Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
December 2016 Volume 33
D ear Friends in Southeast Michigan,
Grace to you and peace, in the name of the One born in a manger in a stable in Bethlehem! My hope for all of us is that this season (and you can take that word in whatever direction you choose) brings with it more hope than fear, more joy than sorrow, more calm than anxiety, and more peace than conflict. I am not certain how much control any individual has over such things, but that is my hope nonethe-less.
What is your hope this season? How does it shape your days and nights? Where do you find comfort during these short days and long nights? It seems to me that this is a time for us to remember and treasure for ourselves the words and the promises we hear in the lessons appointed for this season. This is a time for us really to listen—with ears and hearts—to the remarkable prophecies spoken to God’s people so long ago. This is a time for us to recall that some of the most beautiful of those promises were made by the most unlikely of prophets.
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing;
Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:10
Because we have been named and claimed by the one who gave his life to ransom us, those aston-ishing promises belongs to us. Let us take comfort in their outrageous assurance, knowing that God’s own Son was born to live among us, in order to fulfill those promises for us and for the whole world.
So Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas, dear friends! Listen to the words of the One who from the beginning was the Word, spoken to give us life and hope.
Grace and peace,
Bishop Don Kreiss
Prayers for Rostered Leaders, Churches, and Others The Office of the Bishop shares the following names and congregations for our collective prayers:
Rostered Leaders: Pr Kirstin Tannas, Pr Don Thomas, Pr Christine Thompson, Deacon Diane Thompson, Pr Roland Troike Jr, Pr Kathryn Tulman, LLM Geraldine Udell, Pr Kristen Ulmanis, Pr Krister Ulmanis, Pr. Christina Veres, Pr Monica Villarreal LLM Valinda Vincent, Pr David Vinciguerra, Pr Jerry Volz, Deacon Peggy Vuylsteke, Pr Troy Waite, Pr Michael Walters, Pr Paul Walters, Pr Robert Walters, Pr Richard Webb, Pr Bruce Weber, Pr Michelle Werner, Pr Marv Wittkopf, Pr Robert Zahn, Deacon Karen Zeile
Congregations: Fellowship/Sterling Heights, First English/Grosse Pointe Wds, Genesis/Detroit, Gloria Dei/Auburn Hills, Gloria Dei/Tecumseh, Good Hope/Garden City, Good Samaritan/Pontiac, Good Shepherd/ Detroit, Good Shepherd/Monroe, Good Shepherd/Royal Oak, Grace In Action/Detroit, Grace/Howell, Gracious Saviour/Detroit, Holy Cross/Livonia, Holy Faith/Saline, Holy Spirit/Grand Blanc, Holy Spirit/
West Bloomfield, Holy Trinity/Livonia, Hope/Dearborn, Hope/Farmington Hills, Immanuel/Detroit, Immanuel/Ida, Immanuel/Palmyra, Iroquois Ave-Christ/Detroit, King of Glory/Flushing, King of Kings/Ann Arbor, King of Kings/Lake Orion, King of Kings/Shelby Township, Lord of Life/Brighton, Lord of Light/Ann Arbor, Lutheran Church of the Master/
Troy.
We pray continuously for the presence and gifts of our faith leaders: Bishops Donald Kreiss, Craig Satterlee, and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. We pray for our companion partners and their bishops: Rev. Nicolaus Nsanganzelu (Mubulu Diocese, ELCT), Rt. Rev. Dr. Munib A. Younan ELCJHL), Rev. Claire S. Burkat (Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod).
Prayers of Grace & Support The United States of America and all those elected to office; those who feel a divide within this nation. The ELCA American Indian Alaska Native Lutheran Assoc. and others in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's request to halt construction of the pipeline.
What’s happening around the Synod December 10 Synod Council Meeting 15 Interim Ministry Meeting—Emmanuel/Ypsilanti 23-26 Christmas Holiday—Synod Office Closed 27-30 Synod Office Limited Office hours 27-30 Michigan Youth Gathering—Lansing January 2 New Year—Synod Office Closed 4-9 Bishop’s Academy 14 LLM Renewal Interviews—St. Mark/Roseville 15 MLK Worship Service, 3:00 p.m.—The Rev. Linda Norman preaching 16 MLK Day—Synod Office Closed 17 Deans Meeting Executive Committee 18 LLM Advisory Committee 19-23 ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza—Louisville, KY May 4-6 Synod Assembly—Blue Water Convention Center/Port Huron
Prayers of Mercy & Remembrance Those who are hurting from loss of family during the holiday season. Emergency responders, Victims and the families of shootings and other crimes. Those who live with, and recover from hateful acts of terror; those recovering from disasters of flood and fire. Those in the armed services. Prayers of Health & Healing Frances Smith, mother of Pr. Sharon Huff, recovering from a stroke. Pr. Heather Holland, recovering from broken ankle. Pr. Tim Larson. Pr. Alan Kamens (former synod assembly parliamentarian; now in hospice) and his wife, Sue Kamens. Pr. Jacqueline Rau's dad, Michael Burkhardt, Andrew Runestad-Rabe (son of Pr. Dana), LLM Joyce Brooks, Mike Duerksen LLM, Curt Norwick (friend of Beth & Mark Fisher), Matt (son of Pr. Becky Bolander), Pr. Susan Sprowls, Pr. Sherry Morrison, Pr. Paul Gateman, Elaine (Pr. Roger) Schleef, Margaret Blake, Pr. Don Doerzbacher, Pr. Jack Lacey, Pr. Don Thomas.
