Planned Gifts and Your Annual Funds webinar

Thursday, August 12

1pm ET / 12noon CT

Have you avoided promoting legacy gifts out of a fear that it may reduce current support for your congregation or organization? This webinar will explore donor data and stories that demonstrate how legacy giving has been shown to increase annual giving to an organization.

Registration closes AUGUST 10!

Disaster Relief Concert by Inspiritus

Sunday, August 29, 2021

2:00-7:30pm CT

A fundraising event to rebuild homes of disaster survivors. 

This marks the 1st Annual Disaster Relief Concert for the Nashville area supporting INSPIRITUS. The recovery from fires and floods, tornados and bombing, Covid 19 and other economic disaster continues and is supported by the volunteer teams and resources coordinated by INSPIRITUS.

2021 Guatemala Gala - REGISTER TODAY!

Saturday, September 11, 2021

7:00pm ET / 6:00pm CT

This in-person Guatemala Gala 2021 exists to support the dreams of young Guatemalan women at the MILAGRO Women’s Education Center.

13th:  Movie Watch & Discussion

Sunday, September 19

3pm ET / 2pm CT

We will gather as a synod to watch and discuss the movie 13th.  

Many thanks to the Diversity & Justice Task Force for leading this important event.

A Plea for COVID-19 Vaccinations...

Bishop Kevin Strickland shares a message about staving off this pandemic and encourages ALL to receive the Covid vaccine.  CLICK HERE to see videos of our bishop and several of our synod siblings pleading that all receive this vaccine.

Covid:  The Delta Variant

The CDC has shared some helpful graphics that will help us to understand the serious nature of this Delta variant.  Check this out to learn more.

Are You Ready?

This is hurricane season and we hope that everyone has made a preparedness plan.  Check out www.ready.gov/hurricanes for a list of steps you can take to be better prepared and for more information.

Where Do I Find...?

Having trouble finding files or information on our newly developed website?  No problem.  Pr. Michael Jannett, Assistant to the Bishop for Formation and Communication will share some tips and tricks to find what you're looking for on our website.  Here is Part ONE!

Council Leader Training

Sunday, September 26, 2021

3:00-5:00pm ET / 2:00-4:00pm CT

Wondering what it takes to serve your congregation as a leader, or a council member?  Come and join in this workshop to learn how Bishop Strickland and the synod staff can equip you to help you serve the congregation in the best way possible.

Learn Spanish for Ministry

Have you ever wanted to understand when someone speaks to you in Spanish or wished you could respond to someone in Spanish? Well, if so, then you’re in good company. This is why Southeastern Synod’s En Conjunto Latinx Ministry is developing a Spanish language course for rostered and congregational leaders who want to learn Spanish for ministry. If you’re interested, please let us know by completing the following form, https://forms.gle/P8SsHy5TThaYe3MF7 and we will contact you. Thank you!
 

Unbinding Your Heart - Survey

This past Lenten Season the synod staff embarked on a 6 - week prayer journey using the book Unbinding Your Heart by Martha Grace Reese.  Several congregations throughout the synod have completed this same journey or have plans to do so.  For those that have completed the study please have each participant click the image of the book on the left (or the title of this article) to complete the survey. We appreciate your feedback.
 
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Melissa Fuller Sims (mfuller@elca-ses.org) or Pastor Patti Axel (paxel@elca-ses.org).

Monthly Youth Gathering Prep

Monday, August 23, 7pm ET / 6pm CT

Join Pr. Michael Jannett - your 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering Synod Coordinator - every 4th Monday at 7pm ET / 6pm CT over Zoom, to learn about the latest Gathering news, share ideas on travel and fundraising, and more!

Register once to receive a monthly reminder.

Health Blog:  Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine

While the study of the vaccinated is a work in progress we do know that vaccination for Covid is the best protection from severe illness. It is also the best option for developing immunity against this novel virus.

We waited with patience for a vaccine and it is now time to join thousands of others with Courage, Hope, Compassion, and Love in pledging to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease! 

