In This Issue
2018 Assembly Summary
St. Paul, Shive, Ends Word and Sacrament Ministry
“I’m a Lutheran” Request
Entrance Rite Discernment Group Recommendations
LWR’s Kits of Care Service Project for VBS
Program Director for Advocacy Engagement Opening
Executive Director Opening
Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries Opening
2018 Mission Support Form
Congregational Remittance Form
Upcoming Events
2018 Assembly Summary
We included a summary of our 2018 Assembly, including the results of our elections, in our weekly news on Monday. You can access that information here: NT-NL News for Monday, April 30.
St. Paul, Shive, Ends Word and Sacrament Ministry
After 117 years of faithful ministry, St. Paul, Shive, chose to end Word and Sacrament Ministry. Bishop Gronberg was able to be with community during the Lenten season and give thanks for their faithfulness, both through the years, as well as in this process: Closing of St. Paul, Shive. Please keep the community there in prayer and particularly Pastor Don Kingman and the leaders.
If your congregation is considering how to faithfully steward its resources, including considering ending Word and Sacrament ministry, we would encourage you to contact Bishop Gronberg and also to take time to utilize this Legacy Workbook resource.
“I’m a Lutheran” Request
Do you know an ELCA member who has a unique story to tell? We’re looking for nominations for Living Lutheran’s monthly “I’m a Lutheran” feature. Past features have included people with interesting vocations, impressive accomplishments, or exciting experiences. We’re looking for people who are passionately living and showing their faith in their everyday life and are comfortable talking about it. Send the name and contact information for your nominee, as well as a little bit about why you think they’d be a great candidate, to megan.brandsrud@elca.org.
Entrance Rite Discernment Group Recommendations
In 2013, the ELCA Church Council appointed the Entrance Rite Discernment Group to consider the question of entrance rite for the Roster of Ministers of Word and Service and to bring a recommendation to the Church Council for the action by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. Subsequently the Church Council, responding to memorials offered at the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, also requested that the Entrance Rite Discernment Group provide recommendations on appropriate diaconal symbols and whether the constitutional language on representational principals should be altered.
In March and April of 2018, the Entrance Rite Discernment Group presented its proposed recommendations to the Conference of Bishops and Church Council. With the encouragement of the Church Council, the Entrance Rite Discernment Group is sharing these recommendations with the larger church. The final recommendations of the Entrance Rite Discernment Group will be sent to the Conference of Bishops and Church Council in the fall of 2018.
These recommendations are being shared to inspire conversation and engagement within your contexts (congregations, conferences, synods). The resources previously shared by the Entrance Rite Discernment Group were formative in the work of the task force and will enrich your conversations:
- Ministry, Mission, and Leadership Bible Study by Kathryn Kleinhans
- Opening Letter to Papers
- “A liturgical perspective on the question of the ordination of deacons in the ELCA: Some theses and questions” by Thomas H. Schattauer.
- “Diaconal ministry: The entrance rite question Reflections from a consideration of symbolic meaning and ritual practice” by Gordon W. Lathrop.
- “Ecumenical and global perspectives on the diaconate” by E. Louise Williams.
- “Initiatory rituals for public ministry” by Mark Oldenburg.
If you have any questions, affirmations, concerns, or comments for the members of the Entrance Rite Discernment Group, please send them to Krista.M.Anderson@elca.org.
LWR’s Kits of Care Service Project for VBS
Looking for a service project to incorporate into this summer’s Vacation Bible School? Assemble Kits of Care for Lutheran World Relief (LWR)! There are many types of Kits to bring youth together in service to our neighbors in need:
- School Kits: Simple school supplies, like notebooks, pencils and scissors, make a world of difference for families that struggle to afford their children’s education.
- Personal Care Kits: Basic hygiene items – soap, nail clippers, a towel – are crucial to keeping families healthy, especially after leaving their homes because of war or natural disasters.
- Fleece Tie Blankets: In a hospital room or on the hard ground, these handmade blankets provide protection and a sense of comfort.
- Baby Care Kits: Help welcome the littlest ones into a caring international community and swaddle them with love!
Program Director for Advocacy Engagement Opening
There is a career opportunity with ELCA Advocacy in Washington, D.C., as the Program Director for Advocacy Engagement. The position is heavily focused on communication. Click here for the full job description and how to apply.
Executive Director Opening
Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries is seeking applications for its next visionary leader. The successful candidate will succeed Dave Coker, who is retiring after 27 years of outstanding leadership. Click here for the full job description and how to apply. Application deadline is May 20, 2018.
Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries Opening
Gustavus Adolphus College invites applications for a full-time chaplain and director of campus ministries. This is an 11-month position reporting to the chaplain of the college. Review of applications will begin on May 14, 2018. Click here for the full job description and how to apply.
2018 Mission Support Form
The 2018 Mission Support Form is available on our website as a printable document and as an online form. Please submit after your congregational meeting.
Congregational Remittance Form
Please use the Congregational Remittance Form on our website and submit directly to the Synod office. You may also access a printable form here. We transitioned on February 1 from MIF processing back to internal processing to continue to be good stewards of our resources.
Upcoming Events
Here are leadership highlights:
May 5: Briarwood Gala is going… Fiesta, Euless, TX
May 14: Dr. Michael W. Waters to discuss Stakes Is High: Race, Faith, and Hope for America, Dallas, TX
May 15: Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber: “Stop saying the church is dying!”, Fort Worth, TX
May 19: MEF Board meeting
May 19: PLMA, Spring 2018, Course 3
May 20: 2018 Lutheran Campus Ministry (Denton) Golf Outing, Frisco, TX
May 27-Jun. 1: Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive, Austin, TX
Jun. 10-15: Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry, Austin, TX
Jun. 24-27: the tAble: an ELCA gathering of youth with disabilities, Houston, TX
Jun. 24-27: The ELCA Multicultural Youth Leadership Event, Houston, TX
Jun. 27-Jul. 1: ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston, TX
For a complete list of upcoming events in, and important to, our Synod, you can access our Calendar of Events online.