Headlines: Partnerships, Presiding Bishop, Reformation, and more.
Joining neighbors, serving boldly, loving all, through Christ.
Partnering with Public Schools
By the Rev. Nathan Rice
  
It is that time of year again. It is time to put away the flip flops and get out the bookbags and lunch boxes. The school year is about to begin again. The Public Education Task Force would like to remind you of the emphasis that our synod is placing on partnering with public schools in the communities in which you worship. As we discussed at our most recent Synod Assembly, our dream is for every congregation in our synod to pray for and work with the public schools in our communities. Please take some time to pray about where God may be leading you and your congregation this year as a new school year begins. Some avenues you might consider include ministries such as mentoring, tutoring, after school homework support, school supply drives, and backpack ministries. We also hope that you will pray for students, teachers, and school staff during worship on August 14th or August 21st. The Public Education Task Force has made a litany available for you to print, modify, and use as needed. We have also included with that litany a summary of the Public Education Resolution passed at the 2015 Synod Assembly. This resource can be found in the Public Education Task Force section of the synod website.
  
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Nathan Rice at: [email protected].
Wild Women Group Registration is Open!
February 3-5, February 10-12, March 10-12, March 17-19, March 24-26, 2017 (All Friday-Sunday)
  
Adult women of all ages will gain fresh vision and strength in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bring a group to deepen fellowship with women you know or come alone to find kindred spirits with women from across the southeast. We'll celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by learning from Wild Reformation women from many denominations: Katie Luther, Katharina Zell, Jane Grey and others. Their stories will challenge and inspire! Delightful storytelling, fun activities, engaging crafts and conversation all center on bible study and worship. Let God call you to bold new adventures! Become a Wild Woman at Lutheridge!
  
Group Registration: May 1 - August 1. Group Registration Form and Group Registration Instructions
  
Group Registration for Week 3 is closed, individual registration will open in August.
  
Individual Registration opens August 15.
  
Leader: Pastor Mary Canniff-Kuhn, Lutheridge Program Director & Storyteller $215 per person
  
Call (828) 209-6329 to register today!
Cell Towers as Part of Church Landscapes
By Viki Sox Fecas - Emmanuel, West Columbia
  
It's the phone call that every church treasurer would love to receive! Someone calls and offers a 'guaranteed revenue stream for the next 50 years'. This would allow them to pay down the mortgage, hire additional staff and expand some ministries. Where do they sign?
  
While it seems like a no brainer, it's important that the congregation pray about it, discuss it thoroughly and educate themselves about what is at stake. Cell tower companies see churches as attractive sites because many times they are on higher ground - which is great for radio signals to propagate, and they are likely to be around for many years to come. But cell tower companies are for-profit companies. This means that they are trying to position themselves for the most advantageous deal.
  
Negotiating a fair deal for the church typically begins with initial discussions with a site acquisition consultant who works for the cell tower company. For instance, do they wish to locate a tower on your property or put an antenna in the steeple? If in the steeple, where will the equipment cage be located? How would the church address the cell company's required 24x7 access to the rooftop? What happens if the church needs to replace the rooftop where the antenna is located or needs to relocate a tower? Also, what type of power will be needed and what type of utility easement may be required across the property to run power to the site? A myriad of factual and site-specific questions come up for each church.
  
ELCA presiding bishop issues statement on police shootings
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, has released a statement in response to the shootings in Baton Rouge and Dallas that killed eight police officers.
  
My soul is bereft of peace: I have forgotten what happiness is. (Lamentations 3:17)
  
Too often in the past months we have been stunned by violence. Last Sunday in Baton Rouge, and earlier this month in Dallas, police were the target. Many in our congregations serve in law enforcement. These are our brothers and sisters, children of God who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe, who risk their lives for strangers.
  
Reformation 500 Sourcebook Now Available from Augsburg Fortress
Oct. 31, 2017, will mark 500 years since the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation, spurred by Martin Luther's posting of the Ninety-Five Theses. This is an important anniversary and one that deserves to be lifted up not just on a global scale - as it will be - but in your congregation and community as well. Through several avenues, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Augsburg Fortress will be highlighting a wide range of ideas and possibilities from various sources with ways to mark and observe this milestone.
  
As congregations plan the ways they will mark the Reformation's 500th anniversary, this Reformation 500 Sourcebook will be an essential guide. The content is gathered into three main sections that focus on the areas of worship, education and service. Within these covers you will find a treasury of ideas for planning worship services, education events, music festivals, service projects and connections with other Christians. A CD-ROM of reproducible, customizable content is also included. To order your copy today, visit AugsburgFortress.org or call Augsburg Fortress at 800-328-4648.
  
Along with this sourcebook, watch for more information about additional resources for engaging the Reformation today. Sign up to receive the latest news by email.
Tidbits
Scholarships Available
The Lifelong Faith Formation Network has scholarships available for conferences, workshops, and seminars pertaining to Christian Education, Faith formation, etc. Please notify Deborah Poole if interested. She may be reached at 803-359-2223 or [email protected].
  
Help Wanted: Part-time Hospitality Minister - Incarnation, Columbia
Incarnation Lutheran Church is seeking a Hospitality Minister to work 20 hours a week, September through May, at the church's campus at 3005 Devine Street. Job duties include, but are not limited to, preparing healthy and nutritious meals for Wednesday lunches (about 20 persons) and dinners for up to 60 people, managing the church kitchen, and assisting church volunteers as needed with church events and activities. Please send resume to: Pastor Mary Anderson, [email protected], by August 7, 2016.
  
Help Wanted: Part-time custodian position - Shepherd of the Sea, Garden City
Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church is seeking a part-time Custodian / Janitor to work 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Monday through Friday (25 hours per week). Duties include, but are not limited to, cleaning, room set-up, basic facility maintenance and other assigned duties. The successful candidate is a Christian, hard-working, self-motivated and have reliable transportation. A complete job description will be provided to interested persons that request an Employment Application Package. Please provide an e-mail address to send Employment Application Package.
For more information call 843-651-7377.
  
The Deaconess Community is Hiring a Director of Operations
The Deaconess Community is seeking a Director of Operations. We are a community of women who are public leaders in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). The Director of Operations will provide vital leadership overseeing the management and administration of the finances, programs and operations of the Deaconess Community. Working with a leadership team this individual will support the community's vision and direction as well as develop and implement the community's organizational strategy. The Director of Operations is also responsible for managing the day-to-day operations necessary to ensure that the organization achieves its objectives as well as working with the leadership team to develop ongoing strategic goals. Interested candidates are invited to send their resume and cover letter to Cathy David at [email protected] by Monday August 15th. Anticipated start date October 1, 2016.
  
How to care for stained glass
Many church buildings incorporate a variety of stained-glass windows that glorify God, memorialize benefactors, and beautify the worship space. The value of these windows-financially, historically and sentimentally-is significant. Thus, caring for and preserving them is an important aspect of church facilities management.
  
Sparkhouse Bookfair
Host a book fair and get 13 free Sparkhouse family titles. By hosting a book fair, your church can give children and families the chance to continue their faith during the week. Sparkhouse Family will send you a shipment of Bibles, books, and a DVD during the first week of October. These 13 resources are yours to keep for free after hosting your book fair for two weeks between October 9 - November 6.
  
The latest edition of The Ripple is now available.
Download the latest edition of the official newsletter of the South Carolina Women of the ELCA.
And a time to laugh...
The Sermon
A little girl became restless as the preacher's sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?"
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