Congregational Leader Zoom for September 2022

Monday, September 26

7-8 pm ET / 6-7 pm CT

We continue to work together to guide you in these unprecedented times.  Our synod staff will share what resources are already in place and wish to hear from you about what is most needed in your contexts.  We thank you for joining in this ministry we do together.

Book Study - Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes

Sunday, October 2

3-5 pm ET / 2-4 pm CT

Church historian, professor, and author Justo L. González's book will lead us through an eye-opening journey through the Bible, helping us read our familiar sacred text with a renewed experience from a particular community.

Join us to discuss how we can see the Bible anew.

Hark!  The Herald Facebookers Sing!

Tuesday, October 11

7-8:30 pm ET / 6-7:30 pm CT

Liking, commenting, and sharing on Facebook is a means of evangelism and outreach. In this training session learn why you may want to share your faith online and how to do it authentically! This training is for lay people of all ages (and rostered ministers) to empower you to share your faith with your Facebook feed.

Evangelism Workshop: Being True to the Gospel

Sunday, October 16

7-8:30 pm ET / 6-7:30 pm CT

When your story and God’s story are unpopular – staying true to the Gospel

Led by Bishop Kevin Strickland and the Evangelism Committee of the Southeastern Synod

2022 All TN Lutheran Youth Gathering

Friday-Saturday, November 12-13, 2022

St. Timothy LC, Hendersonville, TN

Cost: $40/person

ABIDE - ELCA Young Adults small groups online

We are so excited that Abide continues to grow and change! Beginning October 2022, we will offer three small groups each month. We recommend you join one small group each month but know that you aren't required to join a group each month. On the 15th of each month, a new set of groups will begin.

Get to Know Ms. Allison Lizdas, Assistant to the Bishop for Advocacy

Greetings! My name is Allison Lizdas and I am the new Assistant to the Bishop for Advocacy and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself: I am a lifelong Lutheran and I am married to Dan who works at Coca Cola. We have two children and two rescue dogs. Matteus (22) is a recent graduate of Georgia State, and Ellie (20) is a junior year at Berry College. My family is passionate about mission work, including working with ILAG and MILAGRO and orphans in Zambia...

2022 Mission Support and 2023 Intent to Give - a Word from Pr. Jonathan Hemphill and Pr. Patti Axel

We are committed to our mission to equip, empower and engage people with God’s love. To that end, we work to be present in congregations throughout our synod in crisis and celebration, assist rostered leaders and lay leaders, support new ministries, engage in disaster response, and lead initiatives on diversity and justice. Our work is directly connected to your support. We are in this together and simply invite you to continue your intended support.

Give and/or state your intent to give TODAY!

September 2022 - Monthly Giving Focus - Gathered By Grace (Montgomery, AL)

Gathered by Grace is a community of young adults in Montgomery, Alabama, gathered by Christ, growing spiritually, serving our community, getting to know our neighbor, welcoming all, and sharing the Good News of Jesus. 

2023 Synod Grants - Upcoming Deadlines

Applications for Vitality Grants / Outreach Grants / Multicultural Grants are due by noon  October 3, 2022.  Approved disbursements will be made after the January 2023 Synod Council meeting.

If you want your proposal reviewed by the DEM’s prior to that date, reach out to Rev. Patti Axel (paxel@elca-ses.org)  and Ms. Melissa Fuller Sims (mfuller@elca-ses.org). 

2023 Morton Fund Grants for Ministry in East Tennessee

Each year the Synod Council awards grants of various sizes from the Morton Fund to support ministry projects in Tennessee, from Chattanooga eastward. Grant requests are reviewed by an advisory group from East Tennessee, prior to submission to the Synod Council for final approval at its January meeting.  APPLY TODAY!

ELCA World Hunger: World Food Day - October 16

On Sunday, September 11, 2022, the faithful followers of Jesus at Zion, Guyton, GA, gathered for worship, a meal, a time of storytelling, and fun.   A grand meal was prepared and desserts overflowed as the people of Zion shared their stories with one another.

A great time was had by all.  Check out the photo album lined to this article for some pictures of the celebration.  Pr. Michael Jannett, Assistant to the Bishop for Formation and Communication was present to preach and preside at worship.

Zion, Guyton, GA - Celebrates 150th Anniversary!!!

On Sunday, September 11, 2022, the faithful followers of Jesus at Zion, Guyton, GA, gathered for worship, a meal, a time of storytelling, and fun.   A grand meal was prepared and desserts overflowed as the people of Zion shared their stories with one another.

A great time was had by all.  Check out the photo album lined to this article for some pictures of the celebration.  Pr. Michael Jannett, Assistant to the Bishop for Formation and Communication was present to preach and preside at worship.