Salem Lutheran, Flint Water Crisis
Salem continues to be on the front lines of respond-ing to the Flint Water Crisis. The Crisis is ongoing, and the need for safe water is as imperative today as when the news broke over one year ago. As of now, there is no timeline for when safe water will be guar-anteed to all Flint residents. Through the generosity of many, Salem Lutheran Church was able to hire community member and church volunteer, Michael Davis, to implement a door-to-door water and food delivery program. This pro-gram began in October and reaches those who are elderly, homebound and without transportation within the community, and offers them support for additional needs. As of November 30, this program has touched the lives of over 173 people. Salem provides water, food, diapers and wipes. In partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michi-gan, the State of Michigan, and many ELCA congre-gations and individuals, this ministry has delivered over 1.5 million pounds of water to those within the Flint community since February, 2016. Water delivery is not expected to end soon. Donations of bottled wa-ter are still needed to ensure Flint residents have ac-cess to safe water. Also in 2016, Salem became one of the first sites to initiate and participate in USDA food giveaways. These giveaways are greatly needed within the com-munity and help to mitigate the effects of lead expo-sure with nutritious food. Roughly 12,300 pounds of canned goods, fresh produce, and dry foods are reg-ularly distributed to the community through Salem. Only through the continued support of our donors, volunteers, and staff is Salem able to continue these efforts.
Update: Salem Pipe Replacement
A very special thanks to Dave Upmeyer of St Paul Lutheran Church, Grosse Pointe Farms, hydrologist engineer and man of faith who is assisting Salem with our pipe replacement project. Dave reviewed all our contract bids for asbestos re-moval and pipe replacement, offering his expertise and analysis to help us understand the technical lan-guage and compare the scope of work. We have assembled an excellent team to work with Dave in researching the best option for Salem. Spe-cial thanks to Norm, Jerry, Carl, and Harland who have taken on this important task. Currently the team is requesting work references from the companies. These will be review and researched. It is hoped that in early 2017, there may be a recom-mendation for the congregation to select a contractor. Salem’s facility continues to deal with yellow and brown water. All of the pipes and plumbing fixtures will need to be replaced. In addition, bids will need to be sought to replace the service line. The City of Flint and State of Michigan are not replacing commercial service lines. This is a cost the church will need to cover. Dave helped to determine based on our water lead-test results that lead entered the church from the exterior.
HOW TO SUPPORT FLINT-SALEM
Mission Funds: Pipe replacement and gen-eral support for Salem’s mission in Flint. Water drives Diaper & Wipes drives (size 4-6) Volunteer (Saturdays 10a-2p: water delivery, food packaging, etc.) Checks payable-Southeast Michigan Synod,
memo: pipes or Flint Water Crisis. 8115 E. Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48214
Autumn Years – A Time of Beauty and Harvest Living with Clarity, Courage, Generosity and Compassion
Birmingham Congregational Church, UCC
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. January 14, 2017
At one time retirement was experienced as a few years of rest and inevitable decline. Today most of us will be blessed with a decade or more of physical and mental vitality. Might people of faith re-ceive the blessing of these years as a time of fruitful service and dynamic spiritual growth? Participants in the Autumn Years workshop will consider their own ways of living this chapter with faith, joy, gratitude and love. Our discussions will center in Scripture; research on healthy aging; motivation and resources for spiritual growth and opportunities to serve within ones own faith com-munity and in society. To register for the workshop send your name, phone, e-mail and home congregation with a check for $20 per participant to Birmingham Congregational Church, UCC, 1000 Cranbrook Road, Bloom-field Hills MI 48304. You will be notified of what to bring and some questions for reflection by e-mail or phone. In case of a bad weather postponement the workshop will be held on Saturday, January 21
st.
Questions may be addressed to Pr. John Burow at [email protected] or go to our Face Book page for further information and a registration form: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autumnalyears/.
