This is the final daily note about The 64th Regular Synod Convention of the LCMS. As you might imagine, we moved through the remaining business at a healthy pace this morning. President Diefenthaler’s committee took the floor and we worked through resolutions to amend the Synod’s bylaws regarding recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with “small, formative or emerging confessional Lutheran church bodies” (3-04) as well as Resolution 3-07 which calls for the preparation of Bible studies that respond to the question “How to read the Bible” in light of the culture we live and current trends in interpretation.
Resolution 5-05A “To support Pastoral Formation”, which speaks to the 12 themes for pastoral education as identified by Synod’s Board for Pastoral Education, was adopted.
In Resolution 1-11, delegates voted to appoint a Hispanic ministry strategist.
Committee 8 presented a resolution authorizing an audit of the outgoing boards and administration to insure that designated gifts and specific ministry funds were appropriately transferred as the new structure takes shape.
President Kieschnick closed the convention with his highlights and final thoughts quoting from St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians: ‘I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy and every one of my prayers for all of you because of your sharing in the Gospel from the first day until now. I am confident that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.’
These are appropriate words to leave with. It will be important in these next weeks – next three years, that we thank God with joy for the ministry of President Kieschnick and his staff. They have served faithfully and well. And it will be equally important to surround President-elect Harrison and his staff as they begin this new time in the story of the LCMS.
For those of you who will be attending the Tending the Flame Conference in two weeks, President Diefenthaler will be holding a workshop entitled: “What does this mean? Reflections after the Convention.”
As I am writing this, the Opening Worship/major event for WE BELIEVE, the National Youth Gathering is completed and this event is fully engaged! We have a few more than 1000 SED teens, adults, and event volunteers participating in the Gathering. I will continue with brief daily updates through the end of the Gathering on Wednesday afternoon.
Don’t forget that we will have Office Hours on the web for Mission U on Tuesday evening, April 13, 2010. Join us at http://lsportal.breeze.net/sedt at 7:00 until 8:00.
This is an opportunity to ask your outreach questions, seek resources, and speak with others involved in sharing the Good News of Jesus.
Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Sarah Guldalian and SED’s Sally Hiller serve as your hosts.
This communication is sent by Joseph B. Davis of AIM-SED to share notices and information from AIM Congregations and Ministry Partners.
There are some wonderful things happening in AIM that I would like you to be aware.
AIM UPDATE:
Let us continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti including rescue workers for God’s guidance as well as touching the hearts of others for donations.
The 24th AIM general fellowship (1st general fellowship in 2010) is scheduled to take place this Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 4:30pm with the Saints of Our Savior Lutheran Church -13611 Laurel-Bowie Road Laurel, MD 20708.
Note: Some issues to be discussed are as follows:
a) AIM Official Registration
b) Review of AIM Strategic Plan for 3 years
c) Responses for SED-LCMS, etc
Please come in full attendance and on time as more important matters pertaining to the AIM will be discussed.
EVENTS
Bethany AIM:
Global Miracle Prayer Line -every night @ 9pm – 10pm Tel. 712-429-0690 pin. 812275 #. You all are welcome to dial in and experience the wonderful working power of God. If you are unable to join us live on the line, there is still an opportunity to submit your prayer request(s). Simply go to the Prayer Request page on SEDAblaze.org and fill out the form, then click submit. Thanks for your participation.
I encourage you to please read your email regularly. Please direct all questions, concerns and announcements to davis301@cox.net
The Ash Wednesday Gospel Lesson from Matthew 6 is the place we find them. The first pillar of the Lent is Prayer. The second is Fasting. The third is Almsgiving.
Attention to our prayer life during Lent opens the window of our hearts more fully to God. Fasting, which might involve giving up not just food but anything that crowds or clutters our daily schedule, leaves more room for God to come and to fill our lives. Then, of course, the Holy Spirit can in turn lead us to give more of ourselves to others who may need what we can provide. Almsgiving is what we call this.
Whatever practices you choose to follow, I pray God’s blessings upon your Lenten season!
Dr. Jon Diefenthaler, President
Faith-Sharing Update
I was running some errands this week and was approached by three high school students. They were working on a school project and wanted to ask a few questions. Before I knew it, we were involved in a wonderful conversation about the precious gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. What joy it was to hear the strong faith expressed by these three young people and to be able to discuss what I believe. It was only 10 minutes in length and then they were off to find another. But it reminded me that we must always be prepared to give testimony of who Jesus is and what he has done.