Salem, Parrottsville, TN - Celebrates 175th Anniversary!!!

On Sunday, September 11, 2022, the faithful followers of Jesus at Salem, Parrottsville, TN, gathered to celebrate 175 years of continuous ministry.  Bishop Strickland was present to share a word of thanksgiving for the faithful ministry of Salem, Parrottsville, TN.

Feeding the Homeless - Resurrection, Augusta, GA

Supporting the Local Hospital - St. Mark's, Huntsville, AL

Dropping off "God's Work. Our Hands." donations for patients at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children and goodies for Huntsville Hospital Emergency Department employees.

Diversity & Justice Blog:  "Soldier Statue Removal"

Just when I think that things are hopeless and that there’s no justice in this world, something happens to challenge that theory.  Last month, it was the installation of Mary McLeod Bethune’s statue in the National Statuary Hall in the U. S. Capitol - representing Florida, no less! ...

Word & Prayer Ministry - October 2022 - in Spanish

Shepherd of the Hills (Birmingham) holds a Word and Prayer Ministry in Spanish 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. 

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Shepherd of the Hills (Birmingham) realiza un servicio de palabra y oración en español el primer domingo de cada mes a las 2:30pm CT / 3:30pm ET. El Rev. Ed Cortes dirige el servicio y invita a todas y todos que entienda español a participar.

LBW & WOV Hymnals Available for a New Home

Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church in Richmond Hill, GA has approximately 60 LBW (Green Book) hymnals and 60 WOV  (Blue Book) hymnals along with a rolling storage cart to give to a good home. Transportation/shipping can be discussed.

ELCA Advocacy Cafe - Bringing Down Barriers to Voting

Last Tuesday of month, 1pm ET or 8pm ET

September 27

Bringing people together for exchange on important issues with faith-based advocacy leaders.  Grab a cup and join us!

Presiding Bishop Eaton: "We Are Woven Together" (Living Lutheran - Sept 2022)

In her September 2022 column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes: “In Christ we are individually members one of another. Sometimes we might feel like we are stuck with each other. This is the great mystery and beauty of the wounded body of Christ—we are woven together.” 

Read her column in English or Spanish.

Vital Congregations Training - Fall 2022

October 6 & 20, November 3 & 17

 Is your congregation ready to take some steps (even small steps) toward renewal or revitalization? Are you ready to try some new things, share some ideas, gain a greater understanding of the broader mission, bring clarity about your own congregation’s mission, acquire knowledge on how to live that out in community, gain confidence to share what you have learned with the world, and find new allies from within a cohort of congregations? Then, you are invited to attend the 2022 Fall Session of the ELCA Vital Congregations Training.

Fall Family Camp Weekend @ Lutheranch

Friday, Oct 21 - Sunday, Oct 23, 2022

Are you ready for a taste of summer camp in the fall? Join us for this weekend of summer camp fun complete with counselors, campfires, a cookout, archery, craft, games, songs, Bible Study, worship, boating and fishing and time at the barn. If you’ve never been to family camp, this is the perfect opportunity to try it out. If you are a family camp veteran, come back and enjoy everything you love during the summer. Stay in the McKanna Sandrock retreat center rooms or stay in a bunk room ($50.00) discount.

Register fast because spaces are limited.

Women's Rest & Renewal @ Lutheranch

Friday, Oct 21 - Sunday, Oct 23, 2022

Are you ready for a getaway just for YOU?

Join us at Lutheranch for a weekend of meaningful Bible Study and worship, yoga, massages, a spa room, delicious home cooked meals and, most importantly, time to step away from the busyness of daily life and rest and be renewed.

Together we will spend the weekend exploring what it means to be “Branded by God” and enjoying the peace and quiet of Lutheranch’s idyllic western atmosphere. Wake up and enjoy your coffee on the rocking chair porch as you watch the sunrise over the lake, take a quiet hike through the woods or just enjoy an uninterrupted nap in the comfort of your room.

End the day in fellowship with other women around an evening campfire

Kessler Conversations - Fall 2022:  2 More Conversations on "Martin Luther’s Bible: Conversations on the 500th Anniversary of Luther’s September Testament"

Wed., Oct. 5, 12 pm ET - Martin Luther as a Reader of Scripture and Insights for Today

Wed., Nov. 2, 12 pm ET - Let Anyone who would hear God Speak Read Holy Scripture: Luther’s Translation After 500 Years

Named after the world-renowned Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection held at Pitts Theology Library, these online, 30-45 minute conversations offer opportunities for the general public to learn about the events in Europe the 16th century and to consider what they may tell us about the issues facing our communities.