âśż
..............
PRAYERS
..............
|
|
❤..............
DONATE
..............
|
|
FROM OUR PRESIDING BISHOP'S DESK:
ALL CREATED THINGS
|
|
"God’s entire divine nature is wholly and entirely in all creatures, more deeply, more inwardly, more present than the creature is to itself." —
Martin Luther
|
|
|
|
Pre-Identified Pastors for the
Office of the Bishop
|
In response to the major themes identified during our
2018 MNYS Town Hall Meetings, each pre-identified pastor was requested to complete the “Questions for the Prospective Bishop” form. These responses from the pre-identified pastors will be removed before Plenary Session I of our Synod Assembly.
At the Assembly, any pastor of the ELCA is eligible for consideration.
We are thankful for the pre-identified pastors and their willingness to follow this process.
|
|
Dear Christian Education Teacher:
|
We are inviting the little ones from our congregations to share their talents with us! During our 2019 Synod Assembly, we will curate an art exhibition related to our theme, "
Care for Creation," and we would love to feature art from our kids.
If you can coordinate a "
Care for Creation" art class as part of your lessons and would like to share the final artworks during our assembly, please send them to the synod office by
May 1. To learn more about the specs of the art pieces, please click
here.
|
|
|
|
|
St. Paul’s German Church, Manhattan
April 10, 2019 | 6:30 pm
What are a bishop’s constitutional and institutional responsibilities? How have synods worked effectively to solve problems? How can laity, congregations, synod staffs, and bishops work together constructively to resolve differences and solve problems?
The
MNYS
Manhattan Conference is hosting a worship and panel discussion with former Bishop Claire Burkat and members of other synod staffs, to talk about these issues. Join us for dinner, prayer, and discussion.
|
|
From the Anti-Racism
Committee
|
"
In the past month of news, the Virginia state government has been in turmoil over several scandals, including the governor and attorney general of the state admitting to
dressing in blackface in their youth
. Though both men have apologized for their past use of this horrible and racist American practice, I found it particularly troubling that a poll released at this time revealed this is hardly a condemned practice in this country.
"
|
|
|
|
|
Congregational Capital Improvement Challenge Grant
|
For 2019 Congregational Capital Improvement Challenge Grant consideration,
all annual reports are to be submitted by Tuesday, April 30, 2019.
Three annual reports are due each year from Congregations/Ministers:
|
|
- 2019 Mission Support Commitment. Click here for the form. Email completed report to annualreports@mnys.org. (Note "2019 Mission Support Commitment" in the subject line.)
- Congregational Report for the Year Ending December 31, 2018 – Form A & C (Parochial Report). This report is completed online; click here for the ELCA website link.
- Report for Minister of Word and Sacrament. Click here for the ELCA website link. Email completed report to annualreports@mnys.org.
If you want to confirm that reports have been submitted, please email
annualreports@mnys.org. Include your congregation’s name and city, and the pastor(s) name.
The 2019 Congregational Capital Improvement Challenge Grant Application became available on
Monday, April 1. The application submission deadline is
Monday, June 3, 2019, 5:00 pm.
|
|
From a Lay Leader
's
Desk
|
"
Assuming that the unbending bridegroom in this little parable represents Jesus, are you just a little bit bothered by his refusal to admit the dawdling bridesmaids into the feast? What does he say? 'I do not know you!'
? Is this a dark warning from on high that if we stray from the path of righteousness—if we are not unfailingly faithful—God may find us lacking and slam the door to heaven in our faces?
"
|
|
|
|
|
Do you have a passion for helping…
- Communicate an inclusive faith?
- Vibrant congregations?
- Welcoming the stranger?
- Confront racism in our church?
- Provide wise counsel in managing finances?
- All of the above?
The Metropolitan New York Synod has opportunities for you to serve more people, increase our impact, and deliver God’s Work, Our Hands to the Metro New York area.
|
|
|
|
FROM OUR CONGREGATIONS & PARTNERS
|
|
 |
NIGHT OF A THOUSAND GOWNS
Sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan.
|
Marriott Marquis Manhattan Ballroom
TODAY
, Saturday, April 6
6:00 pm