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

Please note:  This ministry will be maintained through Labor Day 2021.  After that, the synod staff will provide sermons on special occasions and when most helpful.

Creating a Culture of Generosity - a preview

Have you heard of “Creating a Culture of Generosity"? 

Mike Ward of GSB brought it to our synod last year and is coming back this year to do it again.  Check out this recording...a PREVIEW of this fantastic approach to stewardship in the congregation.

"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.

Considerations for preaching, prayers, and hymn suggestions for use on Sunday, Sept. 12, the ELCA’s annual day of service, are available in PDF and Word formats.

Advocacy Summer School

Wednesdays, August 11, through September 8, 2021.  2pm ET / 1pm CT

REGISTER TODAY!

Get familiar with what advocacy is... and what is distinctive about how Lutheran advocates and the ELCA bring their faith into the public square. With real world examples and time for your questions this Advocacy Summer School session lays a good foundation.  Sessions are held via Zoom Webinar, and last 30 minutes.

Resources for Economic and Ecological Justice

Are you a faith leader or clergy person looking for resources on economic and ecological justice to use in your community or congregational work?

Connect with the The Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice at Vanderbilt Divinity School to look at some of the online trainings they are developing.

Input needed NOW for resources to be launched in Fall 2021...  Fill out this form TODAY~

"Holy Ground and the Interim" - an Interim Ministry Retreat

September 13-15, 2021

Lutheranch, Tallapoosa, GA

Join Interim Ministers from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church USA for a three-day Interim Ministry retreat at Lutheranch, September 13-15, 2021. We will gather in large group sessions, workshops, center ourselves in worship, and social time with one another. Speakers from both denominations will be leading sessions and workshops.

Boundaries Workshop - Racial Justice Education

• Monday, September 13
• Thursday, October 7
• Tuesday, November 16

Boundaries and Inclusion Education in the synods of Region 9 “expands the boundaries conversation to include racial and gender justice” (per the ELCA Region 9 Bishops’ Relational Agreement). This expansion of boundaries education is necessary...and equips our rostered ministers to live fully into inclusive relationships with God and each other, embracing the unique cultures, personalities, and diversities of all created in the image of God.

Registration will be coming soon for all rostered ministers in Region 9.

Seminary Classes for Everyone! (The Candler Foundry)

Theological explorations designed to help individuals and congregations grow spiritually, reflect deeply, and engage issues that matter to their communities.

Check out The Candler Foundry online!

See their SEMINARY COURSES FOR EVERYONE!

The Candler Foundry is an initiative of Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Presiding Bishop Issues Response to DACA Ruling

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).

Jesus taught us that when we welcome the stranger as a person made in God’s image, we also welcome God. Our lives, ministries and congregations have been blessed by many immigrants and refugees over the years — from many of our ancestors to those we welcome among us today. Our faithful witness as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is enriched by people who are recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Earlier this month, a U.S. district judge ruled to end the DACA program on July 19.

Read more...English | Spanish

I'm a Lutheran: Anne Burghardt Living Lutheran

The Lutheran World Federation Council has elected Estonian theologian Anne Burghardt as the next general secretary of the global communion of Lutheran churches.

"I grew up in a secularized family and found my way to the church as a teenager. A friend of mine invited me to join a confirmation class in the local Lutheran parish. The fact that I came into closer contact with the church primarily through worship life, through discussions with friends and through reading the Bible and religious literature impacted my formation as a Christian."

Praise Worship Director - Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta, GA

The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta GA, is looking to hire a Praise Worship Director. The position would be 15-17 hours per week, working with the Pastor and the Praise Team in creating exceptional, interactive weekly worship at 11:00 am Sundays. Experience in leading and/or participating in Praise Worship, as well as exceptional skills in guitar, singing and / or keyboard would be key. For more information about the position, please contact Pastor Dave Helfrich at PastorDave@LCRmarietta.org