Several years ago, Rev. Ron Bonner, Sr. wrote an article for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, entitled: "Why is Black History Month still significant?"
Here is an excerpt from this invaluable article:
Without a Black History Month that re-engages the community to refocus on the accomplishments and the pathos of the Black struggle for survival, the history of black people will be white-washed into joyful images and a narrative of migrant workers and historical movements...
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Please consider signing up so that we can meet Bishop Strickland’s challenge that at least 40 congregations participate in the 40-40-40 Lenten Walk (so far there are 15 congregations signed up!). Send selfies of yourself walking/running to Cheryl Bopp at cherylbopp@hotmail.com, or post on social media with #404040 for inclusion in the newsletter.
Be sure to let us know you are participating (and see who else has signed on)!
Download the ELCA World Hunger Lent Study Guide, here, and consider creating your own walking chart.
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As we prepare to enter into the Lenten season for 2021, Bishop Strickland will be providing a sermon for Ash Wednesday for your congregation use. This sermon will soon be available via our weekly sermons page.
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Wednesdays in Lent, 12noon EST / 11:00am CST
Turn to synod social media (YouTube and Facebook) for mid-week pauses throughout Lent. A member of the synod will read a psalm, and share a reflection and a prayer every week. Come join us!
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Monday, February 8, 2021
9am-Noon Eastern / 8-11am Central
Join Dr. Karoline Lewis for a wonderful morning full of rich text study as we dive deep into the lectionary for the 2021 Lenten season. Register today!
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Amazing Grace Lutheran Church en Lawrenceville, GA les invita a participar en un servicio de Miércoles de Ceniza en español el 17 de febrero a las 9:00pm ET por Zoom.
Registrarse para el evento.
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Thursday, Feb 11 - 7-9pm EST / 6-8pm CST
We are welcoming all who wish to be trained to lead evangelism efforts using the resource - Unbinding Your Heart.
Sign up for this training and you will receive a copy of the book, Unbinding Your Heart.
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Sunday, February 21, 3pm EST / 2pm CST
We will gather as a synod to watch and discuss the movie Selma. Sign up for Zoom link!
Many thanks to the Diversity & Justice Task Force for leading this important event.
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Are you interested in creating a culture of generosity in your congregation? Seeking out and experiencing God's never-ending abundance? Consider getting involved in Stewardship for All Seasons, an extended program whose purpose is to guide pastors and congregation leaders to learn tried and true basic principles and effective methodologies to carry out productive stewardship programs.
Join us for an introductory conversation on Tuesday, February 16 at 4pm EST / 3pm CST to learn more.
Register here or reach out to Pastor Karen Boda, kboda@elca-ses.org.
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Saturday, February 27, 2021
Calling all 6th-12th graders!!!
Participants will register by congregation.
This gathering will be digital in nature and participants will have a combination of in-home and online activities in which to engage.
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If your congregation has not made a 2021 Mission Support Intent, please do so soon. It's fast. It's easy. It's incredibly important! Click here!
74 congregations have already made an intent for 2021, but our goal is 118 congregations, or 75%. We're well on the way but need your help! Make your intent today!
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Thursday, February 4 - Offered at TWO times:
- 10:30am-12:00noon EST / 9:30-11:00am CST
- 6:30-8:00pm EST / 5:30-7:00pm CST
Cost is $35. Scholarships available.
This workshop is provided by the Pastoral Institute. Click here for details, or contact Pr. Pauline Farrington (pfarrington@elca-ses.org), our synod Pastoral Care Coordinator.
Scholarships available.
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Monday, February 22
7pm EST / 6pm CST
For Congregational Leaders, including Council Presidents and council leaders
This is the EIGHTH round of conversations that will help you to support your ministers and congregation. This gathering is hosted by Bishop Strickland and the synod staff.
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Our COVID-19 task force has gathered resources in regards to Ash Wednesday and Lent. Many thanks to all dedicated to providing guidance in the midst of uncertainty.
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"Once again it is the “Month of Hearts!” - designated as such because Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating Love. Perhaps celebrating Valentine’s Day and Love will give us a breather from so much stress. I am especially fond of Valentine’s Day after many years as an elementary school nurse and having my “heart touched” as I watched children proudly arriving at school with their decorated valentine boxes with cards, candy hearts and chocolate to be distribute to classmates, teachers and staff."
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Join us for a Zoom event to learn about the free Resourceful Servants Congregational Financial Assessment.
Event will be held:
- Monday, February 22, 1pm Eastern / 12 Noon Central, and
- Thursday, February 25, 7pm Eastern / 6pm Central
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Leaders from throughout the synod will be sharing 14 Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. These will be posted on social media (YouTube and Facebook) every 30 minutes, beginning at 7am EST / 6am CST. These reflections will be about 2 minutes each.
