GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS.

Central States Synod, ELCA

E-News

Permission is given to reproduce any portion of this communication.

Area Ministry Visits

Visits scheduled soon: Nov. 18-19 at Messiah, Springfield; and Dec. 2-3 at Kent Memorial, Sunrise Beach.

From Bishop Mansholt’s November newsletter article: On the first weekend of November our Area Ministry visits for 2007-2008 will begin. As we have done in recent years, I and my staff and our Vice-President will visit a few of the congregations on Sunday mornings. We may lead worship, bring greetings, address adult forums or speak with children and youth in the Sunday mornings. On Sunday afternoons lay and rostered leaders are asked to attend the Area Ministry meeting from 3 to 6 p.m. at the host church. The Monday morning meeting, starting at 9 a.m. will be for rostered leaders and parish ministry associates.

This year’s Area Ministry Visit will have a different look and feel from past years. The Sunday afternoon session will be spent engaging one another–lay leaders, pastors and other rostered leaders--in conversation about our life together. Since some of us have begun the process at our October Synod Council Leadership Retreat, where over 60 persons were present, I can assure you the time together will be well spent and energizing. Do not expect a slow, sleepy Sunday afternoon meeting. Expect a prayerful, playful, participative, and purposeful process. READ MORE & COMPLETE AM VISIT SCHEDULE.

 

Greensburg Update

Christmas Festival — Saturday, December 1

A visit from Santa will highlight the day of distributing Christmas Trees to the residents of Greensburg, Kan. Over 250 trees have been donated, however, ornaments and other Christmas decorations are still needed to assist  the residents. If you would like to provide ornaments and “anything Christmas,” please contact Rev. Kathleen Blair at scktro@havilandtelco.com  or 620-862-5882.

LDR Site Coordinator

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) has hired a new Site Coordinator, who will be working directly with the Lutheran volunteers. Chuck Jedele is our new LDR Site Coordinator. His cell number is 620-388-3760.

Volunteers

The rebuilding phase has begun and there is particular need for “skilled” laborers. There is still plenty to do if you, or a group from your congregation would like to volunteer, however what is specifically needed right now are heating/air conditioning people; plumbers, electricians and roofers. (A Kansas license is NOT required.)

Large groups of folks will be needed again in the springtime to “walk the fields” to clear debris. The farmers are expected to do a controlled burn to clear any crops and weeds, then the fields need to be cleared of debris before any farm equipment can be used. More information will be provided early this spring, but if you’re looking for a spring mission trip, this would be a good opportunity.

 

EPIPANY — A Season of Global Awareness

For the past several years the Synod Assembly has designated the Season of Epiphany our Season of Global Awareness, encouraging congregations to study/highlight our global ministries, and specifically, our Companion Synods, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia and Other States (ELCROS).

Worship resources and educational materials from prior years are currently posted on the synod web site. The Companion Synod Team is working on new resources for this year which will be posted soon to the synod web site Companion Synod page.

 

Our church in mission

Did you know that our synod has a Mission Interpreter Ministry? And a coordinator for that ministry? Susan Morrell serves in this position and helps us all “tell the stories” of the ministries right here in Central States Synod. For more information and links to stories go to the Mission Interpreter page at www.css-elca.org/missioninterpreter.html.

 

2007-08 Yearbook

The new Central States Synod Yearbooks are out and many have been distributed. If you’ve not received your book(s) you will receive it shortly in the mail. We are aware that there are errors in the book and are planning to distribute a correction sheet. If you find any of your data that is incorrect please email Dan Glamann at dglamann@css-elca.org. Thank you.

November 11, 2007

Volume 5. Number 4