Already, more than 363,000 faith-sharing experiences have been recorded. In fact,we have prepared a daily devotional book for the season of Easter from the stories that have been shared, . You will find it on our website or email Vicki Edwards and request a copy. We will also make it available as a daily email devotional.
We all need encouragement to be bold in our witness. When you share your stories, they encourage others. Please take time to send a note to Sally Hiller to be that encouragement for another.
The District Ablaze! Task Force has developed a survey to help us determine the types of resources that are needed to assist congregations in outreach and evangelism. If you would take a few moments to fill it out, we would certainly appreciate it. Click here for the survey.
Outreach Ideas for Easter
Research shows that it’s also the holiday most likely to draw an unbeliever to church. So, how can you take advantage of this once-a-year chance to share the transforming message of the cross? These outreach activities provide an assortment of going to the community with the Gospel and inviting the community to come and see.
1. Living Easter Display
Develop and construct an outdoor living Easter scene for the community to stop by and visit. Have information about Easter and the gift of the resurrection available for distribution.
2. Community Prayer Vigil
Host a Community Prayer Vigil, in advance collect the prayer needs of the merchants and businesses of the local community. Walk through the streets and speak with those you meet and gather their prayer requests, which are then included in the Vigil.
3. Resurrection Run
Organize and host a Resurrection Run for the community. Have it end at the church where additional opportunities for refreshing, renewal, and prayers may happen.
4. Film Festival
Show the Jesus Film, Passion of Christ, Veggie Tales Easter Carol, or another film about the season.
5. Art Festival
Sponsor an Art Festival featuring images of Holy Week. Invite local artists to contribute work as well as children and congregational members. Check in to having it hosted at a local shopping mall.
6. Yard Signs
Create a series of yard signs with worship or Easter Event news on it. Distribute them to members and have them post the signs in their yards.
7. Invitations to Come and See
Prepare flyers to be distributed that invited people to the Easter Celebrations. Give times, locations, and other important information on it. Package them in groups of 10 and have members take ten and distribute them in their neighborhoods.
8. Community Easter/Spring Celebration
Plan the Easter Egg hunt and spring fairs for after Easter Sunday, that way you can invite all your guests to return for the special event that will be taking place. Provides a great follow-up activity.
Human Trafficking and Slavery: Call to Action
At the 2009 Southeastern District convention we passed a resolution concerning slavery and human trafficking. Part of that resolution was to invite individuals and congregations to write letters encouraging the United Nations in its efforts to curtail this horrific practice.
Did you know that trafficking in persons includes the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of:
· Sex trafficking: in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person forced to perform such an act is under the age of 18 years; or
· Labor Trafficking: in which a person is subjected to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. (from Trafficking Victims Protection Act, 2000)
· Any other forms of human trafficking.
Human trafficking happening today, it is the third largest criminal industry in the world (with the first and second being drug trafficking and arms trafficking). As many as 12-30 million persons are victims worldwide and 12-18 thousand persons are estimated to be within the United States. There are 2.2 million children sold into sexual slavery each year.
You are encouraged to respond to these actions and the best way to do so is on-line to the United Nations, which is working to address this issue.
If you would like to send a letter or postcard use the following addresses:
Mr. Antonio Maria Costa
Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Vienna International Centre
UNODC Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa
United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
PO Box 500 , A 1400 Vienna, Austria
or
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Two United Nations Plaza, DC2-1670, New York , NY 10017
A sample message to send is:
The Southeastern District, LCMS is a geographic region of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). We are comprised of 205 congregations, schools, and missions totaling 75,000 members. At our 35th Regular Convention in June 2009, the Convention voiced its opposition to the ongoing business of human trafficking. We recognize that it is condemned by the Bible (Revelation 18:13), dehumanizes people, and it an egregious sin against God’s creation.
(name of Congregation/School) is a member of the Southeastern District, LCMS. We recognize that the business of human trafficking/slavery is a major problem in our world and that your office is one of the organizations in the forefront on this issue, seeking to suppress this immoral activity. Thank you for your leadership in this area. We, at (name of congregation) encourage
You in this effort and assure you that we will pray regularly for that day when the acquisition of people by improper means such as force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them is no longer. May the Lord of the church grant you success in your work.
Youth Gathering News
Don’t miss the District Event at the Youth Gathering in New Orleans on Sunday, July 18th from 4 – 6pm. It’s a dinner party at Michaul’s Cajun music Restaurant with all your friends from the Southeastern District. Don’t miss the fun! The $35 fee includes the meal, an SED t-shirt, and entertainment. More information and to register for this event
Disaster Preparedness Videos
The SED website has resources for congregations to help in the planning process of preparing, responding and recovering from a disaster. Resources include videos and downloads of handouts and forms. See the latest on SED Disaster Response site….
