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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.
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Gafkjen
As you know, the triennial Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America met in Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 5-10, 2019. On Wednesday August 7, the Assembly adopted a resolution that, among other things, declared the ELCA to be "a sanctuary church body." This declaration has triggered a great deal of interest, debate, and criticism in social and news media, as well as among the members and friends of the ELCA across the country and this synod. Some of this has risen to a confused frenzy of questions and accusations, many of which arise from misunderstanding and, in some cases, misrepresentation of what the resolution actually says and means. With this letter, I invite you to take a deep breath with me and take some time to explore this resolution under the classic Lutheran catechetical question, "What does this mean?" Please click here to read the entire letter.
Serving Communion at Churchwide Assembly
Pictured below is voting member Maddie Engelau from St. Paul, Seymour, IN serving communion alongside Bishop Gafkjen and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. Maddie was thrilled to serve at Churchwide Assembly! Thank you Maddie!
StewardFest is Cancelled
We have made the difficult decision to cancel StewardFest on Saturday, due to low registration numbers. One of our considerations in making this decision was the fact that the Synod must be a good steward of the time and energy of our many volunteers who work to make this event happen.
All registered participants are personally being notified today by email.
If you have ideas about making StewardFest more relevant, more applicable, more worthwhile, or more exciting, please send your thoughts to Pastor Jerry O'Neal, IK Director of Stewardship at
[email protected]. We look forward to hearing your thoughts about stewardship events. Thank you.
Mary, Mother of Our Lord -
August 15, 2019
On this feast of Mary, Mother of our Lord:
Almighty God,
in choosing the virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son,
you made known your gracious regard
for the poor, the lowly, and the despised.
Grant us grace to receive your word in humility,
and so to be made one with your Son,
Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord
ELW Prayer of the Day, Feast of Mary, Mother of our Lord
College Student Information
Please help us connect your college students with the campus ministry where they are attending college. This information is more helpful than you may know. Contact Carol Ann Webb at
[email protected] with student name, college they are attending, and contact information. Thank you for your time and attention in sending us this information so that I can be shared with campus ministers.
Synodical Youth Ministry
We invite you and your congregation to join us for the synodical youth ministry initiatives planned in the coming year. Don't miss out on these great opportunities:
Confirmation Retreat (grades 6 through 8 and adult mentors)
- Friday evening, September 20, through Sunday morning, September 22, 2019
- Held at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in St. John, Indiana (please bring air mattress, sleeping bag, etc.)
- We will focus on the Lord's Prayer and we will help students identify their unique gifts, grow in faith, and building connections for youth across the synod. There will be experiential learning sessions, a hands-on service project, and time for recreation and fun. Worship will be held on Sunday morning.
- Cost is $75 per person which includes lodging, food, and programming.
Confirmation Retreat (grades 6 though 8 and adult mentors)
- Friday evening, October 4, through Sunday morning, October 6, 2019
- Held at Lutheran Hills Camp, Morgantown, Indiana
- We will focus on the Lord's Prayer and we will help students identify their unique gifts, grow in faith, and building connections for youth across the synod. There will be experiential learning sessions, a hands-on service project, and time for recreation and fun. Worship will be held on Sunday morning.
- Cost is $100 per person which includes lodging, food, and programming.
Synod Youth Gathering/Bishop's Day (grades 7 through 12 and adult mentors)
- Friday evening, November 22, through Sunday morning, November 24, 2019
- Held at Cambria Suites Hotel, Noblesville, Indiana
- Rachel Kurtz will be our musician and speaker
- We will have experiential learning sessions, a hands-on service project, games, recreation, music, fun, and a focus on building connections for youth from across the synod.
- Cost is $125 per person which includes lodging, food, and programming.
Indiana-Kentucky Synod Youth Leadership Summit (grades 7 through 12 and adult mentors)
- Thursday, June 4, through Saturday, June 6, 2020
- Held at Embassy Suites Hotel, Noblesville, Indiana
- Join us for a focus on leadership development, faith formation, and building connections for youth across our synod. There will be engaging speakers, a digital service project, and lots of fun.
