Weekly eNews | May 7, 2020
SYNOD NEWS
Worship with Us on Ascension Day!

As a sign of Christian unity and in celebration of full communion, Lutherans and Episcopalians will be worshipping together for this Principal Festival of the Church on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at 7:00 pm Eastern/6:00 pm Central. The service will be live-streamed at EDNIN Virtual Worship Page on Facebook and Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana on YouTube.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks, VIII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, will reside. The Rev. Dr. William O. Gafkjen, Bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, will preach.

Click the button below for a flyer you can share.
We need your help reaching high school seniors!

The Indiana-Kentucky Synod is hosting a Synod-wide Baccalaureate Service for our 2020 high school graduates. Please ask your high school seniors or their parents to go to  https://bit.ly/2020ikgrads  and share their information. 

They will receive a letter of congratulations from Bishop William O. Gafkjen, our prayers, and an invitation to our synod-wide Baccalaureate Service that will premiere as a Facebook watch party on Sunday, May 17, 2020, at 3:00 pm Eastern/2:00 pm Central. 

High school seniors from the synod will be leading parts of the service. Bishop Gafkjen will offer remarks. Rachel Kurtz will sing "I Want My Life to Make a Difference." 

Should you have questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Dan Fugate at  dfugate@iksynod.org  .

Please help us reach high school seniors by sharing this information. Thank you!
Will Your Congregation Help Us Honor Graduating Students?

We are asking the people of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod to send us cards that we can distribute to those graduating from high school. Cards should include a personal message such as "Congratulations on your graduation! You have good reason to be proud! All of us at St. John Lutheran Church in Town are proud of you! God's blessings." That's just a sample. Write any uplifting or inspirational message you'd like or just sign your name. If you aren't able to get a card, just write a note on paper and pop it in an envelope. Send to: Graduate, Indiana-Kentucky Synod, 911 E. 8th St., Ste. 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Let's come together as a synod and overwhelm our graduates with notes and cards. This is something we can all do!
IK Synod Boundaries Workshop

On Saturday May 9, the synod’s Transformational Leadership Academy will offer a boundaries workshop. It will be hosted online beginning at 10:00 am Eastern/9:00 am Central and will last approximately 4 hours (with breaks included). This workshop will be primarily for lay worship leader trainees, but will also count as a boundaries workshop update for rostered ministers who may need to renew their training. If you are interested in attending, you must contact Deacon Cory Driver by Thursday, May 7 to register:  cdriver@iksynod.org
What about Vacation Bible School?

Join Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship, for a webinar about Vacation Bible School in light of COVID-19. He will share resources and information gathered from across the ELCA and allow for participants to share their thinking and resources as well. 

This webinar will be held live on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at 11 am Eastern/10 am Central. 

Contact Pastor Dan Fugate at dfugate@iksynod.org for Zoom log-in information.
Sacred Space

The Transformational Leadership Academy will offer a moderated Zoom conversation on sacred space. How are God’s and the community’s presences felt to be concentrated in various places? In this time when we all are looking forward to returning to their church buildings, but careful about our and our neighbors’ health, how do we conceive of God’s presence? And how do ministers help people curate God’s presence at times when we cannot be in our holy spaces? How can we pray for “this holy house and all who are gathered here” in our own homes? As Brooke Hempell from the Barna group observed, we’re in a “digital Babylon.” We’re experiencing a billion tiny exiles, not of thousands of miles, but of 0-10 miles, away from our normal places and normal routines. Instead of assembling as a physical community to lament together, we are exiled in our own places, separately. So how do we take down harps from trees where we’ve hung them, and learn to sing our songs in our new/home places?

Dr. Cory Driver will host a 90 minute zoom session on May 16, from 9-10:30 am Eastern/8-9:30 am Central with interested rostered and lay folks to think about issues of space, presence, pilgrimage and buildings. Please email cdriver@iksynod.org for Zoom link.
Congratulations on Your Retirement, Sylvia!

