Headlines: Christmas Eve Service Broadcast, Cristo Rey and more.
Joining neighbors, serving boldly, loving all, through Christ.
The South Carolina Lutheran eNews
Christmas Eve Service
This year's Christmas Eve Service broadcast will be televised live from St. David's, West Columbia on WIS Channel 10 from 7pm-8pm on December 24th. The service will also be streamed live on WISTV.com at the same time and be replayed on Christmas Day, December 25th, from 5pm-6pm on WIS Channel 10. The complete service will be available to stream starting at December 24th at 7pm. Just go to WISTV.com and click on the link for the Christmas Eve Service. Once the service has ended at 8pm on December 24th the complete video will be available for viewing on their homepage until December 31st at 12pm. Please share this information with those who may not be able to make it to services this Christmas Eve and with those around the world who may not be able to make it home.
Helping Cristo Rey
By Michael Kohn
  
Lutheran Men in Mission Units and other Lutheran groups and individuals interested in site clearing, preparation, and construction:
  
Cristo Rey Lutheran, a Latino mission congregation in Lexington County, is in search of volunteer groups and individuals. Got skills and/or equipment?
  • Clean-up 
  • Site clearing 
  • Site grading/ preparation 
  • Ditching and Water pipe-laying 
  • Electrical site lighting 
  • Masonry Deck construction/ carpentry
Workers will be needed for a series of Saturday work days, spring of 2016, to prepare the new site for facilities and occupancy before summer. Want to pitch in? Contact Michael Kohn, (803) 609-5646 and/or plan to attend an Advance Idea and Q/A Session on site, 536 Oak Drive, Lexington, Saturday, 1/16/16, 11:00 AM.
  
Volunteer groups will assist in cleaning up the site, cutting trees, grading, preparing for construction, and then helping in everything from digging ditches, to light masonry and carpentry. This is like our own Habitat for Humanity-type project where Anglo Lutherans will be working along Latino brothers and sisters to lay the groundwork for facilities that will be economical yet mission-oriented and rooted in Hispanic architecture. See proposed main courtyard below. Join the fun and do some good!
The Campaign for the ELCA: ELCA World Hunger focus year
ELCA World Hunger is the Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA focus of 2016. During this year of emphasis, ELCA World Hunger is extending an invitation to our congregations: Lift up the life-changing work of ELCA World Hunger through new levels of giving - spiritually, intellectually and financially - starting with Lent.
  
The ELCA World Hunger 40 Days of Giving Lenten challenge preparation is underway, and you can sign up as a congregation or individual at www.ELCA.org/40days.
  
As we prepare for Lent, the ELCA World Hunger 40 Days of Giving Lenten devotionals have recently arrived at the Lutheran Center and are ready to go out.
  
For more information about how you and your congregation can get involved with ELCA World Hunger during 2016, look forward to future ELCA and ELCA World Hunger publications. For all questions, contact us at [email protected].
ELCA presiding bishop visits Syrian refugees in Jordan
By Candice Hill Buchbinder, ELCA News
  
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), met with Syrian refugees living in the Za'atari refugee camp during a Dec. 12-15 trip to Jordan.
  
Eaton, who was joined by Archbishop Antje Jackelen of the Church of Sweden and Gloria Rojas Vargas, former church president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile, visited the camp's Peace Oasis, a compound operated by The Lutheran World Federation (LWF). While there, the church leaders talked with refugee families, listening to their stories about life in the camp. Many families are facing their fifth winter being displaced from their homes.
  
Online Farewell Show
Join Lost and Found one last time.
  
The Farewell concerts, one at 4:00pm Eastern Time and one at 7:00pm Eastern Time. You've reached the "early show," but you can go back and search for the later show if that fits your schedule better. Please join us on line for this all-request show.
  
We'll play about 12-15 songs during the one-hour show. All of the songs will be selected by ticket-holders. Which ever songs have the most support will be played. Once you have a ticket, either email us your song request at [email protected], or post it in the feed for this show on this site. We'll see which songs are most requested, and at the show we will talk a bit about the requested songs and play them live.
  
Who knows what the list will be? Let The People decide. Our assumption is that the early and late shows will be different since they are both all requests.
  
We have enjoyed 29 years of touring and we hope you will join us for these end-of-year, end-of-farewell-tour shows.
  
Tidbits
No eNews next week
There will be no regularly scheduled eNews next week as the office will be closed from December 24, 2015 until we reopen on Monday, January 4, 2016.
  
IRS Announces 2016 Mileage Rates
The Internal Revenue Service has issued its 2016 optional standard mileage rates. Due to falling gas prices, mileage reimbursement rates have dropped to their lowest amount in the past five years. The rate for 2016 is $.54.
  
