WEBSITES FOR SYNOD LAUNCHES
Both New Connections and MetroDCCoaches, which were featured during the 2017 Synod Assembly, have launched websites and social media as their presence develops.
New Connections Campaign aims to connect 3,000 new people-a 10% growth across our synod-to engage in the ministry in our existing congregations. Developing lay and rostered leadership, revitalizing existing congregations, engaging one another, establishing new ministries and tithing to the ELCA to extend our missional reach are all part of the effort. In the Metro D.C. Synod,
MetroDCCoaches is "powered by" New Connections and exists to empower pastors, congregational leaders and congregations to greater and more effective mission, congregational vitality and growth. Learn more at
www.newconnectionsmetrodc.com/ and
www.metrodccoaches.com/ .
UNITED LUTHERAN SEMINARY FORMS
At the stroke of midnight, July 1, 2017, Gettysburg Seminary and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) formed United Lutheran Seminary on two campuses in Gettysburg and Philadelphia. Both schools bring distinctive gifts to the united school, with Philadelphia offering a specialized and broadly ecumenical Urban Theological Institute, and a large commuting population in the metropolitan area and Gettysburg contributing strong community life of residential learning and a commitment to green practices. President Theresa F. Latini will begin mid-summer and be inaugurated on Nov. 2. July 1 also marks the retirement of Gettysburg Seminary President Michael Cooper-White. President David Lose of LTSP begins a new call as senior pastor of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minn.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM GIFTS OF HOPE
Three news items from Gifts of Hope (GOH). 1) During Advent 2016, GOH raised $104,337 from 45 congregations in our synod and via the GOH website. 2) GOH is celebrating 25 years in our synod, having raised more than $3,337,000 for beneficiaries, supporting their work in our metro D.C. area and abroad. 3) GOH is adding another organization: our area Lutheran Campus Ministries. Select one of 40 gifts year-round from the
http://www.giftsofhopedc.org/ catalog and receive an all-purpose card to present to your honored loved one. "Your support provides hope for today and hope for tomorrow," says Carolyn Sowinski, director.
OFFER TO CO-HOST A LUTHER MOVIE NIGHT FROM LLF
If there is enough interest, Lutheran Lay Fellowship (LLF) is interested in arranging screenings of "Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World," a feature-length film about Martin Luther and the Reformation. "I'm looking for feedback from leadership, and based on that, LLF will select locations around the Beltway," says LLF contact person Dave Lambert. "We need around six weeks to make arrangements and advertise." More about the film at
http://www.lutheranlayfellowship.org/info/2017/2017-05-30_LLF_Luther-POster-Info.pdf (pdf file). Contact Lambert to explore the possibility of a showing in the D.C. area facilitated with LLF at
info@LutheranLayFellowship.org .
GIFT TO LSS/NCA
During evening worship at the 2017 Metro D.C. Synod Assembly, $2,371.75 was shared by our offering with Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area as they observe their 100th anniversary.
RAPID RESPONSE WHEN FAITH COMMUNITIES ATTACKED
As announced by Rabbi Gerry Serotta, Executive Director of InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC), Washington Interfaith Response and Outreach Coalition (WIROC) is a new initiative aimed at providing grassroots, public demonstrations of support by and for individuals and communities throughout the greater DC area. The WIROC of IFC, of which the Metro D.C. Synod is a member faith community, is a rapid response team to respond in person to acts of targeted vandalism, hateful speech and other types of emotional and physical attacks on faith communities and individuals throughout the area. Contact Symi Rom-Rymer to learn more at
symirr@ifcmw.org or 202-234-6301, ext. 105.