God in All Things - Without Borders

October 7, 2022

On Saturday, October 1, 2022, Bishop Jamison Hardy was a guest speaker during the 90th anniversary celebration dinner of the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour in Valley Stream, NY.

Pictured l-r:  Rev. Alfred Thiagarajan, Mrs. Ruth Thiagarajan, and Bishop Hardy

The Eastern Region Pastors Conference was held October 3-5, 2022 at the Port-O-Call hotel in Ocean City, NJ. Rev. Dr. Gary Zieroth, parish pastor and adjunct professor of pastoral theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, presented enriching lectures. He also shared a wealth of insights and perspectives about pastoral care and counseling. There were reports from the District staff, Board of Directors, and Bishop Jamison Hardy. Everyone had the opportunity to reconnect with one another, unwind, find refreshment in the Lord's Word and Sacraments as well as in the beauty of His creation. The Eastern Region Vice President, Rev. Dr. Douglas Spittel, organized and facilitated the time together and everyone was thankful for his leadership.

Calls Received



The Rev. Steven D. Latzke (Indiana District) has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of St. Thomas, Streetsboro, OH (English District) and Christ, Manuta, OH (Ohio District).

The Rev. Gordon S. Naumann has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of St. John’s, Hazleton, PA (SELC District).

Miss Hannah R. Zahrte (North Wisconsin District) has received a Divine Call to serve as Director of Christian Education of Prince of Peace, Medina, OH.

Mr. Noah L. Bauer was installed as Director of Youth Ministry, on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Hales Corners Lutheran Church, Hales Corners, WI. Noah is a Commissioned Director of Christian Education (DCE). 

Pictured l-r: Rev. Leon C. Jameson, Noah Bauer, Teller Bauer, Christa Bauer, and Eleanor Bauer

We celebrate with our friends in Canada as they gather with family and friends to give thanks to God for His abundant blessings. This year, Canada will celebrate Thanksgiving on Monday, October 10, 2022.

The Ministerial Care Coalition held its annual meeting, sponsored by Concordia Plan Services, at the International Center, St. Louis, MO. Attendees received teaching specifically on mental health from Dr. Stephen Saunders. Click here for more information on the Ministerial Care Coalition.

The 2023 Life Conference will once again be a hybrid conference. Participants will be able to come to live sessions at the International Center in St. Louis on March 2-3, 2023, or join via livestream. They are seeking presentation proposals from potential speakers. Please click here for details.  

You are invited to be reenergized for your service during a "Take Heart! Renewed to Be a Blessing" respite retreat. The retreats are being offered to LCMS teachers and commissioned ministers by DOLXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel. Financial support is provided by the LCMS Office of National Mission. The next retreat is in Dayton, OH, October 28 - 30, 2022. Registration is available here.

In His great love and mercy, God blesses and sustains His church through the men and women serving in church work vocations. The LCMS rejoices and gives thanks for the more than 14,000 faithful church workers who serve in congregations and schools across our Synod. People serve the church in many roles, especially:

PASTORS

LUTHERAN SCHOOL TEACHERS

DIRECTORS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (DCE)

DIRECTORS OF CHRISTIAN OUTREACH (DCO)

DIRECTORS OF FAMILY LIFE MINISTRIES (DFLM)

DIRECTORS OF PARISH MUSIC (DPM)

DIRECTORS OF CHURCH MINISTRIES (DCM)

DEACONESSES

The most important way to thank God for your church workers is to receive the gifts that He provides through them: go to church to receive God’s gifts of Word and Sacrament. Take time also to say “thank you” to them and to show your appreciation in special ways. Pray for the church workers at your congregation and all of the workers in the LCMS, thanking God for their service.

For a few ideas to show your support, the LCMS has posted resources here.

The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).

• For congregations and families affected by Hurricane Ian 
• For Andrew Stechholz, son of Bishop Emeritus David Stechholz and Mrs. Janet Stechholz, for healing and recovery from surgery. For Andrew's family and the medical team that is caring for him.

District daily prayers for October are located on our website.

Your prayer concerns are important to the English District. If you have a prayer request you would like shared in this newsletter, email the District office.

As prayers continue for all affected by Hurricane Ian,

the Florida-Georgia District is coordinating disaster response efforts.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Florida-Georgia District Update

Disaster Response teams are coordinating to assess damages and those impacted by the hurricane. As of Friday, September 30, 2022, the Florida-Georgia District did not have reports of any deaths and no damage beyond use of church and school buildings.

If you are interested, please click here to donate to Hurricane Ian Relief. You are also welcome to collect gift cards for stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, and chain restaurants, and mail them to:



Florida-Georgia District

5850 T G Lee Blvd Suite 500

Orlando FL 32822-4419

Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, WI

Proud parents, Randy and Lucia, presented their child Randy for baptism on Sunday, September 25, 2022. Rev. Thomas Engler performed the Rite of Baptism at Lutheran Church of the Prince of Peace.

Risen Christ, Plymouth, MI

On Sunday, October 2, 2022, Risen Christ Lutheran Church welcomed Mikayla, Mikenzie and Cassandra as sisters in Christ when they received the Holy Spirit through Holy Baptism. Rev. Rennie Kaufmann officiated. 



Peace in the Valley, Benson, AZ

Peace in the Valley Lutheran Church celebrated LWML Sunday on October 2, 2022 with a special slideshow before the worship service and cake afterwards. Two women read the scripture readings that day.

The first Sunday in October is traditionally set aside for the observance of LWML Sunday.

“For Us and With Us,” was the theme for LWML Sunday 2022 and is based on Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul tells us that each of us has faced challenges and circumstances greater than our own strength (Romans 8:31–39). But, in Christ, who is for us and with us, we are already more than conquerors through Him who loved us. This celebratory LWML Sunday will encourage all hearers of the victory which is already ours through Baptism, so we might live each day confidently trusting in Christ.

St. John's, Hannibal, MO

Kindergarteners from St. John's Lutheran School went outside for science class, taking thermometers to check the temperature in the shade and in the sun. It was 67 degrees in the shade and 90 degrees in the sun. The children preferred sitting in the shade more. They also found some worms and observed them up close.