ALASKA SYNOD NEWS
IN THIS ISSUE...
What would Luther do today?
Featuring Presiding Bishop Eaton
Preview: What would Luther do today? {Presiding Bishop Eaton}
Preview: Ongoing between Jan 16-30, 2017
This course or "Big Class" provides a rich learning environment for those seeking to gain a better understanding of how Lutheranism might address current affairs.  Sign-up here.
News Travels Quickly
from the bishop 
Our connections across this church cover the miles and the internet. Read more here.
A Prayer for the President
As this nation prepares for the inauguration of a new president, join me in this prayer from the ELCA's Prayer Book for the Armed Services: Prayer Here.
Stewardship ad-Ventures, endings and beginnings.
by Rev. Lisa Smith Fiegel, director for evangelical mission
Working on stewardship together had made a difference for the 12 total Alaska Synod congregations who have participated in the Ventures for Steward Leader cohort groups these past two years. The second year-long cohort just wrapped up earlier this month.  Enjoy full article here.
In Memoriam: Pastor Kris Frosig
Retired Pastor Kris Frosig died on January 16. Pastor Frosig served as pastor of Central Lutheran Church in Anchorage in the late seventies.
A memorial service will be this Saturday, January 21, at 3pm at First Lutheran Church in Bothell, WA.
Condolences may be sent to his wife and family: Marilyn Frosig & Family; 20412 South Danvers; Lynnwood, WA 98036.
Following Christ in Time and Context
The Journal of Lutheran Ethics has become one of my go-to's for wrangling with social issues as a Lutheran Christian. This free resource is available online at elca.org or by free subscription.  This edition includes articles on the Christian as citizen.
OPPORTUNITIES
Luther Seminary Dean of Student Life. St Paul, MN
Application period open.  To read the full job description, learn more about, & to apply for the Dean of Student Life position, please visit www.luthersem.edu/employment/positions_Luther.aspx.
Rooted in Christ: Connected in Comm unity. 1st of 4 Workshops - Feb 24-25, 2017
Whether you've already participated in an October "Rooted" workshop & are interested in the cohort or if you haven't heard of "Rooted" at all, here's a summary of what we're doing & what's up next.  Contact Info here.
The Rooted Workshop & Council Workshops are being held at Joy Lutheran Church on the same date in different rooms Friday evening.  Saturday morning, both groups will meet with Linda Bobbitt to focus on congregational vitality.  
Congregation Council Workshops. Feb 24 & 25 - Joy Lutheran Church, Eagle River
For those New to Council, "Council Workshop 101":  February 24th, Joy Lutheran.
For all Congregation Council Members, "Vitality Workshop":  February 25th, Joy Lutheran.
Details here.
Wartburg Theological Seminary (WTS)- "Considering Your Call" weekend retreat.
March 10-12, 2017 - Dubuque, Iowa
This year's "Considering Your Call" retreat is an opportunity for those considering a call to public ministry to visit Wartburg Seminary, learn about degree programs, attend seminary classes, worship in the community, & meet with faculty, staff, & students.  Details & Registration info here.
CALM 2017 Conference.  March 19-22, 2017 - Lutherhaven - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Conference of Associated Lay Ministers.  An Annual Conference for non-ordained Church Staff.  Keynote speaker is Rev. Shelley Bryan Wee, Lutheran Campus Ministry at Eastern WA University.  Register here.
Assembly and Collegium.  April 25-30, 2017 - Juneau, AK
Come to the Table
Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:29)
The 2017 Alaska Synod Assembly will be April 28-30 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Juneau, Alaska.  The theme chosen by Shepherd of the Valley members lifts up who is around the table and who is missing.  The Collegium for Rostered Leaders is April 25-27 at St. Therese Shrine in Juneau.  Our presenter is The Rev. Dr. Mark Allan Powell. 
Details here.
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, Juneau - Volunteer Invitation, June 26-30
For the 6th year operating, a volunteer crew is invited to help with our summer lunch program.  We feed, play, & read with about fifty youth a day Monday-Friday.  Details here.
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
Applications for ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission open for 2017-2018 year!
The Young Adults in Global Mission program provides young adults the opportunity to serve alongside Lutheran companion churches & organizations in countries around the world. Application period is now open.  Applications due Feb 15th.
Interior Cluster Confirmation/Youth Retreat. February 18 & 19 - Valdez, AK
Additional Details here.
RESOURCES
Resources for Ecumenical Conversation
January is the month many Christians observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Confession of Peter and the Conversion of Paul.  Bookend the month with these engaging resources found here.
2017 Bible Reading Plan:  Help families start the year off right.
Receive free plans to help families dive further into the Bible in 2017. Sent to your inbox monthly, each plan includes page references for our most popular Sunday School Bibles, discussion questions, a family activity, and a prayer!  Sign up here.
