10/19/2020
Muchas Gracias! After the Virtual GALA, we received this special thank you video from Pastora Karen Castillo, president of ILAG; Beatriz Castillo, housemother for MILAGRO; and some of the young women in the MILAGRO Women’s Education Center. It’s never too late to make donation to the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG) or MILAGRO. Your financial and prayerful support makes a difference in the lives of these young women, their families, their communities, their congregations and ...
10/19/2020
Click here to return to the STEWARDSHIP RESOURCE PAGE Did you know that many congregations receive over 35% of their giving in the last three months of the calendar year? Many households also make their designated or special gifts in the last week of the year. Now is the time to start planning! Did you know that the electronic giving platform, Tithe.ly has discovered that over the last three years that 72% of electronic giving is done via a mobile app 20% of electronic giving is done online...
10/6/2020
The Mission Outreach and Renewal Committee (MORC) is preparing for the last meeting of the year. We invite congregations to submit grant proposals by emailing synod.office@elca-ses.org no later than noon October 13th. 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) . Proposals submitted after October 13th or incomplete proposals will be reviewed during the next meeting ...
10/6/2020
Survey says…..Resourceful Servants is for you! Recent research has shown: Roughly 3 out of every 4 American adults regularly worries about their financial health (National Foundation for Credit Counseling). Nearly 80 percent of Americans regularly live paycheck to paycheck (CareerBuilder), and Approximately 1/3 of Americans have no retirement savings whatsoever (Etrade) Sound familiar? If so, Resourceful Servants is for you! Yes. Really. This is for YOU, our rostered minister! Through ...
10/1/2020
Does your congregation participate in any type of feeding program, such as a food bank, weekend food backpacks for children, etc.? If so, you might want to check into this information from our ELCA World Hunger ministry. You can go to this link to learn more. If your congregation is approved for a grant, you will receive a fund-raiser page that will help you solicit donations from within your congregation and your network of friends, family, or community, as well as a $500 ELCA World Hunger ...
9/22/2020
Southeastern Synod Disaster Ministry Committee is currently working in partnership with Inspiritus’ Disaster Team to provide assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. We are grateful for the leadership of Pastor Hope Knobler, who serves Grace Lutheran Church in Gulf Shores. The people of Grace and Pastor Knobler are offering assistance in food distribution, working with Inspiritus to determine homes in need of tree removal and providing relief for those whose lives have been upended by ...
9/22/2020
The impact of a story Twenty-one congregations from our synod are participating in the Beginning a Culture of Generosity Program with Pr. Mike Ward. Melanie Mitchell who worships at Community of Grace in Grayson, GA has valued the discussions around outcome stories. “Having members of the congregation share what it means to have God in their lives, or the impact of God in their lives, is a great way to share the church’s ministry and remind people of God’s generosity to us. The frequent sharing ...
9/21/2020
Jill Knueppel, a licensed massage therapist in Georgia with 22 years of experience working with Atlanta area chiropractors, is offering bodywork sessions to aid ELCA rostered persons around the Atlanta area. These sessions are being offered at a significant discount from her usual charges and will be conducted in COVID safe conditions. In order to do this, to make sure we all are safe, clients are encouraged to come to one of her two office locations in Lawrenceville or Johns Creek. Because ...
9/17/2020
The Synod Council met on September 12, 2020, from 9 am-4 pm over ZOOM. Detailed exhibits and reports can be found at https://www.elca-ses.org/committeemeeting/sept-2020-synod-council-meeting-14143216 Official minutes of this meeting will be approved at the January 2021 meeting of the Synod Council. We began the meeting with prayer and devotion, then welcomed new Synod Council members including Dr. Roland Bernard Welmaker, Atonement, Atlanta; Ms. Phyllis Solgere, Christ, Oakwood GA; Rev. Susan...
9/14/2020
“It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.” – Isaiah 4:6 For those who might need to evacuate due to Hurricane Sally, please see the following: Lutheridge Lutheridge Camp & Conference Center, in Arden NC, is now open for those who are required or choosing to evacuate in the path of a hurricane. Lutheridge asks for a minimum contribution of $25 per night. Availability is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are ...
