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The South Carolina Lutheran eNews
Synod Assembly Registration is Up and Running
Spartanburg Marriott
299 North Church Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
864-596-1211
Registration is now open for the 2015 South Carolina Synod Assembly which will be held at the Spartanburg Marriott. The Assembly starts on Thursday, May 28 at 1:15 p.m. and runs through Saturday, May 30 at Noon.
  
"Glory to God throughout all Generations 'Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.'" Ephesians 3:20-21
  
2015 is the Twenty-eighth Assembly of the South Carolina Synod - ELCA and the 190th meeting of the Lutheran Church in South Carolina. Over the course of these two and a half days opportunities will abound for us to dwell in the Word, Worship, Pray, Serve & Learn together as well as deepen our discipleship and carry out the business matters of the Synod. We look forward to being together with you.
  
Download the Proposed Assembly Agenda and Program!
  
Download the Approved Budget Proposal from Synod Council 2016/2017.
  
Download the Biographical Information for the 2015 South Carolina Synod Assembly.
  
The 2015 South Carolina Synod Assembly Bulletin of Reports will be available by May 1, 2015.
  
Need to know many voting members your congregation is eligible to send? Click here. If your congregation is not listed, it means that we are still waiting for your annual report. Reports were due by February 15th. Thank you to all who have completed and submitted them already.
  
Special notes: Pastor Oliverio Mohr and family will be returning to be with us during this year's assembly.
  
Offerings during worship services will be designated with one-half given to the Latino Outreach Center, South Carolina Synod, and one-half to Leadership: Youth and Young Adults, Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA.
  
Calling All ELCA-Primary Health Plan Members - 64 More Needed to Earn the 2% Health Contribution Discount
As of the end of February, 31.77% of the eligible ELCA-Primary health plan members and spouses in our synod completed the confidential Mayo Clinic Health Assessment. Thank you to those who have already done their part.
  
But we still need 64 more people to take the health assessment to reach 65% participation and earn a 2% discount on all of this year's ELCA health contributions for synod employers. ELCA-Primary health plan members and spouses: Complete the assessment by April 30 to take stock of your health, earn $150 in wellness dollars, and get us that much closer to saving 2% this year. If your spouse has ELCA-Primary health benefits and completes the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment, too, you'll receive another $150 wellness dollars into your wellness account, and will help us earn our synod-wide 2% discount on health contributions.
  
New this year: To take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment, access Mayo Clinic's Healthy Living online directly through myPortico - no separate Mayo Clinic ID and password necessary. Go to PorticoBenefits.org/HealthyLiving for details.
Did You Know that Every 60 Seconds a Child Dies from Malaria?
The ELCA Malaria Campaign seeks to eradicate malaria once and for all! For many years the ELCA has been supporting clinics and physicians in Africa to provide treatment from malaria in 13 partner countries. Life-saving health care and education has been making a huge difference and now you have a chance to be a part of this healing movement of God!
  
Your gift to the Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA can be designated to help aid workers provide mosquito nets, preventative medication and education and life-saving treatments for people of every age-infant to adult. The campaign also provides helpful advocacy to governments to provide adequate health care and prevention in their own territories.
  
Now is our turn. Let's give. Let's make a difference! Any amount can make a life-saving difference.
  
Consider using this prayer petition in worship:
  
God our Healer, You send us out into the world as agents of your healing. Use our gifts this day to support those abroad-especially aid workers seeking to bring an end to malaria. Strengthen, encourage, sustain and support those who do your work, and use us to be a part of this healing through the financial support we give and the prayers we pray.
We pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen
  
For more information, contact Rev. Chris Stoxten at [email protected].
Luther Reading Challenge
The Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, a close affiliate of the Lutheran World Federation, has just launched the Luther Reading Challenge.
  
It's an online community for reading and discussion Luther's theological writings as a preparation for the Reformation anniversary. From now until October 2017, a wide range of Luther's works will be made available online. Anyone can sign up for a free account to join the conversation. We hope in time to add other languages, a blog, and even gamification elements.
  
Experience Taiz� in Columbia April 26-28
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) is excited to welcome two brothers from the Taiz� community to Columbia in April.
  
Sunday, April 26, 6-8pm: "An Evening with Taiz�," a worship experience for youth and young adults.
Location: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 2100 Bush River Rd., Columbia, SC 29210.
Cost: A suggested donation of $30 per group or $5 per individual.
Registration: Online at www.EveningWithTaize.Eventbrite.com or by calling 803-461-3217.
  
Monday, April 27, 11:30am and 1:00pm:
The brothers will lead chapel at 11:30am and offer a presentation about their life as a community at 1:00pm. Both occasions will be in Christ Chapel on the campus of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. All are welcome. No registration required.
  