Sylvia Ore, IK Synod Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant to Pastor Heather Apel, retired at the end of April. We give thanks to God for all the ways in which Sylvia served and shared her life with us. Because of the pandemic, the staff wasn't able to gather to offer Sylvia our best wishes on her retirement. We put together the short video below sharing some of our thoughts.

If you would like to offer your thanks to Sylvia, you can send a card to Sylvia Ore, Indiana-Kentucky Synod, 911 E. 86th St., Ste. 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240 and we will see that she gets it.
Beginning a Culture of Generosity –  Guiding you through your Fall Stewardship Appeal

Congregations in the synod are invited to participate in this new stewardship program which is a service of GSB ( https://gsbfundraising.com) and the IK Synod.
 
This is a stewardship program for congregations seeking to:
  • Stabilize and grow financial giving
  • Teach Biblical stewardship principles
  • Help members discover generosity
  • Begin building a foundation for a generous culture
 
The program aims for congregations participating in 2020 is to stabilize current year giving to 2019 (pre-coronavirus) levels, with the potential for modest growth above that level for 2021.  Please see the  flyer for further details, cost and registration.
 
Mike Ward, GSB, will lead an information session describing the benefits of Beginning a Culture of Generosity on Thursday, May 14, from 11:00 am to noon Eastern/ 10:00 am to 11:00 am Central via Zoom. This session is for rostered ministers and congregational stewardship leaders. Please contact Nancy Nyland ( nnyland@iksynod.org ) with any questions and/or to receive the link for this session.
Stewardship Snippet

Pastor Jerry O'Neal, the Indiana-Kentucky Synod's Director of Stewardship shares this Stewardship Snippet with us.
COVID-19 Resources

Please check out the COVID-19 resources available on the synod's website at www.iksynod.org/covid-19-resources/. This page continues to be updated as new resources become available. If you have resources or ideas to share, please send them to Pastor Dan Fugate at dfugate@iksynod.org .

Bishop Ann Svennungsen from the Minneapolis Area Synod hosted a discussion with Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease, Research and Policy, and former CDC and State Department employee, about the current pandemic as well as considerations for resuming in-person worship. The video can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/mplssynod/videos/619998971928161/?v=619998971928161
Stay Connected with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod

  • "Moving Forward," lectionary reflections from Deacon Cory Driver, and a weekly sermon and prayers for Sundays can be found on the synod's YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/iksynodyoutube.
  • Sunday School lessons that can be used at home are being prepared each week. They are available at https://iksynod.org/sunday-school-home/.
  • Staff travel is suspended through the end of May. Staff is currently working from home. Staff email addresses and cell phone numbers can be found at https://iksynod.org/our-staff/.
  • Please be sure to "like"our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/iksynod/.
  • Follow us on Twitter at @iksynod.
  • Check our website at www.iksynod.org. We are posting and updating the website frequently.
  • Weekly times of Stewardship Conversations including devotions, prayer, resource sharing and discussion with Pastor Nancy Nyland and Pastor Jerry O'Neal for rostered ministers, council members and stewardship team members take place each Monday at 3:00 pm Eastern/2:00 pm Central. To receive the Zoom login information, please email Pastor Nancy Nyland at nnyland@iksynod.org.
  • "Keeping Connected during the Coronavirus" Zoom call continues on Thursdays at 11:00 am Eastern/10 am Central. This call is focused on resource sharing, discussion about what resources are needed, and some personal check-in. To receive the Zoom login information, please email Pastor Dan Fugate at dfugate@iksynod.org.
  • There is a Zoom call for high school students each Thursday at 3 pm Eastern/2 pm Central. To join, send an email to dfugate@iksynod.org to receive the Zoom meeting number and password.
  • Contact Pastor Dan Fugate at dfugate@iksynod.org if you need assistance with or more information about any of these ways to keep connected.
CONGREGATION NEWS
Prayer Concerns
Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, New Palestine, IN and Pastor Mark Havel and Pastor Aaron Stamper
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, LaOtto, IN and Pastor Jeremy Russell (Interim)
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Merrillville, IN and Marc Cram (Synodically Authorized Minister)
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN and Pastor Richard Hartman
Faith Lutheran Church, Avon, IN and Pastor Joshua Burkholder (Interim)
Pastor Jeff Iacobazzi , retired, Indianapolis, IN
Pastor Leonard Jepson , retired, Mishawaka, IN
Pastor David Kahlenberg , retired, Westfield, IN
Pastor Libby Manning , Associate Director, Pastoral Leadership Program, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN
Pastor Derek Nelson , Associate Professor of Religion, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN

