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SYNOD NEWS
Bishop Gafkjen's October Newsletter
So, how's the 501st year of the Protestant Reformation going for you and your local faith community? This time last year many of us were quite busy with many events and activities in observance of the 500th year. This year? Not so much. And that's okay.
To read Bishop Gafkjen's
October I-K Lutheran newsletter article and share with your congregation, please click
here.
Here is a little more information from ELCA churchwide leadership (Franklin Ishida) regarding the HKBP, inviting prayers and generosity in supporting relief work:
The HKBP has one congregation in Palu (the center of the earthquake and tsunami on the island of Sulawesi), and news is that the church building was swept away by the tsunami, or at least heavily damaged. We have not heard yet if any church members were killed or injured: news coming out of Sulawesi is still sketchy in so many ways.
You may have seen that Lutheran Disaster Response has released $17,333 directly for HKBP disaster response needs (an odd number, but they produced a cost list of their initial response).
Meanwhile, LWF in Geneva is considering how it may work together with the Indonesian churches for a broader Lutheran-based response and rebuilding effort. This may very well be a long-term response. We'll make sure we keep you posted on things.
Please click
here to donate.
Please give today.
Extravaganza
One of the main stage speakers at Extravaganza 2019 is going to be Dr.
Dawn Rundman. She is a nationally recognized teacher, presenter, author, and resource provider specializing in children's faith development. She received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Oregon. Since 2002 she's developed faith formation resources at Sparkhouse and Augsburg Fortress, two publishing units of 1517 Media.
Dawn's newest book,
Little Steps, Big Faith, was released on October 2, 2018. In it she explores how the science of early childhood development can help each of us who are in ministry grow faith in our children. It's available now from Augsburg Fortress and Amazon.
Register now for Extravaganza 2019 at the Early Bird rate of $280 to hear Dawn, participate in the Intensive Care Courses, and be a part of the best continuing education experience in the ELCA! Prices go up after October 15, 2018. For more information, visit
www.Ext19.org.
Discovering Hope Workshop
When
Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Your Congregation was first offered in the I-K Synod in 2012, one of the congregations participating in the conference for small churches was barely surviving. Their team returned to the congregation excited and filled with hope for the future. They are grateful for the seeds that were planted at that eventful workshop: today they are a thriving, vibrant part of their community, with ripples of outreach extending beyond their home-town boundaries. Come and see how your congregation can build vitality and hope by attending the October 27th conference. Click
here to register. A flyer to share with your congregation can be found
here.
Boundaries Workshops
All rostered ministers should have received a letter from Bishop Bill Gafkjen about upcoming Boundaries Workshops that will take place around the Indiana-Kentucky Synod (if you did not, we may not have your correct home address - please contact the office to update it).
It is the expectation of the ELCA that all pastors and deacons (active, retired and on leave) attend a Boundaries Workshop every three years. The first workshop will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. EST - 4:00 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 225 Haney Ave., South Bend, IN. Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch and all materials. Registration for this event is now open:
https://southbendikboundaries.eventbrite.com Additional workshops will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 in the Louisville area and Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in the Central Indiana area (locations to be determined - registration for these events will open at a later date). These events are also open to other ministry staff and volunteers in the synod, or ministers from other denominations. Contact Rev. Heather Apel with any questions,
[email protected]
New Way to Give with Tithe.ly
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod recently 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!
Please consider using Tithe.ly in your congregation! To learn more about Tithe.ly and its relationship with the ELCA, please visit this link:
https://elca.org/News-andEvents/7914
Bishop's Day for Youth (grades 8 - 12)
Dates: Saturday, February 23, 2019, with the option of staying over Friday and/or Saturday evening
Location: Pilgrim Lutheran, Carmel, Indiana
I-K Synod Youth Leadership Summit (grades 8 - 12)
Dates: Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2, 2019
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
I-K Synod Youth Mission Trip (grades 8-12 and Adult Mentors)
Dates: Sunday, June 23, through Saturday, June 29, 2019
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
For more information, contact Pastor Dan Fugate at
[email protected]
or 317.253.3522.
