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THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
Thank you to all the congregations and individuals in our synod who contributed to our Mission Support efforts during the month of September 2022.

“We encourage and welcome the support of our congregations and individuals who value the Gospel work we are doing and want to assist those in need in these difficult times. Please continue to prayerfully consider contributing to the future of our Synod through Mission Support, as TOGETHER we are better able to serve."
— Bishop Egensteiner
FROM CHURCHWIDE
VACCINATION CLINIC
Sunday, October 16 | 12:00 – 4:00 pm 
Lexington Avenue and 54th Street

According to the CDC, booster coverage is lowest among Black and Latin Americans. In an effort to support vaccination efforts among these communities, ELCA World Hunger, through the Latino Ministries Association of the ELCA, is sponsoring a vaccine booster clinic on Sunday, October 16. This effort will be hosted by Saint Peter’s Church, in Manhattan, which has lost 75 of its members to COVID-19 (most of them from its Latiné community). On the same day, Saint Peter’s Church will host an outdoor ceremony in memory of Saint Peter’s departed in the hope of granting healing to all those who have lost loved ones from the pandemic. 

Persons of all sexual and gender identities and immigration statuses are welcome here.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH IS GOING LIVE!
AN MNYS CONGREGATIONAL MICROSITE
MNYS is proud to announce that the microsite for First Lutheran Church of Throggs Neck is up and running!

This microsites strategy aims to help our churches expand their evangelism efforts and increase their online visibility. If your congregation would like to explore this opportunity please reach out to your Pastor or Conference Dean and ask them to contact Lori Scaffidi, via email at [email protected].
FROM OUR PARTNERS
UPDATE: NY STATE GRANTS PERMANENT PERMISSION FOR VIRTUAL MEETINGS
On August 17, 2022, Governor Hochul signed into law Chapter 518 of the Laws of 2022, which repealed the “old” November 2021 amendments to Ruling Case Law (RCL) § 28 and replaced it with a new § 28, which now allows religious corporations to conduct virtual and hybrid meetings as any “secular” not-for-profit corporation can.  
INAUGURACIÓN DEL
MINISTERIO "UNIDAD Y FE" DE MNYS
91-06 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven, NY 11204
Domingo, 30 Octubre | Servicio 12:00 PM*; Celebración abierta al público
1:00 – 4:00 PM

El servicio de adoración inaugural de Unidad y Fe empieza a las 12:00 pm*, seguido de un celebración abierta al público de 1 a 4 pm. Todos son bienvenidos a unirse a esta nueva y gran misión.

Unidad y Fe es un ministerio luterano ubicado en el corazón de Woodhaven con una misión para crear un mundo nuevo donde todos puedan unirse y florecer.

*Debido a una capacidad limitada, registración previa es necesaria para asistir al servicio de adoración. Puede registrarse usando el botón aquí.
**Todas las actividades del día son gratuitas, pero las donaciones para este ministerio son bienvenidas
GRAND OPENING OF THE
MNYS "UNIDAD Y FE" MINISTRY
91-06 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven, NY 11204
Sunday, October 30 | Worship Service 12 PM*; Open House Celebration 1–4 PM

The inaugural worship service of Unidad y Fe will be held at 12:00 pm* followed by a free Open House Celebration from 1-4 pm; all are welcome to join in this exciting new mission.

Unidad y Fe is a Lutheran ministry in the heart of Woodhaven on a mission to create a new world where everyone can come together and flourish.

*Due to limited capacity, registration is needed for the Worship Service. Register using the button below.
**All activities for the day are free, however, donations toward this ministry are welcome.
FROM OUR SYNOD COUNCIL
2023 Minimum Expectations for Clergy Compensation

Changing the guidelines is one way in which we, as a synod, can take care of our pastors. Approving updated guidelines is one way our Synod Council is proactive in caring for and advocating for our pastors.

FROM OUR TREASURER
Saturday, Oct. 22 | 9 am - 12 pm
King of Kings Lutheran Church
543 Union Ave, New Windsor

You're invited to join MNYS Treasurer John Litke for a free Congregational Leadership Training on “Management and Finance."

This is the first of a four-part learning event intended to help pastors and lay leaders improve their administrative and management skills.

For more information, click HERE, and to RSVP, please email HERE. 
FROM OUR PARTNERS
2023 Open Enrollment Period

Portico’s Annual Enrollment is opening at the end of October. Retirees and Organizations may begin their selections Oct. 3-12; Plan Members select Oct. 20-27. This is your opportunity to select your ELCA benefits for 2023 which will take effect on January 1, 2023.

