English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. |
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Bishop Jamison J. Hardy visited with Gail Holzer, Principal of Redeemer Lutheran School, Verona, PA, and Rev. Brian Westgate, Redeemer, Oakmont, PA, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. |
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Call Accepted
The Rev. Marcus A. Williams (Montana District) has accepted the divine call to serve as Senior Pastor of Blessed Sacrament, Hayden, ID.
Call Returned
The Rev. Dr. Alfonso O. Espinosa, Sr. (Pacific Southwest District) has returned the divine call to serve as Sole Pastor of Messiah, Danville, CA.
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Nominees for District President and Vice-President Announced |
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The nomination process for District President and Vice-Presidents concluded on February 20, 2022. All District congregations had opportunity to submit nominating ballots prior to that deadline. Over the past several weeks, individuals who received nominating votes have been contacted to determine their willingness to stand for election. Written consent forms were returned by March 16, 2022.
The result of the nomination process has led to the following slate of candidates to be presented to the District Convention:
DISTRICT PRESIDENT
Jamison Hardy
Christopher Seifferlein
VICE-PRESIDENT (EASTERN REGION)
Martin Erhardt
Robert Kieselowsky
Christopher Seifferlein
Douglas Spittel
VICE-PRESIDENT (LAKE ERIE REGION)
Daniel Grams
Justin Laughridge
Jeffrey Miskus
VICE-PRESIDENT (MIDWESTERN REGION)
Robert Rogers
VICE-PRESIDENT (WESTERN REGION)
Todd Arnold
Michael Morehouse
As required by District Bylaws IV.B.3 and IV.C.3, the report of all individuals receiving nominating votes and the tallies of nominating votes will be published in the Convention Workbook.
Thanks go to all congregations that participated in the nominating process and to all individuals who considered serving the District as President or Vice-President.
Rev. Luke Zimmerman
Secretary, English District—LCMS
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Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grants Available |
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The purpose of the English District Endowment Fund is to provide God's people with a unique opportunity to participate in a perpetual fund. This fund shall assist congregations and rostered workers alike. One aspect of the Endowment Fund currently being offered to Rostered Church Workers is a grant for financial assistance with their student loans. Those rostered workers who are currently serving (called workers) in ministry in their first through eighth year in an English District LCMS congregation or school are eligible to apply for this education indebtedness grant.
For a Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grant we ask that you complete an Application for Church Worker Transitional Assistance. These forms are available on our District website.
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. J. Derek Mathers at 1-800-755-9335 ext. 311. Deadline for applications is April 30, 2022.
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The LCMS Office of International Mission is currently working with five partner churches to help refugees of the conflict in Ukraine. To support the people of Ukraine, please pray for them. If you desire to contribute to their needs, there are three ways to donate.
- Text LCMSUKRAINE to 41-444
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Click here to give online
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Or call 888-930-4438
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100ish Days 'til the Gathering |
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Can you believe it? In about 100 days, it will be YOUTH GATHERING time! As of today, 297 English District youth and adults from 20 District congregations will gather in Houston along with more than 19,000 other Lutherans from all over the LCMS! There is still time to register if your youth are interested in an experience of a lifetime. Visit www.LCMSgathering.org for more information.
Our English District participants will be spending Monday, July 11th serving God’s people at Camp Lone Star just outside of Houston. To register, the primary adult leader for each group needs to follow this link to fill out the Google form ASAP OR mail the form with payment to: Gathering Servant Event, English District LCMS, 33100 Freedom Road, Farmington, MI 48336. Regardless of how you submit the information, payment is due to the English District LCMS no later than May 2, 2022. We offer thanks for a generous grant from the English District Endowment Fund to support this event. Just $20.00 will get each participant a District t-shirt, transportation to and from Camp Lone Star and lunch.
Questions? Contact Terry Leu, the district Gathering Coordinator. Looking forward to seeing ya’ll in HOUSTON!!!
IN ALL THINGS!
Terry
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Registration information for the 57th Convention of the English District LCMS was emailed to all LCMS rostered church workers on March 10, 2022. All information and forms are also located on the District website.
Be sure to read all the information before registering online.
We look forward to seeing you in Ann Arbor in June!
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Rise and Enter the City: The Hopeful Church in the Multiethnic City |
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Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, in partnership with Concordia University, Saint Paul, MN, present the 2022 Multiethnic Symposium May 3-4, 2022.