New Jersey Synod and Bishop Tracie Bartholomew
Congregational Spotlight:  
First English, Richmond, IN

We are taking a look at how Indiana-Kentucky Synod congregations are doing during these times of COVID-19 wilderness. This week we look at First English in Richmond, Indiana.

"It's Not Quite Like Being There - But it Really is Affirming."

Pastors John Walker and Chip Belanga, together with the people of First English in Richmond, are living through these difficult days of the pandemic just like we all are. This community of faith has focused much of their energy around three simple, but very powerful actions that lead their way and guide their path: We Pray; We Stay Safe Which Helps Keep Others Safe; and We Worship.

We Pray: Pastors John and Chip provide a weekly (sometimes more often) video which gives hope through conversations about how God is still in control even in the midst of difficulty. Those watching are encouraged to contact the church or someone else if they find themselves without hope. If you've watched one of their videos, you will see that these Pastors have a little fun, too, which is quite fun to see. Prayer ends most of the videos and they encourage everyone to keep praying.

We Stay Safe Which Helps Keep Others Safe: First English's building has been closed, other than for a blood drive. They are keeping the building as clean as possible in order to help be ready and safe when the doors open again for in-person worship. They keep encouraging everyone to remember that keeping yourself safe really does help others keep safe as well. They have had members swing by the church to pick up devotionals, palms, or leave offering envelopes - with waves through the window.

We Worship: First English has worshipped together through Facebook Live each week. A few talented and faithful musicians, together with some wise "tech guys," and two faith-filled pastors have made these worship experiences meaningful not only to their own congregation but to lots of folks all over the state and nation. First English's Council leadership encouraged the media team to look for software that would help them offer a quality experience for their members and the community. It has worked. The feedback has been heart-warming; and sharing peace through comments online - well, it's not quite like being there - but it really is affirming.

Meetings and Bible studies have continued through meeting apps. The congregation's Servant Corps leaders have recruited lots of people to call shut-ins and folks in general to see how everyone is holding up. Pastors John and Chip report that, on the whole, God's people have proven to be caring and are reaching out in all of this. Plus, they have the cleanest houses in town, the most organized basements and garages, and don't get them started on organizing those boxes of family photos!
CHURCHWIDE NEWS

An Announcement
from LOMIK

As with most everything these days, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our summer camp program. Acting out of caution for our entire camp community it is not feasible for on-site, in-person camp programs to take place in June.  

Modified programs may be possible in July.  At this time we do not know exactly what that will look like. We recommend those already registered for camp hold off making any changes for now. For those that are interested in coming to camp PLEASE SIGN UP for the week you are interested in.  
That will help us in the planning process for possibilities in July. 

When more information becomes available we will update our website, Facebook, and Instagram, and email those who have already registered.
Kentucky Gives Day is May 12!

Kentucky Gives Day is an opportunity for Kentuckians (near and far) to come together to make donations to Kentucky charities in an effort to raise as much money as possible in 24 hours. On May 12, from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. EST, supporters of Kentucky nonprofits will go online, connect with causes they care about and make tax-deductible donations. Supporters will search for participating nonprofits and simply click to donate. 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ELCA churchwide organization is here to support our members, congregations, synods and partners. Call 800-638-3522 and press #4 or email  HereToServe@ELCA.org  for prayer, support and to ask your questions. 
Give with Tithe.ly
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod uses 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 can visit www.iksynod.org , click the Donate button, and follow the prompts. You can also click the button below. Congregation Treasurers: You can send mission support in this way. ACH and debit/credit cards accepted. Please include your congregation name in the memo line.