Tuesday, April 28, 10:00am - 4:00pm: "A Day with Taiz�," a retreat for clergy, youth workers, church staffs, and anyone thirsty for a day of spiritual renewal and Sabbath rest.
Location: Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Cost: $35 per person.
Registration: Online at www.DayWithTaize.Eventbrite.com or by calling 803-461-3217.
  
South Carolina Women of the ELCA Convention Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for our SC Women of the ELCA convention June 12-13 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Lexington. We've added a new Visitor Registration for just $10 this year.
  
  
  
One Year to Live Retreat at Lutheridge May 15-17
Lutheran Men in Mission present One Year to Live (OYTL), a spiritual boot camp for men of all walks of life, who want to have a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ. It is for men who yearn for real relationships with other men and Our Savior. You will become a true band of brothers and exam your life. You will come out ofthe weekend a better man. Registration is $150 due by May 10, 2015 includes two nights lodging, 6 meals and retreat materials. For more information contact Jimmy Smith 803 730-4637 [email protected]. Checks should be made payable to Grace Lutheran Church with "OYTL" on the memo line. You may send in a $75 deposit and pay the rest in full when you arrive.
  
Registration should be mailed to:
Hal Derrick
One Year to Live Retreat
179 Old Hillside Ln.
Flat Rock, NC 28731
  
Learn More about Proclaim Story Day at the ELCA Youth Gathering
Proclaim Story Day at the ELCA Youth Gathering
Proclaim Story Day at the
ELCA Youth Gathering
You are part of God's story! In this video, Proclaim Story Day Co-Team Leader Eric Carlson shares more about this dedicated day at the Gathering when your synod gathers for a time of story-sharing before being sent out to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
  
Watch this video to learn about what Proclaim Story resources are available for Synod Day coordinators, including music Rachel Kurtz has recorded that is available for your use. With Proclaim Story Day, together with our companions in our synod, we frame our story in God's story, a story that named Jesus as the good news. In that promise, we Rise Up Together!
ELCA Looks Ahead to 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation
By: Candice Hill Buchbinder, ELCA News
  
CHICAGO (ELCA) - As a church that believes the good news of Jesus Christ provides "the freedom and the courage to boldly participate in what God is up to in the world," members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are making plans for the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in October 2017.
  
"The evangelical Lutheran Reformation offers the promise of God's love that makes possible a life of a living, daring confidence in God's grace," said the Rev. Marcus Kunz, assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop and executive for theological discernment.
  
  
The ELCA churchwide organization is committed to facilitating the exchange of ideas, information and conversation about the 500th anniversary. Information about events and activities is available at www.ELCA500.org and also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elca500. Resources for the 500th anniversary observance are being produced by Augsburg Fortress.
ELCA Members Participate in 50th Anniversary of Selma-to-Montgomery March
Obama speaks in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)
By: Candice Hill Buchbinder, ELCA News
  
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Some members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) joined civil rights activists, faith leaders and elected officials, including President Barack Obama, in Alabama March 7-8 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery civil rights march.
  
Judith Roberts, program director for ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, attended the anniversary events. "My grandfather, CC Bryant, testified before the United States Civil Rights Commission in February 1965. His testimony, along with several others, named the racial discrimination and intimidation experienced by African Americans (who were) trying to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Today, we are still facing voter disenfranchisement through public policies in the form of preserving state's rights (through) voter identification legislation and the criminal justice system that can temporarily or permanently deny access to the ballot," she said.
  
Lutheran Services Carolinas President Ted Goins Receives National Award
By: Katie Scarvey, Lutheran Services Carolinas
  
SALISBURY, NC--Ted. W. Goins, Jr. of Salisbury received the Outstanding Executive Award from the Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE) on Feb. 26 at the association's annual conference in Reno, Nev. The award honors a top-level executive who serves the Lutheran church through deed and example.
  
Goins is president and CEO of Lutheran Services Carolinas, a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry sponsored by the North and South Carolina Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. With both senior services and child and family services, LSC provides compassionate care for the most vulnerable in our communities, from infants to elders.
  
Goins was selected for his visionary leadership, effectiveness in management and fundraising, inspirational leadership of staff and volunteers, and boldness in proclaiming the importance of Christian stewardship through public speaking or writing.
  
  
Free Choir Robes
First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, SC has around 30 black and white choir robes that are not in use. We would like to donate these robes to another congregation. They are in good condition. Please contact Amy Fennell for more information at [email protected] or 864-229-5814.
...And a Time to Laugh
With the seventh STAR WARS movie due out later this year, here is one for the science-fiction fans among us.
  
You know you're a Lutheran when, while watching STAR WARS, you hear "may the force be with you" and you naturally reply "and also with you."
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