9/14/2020
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything make your requests to God...by prayer, thanksgiving and placing your request to God, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind fully beyond understanding (Phil. 4: 6–7) Greetings! This is Bishop Kevin Strickland. I am putting together a synod prayer team. This team will meet with me 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 ...
9/7/2020
One of our smaller multi-cultural congregations has members mostly on fixed incomes. They constantly fear financial insecurity and the pandemic has now added health concerns. Unable to worship physically together and with limited access to technology, they worry now too about their ability to continue as a congregation. One of our refugee ministries, especially vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic, is funded partially by donations from other congregations. This funding is always ...
9/7/2020
Here are links to some helpful events for those in Fulton County, GA: Flyer of Education Events to be hosted by the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections Election Schedule for Registration and voting
9/3/2020
As the Season of Creation ensues for 2020, we would like to share these resources with you that support our desire to care for God's beautiful creation. Season of Creation Free Graphics for Congregational Use These awesome graphics come from Southwest California Synod of the ELCA. These graphics are free to use!!! (Click the images below to grab the graphics from the SW California Synod website.) CLICK HERE to DOWNLOAD this PDF Renewing, Repairing, and Restoring - an ...
8/25/2020
Lutheranch Fall 2020 Vacation Packages Come to Lutheranch and enjoy an all-inclusive weekend package with lodging, meals and activities, including horseback riding. With over 500 acres to explore, we have plenty of space to get outside, relax and have fun! SEPT 4-7, 2020 OCT 9-11, 2020 NOV 13-15, 2020 Call 828.209.6302 or email registration@novusway.org. CLICK HERE for the FULL FLYER. Cabins and Hotel-Style Rooms Now Available for Rent at Lutherock, Lutheranch and Lutheridge At NovusWay, ...
8/25/2020
The 2020 conference is going virtual! Please mark your calendars for the dates below). All times are Eastern Daylight Time. Hear from leading thinkers exploring the opportunities for growth in stewardship even in the midst of profound social change. General Conference Information REGISTER HERE: StewardshipKaleidoscope.org Schedule The 2020 conference will be virtual. We will be together on the following dates from 11:30 – 1:30 EDT. Tuesday, September 22 Tuesday, September 29 and ...
8/25/2020
Does your rostered minister have student loan debt? Has your congregation considered assisting with this debt? Now through December 31, 2020 is the perfect time to do this. The COVID-19 virus pandemic devastated the United States’ economy, causing millions of people to lose their jobs or to experience reductions in income. With so many people struggling to make ends meet, the government created the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide economic assistance. The...
8/17/2020
Sunday’s in October 2020 October 4, 11, 21, 28 - 2020 3:00-4:30pm EDT / 2:00-3:30pm CDT via Zoom October 4 - Worship 101: Why We Do What We Do October 11 - Say Her Name: Naming the Witness of Nameless Women in the Bible October 18 - With Glad and Generous Hearts: a Look at Stewardship of Self, Congregation, and Church October 25 - Telling the Story of Jesus: Evangelism in the 21st Century (Registration link is now active!) See below for details for all 4 sessions October 4: “Worship...
8/11/2020
We are excited to share some new stewardship resources. Some of our congregations are seeing an increased emphasis on stewardship, with many stepping up to support the virtual ministries and to ensure that the congregations remain alive and well. Other congregations are struggling week to week. Where ever your congregation lands, we know and trust in God's abundance, and we as a synod are here to help! $51K has been distributed to congregations during this pandemic for assistance to help ...
8/10/2020
From the ELCA 500 website (elca500.org): We are inviting people to study and reflect on Martin Luther’s “The Freedom of a Christian” in 2020, its 500th anniversary year. It is an invitation to hear, share, and experience the Lutheran witness of the Christian faith as it relates to God’s narrative of freedom in Christ. This initiative extends our engagement in the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and builds upon the Presiding Bishop’s 2016-2017 initiative inviting the people of the ELCA to ...
7/29/2020
TOP LINKS: COVID-19 Southeastern Synod Guidelines Document ELCA COVID-19 Guidelines [ENGLISH] and [SPANISH] "Resuming Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life in a Pandemic" (Ecumenical COVID-19 Guidelines) Now in SPANISH!!! July 30, 2020, update: COVID-19 Podcast Updates Dr. Michael Osterhom, one of the nation’s top infectious disease epidemiologist and director of the Center for Infectious Disease at the University of Minnesota host podcast that can be found here on the continuing ...
