 Read about Wartburg's special chapel service last month to round out a 150-year anniversary celebration in the Mount Vernon Daily Voice.
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 Synod Council MeetingOur Synod Council met December 13. As in previous meetings the Bishop's report included a summary of calls and a recognition of synod staff member Pr. Kathleen Koran as her retirement was announced. Bishop Rimbo reviewed with the council the purpose and work of an advisory panel and reported on those in progress. Vice President Maria Del Toro gave an update on the refresh of our strategic plan. Strategy area committees who met on December 3 to discuss priorities and how the Holy Spirit is guiding our work considering our current society. Treasurer Frank Suttell presented the current finances and shared how his own congregation looked at their current mission support levels and developed a plan to increase their giving to the synod over the next three years. After accepting the resignation of Ms. Muriel Davis, the council appointed Ms. Karen Woolley to fill the term until the May Synod Assembly when elections for unexpired terms can be held. Ms. Woolley had been on the same ballot at the previous assembly. The Synod Council approved seven Leadership Development Grants and Bishop Rimbo reported on two Sower's Project Grants that were awarded. Secretary Robert Schoepflin reported on the formation of the Constitutional Review Committee. The Synod Council also adopted an events policy that helps to underscore our interdependence as a church while providing a method for how events are categorized. They also heard an update of the planning process for the 2017 Synod Assembly and approved the rate schedule. Minutes of this meeting will be posted after they are approved at the next meeting.
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 Assembly details online
New details including the price schedule and timeline are now available on our assembly webpage. Registration will open in January and more details will be posted as they become available.
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 Staff Transitions
Pr. Kathleen Koran, Assistant to the Bishop for Congregations, and her husband, Gary, have made the decision to retire in 2017. Her retirement will be effective April 30. In her 8 years on staff she has been a tremendous asset in working with congregations in pastoral vacancy and transition. We are thankful for her ministry and celebrate her work!
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 YAGM Applications
Do you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or know of young adults in your congregation or in your neighborhood with a passion for service and a willingness to serve? Consider telling them about the Young Adults in Global Mission program and about the opportunity to serve alongside Lutheran companion churches and organizations in countries around the world. Applications are due February 15, so share the link to the application with someone you know now!
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 Here am IRevGalBlogPals and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia are proud to present a retreat specifically for women considering a call to professional ministry in the church. Unfortunately, a women's call to ministry is not always readily affirmed and so this event aims to provide women of all ages and experience with a space to explore what God might be doing in their life. Talented pastors and leaders representing numerous different denominations will share their stories, insights, and experiences about their journey. This March 24-26 event is for women of all ages and denominations, but space is limited! Register now.
 Preaching the Lectionary All pastors and preachers are invited to join Garwood P. Anderson, Ph.D. of Nashota House Theological Seminary in exploring the upcoming Lent, Holy Week, and Easter readings. Participants will spend time in reflection and conversation, giving birth to engaging ways of incarnating the Word into the world. This is a joint event of our synod and the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island to be held on January 31. Learn more and register here.
Invitation to Messiah's final worship
With thanksgiving to God for 92 years of ministry, the congregation of Messiah, Flushing announces that it will be closing. You are invited to the closing worship, held on Saturday, January 7 at 2pm at Messiah Lutheran Church, Flushing.
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 For such a time as this
During a recent meeting of all strategic plan committees, Pr. Jonathan Linman challenged us to think about what time we are living in and how we might proclaim the gospel in word and deed. Read his entire message here. At the same gathering, Bishop Rimbo emphasized how our church as an interconnected network continues to inform how and when opinions are shared. Read the Bishop's Message here.
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Pr. Kathleen Koran is retiring as Assistant to the Bishop for Congregations, effective April 30.
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- For the friends and family of Deacon Barbara Goetz, who died in Christ on December 11
- For the friends and family of Candy Eng, who died in Christ
- For health and healing for Pastor Winston Bone
- For refugees and those who come to their aid
- For those affected by violence in their schools, workplaces, and homes
- 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 Asheim, serving in Mexico
- For ELCA missionary Katherine Graf, serving in Hungary
- For Bishop David Brauer-Rieke, the staff and people of the Oregon Synod
- For the care of God's creation
- For the unity of this church and its mission
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Called forward together