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SYNOD NEWS
Bishop Gafkjen's January I-K Lutheran Newsletter
While walking our dog, Karley, early one December morning, the sun just rising in the east, I heard a strange chirping, chortling, nearly barking sound echoing in the space between our house and our neighbors'. I left the security of the sidewalk to peer through the dusky dawn light in hope of catching a glimpse of what odd animal might be there. My heart rate rose as I shuffled closer.
Nothing. I saw nothing. Yet the volume of the sound grew, and the strange cackle-call surrounded me. I pulled poor Karley closer, fearful, I must admit, that something lurked and threatened, heard but not seen, in the shadows.
Please click
here to read the full article.
Synod Assembly 2020
June 4-6, 2020
Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center
Noblesville, Indiana
Mission Support
This is a gentle reminder to send your congregation's "Letter of Intent for Mission Support" to the Synod Office by January 31. A link to the form is provided here.
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Instagram Account!
The synod has embraced visual storytelling. Please find and follow us @IKSynodELCA. Please be sure and tag us in your photos!
Give with Tithe.ly
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod 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!
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
January 16: Extended Staff Meeting | 9:30 a.m.
January 17-18: Synod Council | I-K Lutheran Center | Indianapolis, IN
January 19: Holy Closure Service | St. Mark, Butler, IN | Twelve Noon | Preach & Preside
January 19: Ecumenical Prayer for Christian Unity | Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ | 602 North New Jersey Street, Indianapolis, IN | 6:00 p.m.
January 20: Office Closed | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 20: Bishop attends MLK observance at Cross & Crown, Indianapolis, IN
January 23: Transition Visit | St. Mark, Albion, IN
January 26: St. John, Otwell, IN | Preach | 10:00 a.m.
January 26: Prayer for Christian Unity | Pax Christi Roman Catholic Church, Lexington, KY
January 28: Transition Visit | Faith, Logansport, IN | 5:30 p.m.
Bishop Gafkjen looks forward to being with you and your faith community. Please contact his administrative assistant, April Lynch,
alynch@iksynod.org 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 Thomas Dearchs, Director of Communications, Administration, and Worship Life tdearchs@iksynod.org by Tuesday at noon (Eastern time) to be included in the Thursday Weekly News. Please see the Publications Submission Guidelines document for complete details on submissions.
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CONGREGATION NEWS
Prayer Concerns
During the weekly I-K Lutheran Center staff devotions we included these individuals and mission centers in our prayers:
January 8, 2020
St. Mark, Albion, IN
and Rev. Phyllis Smoot
St. Mark, Louisville, KY
and Rev. Steven Renner, Pastor of Record
St. Mark's, Butler, IN
and Rev. David J. Williamson, Pastor of Record
St. Mark's, Batesville, IN
and Rev. Jill Campbell
St. Mark's, Evansville, IN
and Rev. Donald Gray
Rostered Ministers Not Under Congregational Call:
Rev. Jane Aicher, Retired
Rev. Steven Albertin, Retired
Rev. Dwight Anderson, Retired
Deacon G. Travis Woodfield, Camp. Min. for Graduate, Online & Interfaith Ministry
Rev. Robert Abner, Grace Village - Ball State University, Muncie, IN
Northern Illinois Synod and Bishop Jeffrey Clements
January 15, 2020
St. Mark's, Monroeville, IN
and Rev. David J. Williamson
St. Matthew by the Lake, Benton, KY
and Rev. Colleen Winkler
St. Matthew, Fort Wayne, IN
and Rev. Dale Henderson
St. Matthew, Paducah, KY
and Rev. Marlin Otte, Pastor of Record - ELCA Clergy
St. Paul, Michigan City, IN
and Rev. Mark Reshan
Rostered Ministers Not Under Congregational Call:
Rev. Lowell Anderson, Retired
Rev. Robert Anderson, Retired
Rev. Christoph Armiger, Retired
Rev. Amy Allen, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN
Rev. Charles Allen, Episcopal Partner, Indianapolis Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry
Central/Southern Illinois Synod and Bishop S. John Roth
In Memoriam
We offer our Christian sympathy and the promise of the resurrection to the family of Pastor Sharon Walker. Her mother, Jean Hufford, entered the Church Triumphant on January 9, 2020. Please click here for her obituary. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 610 W. Jackson Street, Mulberry, IN. We give thanks for Jean's life, and pray God's blessings for comfort and peace for her family and loved ones.
