 |
|
Synod News
|
|
Freed and Renewed in Christ
2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Theme
We, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, had our triennial churchwide assembly in New Orleans August 8 through 13 this year. This wonderful event was very much like a large scale synod assembly: 980 voting members from every corner of this church (including 15 voting members, plus some staff and guests from the IN-KY mission territory) gathered with guests from all over the world and across faith traditions to worship, fellowship, study scripture, and discuss and decide about important issues and concerns that we face together.
Each of the six days we gathered around table and font for worship and to hear inspiring preaching. Every day we heard the stories of mission and ministry, lives changed by the love of Jesus, across the church and around the world. We discussed peace in the Middle East and care for creation and the welcome of all of God's children. We affirmed "Declaration on the Way," thirty-two theological and other commitments that are no longer church dividing between us and the Roman Catholic church, and we witnessed a warm embrace between a Jewish rabbi and a Muslim leader. We crafted one, new roster of ministers of Word and Service out of three and committed to walk and work together toward God's unfolding future, whatever that might be. In so many ways, we saw over and over again throughout the days together the glorious work of God among, through, and around us, all of us, as the part of the body of Christ known as the ELCA.
To read more of Bishop Gajken's newsletter or to download a copy to share with your congregation, click
here.
FREE - - Stewardship Workshop/Lunch/Resources
Are you looking for new ideas to strengthen your congregation's stewardship ministry? Cultivating a spirit of generosity among your people requires leadership. Join us on Saturday, August 27 from 9:00-3:00 at Trinity English (450 West Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802) as we present Strengthening Steward Leaders in Your Congregation. Speakers include Neil Bullock from the ELCA Stewardship Office; Pastor Jerry O'Neal, the I-K Stewardship Director, and Chris Burnette, the new I-K Gift Planner. Please RSVP to Pastor Jerry at
[email protected].
Updated Pulpit Supply List Available
We are pleased to provide this resource to support your congregation during times when you need a Supply Pastor. For a list of the current Pulpit Supply List, which includes Rostered Leaders, clergy from other traditions, Lay Worship Leaders, seminarians and seminary graduates who are available to serve your congregation please follow
this link to the I-K Synod Website.
Last Week to Guarantee A Room at Beautiful Clifty Falls
Professional Leaders Conference. September 25-27, 2016
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod Professional Leaders Conference is an annual event - the one time each year when the rostered leaders (clergy, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers) have an opportunity to relax and to foster their collegial relationships. It is a time for conversation about leadership, ministry, and their personal lives. The speaker this year will be the Rev Dr Allan Boesak.
Dr Allan Boesak is professor of theology at Christian Theological Seminary andthe Desmond Tutu Chair of Peace, Global Justice and Reconciliation Studies. Born in South Africa, his early activism and service led to international recognition as an influential leader in the fight against apartheid.
Read More. You may register for the Professional Leaders Conference by
clicking here
Musicians Wanted for Professional Leaders Conference
Musicians attending the conference are encouraged to bring their instrument(s) if they are willing to assist in the musical leadership for the worship services. There is a specific need for guitars and guitarists. If you'd like to participate, please contact Pastor James Capers.
Join Us for Bishop's Youth Day
On October 29, 2016, all high school youth and their adult leaders from the IK Synod are invited to attend Bishop's Youth Day, a new endeavor sponsored by the Indiana Youth Coalition designed to connect today's youth with Bishop Bill Gafkjen through worship, fellowship and team building activities. The event cost is $25 per congregation (bring 1 or 20+). T
he event will be hosted at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church in Fishers, IN, from 10:00
-3:00 and will include lunch. Register by clicking here! Questions can be directed to Julie Pe
ralta at [email protected].
Coming Soon - Seasonings: Christmas Worship Planning
On October 22, the I-K Worship Committee will sponsor the second in the Seasonings series. The event will be held at Christ the Savior Church in Fishers, IN. Dr Hank Langknecht will again be the plenary speaker and there will be workshops for preachers, lectors, Worship Committee members, musicians, artists, assisting ministers, council members, and mission planners. Mark the date now and watch for more information and registration forms.
