As we pursue peace and justice in all the earth, we share with you an updated response in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as two opportunities to engage in racial justice ministry. Our ongoing ministry opportunities and stories follow these three important updates.
Pastoral Message from Bishop Strickland Regarding COVID-19
REGISTER: JUST MERCY Movie Viewing and Discussion
Sunday, 7/19, 3pm EDT / 2pm CDT
REGISTER: Interview with Rev. Robert W. Lee
"Reckoning with Racism and Heritage of the South"
Tuesday, July 21, 7pm EDT / 6pm CDT
| News From Around the Synod |
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Tornado levels Tennessee sanctuary, but it hasn’t stopped the church from helping others. Click here to read an article by Thrivent about St. John's, Donelson, TN. Learn how - even in the after of a devastating tornado - St. John's carries on with God's Mission in the world!
Be blessed, Pr. Rick Roberts and the people of St. John's!!! Read more here.
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As if the story above (St. John's, Donelson, TN) was not enough, we are so thankful for Thrivent for providing Action Team grants, so that the people of St. John's, Donelson, TN, could provide books and activity bags for children in their community.
Click here to read more.
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Celebration, Mt. Juliet, TN, is 1 of 15 congregations to receive a food insecurity grant made possible by a joint effort between Lutheran Disaster Response and our synod's Disaster Response team.
Click here to see how these funds help bring food to the Mt. Juliet Help Center and those they serve.
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We are seeking a 60-second or less video (or even still photos) that captures the concept of what it means for your ministry / congregation to THRIVE in these times. We know that generosity and gratitude help to inform the concept of thriving.
Please read here to see how you can participate!
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Quick! What’s your favorite hymn? If you answered “I Love to Tell the Story” then I’ve got an opportunity for you!
The ELCA’s Mission Interpretation Ministry (MIM) was formed in 1993 to share with others how God is active in our lives and in our communities. We have a story to tell and it is God’s story as written in scripture, and our story as God has touched our lives and the lives of those around us.
The ELCA MIM is holding several trainings this fall. We have a limited number of spots for this training. To learn more CLICK HERE.
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We all know that the last four months and even before have been extremely stressful for everyone due to a variety of issues surrounding Covid-19. While stress is a big part of our normal everyday lives, it is how we respond to the stress that affects our health. Long-term stress can increase an individual’s risk for depression and anxiety, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, type 2 diabetes and many other health problems.
CLICK HERE to read more.
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You need a place to get away. You need a place to gather in God’s good creation with family and friends. You need a place apart. Physical-distancing measures are in place for your protection.
Click here to learn about the Vacation Specials available to you.
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Picture Request: Women in Ministry Celebration!
Rostered women! The Southeastern Synod would like to celebrate you and the 50 year anniversary of the ordination of women and the 40 year anniversary of the ordination of women of color. We're creating a video and want to include a picture of you in ministry. Please send pictures to Pastor Karen Boda at kboda@elca-ses.org. Thank you!
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An above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is expected, according to predictions and forecasts by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. It is more important than ever to stay well-informed about hurricane preparedness measures.
Click here to read more about staying safe during a hurricane.
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Advocacy is about being the voice of the voiceless, and being a voice of justice. Was your voice heard? Did the voices of those in the Southeastern Synod make a difference? We don't know, but we are called to the holy work of being a voice for justice.
In Georgia, we recently saw the enactment of HB426 put into law. That is real.
Read more on what Advocacy is and how the Southeastern Synod is doing God's work with our voices and phone calls and letter writing.
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Are you a rostered minister experiencing compassion fatigue, burnout, or secondary trauma? Do you know a rostered minister experiencing these - or similar - issues? The Southeastern Synod Mental Health Task Force is here to help.
Click here to SIGN UP.
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Trauma-informed care is the open-mindedness and compassion that all people deserve, because anyone can have a history that impacts their encounter with a rostered minister who wishes to give care. Come and learn from medical professionals how we can approach care in the most healthy way possible.
Be sure to sign up by CLICKING HERE.
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This webinar was held on Thursday, June 25, 2020. We gathered experts from the ELCA to share about Children and Youth Ministry in this challenging time.
Click here to see a recording of this webinar and to gain access to several important resources shared during this gathering.
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As anxiety rises for your young people in our midst, we need help. Please know that you are not alone in your struggles. Here are some hotlines you can use to help you through these tough times in which we live.
These resources are part of a more extensive web resource that our Mental Health Task Force is putting together.
Click here for hotlines dedicated to issues that are focused on our younger people.
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"We are word-shaped beings who live word-shaped lives within word-shaped communities” (Jonathan Merritt).
Grace House is happy to announce our Passion Collective application is live for next year!
Come live and work alongside students in the metro Atlanta area, living in an international Christian discernment house!
We will be monitoring COVID-19 updates and will be adjusting the programming according to recommended compassionate guidelines.
Contact Pastor Andrew (andrew@gracepeople.org) for more info!
Or, CLICK HERE.
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- For the family and friends of Ms. Laverne Thompson (wife of retired Pr. Charles Thompson)
- Death of Pr. Susan Thisell's brother, John
- Pr. Esther Godfrey as she recovers from an automobile accident
- Death of Assistant to the Bishop Melissa Fuller Sim’s cousin, Dan
- Deacon Jo Hood as she recovers from a fall
- South Carolina Synod as they meet virtually in assembly on July 25 and elect their new bishop
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Blessing and Prayer for Seminarians...
Patient and loving God, we praise you for those among us preparing for word, sacrament, and service leadership within your church.
We give you thanks for these servants’ willingness to hear and answer your call, make life changes, and take up your work throughout creation.
Spread your Spirit’s stirring energy over all our seminarians.
Sustain them with your living word and meal.
Give them holy breath for enduring life’s struggles, for studying your word, and for trusting in your call.
May we as congregations, seminaries, and synods hold our seminarians in love, support, and prayer, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
From sundaysandseasons.com.
