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!

Conversation on ELCA Draft Social Message on Climate Change

Tuesday, November 15

8-9pm ET / 7-8pm CT

The ELCA has released a draft social message on climate that is open for public comment until December 2nd. On Tuesday, November 15t, the EcoFaith Network will host an open forum led by Pr. Kristin Foster and Pr. David Carlson, EcoFaith Network co-chairs. Join us for discussion, then submit your own feedback by December 2nd!

Braver Angels: a Workshop on How to Have Respectful Conversations

Sunday, November 20

3-6 pm ET / 2-5pm CT

Cost: FREE!

There can be a lot of stress among family members and friends who are divided politically, and polarizing public conversation doesn't help.

In this online workshop you will learn and practice skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship.

Holding a Blue Christmas Service?  Let us know, so we can SHARE!!!

If your congregation is hosting a Blue Christmas service this year, please fill out the form below so that we can publicize your service. Your synod’s Diversity and Justice Taskforce would like to publish a complete list of all Blue Christmas services in the synod by November 15, 2022.

 (Click article title to submit details.)

Synod Prayer Team

Monday, November 28

11am ET / 10am CT

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.
 

Word & Prayer Ministry - December 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.
 

Southeastern Synod Daily Advent Devotional COMING SOON!

We are gathering the voices of folks from across the Southeastern Synod again this year to create a Daily Advent Devotional.

We will publish this soon.  Be on the lookout!

ELCA World Hunger Advent Study

ELCA World Hunger's 2022 Advent study guide expands on the Advent readings for this year, includes information about ELCA World Hunger at work in the world, and is perfect for individual study or with a group.

Illustrated Ministry's Advent Collection

If you are looking for Advent-themed coloring pages, coloring sheets, or even pageants, we invite you to check out Illustrated Ministry's website.  They have lots of great items for your children's and youth ministries, or for ANYONE who likes share the HOPE of the Advent season.

ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission

The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29 into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. As they offer themselves in service, ELCA young adults are shaped by the witness of our global neighbors. They share in the journeys of companion churches and organizations in one of nine countries around the world.

Applications for the 2023-2024 YAGM service year will be open from Nov. 1, 2022 through Feb. 1, 2023. Priority will be given to those who apply before Jan. 15.

ELCA YOUNG ADULT Gathering to be held along ELCA Youth Gathering

From the ELCA Youth Gathering website:

Due to the cancellation of the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE and the tAble, many young people were not given the opportunity to participate in these life-changing faith formation events.

In response to this, we are thrilled to partner with ELCA Young Adult Ministries on the first-ever Young Adult Gathering, open to individuals who will be 18 to 35 at the time of the event!

To learn more about the ELCA Young Adult Gathering (July 16-20, 2024), visit elca.org/YAGathering

Living Lutheran: What We Value

Growing up on our family dairy farm, I struggled with my dad’s leniency toward those who fell short of his high standards. Whether they were an incompetent hired hand or someone who had wronged my dad or a neighbor, he would treat them the same as those who were well respected in our small farming community.

Looking back, I realize why my dad did so. Life in our community was unpredictable. Folks were often one accident, one poor season of weather or one bad market from hardship or even loss of their farm. When equipment and buildings burned to the ground, cattle died from disease or crops were lost to drought, you came to the aid of those in need and trusted they would do the same for you. How you treated people mattered.