- Cost is $75 per person which includes lodging, food, and programming.
Indiana-Kentucky Synod Youth Mission Trip (grades 7 through 12 and adult mentors)
- Sunday evening, June 21, through Saturday morning, June 27, 2020
- Held in Louisville, Kentucky
- Our time will be packed with practical acts of love and service as we engage people with Christ-like empathy and compassion. Evening activities will give us the opportunity to sample the culture and diversity of Kentucky's largest city. We will spend Friday at Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay Water Park.
- Cost is $175 per person which includes everything except travel to and from Louisville.
For more information about any of these upcoming events, or to register, contact Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship, at [email protected] or 317.253.3522. Please click here for 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 for lodging is Friday, August 16. 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 16: Candidacy Retreat | 8:30 a.m. | Benedict Inn
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.
August 24: Installation Service for Alexa Kvande | Risen Savior, Fort Wayne, IN | 2:00 p.m. | Reception to follow.
August 25: St. Luke, Newburgh, IN | 10:00 a.m. | Preach and Preside
August 27: Finance Committee | Synod Office | 10:30 a.m.
August 31: Installation Service for Wesley Smith, III | Christ, Zionsville, IN | 3:00 p.m. | Reception to follow.
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:
Faith, Avon, IN
and Rev. Joshua Burkholder, Interim
Faith, Fort Wayne, IN
and Rev. Martha Hampton
Faith, Goshen, IN
and Rev. John Hickey, & Rev. Jessica King
Faith, Jeffersonville, IN
and Rev. Judy McGuire, Interim
Faith, Lexington, KY
and Rev. Mark Sloss
Rostered Ministers Not Under Congregational Call:
Rev. John Place, Retired
Rev. Ron Poisel, Retired
Rev. Carole Poole, Retired
Dr. Cory Driver, Deacon - Director, Transformational Leadership Academy
Rev. Jessicah Duckworth, Program Director, Religion Division, Lilly Endowment,
Inc.
Pacifica Synod and Bishop Andrew Taylor
We lift up prayers for healing for Pr. Colleen Winkler, St. Matthew by the Lake, Benton, KY as she recovers from surgery.
In Memoriam
We offer our Christian sympathy and the promise of the resurrection to the family of Sister Rose Ann Kraus, Fort Wayne, IN, who died last evening. Her brother is Pastor Richard Kraus, also from Fort Wayne. We will share more details as they become available. We give thanks for Sister Rose's life, and pray God's blessings for comfort and peace for her family and loved ones.
News of Note from the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Voted to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance, in honor and remembrance of the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine. Pastor Michael Vinson of Purdue Lutheran Ministries is quoted in the article. Click here to read the full article.
Last September, nearly 100 attended and participated in the sharing of our different cultures while all, especially the watato (children), learned how we have so much in common. We had visitors and members of the Salem/Shalom family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Liberia, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Haiti, Senegal, Central African Republic, and the U.S.A. We were blessed with a choir and musicians from
the Kenya Indy Ministry. Check our facebook video library to see them sing "God Is Good" in Kiswahili, several of the many tribal languages in Kenya, and the English language
.
Join Salem Lutheran Church and Shalom International Ministry for this year's event on September 14. If you wish, bring a dish to share - something that represents the culture and tradition of your heritage.
There is an opportunity to help raise the festival tent with a designated contribution to Salem's Outreach fund. You may give online with credit, debit or Paypal. The link is on our web site and facebook page. Giving by check to the Salem street address insures 100 percent of your gift goes to our ministry. We are currently a little more than half-way to our goal of covering the $1000 cost for the tent, stage and tables.
Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church has been serving Christ from Pike Township for 183 years and the Shalom International Ministry has been a partnership of Salem with the ELCA and Indiana-Kentucky Synod.
