Synod Assembly Information 

Saturday, June 5, 9am-4pm ET / 8am-3pm CT

LAST DAY to register for Synod Assembly Friday, May 21, midnight!!!

Due to the Synod Assembly being an ONLINE event, we CANNOT extend the deadline for registration past May 21.

Lots of information is HERE on our Synod Assembly website, including: Registration, Elections., and MORE...

Rostered Ministers who are not attending must send a written excuse to Bishop Strickland at bishop@elca-ses.org.

"Ordinary Time" Preaching Workshop with Teresa Fry Brown

Date:  Monday, May 17, 9am-12noon ET / 8-11am CT

“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.

Stepping Up to Supervision workshop with Susan Beaumont

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)

Open Doors - Ministry Grants for Congregations

Open Doors is a new initiative to support ELCA congregations interested in meeting new people during this time of re-gathering in physical spaces. If you have a concrete, actionable idea for meeting new people during this critical time, you might be eligible for an Open Doors grant. 

Deadline is May 14, 2021.

INAUGURAL Newberry College Sunday

Sunday, May 16, 2021

We invite all of our congregations to consider supporting Newberry College on Sunday, May 16, by including them in your prayers, and to consider making a financial offering to this ELCA college in our region (Region 9)!

The Hate U Give:  Movie Watch & Discussion

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.

AFFIRM - ONE-DAY Digital Event - June 26

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!!

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.

 Sign up TODAY for this FREE youth event.

NovusWay Camps are OPEN

Register now for Lutheranch, Lutheridge, Lutherock, or Luther Springs!!!

Faith-filled summer camps, retreats & hosted ministries

Whether you’re looking for your child’s faith-filled summer camp experience, planning a retreat for your community or looking for one NovusWay's many Fall & Spring programs, NovusWay Ministries has what you’re looking for. NovusWay's four unique locations allow you to experience Christ, camp, nature and more in a new way.

2022 ELCA Youth Gathering PREP Meeting!!!

Monday, May 24, 7pm ET / 6pm CT

Are you coming to the Gathering in Minneapolis in July 2022?  Want to learn more?  Come and join the conversation!!!

Also, learn about opportunities to volunteer for the Gathering and how to SERVE!!!

Invitation to Pr. Paul Baumgartner's Retirement Service

Sunday, May 30, 10:30am ET / 9:30am CT

Outdoor, parking lot worship service.  RSVP for lunch

Come and worship with Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA, as they bid blessings and farewell to Pr. Paul Baumgartner upon his retirement.

BLOG:  Disaster Response in ALL FOUR STATES!

The Rev. Dr. P. Morgan Gordy, Assistant to the Bishop for Disaster Response, shares about the ongoing disaster response efforts in all four states of the synod:  Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Word & Prayer Ministry (in Spanish)

Shepherd of the Hills (Birmingham) holds a Word and Prayer Ministry in Spanish the 1^st Sunday of each month at 1pm CT, 2pm ET. The Rev. Ed Cortes leads the service in Spanish and invites all who understand Spanish to participate.

Shepherd of the Hills (Birmingham) realiza un servicio de palabra y oración en español el primer domingo de cada mes a las 1pm CT, 2pm ET. El Rev. Ed Cortes dirige el servicio y invita a todas y todos que entienda español a participar.

Could You Use a Coach?

Could you use a Coach?  What is ELCA Coaching?  How do I know if I need a Coach?   Would you like to be a Coach?

Learn more!

Clergy Resource for Self-Care

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.

Stewardship For All Seasons

We are thrilled to have Rev. Mike Ward of GSB Fundraising back with our synod to lead Stewardship for All Seasons, which begins on May 27. 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.  To register, reach out to Pr. Karen Boda (kboda@elca-ses.org).

Weekly Sermons From your Synod Staff

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

Domestic Grant Applications - ELCA World Hunger

First, a new round of Daily Bread Matching Grants launches soon! ELCA congregations interested in raising funds for their feeding ministry through ELCA World Hunger’s online platform, matched with a $500 grant, can register and apply in ELCA GrantMaker starting Monday, April 26^th. 

Second, registration for Domestic Hunger Grants is underway. Ministries can apply until May 21, 2021. 

Disaster Relief Concert by Inspiritus

Sunday, August 29, 2021

A fundraising event to rebuild disaster survivors’ home. 

Enjoy the outdoors, amenities & beer from Hop Springs Beer Park - Murfreesboro, TN - as you experience acclaimed artists for this concert fund-raising event. 

"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday - September 12, 2021

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.

Festival of Homiletics

May 17-21, 2021 // FREE!!!

Is the church really dying? Or is it dying to change? How can the church recapture what it was in the first century—a distinctive, confessional community, willing to stand against the status quo, to speak up against the empire, and to stand for the Gospel—in a 21st century context?

This year, the Festival of Homiletics invites you into conversation around how the promise of the Gospel might shape hope and ministry for the future church. What is the role of preaching in forming the church of the future?

Leadership and Anxiety in the Church - workshop

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.  

All Creation Sings - ELW Hymnal Supplement news...

Brief descriptions of the 200 assembly songs in All Creation Sings are now available with a subscription to SundaysandSeasons.com.

The All Creation Sings website includes videos of selected hymns and songs, several blog posts, an overview webinar, and a resource to support introducing ACS in synods and congregations.

Pew, Accompaniment and Leaders editions are available for purchase. Introductory pricing for the Pew edition is available until June 15, 2021.

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.

Church Administrator - Cross of Life, Roswell, GA

Cross of Life is seeking a Finance and Operations Manager to work in the areas of Church Finance, Property Management and IT Support. This is a full-time position with benefits, beginning in May. Applicants may send a resume to norskiguy79@gmail.com.