Bishop Strickland Shares Easter Greetings!
Bishop Kevin Strickland
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“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (I Peter 2:9-10).”
Recently, I have been involved in a lot of conversations that have centered on, “What does it mean to BE the church?” “Being” church for me is embodying that active verb in all we do and all we say. “Being” church for me, offers an opportunity for each of us to remember that we are, as First Peter points out: “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of God who called you out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.”
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NEW SYNOD WEBSITE RELEASED TODAY!!!
Please take some time to familiarize yourself with our new synod website. Feel free to navigate the new access tools on the front page and see how quickly you can find the information you need.
We will continue to make more improvements to the website over time. For immediate concerns or thoughts, please feel free to contact Pr. Michael Jannett, Assistant to the Bishop for Formation and Communication, at mjannett@elca-ses.org. (Plans to update the synod youth and young adult website are also underway.)
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We have also been hard at work developing a new video that represents our synod and our synod vision statement.
Enjoy the video! (This video is also available on the front page of the synod website.)
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Saturday, June 5, 9am-4pm ET / 8am-3pm CT
Synod Assembly registration is NOW OPEN! This Assembly will be a digital event
Lots of information is HERE on our Synod Assembly website, including: Registration, Elections., and MORE...
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Our Synod's Nominating Committee is currently seeking nominees for several positions—lay and clergy—to be elected at our upcoming synod assembly. We have openings for you or someone from your congregation to serve. Have you considered serving on our Synod Council, as secretary, or as a member of our consultation and discipline committees? Have you felt that nudge to attend our Churchwide Assembly in Ohio in 2022?
Deadline for submission of nominations is April 12 - soon! Learn more.
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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 is now available for viewing and downloading on the synod staff sermon page.
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Grants Request Deadlines!!!
Don’t forget Grant request deadline for Vitality Grants / Outreach Grants / Multicultural Grants is Tuesday, April 13, by noon ET. Please don’t send only them by US Mail as we have had a problem with grants getting lost. Please keep a copy of the Grant request and scan and email them to synod.office@elca-ses.org.
Postal Address is: ELCA-Southeastern Synod, P.O. Box 400, Decatur, GA 30031.
Alternatively, applications may be faxed to 404-521-1980
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Presented by the ELCA Foundation
Thursday, April 15 - 1pm ET / 12noon CT
Learn about setting the cornerstone for your planned giving program through the real-life experiences of congregations and synods working with the ELCA Foundation.
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Sunday, April 18 - 3pm ET / 2pm CT
The synod's Guatemala Team members are hosting a Thanksgiving and Celebration ZOOM to honor the good things God is doing between the Southeastern Synod and ILAG. Check out how you and your congregation can participate.
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Monday, April 19 - 7pm ET / 6pm CT
For Congregational Leaders, including Council Presidents and council leaders
This is the NINTH 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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Thursday, April 22 - 6pm ET / 5pm CT
The Advocacy Policy Committee of the Southeastern Synod will be sponsoring an evening of learning, centered on justice for creation.
Topics to be covered will include:
- Families and Children
- Environmental Justice
- Environment and faith
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Date: TBA (some time in May 2021)
“Not so Ordinary—Ordinary Time: From Holy Trinity Sunday through June”
To cover all Gospel lessons for Trinity Sunday, May 30, through Sunday, June 27.
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6 Sessions - $45 covers all sessions
Tuesdays, May 11, 18, and 25
10:30am-Noon & 1:30-3pm ET
Are you stepping into unfamiliar territory where you must supervise others, or have you been supervising others for some time without a clear understanding of what you’re doing? Supervision, especially in a faith-based environment, requires learning new skills – probably skills you did not learn during your professional formation. This event provides you with practical skills and tools for supervising the work of others, and aligning the work of the team with the overall goals of the congregation.
(Need a scholarship? Contact Pr. Michael Jannett)
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Sunday, May 16, 3pm ET / 2pm CT
We will gather as a synod to watch and discuss the movie The Hate U Give.
Many thanks to the Diversity & Justice Task Force for leading this important event.
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In keeping with safety guidelines, we are going to gather via ZOOM on Saturday, June 26, 2021, for AFFIRM. This premiere youth event will include an opportunity to gather our youth (6th through 12th grade) according to their age group, and will give us time to grow closer to God and to one another.
Registration opens on April 15.
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We are delighted that over 240 individuals - representing over 40 congregations - have accepted Bishop Strickland’s challenge to participate in the 40-40-40 Lenten Hunger Appeal - including Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton!
This means we mobilized around $10,000 for this hunger appeal.
Several have posted pictures on social media with #40ForLent.