Where's the Bishop?
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
October 11-12: St. Olaf Board Meeting
October 14-16: Professional Leaders Conference, Clifty Falls State Park
October 24-26: ELCA Chuchwide Offices (meetings)
October 28: 50th Anniversary Celebration, Redemmer, Somerset, KY | 10:00 a.m.
October 30: First Call Day, Synod Office | 10:30 a.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 Tom Dearchs, [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
During the weekly I-K Lutheran Center staff devotions we included these individuals and mission centers in our prayers:
Christ, Jasper, IN
and Rev. Timothy Kraemer
Christ, Jeffersontown, KY
and Rev. Bimen Limbong
Christ, Kokomo, IN
and Rev. Sharon Walker
Christ, Terre Haute, IN
and Rev. Donna Glazier, Interim
Christ, Valparaiso, IN
and Rev. Timothy Knauff & Rev. Erica Gibson-Even
Rostered Ministers Not Under Congregational Call:
Rev. Robert Suder, Retired
Rev. James T. Swanson, Retired
Rev. Rich Sward, Retired
Rev. John Kost, On Leave from Call
Deacon Lake Lambert, President, Hanover College
Greater Milwaukee Synod and Bishop Paul Erickson
Prayers for Sylvia Ore's Grandson
Sylvia's grandson, DJ Dillon, son of Terri Dillon, (former assistant to Bishop Stuck), was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that has metastasized to his liver. He will begin chemo and radiation on Tuesday to try and reduce the size of the tumor in his colon that is pressing against his spine causing a tremendous pain in his back. All prayers are so very welcome.
Cross Gen Conference
Everybody loves a campfire. If you build it, will they come? Using a simple format that welcomed and included all, Brian and Robin wove together the allure of a summer campfire and roasting s'mores, the joy of playing outside together, and the simple but powerful ritual of FAITH5 into weekly summer gatherings for all ages, stages and abilities. FAITH5 Fires became a non-threatening entry point through which to invite all kinds of folks to move deeper into relationship with God and one another. What began around the fire warmed the heart of a congregation!
Pastor Brian Derrer and Robin Patras from Christ the Savior, Fishers, IN, were presenters at the Cross Gen Conference in Estes Park, CO.
Photo from the Ordination of Ryan T. Bailey, and Installation of Pastor Bailey as Pastor of Faith Community and Pastor Mitchell D. Phillips as Pastor of Community at Resurrection, Indianapolis.
Parent Cue Live
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11
TIME:
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Northview Church - Carmel Campus
12900 Hazel Dell Parkway
$17.50 per ticket (discounted group rate)
Two combined influences make a greater impact than just two influences.
In this two hour evening experience, we will help every parent become more connected to a faith community so they can be more intentional at home.
Parent Cue Live will help parents ...
REDISCOVER what their kids need most in every phase
REPRIORITIZE how to engage with their kids every week
REIMAGINE how to dialogue with their kids about critical issues
RETHINK ways to partner with a church to impact their kid's future
The price of $17.50 per ticket is discounted from the $19 (+$1.94 fee) standard rate. Purchase tickets through our website to enjoy this discounted rate. Sign-up here:
http://www.christthesavior.org/event/1214381-2018-10-11-parent-cue-live/
Understanding & Responding to Mental Health Challenges in Young People
All of us need help handling stress and anxiety and down times. Come for information and strategies to help recognize when young people need to seek help.
Wednesday, October 24
7 to 8:30 pm
Christ the Savior Lutheran Church
10500 E. 126th St, Fishers
A FREE event for parents, teachers, leaders and peers of 5th-12th grade students
Presenters Julie T. Steck, Ph.D., HSSP, and David R. Parker, Ph.D. will share ...