7/28/2020
Rev. Cliff Bahlinger (St. Luke, Memphis, TN) shared some news with us about the US House of Representatives passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. A previous article about this work was posted in 2018 on our Synod News page (FOUND HERE). Here is the quote from Rev. Bahlinger in the July 24, 2020, update Creation Justice Ministries blog post: Rev. Clifford Bahlinger, a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a former Park Ranger with the National Park Service and an ...
7/28/2020
In response to the great need in our synod during this pandemic, $49,800 has already been distributed to 19 of our congregations in all four of our states. These funds have come from our Synod’s Strategic Initiative Fund plus grants from generous donors across the ELCA. We give God thanks for those who continue to support the work of the church and continue to spread God’s message of hope and love in the midst of this crisis. These funds have been used by our congregations in many ways, ...
7/28/2020
We'd like to introduce you to your newly elected representatives for the 2020-2022 Synod Council. Please welcome them warmly and thank them for their service to our Synod. Young Adult, Ms. Imani Robinson, Atonement, Atlanta, GA Ms. Phyllis Solgere, Conference 4, Christ, Oakwood, GA, completing the term of Amanda Spangler Rev. Susan Thisell, Conference 6, Messiah, Knoxville, TN Rev. Eric Murray, Conference 7, Shades Valley, Birmingham, AL Elected to a second term, Conference 9, Rev. ...
7/27/2020
Created and Hosted by Pastor Mary W. Anderson As a parish pastor for 37 years, I, like many of you, have seen the church and its ministry change and grow, worry and panic, in the midst of the transformational times in which we live. In the last five months of living in a global pandemic, we’ve all had to learn more about using technology in ministry than we thought was possible or even theologically correct. For the past two years, I’ve been creating an on-line ministry platform called ...
7/9/2020
Quick! What’s your favorite hymn? If you answered “I Love to Tell the Story” then I’ve got an opportunity for you! The ELCA’s Mission Interpretation Ministry (MIM) was formed in 1993 to share with others how God is active in our lives and in our communities. We have a story to tell and it is God’s story as written in scripture, and our story as God has touched our lives and the lives of those around us. MIM will be holding their conference virtually this year. Starting August 15, a series ...
7/8/2020
Thank You for Your Advocacy Work! On May 21, Bishop Kevin Strickland moderated the webinar Becoming the Body of Christ Where All Bodies are Valued:A conversation around the ELCA's resolution to condemn White Supremacy, to give voice to the cries for justice for Ahmaud Arbery, who had been murdered in late February, while jogging in Brunswick Georgia. The webinar included a “call to action,” of contacting elected officials in Georgia, to ask for the passage of HB426, a Hate Crimes Bill, which ...
7/8/2020
Greetings from Bishop Kevin Strickland and the entire Southeastern Synod Staff! We invite you to produce a 60-second or less video (or even still photos) that captures the concept of what it means for your ministry / congregation to THRIVE in these times. We know that generosity and gratitude help to inform the concept of thriving. We are embarking on a video production throughout our synod to help us all see how – even in the midst of worldly struggles – the Church is still thriving, ...
6/16/2020
You need a place to get away. You need a place to gather in God’s good creation with family and friends. You need a place apart. Open the door to opportunities at the beautiful sites of NovusWay. We are ready for you. We are ready for your group of friends. We are ready for your family. We are ready for you to open the door to simple time away. With comfortable accommodations, on-site meals, and fun gifts from our team to help you create faith forming experiences, your experience at ...
6/16/2020
A note from Pr. Steve Alsleben: My father is a retired pastor, but served as a missionary in Brazil, Chicago, and Los Angeles, so I got around a bit growing up. Went to Valparaiso University, then Pacific Lutheran Seminary. My first call was to pastor Kingshill and Christus Victor Lutheran Churches in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. I then joined the Army as a chaplain, and served for 20 years in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Camp Humphries, South Korea; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Bamberg, Germany; ...