Concordia Plan Services (CPS)
Did you know that CPS offers a number of health care choice options? Two years ago, the SED office invited CPS to help us review and evaluated the program we offered staff. As a result, we moved from Option A to offering a choice of three programs, including a High Deductible alternative. We were able to provide quality coverage and trim back on expenses. CPS worked with us as an employer and then with employees to understand the various plans and choices.
As you move into budget review and look at providing for your workers, contact Maureen Schneider and ask for her assistance in evaluating your ministry needs. Important News from Thrivent
Thrivent has changed the way they will be working with congregations and Districts when it comes to grants and matching funds. If you have received funds in the past, you will now need to be on an approved list of recipients and this must be done before MARCH 31, 2010. Use this link to learn more information and to register. If you have any question contact your regional Thrivent representative.
is a regional district of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Connecting people with Christ, the 205 churches, 91 schools and 43 missions are located in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina. The SED office is located in Alexandria VA.
Sally J Hiller
Executive Director for Congregational Outreach and District Operations Southeastern District, LCMS
6315 Grovedale Drive
Alexandria VA 22310-2501
voice: 703.971.9371, Ext. 205 or 800.637.5723, fax 703.922.6047
web: www.se.lcms.org
Blessed day to you. Here is today’s Lutheran School message.
Director Wendy Neuschafer
Open Arms, Holy Cross, Clayton NC
Miracles do happen everyday. Here at Open Arms in Clayton, NC we have a miracle child and his name is Colten. Colten was born premature but just over two years ago he was able to join our center when he was just 12-weeks-old and weighed a little over 6 pounds. His parents knew that he would have some health issues, because he was born with a Hemi-vertebrae. He was not expected walk and would eventually need surgery. At 15-months, Colten was walking and getting around like the other children in his class. His doctors were amazed at how well he was getting around but he still needed to have surgery before he turned three years old.
Colten was scheduled to have surgery at the Shrinners hospital in Philadelphia last summer. We named Colten as our first ever Grand Marshall for the annual 4th of July celebration. After the parade we presented his family with some special gifts for him to share with the friends that he would make while he was at the hospital. We also gave the family a gift to help them with expenses while they were in Philadelphia. On the day of Colten’s surgery we held a prayer vigil with our parents and staff. Colten under went an 8-hour surgery and was expected to be at the hospital and in the city for three weeks. After 10 days, he returned home.
Today, Colten still has a back cast but gets around very well. He has such a great fighting spirit and we are blessed to witness the miracle of God working in the life of Colten, his family, the medical team, and, yes, even in the school and congregation. We know that Colten is a Miracle from God and a Miracle of God.
Indeed, we see miracles being shaped every day when we look at the children who fill our classrooms. Each child is an incredible promise and blessing, for each one has been chosen by God and is dearly loved by Him. It is why we pray so fervently for every desk to be filled. There are so many who do not realize the grace and love that God wants to shower upon them and we have the space. And in Lutheran schools, God provides the place for them to learn.
Gracious Father, open the doors of our congregations and schools to the children and families of our communities that they may come to know your great love for them. Be with our children who have special needs and through the power of your Holy Spirit, help each child discover just how special they are to You. In your mighty name. Amen.
Contact Information
Sally J. Hiller
email: sjhiller@se.lcms.org
800.637.5723 ext. 205
The 15th annual VIC (Ventures In Community) choir festival was held on Sunday, 17 January 2010 to celebrate community and the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 23 choirs and orchestras participated. Bethany’s Trinity Handbell Choir lent their ringing skills and voices to the celebration. See the videos below.
A new feature for making prayer requests has been added to the blog at the request of a user. To use the feature, click on th ePrayer Requests button at the top of the page and fill out the form. Forms that are submitted will be forwarded to the SED Prayer Partner coordinator (and Mission and Ministry Executive), Sally Hiller. They will also go to the African Immigrant Mission prayer team that runs the live Prayer Hotline every night out of Bethany Lutheran in Alexandria Virginia.
May this new tool strengthen your faith and be useful to grow the Kingdom in this place.
How could I have missed this one! Anyway, from not too long ago:
_______________________________
November 9, 2009
The Baby is Here!
Yes, even with a planned date, Zane took his time in coming. Late Wednesday night (after our last Tuesday evening session) he arrived. All is well. Sarah, Justin, and Zane are enjoying life outside the womb…and to God be all glory for the amazing gift he has given Sarah and Justin.
Resources on the WEB
Breakthrough Media has wonderful resource ideas for communicating Christmas opportunities. You may want to check them out for this as well as other resources.
