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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.
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod office will be closed from Monday, December 23, through Friday, December 27, as the members of the synod staff enjoy the Christmas holiday. Merry Christmas to all!
Synod Weekly eNews
The Synod Weekly eNews will not be published on Thursday, December 26. Watch for the next edition on Thursday, January 2, 2020!
Synod Assembly 2020
June 4-6, 2020
Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center
Noblesville, Indiana
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
December 15: Cross of Christ | Crown Point, IN | Preach and Preside | 10:00 a.m.
December 23 - January 6: Vacation
December 29: Holy Closure Service | Prince of Peace | Bellevue, KY | Preach and Preside | 10:30 a.m. |
A Service of Holy Communion to offer Thanks and Praise for the Life and Ministry of this faith community.
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:
St. John's, Anderson, IN
and Rev. Matthew Manning
St. John's, Otwell, IN
and Rev. Timothy Kraemer, Pastor of Record
St. Luke, Cold Spring, KY
and Rev. Liesebet Gravley
St. Luke, Newburgh, IN
and Rev. Jane Rothman, Pastor of Record
St. Luke United, Michigan City, IN
and Rev. Ruth Popkin
Rostered Ministers Not Under Congregational Call:
Rev. James Winjum, Retired
Rev. Edward Young, Retired
Rev. Donn Abdon, Retired
Rev. Walter Wangerin, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Rev. Jim Wetzel, Franciscan St. Francis Health, Indianapolis, IN
Metropolitan Chicago Synod and Bishop Yehiel Curry
This service above will take place in Indianapolis, IN.
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 December Column for
Living Lutheran
Midnight stillness.
In her December column for
Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the mystery of the season: the expectation and longing of Advent and the true gifts of Christmas - "the helpless baby in a wooden manger, a broken man on a cross." Read her column
here.
A Christmas Message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
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| Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton: Christmas Message 2019 | ELCA |
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!
Lutheran Child and Family Services
Lutheran Child and Family Services will be operating this year's Christmas Store from December 9-12 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, located at 6810 East 10th Street, Indianapolis. We are looking for donations and volunteers. We are also looking for individuals and churches to purchase gifts for Lutherwood residents to open on Christmas morning. Please click
here for a Christmas Store Flyer to share with your congregation and click
here for a wish list.
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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