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The synod staff will provide a full liturgy (Service of the Word) and sermon for any congregation to use. The service will be available for viewing and downloading on the synod staff sermon page. This pre-recorded service will be available by March 28.
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The Bishop and Assistants are filming sermons for Sunday's surrounding the pandemic of COVID-19; we will post them here and host on our synod YouTube channel.
Each Sunday’s sermon will be archived on the Sermons page on our synod website. If you wish a dial-in option, just call:
678-379-4840
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The Bishop has contracted for the next six months at 15 hours a month with Pastor Pauline Farrington to serve as the Pastoral Care Coordinator.
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Saturday, June 5, 2021
Official notice has been given that our 2021 Synod Assembly will be digital in format.
Read official notice here. More to come soon!
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Seeds Monthly is the resource email of the ELCA. Each issue contains articles that provide congregational leaders with insights, ideas and tools to assist them in a variety of ministries including worship, Christian education, stewardship, evangelism, youth ministries, social ministries, leadership and more.
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Saturday, March 13, 10am-12Noon / 9-11am CST
The Diversity & Justice Task Force will provide training for Racial Justice, Gender Justice, LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, and Disabilities Inclusion.
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Action rather than words! This phrase became the guiding force for Peace Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee, as members designed a ministry to help alleviate community hunger in summer 2020. With leadership from Meredee Taylor, Outreach Committee Chair, Peace Lutheran’s food insecurity ministry grew from the scripture of “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat….” (Matt: 25:35).
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Did you know that you can share YOUR story of inspiration TODAY?!?! You can!
Check out the main synod web page and SCROLL DOWN TOTHE BOTOM OF THE PAGE and look for the yellow box. Upload photos, share your stories, and provide contact information to allow others to learn more about your story.
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...Gender Justice? Explore issues of faith, sexism, and justice, and learn how Lutherans are seeking justice and equity for all.
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| Faith Formation for All Ages |
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Saturday, February 27 - 10am EST / 9am CST
Join the African Descent Lutheran Association (Southeastern Chapter) and others in a conversation on the book, I'm Still Here - Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, by Austin Channing Brown.
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Thursday, February 18, 2pm EST / 1pm CST
During this pandemic, church leaders have been thrust into the midst of our nation’s unresolved efforts to address systemic racism and ensure equal justice for all. This workshop hopes to address this tension.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause uncertainty within the United States and across the globe, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has decided to cancel sending Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteers for its 2021-22 program year.
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Use Safe Gatherings to background check and train everyone who works with children, youth and vulnerable adults in your church. Safe Gatherings works with more than 8,500 churches, including 11 ELCA Synods. They make it easy!
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Head over to Lutheranch for "Women of the Range" on March 5-7, 2021. This program was selected because it is limited in size and has a majority of the activities outside.
The Annual Lutheranch Quilting Retreat has been rescheduled from February to September.
Visit Lutheranch.org to register TODAY!
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Partners for HOME is an organization Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, has partnered with, which is helping formerly homeless neighbors move into long-term housing.
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Just a reminder that ALL are welcome to post a congregation-related classified on our synod website, here:
https://www.elca-ses.org/classifieds
Click "Submit a classified" button,
or read through current classifieds.
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Looking for someone to lead youth gatherings at our congregation twice per month starting in January. We are looking for game leadership and team building. Camp counseling experience, a plus.
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Application deadline: February 15, 2021
St. Mark's Lutheran Church is looking for a creative, adaptive, and collaborative full-time staff member at St. Mark's! The Multimedia Coordinator will be responsible for video production, sanctuary A/V, and other communications tasks.
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- Continued Prayers for Mr. Hilton Austin, former Director for Advocacy for the Southeastern Synod
- For Pr. Darrel Peterson, retired, former Assistant to the Bishop
| Rostered Ministers Transitions |
Call Accepted:
- Rev. Connie Bramlett, All Saints, Huntsville, AL
- Rev. Bramlett comes most recently from the East-Central Synod of Wisconsin.
Leaving Call:
- Rev. Jack Wilder, Leaving Call in January 2021
Installations:
- Rev. Justin Eller, Assistant to the Bishop for Latino Ministry Strategy and Amazing Grace, Lawrenceville, GA - February 7
- Rev. Mike Millum, Pastor, Amazing Grace, Lawrenceville, GA - February 7 (transitioning from term-call to Pastor)
Retirements:
- Rev. Jim Nipper, retiring in February 2021
Save the Date:
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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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