Announcements, News & Prayers of the Synod

from the Office of the Bishop, Rev. Dr. Donald P. Kreiss

Ordination and Installation of Keith Miller

THIS SATURDAY, November 22nd, 11am, at Christ, Sterling Heights

Jesus & Justice: THIS Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 4:00pm

Go! Comedy Club

261 E. 9 Mile Rd.

Ferndale, 48220

You're invited! The Synodical Women's organization will have a fall gathering THIS SATURDAY, November 22, 2025. It is a two hour event from 10 am to 12 noon. The theme of the gathering is The Holy Land, Sea and Sky, All (men, women and children) are welcome! Please visit https://www.semiwelca.org/events to download the registration form.

Musical Advent Calendar from LSM

Join us each day from November 30 to December 24 for a musical meditation—inviting you to pause, listen, and find stillness amid the season. Selections will be shared on LSM’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages and here.

Flight Assistance Available for Youth Ministry Training!

This January, pastors, youth workers, and youth ministry volunteers from all over the country will gather in St. Louis, MO to attend the ELCA Youth Ministry Network’s annual conference known as Extravaganza! Whether you are a seasoned veteran or new to youth ministry, Extravaganza is a highly recommended continuing education experience.

To promote the importance of youth ministry, and to keep participation in this training as accessible as possible, the Southeast Michigan Synod is offering travel assistance to help offset flight expenses for those who wish to attend this year’s event. Up to $350 reimbursements are available to help cover flights. If you’d like to access these resources, simply fill out the brief form linked below.

https://forms.office.com/r/0cWDLeQ6yB

Summer Camp 2026 Registration Opens November 17!

Summer 2026 will be here before we know it—registration opens November 17, 2025!

After a 21% rise in attendance last year, Living Water Ministries is adding an extra week of traditional camp programming plus specialty weeks, including the new In God’s Image weeklong program!

We’re also updating our Welcome to All pricing to keep camp accessible for everyone—with a new Support Price option for those who want to help sustain this ministry and make camp possible for all of God’s children.

Check out the 2026 schedule and learn more at www.elcalivingwater.com.

Mighty Gobbler Run/Walk Returns on Nov. 27th!

The 11th Annual Mighty Gobbler 5k and 1 Mile on Thanksgiving Day, hosted by Lutheran Church of the Master, Troy, MI.

Join 1600 runners and walkers for the best way to start your Thanksgiving Day! Long sleeve shirts and finisher medals for all. Plenty of free parking.

Finish through the world famous tunnel of turkeys!

Check out the website to learn more: https://www.mightygobbler.com

Nominate Students for Lutheran Summer Music

You’re invited to nominate a student for LSM 2026! Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students (grades 8-12) who come together from all over the country to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build an intentional, supportive, and FUN community. LSM 2026 takes place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN from June 21-July 19 (Full Session) or June 21-July 3 (Half Session). Priority Enrollment is open now through December 1. Nominate students at LSMacademy.org/nominate, and watch and share this LSM Experience Video to learn more!

Learn more at LSMacademy.org/program

Called to Belong: Adoption Awareness Month

A Message of Hope and Belonging

Each November, during National Adoption Awareness Month, Samaritas invites congregations to reflect on one of the most powerful expressions of love and faith — adoption. Rooted in our mission of Serving people as an expression of the love of Christ, Samaritas believes adoption is not simply a legal process, but a sacred act of grace, one that mirrors the Gospel story of belonging, restoration, and hope.

Roughly 2,500 children per year become available for adoption through the foster care system in Michigan. Legacy Adoption Services aims to reduce that number by connecting families with children, but roughly 300 children are unmatched. This means these children have no identified adoptive family.

To every child waiting, we say: You are seen. You belong. You are loved.

And to every congregation: You are part of the story God is still writing.

Whether you are called to adopt, to pray, or to walk alongside others in their journey, you embody the love of Christ that builds families, renews communities, and heals the world.

Why Adoption Ministry Matters

Adoption embodies the very heart of the Christian story. When we help a child find their forever home, we participate in that same divine love, reflecting Christ’s own heart. Through adoption, God’s redeeming love is revealed, turning loss into belonging and transforming loneliness into the warmth of family.

The impact reaches far beyond individual children and families; stable, loving homes strengthen neighborhoods, schools, and congregations alike, creating healthier and more vibrant communities.

How Your Congregation Can Get Involved

Preach and pray: Dedicate a moment in worship this month to lift up children awaiting adoption and the families who nurture them.
Educate and host: Invite Samaritas adoption staff or a local adoptive family to share their story with your congregation.
Celebrate forever families: Highlight adoptive families within your community and offer ongoing encouragement and connection.

Learn More About Samaritas’ Adoption Services https://lasadoption.org/

Written by: Paula Love, M.A., Senior Director, Individual Engagement – Major Gifts & Planned Giving plove@samaritas.org or (313) 308-8866

Free Webinar!

“Rethinking Addiction: A Faith Leader’s Guide”

hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith.