Here’s a site to check out: Global Media Outreach. This is through Campus Crusades, so you have to filter the “decision theology’ responses. Work your way through, amazing things are happening. People are receiving a clear Gospel message. In addition, once they click on a response, they are sent to an appropriate responder who communicates with them regarding their response, their questions, and the love of Jesus for them.
Great Advent and Christmas Outreach Activities are shaping up.
Here are just a few:
Good Shepherd, Olney MD hosts Bethlehem Market Place for the 12th year.Visited by more than 600 people each year, the interactive play is a journey to the Bethlehem village of over 2000 years ago on the night of Jesus’ birth. More than 100 members of the congregation, 60 of them in full costume, are involved in the presentation.
Trinity, Norfolk VA has participated for the past 14 years in Norfolk’s Grand Illumination Parade. Trinity students have portrayed the only Nativity unit in the parade. Bystanders always cheer them on! It’s a great way to keep Christ in the celebration of Christmas – even in a parade!
Holy Cross, Ashland VA participated in the community parade on Sunday. Last we heard, they were wrapped up as presents and handing out tape. I look forward to hearing about their adventures and even sharing a picture or two with you.
Crossway, Norfolk VA is also walking in the parade. Although they experienced flooding in their new facility, they are not going to let it dampen their spirit as they share the Gospel in this community event.
Jordan Mission, Apex NC joins the march, although in the Apex Parade. I’m looking forward to getting a report back (and pictures) to see what witness has been made and if there were faith-sharing conversations in the journey.
Pastor Mike Merker writes of a wonderful opportunity that Jordan Mission has:
Christmas Eve at Beaver Creek
Where did you say your church meets for worship services? That is a common response I hear from people who ask questions about Jordan. What has been wonderful is the profound impact our location has had on keeping us focused beyond ourselves. Gathering for worship in a theater is a constant reminder that God is larger than any building. The true church are those who by faith trust in God’s promise of salvation. This Christmas Eve, Jordan will hold worship services while the theater is active. It will be a great witness to our community of our faith life. Beaver Creek’s manager met with Pastor Mike last week and worked out details for how people can join us for worship Christmas Eve at Beaver Creek on December 24.
A Little Door Knocking Evangelism
Rally Day Evangelism at Our Savior Lutheran, Winchester, VA: Two weeks before our scheduled Rally Day, a group of eager evangelists gathered in the fellowship hall to pick up quantities of door knob flyers announcing the kickoff of a new Sunday school year and celebratory picnic. The weather forecast was not ideal, scattered showers all day. But God’s work cannot be stopped by a little rain so we persevered. Armed with a prayer and umbrellas the group dispersed into the local neighborhoods to distribute the flyers. As we parked curbside on the start of our distribution route the drizzle had stopped and only a damp breeze was left as a reminder. The overcast sky and mild temperatures turned out to be a blessing as we hiked through the hilly neighborhoods hanging flyers on every door. It was a great experience for all, enjoying the satisfaction of reaching out to the community inviting them into our ranks, and the encouraging words from some of the people we met along the way reinforced the knowledge that we were on the right track for God. Thanks be to God that He empowered us through the Holy Spirit to reach out to the community with the Gospel of Christ!
Faith Sharing Moments
More than 350,000 faith-sharing events have been recorded throughout the District. As you participate in community events, welcome guests to your congregation, or simply find yourself in the midst of a faith conversation – take time to send a message so that it may be used as encouragement for another.
Jack Simon, a member at Bethlehem, Aiken SC writes that he witnessed his faith to Fritz, Mary and Elizabeth Schultz who are unbelievers this past week in Aiken, S.C. He invited them to come to church with him and is praying for them.
As you gather to give Thanks to God this week, there will be those in your homes and at your table who do not have a vibrant relationship with the Lord – perhaps they do not any relationship with him. Take time – even if it is a family member – to share what God is doing in your life and the daily difference it makes.
Change in Location
The January 9th TLO Broadcast will be live from Messiah Lutheran in Germantown MD. This is a change of location from St. Andrew’s, Silver Spring.
The February 13 Broadcast will be live from Trinity, Richmond VA.
Thank you for being Ablaze! For God’s Mission in our Southeastern District and our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod!
Your partnership in this funding effort has made it possible for our District to support 23 additional mission projects in 2009. Many more opportunities for outreach are emerging as congregations and circuits seek new areas and new people for sharing the Gospel.
