News from the IndianaNews-KNentucky  Mission Territory 
Weekly eNews | October 18, 2018 

SYNOD NEWS
 
Luke, Evangelist
Today, we commemorate Luke the Evangelist.
St. Luke is identified by tradition as the author of both Luke and Acts. Luke is careful to place the events of Jesus' life in both their social and religious contexts. Some of the most loved parables, including the good Samaritan and the prodigal son, are found only in this gospel. Luke's gospel has also given the church some of its most beautiful songs: the Benedictus sung at morning prayer, the Magnificat sung at evening prayer, and the Nunc dimittis sung at the close of the day. These songs are powerful witnesses to the message of Jesus Christ. (More Days for Praise - Festivals and Commemorations in Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Pray the Prayer for the Day of Luke
Almighty God, you inspired your servant Luke to reveal in his gospel the love and healing power of your Son. Give your church the same love and power to heal, and to proclaim your salvation among the nations to the glory of your name, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our healer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. ( ELW, p. 58)

I-K Lutheran - November 
The November I-K Lutheran newsletter, normally posted the week of October 15, will not be published this month.

Discovering Hope Workshop
The Discovering Hope Workshop registration deadline is being extended to Monday, October 22. Here is the link to register: https://conta.cc/2xCPaYi
 
Extravaganza
One of the main stage speakers at Extravaganza 2019 is going to be Dr.  Dawn Rundman. She is a nationally recognized teacher, presenter, author, and resource provider specializing in children's faith development. She received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Oregon. Since 2002 she's developed faith formation resources at Sparkhouse and Augsburg Fortress, two publishing units of 1517 Media.

Dawn's newest book, Little Steps, Big Faith, was released on October 2, 2018.   In it she explores how the science of early childhood development can help each of us who are in ministry grow faith in our children. It's available now from Augsburg Fortress and Amazon.

Register now for Extravaganza 2019 at the Early Bird rate of $280 to hear Dawn, participate in the Intensive Care Courses, and be a part of the best continuing education experience in the ELCA! Prices go up after October 15, 2018.   For more information, visit www.Ext19.org.  
 
Discovering Hope Workshop
When Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Your Congregation was first offered in the I-K Synod in 2012, one of the congregations participating in the conference for small churches was barely surviving. Their team returned to the congregation excited and filled with hope for the future. They are grateful for the seeds that were planted at that eventful workshop: today they are a thriving, vibrant part of their community, with ripples of outreach extending beyond their home-town boundaries. Come and see how your congregation can build vitality and hope by attending the October 27th conference. Click  here to register. A flyer to share with your congregation can be found  here.

Boundaries Workshops
All rostered ministers should have received a letter from Bishop Bill Gafkjen about upcoming Boundaries Workshops that will take place around the Indiana-Kentucky Synod (if you did not, we may not have your correct home address - please contact the office to update it). It is the expectation of the ELCA that all pastors and deacons (active, retired and on leave) attend a Boundaries Workshop every three years. The first workshop will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. EST - 4:00 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 225 Haney Ave., South Bend, IN. Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch and all materials. Registration for this event is now open:
https://southbendikboundaries.eventbrite.com Additional workshops will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 in the Louisville area and Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in the Central Indiana area (locations to be determined - registration for these events will open at a later date). These events are also open to other ministry staff and volunteers in the synod, or ministers from other denominations. Contact Rev. Heather Apel with any questions, [email protected]

New Way to Give with Tithe.ly 
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod recently signed up with Tithe.ly to make giving easier than ever. Download the app and set Indiana-Kentucky Synod as a regular mission to support. You can also simply text the word GIVE to 765-347-9974, then follow the link. You may also visit our website ( www.iksynod.org), click the Donate Button, and follow the prompts. Treasurers: Save a stamp and send Mission Support with Tithe.ly! ACH and debit/credit cards accepted. Please include your congregation name in the "Note/Memo" line.
 
Thank you for all you do to support the ministries and mission of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod!
 
Please consider using Tithe.ly in your congregation! To learn more about Tithe.ly and its relationship with the ELCA, please visit this link: https://elca.org/News-andEvents/7914  
 
Mark Your Calendars!
   
Bishop's Day for Youth (grades 8 - 12)
Dates:  Saturday, February 23, 2019, with the option of staying over Friday and/or Saturday evening
Location:  Pilgrim Lutheran, Carmel, Indiana 
 
I-K Synod Youth Leadership Summit (grades 8 - 12)
Dates:  Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2, 2019
Location:  Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
 
I-K Synod Youth Mission Trip (grades 8-12 and Adult Mentors)
Dates: Sunday, June 23, through Saturday, June 29, 2019
Location: Louisville, Kentucky 
 
For more information, contact Pastor Dan Fugate at [email protected] or 317.253.3522.
 
Where's the Bishop? 
Many have expressed interest in knowing where Bishop Bill will be preaching and presiding so that they may attend if they are nearby. Below you will find a schedule of upcoming services and events where our Bishop will be presiding, preaching, participating or leading.  
 
Bishop Gafkjen's Calendar of Events - all times listed are local    

October 24-26: ELCA Chuchwide Offices (meetings) 
 
October 28: 50th Anniversary Celebration, Redemmer, Somerset, KY | 10:00 a.m.
     
Bishop Gafkjen looks forward to being with you and your faith community. Please contact his administrative assistant, April Lynch, [email protected] to schedule a time.
 
Synod Weekly News
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod welcomes stories and photographs of ministry moments to share with its mission territory. Stories and accompanying photos are accepted for the Weekly News (which is sent out each Thursday), the monthly I-K Lutheran, and the web site (www.iksynod.org). Send announcement submission to Tom Dearchs, [email protected] by Tuesday at noon (Eastern time) to be included in the Thursday Weekly News. Please see the Publication Submission Guidelines document for complete details on submissions. 


