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Almighty and ever-living God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and you gladly give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us your abundant mercy. Forgive us those things that weigh on our conscience, and give us those good things that come only through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
7th Sunday after Pentecost
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Pray with us each day on facebook or through our synod app! | |
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We keep in prayer...
Pastor Leah Lavelle (retired)
Pastor Bruce Ewen (retired)
Pastor Bob Hughes (retired)
Nancy Sweet, spouse of Pastor Steven Sweet (Grace, River Edge)
Bonnie Summer, spouse of Pastor Mark Summer (retired)
We also pray for...
All who work to eradicate racism and reform unjust systems.
People of Ukraine, Russia and neighboring countries affected by the crisis in Ukraine.
All who are afflicted with or recovering from COVID19, especially those in our congregations,
our neighborhoods, and in our Companion Synods in Namibia.
These congregations in our synod...
St Mark, Pemberton; Grace, Perth Amboy; Zion, Riverside
These companion synods in the ELCA and around the world...
Southwest California Synod, ELCA; Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA; Salvadoran Lutheran Church; Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong
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A fun-filled day for all of us to gather together as a synod.
Location: Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson NJ
Cost: $10 per person (before Aug 15)
(Cost includes admission to park, lunch, worship, synod ministry fair, & parking)
All Are Welcome!
Registration is open!
Visit the website for more details
www.njsynod.org/synodday
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Share the QR code to purchase your tickets! | |
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Do you sing, play in a musical group, or dance for worship?
If so, apply to be part of Synod Day at Six Flags Great Adventure on September 10.
Let us know what and how long you would like to perform. Groups will need to bring their own instruments; a simple sound system on the stage will be provided. If chosen, you and your group will be notified and given specific instructions. Apply today!
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Hey friends,
On Thursday, July 28th 2022, at 7 p.m, Go and gathering will focus on share the story! We hope you can join us! Go and…! is a monthly Zoom gathering about evangelism, outreach, and exploring ways to invite others into the way of Jesus.
The Rev. Marc Stutzel, Christ Lutheran Church in Woodcliff Lake, will be with us engaging in a conversation on different ways to share God’s stories and activities in our lives and in our congregations.
Are you registered yet? Register here and we will send you the zoom link for the following gatherings. If you already registered you do not need to register again, but feel free to invite others to join in. Notice that we are using the same zoom link for all gatherings!
Please submit any questions to: maristela.freiberg@elca.org
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Stewardship Matters | Words of Encouragement and Support | |
July 2022
Hi All,
I'm assuming you clicked to this letter because you wanted to read a little bit more about generosity practices and stewardship, or because you are looking for some additional support or encouragement. That is exactly what I intend to convey here. So here we go!
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July Keeping in Touch from the Office of the Bishop
Pastor Dianne L. Lewis (Trinity, Jersey City) was ordained on June 4th at Church of the Abiding Presence, Gettysburg, PA and installed at Trinity on June 26th.
Pastor Katherine Steinly (Zion, Oldwick) and Pastor Mason Hahn (St. James, Pitman) were installed in the late Spring and early Summer. A celebration of the invitation to extended service was held earlier in July for Pastor Peggy Ludlow, rostered in the United Church of Christ (Holy Counselor, Sussex).
Pastor Gomes Pedro has resigned as the interim pastor of Holy Trinity, East Orange and has been approved for On Leave from Call status. Pastor David Knecht is serving as the Vice Pastor. Pastor Kathleen Harris has retired from Zion, Egg Harbor City, and Pastor Heather Sugden is serving as the Vice Pastor. Pastor Leah Lavelle has retired from Holy Spirit, Villas, and Pastor Jeffrey Elliott is serving as the vice pastor. Pastor Hans Arnesen, Pastor Mona Fitch-Elliott, Pastor Erin Kinahan, Pastor Patricia Olausen, and Pastor Jeff Ziegler have also been approved for retired status.
Pastor Stephen Yambor, rostered in the Northeast PA Synod, has resigned as Vice Pastor of St. James, Phillipsburg, and Pastor Chris Halverson, is now serving as the Vice Pastor. Pastor Karen Strietelmeier has resigned as interim pastor of King of Kings, Middletown, and Pastor Matt Cimorelli will serve as the vice pastor. Pastor Nancy Truscott has resigned as chaplain at Cranes Mill (LSM/NJ) and called by the congregation to serve full time at Holy Trinity, Nutley.
Pastor Dwight Mason has transferred from the Southeastern PA Synod to serve as pastor of St. Ambrose, Pennsville. Pastor Joseph Graumann has transferred from the New England Synod and returned home to NJ to serve as pastor of St. Stephen, Woodbury.