Rev. Pedro Lopez, Hispanic Mission to Circuit 9 Congregations is actively sharing the Gospel and building small groups at Grace – Woodbridge, Prince of Peace-Springfield, and St. John-Franconia. Circuit Congregations participating in this outreach effort have covenanted with time and 2% of their budgeted funds. In addition, a District Ablaze! grant of $50,000 has been granted for this first year.
I am grateful as well that this same campaign has yielded other forms of generous support for the Ablaze! movement. To support this work there are more than 2,000 Mission Prayer Partners. The recording of more than 357,000 faith-sharing moments, moreover, has helped to push our Synod over the 10 million mark on the way the 100 million goal.
Yet this is just the beginning of what God can do as we make ourselves available for the work of mission and outreach. In this week of Thanksgiving, I am giving thanks to God for your mission heart and generous spirit. To God be the glory. Thank you for your partnership in this effort, God is blessing our efforts.
Jon Diefenthaler, District President
______________________________________
New missions funded through Ablaze! for God’s Mission.
Northern Region
Cecil County, Perry MD
Virtual Classroom, BLS, Towson
LINC, Baltimore MD
Mekane-Yesus, Silver Spring
Lamb of God, Landover Hills
Hispanic, Landover Hills MD
Central Region
New Life, Upper Marlboro MD
Hispanic.-Circuit 9 Missionary
Chinese-St. Paul’s, Falls Church
Leesburg Open Arms, Leesburg
Good Shepherd, Midlothian VA
Good Shepherd Early Childhood
Crossway, Norfolk VA
New Mission, New Kent VA
Southern Region
Jordan, Western Wake NC
Epiphany, Greenville NC
New Mission, North High Point
Emmanuel, Rock Hill NC
Point of Grace Cornelius NC
Open Door, Weddington NC
Hispanic-Catawba County, NC
New Hope MIssion, Mooresville
The AFGM Report
As of November1, 2009 pledges totaling $5,827,188 have been made towards the AFGM effort and currently 56% of the promised commitments have been fulfilled. This is wonderful. Already these funds are at work making an eternal difference. Note the list of ministries that are being supported with these funds. In 2009, $400,277.00 was released to support these mission efforts. In addition, almost $400,000 has been given for circuit designated mission work.
Circuit Ablaze Funds Enable New Outreach Efforts
What new opportunities are Circuits funding? These are some of the examples of Circuit Ablaze grants at work:
$750 Circuit 15 Peace Officers Ministry, Point of Grace, Cornelius
This support will be used to reach out and minister to the law enforcement community in Cornelius NC. Recognizing that divorce rates, suicide, and domestic violence is high among those who serve in law enforcement, Point of Grace is developing an active ministry of outreach in this specialized area. One of the projects will be to make available a Bible that has a special introduction explaining how law enforcement is a ministry to the community. Mission Vicar Frank Rufatto, a former police officer, is helping to shape this ministry.
$4,538.89 Circuit 13W Jordan Lutheran Mission, Western Wake County, NC
Jordan Lutheran is a new mission outreach effort of the congregations in Circuit 13 West. Currently, Rev. Mike Merker is the mission developer on site for this new mission which is now holding worship services in the Beaver Creek Movie Cinemas in Apex. The funds from this grant will be used to support a full-time Music Director.
$2,000 Circuit 9 Bethany Lutheran Cub Scout Pack 95
This Circuit Ablaze grant will enable Bethany, Alexandria VA to organize a scouting experience for immigrant children and through this reach families with the Gospel.
$24,000 Circuit 12 Crossways, Norfolk VA
This grant will provide rent for one-year for the ministry space in downtown Norfolk for this new mission. It will be a place for office and worship as well as a community center throughout the week.
$10,000 Circuit 9 Ladysmith Mission
This grant provides new start resources for the new church being planted in Ladysmith VA, a daughter church of Redeemer, Fredericksburg.
$677 Circuit 13W Jordan Mission
Sharing and telling the story of a new mission outreach involves many forms of media. These funds will be used for publicity.
$5,000 University Christian High School
Concordia -Conover, partnering with LeNoire Ryhne University and circuit congregations is beginning new Lutheran High School. During these first two years, the campus will be housed at Concordia School, Conover. These funds will help with start-up costs.
Ablaze! for God’s Mission Circuit Funds Available
Funds are available for circuit congregations and circuits for start up resources for new mission work. Guidelines and applications are on the SED website under initiating new mission: grants and reports.
Hi, This blog is a place for members of the SED of the LCMS and others who are interested in Christian outreach to write about their individual and congregational experiences, and to share tools that they have found helpful in communicating their faith. Please see the Welcome page (the tab above) for more information about this site, how to participate, and what those acronyms mean.
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