Headlines: Relief, Recovery and more.
Joining neighbors, serving boldly, loving all, through Christ.
The South Carolina Lutheran eNews
Your Gifts Making a Difference
On Tuesday, October 20 your generous disaster relief gifts were distributed to those in need. Thanks to prompt communications from the pastors, thirteen congregations (representing more than 30 families plus our Latino and African-American Mission Communities), families were identified and supported at this time. Checks totaling more than $27,000 were distributed in person or by mail. Gift cards that were donated were shared with four congregations (Incarnation, Columbia; Christ Mission, Denny Terrace; Sagrada Familia, Columbia; and Cristo Rey, West Columbia).
  
Your help is still needed. Checks or money orders should be sent and made payable to:
  
South Carolina Synod, ELCA
1003 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Write "Flooding" on the memo line.
  
Pastors, as you identify needs, please contact the synod office so that as a synod we may walk, and work, together to help those in need.
  
From Our Volunteer Coordinator
By Rev. Roy Butler, Bethel, White Rock and Volunteer Coordinator
  
In an effort to improve our linking I am going to provide to you, our volunteers, some area of known need. I have attempted to prioritize but please correct me if I missed something. After providing the list of needs it would be great if you would offer to assist as you are able.
  
Current Needs:
  • Family from Christ the King, Columbia. Major gutting and removal of cabinets, etc. = Large number of families affected in the Lake Katherine area
  • Family Lost Home due to flooding. Member St. Paul's, Columbia
  • Woman in the Broad River area of Columbia. Home flooded and underneath home flooded.
  • Family in the Pine Glen area of Saint Andrews. Workday scheduled for OCT 24 if interested call Sandra Holland at 803-269-9659
  • Two families in Lexington. One in need of financial assistance. The other in need of recovery after home devastated in Lake Katherine area
  • Family from Peak Parish needs nonperishable food
  • Family from Peak Parish needs nonperishable food
  • Recovery needs high in the Denny Terrace area of Columbia
  • Recovery needs continue to be high in Lake Katherine Area
  
Future needs:
Williamsburg and Georgetown counties. Water is still high making needs difficult to determine at present. In conversation with Vickie Powell the area is just now beginning to reach a stable point and needs should be forthcoming soon. Obvioulsy there will be continued needs for nonperishable food, diapers, etc. Please no clothes. Any questions on how you or your church may help please contact Vickie Powell at 843-344-2585.
  
If you know of needs not listed here, or if you are able to volunteer to assist with our current needs, please let us know by email at:
  
  
Please download, fill out the forms from this page, and send them to the South Carolina Synod office if you are volunteering.
Hurricane Joaquin update from Camp Kinard & Coastal Retreat
By Elliot Cox, Hospitality and Communications Coordinator, South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers
  
Hurricane Joaquin, the strongest hurricane to date in 2015, caused widespread damage throughout South Carolina and brought historic rainfall to areas of the midlands and coast. While initial reports for the South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers were positive and showed no major structural damage at either facility, the massive amounts of rain did cause several leaks in the rooms at Coastal Retreat.
  
The Isle of Palms recorded over 17" of rain this month and its combination with the salty air has certainly taken a toll on the roof at Coastal Retreat. One of the main goals of the South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers is to replace the 30 year old roof through Phase II of the "Building+Renewing+Believing" Capital Campaign.
  
"We've realized for a while that the roof needs to be replaced here at Coastal Retreat," said Resident Director Larry Hamrick, "and hope that our many supporters will join us in this campaign to raise the funds needed to accomplish the task."
  
The campaign's goal is to raise $80,000 to replace the roof and $20,000 to install new soffits. We are asking for your help in making this a reality so that future guests at Coastal Retreat can enjoy being at the beach without the worry of having a leak above their head.
  
For more information on how you can become involved in this campaign or to make a donation towards the roof at Coastal Retreat, we invite you to visit us online BY CLICKING HERE. You can also mail your gift to the following address:
  
South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers
6053 Two Notch Rd
Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070
  
Thank you in advance for all your support; the greater the gift - the greater the possibilities!
Tidbits
2015 Gifts of Hope Now Open
Gifts of Hope is an alternative gift-giving program in the ELCA South Carolina Synod. This Christmas give gifts to family and friends that really matter. Give hope.
  
