20th Anniversary of September 11th - Service of Prayer 

Bishop Strickland and Chaplain Major James "Patrick" Finley share a Service of Prayer in commemoration of those who died on September 11, 2001, all military members who have died, and all active military.

Disaster Response Updates

We have been VERY BUSY on the Disaster Ministry response of late.   In this blog post, we share the following:

• Submit your Congregational Disaster Plan ONLINE!!!
• Disaster Ministry website is being transformed
• Disaster updates from around the synod, including our Hurricane Ida responses

Special thanks to Pr. Morgan Gordy, Assistant to the Bishop for Disaster Ministry, and the synod's disaster response task force for all of their hard work, and we hold them in prayer for the responses to come.

"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.

Bulletin Inserts in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

The En Cojunto Latinx Ministry Task Force created downloadable and printable bulletin inserts for Hispanic Heritage Month.  These inserts are to be used on Sundays, 9/19/2021 through 10/10/2021.

Learn more at the En Cojunto website.

"October" Lectionary Study - with Gordon Lathrop

Tuesday, September 14

9am-12Noon ET / 8-11am CT

Take part in a study of the Gospel texts for the Sundays in the Revised Common Lectionary with Gordon Lathrop, retired professor of liturgy who has taught at two different seminaries of the ELCA, at Yale Divinity School, and at the Virginia Theological Seminary.  ALL ARE WELCOME - lay and rostered ministers alike!

Synod Council Meeting

Saturday, September 18

10:45am-4:00pm ET / 9:45am-3:00pm CT

Please keep the Synod Council in your prayers as they gather to discern the ministries of the synod.

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.

Growing Younger series - starts on September 19

6-week series:

Sunday, September 19 through

Sunday, October 24

4-5:30pm ET / 3-4:30pm CT

The Synod Youth Team will lead an initiative of educating several congregations on the concepts of "Growing Younger."   

SIGN UP BY Wednesday, September 15!!!

Synod Prayer Team - Sept 20

Monday, September 20, 2021

9:00am ET / 8:00am 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.

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.

Rostered Ministers:  Select a time for "Cafe with PJ"

Assistant to the Bishop Jonathan Hemphill invites all rostered ministers of the Southeastern Synod to setup a time to meet with him, via his online calendar.

"I would love to meet and visit with each of you. I am still learning about how the geography of our territory works. Because of Covid, it makes it impossible to have a traditional meet and greet event. I am inviting you all to sign up for, Café with PJ. It is an opportunity for us to share together in conversation and get to know one another."

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.

Covid Vaccinations Sites in our Synod

We are thankful for Rev. Rick Johnson and the two congregations he is serving.  They will serve as vaccination sites:

• St. John's, Rincon, GA - 9/8 and 9/29
• Jerusalem, Rincon, GA - 9/22 and 10/13

We are also thankful for Pr. Randy Palm and the people of Rock of Ages, Stone Mountain:

• Rock of Ages, Stone Mountain - 10/9

Is your congregation willing to host a vaccination site?

If so, please contact Pastor Morgan Gordy, Assistant to the Bishop for Disaster Ministry [pmgordy@elca-ses.org].

Health Blog:  It's Up to Each of Us!

"We know that the flu and Covid-19 are not the same, however, we do know that if one is to get both at the same time that recovery would be very difficult. For that reason I have combined my plan for caring for myself for flu prevention and Covid-19 prevention!"

- Cornelia Pearson, RN, MN

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.

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!!!

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  (This number will be available through September 2021, after which we will discontinue this service.)

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.

Southeastern Synod Swag is Now Available!!!

If you would like Southeastern Synod Swag, polo shirts, jackets, pretty much anything you can put the logo on you can now order direct from Land’s End Business.  You can get items embroidered in the multi-colored logo or in a single color.  Items are directly shipped to you. We look forward to seeing #sesswag pictures soon!
 

Where Do I Find...Part TWO

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 TWO!

Southeastern Synod Advocacy SURVEY

The Advocacy Policy Committee is working on a major effort to update our awareness of ministries in our congregations and connecting with lay and rostered ministers involved in those ministries, to maximize the effort and resources across the four states of our Synod.

