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 A message from Bishop Strickland on the challenges of these days and what it means to support one another in difficult times.

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News From Around the Synod

Milagro Gala 2020

SAVE THE DATE:  September 12, 2020, at 7pm EDT / 6pm CDT

The ELCA Southeastern Synod and the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG) are companion synods—we offer mutual care to one another through relationship building, prayer, and program support. Since its founding in 1991, ILAG has ministered to people living on the margins of Guatemalan society, particularly the indigenous poor. One of ILAG’s key programs is the MILAGRO Women’s Education Center, a school dedicated to empowering rural Guatemalan women through education. 
 
The Southeast Synod has hosted a Guatemala Gala the past two years to raise funds for the school. This year we are going VIRTUAL, so save the date and stay tuned for more details about how you can support this work.  Click here to learn more about the Milagro Gala.

#MILAGROGALA2020

 

Synod Council Gathers September 12

Please keep your Southeastern Synod Council in your prayers as they begin preparations to meet September 11-12 over ZOOM.

Click here to see the synod council agenda, who serves on synod council, and more.

 

Rev. Dr. Everett Flanigan Retirement Celebration

On Sunday, September 13, at 4pm EDT / 3pm CDT, we will gather ONLINE to give thanks for ministry of Rev. Dr. Everett Flanigan.  He has contributed much to this synod and the wider church.

REGISTER HERE to join this time of thanksgiving for Dr. Flanigan's work and ministry.

 

"Death by Disparities: How Medical Bias Kills" - an ONLINE Forum

SAVE THE DATE:  Sunday, September 13, 1-3pm EDT / 12noon-2pm CDT

The Community Engagement ministry of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer will present their first Forum.  This is part of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Poverty and Social Justice Series.
 
This informative and provocative Forum will feature a panel of experts that will cover how health bias kills, how a lack of community resources leads to health inequities, and what congregations can do to advocate for change.

Click here to learn more.   Registration begins on August 24, 2020.
 

 

An Evening with Nadia Bolz-Weber (online event)

Thursday, September 3, 7pm EDT / 6pm CDT

Tyson House is proud to present an evening with Nadia Bolz-Weber, author of Shameless: A Sexual Reformation and other books on faith and life. Her talk, which has now been converted to a ticketed webinar via Zoom, will feature a talk, followed by a Q&A session, with a time for pre-submitted questions followed by questions from the attendees.

Click here or more information and to REGISTER!!!

 

Lutheranch Moves Barn Grand Opening ONLINE

Sunday, September 20, 2020, is still the date for the grand opening of the Barn, but due to safety concerns, the event has moved to an ONLINE event.

More details available here!

 

ELCA - 500th Anniversary of "Freedom of a Christian"

To commemorate the anniversary, the ELCA has developed a study guide and other resources, available at elca500.org, to deepen readers’ engagement with the 500-year-old text. As a partner in this project, Fortress Press has generously made available a complimentary download of the treatise, available through 2020.

For more information, click HERE.

 

For our Leaders

Rostered Ministers: Sign up for Time with Bishop Strickland

Bishop Strickland is inviting all Rostered Ministers to register for a conversation with each of you during this global pandemic.  These gatherings will be in a group setting with other Rostered Ministers.   Please register for one of the four sessions and you will be sent the link for this conversation on Zoom.  For those unable to video conference in, there will also be a phone in option to join.

Here are the time slots available:

  • Monday, August 24, 10am EDT / 9am CDT
  • Monday, August 24, 3pm EDT / 2pm CDT
  • Wednesday, August 26, 9am EDT / 10am CDT
  • Thursday, August 27, 4:30pm EDT / 3:30pm CDT

SIGN UP HERE!

 

Stewardship Resource Updates!!!

We are excited to share some new stewardship resources. Some of our congregations are seeing an increased emphasis on stewardship, with many stepping up to support the virtual ministries and to ensure that the congregations remain alive and well. Other congregations are struggling week to week. Where ever your congregation lands, we know and trust in God's abundance, and we as a synod are here to help!

Click here to see these important Stewardship UPDATES!!!

 

Disaster Coordinator TRAINING

Saturday, August 29, 9:30am EDT / 8:30am CDT

This webinar is designed to equip congregational coordinators with skills and tools to assist their congregations to prepare and respond in the event of a disaster within their communities.

Click HERE to sign up!

 

Congregational Guidance Webinar (Round 4) Follow-up

Bishop Strickland, the synod staff, and many of your congregations' leaders gathered on August 3, 2020, to share some guidance for how to be the Church in the midst of this pandemic, and how to support your rostered ministers in these days.

Please CLICK HERE to see the recording of this webinar and a HUGE list of resources for you.