For more information, please visit your MyPortico page HERE.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
Growing in Faith

Growing in Faith is a ministry within the ELCA committed to fostering learning environments for followers of Jesus to grow in faith. If you're interested in learning more about this program, click HERE.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
United Lutheran Seminary

October has many opportunities for lay and rostered leaders to grow and learn at United Lutheran Seminary (ULS). This QR code is linked to the Kindling Faith page on their website, where all the continuing education events are shared via the ULS Online Calendar.
FROM A PASTOR'S DESK
Bridging Differences in Our Communities — The Rev. Christian Scharen

“This October 19, 2022, we invited Irish theologian, poet, and experienced leader in spaces of division and conflict, Pádraig Ó Tuama, to work with us. Ó Tuama draws from his perspectives on Scripture, faith, and poetry, especially the story of his influential poem Shaking Hands. This event will inspire leaders from the congregations around the synod on their journeys of truth-telling toward the promise of reconciliation we know in Christ, who calls us to be one in the Spirit.”

Read the full letter HERE. Register for the event HERE.
FROM A PASTOR'S DESK
Phenomenal Women — The Rev. Dr. Linda Bell

“An invitation is extended to all ordained women of word and sacrament to set aside time to have fun in our busy lives and share and encourage one another. This time is open to doing what we want to do and how we want to do it!”

Learn more HERE.

*An early version of this article included an incorrect email address. To contact The Rev. Dr. Linda Bell about this opportunity, please use the following email address: [email protected].
FROM A PASTOR'S DESK
Model America

We invite you to view a new docuseries from MSNBC, Model America, which tackles the difficult issue of racism and police brutality through the lens of the once peaceful town of Teaneck, New Jersey. This series features commentary from retired MNYS Pastor Amandus Derr (former senior pastor of Saint Peter’s, Manhattan) and his memories as pastor of Grace Lutheran during the 1990s — the period which this series covers.

Learn more HERE.
CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY: Christ Lutheran Church, Islip Terrace—this MNYS congregation is hosting a Ukrainian refugee family, and they have additional opportunities to serve. If you or your congregation would like to know more about these service opportunities, please send an email to The Rev. Christopher Mietlowski, HERE

BACH VESPERS AT HOLY TRINITY, 2022-2023 Season: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Manhattan—more information HERE

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH COORDINATOR: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Brooklyn—more information HERE
ACCOMPANIMENT PROJECT COORDINATOR: ELCA Youth Gathering, 2024—more information HERE
COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Brooklyn—more information HERE
YOUTH DIRECTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR: St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel Lutheran Church, Brooklyn—more information HERE
ORGANIST/ACCOMPANIST: Grace Lutheran Church, Forest Hills—more information HERE
ORGANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR, PART-TIME: St. John’s Lutheran Church & School, Merrick—more information HERE
DIRECTOR, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIES: Village Lutheran Church, Bronxville—more information HERE

WE'RE PRAYING FOR...
  • The residents and families of Florida, the Caribbean, and Eastern Canada who are struggling to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian.
  • Peace and calm
  • Refugees and immigrants, and those who come to their aid
  • Our BIPOC/MENA siblings who are experiencing and fighting against racism
  • The descendants of the Indigenous Peoples of this nation
  • The well-being of asylum-seeking children in detention centers
  • The health and safety of the women of this country who will be affected by the June 24th ruling of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, upending 50 years of legal precedent declaring a right to safe healthcare & bodily autonomy.
  • The individuals and their loved ones harmed, injured, or killed as a result of senseless gun violence, and those working toward an end to this brutality
  • The sovereign nation of Ukraine and its people
  • We pray for perpetrators of violence, both direct and indirect. May the Holy Spirit stir their hearts to choose the path of repentance, reparation, love, and peace. 
  • Our Synod Council Officers and Representatives
  • Our work toward shaping a more inclusive church that welcomes and affirms all of God's people, specifically our LGBTQIA+ siblings
  • Those affected by violence in their schools, workplaces, and homes
  • Those struggling with sickness or injury
  • Those who have no one to pray for them
  • The unity of this church and its mission
  • Peace in this nation
  • Peace in our world
  • The care of God's Creation 
  • MNYS congregations, partners, and leaders