2015 Mission Support Pledge and Remittance Forms
Please complete the 2015 Statement of Intent form—download PDF versions below, or look for hard copies in the mail.
- 2015 Statement Of Intent Mission Support Folder
- 2015 Mission Support Pledge Form
- 2015 Mission Support Remittance Form Word | PDF (fillable PDF coming soon)
From Portico Benefit Services:
Good news: On Nov. 13, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, acted to preserve the housing allowance exclusion for clergy, following a year-long legal challenge from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Rather than rule on the issue of constitutionality, the Court determined that the Foundation lacked standing to challenge the housing allowance exclusion and returned the case to the U.S. District Court of Western Wisconsin with instructions to dismiss the lawsuit.
Earlier this year, Portico and the ELCA joined with the Church Alliance, representing a cross-denominational coalition of church benefit plans, to file an “amicus” brief that urged the court to uphold the constitutionality of the housing allowance exclusion. Portico is pleased by the Court’s favorable decision, given the value that clergy housing allowance brings to so many of our plan members.
More information about the ruling: http://www.church-alliance.org/federal-court-rules-housing-allowance
The Clergy Tax Journal is an email newsletter created exclusively for clergy and churches that features breaking tax news, tax tips and services that affect your ministry. To sign up for the newsletter, visit www.clergytaxnet.com.
Financial Seminars from Portico
November 2, 2015: Portico Pre-Retirement Seminar
November 3, 2015: Early/Mid-Career Financial Wellness Seminar
Certificate in Hispanic Ministry
Wartburg Theological Seminary, through the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest, offers a certificate in Hispanic Ministry. This certificate is earned by the completion of eight courses, taught in an intensive format, normally at the Austin, Texas extension site.
Instruction for these certificate courses is offered four times per year in either English or Spanish. The certificate is designed both for lay leaders and pastors, all those desiring to improve their skills for engaging in Hispanic Ministry. Click here for more details.
Worship Jubilee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Biennial Conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
July 19-21, 2105 • Atlanta, GA
How is God calling the church today? And to what are Christians called?
For the first time, this gathering brings together two major national events in overlapping conferences: the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians will meet Sunday through Wednesday of this week. The third Worship Jubilee for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, following those held in 2000 and 2007, will meet Monday through Thursday.
Participants may register for one or both events, which will feature leading voices, practical workshops, diverse worship expressions in several of Atlanta’s city churches, and rich conversation. Visit LivingVoice2015.org for more information, or download a half-sheet bulletin insert/flier here.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Jesus said to her: “Give me to drink.”
January 18-25, 2015
For more information, download the 2015 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity brochure or visit their website.
September 13, 2015
Resources and Opportunities:
- Sundays and Seasons: Preaching, Year B, 2015 –available now
- An Order for for the Disposal of Deteriorating Bibles and Other Respected Materials
- Altar Guild and Sacristy Handbook: Fourth Revised Edition
- A Closer Look: Sundays and Seasons: Preaching Martin Seltz and Robert Buckley Farlee give you an exclusive look inside of Sundays and Seasons: Preaching! They will discuss the main features and introduce you to contributors of this distinctive new resource. Register here.
- LEAD (Living Everyday As Disciples) 10-Minute Toolbox (Gulf Coast Synod)
- Upcoming webinars from Augsburg Fortress and Sparkhouse