2023 Intent to Give - ONE percent campaign

What did your congregation give to the Southeastern Synod in 2022?  Ask your congregational leaders!

How has your life or your congregation been positively impacted by the work of the synod?  Ask your congregational leaders if you don't know! 

A 1% increase in mission support from your congregation also means that the synod continues to serve you and your congregation in greater ways.  We receive with one hand, and give with other.  That small increase means an opportunity for God to bless what we have and multiply this into ministry.

Holding a Blue Christmas or Longest Night 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.

This article also has resources for those challenged with mental health struggles by this time of year.  Please look and share as you are able.  Check out the synod mental health website, here.

Suicide Prevention Webinar - QPR Training

Sunday, December 11

5pm ET / 4pm CT

The synod staff invites you to join them in prayer.   Newcomers are always welcome!  

This team will meet once a month via zoom to pray. Praying for the needs of ourselves, our neighbors locally and globally, the needs of the church and world, and for what else might be in need that day of prayer.

Synod Prayer Team

Monday, December 19

11am ET / 10am CT

The synod staff invites you to join them in prayer.   Newcomers are always welcome!  

This team will meet once a month via zoom to pray. Praying for the needs of ourselves, our neighbors locally and globally, the needs of the church and world, and for what else might be in need that day of prayer.

MLK Days of Service Mission Trip - Waverly, TN

January 16-20, 2023

Come and be a part of rebuilding or repairing the home of a family that lost so much in the August 2021 floods. Building skills are great but not essential for this trip! There are plenty tasks for all skill levels!  Our housing is being provided by First United Methodist Church in Waverly. 

We hope to have a team of 15-16 volunteers. You can be one of them! 

Prayers for All Traveling to Israel with Bishop Strickland and Pr. Jill Henning

January 1-10, 2023, Bishop Kevin Strickland and Assistant to the Bishop Pr. Jill Henning will be traveling with 50 synod participants in a trip to the Holy Land. 

Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare for this formative journey.

IGNITE Evangelism event Follow-Up  

Our IGNITE Evangelism event held on November 19 was a phenomenal one in which we discussed the opportunity to show love and care for our neighbors as a way of evangelism.

Please be sure to take a look!

2023 Synod Assembly Elections Information and Nomination Forms

2023 Synod Assembly will take place June 2-4, 2023, in Chattanooga, TN.

At the 2023 Synod Assembly, we will hold elections for Synod Vice President, Synod Treasurer, (Lay) At-Large members of Synod Council, as well as Consultation and Discipline Committee members.

Details in this article will help you understand our goals for elections in 2023.

Smart, Year-End, Charitable Giving

The end of the year is a time of reflection and anticipation. It’s also a time of deadlines. Here are some important charitable considerations ahead of the last day of December.

Each link below points to a different page!

• IRA Distributions
• Appreciated Stock
• Donor Advised Funds

Region 9 Boundaries & Inclusion Training (Last Chance!!!)

Monday, January 9, 2023

10am-3pm ET / 9am-2pm CT

The ELCA Region 9 Bishops’ Relational Agreement for Boundaries, Candidacy, and Call Process points out that our synods are “committed to always reforming for the health of leaders, vitality of congregations, and the flourishing of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we agree to work together as a region to address systemic issues facing rostered ministers who are women. Together, we will work to create a culture change in our region through deepening trust and relationship—creating authentic avenues for reporting, responding, education, advocacy, and care.”

The focus for this training is Gender Justice and Inclusion Boundaries Education.   

This event is only for those who missed the previous 3 opportunities in October 2022

This is the FOURTH and FINAL opportunity for rostered ministers to participate in this required Regional event. 

Please contact Pr. Justin Eller (jeller@elca-ses.org) if you have any questions. 

Rostered Ministers Gathering - Registration now OPEN!!!

July 17-20, 2023 - Phoenix, AZ

As a Rostered Minister in the ELCA, you are invited to join colleagues under the theme of "Rekindle the gift within you". (2 Timothy 1:6).

Let this gathering be an opportunity for you to remember, reclaim, rekindle and revive yourself. Gathering with colleagues from across the church for fellowship, renewal, continuing education, worship, bible study and refreshment for your spirit.

All rostered ministers are invited (active in call, on leave from call, awaiting call, retired).

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.

Webinar:  Addiction, Faith, Science, and Public Policy

Tuesday, December 13

12:30-2:00pm ET / 11:30am-1:00pm CT

The Center of Addiction & Faith is presenting this one-hour webinar, followed by 30 minutes of Q & A

Description: Faith Communities play a vital role in recovery and prevention. This webinar will explore the reasons why faith and spirituality can be integral to recovery and the critical importance of faith-based groups adopting evidence-based practices.
 

Religious Arts Festival - LTSS - Columbia, SC - Feb 2-3, 2023

This two-day event is designed for both part-time and full-time church musicians seeking to broaden their knowledge and practical skills. An organ recital and masterclass will be given by James O'Donnell (Yale University and former director of music at Westminster Abbey).

The event is co-sponsored by Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (Fisher Endowment), the South Carolina Chapter of the Fellowship of Worship Artists, and the Greater Columbia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Cost is $75.  Register by Jan 30, 2023.