Faith Formation Days for Laity
Sundays in October 2020
3:00-4:30pm EDT / 2:00-3:30pm CDT
(Click image below to register TODAY)
- October 4 - Worship 101: Why We Do What We Do
- October 11 - Say Her Name: Naming the Witness of Nameless Women in the Bible
- October 18 - With Glad and Generous Hearts: a Look at Stewardship of Self, Congregation, and Church
- October 25 - Telling the Story of Jesus: Evangelism in the 21st Century
For more information - AND TO REGISTER - click HERE.
News From Around the Synod |
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Here is a letter from Bishop Strickland that we urge every congregation to read, regarding the re-opening of congregational spaces.
Thank you for making the time to hear from Bishop Strickland and the COVID-19 Task Force. You can find this letter and other COVID-19 response resources on our Synod's Covid Response page
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Here is a wonderful New York Times article about the magnificent witness of the Rev. Robert S. Graetz, including a brief quote from Robert, from his memoirs:
“We feel God has given us the unique privilege of standing with one foot in the Black community and one foot in the white,” Mr. Graetz wrote in his memoir. “It may not be comfortable, but that is where we are. And until God tells us it is time to slow down, we intend to keep pressing ahead with our witness.”
Click HERE to read the entire article.
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The Southeastern Synod Disaster Ministry Committee is currently working in partnership with Inspiritus’ Disaster Team to provide assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. We are grateful for the leadership of Pastor Hope Knobler, who serves Grace Lutheran Church in Gulf Shores, AL. Please consider making donation to aid our relief efforts, and, if you are comfortable, we invite to consider joining ongoing relief efforts
Click HERE to see our Synod's Disaster Response page for more details.
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Have you wondered what the Poor People's Campaign entails? Are you curious how to join in the efforts for this important work? Here is where you can learn more about the Poor People's Campaign from synod pastor, the Rev. Gordon Myers. Read his invitation HERE.
To learn more about general advocacy work in our synod, please click HERE.
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Thank you for your support of the Virtual Guatemala Gala 2020!
We had an estimated 1,800 viewers tuned in to the Virtual GALA on September 12th. Eighteen Hundred!
We humbly thank you for this generous support, your Southeastern Synod Guatemala Gala Team
Click HERE to learn to learn about our results from the Gala and to learn more about Milagro.
#MILAGROGALA2020
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Living Grace Lutheran Church invites you to this Bible Study which honors Women's Ordination and Anniversaries among American Lutherans. A four-week Bible Study around the themes of Proclaiming, Restoring, Celebrating.
Dates: 24 September and 1 and 8 October
Time: 7 pm to 9 pm EDT
Via ZOOM
Register HERE.
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All Saints Liturgy - November 1, 4pm EDT / 3pm EDT - livestream
Bishop Strickland will be leading an All Saints Liturgy via livestream from Redeemer LC, Atlanta, on Nov 1, 4pm EDT / 3pm CDT.
The video will also be made available via the synod Facebook Page.
This liturgy will give us a chance to lament all we've lost during this pandemic, but also to be commissioned to share God's hope with this weary world.
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Via Zoom, October 14, 21, 28, and Nov. 4, 9:00-10:15am EDT / 8:00-9:15am CDT
Join Professor Rachel Wrenn and Bishop Kevin Strickland for a four-week lectionary study on the Advent texts and opportunity to talk about worship planning.
Click HERE to sign up.
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Jill Knueppel, a licensed massage therapist in Georgia with 22 years of experience working with Atlanta area chiropractors, is offering bodywork sessions to aid ELCA rostered persons around the Atlanta area. These sessions are being offered at a significant discount from her usual charges and will be conducted in COVID safe conditions.
Click HERE to read more about this opportunity.
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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.
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As we are all engaged in transitional ministry in this time of tremendous change, this virtual conference would be of benefit. Membership in the Interim Ministry Network or even serving as an interim pastor is not required. This conference is an opportunity to engage with practitioners of leading congregations through change.
Click HERE to learn more and to register.
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Leadership Convocation???
In light of the health concerns with COVID-19, we postponed Leadership Convocation in the hopes of re-scheduling; however, we have found that we cannot safely gather in the winter months, as we had hoped.
Please know that we continue to offer online webinars for enrichment for our leaders, and invite you to check out our synod Facebook page and website for current events and resources.
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We are called to conversation and prayer around our role as U.S. residents and as people of faith in ensuring our election systems promote dignity and respect for all.
We are called to act by speaking out as advocates and engaging in local efforts to guarantee the right to vote to all citizens.
To sign up for up-to-date information on ELCAvotes, visit: https://bit.ly/ELCAvotes
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Bishop Eaton writes:
On Monday, Sept. 14, I learned of the very disturbing account of human rights violations against immigrant women in custody in the privately run Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Ga. The center is run by LaSalle Corrections under a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The whistleblower complaint that was filed on Monday by a licensed nurse practitioner revealed a pattern of medically unnecessary hysterectomies and medical neglect that violated women. Too often, the Christian community has given its tacit or explicit consent to acts of gender-based violence.
Click here to read the entire article and learn of Presiding Bishop's hopes for justice.
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Season of Creation resources |
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Here are several items we wish to update you about in the area of Stewardship:
- The Impact of a Story
- God is Indeed Abundant!
- Stewardship During a Pandemic - a Session for ALL
- Does Your Rostered Minister Have Student Loan Debt?
- Savings Matching Programs for Rostered Ministers
Click here to see these important Stewardship UPDATES!!!
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Children, Youth, and Young Adult |
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Saturday, November 14
Location: ONLINE!!!
We are combining some at-home events with a time of being together. Oh, and we will have a special musical guest with us that evening.
Check back to our All TN Youth Gathering page to REGISTER and for more details.
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Thursday, October 8, 7:00-8:30pm EDT / 6:00-7:30pm CDT
Come together to learn some youth ministry basics. Let's figure out how to combine in-person and online events.
How is the Spirit moving us from a stance of fear into a place of hope? Let's figure it out together.
Click HERE to register.
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Young adults experience unique spiritual, intellectual and emotional challenges. ELCA Campus Ministry seeks to strengthen and support them as they learn and grow.
You can use this referral tool to let us know if you (or someone you know) is heading to a college in any of our four states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, or Tennessee.
CLICK HERE to start a referral now!
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Rostered Ministers Transitions |
Ordinations:
- Mr. Jason Davis - September 20, 2020, 5pm EDT / 4pm CDT - St. Mark's, Huntsville
- Also installed as Associate Pastor
Installations:
- Rev. Ruth Hamilton, Interim Pastor, All Saints, Lilburn, GA - September 20
- Rev. Mary Armstrong-Reiner, Pastor, St. John, Griffin, GA - September 27
- Rev. Steve Renner, Pastor - Messiah, Montgomery, AL - October 11
- Rev. Jenny McLellan, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care - Redeemer, Atlanta, GA – October 11
- Rev. Amy Carole Figg Ley, Senior Pastor - St. John's, Knoxville, TN - October 18
- Rev. Steve Alseben, Pastor - Triumphant Cross, Dothan, AL - October 25
- Rev. Rich Mueller, Pastor - Holy Trinity, Daphne, AL - November 1
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Check us out on social media
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
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