Letter from Bishop Strickland - regarding COVID-19 Guidance

Bishop Kevin Strickland shares hopes, thoughts, and concerns regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

CANCELLED:  Fall Leadership Convocation

Dear friends in Christ,
 
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that the Fall Convocation is being cancelled. Out of an abundance of caution, concern and overall care for the wellbeing and health of all; it is not safe for us to gather at this time.

(Read more from Bp. Strickland...)

CANCELLED: Disaster Relief Concert by Inspiritus

Due to the rise of Covid cases and to be cautious, the August 29 disaster relief concert organized by Inspiritus has been cancelled and will hopefully be rescheduled at a later date.

Covid-19 Vaccine Videos and Blog Posts

In an effort to encourage folks to get vaccinated, and to share information regarding the prevention of the Covid-19 virus, please take a look at our Covid Response pages.

Disaster Response Gathering

Sunday, August 22

2-3pm ET / 1-2pm CT

Does your congregation have a Congregational Disaster Coordinator? 

If so, terrific!  If not, please set someone aside to help your congregation stay abreast of developments and tools to help your congregation prepare for the event of a disaster. 

We will have a gathering Sunday afternoon, August 22nd for congregational disaster coordinators and Synod Volunteer Disaster Coordinators via ZOOM to provide updates and welcome new coordinators. Congregational Disaster Coordinators work with the church council and their safety or disaster team and also serves as a link to receive disaster related information from the synod.  Please send the names and contact information of your congregational disaster coordinators to pmgordy@elca-ses.org so that no one will be left out of this important gathering.  

Milagro Virtual Recital

Wednesday, August 25

4-4:30pm ET / 3-3:30pm CT

Casa MILAGRO invites you TO A VIRTUAL RECITAL

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

You are welcome to join us and see what we have learned.  See you there!!!

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.

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.

"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.

Synod Prayer Team - Aug 23

Monday, August 23

9-10am ET / 8-9am CT

Bishop Kevin Strickland invites you to join him and the synod prayer team.   Newcomers are always welcome!  Click the link above to sign up today!

This team gathers monthly to pray via Zoom.

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.

Shift Change Service for Healing and Prayer

Thursday, August 26

TWO TIMESLOTS - 9am ET / 8am CT & 9pm ET / 8pm CT

This online time of healing prayer is set aside for those who work within our health care system.  We invite you to come and be surrounded in healing prayer.  As we gather, we ask for everyone else to pray for our health care workers especially at this time of incredible stress and grief.  

Trauma Responsive Program for Congregations

All congregations respond to trauma. Responding well can lead to thriving—in the life of our congregations, our neighborhoods, and our cities. Trauma Response Program fosters mutual learning among a network of educators and congregational leaders to generate theologically robust, interdisciplinary, and innovative responses to collective trauma that are deeply integrated into the mission of thriving urban congregations. Learn more by attending one of two information sessions on 8/18 and 8/23. If selected, a Lily grant in the amount of $12,500 will be awarded to help with your program/ministry. Application Deadline: September 30^th, 2021.

Can Your Congregation HOST A VACCINE SITE?

If so, please contact Pastor Morgan Gordy, Assistant to the Bishop for Disaster Ministry [pmgordy@elca-ses.org] and she will help you make the necessary arrangements to be a healing witness within your community as we fight this pandemic. Thank you to the congregations who have already stepped up to offer space for this much needed ministry.

Share Your Summer Ministry Photos and Stories

While we move forward into the uncertainty of this Fall, let us take a moment to reflect on the ministries that took place in the summer of 2021.  Submit your stories and photos here!

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!

Beware of Email and Text Scams for Gift Cards!!!

More and more, we are seeing people imitate Bishop Strickland and other staff members.  People are asking you to help them out with gift cards for people.   PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE EMAILS or TEXTS!!!   We are not seeking gift cards.  Please do NOT respond!!!

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.

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:  Due to the rise in COVID cases and congregations being more cautious, we have decided to continue sharing sermons at least through the end of October 2021.

Word & Prayer Ministry (in Spanish) - September 5

Shepherd of the Hills (Birmingham) holds a Word and Prayer Ministry the 1^st Sunday of each month at 2:30pm CT, 3:30pm 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.

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!
 

Partners in Celebration: Meet the people of Peace, Memphis

Our highlighted ministry for August – October 2021 is Peace Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee. Peace Lutheran Church is the oldest ELCA congregation in Memphis.  Initially called First United Lutheran, the congregation was established in May of 1926 as part of the United Lutheran Church in America.  

Peace is a diverse congregation with an almost even number of congregants of African descent and Euro-American.  Likewise, there is economic diversity with business owners, college professors, and persons on fixed incomes.

Pr. Ann Bassett's Podcast - "Crossing Barriers"

Pr. Ann Bassett (Peace, Spring Hill, TN) has a podcast called "Crossing Barriers."  In one of her latest podcasts, she interviews Assistant to the Bishop Matt Steinhauer for "The Basics of Advocacy"

National Faith HIV / AIDS Awareness - August 29

This year faith advocacy day will be recognized Sunday, August 29th. “The observance is intended to engage faith communities to work together for HIV/AIDS education, prevention, treatment, care and support, and to reduce and eliminate stigma and discrimination.”

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 - CANCELLED

September 13-15, 2021

Lutheranch, Tallapoosa, GA

Please refer to Bishop Strickland's letter to the synod regarding a COVID-19 update.

How Do I Register for the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering?  A webinar...

On Thursday, August 19, 8pm ET / 7pm CT, the ELCA Youth Gathering is holding a webinar to introduce you to the new registration system.  You must register to receive a Zoom webinar link.

(This is a webinar led by the ELCA Youth Gathering, and is different than the monthly webinars held within our synod, led by Pr. Michael Jannett.)

Following Jesus: Perspectives from Diverse Christian Traditions

How have Christians responded to this multiplicity? Some have viewed this multiplicity to be tragic – a denominational splintering of the singular vision for the visible Church inaugurated by Jesus.

Others have viewed this “manyness” to be a gift; believing that each Christian tradition can contribute to a full-orbed understanding of what it means to “follow Jesus.”

This project creates a venue for Christians who embrace these two differing views to present the reasons for their views, seeking to uncover some common ground as to what it means to “follow Jesus.” This quest will require “respectful conversations” about disagreements, which is a rare thing these days.

Bishop Eaton:  "God has not left us"

As cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 increase, it may seem like we are in a never-ending wilderness. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us of the exodus of God’s people, who wandered in the wilderness for forty years searching for the land that God had promised them. God never left them, and God has not left us.

Coordinator of Youth Ministries - Cross of Life, Roswell, GA, and Prince of Peace, Johns Creek, GA

Supervisor: Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier (COL) and Pastor Kevin Martin (PoP)
 
Position Purpose: To plan and execute joint events for the youth of COL and PoP and provide mentorship to the youth as they face life in Middle School and High School.
 
Primary Responsibilities:
 

1. Plan, publicize, recruit adult support for, and implement three events per month for the youth of COL and PoP.  In months with larger Synodical (regional) events, fewer events are appropriate.
2. These events should include opportunities for fellowship, for discipleship, and for service.
3.  Coordinate a joint Confirmation program with support from the pastors and lay teachers.
4. Be generally available to the youth for relationship building and conversation via phone, text, etc.