Living Letters in Motion!

The District office is filled with the activity of preparing materials, gathering supplies, and packing boxes for this weekend’s event.

A few final notes for you:
* Registration begins at 11:00 on Friday morning.
* Dress is business casual.
* An offering will be received on Sunday morning. The ministry will be announced at the Conference.
* Workshop schedule is posted on the website. Agenda & Workshops
* A special lunch session with President Diefenthaler has been scheduled. The topic is a sharing of the actions of the LCMS Convention.

The Child Ministry Team gathered last week to prepare sessions. Laura Kmitch and Martha Spinosa return to the program. Esther Johnson, new this year is a sophomore at Concordia – Nebraska and desires to be a Lutheran educator.

Don’t forget the bookstore. LVS will once again provide wonderful resources for congregation, family, and personal use.Check out their assortment of books and gift ideas.

LCEF Booth – Be certain to check out the resources at the LCEF booth and speak with Steve about stewardship ministry.
Don’t forget to register for a spectacular door prize.

Echelon  – Fresh from the National Youth Gathering, Echelon joins the teen program to lead the music and to share their faith story.

Teens will participate in a local servant event on Saturday.

Plan to Visit the Lutheran Malaria Initiative Table

Many wonderful displays will be available for your browsing. Be certain to check out LMI.

Tending the Flame Conference

July 30 – August 1, 2010
Richmond VA

Save $30 and Register by June 15

Special guest Reggie McNeal presents:
Living Letters

Conference highlights:
Amazing Workshops! – Five sessions of workshops covering topics of prayer, witnessing, mission planting, faith-sharing, evangelism, and discipleship.
* The praise team from St.Stephens Lutheran Church in Hickory NC will be leading the worship and music for the conference.
* Sunday Morning Prayer Breakfast features Rev. Dr. Jonathan Blanke, a professor at Japan Lutheran College and Seminary in Tokyo, and son of the SED.
* Youth Program – We are excited to have Echelon, an incredible Christian band, along with Andrew Kassouf to lead the youth program with fun activities such as “Minute to Win It.”
* Children participating in the  Children’s Program will once again be able to play, rejoice, sing, and have fun.
* Put the date (July 30 – August 1, 2010) on your calendar and encourage others in your congregation to plan on attending.  Save $30 and register early -  Early Bird registration is $60 (must be postmarked by June 15). You will find more information on our website at www.se.lcms.org

Central Region Events

Good Shepherd in Midlothian VA received thirty-three new members Sunday, May 23, 2010 (pictured on left). Since the launch on September 13, 2009. Good Shepherd has accepted 125 members. Sixty-eight have joined this year. Attendance averages above 100 per Sunday.

Fun Fishing Day at New Kent:  New Kent Mission held a Fishing Day last Saturday. This family event was open to young children through those in the 5th grade.  The event was also open to their parent congregation, King of Glory in Williamsburg.  The morning included: Fish Tales (faith-building Bible stories and puppet show), Kids doing “Gyotaku,” a Japanese fish print craft. Lots of learning about fish…and, of course….FISHING!  Contact Vicar Larry McReynolds for more information.

Christ Community, Leesburg VA: God has richly blessed the congregation of Christ Community Lutheran Churchwith a wonderful new worship facility and on June 13th they will gather together to give praise and thanks to our Lord with a Grand Opening Celebration Service beginning at 1 pm. The ribbon cutting ceremony begins at 12:00 noon.

Choir Robes Needed : Grace Ethiopian mission is in need of 8 – 10 choir robes for their new choir. If you have extra robes, please contact Hoppy Hohenstein at twofps@aol.com or call him at 703-455-6052.

Individual Glass Communion Cups Needed: Does your congregation have any small, individual glass communion cups that you are not using and are willing to donate? If so, St. John’s in Alexandria can use them and will reimburse you for the shipping costs. Contact Cathy Long

Southern Region Events

Fan into Flame mission plant becomes a chartered LCMS congregation: Jordan Lutheran Church in Apex, N.C., is one of the newest congregations in the Southeastern District. Jordan Lutheran Mission was launched in 2009 and in early May 2010, became a chartered congregation of the LCMS. Jordan is a church plant of Ablaze! Covenant Congregation Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, N.C. They give thanks to God for the financial support of SED’s Ablaze! for God’s Mission, which allowed this church to receive funding for sharing the Gospel in the Raleigh, N.C. region.

Bethlehem, Aiken held a very special Friendship Sunday, May 30. As a result of a worship service that included delivering 200 flyers to the Aiken Estates neighborhood and having all members invite their friends to come to church, 100 witnessing events were recorded. A potluck held after the service gave members of the church an opportunity to talk informally to those who attended.

Northern Region Events

Pastor Attempts The Great Alleghany Passage : Pastor Fred Hedt is preparing to ride his bike 129 miles to raise scholarship funds for Ascension Lutheran School in Landover Hills, MD. He will ride on the Great Alleghany Passage from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Cumberland, Maryland on July 15, his 62nd birthday.

Supporters are pledging per mile to raise scholarship funds for the school. Principal Donna Lucas explains, “This year Ascension Church provided $208,000 in scholarships and reduced fees for our students in grades kindergarten to eighth grade.”  This fundraiser will enable Ascension to continue this strong tradition of supporting quality education. Hedt’s progress on the ride will be updated throughout the day on July 15th on Ascension’s website, www.alutheranchurch.com. Donors can also use the website to support the school and its Pastor.

