On a Sunday in 1950, Bill Milholland, Sr. walked out of the sanctuary of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, stood on the top step looking down at the sidewalk, and saw the woman who would become his wife of 68 years. “I spied Mary Anne, and immediately Cupid shot an arrow and it hit me,” Bill said. “I walked right down the steps and asked if I could see her, and she said yes. So, our relationship began at St. John’s.”

In that moment, Bill was not yet the “Pastor Milholland” whose ministry in the NC Synod would span decades. He could not have known the life that he and Mary Anne would build together in the Lutheran church, or the many milestones they would celebrate in that very congregation. And he could not have known that one far off day, he would be back at St. John’s to say goodbye.

As the world continues to change, it is important for the church to remain true to the Gospel and relevant in our time. To do this important work, the ELCA Church Council affirmed a new Future Church design at its fall meeting November 12-14, 2020 in order to meet the current realities that we face as a church and assist us in moving beyond where we are. 

A Special e-News from the bishop was sent last week about new recommendations from the Re-Gathering Task Force based on the November 11 recommendations from Governor Cooper. The change is from 25 people indoors back to 10 people indoors. The 50 outdoors number did not change. Be sure leaders in your congregation have seen it.

The theme for the November issue of Living Lutheran was “Together at the table.” In keeping with this theme, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shared her favorite food and faith story, which originally appeared in her September 2017 column.

Read her column in English. Read her column in Spanish.

Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? With ELCA Good Gifts, you can choose from 50 charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and loved ones. Each one of these gifts makes a real impact in the world, sharing the love of Christ—one goat, water well or school uniform at a time. Start your holiday shopping now and order free, customized cards for each gift you give.

The 2020 Annual Report covers are now available for download. There are two versions. One has individual pages. The other is laid out to run as a spread across 11x17 paper. Download them at the links below.

Drowning in education debt? Sail away from education debt with a Lifeline Fund Grant. Listen as rostered ministers share the burdens of education debt and how their lives changed when they were thrown a lifeline! Share it with your congregation to educate them about the debt that many rostered ministers face—perhaps even your own! Learn how the Lifeline Fund can be the help they need.

You’re invited! This signature event gathers ELCA World Hunger’s leaders for a time of networking, idea sharing, learning, and planning for our common ministry to address hunger and its root causes. We know that our future church will be younger and more diverse—whom do you want to invite to join the conversation and our ministry together?

This summer, a pastor in the synod asked us how many centenarians we have in the NC Synod. We didn't know, so we asked. Here's our list of the oldest Lutherans in the synod:

If you have other centenarians to add to our list, please send their name, congregation, and birthdate to Catherine Fink.

Winifred Jean McCleary, widow of Pastor David McCleary who served in the NC Synod as Mission Developer of King of Glory, Clemmons, died on October 23. We mourn with her family. Read the full obituary.

Calvin W. Shifley, father of Pastor Tenny Shifley (Christ, Concord), died on November 4. We mourn with his family. Read the full obituary.

Edwin Clarence Kneuss, father of Pastor Tim Kneuss (Mt. Moriah, China Grove), died on November 8. We mourn with his family. Read the full obituary.

Pastor Peter John Wuebbens, died Saturday November 7. We mourn with his family. Read the Special e-News.

Ruby D. Wooten, grandmother of Deacon Liz Fox (Mt. Olive, Hickory), died on November 15. We mourn with her family. Read the full obituary.

Pastor Maurice Staley, a resident at Trinity Oaks Assisted Living, Salisbury, is under hospice care.

Pastor Don Safrit (retired, Salsibury) was admitted to Atrium-Concord on November 10 due to ileitis and pancreatitis.

Betsy Mitchell was ordained on Friday, November 6, at 7:00 p.m. on the lawn of Union Theological Seminary in Charlotte. Pastor Mitchell will serve as chaplain at Atrium Health Union Hospital in Monroe.

Oh Jesus, You are the King of Glory, You are the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. And we pray that your Kingdom will reign forever in our hearts and in this world.

Lord, we pray for your Kingdom to come here now, bringing a kingdom of justice, righteousness, hope, love, peace, mercy and grace for all. Lord, we ask that you rule in our hearts, lead in this world and govern over your kingdom.

But Lord honestly, we often have our own plans and agendas and we want to be rulers of our world. Forgive us for those times. Lord, we live in a time that would rather idolize the King of Pop than worship you. Help us to know how to live as your Kingdom People in these times. There are a lot of Kings in this world who terrorize, over tax, humiliate, over exploit, and abuse those they are to lead. Help us to spread the good news of the different kind of King you are.

Lord, thank you for being a different kind of King. Thank you for your goodness and kindness in our lives. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for your Kingdom that is unlike any Kingdom in this world. Amen.

— Rev. Abi, on her Long and Winding Road blog.

When the country began to shut down as a result of COVID-19 and I started staying at home, I first turned to movies about food. I’ve worked as a food writer for many years and as a food critic for part of that time. Suddenly, I was cut off from something I find central to my ideas of community and, indeed, to my faith: gathering together with other people to enjoy a meal.

Read more from Living Lutheran.

“I was so homesick,” said Pastor Dave Keck, Jr. thinking about his first summer as a camper. “I was crying to go home. On Tuesday, I got a letter from my parents. They must have left it with my counselor instead of mailing or it would not have reached me in time. I remember removing the stamp and sending a letter back. It read, ‘I want to come home. I forgot my toothbrush. I don’t like it here.’”

Our dining room table hasn’t been clear of clutter for months–since the beginning of the pandemic. Pre-COVID, we used it almost solely for eating. Now it has become a work table, a homework table, a craft table, a game table, and a puzzle table. It also remains a place to eat. When it’s dinner time, we shove the clutter to the end of the table to make room for our plates.

During the Advent season we often talk a lot about the Holy Land of the past without talking much about the Holy Land of the present. What is going on in Bethlehem today? How are we called to accompany our Palestinian siblings in love, joy, hope, peace, and justice? What does this mean for our own Advent journey? Join ELCA Young Adults and ELCA Peace Not Walls starting November 30 for an Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine.

Register here. Follow on Facebook.

Join this Virtual Advent Event for 2020 that focuses on the power of one candle to unite neighbors for hope, for peace, for joy, for love, for Christ-with-us.

How to participate:

While livestreaming is the COVID-19 norm, the need for prerecorded A/V content shouldn't be overlooked. Knowing that not everything can be fixed in editing is important. Planning ahead is the key to quality recorded content, according to UMCom's own video producer, Kathryn Price.

The ELCA seeks its next Executive for Administration (EA), who will serve as the chief operating officer for the ELCA’s churchwide headquarters located in Chicago. The EA will work closely with the presiding bishop and all ELCA staff leaders. Importantly, the EA position presents the unique opportunity to be deeply involved in the redesign of the churchwide leadership structure and to serve as a primary driver of the strategic planning process, including addressing challenges facing congregations such as an aging membership and diversity in membership. To apply, send a current resume and letter of introduction to Kittleman & Associates, LLC. For best consideration, interested parties should submit their resume and cover letter asap.

Applications are now being accepted for the Johnson Service Corps (JSC) from August 2021 through July 2022. JSC places young adults (21-28 years old) with Chapel Hill and Durham nonprofits while they live together in intentional community. Learn more; apply.