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2018 MISSION SUPPORT
The mission support of our congregations makes it possible for us to walk together with others in the mission and ministry of the Metropolitan New York Synod and to support ministries of the ELCA. 

All mission support for the fiscal year 2018 (ending on January 31, 2019), should be received in the synod office by February 7, 2019.
Reports to the Bishop
Each year, we ask our ELCA rostered ministers to take the time to complete a report to the bishop, looking back on their life and ministry. Submit this confidential report before  February 15 .

In addition to helping us stay connected, completing this form makes you eligible for synod grants.

Submit your report,  here ,
Webinar: Legal Checklist for Congregations
Congregations can be vulnerable to legal issues and liabilities related to corporate status, taxes, property, insurance and abuse prevention. Many of these problems can be avoided by using an ELCA-prepared checklist of key issues for congregations to address. In a free webinar, the ELCA legal staff will discuss this checklist and best legal practices for congregations. Learn more, here.

Register by Feb. 15!
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Devotions Offered by Four Heads of Communion
" The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) , and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions for the annual ecumenical celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed this year from January 18 to 25."

L earn more, here .
Download the devotions, here.
2019 MNYS Annual Assembly
The theme for the Assembly is  Care for Creation . We will focus on how, as disciples of Christ, we are called, more than ever before, to care for the wonderful creation of God.

This is a significant Assembly in that  we will be electing a new bishop to lead us forward

Click here to learn more.
FROM OUR CONGREGATIONS & PARTNERS
IT'S TIME TO MARCH AGAIN!
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Port Jervis
TODAY! Saturday, January 19
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

We’re going to flood the streets of Port Jervis, NY, Washington, D.C., and cities across the globe. The #WomensWave is coming, and the Port Jervis walk will be a celebration of our newly-elected women locally and across the nation! For more information, click here
HOW TO INTEGRATE JAZZ IN WORSHIP WORKSHOP
Calvary Lutheran Church, Hauppauge
Monday, January 21
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Suffolk Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents Deanna Witkowski, an award-winning pianist/composer, who will be offering this workshop. For more information, click here
LI-CAN LEADERS SUPPORT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ON OPIOID ADDICTION TREATMENT AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION
Last April, in a meeting with clergy affiliated with the Metro IAF-NY citizens' organizing network, LI-CAN co-chairperson Rev. Eric Olsen asked Governor Andrew Cuomo to make New York State a leader in opioid addiction treatment. LI-CAN is a faith-based community organization located on Long Island that has worked to help God’s children suffering with Opioid Use Disorder to have access to evidence-based treatment! Read more, here
INVIGORATING CONGREGATIONS FOR GLOBAL GOOD THIS LENT SEASON
Journey with Lutheran World Relief this Lent and proclaim to the world that the hope of Christ makes a new season possible. Share with your congregation the impact they can make in the lives of poor and struggling families around the world. For resources to invigorate congregations and for more information, click here
YOUTH PLEDGE TO CARE FOR CREATION 
Thousands of youth visited the Lutherans Restoring Creation space during the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering this past summer in Houston. Hundreds of them made pledges to be better stewards of God's gifts. The results of this commitment will be shared with the regional church networks. The presentation and pledge form can be downloaded, here 
A TIME OF TRANSITION FOR "SEEDS FOR THE PARISH "
It's with mixed feelings that we share the news that we are publishing, in print form, the last issue of "Seeds for the Parish," but at the same time, excited to envision the reach of transitioning to "Seeds Monthly." If you are already receiving it, please click here and select "Seeds Monthly." It's quick, easy and free! here
SUICIDE ALERTNESS TRAINING
Parish Life Center of Atonement Lutheran Church, Saugerties
Monday, January 28
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

SafeTalk is an alertness training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to become a suicide-alert helper. Tamara Cooper of Family of Woodstock will lead the workshop. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, click here
MUSIC BY ST. OLAF COLLEGE
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage- Carnegie Hall, Manhattan
Saturday, February 2
8:00 pm

The St. Olaf Orchestra will perform for the first time at Carnegie Hall. Conducted by Steven Amundson and with the participation of Sarah Chang, recognized as one of the foremost violinists of our time. For more information, click here  
TRIVIA NIGHT 2019
Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, Manhattan
Friday, February 22
Evening

Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education's annual Trivia Night fundraiser for The Vine NYC Campus Ministry Network will be here before we know it! A fun, festive night and a great way to support campus ministry. For more information, click here
COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES
The Concordia College-NY, a private and non-profit Christian College of Higher Learning, offers a tuition-free Ministry Preparation Degree Program. Now recruiting for the August 2019 class, for those who have potential and wish to be leaders to serve in ministry. Students who meet the requirements could receive a full 5-year scholarship. For more information, click here
ELCA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION INTRODUCES NEW PRODUCTS
Congregations and ministries are eligible to join the ELCA's financial cooperative and receive benefits on savings accounts and Certificates of Deposit. They can also apply for a World MasterCard from the credit union. For more information, visit the credit union here , and the Mission Investment Fund here
DO YOU HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF ?
We highlight Valentine's Day with an important article about how our relationship with ourselves affects all other relationships. The Rev. Dr. Ron Lehenbauer is the author, a certified Imago Relationship therapist and one of our leading couples' therapists. Please, click here and share! 
––– JOB OPPORTUNITIES –––
PART-TIME ORGANIST AND MUSIC DIRECTOR: Grace Lutheran Church, Uniondale—more information here
LEAVE REPLACEMENT, FULL-TIME: LUHI - Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School, Brookville—more information here
OUTREACH COORDINATOR: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Port Jefferson Station—more information here
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rocky Point—more information here  

––––– CALENDAR –––––
TODAY, JANUARY 19: STRATEGIC PLAN All Committees Meeting —more information here
TODAY, JANUARY 19: SENT Committee Meeting —more information here
TODAY, JANUARY 19: CLAIMED Committee Meeting—more information here
TODAY, JANUARY 19: ANTI-RACISM Committee Meeting—more information here
TODAY, JANUARY 19: GATHERED Committee Meeting—more information here
JANUARY, 22: Synod Council Meeting—more information here

WE'RE PRAYING FOR...
The family and friends of  The Rev. Thomas A. Smith ,   who   who died in Christ on   Tuesday, January 15, 2019. See obituary,  here .
• The family and friends of The Rev. Gordon J. Straw, Cornelsen Chair for Spiritual Formation at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), who died in Christ on Saturday, January 5, 2019
The federal workers and all affected by the government shutdown
• The asylum seekers who are waiting to be processed at our southern border
 Our work toward shaping a more inclusive church that welcomes and affirms all of God's people, specifically our  LGBTQIA+  brothers, sisters, and siblings 
 Refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers, and those who come to their aid
 Those affected by violence in their schools, workplaces, and homes 
 The unity of this church and its mission
 Peace in our world
 Peace in our nation
 The care of God's creation 
 ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission, Nduka-Eze (Uzoma) Ariguzo, serving in Australia
ELCA missionaries Dr. Ambrose Moyo, serving in Zimbabwe; and The Rev. Kim Crawford and The Rev. Henry Martinez, serving in Australia
MNYS missionary Melanie Nelson, and her husband David Kingery, serving in Bukoba, Tanzania
  Bishop Rodger Prois, the staff, and the people of the Western Iowa Synod