 

CONGREGATION NEWS

Prayer Concerns  
As the Synod staff was at the Professional Leaders Conference at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, IN., from Sunday through late Tuesday, our regularly scheduled Wednesday morning devotions and Staff Meeting was not held. We did, however, pray for all leaders and mission centers in our mission territory.

In Memoriam
Pastor Laura Meier's mother, Virginia Hodges, passed away on Friday, October 12. Her service was held on Wednesday, October 17. Please click here for the complete obituary. Also, Rev. Scott Meier's (Laura's husband) father passed away about two months ago. Please keep the Meier family in your prayers. May light perpetual shine upon Virginia.

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding, deal graciously with Laura and her family in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Understanding & Responding to Mental Health Challenges in Young People
All of us need help handling stress and anxiety and down times.  Come for information and strategies to help recognize when young people need to seek help.

Wednesday, October 24
7 to 8:30 pm
Christ the Savior Lutheran Church
10500 E. 126th St, Fishers

A FREE event for parents, teachers, leaders and peers of 5th-12th grade students

Presenters Julie T. Steck, Ph.D., HSSP, and David R. Parker, Ph.D. will share ...
  • National data about mental health in young people
  • Factors that are contributing to this "perfect storm"
  • Symptoms of various emotional disorders to help parents, teachers and peer recognize when it's time to seek help
  • Practical strategies to encourage young people to seek help while strengthening their emotional well-being
  • A list of resources
 
Rachel Kurtz in Concert 
 
 
Messiah Lutheran Church, 801 S. Green Street, Brownsburg, IN, will be hosting Rachel Kurtz in concert Sunday, November 4, at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets are $10 in advance by contacting Hope Moran, 317-910-6080, or $15 at the door for the 3:00 p.m. concert. Please click here  for a flyer to share with your congregation.  
 
Halloween Spooktacular Concert
The community is invited to a holiday-themed musical event at Christ Lutheran Church - the Halloween Organ Spooktacular. Two artists will perform on the organ: Vincent Carr, Associate Professor of Music (Organ) at Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University Bloomington, and Timothy Denton, Organist/Choirmaster at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Indianapolis. The concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 29. The church is located at 3401 South Dixon Road, Kokomo. A reception will follow the concert. Costumes optional!
 

eFormation Bootcamp
Designed for pastors, ministry leaders and/or lay people responsible for congregation communications, The Lutheran Foundation and Trinity English Lutheran Church are excited to bring the eFormation Bootcamp to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Out of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary, the team at eFormation, believes culturally savvy, digitally literate leadership skills are essential in every congregation. Join us to explore the intersection between formation, communications, and 21st century technology in a hands-on 2-day experience.

When:
October 26: 7:00pm-8:30pm
October 27: 8:30am-3:00pm

Location:
Trinity English Lutheran Church
450 West Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Not from Fort Wayne? No problem! There are plenty of hotel accommodations near Trinity English Lutheran Church.

For more information and to register, please follow this link:
 
Join Us for Evensong with St. Francis
Please join the choirs of Christ Lutheran Church and St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church on October 21 at 4pm at Christ Lutheran Church for a service of Choral Evensong celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
 
Choral Evensong is a 45-min long peace-inducing church service in which the 'song' of voices (the choir) sounding together in harmony is heard at the 'even' point between the active day and restful night, allowing listeners time for restful contemplation, while listening to the psalms, canticles and anthems sung by the choir.
 
During this service the choir will be singing works by Mendelssohn, Morley and Richter. A 15-minute organ prelude will begin at 3:45. Following the service, a reception of wine and cheese will take place in the Fellowship Hall.

Christ Lutheran Church | 600 N. Ford Road | Zionsville, IN 46077

Portico Benefit Services - 2019 Annual Enrollment Dates
Employer and plan members make their benefit elections annually. For 2019 benefits, the dates are as follows: for Employers: October 1 - October 26 and for Plan members: October 31 - November 14.

Upcoming Live Webinars:
Pre-retirement webinar 2: "Can I Create a Sustainable Income in Retirement?" - October 11th from 2-3pm
Ready to Retire - November 6th from 1:2:30pm

Register online:

 

CHURCH-WIDE NEWS

 
Bishop Eaton's October Column for
Living Lutheran  
 
So now what?  
Last year it was all Reformation all the time. On this 501st anniversary of the Reformation, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton uses her October Living Lutheran column to call on us to "refocus our attention on the gospel of our freedom, forgiveness and reconciliation given to us through God's indescribable act of love in Christ's death and resurrection." Read her column in English at  https://bit.ly/2NlNPtV and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2xVgZeQ.
 
Help Lutheran Child and Family Services this Christmas!
Our vision of linking children, families and communities together to build a brighter future keeps us very busy during the Christmas Season. Here at LCFS we offer several outreach programs, not to mention Christmas celebrations for Lutherwood residents.
Here are several ways to get involved during this most wonderful time of the year! Please click here for more information. 
 
    
 
   
 
 
 
Part-Time Campus Minister Position Opening
Attached is a job description for the Campus Minister at the United Campus Ministries in Terre Haute, IN. Please click here for a complete job description. Please Note: ELCA rostered leaders who are interested in applying should contact the Synod office in addition to the Campus Ministry Board. 
    

 
 
Additional Information on the Breaking Barriers Conference  
There will be an ELCA networking gathering at St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Thursday, October 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., prior to the preconference activities. If you are interested in attending, please contact Megan Neubauer, Program Associate, ELCA Strategy on HIV and AIDS, at 773.380.2423 or [email protected]   
 
   
 
 
Other ELCA Links