The Salem campus is at 4700 West 72nd Street in the village of New Augusta on the northwest side of Indianapolis (46268).
Have something to share during our program? Let Pastor James Capers know. Contact office manager Devoe Slisher for PDF files for flyers/bulletin inserts.
[email protected]
Phone 317-291-5004.
Remembering History
Frank Grunwald shares his story of concentration camp survival and his message of hope and perseverance.
Sunday, August 18, 2019 | 4:00 p.m.
Pilgrim Lutheran Church | 3650 W. 106th Street | Carmel, IN
Please click here for a flyer to share with your congregation.
A little background information on the above event from Pastor Mitch Phillips, Resurrection, Indianapolis:
Some folks at RLC are heavily involved in Bread for the World - and in leadership roles with the Indiana chapter. They are holding a special event on August 22 with Senator Todd Young. It would be really impressive if folks came from beyond the Indianapolis area.
A little background . . . when my members were involved in delivering the Offering of Letters to Senator Young's office last year, they thanked his staff for his leadership work on addressing international hunger, and asked that he make the same commitment to domestic hunger. The staffer's response was, "You get 300 people in a room to show him that this is important and he will." So - they are trying to get 300+ people in the room on August 22.
Here is a link to the information on the Indiana Bread site:
Community Forum
Changing Picture of Health Care
in Greater Lafayette
September 14, 2019 1:30 pm
Speaker: Dr. James Bien, IU Health Arnett
Please plan to attend and bring others interested in this important topic.
Sponsored by the Evangelism Committee.
Jim Bien is the Chief Medical Officer and VP of Quality and Patient Safety at IU Health Arnett. He has responsibilities to support safe effective care throughout this region of IU Health.
Sponsored by and held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1005 N. 21st Street, Lafayette IN 47904.
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.
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!
Faith Lutheran Church, Goshen, IN is currently looking to employ a Traditional Worship Organist. A job description can be found here and an employment application can be found here. If interested, please submit a cover letter with the employment application. Submit applications to: [email protected] or Faith Lutheran Church
c/o Pastor Jessica King
202 S. Greene Rd.
Goshen, IN 46256
Position Opening
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 August Column for
Living Lutheran
Our common witness.
In her August column for
Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the Lutheran movement. As we move forward as a church, she wonders: "What will our Lutheran identity be in the ELCA? Read her column
here.
Our denomination holds a churchwide assembly triennially - to worship, vote on matters of governance and policy, and be church together for the sake of the world. This past week's churchwide assembly was full of important votes and actions, including:
- Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton was reelected for a second six-year term on the first ballot.
- A declaration of apology to our siblings of African descent, which was received by the African Descent Lutheran Association with thanks and a call for accountability and living into the words shared.
- Approved resolution declaring the ELCA is a "sanctuary church body," encouraging participation in the ELCA AMMPARO initiative for migrant children, discernment of care for our immigrant neighbors in our context, and the promise of forthcoming resources for this work.
- Approved support for the World Council of Church's Thursdays in Black, awareness movement for a world without rape and violence.
- Voted to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance, in honor and remembrance of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9.
- Approved a declaration for inter-religious commitment, reaffirming ecumenical and interfaith partnerships.
- Approved the recommendations from a strategic taskforce which has been studying how to work toward authentic diversity in our church.
- Approved memorials: affirming but not "endorsing" the Poor People's Campaign, care for immigrants and refugees, and other statements.
- Adopted a new social statement, "Faith, Sexism, and Justice: a Lutheran Call to Action," and its implementing resolutions.
- Deacon Sue Rothmeyer was elected Churchwide Secretary, a full-time position which acts as executive administrator and leader on all constitutional matters and interpretation.
- Constitutional change for Deacons (rostered ministers of word and service) to be ordained, from the previous practice of consecration.
- Celebrated the milestones of 50 years of women's ordination, 40 years since the first woman of color was ordained, and 10 years since full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ clergy.
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.
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.
"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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