Headlines: Assembly Registration, Called to be a Living Voice, Get Certified in First Third of Life Ministry, World Malaria Day, and so much more.
Joining neighbors, serving boldly, loving all, through Christ.
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.
  
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.
  
Called to Be a Living Voice
This Lenten season is an excellent time to be making plans for continued renewal both for you and for the ELCA. This summer's Worship Jubilee, "Called to be a Living Voice," will be a time for our whole church, with all its varied perspectives, opinions and styles, to gather together and focus on that which makes us church: the regular gathering of God's people around word and sacrament.
  
I hope you will join me at the ELCA's Worship Jubilee this summer as we consider ways to observe the upcoming 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Since worship is central to our identity as the church, how we worship during the anniversary year (2017) will be important. We must know and value our history in order to move boldly into a mission-oriented future.
  
In addition to diverse presentations, workshops, worship services, musical events and fellowship, Jubilee participants will have the opportunity to share their ideas and concerns for the ongoing renewal of worship in the ELCA. We need your voice to be included in that conversation!
  
I'm grateful to you for all you to do enhance the worship life of our church. Whether you are a pastor, worship planner, leader, musician, artist or curious member, you will be welcomed and inspired at "Called to be a Living Voice."
  
For complete information and registration, visit www.LivingVoice2015.org.
  
May God bless your Lenten journey,
Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Church Bombings in Pakistan
On March 15, bombs went off in two churches in Lahore, Pakistan killing at least 40 people. Pastor Rich Melheim alerted people through Facebook, asking for prayers and assistance. His friends, Pastor As and Cecelia Javed serve in one of the two congregations hit. Cecelia writes: "Very sad news here in Pakistan keep us in your prayers. Forty people have died and 80 are very injured." The Faith Inkubators Foundation is putting together funds for Cecilia and Pastor As to use at their discretion to directly help the bombing victims. If you'd like to help, contact Faith Inkubators at (651) 430-0762.
  
The synod office has responded by making a donation from our disaster relief fund. Here is a thank you from Rich Melheim to the South Carolina Synod in response to that gift.
  
"Thank you to the South Carolina Synod for the gift to Lahore, Pakistan church friends yesterday. I wired a first gift last night before the bank closed, and its already doing some healing. More than the money, the knowledge that American Christians are aware and care is so important to them right now. They feel all alone in the world."
World Malaria Day 2015
World Malaria Day is April 25, offering us an opportunity to do something significant for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Five years ago we started this campaign, dreamed big with our Lutheran companion churches and partners, and set out to raise $15 million by 2015 for programs to fight malaria. The time to make this dream a reality is now.
  
Together, we have already raised more than 90 percent of our goal. We are looking to you and members of this church to help the ELCA Malaria Campaign reach the $15 million mark.
  
Thanks to the faithful support of people like you, the ELCA Malaria Campaign is currently at work with Lutheran companion churches and partners in 13 African countries. We have had great success, but we're not done yet. We need your support to reach our goal and ensure all of the malaria programs will be fully funded.
  
Will you join thousands of ELCA members across this church and millions of people around the world in taking action? Please consider observing this day by taking a special offering for the ELCA Malaria Campaign Sunday, April 26, 2015. Special World Malaria Day resources will help you activate your congregation in learning about malaria and the ELCA Malaria Campaign.
  
Our time is now. Together, we can touch lives and make a lasting impact. Use this bulletin insert to announce your participation in World Malaria Day 2015.
Certificate in First Third of Life Ministry
Upcoming Events
The Raleigh Ringers
Mt. Tabor, West Columbia
Sunday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m.
This concert is free and seating is limited, so you are asked to come early. Doors open at 3:00 p.m.
  
Conversation with Rev. Kevin Strickland, Director of Worship and Liturgical Resources for the ELCA Wednesday, March 25
9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. in Alumni Hall on the campus of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Clergy and worship leaders are invited to a conversation with LTSS alum, Rev. Kevin Strickland. All are welcome to a time of dialogue about current issues related to worship and mission in the ELCA. This gathering will be hosted by the Rev. Dr. Jann Boyd, Visiting Professor of Worship and Homiletics at LTSS. Refreshments will be provided. No RSVP needed. Alumni Hall is located in Beam Hall; view a campus map for parking and directions.
Additionally, Kevin will preach and preside in chapel at 11:30. All are invited to worship with the seminary community.
  
Sundays at Lowman Concert Series
White Rock, SC, April 12, 2015: Join us, Sunday, April 12, 2015 for an afternoon of music. Performing will be Elisa Moskovitz and Alan Weinberg, a piano duo! All Sunday at Lowman Concerts are held at 3:00 pm on Sunday afternoons in the New Life Chapel located in the Wellness Center on the Heritage at Lowman campus and will be followed by a reception in the adjacent Hoefler Gallery. The concerts are free and open to the public. For more information about our concert series please call 803-451-7414.
Tidbits
Prep work key to safe mission trips
Each year thousands of people go on mission trips. They have a desire to experience and discover their faith in new and meaningful ways and hope for personal growth while serving others. In all of the excitement, however, it can be easy to overlook necessary logistics preparations. Read more >>
  
Spring Checklist
As winter ends, give your building a complete physical-inside and out-to ready it for those warm-weather months ahead. Read more >>
  
There is a free altar available to a good home.
Holy Spirit, Charleston is in the process of building a new sanctuary following a consolidation. That leaves an unused altar. They would love to make it available to a congregation that could use it. Please contact Jenny McCulloch at 843-670-4779 or [email protected] for more information.
...And a Time to Laugh
A man asked God if he answered all prayers. God said, "Yes". The man asked God, "Is it true that one second in heaven is equal to a million years on earth?" God said, "yes." Then the man asked God for $1 million dollars. God said, "okay, just give me a minute!"
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