Hear about challenges, partnership, and hope in a conversation with Deacon Randy Youngquist-Thurow, Executive Director at Agape + Kure Beach Ministries, and Deacon Mitzie Schafer, Vice President for Development at NovusWay Ministries (Lutheridge, Lutherock, Luther Springs, and Lutheranch).

Camp Agapé staff change lives, plant seeds of faith, serve others, and gain new life skills while mixing fun, music, learning, friends, nature, and leadership! We are especially looking for Counselors (19+) and Support Staff (16+), so if you want to make a difference in kids’ lives and have fun doing it, apply today! 

We are looking for young adults like you who want to share their faith with campers no matter where they are on their journey with Jesus. We are looking for young adults like you who have a passion for adventure in nature and want to share that with campers. We are looking for young adults like you who are ready for the summer of a lifetime! We are looking for you! Apply today!

Back by popular demand! Bishop Tim Smith will lead a synodwide Bible Study on the book of Isaiah on Thursdays from Feb. 11 to March 25 at 7 p.m. The class will be virtual via Zoom. Register here to receive an email with the Zoom link. If you have already registered you should have received that emailyesterday. Also, afterward, each session will be available as a recording that can be watched at your convenience. All are welcome; spread the word! Find the weekly readings on the syllabus.

As we continue to lean into being a church committed to racial justice, the synod’s African Descent Strategy Team (ADST) is leading a census of people of color in our synod. Please send this form to people of color in your congregation and invite them to add their contact information. Our deep desire is to create a community throughout the synod for leaders of color to experience belonging, engage in leadership, and enrich our partnership with their voices, gifts, and presence.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares some of the rich contributions of Black Lutheran history.

The NC Synod Council gathered via Zoom on December 4-5, 2020 and again on February 6, 2021. Read highlights of the minutes from those meetings. This great group of folks serves on your behalf, giving their time to listen, discern, and make good decisions. The next council meeting will be held in March.

Pastor Roger Beaver (retired, Hickory), died on February 7. We mourn with his family. Read the full obituary.

Jim Carrier, father-in-law of Pastor Matt Miller (First, Lexington), died on February 10. We mourn with his family. Read the full obituary.

Judy Trexler, mother-in-law of Pastor Nathan Hooks (St. Paul's, Burlington), died on February 11. We mourn with her family. Read the full obituary.

Pastor David Mielke (St. John's, Lenoir) will have knee replacement surgery on February 18.

Delilah Rae Yost, granddaughter of Pastor Jerome and Kim Cloninger (Grace, Salisbury) was born February 10. She joins one big sister, Remi.

God of feasting, we give you thanks for the richness of life. As Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding, we think of your desire for all your people to celebrate all our days.

Bless us as we observe the joy of being your people. Send your Spirit to dance and sing with us. We know that you created the world and created us in it. You make possible times of joy and moments for reflection. Enable us to embrace this Shrove Tuesday in a spirit of celebration of the goodness of your creation. As we enter the Season of Lent, may it too, be a celebration of life: of an inward journey of contemplation and wondering, of confessing and forgiving, of learning and loving. And in all of this, may we grow closer to Jesus, to one another, and to you, O Lord. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Near the beginning of the pandemic, Esther Abdel-Hameed, co-chair of the Social Ministry Board at Advent Lutheran Church in Charlotte, saw an email that interested her. The City of Charlotte was requesting grant applications from organizations to set up Little Free Pantries to help address the growing problem of hunger during COVID 19.

In the first decades of the 20th century, African Americans faced grinding poverty and harsh racial restrictions. Many African American leaders fought against these evils and worked to bring justice to their communities. One such leader was Rosa Young of Alabama, whose drive and determination enabled her to spearhead the development of Black Lutheranism in the South.

Read more from Living Lutheran.

The Visiting Writers Series at Lenoir-Rhyne University presents an Evening with Emily Nemens on Thursday, February 25, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Writer, illustrator and editor, Emily Nemens debuted her novel, “The Cactus League,” in February 2020. Humming with the energy of a ballpark before the first pitch, her book unlaces the star outfielder and other tightly connected people in the game.

How much is enough? Scripture has a treasure trove of advice for defining enough and even more advice on how to make sure everyone has enough. Not merely enough to survive; rather, to thrive. During the season of Lent, the NC Council of Churches hopes you will consider how much is enough and how we might work together to make sure everyone has enough. Join in this Lenten journey toward God’s abundance where everyone has enough.

Join Church Anew on Thursday, March 11, for a free virtual event, "One Year Changed: Faith in Pandemic." This ready-made Lent retreat is for your whole congregation! In this virtual retreat format, gather with other people of faith to ponder how we might be moved into a different sort of spirituality this Lent. What have we let fall that we will never pick up again? What practices have emerged that may be meaningful far into the future? In this humanity-defining moment, what have we learned about our species? About ourselves? About our spirits?

Producing a virtual choir performance can be daunting, but there are many new resources available to make sure you aren't starting from scratch or spending hours making guide tracks. Join Adam and Matt Podd and J.W. Pepper for a FREE webinar on Thursday, February 18 at 3 p.m. that will walk you through the singer's experience as well as show you how to assemble a virtual choir video without a lot of technical experience.

Beth Eden, Newton, is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled part-time director of faith formation. This person will support and encourage the faith development of the entire Beth Eden community, with a special focus on youth and families. Learn more. Submit resumes to B J Mullinax.

Mt. Zion, Conover, is seeking a part-time assistant to provide administrative support for the pastor and staff. Learn more. 

The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song will premiere February 16 and 17 at 9:00 p.m. on PBS stations nationwide. This moving four-hour, two-part series traces the 400-year-old story of the Black church in America. The Christian Century invites you to a live chat via Facebook with Stacey L. Holman, producer/director of the PBS series, on February 18 at 9:00 p.m.