Headlines: Bishop Eaton Article, Honoring Grace, and more.
Joining neighbors, serving boldly, loving all, through Christ.
The South Carolina Lutheran eNews
Honoring Grace Weed
By The Rev. Eric Wolf, Assistant to the Bishop
  
Grace Weed has been a mainstay of youth ministry in the South Carolina Synod for over thirty years. She not only served in congregations to lead and support youth ministry, she served as a leader, supporter, and cheerleader for synodical youth ministry by staffing and leading events for the South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth and serving many years on the Youth Ministry Cabinet. Grace taught us, fed us, chased after us, mothered us, and loved so many of us over the years, and we're all so grateful for all these things.
  
As Grace was preparing for her death, she did what she always does, she gave us our marching orders! Her request was for her LCY "kids" (both her young youth and adult youth) to sing at her funeral. All are welcome to join us in singing Shine, Jesus, Shine and Friends.
  
If you're able to join us at Christus Victor at 1pm for practice, please do! If not, know that you're still welcome to join us.
  
If you can be at practice, please feel free to bring an instrument as well!
  
Grace taught us many lessons over the years, but the most important lesson for her has always been the strength we have together in community in Christ. Come and celebrate Grace, and let's sing!
  
The funeral service will be on May 5 at 2:00 p.m. at Christus Victor Lutheran Church located at 400 Harbison Blvd. Columbia, SC 29210.
  
Read the obituary here.
"I Want to Make Lutheridge My Home"
By Kasra Beck, Public Relations and Marketing Assistant NovusWay Ministries
  
"I want to make Lutheridge my home." That's what Willis Moore said when I talked to hime about his camp experience. Willis has been a SummerShine camper for a number of years, and he is one of the many faces staff wait to see each summer at Lutheridge. When I asked his fellow campers what their favorite part of camp was, the most common answer, agreed upon by all was, "EVERYTHING!" and I couldn't have said it better myself! The SummerShine Program, for developmentally delayed adults and youth, which has a 45 year history at Lutheridge, is a program frequented by many who return summer after summer. Campers are able to enjoy favorite camp activities (crafts, pool, Bible study, etc.) as well as special events like karaoke and bingo that have proven to be SummerShine favorites, enabling them to make new friends and spend a week of their summer enjoying what Lutheridge has to offer!
  
John Greene's answer to my question was a heart-warming, "I love Lutheridge because all of the counselors are my best friends." SummerShine campers bring so much love and joy to camp each year. There is so much to be learned about the love of the Lord through the eyes of SummerShine campers. Thanks to this one-of-a-kind program, Lutheridge is privileged to see that love every summer between the arrival and departure of this group of loving, passionate, insightful, and one-of-a-kind children of God.
  
If you wish to know more about the SummerShine program, please contact Pastor Mary Canniff-Kuhn at [email protected].
Human / Sex Trafficking
This year at the 2016 Synod Assembly the topic of Human/Sex Trafficking will be addressed during one of the Discipleship Experiences. It is an ongoing and growing problem in our country. ICare4 and Lutheran Services Carolinas are partnering to bring information on ways our congregations may help. One way during the Assembly Discipleship Experience will be to decorate canvas tote bags with a painted design and then pack them with essential items for emergency relief. Many of the children, young men and women who are rescued only have the clothes they are wearing when rescued. The Discipleship Committee extends to all congregations the opportunity to donate items to pack into these bags. Listed below are items your Voting Members and Visitors may bring to assembly registration desk.
  • T- Shirts size; small-extra large 
  • Pants-stretchy, mid-calf in the style of exercise pants; small-extra large 
  • Hair care products for both Caucasian, Hispanic and African American Hair combs, picks and/or brushes 
  • Hair Twisty etc... 
  • Personal Care Items-Tooth brushes, Tooth paste, Deodorant 
  • Notepads (journal style) and pen 
  • Small Reusable water bottle 
  • Small stuffed animal 
  • Inspirational notes
ELCA presiding bishop joins faith leaders at peace summit
By Candice Hill Buchbinder, ELCA News
  
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined leaders of Christian churches and church-related organizations from the United States and the Holy Land in Atlanta April 19-20 for "Pursuing Peace and Strengthening Presence: The Atlanta Summit of American and Palestinian Churches."
  