- National data about mental health in young people
- Factors that are contributing to this "perfect storm"
- Symptoms of various emotional disorders to help parents, teachers and peer recognize when it's time to seek help
- Practical strategies to encourage young people to seek help while strengthening their emotional well-being
- A list of resources
Rachel Kurtz in Concert
Messiah Lutheran Church, 801 S. Green Street, Brownsburg, IN, will be hosting Rachel Kurtz in concert Sunday, November 4, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance by contacting Hope Moran, 317-910-6080, or $15 at the door for the 3:00 p.m. concert. Please click
here for a flyer to share with your congregation.
Halloween Spooktacular Concert
The community is invited to a holiday-themed musical event at Christ Lutheran Church - the Halloween Organ Spooktacular. Two artists will perform on the organ: Vincent Carr, Associate Professor of Music (Organ) at Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University Bloomington, and Timothy Denton, Organist/Choirmaster at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Indianapolis. The concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 29. The church is located at 3401 South Dixon Road, Kokomo. A reception will follow the concert. Costumes optional!
eFormation Bootcamp
Designed for pastors, ministry leaders and/or lay people responsible for congregation communications, The Lutheran Foundation and Trinity English Lutheran Church are excited to bring the eFormation Bootcamp to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Out of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary, the team at eFormation, believes culturally savvy, digitally literate leadership skills are essential in every congregation. Join us to explore the intersection between formation, communications, and 21st century technology in a hands-on 2-day experience.
When:
October 26: 7:00pm-8:30pm
October 27: 8:30am-3:00pm
Location:
Trinity English Lutheran Church
450 West Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Not from Fort Wayne? No problem! There are plenty of hotel accommodations near Trinity English Lutheran Church.
For more information and to register, please follow this link:
Join Us for Evensong with St. Francis
Please join the choirs of Christ Lutheran Church and St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church on October 21 at 4pm at Christ Lutheran Church for a service of Choral Evensong celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
Choral Evensong is a 45-min long peace-inducing church service in which the 'song' of voices (the choir) sounding together in harmony is heard at the 'even' point between the active day and restful night, allowing listeners time for restful contemplation, while listening to the psalms, canticles and anthems sung by the choir.
During this service the choir will be singing works by Mendelssohn, Morley and Richter. A 15-minute organ prelude will begin at 3:45. Following the service, a reception of wine and cheese will take place in the Fellowship Hall.
Christ Lutheran Church | 600 N. Ford Road | Zionsville, IN 46077
Portico Benefit Services - 2019 Annual Enrollment Dates
Employer and plan members make their benefit elections annually. For 2019 benefits, the dates are as follows: for Employers: October 1 - October 26 and for Plan members: October 31 - November 14.
Upcoming Live Webinars:
Pre-retirement webinar 2: "Can I Create a Sustainable Income in Retirement?" - October 11th from 2-3pm
Ready to Retire - November 6th from 1:2:30pm
Register online:
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CHURCH-WIDE NEWS
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Bishop Eaton's October Column for
Living Lutheran
So now what?
Last year it was all Reformation all the time. On this 501st anniversary of the Reformation, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton uses her October Living Lutheran column to call on us to "refocus our attention on the gospel of our freedom, forgiveness and reconciliation given to us through God's indescribable act of love in Christ's death and resurrection." Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2NlNPtV and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2xVgZeQ.
Help Lutheran Child and Family Services this Christmas!
Our vision of linking children, families and communities together to build a brighter future keeps us very busy during the Christmas Season. Here at LCFS we offer several outreach programs, not to mention Christmas celebrations for Lutherwood residents.
Here are several ways to get involved during this most wonderful time of the year! Please click here for more information.
Part-Time Campus Minister Position Opening
Attached is a job description for the Campus Minister at the United Campus Ministries in Terre Haute, IN. Please click here for a complete job description. Please Note: ELCA rostered leaders who are interested in applying should contact the Synod office in addition to the Campus Ministry Board.
Additional Information on the Breaking Barriers Conference
There will be an ELCA networking gathering at St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Thursday, October 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., prior to the preconference activities. If you are interested in attending, please contact Megan Neubauer, Program Associate, ELCA Strategy on HIV and AIDS, at 773.380.2423 or [email protected].
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