobbs Ferry; Koinonia, Highland Lake; and Emanuel, Pleasantville. Thank you!
Our Wider Church


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.
Events


"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
Blogs


Where church meets world

"The Feast of Christ the King emerged from such a particular political scene, at the corner of church and state, it is a rather relevant feast to celebrate for us... [when] the Holy Father saw the fascist Benito Mussolini coming to power in Italy [he] decided to set the record straight: Christ is the King of the Universe, no politician, no ruler. Only Christ." Read Bishop Rimbo's full sermon from Christ the King Sunday here
From our Committees


#GivingTuesday
Tuesday, 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!
Job Corner


Singers needed
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. 
Calendar
New on mnys.org


Congregational EventsHandel's Messiah and An Elizabethan Holiday at St. Andrew's, Smithtown. Add your event here.
We're Praying
  • 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 health and healing for Pastor Winston Bone
  • For those affected by violence in their schools, workplaces, and homes
  • 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 Megan Kingsborough, serving in Argentina
  • For ELCA missionaries Rev. Timothy and Maryann Stewart serving in Denmark
  • For Bishop R. Guy Erwin, the staff and people of the Southwest California 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