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SYNOD NEWS
Bishop Gafkjen's August I-K Lutheran Newsletter
The triennial Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA is August 5-10 this year. I will join twenty-some other folks from the IN-KY mission territory in Milwaukee as voting members and visitors, gathered under the theme "Church Together." As I often say about our synod assemblies, we will cram as much as we can of what it means to be the church into those six days.
Read his column
here.
Sabbatical
Pastor Nancy Nyland, Director for Evangelical Mission, will be on sabbatical from July 1 through September 30. During this time, she will travel with her son during July, will be engaging in some study and reading in August, and will do some writing in September. She is thankful for this time for rest, renewal and recharge.
While she is gone, please contact Carol Webb, her administrative assistant, (
[email protected]) regarding Connect, Shared Ministry, Area Mission Conversations, Exploring God's Expectations, mission, outreach, etc. Please contact Pastor Jerry O'Neal, (
[email protected]) IK Synod Stewardship Director, regarding stewardship.
On the Road Again
Here are some examples of the way your synod staff has been out and about in our mission territory during the month of June: Servants of Christ, Indianapolis, IN; Christ, Jeffersontown, KY; Faith, Goshen, IN; St. John, Louisville, KY; Good Shepherd, Louisville, KY; Christ, Terre Haute, IN; Trinity, Terre Haute, IN; I-K Synod Youth Mission Trip - (First, Louisville, KY; Third, Louisville, KY; Ascension, Louisville, KY;) Faith, Avon, IN; Zion, Sunman, IN; Zion, Portland, IN; Augustana, Hobart, IN; Leaders of Shared Ministry, Synod Office; New Joy, Westfield, IN; First, Attica, IN; St. Paul, Richmond, IN; Gloria Dei, Mulberry, IN; South Bend Area Mission Conversation, South Bend, IN; Grace and Glory, Goshen, KY.
Better Health is on the Horizon
Join the summer
Shape-Up Challenge and push yourself to cultivate a daily practice of physical activity over the next four weeks and beyond. This challenge is available to Portico Benefits plan members.
Consider joining the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Team! It's easy to participate: Simply
track your daily step count or exercise in 2019 Live Well by selecting Track Challenge Activity. Questions? Check out the
challenge overview guide.
Save the Date! StewardFest August 17
Come join us on Saturday, August 17 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM for the third IK
StewardFest
at Grace Lutheran Church in Columbia City, IN. This action-packed event will include a wide variety of workshops such as
care of creation, community gardens, personal finance, stewarding relationships, congregational audits,
treasurer's training and other informative subjects. Cost is $5 per person or a maximum of $20 per congregation. Bishop Bill will be joining
us to lead a plenary session, always a highlight of the event. Please click
here to register. We hope to see you there! Please click
here for a copy of the StewardFest letter that was mailed out and please click
here for a copy of a flyer to share with your congregation.
Advancing Racial Equity Training at the I-K Synod Professional Leaders Conference
We hope all pastors and deacons are planning to attend this year's conference, Sept. 22-24, to continue this important conversation and action against racism in our world and within the church. If you will be staying at the Drury Plaza Hotel (where the event is being held), the deadline to register is Friday, August 16th - just 3 weeks away. Click on this link to register, or go to this page to read more about the topics, speakers and see the general schedule for the conference: If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Heather Apel, [email protected]
I-K Women of the ELCA Biennial Convention
Join women from across Indiana and Kentucky as they gather to celebrate this retreat/convention on September 13 and 14, 2019, at the Holiday Inn Airport in Indianapolis. The activities planned for this event include Bible studies, service projects, workshops, fellowship and much more. Every woman is invited to come. You do not need to be a member of women's group or even be Lutheran. We are joining together to Rest, Relax and Reflect. For more information,
email
[email protected] to receive a packet of information. Or you can click here (https://bit.ly/2I6jrEC) to see digital information.
New 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
August 5-10: Churchwide Assembly, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
August 16: Candidacy Retreat | 8:30 a.m. | Benedict Inn
August 17: Stewardfest | 9:00 a.m. | Grace, Columbia City, IN
August 18: Risen Savior, Fort Wayne, IN | 9:00 a.m. | Preach and Preside
August 18: Ice Cream Social Fundraiser for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries | Risen Savior, Fort Wayne, IN | 2:00 p.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 Thomas Dearchs, Director of Communications, Administration, and Worship Life [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.
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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:
come2go ministries, Fort Wayne, IN
and Rev. Brian Spahr
Cross & Crown, Indianapolis, IN
and Rev. Christine Wulff
Cross of Christ, Crown Point, IN
and Rev. Jane Aicher, Pastor of Record
Cross of Grace, New Palestine, IN
and Rev. Mark Havel & Rev. Aaron Stamper
Eberhard, Columbia City, IN
and Rev. Alice Smith
Rostered Ministers Not Under Congregational Call:
Rev. Kenneth Peterson, Retired
Rev. Stanley Peterson, Retired
Rev. William Peterson, Retired
Rev. Mandy Brobst-Renaud, Instructor of Theology, Valparaiso University
Dr. Lorraine Brugh, Deacon - Professor of Music, Valparaiso University
Sierra Pacific Synod and Bishop Mark Holmerud
Prayers for healing for Pastor John Hofer, retired, who is recovering from surgery.
God's Work. Our Hands.
Would your congregation be looking for a God's Work. Our Hands. Day project? Be part of a true community effort in Indianapolis where the need is great. Check out the attached flier and sign up to help disabled and/or low-income families in the city, as well as fix up two pocket parks. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or Dan Mowrey from First Trinity Lutheran Church who is coordinating this effort in First Trinity's neighborhood near 42
nd Street and Emerson. The need is great and your hands will make the difference in people's life as you share God's grace with them. Please see the attached
flyer.