 

POSTPONED - Region 9 Rostered Women's Gathering

The Region 9 Rostered Women's Gathering scheduled for November 2020 has been postponed until Fall 2021 due to the virus and concerns for the health and well being of our pastors and deacons.

 

Leadership Convocation???

Not sure where registration forms are?  That’s because we moved Leadership Convocation to January 25-28, 2021!   This event will still take place at Lutheridge, in Arden, NC.   More information to come soon.
 

Narrative Preaching Workshops

Columbia Theological Seminary is providing this workshop series, starting September 21, 2020.   Sign up for this course to examine the power of story to transform congregational consciousness, embrace one’s pastoral identity, and engage God and the world God loves. Particular attention will be paid to narrative forms and storytelling methods.  Fee is $190.  

Click HERE to sign up.
 

Health & Wellness

Webinar - Help with Burnout and Fatigue (for rostered ministers)

Tuesday, August 18, 11am EDT / 10am CDT

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.

 

Webinar - Trauma-Informed Care (for rostered ministers)

Tuesday, August 25, 11am EDT / 10am CDT

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.

 

Southeastern Synod Unveils NEW Mental Health Website!

https://www.elca-ses.org/MentalHealth

In response to the 2019 Synod Assembly resolution regarding much-needed work in the Mental Health arena, the synod's Mental Health Task Force is proud to share this new website resource for you.

Many are unsure of which resources to trust.   We are here to help with that process.  Check out this website for mental health resources in our four states of GA, AL, MS, and TN.

NOTE:  This will take you a different web page, even though it is linked from our website's Ministries tab.

 

Blog Post:  Running Essential Errands...and Handwashing

The need for handwashing never changes and we certainly are reminded daily in the climate of COVID – 19 of the importance of handwashing.  This article however is not just about handwashing!  It is about ALL that we can do to prevent the spread of COVID – 19 as we work to prevent ourselves and others from being infected with the Coronavirus.   

Click here to read Connie Pearson's health blog post for more tips on staying healthy.

 

Children, Youth, and Young Adult

Southeastern Synod Campus Ministry SUMMIT

On Thursday, August 13, 2020, the campus ministry staff and student leaders of the Southeastern Synod will gather (ONLINE) to discuss what ministry is looking like in the midst of a pandemic, specifically for our young adults attending college.

This even is being hosted by our Campus Ministry team.

To learn more about our campus ministries, click here.

 

All TN Lutheran Youth Gathering

SAVE THE DATE:  November 14-15, 2020

Location:  St. Timothy LC, Hendersonville, TN (or ONLINE)

Check back to our All TN Youth Gathering page on the synod youth page for more details soon.

 

SESLYO Board Meeting

Our Southeastern Synod Lutheran Youth Organization board met on August 7, 8 and 9, virtually.   In their gathering, they developed a theme for the year, selected a bible story to support the theme, and began developing workshops for the 2021 SESLYO Assembly in March 2021.

We also welcomed in three new adult advisors:  Pr. Dawn Bennett, Pr. Noah Herron (as adult chaplain), and Mr. Brian Vanenburg.  Thank you for serving!

Click here to learn more about SESLYO!

 

Rostered Ministers Transitions

Ordinations:

  • Ms. Nyahaley Labor - August 16, 2020 - Epiphany, Conyers
    • To serve as Associate Pastor, serving particularly with Multi-Cultural Ministry
  • Mr. Jason Davis - September 20, 2020 - St. Mark's, Huntsville
    • To serve as Associate Pastor

 

Installations:

  • Rev. Devin Strong, Pastor - Spirit of Peace, Richmond Hill - August 23
  • Rev. Randy Jones, Pastor - First United, Kennesaw, GA - August 23
  • Rev. Scott Sessler, Senior Pastor - Trinity, Lilburn, GA - August 30
  • Rev. Steve Alsleben, Pastor - Triumphant Cross, Dothan – September, 13
  • Rev. Ruth Hamilton, Interim Pastor, All Saints, Lilburn, GA 9/20
  • Rev. Steve Renner, Pastor - Messiah, Montgomery - October 11
  • Rev. Jenny McLellan, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care - Redeemer, Atlanta – October 11

 

Bishop’s Elections:

  • Rev. Amy Luann Current – Elected as bishop of Southeastern Iowa Synod

 

 

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ELCA
Southeastern
Synod

 

St. John's Lutheran Church
Physical Address:
1410 N Ponce de Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307

404-589-1977

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 400
Decatur, GA 30031


 

As always, please feel free to visit our website for more information:

www.elca-ses.org

 

 


 

For questions or concerns regarding our regular or special enews, please contact: Rev. Michael Jannett - Assistant to the Bishop for Formation and Communication MJannett@elca-ses.org

 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Southeastern Synod,
c/o St. John's Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307