TONS of Gratitude Sunday - Messiah, Madison, AL

From Sunday, August 22, 2021

"Every August, MLC celebrates an annual 'Blessing and Sending of Kits and Quilts.' That is because over the span of the previous year, two Messiah Lutheran Church groups, the Comforters and Kit Ministry Team, work diligently to deliver to Lutheran World Relief, the quilts and kits each group sews, collects and puts together. This year, 'Kit and Quilt Sunday’ coincided with a planned visit by Bishop Kevin Strickland, Bishop of ELCA’s Southeastern Synod, and Assistant to the Bishop, Pastor Justin Eller."

Rummage Sale Exceeds Expectation - Spring Hill, TN

In July, Peace Lutheran Church in Spring Hill, TN, received donations of stuff from the community, spent a week organizing and pricing everything then hosted a gigantic community rummage sale.  The sale's proceeds more than doubled prior years'.  All the proceeds were given away to mission partnerships:  Lunches for Learning in Honduras, the food bank in Spring Hill, and AMVets.  

Little Free Library - Hendersonville, TN

“Our Little Free Library doesn’t just belong to us, it belongs to the whole city,” says Dorothy Jones, Council President. “It’s our hope that this Little Free Library will bring a little more joy, a little more connection and a whole lot more books to our community.”  We invite the Hendersonville and Sumner County community to stop by and use the Little Free Library any time!

Devotional:  "In the Depths of the Storm" - a devotion by Pr. Pollyanna Robbins

Winds and waves I wish you were calm.
We are as weary as the master in the bow of the boat on that long ago day when the disciples
battled the mighty sea.
The boat quivers and quakes, shakes and shudders, winds howl! waves crash!
Thunder!
Lightning!
Water everywhere!...

ONLINE CONVOCATION OPTION - from the NT-NL Synod

October 18-20, 2021 - ONLINE

Theme:  "From Reaction to Response:  Changed for Good"

In light of the fact that we canceled our in-person Convocation, our friends from the Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod are holding their convocation in-person AND online.  

Please CLICK HERE to learn more and to sign up.  REGISTER BY SEPT. 15 for half-price of $25.  After Sept. 15, cost is $50.

Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
 - Five Sessions
Scheduled for 2022

Does your congregation suffer from internal conflicts? Be proactive, not reactive! Join us for MSTI and acquire skills that will help you deal more effectively with interpersonal and group conflict. Sessions available: March 14-18, May 9-13, June 13-17, August 1-5, or November 14-18, 2022. There is also still time to register for the last session of MSTI this year on Nov. 15-19.

Florida-Bahamas Synod - 9/11 20th Anniversary Commemoration Service

Saturday, September 11, 2021

2pm ET / 1pm CT, via Zoom

Join members of the Florida-Bahamas Synod in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of September 11th. This service will serve as a time of worship and reflection on the events that occurred on September 11, 2001 and changed lives forever.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SERVICE

ELCA Youth Gathering Webinars - "Safety & Security" and "The tABLE"

Everyone who wishes to learn more about Safety & Security measures in place for the Gathering, and to learn more about the pre-Gathering event for disabled youth - known as "The tAble" please head over the WEBINARS page on the Gathering website to register for these webinars. 

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: "Jesus says, 'Come to me, all who are weary'"

As this time of pandemic carries on, sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’re still living through something major and global. In the midst of anxiety and fear, Bishop Eaton shares the words of Jesus, “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Crumley Archives Banquet - Cancelled

The Crumley Archives regrets to share that in light of the rise in COVID 19 infections, the 2021 Friends of the Archives Banquet will be postponed.  We hope to reschedule the banquet in 2022.  Please stay in touch with us for more news and details.

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.
     

Faith Formation Minister - Incarnation LC, Columbia, SC

Contact:  Pastor Emily Willhide; office@incarnationlutheran.com
 
Position Purpose / Scope: Part-time Faith Formation Minister who will enable children, youth, and young adults to grow in their Christian discipleship. This position has the opportunity for full time hours and some benefits through additional hours at our Child Development Center.