There’s a new life stage – after fifty and before eighty (or ninety) – and we’re the ones whose mission it will be to figure out what to do with it. - Sara Davidson
Objectives: Explore the blessings and challenges of this chapter Develop specific goals for spiritual growth and meaningful service Identify relationships and resources for reaching towards those goals Stimulate a wide ranging conversation of ways the church might respond to the unprecedented
vitality of many of our older members Place the grace and mission of God at the center of our Autumn Years
PASTORAL VACANCIES BY CONFERENCE—DECEMBER 2016
CONFERENCE 1: DEAN-THE REV. DENISE RUSSELL
CONFERENCE 2: DEAN-THE REV. ROLAND TROIKE, JR. St. Peters, New Haven Supply Jim Kroll, LLM Trinity, Brown City Ready to interview Interim P. Vuylsteke, Deacon* St. John, Capac Stated Supply Pr. Gary MacManus Christ the King, Lapeer Supply Supply preachers St. John’s, New Baltimore Transition
CONFERENCE 3: DEAN-THE REV. JONATHAN HEIERMAN King of Kings, Lake Orion In study Pr. Bart Muller Christ the Shepherd, Ortonville Supply Supply preachers
CONFERENCE 4: DEAN-THE REV. BART BEEBE Fellowship, Sterling Heights Transition Pr. Mark Evans St. Peter, Warren Transition Supply preachers Mt. Calvary, Warren Transition Supply preachers
CONFERENCE 5: DEAN-THE REV. GEORGE OBERLE Bethlehem, Harrison Twp In study Robert Brannon, LLM
CONFERENCE 6: DEANS-THE REV. LINDSEY ANDERSON & MS. ROBIN MCCANTS Good Shepherd, Detroit In Study Supply preachers Gracious Saviour, Detroit In Study Supply preachers Iroquois Avenue Christ, Detroit In Study Pr. Wayne Nabors, SS Revelation, Detroit In Study Supply preachers St. James, Detroit Stated Supply Pr. Jill Heather Cross of Glory, Detroit Interviewing Joyce Brooks, LLM; Pr. Roger Facione
CONFERENCE 7: DEAN-THE REV. SEAN EWBANK St. Philip, Trenton Internship Branden Hunt, Intern Good Hope, Garden City Transition Pr. Helen Liesenberg*, Trans. Pr.
CONFERENCE 8: DEAN-THE REV. LINDA GOLDEN Timothy, Livonia Supply Eric Stenson Holy Cross, Livonia Interviewing Pr. Krister Ulmanis* Shepherd of the Lakes, Walled Lake Transition Pr. Dennis Meyette*
CONFERENCE 9: DEAN-THE REV. JENNIFER KIEFER Trinity, Riga Supply Good Shepherd, Monroe Stated Supply Pr. Paul Benjamin Zion, Petersburg Called Pr. David Vinciguerra
CONFERENCE 10: DEAN-THE REV. KATHRYN TULMAN Emmanuel, Ypsilanti Transition Pr. Christine Thompson*, Trans. Pr. Lord of Light, Ann Arbor Stated Supply Pr. Dana Runestad Lutheran Campus Ministry, Ann Arbor Contracted leader Ms. Alexandria Long Holy Faith, Saline Interviewing Pr. Stan Eckermann* Zion, Ann Arbor Interviewing for Associate
CONFERENCE 11: DEAN-THE REV. PAUL WALTERS
*Trained Intentional Interim Minister; SS—Stated Supply; Transitional ministry—pastor serving ½ time or more;
In study—discerning God’s desire for future staffing
ORDINATIONS/CONSECRATIONS/COMMISSIONINGS/INSTALLATIONS
Southeast Michigan Synod 8115 E. Jefferson Avenue Detroit, MI 48214-3970 313-821-1055 phone 313-821-1425 fax www.semisynod.com
On The Way Together
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631
800-NET-ELCA (800-638-3522)
www.elca.org
E-mail Addresses for Synod Staff Bishop Donald Kreiss- [email protected]
Rev. Jack Eggleston - [email protected]
Rev. Heather Holland - [email protected] Robin McCants - [email protected] Beth Fisher - [email protected]
E-mail Addresses for Synod Deployed Staff Director Youth Ministry Lisa Jeffreys [email protected] Director Synod Life Rev. Lauren Kirsh-Carr [email protected] Director Interim & Transitional Ministry Rev. Jan Marvar [email protected] Director Candidacy Rev. Barry Osterbur
Director Licensed Lay Ministry Rev. Scott McKinney
E-mail Addresses for Synod Executive Officers Vice President Al Asfour—[email protected]
Treasurer Valinda Vincent [email protected] Secretary George Watson—[email protected]
Deadline for On The Way Together
The deadline for this publication is the 15th of each month. E-mail items of interest to: [email protected]
Additional Websites Acts In Common
www.actsincommon.org
Augsburg Fortress
www.augsburgfortress.org
Capital University
www.capital.edu
Ecumenical Theological Seminary
www.etseminary.edu
Living Water Ministries
www.elcalivingwater.com
Lord of Light Lutheran Campus Ministry
www.lordoflight.org
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan
www.lssm.org
Mission Investment Fund
www.elca.org/mif
North/West Lower Michigan Synod
www.mittensynod.org
Thrivent Financial Services
www.thrivent.com
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
www.TLSohio.edu
Wittenberg University
www.wittenberg.edu