The Imperial Court of New York will celebrate 32 years of service to the LGBTQ community with this 33rd annual gala event studded with royalty, pageantry and dazzling entertainment. This year's annual coronation ball benefits
Trinity Place Shelter. To find more information, click
here.
|
|
|
|
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Port Jervis
TODAY
, Saturday, April 6
7:00 pm
You are invited to the performance of The Laramie Project, a dramatized reading brought to you by
St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Port Jervis and
Triversity, a center for gender and sexual diversity. The proceeds will benefit Port Jervis Outdoor Club and Reconciling in Christ. For tickets, email
here. For more information, click
here.
|
|
|
|
|
A FORUM
ON YOUTH MINISTRY
|
Campus of Princeton Theological Seminary
April 23 - 26
Join other youth leaders, directors, and pastors for a 4-day youth ministry conference, to reinforce the faith of those who believe that lives and communities can be transformed when theological reflection meets practical application. For more information, click
here.
|
|
|
|
19th ANNUAL SETTING THE COURSE BANQUET
|
Seafarers International House, Manhattan
Thursday, April 25, 6:00 PM - 10:00 pm
An invitation to join the major fundraiser that supports the Port Mission, which serves about 27,000 seafarers each year. Cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment, silent auction, and dessert. To purchase your tickets, click
here. Donations are welcome.
|
|
|
|
|
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellerose
Friday, May 3 - Saturday, May 4
8:00 pm - 11:00 am
Please come and "walk together in unity” as we journey through the Stations of the Cross on the "Shepherd's Walk,” which encompasses 18 miles of walking, stopping every 1.2 miles for meditation. This is an opportunity to step closer to feel the suffering of Jesus. Walk with Christ, Walk for Christ. For more information, click
here.
|
|
|
|
GALA DINNER
"GOD IS LOVE"
|
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Parkchester
Saturday, May 4
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
You are invited to a celebration fundraiser of Blessings & Life's Thankfulness through classical music, Some Jazz, Laughter & Dinner. This Gala features several performances by Barbara Purdy's Cabaret Jazz Combo (Jazz, Love Ballads, Classic Pop), comedy and more. Get tickets
online, in person, or by
phone. For more information, click
here.
|
|
|
|
|
For those of you who are on the
ELCA Primary Health Plan and have not started earning your wellness dollars, you can start today and join the 29% of eligible plan members and 19% of eligible spouses who have already begun using the 2019
Live Well Tool. Get started! To learn more about Portico’s Customer Care Center—A Certified “Center of Excellence,” click
here.
|
|
|
|
Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, Albany
Wednesday, May 29
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
All are invited to attend the NY State Council of Churches Fourth Annual Awards and Fundraising Dinner. A reception with a cash bar, dinner and awards presentations. This year,
The Reverend Aaron Baughman, Pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Port Jervis, will receive The Excellence in Ecumenicism Award. To purchase tickets, click
here.
|
|
|
|
|
Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
Portland, OR
June 24
–
27
Participants in this summer conference will consider the central aspects of Lutheran worship, the ways in which shared song and musical accompaniment can reveal or obscure these central components, and the many musical practices that support simplicity and beauty. For more information, click
here.
|
|
|
|
THE NAMING PROJECT SUMMER CAMP
|
Bay Lake Camp, Minnesota
July 28 - August 2
Organized by the Naming Project, this is a faith-filled camp for
LGBTQIA+ teens who want to explore faith, identity, and community. The camp will welcome teenagers 14-18 years old, of any sexual orientation or gender identity, interested in understanding their own spiritual journey, while canoeing, swimming, hiking, singing, and doing arts and crafts. For more information, click
here.
|
|
|
|
PARSONAGE AVAILABLE: Nassau County—more information
here
TEACHER FOR TANZANIA:
Metropolitan New York Synod—more information
here
|
|
––––– CALENDAR –––––
|
|
APRIL 8:
Worship Committee Meeting—more information
here
APRIL 9:
STRATEGIC PLAN Working Group Meeting—more information
here
APRIL 11
:
Executive Committee meeting—more information
here
APRIL 13
:
ANTI-RACISM Committee Meeting—more information
here

APRIL 13
:
STRATEGIC PLAN All Committees Meeting—more information
here

APRIL 13
:
CLAIMED Committee Meeting—more information
here
APRIL 13
:
GATHERED Committee Meeting—more information
here
|
|
•
The family and friends of
S. Dcn. Barbara Faraca
, who died in Christ on Monday, April 1, 2019. For more information about the funeral service, click
here.
•
The Rev. Winston Bone, who died in Christ
on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. For information about the MNYS Memorial Service, click
here.
•Our work toward shaping a more inclusive church that welcomes and affirms all of God's people, specifically our
LGBTQIA+
brothers, sisters, and siblings
• The asylum seekers who are waiting to be processed at our southern border
• Refugees and immigrants, and those who come to their aid
• Those affected by violence in their schools, workplaces, and homes
• The unity of this church and its mission
• Peace in our world
• Peace in our nation
• The care of
God's Creation
• ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission,
Anastassia Kondratiev and
Tabitha Sanderson, serving in Hungary and Serbia
• ELCA missionaries
Jennifer Jarvie and
Hannah Jensen-Reinke, ESL teachers serving in Japan
• MNYS missionary
Melanie Nelson, and her husband
David Kingery, serving in Bukoba, Tanzania
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