Bishop Strickland thanks you for this commitment to God and to the Church in this fight against hunger!
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We are blessed with SO many faithful women serving across our synod. March was Women's History month, we celebrated by featuring a different woman each day on our facebook page. If you missed reading about these incredible women, check out their stories on our website here.
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We do know that the probability of Covid-19 being any less virulent than it is today will not occur until a substantial proportion of the population is vaccinated to bring about herd immunity. Herd immunity, also known as population immunity, is the direct protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or infection.
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April 13-15, 2021
From our friends at Luther Springs, in Gainesville, FL:
Rostered ministers and church professionals, after this busy season of the church year, do you need time away to recharge? NovusWay Ministries knows that you spend your time caring for everyone else. Come to Luther Springs April 13-15, 2021 and let us take care of you.
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Now more than ever, clergy need resources for self-care as you navigate the uncharted waters of a pandemic...
Wellness and self-care are often at the bottom of most clergy persons' to-do list. Here is a book that addresses this issue in a gentle and holistic way.
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We are thrilled to have Rev. Mike Ward of GSB Fundraising back with our synod to lead Stewardship for All Seasons, which begins at the end of May. The purpose of Stewardship For All Seasons (SAS) is to guide pastors and congregation leaders to learn tried and true basic principles and effective methodologies to carry out productive stewardship programs.
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Five Sessions Available: May 13, June 9, August 19, Sep. 29, and Nov. 4, 2021
Rooted in Scripture and grounded in Bowen family systems theory, this workshop identifies differentiation of self and anxiety as two key variables impacting human functioning. Leadership and Anxiety looks at the challenges presented by the rising levels of anxiety being experienced in churches today, as well as the role that self-differentiated leadership can play in calming such anxiety. Works of fine art illustrating Biblical themes help facilitate theological reflection on the themes being presented.
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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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This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
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Continuing Education Opportunities |
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Check out the archive of our Easter Lectionary Study with Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore, Rector and Dean for Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir Rhyne University. All FIVE sessions were recorded and links to resources provided.
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Thursday, April 15, 2pm EST / 1pm CST
Crises like we are now facing often create opportunities for new things to emerge. In the spirit of Ephesians 3:20, as we move forward we believe that by the power at work within us, God, who works good in and through all things, will accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine!
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May 3-7, 2021; Cost - $750
Please join the people of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center for Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders, a workshop for clergy and lay leaders who wish to learn how to deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict.
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"I try to imagine what it must have been like on that first Easter morning when there wasn’t the knowledge of the resurrection. When, instead, it was all about death and disappointment. And I imagine Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb in order to care for Jesus’ body..."
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Looking for a Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador for our Synod
Do you wish to step forward in making known the wonderful resources for Lutheran Men in Mission?
Please reach out to Pr. Michael Jannett to learn more about this Formation opportunity, or to learn more about Lutheran Men in Mission.
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Saturday, April 17
12noon-3pm Eastern / 11am-2pm Central
Lutheran Men in Mission will be hosting an online event featuring six speakers, discussing matters that men know matter.
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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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Seeking to hire a full time (40 hours) Director of Youth and Family Ministries for planning, implementing, directing, coordinating and managing Christian Education ministry for the entire Grace Lutheran Faith Formation from nursery to adults. The Director is also responsible for selecting and supervising the volunteer teachers, leaders, facilitators and assistants.
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- For Rev. Darrel Peterson, retired, former Assistant to the Bishop
- We pray for the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Unidad de Argentina y Uruguay (IELU) and Rev. Fabian Kreischer, Vice President of the IELU, who was murdered early February.
- We continue to surround the IELU, Pastor Kreische´s family, friends, and congregation with our prayers as they navigate grief of such a tragic loss.
- For an ELCA Global Mission Tribute to Pastor Fabian, click here.
- ?For Rev. Dennis Fakes, retired.
- For Rev. Ginny Bishop, retired.
- For Rev. Jack and Elsa Ohsiek upon the death of their son, Jay.
Rostered Ministers Transitions |
Ordination & Installation:
- Dr. Judy Bullock, Chaplain, Emory Johns Creek Hospital
- Worship service will take place at Prince of Peace, John's Creek, GA - May 8, 3 pm ET / 3pm CT
- All may view the service online, via Zoom:
- Dr. Bullock has been called to serve
as a Chaplin at Emory Johns Creek Hospital,
Johns Creek, GA
Installations:
- Rev. Richard Johnson, Pastor, St. John's & Jerusalem, Rincon, GA - March 28, 2021
- Rev. Daniel Forehand, Associate Pastor, Faith, Knoxville, TN - May 16, 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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