DATES OF NOTE
Aug. 22-23
Growing Steward Leaders Retreat - I-K Lutheran Center
contact Nancy Nyland
August 27
Stewardship Workshop, Trinity English Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne
September 25-27
Professional Leaders Conference, Clifty Falls State Park
October 22
Seasonings: Christmas Worship Planning, Christ the Savior, Fishers IN
October 29
Bishop's Youth Day, Christ the Savior, Fishers, IN
2017
June 1-3, 2017 - Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly, Covington, KY
|
|
Congregation News
Prayer Concerns
During the weekly I-K Lutheran Center staff devotions we included these individuals and mission centers in our prayers:
First, Columbus, IN and Pr Larry Isbell
First, Louisville, KY and Pr Austin Newberry
First Trinity, Indianapolis, IN and Vacancy Pr Paul Swartz
Gethsemane, Corydon, IN and Interim Pr Laura Meier
Gethsemane, Fort Wayne, IN and Pr Debra Meuter
Retired rostered leaders
Rev Dick Hunt, Fishers, IN
Rev Jeff Iacobazzi, Indianapolis, IN
Rev Len Jepson, Mishawaka, IN
Called to specialized ministry or on leave
Rev Nancy Nyland, Director for Evangelical Mission,Indianapolis, IN
Rev Brian Peterson, Trinity School at Greenlawn, South Bend, IN
Our domestic partner synod, the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod and Bishop Matthew Riegel
Condolences
Our deepest sympathies are extended to Pastor Joyce Gerwing-Grimm whose brother, Ted, died August 13 after a 20 year battle with prostate cancer. Click
here for the full obituary.
Mission Partnership Opportunity
Dear Pastors and Congregations of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod,
I am offering you an opportunity for some mission partnership. As you know Douglas Mmari has been le
ading Shalom International Ministry and Salem Lutheran for
o
ver a year now. Some of you were able to enjoy the music from the Hallelujah Cho
ir at Shalom during the 2015 Synod Assembly. Their spirited African music and colorful dress certainly filled the banquet hall with joy and energy as they sang God's praises. Rea
d More...
Fine Arts Series Kicks Off August 28
Dr. Marilyn Keiser will be the featured artist at the first major concert of the 2016 - 2017 season of Music at Christ, the Fine Arts Series at Christ Lutheran Church in Kokomo, IN. The program is a hymn festival, beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 28.
Read more...
Show Off Your Congregation
Do you have pictures of your members doing ministry? I'd like to showcase different churches in our mission territory on the homepage of our website. If you have high quality images that you would like to send me,
[email protected], which I can use without further permission, please send them my way! Let's see what we are doing for the glory of God here in the I-K Synod!
Create a Church Culture That Embraces Healthy Change!
Thriving churches know that growth requires change. But fear of change often paralyzes leaders from leading the changes needed to move forward. On October 4th a workshop, led by
Thom and Joani Schultz - the founders of Group Publishing, will be held at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Indianapolis. For more information, click
here.
Employment Opportunity
First Lutheran Church in Columbus, Indiana, is looking for a choir director. This is a paid, part-time position. Some experience preferred. For more information, please contact the church by calling 812-372-1256, or by sending an email to Barb Kromps, of the search committee at
[email protected].
Congregatio
nal Leadership Changes
Help us keep the IK Synod database current so we can serve you more effectively. If you recently elected new officers or soon will, please click below to download and complete the
"Congregational Leaders Update Form" and return it to the IK Synod via fax, email or postal mail.
|
|
|
|
A Proclivity for Paradox
Bishop Eaton's column first appeared in Living Lutheran's August issue.
In her August column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton acknowledges that Lutherans love paradox. She goes on to lift up two themes that have emerged so far in the churchwide conversation phase of "Called Forward Together in Christ, a process to decide the ELCA's future directions. Read More.
Gulf Coast Flooding
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Historic floodwaters have required tens of thousands of people to be rescued and even more have been evacuated as rain sweeps across southern Louisiana.
Floodwaters have affected communication, overwhelmed streets and highways, and damaged or destroyed more than 40,000 homes. This flood comes on th
e heels of several other floods that have hit the Gulf Coast region, starting earlier this spring. Entire neighborhoods and communities still remain under water, and the full extent of the damage has yet to be realized. We know that it will be a long road to recovery, and Lutheran Disaster Response will be there to assist through every phase of this disaster recovery process.
The 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly has come to a close, but
you can still reliv
e the moments! Click here to view videos and photos. And chose this link to download a document that lists all the Legislative Updates taken by the assembly.
Living Lutheran, an online publication of the ELCA, invites you to share in the sense of
purpose that our faith brings to our lives. The goal is to provide a place for members and friends alike to find lively engagement in faith and life. Here you'll find the voices of ELCA members, as well as what's happening in our church both across the country and around the world. We have resources for congregations, ideas to inspire and places to share what's on your mind. Click here for the most recent issue!
|
|
See what's happening on our social sites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
