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New year, new opportunities
Our e-letter will now be published every other week. Rather than clog your inbox with emails, we're working to send content that is better tailored to you. Watch for more updates throughout 2017 and stay connected with our social media and website.
 Getting ready for assembly
This is an exciting year for us to come together as we will be commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation under the theme, "Reformation 500: Faith Not Fear." Our three-day assembly will take shape as a two-day business meeting where we will prayerfully conduct the congregational appeal process from our cancelled Special Synod Assembly and elect three unexpired synod council seats. We will again have our worship intertwined throughout our plenary sessions and community life. Beginning on Friday evening, we will be hosting a free public event open to all with a focus on our Lutheran identity and mission with speakers and workshops. Registration is now open - register early for a discount! Learn more about our assembly here.
 Supporting our common mission
Over the past four years of our strategic plan's development and implementation we have heard that one area where local congregations need help is in training for congregational councils. Councils are at the heart of a congregation and work to make sure we stay mission minded in all we do. We've invited past and present secretaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to speak and have secured geographically diverse locations as host sites. These free events will look specifically at what congregational councils are tasked with doing, including governance best practices, and offer time to network with other leaders. Download the flyer and learn more here. RSVP early to reserve your spot!
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 Read how the Kiwanis Club helped St. Barnabas, Howard Beach to serve others in the Queens Chronicle.
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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 week, our staff was warmly received by the following communities: Good Shepherd, Roosevelt; Epiphany, Brooklyn; St. Peter's, Baldwin; Ascension, Deer Park; Third, Rhinebeck; Lutheran Social Services of NY; and Trinity, Middle Village. Thank you!
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 Watch the mailCongregations will be receiving a mailing this week with important information for the new year including an annual checklist, your password for Forms A and C, and details about our new online Mission Support Commitment Form.
 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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 Send us your videos
What is your hope for the future of our church? Send us a short video that shares your thoughts and dreams for the ELCA. We are looking for quick, 15-second videos. Grab your cellphone and start recording! Submissions are due Feb. 15, 2017. Email the video to future@elca.org, and if you share on social media, use #ELCAFuture. A few lucky winners may appear in a longer video and receive some ELCA prizes!
 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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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
 "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.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The year 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation, a year particularly significant to Lutherans, as the focus for this beginning was Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses. The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2017 - "Reconciliation: The Love of Christ Compels Us" - intends to acknowledge this Reformation commemoration, even as it also invites all Christians to work for greater reconciliation within the body of Christ for the sake of a shared, courageous witness to God's love and justice in our troubled world. Our synod is hosting an ecumenical prayer service on January 18 at Holy Trinity, Manhattan. Learn more here and download a bulletin insert to share.
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.
 Youth Retreats
 Candidacy Retreat
A one-day retreat for those currently in the candidacy process or thinking about applying to candidacy will be held on March 11. The day will include Bible Study, lunch, a question and answer session, informal conversation and guided discussion around revisiting the 95 Theses for today. Please RSVP to Sue Brandt. Learn more here.
 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.
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For Such A Time as This  |
 Leadership development grants deadline
Our Leadership Development grant program offers up to $100,000 a year in grants to individuals and groups of leaders to further their lifelong learning and formation for leadership in missio n. These grants are now open to rostered and non-rostered lay leaders.
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 Go on a Luther pilgrimage right here in town!
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 Planning for Lent? Many congregations hold potluck suppers as part of their Lenten observance. The MNYS World Hunger Committee is calling on all congregations in our synod to host one Potluck to End World Hungerduring these 40 days to focus on this global concern. This event is an opportunity to learn about the extent of global and domestic hunger, to hear about programs that combat hunger, and to raise funds for hunger ministries, like ELCA World Hunger. Think of the collective impact we could have on hunger if every congregation participated! For more information, visit the Hunger Committee's webpage.
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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 Orie Mills, father of Pastor Gary Mills, who died in Christ on December 26
- For health and healing for Horace Beasley
- 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 the care of God's creation
- For the unity of this church and its mission
- For MNYS congregations and their leadership
- For ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Miriam Bohlmann Kunz, Shannon Brice, and Dennis Brink, serving in Hungary
- For ELCA missionaries Rev. Rachel Eskesen, Zach Courter, Annie Skivington, serving in Hungary,
- For ELCA missionaries Ella Myer, Rev. James and Diane Wagner, serving in Lithuania
- For Bishop Martin Wells, the staff and people of the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod
- For Bishop Richard Jaech, the staff and people of the Southwestern Washington Synod
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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.
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