Wednesday Nov. 26, 2025 at 12:00 -1:00 pm CT

A one-hour free webinar titled “Rethinking Addiction: A Faith Leader’s Guide” hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Guest presenter will be Rachel Bowling, Director of SAFE Communities at SAFE Project, a national nonprofit working to end the addiction epidemic. Faith leaders are often called upon to support individuals and families navigating the complexities of substance use, addiction, and recovery. This session invites participants to help examine how we understand and respond to substance use and share insights from professionals and recovery advocates.

Advent Devotional

Christ Waterford has made their Advent 2025 Devotional available to anyone interested. Click on the image to pull up the PDF and download it for your own use.

We are grateful for this resource!

You're Invited!

Jubilee Detroit is inviting you to be our guest at the Jubilee Detroit Donor Dinner on December 2^nd at Holy Trinity Livonia, 39020 Five Mile Road Livonia, MI. from 6:00 P.M. -8:00 P.M.

We want to share a free internationally flavored meal expertly designed and prepared by chef Tony Aman. We can't wait for you to meet our New American graduates from the Jubilee Food Truck Academy who will be giving cooking demonstrations, and to hear about our plans for 2026. The event is to raise financial support and congregation involvement.

Below is the URL that will take you to Eventbrite to register. To register, put Jubilee Donor Dinner in the search bar at the top of the Eventbrite web page and choose Livonia for the location. Click on Jubilee Donor Dinner and register.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jubilee-donor-dinner-tickets-1825989637159

Hope you can join us!

The Christmas Market at Love Rising Lutheran Church

Join us on Saturday, December 6th, 12p-4p, for a festive day of shopping, joy, and community! Explore a variety of local vendors offering unique gifts, delicious treats, and holiday favorites, while kids enjoy fun activities made just for them. Whether you’re coming to shop or simply to fellowship, there’s something for everyone at the Christmas Market!

We are still accepting vendors! The vendor fee is $50, which includes a table and two chairs.

We’re looking for:

Food & Dessert Vendors

Kidpreneurs

Children’s Items

African Art & Art Books

Service-Based Businesses (Photography, Massage Therapy, etc.)

Holiday Items

Personalized & Handmade Goods

…and more!

If you’re interested in being a vendor, please complete the registration form here:

https://forms.gle/rKJD6DjixQ79sb8i6

We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you!

Attention LLMs!

Issues in Lutheran Ethics will be held January 17 – February 14 over zoom. Dr. Denise Rector, Professor of History, Theology and Society at Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University will lead this course. Student participants will:

Discuss and reflect on ethical commitments – personal, biblical, ecclesial, and societal.
Begin considering the ethical commitments of ministry.
Read and discuss ELCA Policies and Procedures related to church social teaching

Required Books:

Nessan, Craig. Free in Deed: The Heart of Lutheran Ethics (2022)
Wengert, Tim, ed. The Freedom of a Christian 1520: The Annotated Luther Study Edition (2016)

(Some pre-reading will be required for this course. Also, there are other readings that will be made available to you during class)

To register for this class, click here and to find out more about the Licensed Lay Academy click here.

Save the Dates!

MLK Synod-Wide Worship, Sunday, January 18, 2026 featuring Rev. Dr. Kevin Dudley, the Trinity Endowed Chair in Mission and Ministry and Senior Affiliated Professor of Church and Society with Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Worship will be held at Gracious Savior Lutheran Church in Detroit starting at 3pm, and a pre-reception at 2pm.
Synod Assembly May 29-30, 2026 “For A Time Such As This…”

Synod Office Closed:

November 27-28, 2025 for Thanksgiving
December 24, 2025 - January 2, 2026 for Christmas

Synod Office Update:

Many of you have been guests in our not-so-new office suite at the Cathedral of St. Paul on Woodward & E. Warren in Detroit. We are comfortably settled in and look forward to greeting you in the future. Last Spring, the building management eliminated its front desk / receptionist coverage. Now rather than entering the lobby and seeing a face, visitors should call our office (313-821-1055) from the parking lot to gain entry to the building. Let us know in advance that you're headed our way to ensure someone is available for you.

Synod Prayers

May God continue to hold our children in God's loving hands. Remember the following people and congregations as we pray for those who celebrate, who mourn, who are ill, and our ministries that are thriving or ending.

Lord in your mercy, receive our prayers.

Pastor Sarah Mayer Flatt, our Synod Storyteller, is your e-newsletter editor. You may forward any announcements to sarah.flatt@gmail.com & r.mccants@semisynod.com.

The e-newsletter will be published by 2pm on Thursdays.

For Free:

Holy Trinity is looking to get rid of a projector that has stood the test of time and space (It's about 30 years old). Comes with a manual and heavy-duty case. Free to a new home! Contact the church office about drop-off or pick-up: 734-464-0211.

Christ the King Lutheran Church in Lapeer, after concluding their ministry, would love to see some of their remaining items go to a good home. Items include an altar, pulpit, large cross, keyboard/piano, hymnals, and 38 chairs.

Interested parties should contact Jean Pezzell via email at japezzell@hotmail.com.

A good will donation is encouraged, but not required. To view photos of items, please click here.

Trinity, Richmond has vestments available for free. Please call Mark Zink at 586-292-5500 for pictures and more information.