Summer Nights
Resurrection's Young Adults (Fort Wayne, IN) are sponsoring a Music Festival; Summer Night Block Party on Friday, August 23. Please click here for a flyer to share with your congregation.
Women's Retreat with Pastor Vicki Garber
You are invited to attend a Women's Retreat at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford, Ohio. Pastor Vicki Garber will be the retreat leader. Her past retreats have been awesome, and this too will be spiritually powerful as it nurtures our bodies, minds and spirits. It will be a time of Bible study, prayer, reflection, fellowship and peace. Please click
here to get the invitation and
here to get the registration form. For questions contact Walda at
[email protected].
LOMIK Ice Cream Social Fundraiser at Risen Savior
The annual LOMIK Ice Cream Social Fundraiser will be held at Risen Savior, Fort Wayne, IN, on August 18, with a goal to raise $50,000, all designated for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries scholarships for those needing financial assistance to attend camp. A LOMIK camp goal is no child should be denied access to a camp experience due to lack of funds. Contributions by all congregations and individuals are encouraged for this 2019 LOMIK fundraiser at
www.lomik.org, simply hit the DONATE button and then the "Ice Cream Social Fundraiser" gift designation button. Help send a kid to camp!
Director of Music Ministries
Faith Lutheran Church - Lexington, KY
Please click
here for a job description.
Position Opening
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1005 N. 21st Street, Lafayette, IN, has a part time opening for a Praise Team leader
who will act as the primary leader of modern liturgical music and encourage congregational participation. This position will require proficiency in playing the piano for modern liturgical worship services and the opportunity to play for other special services and events. This position is from 7:30=9:30am on Sundays.
Contact the office email
[email protected]
for more details, or to submit an application.
Position Openings
Pilgrim Lutheran in Carmel, IN is currently looking for applicants for two staff openings. We are seeking a part-time Director of Christian Education (20 hours) and a Youth Director (10 hours) to join our staff. These positions will be open beginning in June. Anyone interested can contact the church office at 317-846-2221 or submit a resume to
[email protected]. Please click
here for the Youth Director job description and click
here for the Director of Christian Education job description.
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CHURCH-WIDE NEWS
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Bishop Eaton's July Column for
Living Lutheran
We belong to the Truth.
In her July column for
Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton asks: "How do we live as people of Truth in a time of spin? In deep humility, profound gratitude and real joy. Read her column here.
It's Almost Here: 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Voting members will convene Aug. 5-10 for the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. This will be the 15th gathering of the assembly, the primary decision-making body of the ELCA. This year's theme is "We Are Church," and voting members will spend the week participating in plenaries, discussions, Bible studies and worship while deliberating the work of the church. Download the
ELCA Guidebook for up-to-date information before and during the assembly. Voting members can watch short
videos that introduce some of the processes and procedures at Churchwide Assembly. To follow along with the assembly from home, livestream the proceedings at
elca.org/cwa.
Winner Announced in "God's work. Our Hands. Sunday Hymn Contest
A hymn titled "God's Work, Our Hands," written by Wayne Wold, was selected as the winning entry in the ELCA's "God's work. Our hands." Sunday hymn contest. People submitted original compositions to be considered as a hymn for the ELCA's annual day of service. Wold is a professor and chair of the music department at Hood College in Frederick, Md., where he also serves as concert manager and college organist. Wold is also the director of music ministry at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, Md. The selected hymn represents the official tagline of the ELCA and expresses how the people of this church live in service for the life of the world. The hymn is available as a year-round worship resource.
Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book
This grace-filled prayer book invites people who are incarcerated to spend time in prayer, trusting in God's never-failing love for them and the whole world. Others who accompany and care for them, such as family, friends, and chaplains, will also find comfort and encouragement in this resource. Featuring the gifts of writers with diverse connections to the criminal justice system, Hear My Voice is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Augsburg Fortress. This enduring and conveniently sized book is enhanced with beautiful color artwork and provides prayers for many times and circumstances.
Refer a Student to Lutheran Campus Ministry
Do you know a recent high school graduate or current college student? Help them find a church home at college with Lutheran Campus Ministry. Through this online form, you can refer a student to a community of faith on campus:
lumin-networkreferral.org/student-referrals/.
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.
You're Invited: "Forgotten Luther" Symposium: Reclaiming a Vision of Global Community
A symposium for globally conscious congregations will be held Oct. 25-26 at Saint Luke Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, Md. A Spirit-led response from churches in the global South reminds us of Martin Luther's conviction that God's grace in Jesus has far-reaching implications, not just for individual lives but for the ways we live together on this earth. This third symposium in the "Forgotten Luther" series will help congregations develop a more informed global perspective. It is sponsored by ELCA Global Mission, ELCA World Hunger, the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod and Saint Luke Lutheran Church. For more information, go to
fliii.us.
Look up
2019 Faith Conference
Advancing Mental Health Ministry
Monday, October 7, 2019 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grand Wayne Center | Fort Wayne, IN
Please click here to register.
Adult Lutherans Organized for Action
ALOA offers monthly one-hour webinars on specific topics meaningful to older adult ministry leaders in congregations, as well as interested individuals. Each will include an interview with a thought leader working with older adults, and will be archived for future viewing. Please click here to learn more.
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is Sunday,
September 8, 2019. This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ - every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life - flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God's grace. You work every day to make your community a better place. Let us continue doing this work together in 2019! View the
video and access
resources to guide your congregation's planning, promotion and more.
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