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
News from St. Paul's, Vincennes, IN
On Reformation Sunday, St. Paul's Vincennes, IN combined a German style dinner with a Thrivent fundraiser. Our goal was to raise funds to purchase the "Hear My Voice" book for prisoners throughout our area. Happily, between the generosity and efforts of our members and help from Thrivent, we were able to purchase 84 "Hear My Voice" books. They are being distributed to local jails, area prisons and treatment facilities in the community. One individual who leads a regular Bible study with female inmates brought 9 books with her on Christmas Day. She had nine in attendance at Bible Study. She said every one of the women was in tears as they received their books, saying not only did it touch them to be remembered on Christmas, but even more that such a wonderful resource was theirs to use and to share. They were delighted to find some favorite hymns, favorite Scriptures, beautiful art work and many other aspects of the book that is meaningful to someone imprisoned. This was precisely the response we had hoped for when we undertook this project. We hope this will be a "Gospel gift" to many in a difficult circumstance.
--April M. Dailey, Interim Pastor, St. Paul's
Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA, in Lexington, KY is seeking a full-time Director of Music Ministries to continue the congregation's liturgically vibrant tradition. Please click
here for more information.
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CHURCH-WIDE NEWS
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Bishop Eaton's January Column for
Living Lutheran
We know the truth.
In the January 2020 issue for
Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on white privilege (reprint of her June 2018 column): "We aren't free until all of us are free." Read her column
here.
New in 2020 for the ELCA-Primary Health Plan
if you have ELCA-Primary health benefits, a suite of new online offerings provides convenient access to care at your fingertips, whether on the go, in your office, or and in the privacy of your own home. Find support to strengthen your emotional resilience, learn new skills, and save on costs:
- Being is a holistic, faith-based, educational platform offering expert-led videos on a wide range of well-being skills - such as longevity, purpose, resiliency, and more.
- Learn to Live is a self-directed online mental health support program designed to help participants manage stress, depression, social anxiety, insomnia, and substance use.
- Text-Based Primary Care is available through a convenient app. 98point6 connects you 24/7 with U.S.-based, board-certified doctors. Receive on-demand consultation, diagnosis, and a treatment plan for $5 or less. Doctors can also prescribe medication (except controlled substances) and order lab tests.
Earning Wellness Dollars in 2020:
Members with ELCA-Primary health benefits can earn up to $200 wellness dollars to help pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. Earn $100 wellness dollars each when you complete a physical health assessment or biometric screening, and when you have a conversation with a Portico Financial Planner. If your spouse is covered by ELCA-Primary benefits they can earn $200 as well.
Sign in to myPortico to learn more.
Videos for Treasurers and Church/Financial Administrators:
Looking to learn about Portico Benefit Services and the practicalities of managing the benefits for pastors and church employees?
Your congregation must have at least one registered EmployerLink user to pay your bill and manage sponsored employees' benefits. Note: it's important for the people who play a part in managing your employees' benefits to be registered on EmployerLink, and for those no longer involved to have their accounts deactivated.
Invite your treasurer or financial administrator to view these educational videos:
Are You Called to be a Spiritual Director?
Our Spiritual Direction Internship Program (SDI) is starting soon! Since 1991, the Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center continues to offer a renowned, two-year training program. Spiritual Direction Internship is for those with a desire to enrich spiritual life, discern the call to become a spiritual director, and need to experientially develop the skills necessary for spiritual direction. The Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center is now taking applications for our 2020-2022 class! Applications for the upcoming SDI program must be received by June 15, 2020. This two-year program begins in September, 2020. For more information or to apply, please contact Spiritual Direction Internship Program, 317-788-7581 or email spiritualdirection@benedictinn.org
Ignite the Church Conference
4th Annual Ignite the Church Conference, Orlando, Florida, February 11-13.
Are you looking for a continuing ed event to inspire, encourage & challenge your ministry? Would Florida in February be a blessing?
Consider attending the Ignite the Church Conference in Orlando, Florida, February 11-13. In addition to 4 large group gatherings with talks and panel discussions on topics related to Congregational Vitality, there will be 12 intensive electives on a wide range of important topics like Reaching Younger Generations, Expanding Kingdom Impact, Church Renewal and Discipleship, Renewing Music, Vitality through Mission, Engaging Your Neighborhood, Evangelism, Social Justice, and Raising Up and Equipping Leaders. There will also be a field trip to Orlando's Castle Church Brewing Community, one of the ELCA's newest and most unique mission starts. The $99 Super Early Bird registration rate includes 2 meals and snacks when you register by November 30th. Rates increase to $109 in December and $129 in January. 75 Leaders from 20 states attended last year's gathering. All conference proceeds are donated to the ELCA Fund for Leaders. Last year's gift totaled $2500. For more information go to
www.IgniteTheChurch.net
We hope to see you there!
Subscribe to ELCA Newsletters
Access the latest resources, stories and events from around this church through ELCA e-newsletters and subscribe to several all in one place. Keep up-to-date with the ministries that mean the most to you or share with a friend and encourage them to subscribe. Sign up for news about the global church, Lutheran Disaster Response, stewardship and ELCA World Hunger at
ELCA.org/subscribe.
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