Congregational Reports
Forms A and C are used to compile data on membership, Christian education and financial information, among other things. The resulting trend reports can be useful tools for congregations, synods and the whole ELCA. Congregations are asked to fill out these important forms as soon as possible in the new year.
  
2016 Synod Council Meeting Schedule
February 22, 12:00 p.m., Synod Office
April 25, 12:00 p.m., Synod Office
June 24-25, Council Retreat, TBA
September 12, 12:00 p.m., Synod Office
  
2016 Office Closure Schedule
January 1 - New Year's Day
January 18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 15 - President's Day
March 28 - Easter Monday
May 30 - Memorial Day
July 4 - Independence Day
September 5 - Labor Day
November 24 - Thanksgiving
December 24 - 29 - Christmas/New Year's
  
It's not too early to think about Synod Assembly
The next synod assembly is June 9-11 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Remember all resolutions of a theological nature or regarding social statements to be proposed to the assembly must be turned in by May 25, 2016 at Noon according to the constitution. Remember, it is important to choose your voting members for synod assembly early. Voting members are encouraged to join the eNews list to stay informed of updates and news regarding the assembly.
  
Community Epiphany Service
Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church is hosting the annual Community Epiphany Service on Wednesday, January 6, beginning at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. The service is a celebration to the conclusion of the Christmas season with a candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols featuring The Palmetto Mastersingers. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited. Mt. Hermon is located at 3011 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 803-794-6430 or 803-920-4087
  
Say no to clutter
Say no to clutter. Think about "Starting fresh" this new year with less clutter. In The Lutheran's January issue, readers tell what they've tossed-and how cleaning has revived mission. Ask, "Who wants our hymnals?" Get tips from a pro. And see how an author responds to the question: "Do you really think I want to live this way?" To help your discussion of this cover story, visit www.thelutheran.org and click on "Study guides" on the left-hand side.
  
Save the Date
LTSS is hosting its annual scholarship weekend, an introduction to seminary life, Feb. 26 and 27. If you are contemplating seminary or know someone who is considering seminary for the Fall 2016 term or the Spring 2017 term, this is the event to attend! Prospective students will interview with the administration, faculty and enrollment staff for the largest scholarships the seminary has to award. One of the largest challenges about seminary is being able to afford it. This event can help reduce this obstacle. To get an invitation to register, send a completed enrollment application by Feb. 1, along with official transcripts, pastor reference, lay-person reference, academic reference, essay and candidacy information/ecclesiastical endorsement. Questions? Contact Kohl Friery, O: 803-461-3296, C: 828-358-6277.
  
Lutheran Ethicists' Gathering
Register now for "Security and Vulnerability in the Light of Global Realities: Living in the Shadow of Empire," this year's Lutheran Ethicists' Gathering. (Registration ends December 30, 2014.) This event of the ELCA's Theological Discernment Team (January 6 & 7, 2015 at the Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Canada) annually brings together ethically attentive Christians whether ethicists, pastors, chaplains, teachers, or lay people. This year's program features Canadian perspectives on security and vulnerability.
  
Help Wanted: Full-time Director of Faith Formation--Holy Cross, Athens, Northeast Georgia
The primary purpose of this position is to contribute to the formation of the spiritual lives of children, youth and adults by planning, implementing, and overseeing faith formation ministries for persons of all ages. In particular, the DFF is expected to support and strengthen the children's and youth ministry, maintain a strong small group ministry, and develop a senior adult ministry. -- The successful candidate can maintain highly professional organized programming and events, has a college degree (preferrably with some iblical studies), a minimum of three years of ministry experience or a degree in Christian Education, and extensive volunteer experience or equivalent. Knowledge and understanding of special needs is a plus, as is familiarity with social media and ability to work with multiple technologies.
A complete job description and application details are at www.HolyCrossAthens.com (tab "For You & Job Openings").
  
Help Wanted: Full-time Director of Faith Formation--Holy Cross, Athens, Northeast Georgia
The PA/M serves as the "go-to" person for all administrative and worship logistics matters, supports the pastor and program staff, and manages individuals, teams, outside vendors, subordinate staff, and some projects. He or she also manages the database system (ACS), assures the production and distribution of all current electronic and social media (Website, E-news, and Facebook),and explores the use of blogs, Twitter, Instagram, and other emerging media. The successful candidate will be self-motivated; highly organized;personable; skilled in recruiting and coaching volunteers; able to work alone as well as in partnership with supervisors, other staff members, and volunteers; familiar with formal and informal lines of authority and communication in a non-profitor volunteer-based organization; skilled in using social media and the ACS datbase system; experienced in successfully delegating assignments; and have flexible availability as some weekend work may be required.
A complete job description and application details are at www.HolyCrossAthens.com (tab "For You & Job Openings").
And a time to laugh...
What did Adam say on the day before Christmas?
It's Christmas, Eve!
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