Assembly and Collegium.  April 25-30, 2017 - Juneau, AK

Rooted in Christ: Connected in Comm unity. 1st of 4 Workshops - Feb 24-25, 2017

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.

Faithful Christian Response to Substance Abuse.

March 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5 at 6pm.  Amazing Grace Lutheran Church - Anchorage
An adult discussion group focused on understanding substance abuse from a Christian perspective.  All are welcome!  Details, contact information, & address found 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.  Additional details here.  Register here.

Standing Stones Retreat.  Shepherd's Canyon Retreat Ministry. Wickenburg, AZ.

It is another very real "pan-Lutheran" experience for clients, counselors, men & women in full-time ministry & our retreat chaplain.  Attendees include folks from the ELCA, LCMC, and LCMS!  Our staff includes two counselors, a chaplain and volunteers who provide outstanding hospitality. 1-week long retreats throughout the year.  Details  & schedule here.

Seeds of Caring Conference.  April 1st.  Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anch.

The Alaska Faith Community Nursing Resource Center presents this event designed to help caregivers learn ways to stay healthy, and even thrive, in their important roles providing care.  Details here.  Registration flier here.  Registration Deadline:  March 15th.

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.

Discovery Week 2017.  July 9-15, 2017 - Toronto Multi-Faith Centre.

Hosted by:  Encounter World Religions Centre.
Understand the unique beauty & find the common threads between religions.  Gather to explore 11 religions in 1 week through engaging classes, thoughtful discussions & expertly planned site visits.  Details, schedule, & registration here.

Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering.  July 13-16, 2017 - Minneapolis, MN

Lutheran women gather every three years, united in a common mission and purpose. Registration is open for the "All Anew" Women of the ELCA's Tenth Triennial Gathering.
Details & Registration info here.

"Luther & The West" online course.  Northwestern University Massive Open Online.

An educational resource for this year's celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. The course is taught by Christine Helmer, who is an internationally known Luther scholar, & Professor of Religious Studies & German at Northwestern University in Evanston, USA.  Certificate offered for a fee.  Free course details here. 

Opportunities in the Navy Chaplaincy

The Navy Chaplain Corps is looking for dedicated, quality pastors to serve in both Reserve and Active Duty positions to provide for the religious needs of these service members, having a ministry of presence and pastoral care, and working to ensure the free exercise of religion for all who serve our country.  Details, qualifications & contact info here.

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.

Interior Cluster Confirmation/Youth Retreat. February 18 & 19 - Valdez, AK

Additional Details here.

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.

New Reformation anniversary website launches.

The new, more user-friendly ELCA500.org is the go-to information hub.  It provides tools for understanding and commemorating the Reformation in worship, learning, ecumenical conversations, personal devotion and more.  Visit site here.

A note to partners in ministry in the synods of the ELCA from Augsburg Fortress

We've arrived at 2017, and many of you are well along in your planning for Reformation anniversary year, whether you are organizing synod events or helping to resource congregations... Read more here.

Announcing the Reformation Bookstore from Augsburg Fortress & Fortress Press.

In 1517 Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses sparked a conversation about reform in the church that continues today. Now congregations across America have a way to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation-by hosting a Bookstore at their church!  Details here.

Rick Steves' 'Luther and the Reformation'

This one-hour video is a wonderful resource to better understand our Lutheran roots and help us in our continued journey of understanding the gospel.  Details and video link here.

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 Available.  Higher Education & Continuing Education.

Central Lutheran Church & it's members, in partnership with Pacific Lutheran University, offers several scholarships for those furthering their education at PLU, another ELCA-affiliated college or university, or attending seminary. Applicants are encouraged to visit these two sites: Getting Started: Students and http://www.centluth.org/scholarships

Joshua Grants Program Closing-Wheat Ridge Ministries. Last Opportunity to Apply.

Joshua Grants are 1yr grants to Lutheran congregations, organizations & agencies committed to launching new ministries of health & hope in their community.  Program Details here.  Final 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

Looking Ahead

2017
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 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5:  Faithful Christian Response to Substance Abuse - 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 1:  Seeds of Caring Conference - Anchorage
April 25-27:  Spring 2017 Collegium - Juneau, AK
April 28-30:  Alaska Synod 2017 Assembly - Juneau, AK
July 9-15:  Discovery Week 2017 - Toronto Multi-Faith Centre, Canada.
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.

Join the February discussions. Finding meaning every Monday. Crop circles. Spiritual but not religious. Police brutality or necessary force?