“But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do” (Acts 9:6 ESV). With these words, Jesus calls Saul of Damascus to go into the city in preparation for the beginning of his ministry as Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. Through the centuries, the risen Lord has continued to call His church to enter into cities in order to prepare for and engage in mission, ministry and works of mercy and justice among neighbors of all nations. In people’s minds, the multiethnic city often evokes paradoxical images of creativity and dysfunction, development and poverty, growth and decline. The city is complex, filled with contradictions and possibilities. It is also ripe for the hopeful church to listen to and address city dwellers’ struggles and aspirations with the light and joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Understanding life, ministry and mission in the multiethnic city calls for the capacity to analyze and interpret the challenges and opportunities of urban ministry today with biblical and theological depth.
The 2022 Multiethnic Symposium will offer plenaries and sectionals that reflect on the city from biblical, artistic and missional perspectives – all from diverse ethnic churches and communities, particularly in the United States. Through analysis, reflection and discernment, participants will contribute toward a Lutheran theology of urban ministry for the church that will inspire and guide intercultural engagement with neighbors of different ethnic backgrounds living in the complex urban landscapes of our day.
You can attend in person or virtually. Click here to register.
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English District Gala Auction Items Needed |
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The English District Gala Committee is looking for donations of basket or raffle items for the Gala Auction.
- Do you live in a region famous for good BBQ sauce? Make a variety basket so someone can sample its deliciousness!
- Does your city have a new baseball team logo? Make a basket to show it off!
- Does your church have that one member who makes incredible pies? See if they would donate them for a raffle (local winners near the baker only, of course!)
- Get creative! Or, if you aren’t feeling creative, a donation of national chain gift cards would be helpful and much appreciated. Contact the Gala committee here with donations.
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40th LWML English District Convention |
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Early Bird registration for the 40th LWML English District convention ends on March 23, 2022. Now is the time to save $15. The convention is April 28 - May 1, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA. Check out the LWML English District website for registration forms, hotel information and information about the Bible study leader and mission speakers.
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All Saints Campus Ministry |
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What Is a campus ministry director? What does a campus ministry director do? What is campus ministry?
It is easy to identify a deaconess, a pastor, or a church secretary, but much harder to recognize a campus ministry director. Quite often visitors assume that I am All Saints Lutheran Church and Student Center’s secretary, but I am not. I don’t have the skills necessary for that kind of work.
Campus ministry directors can be pastors or deaconesses. Campus ministry directors can also be laypersons who love sharing the Gospel with college students, American and international. That’s me. Lay campus ministry directors work with pastors and the congregation to Go and Tell. That’s how I got started. It’s a servant role. It’s also the best job in the world. It is so important that every campus demands a campus ministry to help students with their need for Jesus. Click here to read more.
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The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).
District daily prayers for April 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.
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Contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm for more information at (412)-584-7039 or email.
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Contact Dan Lepley, DVP - English and SELC District Lutheran Church Extension Fund for more information at 317-402-9401.
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Prince of Peace, Mesquite, NV
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church has resumed their support of the Sun City Mesquite, NV New Resident Orientation events. They provide water and snacks for the new residents as they receive briefings on the Sun City Mesquite community and the city of Mesquite. Residents are given a backpack that also contains Prince of Peace information and Prince of Peace pens.
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First, Kingsville, ON
For our English District friends at First Lutheran Church, Sunday March 6 was a very special day. The congregation welcomed five new members: Joe, Austin, Emmy, Jacqueline, and Mark. Our Lord led their congregation to grow even while they were in lock-downs and attendance limitations. In spite of the pandemic, each of these individuals was able to attend all catechesis (membership) classes and now joined with their sisters and brothers in the mission of God through the congregation.
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Ascension of Christ, Beverly Hills, MI
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The Fellowship Team kicked off their Lenten soup suppers on Ash Wednesday.
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Little Lambs Academy, New Berlin, WI
The 3's class had a visit from police officer Sergeant Borchardt as part of their community helpers unit. He spoke to the students about his job, his equipment, and took time to read a story.
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Lutheran Benefits Group Job Opportunity |
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Account Service Representative
Lutheran Benefits Group in Sterling Heights is seeking an account service representative to work closely with church and school clients to help them with their health care needs and answer their questions. Ultimately, the duties of an ASR are to give excellent customer support and to help in the growth of the agency. Download the job description here. If interested, please contact Keith Mueller at 586.739.5700 or keith@luthben.com.
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Please share the information from Servant to Servant with members of your congregation.
- All are invited to subscribe to this weekly publication.
- Forward the newsletter to members of your church.
- They can subscribe by clicking on the "Sign up for our emails" link at the bottom.
Thanks for spreading the word!
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Also, please share your congregation's or school's unique ministries with the rest of the District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to jmcgarr@englishdistrict.org by Wednesday at 12:00 Noon ET. We want to see how YOUR congregation or school is showing the love of God to those in your community and around the world.
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