Pastor Carol Brighton, retired, has transferred to the South Carolina Synod, and Pastor Will Moser, retired, has transferred to the Southwestern PA Synod.
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Some of what you’ll learn about us:
- Trained coaches are here for you to facilitate change, growth and overall church renewal.
- Through intentional coaching partnerships, coaches accompany a community of empowered clergy and lay leaders to better understand and discern their God-given gifts, become more resilient, and achieve more effective and meaningful ministry.
- We partner with Rostered Leaders, Church Leadership, Congregational staff
A quote from a coach’s client:
Coaching has been of great help to me. As a mission developer, coaching has helped me explore goals and steps to follow as a leader getting involved in doing ministry. In addition, my coach Giselle Coutinho has been supportive during difficult moments when I have been trying to balance work, internship and classes. It is good to be able to express problems without feeling judged and know that someone is walking with you while you look for solutions to those problems.
Read more about the New Jersey Synod Coaching Team at our page on the NJ Synod website www.njsynod.org/coaching or call Rev. Dr. Wendy Abrahamson, the NJ Synod Coaching Coordinator, at 973-835-7350
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ELCA Guidelines for Ministry in a Multi-Religious World
A brand new resource is available now for lay leaders and rostered ministers to help navigate the reality of living in a religiously diverse world. This resource, “ELCA Guidelines for Ministry in a Multi-Religious World” provides a way for our ministries to also be shaped for our multi-religious context. These new guidelines provide both general guidance, as well as recommendations for specific occasions, including prayer services, crisis and tragedy response, social ministries, pastoral care, weddings, funerals, religious rites and ceremonies, and engaging through inter-religious organizations.
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BUILDING A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY: 2022
This is a stewardship program that stabilizes and grows financial giving. It provides a seasonal plan for a fall through winter stewardship appeal. This plan may easily be adapted if your fiscal spending, and therefore stewardship appeal, follows a different rhythm.
Congregational teams will meet remotely August to December through zoom (six meetings). Additional resources will be supplied through an electronic platform and the workshop leader, Rev. Mike Ward, will provide additional 1:1 consultation.
Learn much more and register at www.njsynod.org/stewardshipevents
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Six Weeks on Money
- Are you wondering how to finance your incredible new ministry idea?
- Do you wish there was just some seed money to get your community outreach going?
- Is your leadership team worried about the financial Implications of launching new ministry?
- Don’t let that stop your congregation as it evolves into a new vision of Church.
6 Weeks on Money focuses on how we approach our own finances, and our congregation’s finances as well. Each congregation can include up to 5 individuals in their cohort, one should be the pastor and one the treasurer. The cost of the course is $80/person, but due to the generosity of the Lilly Foundation and EMU ministry, the registration fee is only $20/person.
The course will be led via Zoom. Sessions begin the week of September 11.
Learn more and register at www.njsynod.org/emu-upcoming-events
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Register for Summer Camp
Registration for Summer Camp 2022 at Cross Roads is still open and Cross Roads has enjoyed several weeks of camp memories and fun so far! Explore all the offerings for youth in grades 2-12 as well as family camp programs at: crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs
Rally for Cross Roads - Saturday, October 1
The Rally for Cross Roads is an annual fundraising event for the Cross Roads Annual Fund. You are invited to come to Cross Roads to race in the 5K or 2K on-site here at camp (or virtually), followed by an afternoon of volleyball and other fun activities. If you want to come to camp to help cheer on the runners and participate in the afternoon of fun you are welcome too! To register follow this link: https://rallyforcrossroads.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=13905
Fall Women's Retreat - October 21-23
Save the date! The Cross Roads Women's retreat is from October 21 - October 23, with the opportunity to join virtually as well! The theme is "Who Do You Say That I Am?" Come and join Cross Roads for a relaxing time together in community together! Register here: https://forms.gle/K7KkUTDpJvuBgMrs5.
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Growing In Faith – The diakonia Program
The diakonia program is undergoing a magnificent reorganization, starting with our name. We are now known as Growing in Faith – The diakonia Program.
Whether you are a graduate, interested in becoming a student or are a Pastor interested in learning more to assist your congregation, please join us on a Zoom information session on Tuesday, July 26 or Thursday, August 18 at 7:00 pm. The Zoom link for both nights is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83053450630 . For more information, please contact Ellen Lindemann at (908) 458-7711 or ellenjoanlindemann@gmail.com.
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Download the synod app on your smartphone or tablet.
(for Apple & Android)
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