A New Lenten Devotional, Featuring Luther's Small Catechism.
A beautiful, full-color devotional with each reading accompanied by a photo, a quote to ponder, reflection, and prayer.  Sample viewing here.  Purchase online here.
ELCA Disability Ministry
All of us are disabled in some way as we stand before God. Thanks be to God, we are a church that believes God is calling us into the world - together. We don't have to do it alone and we don't have to do everything. We can connect with brothers and sisters to help us invite all into full participation in this church and in the world. The Disability Ministry Resource page proposes ways to connect, invite and participate. For more information, please email.
Congregation Constitution Updating.
The 2016 model constitution for congregations is located at elca.org.  Send your draft to the Alaska Synod office e-mail for our review team to review & return to you.
Annual Report Covers Are Now Available
Free formats are available - single pages, folder, cover only.  Ordering Details here.
The 2017 Annual Report to the Bishop forms for rostered ministers.
Forms located here.  Remember to save the form in your computer before filling it out & sending it to the Bishop via e-mail.  All rostered leaders submit their personal report by February 15, 2017 .
Lutherans at work, because of you: Stories of Faith in Action are here!
An annual publication of the ELCA churchwide office.  Each Alaska Synod congregation will receive up to 30 free copies of the booklet.  Details & Contact info here.
SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS
Article: Thrivent Action Grants by Harvey Brandt of Sitka Lutheran Church
In 2015 I wrote a Thrivent Choice Action Grant in about 35 minutes (online).  Thrivent approved it and we engaged our youth at Sitka Lutheran Church to (we entitled this Food for Elders)  make cookies, fried bread, etc to take to elders and others in the Community.  Read full article with contact info here.
Central Lutheran Church offers scholarships to Pacific Lutheran University
Some are just for Central members.  Some are open to Alaskans with a music or an ELCA background.  Applicants are encouraged to visit these two sites:  http://www.whygolutheran.org/ and http://www.centluth.org/scholarships
Joshua Grant Program- Wheat Ridge Ministries.
Joshua Grants are 1yr grants to Lutheran congregations, organizations & agencies committed to launching new ministries of health & hope in their community.  Program Details here.  Next proposal deadline: Feb 28, 2017.
Details for the 2017 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs are now available
The 2017 Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program details here.
The 2017 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations details here,
Application Deadline: April 21, 2017
UPCOMING EVENTS
Looking Ahead
2017
January 24-25:  Crossroads, Redefining Your Vocational Vision Seminar - Seattle, WA
January 27-29:  Winter 2017 Lutheran Community Retreat - Mile 95 Glenn Hwy (N of Palmer)
February 7-8:  Crossroads, Redefining Your Vocational Vision Seminar - Portland, OR
February 15:  2017 Annual Report due to Bishop
February 18-19:  Interior Cluster Confirmation/Youth Retreat - Valdez, AK
February 24-25:  Rooted in Christ: Connected in Community, 1st of 4 Workshops - Anch
February 24:  Congregation Council Workshop 101 (For those new to Council) - Anchorage
February 25:  Congregation Council Workshop 201 with Linda Babbitt on Congregational Vitality - Anchorage
March 10-12:  Wartburg Theological Seminary (WTS)- "Considering Your Call" weekend retreat. - Dubuque, Iowa
March 19-22:  CALM 2017 Conference.  Lutherhaven - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
April 25-27:  Spring 2017 Collegium - Juneau, AK
April 28-30:  Alaska Synod 2017 Assembly - Juneau, AK
July 13-16:  Tenth Triennial Women of the ELCA Gathering, All Anew - Minneapolis, MN
August 7-10:  Rostered Ministers Gathering, On The Way- Together! - Atlanta, GA
Standing Together- Veteran's Program. 1st Tuesday, Monthly.
Joy Lutheran, in partnership with the Chugiak- Eagle River Library, launched "Standing Together."  This is made possible by a grant from the Humanities Forum.  Learn more here.
Life Tree Cafe. Tuesdays, 7pm, St. Mark Lutheran Church - Anchorage
Join the January discussions. Be yourself. Playing God. Losing a Loved One to Alzheimer's. Why did I survive? Confronting evil.
Join the February discussions. Finding meaning every Monday. Crop circles. Spiritual but not religious. Police brutality or necessary force?
Domestic Violence Help
Click Here for contact information on crisis teams across Alaska and to find programs in your area that can help.
Click Here for resources from the ELCA website for helping nurture families dealing with Domestic Violence.
Suicide Prevention
Click Here for information and resources from the Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry.
 
Alaska Synod, ELCA | 907-272-8899
1847 W Northern Lights Blvd. #2
Anchorage, AK 99517