6/15/2020
As you may have seen we (at NOVUS WAY) are doing a weekly vespers worship on Sundays for all four sites (Lutheridge, Lutherock, Lutheranch, and Luther Springs) We want to start having campers/families be a part of it. Could you and your family do a 20 second or less video introducing yourselves and following these parameters: Please turn your phone horizontal to film and have any major light source (like the sun) in front of you. Your video should be no longer than 20 seconds. Introduce ...
6/4/2020
Pr. Ron Bonner (Redeemer LC, Atlanta, GA) is hosting a book study on a book he wrote called "No Bigotry Allowed: Losing the Spirit of Fear: Towards the Conversation About Race." This book study will begin on Sunday morning, June 7, 2020. You may purchase the book on Amazon here. Here is the book description from Amazon: In the United States, our racial problems are interlaced, and unless unraveled, we may spend time applying a great solution to the wrong problem. One of those problems is ...
6/3/2020
In the Southeastern Synod’s COVID-19 Guidelines, the Southeastern Synod COVID-19 task force is encouraging every congregation to establish a COVID-19 task force to review the Southeastern Synod Guidelines - Guidelines available here - and develop a congregational plan to respond to this ongoing crisis and develop a congregational phasing plan for physically gathering. In the Southeastern Synod COVID-19 Guidelines, each congregation is asked to designate a Disaster Coordinator that the ...
6/3/2020
In the midst of the virus, we continue to celebrate God’s abundance! Our Synod recently distributed COVID-19 Grants in the amount of $40K ($30K from our Strategic Initiatives Fund and $10K from an ELCA Grant) to congregations most in need. These grants are intended to ensure that the rostered minister’s salary/benefits can be paid so that other congregational funds can be used for ministry. The synod funding comes from Holy Closures – congregations who have made the incredibly difficult ...
5/22/2020
Becoming the Body of Christ where all bodies are valued: A Conversation around the ELCA's resolution to Condemn White Supremacy. Thursday, May 21, 7:00pm EDT / 6:00pm CDT to more easily share this video, copy this url: https://youtu.be/LAatEgzrSnA We are grateful for so many of our leaders in the ELCA and the Southeastern Synod for gathering together to hold this most important conversation. Our host was Southeastern Synod Bishop, Bishop Kevin Strickland. Our panelists included: ...
5/21/2020
If you would like to support the Advocacy for Hate Crime Legislation in Georgia, this page has email addresses and brief descriptions of the officeholder’s position, and any “special” instructions. If time is a factor, writing one letter and copying and pasting all the addressees would be OK. The Senate Judiciary Committee must vote this legislation out of committee first. So contact all of them that you are able. Georgia State Senate Judiciary Committee will have to vote on HB 426 to bring ...
5/18/2020
These individual grants are made possible through a joint project funded by Lutheran Disaster Response and the Southeastern Synod Disaster Ministry Committee. The Southeastern Synod will select 15 congregations who through their ministries and possible partnerships will provide food for vulnerable people within their community. Congregations are encouraged to prepare a detailed description of the feeding program they have planned and attach it to this application. This grant must be used ...
5/12/2020
Bishop Kevin Strickland's Pastoral Letter Here is an excerpt from Bishop Strickland's letter: We grieve with the family of Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, as they remember his life and his birthdate. But we cannot stop with our prayers, our grief, or even our acknowledgment of our privilege. We must advocate and be a voice for those whose voices have been taken from them. Click here to read Bishop Kevin Strickland's pastoral letter (PDF) How to Take Action Now The African Descent Lutheran ...
5/4/2020
FEEDBACK REQUESTED BY MAY 6, 11:45pm CDT We at the synod office received a request to participate in an ecumenical survey about gathering for in-person meetings. This is an opportunity to share your voice with the larger church. Here is the letter: Subject: Ecumenical Protocols for In-person Church Greetings! In anticipation of a slowing of the spread of the coronavirus, many states are beginning to lift stay-at-home orders and loosen restrictions on public gatherings. A diverse group of public ...
5/4/2020
Interested in knowing how to track online attendance? Wondering to put on Form A next year? Click the link below to get a pdf of this document. This will give us a unified process and allow us to track the same numbers across the ELCA. Hope this helps! Check out the ELCA's form for Tracking Online Attendance.
