Resources for effective church leaders
+ February 1, 2022
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Prayers for Peace in Ukraine
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton released a pastoral message on the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. In the message she said:
I watch with grave concern as tensions continue between Russia and Ukraine, and I fervently pray that a peaceful resolution to the conflict will be reached. I affirm the statement of the Lutheran World Federation’s general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Anne Burghardt: “We urge all parties to de-escalate the situation and work for peace and stability. A peaceful solution must be found.”
Join with me in praying for peace for the people of Ukraine and that the international community will play a constructive role in this regard. We pray also for the Ukrainian diaspora in our context, that they may know God’s peace. – Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton
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LAST CALL for 'You CAN Change the Institutional Church'
Do you know how to create change in the church through the Synod Assembly? Or the difference between a resolution and a memorial? Just how do you write an effective resolution?
Learn all this and more on February 3 at 7 pm when the Reference and Counsel Committee host a Zoom forum for anyone interested in the process. Pastor Jenn Casey, committee chair, and Pastor Karen Sease of synod staff will lead the gathering.
FYI, The deadline to submit resolutions for consideration by the assembly is 3/30/22
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Preaching With Power Online This March
Preaching With Power, a forum on Black preaching and theology organized by the Urban Theological Institute of United Lutheran Seminary, will be presented virtually this year from March 13-16. Each event will be shown on the seminary’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/unitedlutheranseminary.
Presenters include Scott O. Cumberbatch, Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Sr., Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr., Bishop Yvette A. Flunder, Rev. Dr. Janet J. Sturdivant and Rev. Dr. Barry C. Black.
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Desiring a Lenten Practice Tailored to You as a Woman in Ministry?
Join Dr. Crystal Hall in reading She: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry. She’ll offer actionable tools you can apply in your ministry working with difficult people, setting boundaries and addressing sexism.
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Rising From ‘The Fall’: Creation Care in Genesis 1-4
Dr. Crystal Hall of United Lutheran Seminary will offer this workshop as scholar in residence at Reformation Lutheran, Media, on Saturday, April 23, 9am to 12:30pm.
Genesis 1-4 presents three stories—a beautifully expansive liturgy of the creation of the world in seven days, one about the relationships among God, Earth and humanity in the Garden, and another about the first murder that leads to the founding of the first city. In four short chapters the biblical story moves from God’s intention for intimate inter-relationship to brokenness and alienation. This workshop will take a classically Lutheran “both/and” approach, exploring both how Creation and humanity are gifted with the grace of relationship from God and how humanity continually falls short in those relationships. In preparation for the celebration of Eco Sunday, these texts will be read with an eye toward how they might serve as theological resources for enlivening Creation care today.
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ELCA Introduces “Now Is the Time” Study Guide
The ELCA has introduced “Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent” to help congregations wrestle with the meaning of the declaration, adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, and its accompanying explanation.
In the declaration, the ELCA “apologizes to people of African descent for its historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally. We lament the white church’s failure to work for the abolition of slavery and the perpetuation of racism in this church.”
“Now Is the Time” stresses realism, self-examination and accountability as the church acknowledges and apologizes for the history and impact of slavery and systemic racism. The study guide focuses on deepening our understanding of this history as participants engage in often-difficult conversation and reflection to move the church toward racial healing and justice.
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Inclusive, Welcoming Ministry |
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Reconciling Works Education Feb. 12
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Saturday, February 12 at 9:30 am and 11:00 am.
Workshops with ReconcilingWorks for SEPA Congregations with ReconcilingWorks Ambassador Pastor Brenda Maynor.
9:30 am – Welcoming Churches: When All Means All
This workshop is for congregations interested in becoming Reconciling In Christ (RIC). This workshop will include background history of ReconcilingWorks, why this work matters, and a general overview of the RIC Journey.
11:00 am – You’ve Run the Race … Now What?
This workshop is for congregations who are already RIC. This workshop will include ideas of next steps for congregations to deepen and widen their worship and ministry experiences as well as reviewing the new commitments for racial equity and anti-racism within the church.
These workshops are presented free of charge, but registration will be required. Registration will open in January. Please contact ingodsimagesepa@gmail.com with any questions.
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Read the most recent MinistryLinks
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From the Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Do you want amazing worship on a small church budget? Lewis Center Director F. Douglas Powe Jr. interviews Teresa Stewart, a blogger and creator of the website Paper Bag Cathedrals, on ways small congregations can enliven their worship. Available as article, podcast and video.
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Free College Readiness Webinars
ELCA colleges and universities provide students with the best education possible, and we are kicking off 2022 with the College Readiness Webinar Series, free webinars to answer any questions families may have about applying to or preparing for college. The series is composed of five different webinars, each focusing on a topic that will move you forward in your college search. The webinars will be offered throughout February.
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Thrivent Philanthropy Webinar
Philanthropy and Communities of Color
Thursday, February 3 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Recent data shows that given demographic changes and the challenges of the pandemic, both the church and philanthropy are changing. We’ll highlight findings from The Collective Foundation regarding fundraising within Christian communities of color. Presented by the BIPOC Leadership Network.
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Afghan refugee resettlement webinar
On February 8, at 7 pm Eastern, ELCA Advocacy, the AMMPARO program, and Lutheran Disaster Response will host an informational webinar addressing Afghan refugee resettlement and how congregations can become involved.
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Have stories, events, or resources to share?
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Thank you
The Rev. Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation/communications
Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, communications assistant
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