Part-time Music Director - Zion, Lexington
The position of Music Director is vital to the ministry of Zion Lutheran Church. The person filling this position should be of good character and ready to lead the music ministry of the congregation. Responsibilities include worship planning, leading vocal and hand bell choirs for all ages, and playing the organ and piano for all worship services. The successful applicant will have at least a Bachelor's degree in music with proficiency in vocal production; a working knowledge of Lutheran liturgies and the selection of music appropriate to liturgical seasons; and a cheerful attitude and strong work ethic. The position available immediately with competitive salary based on experience. The job description for this position is available at http://zionlexsc.com/news-2/news/. Please forward resume with cover letter to [email protected] - Attention: Mutual Ministry Team.
  
LTSS welcomes spiritual leader and author Reverend Heidi Neumark
The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) of Lenoir-Rhyne University will welcome Lutheran Reverend Heidi Neumark on Friday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. in Alumni Hall. She will present "Hidden Inheritance," a discussion of her latest novel and work of grappling with anti-Semitism within the church. Following her lecture, Rev. Neumark will engage in further discussions with the community at a reception and book signing. This event is sponsored by the LTSS Academy of Faith and Leadership. Due to limited seating, anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register on-line here. Guests may reserve a copy of Hidden Inheritance to be signed by Rev. Neumark through the eventbrite site. Payment for the book will be due at the event. Admission to the lecture is free.
For more information on this and other events of the LTSS and the Academy of Faith and Leadership, visit http://ltss.lr.edu/ltss-events.
  
LTSS Advent Text Study
The Academy of Faith and Leadership will host a live webcast Advent text study from Columbia, SC, to a location near you. The text study will be Friday, November 6, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Four Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary professors (Dr. Brent Driggers, Dr. James Thomas, Dr. Jann Boyd, and Dr. Kevin Ogilvie) will exegete the 2015 Advent lectionary texts from a missional leadership perspective. An interactive panel discussion will follow these presentations via webcast so that all may participate. Registration cost is $35 with lunch provided at each location.
  
Sundays at Lowman Concert Series
White Rock, SC, November 1, 2015: Join us, Sunday November 1, 2015 for an afternoon of music. Performing will be the Newberry College Singers and Madrigals. 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.
  
Scholarships awarded to students attending ELCA seminaries
In its commitment to supporting seminary students preparing for ministry, the ELCA awarded scholarships to students attending the eight seminaries of the ELCA for the 2015-16 academic year. This academic year the ELCA Fund for Leaders as a whole will support 235 students studying at all eight ELCA seminaries, distributing around $1.6 million; 112 students will receive full, half or partial tuition scholarships from the general ELCA Fund for Leaders; 123 students will receive scholarships of varying amounts from ELCA synod partners.
  
Coming up in The Lutheran
Here's a look at the November 2015 issue of The Lutheran. On Thursday, Oct. 22, in-home delivery of the print edition will begin and the issue will go live at www.thelutheran.org. For a downloadable pdf of the blurbs formatted for bulletins, click here.
  
Practice Discipleship Webinar
"Story of Faith Community," the seventh in our 2015 series of Practice Discipleship Initiative webinars is coming on November 3rd at Time: 2:00 p.m. EDT/1:00 p.m. CDT. John Cummings, Meghan Sobocienski & Elizabeth Flores will be the presenters and explore how can the historical church - ekklesia -translate to who we are called to be as church today? Stories of Jesus and the early "church" show us how we can be a true community of faith, across racial, socioeconomic and other boundaries that so frequently divide us. Engage in interactive conversation and activities that explore what it means to be a faith community today.
  
Grace Gathering 2016
As part of the 500th anniversary observance of the Reformation, gather with other members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to rejoice in the freedom we have in Christ. The Grace Gathering, in partnership with the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, will be an opportunity to gather with voting members, prepare for the 500th anniversary, and reflect on how the Reformation can continue to guide us today. It will be a time for workshops, worship and fellowship. The Grace Gathering will provide an opportunity for all ELCA members to experience the same inspiring worship, Bible study, experiential learning activities and fellowship that voting members have when they attend the Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans. At the same time, the Grace Gathering will offer workshops and presentations that equip congregational leaders and synod planning teams to prepare for observing the 500th anniversary in local communities.
And a time to laugh...
How does Moses make tea?
He brews.
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