5/1/2020
Please be aware that we have had another email scam come to our attention at the synod office. It looks like this: ============================== Hi, how are you doing? I need a favor from you, email me as soon as you get this message. God Bless, Bishop. Kevin Strickland =============================== DO NOT REPLY. This is a scam looking for your to buy gift cards. THIS IS NOT FROM BISHOP STRICKLAND nor is it from the synod office. Someone is creating an email address that mimics ...
4/21/2020
In the midst of this worldwide Covid-19 pandemic we ask your prayers for our companion synods, the following is a conversation between Bishop Strickland and Pastor Karen Castillo, President of ILAG. This was recorded last week and since the recording Guatemala has suffered a series of earthquakes. Pastor Castillo has reported that they are safe but continues to ask for your prayers. If you would like to provide assistance to our brothers and sisters in Guatemala you can donate to their ...
4/16/2020
As the Southeastern Synod, we remain committed to sharing resources that aid you in your emotional wellness. Here is a website that our Mental Health Task Force has begun to formulate as part of the 2019 Synod Assembly resolution regarding Mental Health Awareness: Southeastern Synod - Mental Health Resources & Referrals Here are some documents and articles for your care in this difficult time. One-page flyer with several phone numbers for COVID-19 hotlines and "warmlines" to address some of...
4/16/2020
"Now that I've mastered remote worship, what about remote meetings?" Watch a short video to find out whether your congregation can conduct business remotely, plus how to do it. Resources: Click here for further details about the topics covered in the video If you require a confidential vote for a congregational meeting, click here for a low cost option through ElectionRunner.com ELCA Considerations for Remote Council and Congregation meetings during the COVID-19 Pandemic Short tutorial on...
4/14/2020
The Southeastern Synod Nominating Committee is currently seeking nominees for several positions which were to be elected at the 2020 Synod Assembly. Since the Synod Assembly has been canceled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, elections will be conducted by the Synod Council at their meeting in early June. Positions for which nominees are needed include the Consultation Committee, the Discipline Committee, and the Synod Council. Member of the Consultation Committee. This committee ...
4/12/2020
As we prepare for Holy Week and Easter - Jesus' journey to the depths and to resurrection - we are doing so in a much different way. As such, your synod staff and committees are working to provide some resources for you. For your Holy Week experience, your synod staff is providing the following: Maundy Thursday sermon, by Pr. Everett Flanigan [ENGLISH | EN ESPANOL] Good Friday meditation on the seven last words of Jesus, by Ms. Melissa Fuller Sims [ENGLISH | EN ESPANOL] Easter Vigil ...
4/4/2020
DO YOU USE ZOOM FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP? If so, note that ZOOM is making security changes that are taking effect on PALM SUNDAY including requiring a password for previously scheduled meetings. If your meeting URL already includes a very long string of LETTERS after "password=" you should be OK. If you are using their old-style URL which is just a string of 9 NUMBERS only, you need to resend out your meeting link. Some congregations are sending out the entire Zoom meeting invitation info, including ...
4/3/2020
At such a time like this, in the midst of fear for our health and that of our loved ones. in the midst of fear for our jobs and our economy, in the midst of so many questions, keep giving to your church. When we give to our church, we are honoring God. We are enabling our churches to continue the ministries so desperately needed now – ministries which share the love of God, feed our neighbors, and care for the most vulnerable. As Erik Cooper states, “when I give the “first fruits” of my ...
4/2/2020
Our Synod staff and Worship team have are continuing to provide the following: Maundy Thursday sermon by Pr. Everett Flanigan, Assistant to the Bishop and Administrative Dean for the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta Good Friday - Jesus' Seven Last Words & a mediation by Ms. Melissa Fuller Sims, Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Mission An online Easter Vigil service featuring Word and song, prayer and light. A bulletin will be available so that those worshiping at home...
3/23/2020
This content was solely provided by ELCA Coaches Network and is for ROSTERED MINISTERS: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 for March 25 and April 1 FREE Virtual Offerings Hosted by ELCA Coaching Ministry Over the next 2 weeks, here are the gatherings we are offering: Topic: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 - Weekly Meeting for ELCA Leaders Wednesday, March 25, 2020 1:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Sharing Our Grief and Our Hope with One Another As Leaders Wednesday, April 1, 2020 ...
The Southeastern Synod is part of the