This first-ever gathering of American and Palestinian Christians in the United States focused on exploring the role of Christian churches in peacemaking in Israel-Palestine and helping strengthen the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
  
"It was significant that a broad spectrum of Christian churches - Evangelicals to Orthodox, historic black denominations as well as mainline denominations - participated," said Eaton. "This diverse coalition has more credibility than the usual alliances. The freedom of Palestine, the security of the state of Israel and the preservation of Arab Christianity in the Holy Land are not political issues for a few but a faith issue for many."
  
Tidbits
Assembly Reminder
The last day to order meals and t-shirts for the Synod Assembly is May 18th.
  
Wanna help plan the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston?
Applications for youth and adults will be accepted until July 1
  
The Archival Survey
The Spring edition of the Archival Survey, the newsletter of the James R. Crumley, Jr. Archives, is now available.
  
Love your neighbor.
In her May column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton reminds us that love of God and love of neighbor should be the way to engage society, especially during this election year.
Reader her column here >>
  
The Ripple is now available
The South Carolina Women of the ELCA's newsletter, The Ripple is now available.
  
Called Forward Together in Christ
Congregations are Called Forward, as the ELCA, to reach a shared understanding about the ministries that are most important and to assess whether the structures that were set up for the ELCA are right for the future. Plus, we need to ask how we can use our resources in the best possible way. Your input is essential! At the link below, more information and a toolkit are offered to aid your congregation as they embark on this important journey that we all are taking together.
  
Practice Discipleship Webinar: Wondering with Children & Youth
Join presenter Jeremy Myers on Thursday, May 14 at 2:00 p.m. for this important webinar. One of the most important things we can do for the children, youth and families we serve is to help them think theologically. Thinking theologically is not the memorization and regurgitation of dogma or doctrine. Rather, it is the active and fluid reflection on God's current and ongoing activity in our lives and communities. It is not reserved for only pastors or adults, it is for all of us. This workshop will help you discover ways to help children, youth and families wonder together about God and reflect on God's redemptive action in our world.
  
Help Wanted: Augustus, Trappe, Pennsylvania
Position Available: Coordinator of Faith Development Augustus Lutheran Church is seeking an active Christian to serve as Coordinator of Faith Development. The candidate should: Have a strong faith life, Be a self-starter in developing new programs for adults, Possess hospitality skills to welcome people, Have recruiting skills, Possess organizational skills, Have creativity in faith development across generations, Work well with a team, and Work effectively across generations. The candidate should have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Education, preferably in Christian Education. Compensation is negotiable depending upon qualifications and experience. The Coordinator is responsible for overall leadership in the areas of: Adult faith development, Middle School First Communion and Confirmation Ministry, Sunday School (3 year olds through grade 6), NS High School Ministry (grades 9-12). Augustus is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) located in central Montgomery County, PA with a rich history.
Resumes should be emailed to Pastor Weleck: [email protected].
  
Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network
LEVN is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelors degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer work and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2016 to the end of July 2017, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health insurance, transportation, spiritual direction, and a $400/month food stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the end of the program for moving expenses. The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, the Sierra Pacific Synod office, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. We meet each week for worship, dinner, and discussion. The corps members live in intentional community in a 4-bedroom apartment in Davis, CA. We're an ecumenical program in the Episcopal Service Corps network; applicants need not be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply-interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation. Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Kloehn at 530-756- 1550 or [email protected] for more information!
  
Retirement Celebration
Pastor Robert Byrne has announced his retirement (effective June 1, 2016) from St. Paul, Aiken. His last day in service to St Paul will be on May 8th. The Congregation will gather to honor him on that day to praise his service and celebrate his well-earned retirement. All are welcome.
And a time to laugh...
After starting a new diet I altered my drive to work to avoid passing my favorite bakery. I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and as I approached, there in the window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed ... "Lord, it's up to you, if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery."
And sure enough, on the eighth time around the block, there it was! God is so Good!"
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