Staff Announcement Regarding Director of Evangelical Mission

From Bishop Strickland (in a special e-news sent on Sept. 27):  "I write to inform you that The Reverend Patricia 'Patti' Axel has resigned her position as Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Mission of the Southeastern Synod. Her last day will be December 14^th. I give God great thanks for Pastor Axel’s willingness to say yes to this call and to journey along with me and the synod staff these past three years. She has discerned a call back into congregational ministry."

To read more and to ready Pr. Patti's resignation latter, please click the title of this article.

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.

Congregation Disaster Coordinators

Thursday, October 13

7 pm ET / 6 pm CT

Topic: Congregations supporting Congregations in times of disaster

Attention congregational and synod volunteer disaster coordinators!
Please join us for this ZOOM Gathering – We need your input!

We will have a brief presentation and then open for all to participate in planning and discerning best ways we can support one another – congregation to congregation in the event of a disaster.

Evangelism Workshop: Being True to the Gospel

Sunday, October 16

3-4:30 pm ET / 2-3:30 pm CT

There are times when hear the Gospel and it is uncomfortable. 

What happens when others don’t want to hear that message and say we are being too political or that we are meddling. 

We stay true to the Gospel!

Join GLAAD this Spirit Day and Take the Pledge Against Bullying

Thursday, October 20, 2022

On October 20, 2022, millions will wear purple on Spirit Day in a stand against bullying and in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth. By going purple on Spirit Day, you can easily demonstrate your support for LGBTQ young people and take a stand against bullying.  Join the Southeastern Synod in going purple for #SpiritDay  to support LGBTQ youth. For more information visit glaad.org/spiritday.

Advent Lectionary Study for Year A

Monday, October 31

1-4 pm ET / 12noon-3 pm CT

Assistant Professor of Homiletics Dr. Samantha Gilmore (Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa) will lead us in conversation about the Gospel texts for Sundays in Advent 2022, for lectionary Year A.  Each of our presenters has led these sessions in their own style. We appreciate Dr. Gilmore making time to guide us into this lectionary study for the Advent season of 2022.

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, ELCA Young Adults 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.

Listening Sessions with African Descent Congregations with Pr. Jonathan Hemphill

Pr. Jonathan Hemphill will be holding listening sessions throughout the Southeastern Synod with congregations of African descent.   

Please sign up by EMAILING Pr. Jonathan today!

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!

October 2022 - Monthly Giving Focus - En Conjunto (Latine Ministry Strategy)

Together, we are engaging communities and congregations, equipping disciples and leaders, and empowering relationships for the development of Latinx Ministries in the Southeastern Synod.

Please consider making a gift to the En Conjunto, the Southeastern Synod Latine Ministry Strategy.

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!

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.

Diversity & Justice Blog:  "Why Is It So Hard to Ask?"

As human beings, we are naturally nervous around people who look or act differently than we do. One of the greatest sources of isolation and misunderstanding is our difficulty in asking our questions out loud. When it comes to people with disabilities, I gladly make myself available as a resource for pastors and congregations, but in a nutshell, my advice is ASK!

Have You Registered to Vote?

Have you registered to vote?  The deadlines to be registered for the November election are coming quickly! 

• Alabama – October 24
• Georgia – October 11
• Mississippi – October 11
• Tennessee – October 11

Visit ballotready.org to check your registration, make a plan to vote, and research every name and measure on the ballot.

Word & Prayer Ministry - November 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. 

+ + + + +

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.

Shelter for Hurricane Ian Evacuations - at Camp

For all those seeking shelter from Hurricane Ian, NovusWay is offering three of its sites to serve those who have need:

• Lutheridge, Arden, NC
• Lutherock, Newland, NC
• Lutheranch, Tallapoosa, GA

Read more to find out how NovusWay can help those in need.

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

Renewal Retreat for Healthcare Workers @ Lutheranch

Friday, Nov 11 - Sunday, Nov 13, 2022

Healthcare workers, we all know the toll that the pandemic has taken on you. We want to give you a place apart to rest and renew. Join us at the Ranch for a weekend of fellowship and support designed with your unique situation in mind. 

ELCA World Hunger: World Food Day - October 16

Join ELCA World Hunger for a celebration of World Food Day, hosted by Rick Steves and special guest Mark Jansen, CEO of Blue Diamond Almonds. This special event will be streamed online so you can celebrate with ELCA World Hunger wherever you are! 

When: Sunday, Oct. 16, 5 pm ET / 4 pm CT

Where: ELCA Facebook page and ELCA YouTube channel 

Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Advocacy, Ms. Allison Lizdas shares a word of encouragement:

ELCA Justice Portal

As a church we affirm God’s call through our 1991 social statement The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective: "Along with all citizens, Christians have the responsibility to defend human rights and to work for freedom, justice, peace, environmental well-being and good order in public life" (p. 5; download in English or Spanish).

On this page you will find information and links to participate with others across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in living out God’s baptismal call to act for justice.

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.