Bikes needed at Our Savior, Rehoboth Beach: Each year hundreds of international students come to Rehoboth Beach for summer work. Many of these students work two or three jobs and get around by bicycle. Our Savior Lutheran Church is one of the churches in the area to welcome these students by providing a safe environment, offering meals, bikes and bike repair, emergency assistance and fellowship. They usually serve about 200 students a week with a home-cooked meal. Like the ESL students, these kids are getting a glimpse of the church and of Christianity they have not seen before. There is always a need for bicycles for these students. If you have an extra bike sitting around, consider donating it to Our Savior. You may contact them at 302.227.0723.

St. Paul in Catonsville, MD has a wooden, electric roll top organ to donate to anyone who could use it. The organ is in good condition. It is a Baldwin Model RX 620. Contact Karen Ridgway at  stpaul228@hotmail.com or call 410-747-1897 if you are interested.

St. Paul Annapolis, MD hosted a breakfast for Circuit 4 Evangelism Teams on Saturday, June 5. The purpose of this event was to share what is happening in the area of outreach and evangelism in Circuit 4 congregations and to encourage one another in the work of sharing the Gospel. Five circuit congregations participated.

Celebrate 5 years of Chinese Ministry June 27 : The Chinese Outreach Committee cordially invites you to come and celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Chinese Outreach Ministry in Montgomery County MD from 5:30-7:30 at the New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant in Gaithersburg MD. Contact Annette Morgan at 301.762.7565.

From the National LCMS Office

Mission U and The Lutheran Hour New Outreach Resource for the Church: Where will you now find brand-new materials to strengthen your daily witness? The answer is MISSION U. This new online project from Lutheran Hour Ministries features a 21st century university theme with detailed curriculum, seminar-style presentations, expert speakers, in-class and online student interaction, and take-home study resources and practice. A course catalog of curriculum options gives congregations choices from which to tailor their own mission strategies.

To learn more about MISSION U or to schedule a workshop, please contact Sarah Guldalian, manager of evangelism training, at 800-944-3450, ext. 4144. She can be contacted via e-mail at equipping@lhm.org

“DOWNTOWN” IS NOT JUST FOR THOSE IN THE DOWNTOWN : A free bi-monthly electronic newsletter, “Downtown” is being enjoyed by those across the country involved in all shapes, sizes, and locations of mission and ministry. Geared to be practical and down-to-earth, “Downtown” spotlights different downtown ministries across the country that carry on ministry in creative ways, in ways that may be imitated by others.  This newsletter is for pastors, ministry leaders, and lay people alike. Issues of “Downtown” can be viewed at http://www.downtownlutheranchurches.org/ Free subscription is possible by sending an email request to downtownchurches@aol.com

SEMINARY RECOGNIZES HONOREES: ST. LOUIS-The Concordia Seminary faculty selected five individuals to receive special honors during Commencement exercises on May 21.

Dr. Richard L. Alms received the honorary degree of doctor of divinity. Rev. Alms has served his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as counselor-chaplain at Lutheran Service Society, Buffalo, N.Y. (1960-1961); pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Baltimore, Md. (1961-1967); and the Lutheran Mission Society, headquartered in Baltimore, as well as Ministry Missions in Annapolis and Essex, and Havre De Grace, Md. (1967-2006). Rev. Alms has served with distinction in several community and governmental positions: the National Private Sector Board, Office of Economic Opportunity, White House Appointment (1970-74); chairman of the Advisory Committee, Religious and Community Services, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for the State of Maryland (1972-1980); chairman of the Board of Directors, Look and Live Ministries, owner of Channel 24 TV, a Christian and family station covering Baltimore and Washington, D.C. (1982-1987); and member of the Office of Government Information, the LCMS (1986-1990). Since the spring of 2006, Rev. Alms has served as Alumni Phase Committee chairman, and as a member of the National Steering Committee of the How Will They Hear? campaign of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

“Building Homes and Hope in Haiti”: LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC) is working to provide permanent housing in Haiti through a project called “Building Homes and Hope in Haiti,” employing the Lutheran Village concept of building communities and economic stability through home ownership and small business development. This program gives the people of our LCMS a chance for hands on support of the thousands of victims of the tragic January 12th earthquake in Haiti. Share this  link to a few short videos about the project : http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=16815
The following is a link to a pdf about the project : http://www.lcms.org/ca/worldrelief/dnews/bhhh.pdf

Please share this information in your congregation and encourage others to respond as our fellow Lutherans in Haiti reach out with mercy and love to so many in need.



Want to keep up with the 64th Regular Convention of the LCMS?

Everything you want to know about the convention can be found online at www.lcms.org/convention http://www.lcms.org/conventionincluding:

Quick facts
Adopted resolutions
Schedules
Bible studies
Official election results
Videos and photos

Sabbaticals for Christian Pastors
The National Clergy Renewal Program, a program of the Lilly Endowment, provides support to Christian congregations throughout the country whose pastors wish to take time for reflection and renewal. The program provides grants of up to $50,000 to congregations whose pastors and parishioners, working together, produce compelling plans for an extended sabbatical time for the minister and a complementary set of activities for congregational renewal. Lilly Endowment: National Clergy Renewal Program   http://www.clergyrenewal.org/

Good evening,

Help package 100,000 meals for Haiti on Friday, Feb. 19, 7-9:30 p.m. or Saturday, Feb. 20, 9-11:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace.

Yvette

______________

Contact Info:

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
8304 Old Keene Mill Road
Springfield , VA 22152-1695
voice (703) 451-5855
fax  (703) 569-0978
e-mail: pastor.john@poplc.org

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.

Video: Bethany’s Trinity Handbell Choir

Video: Mass Choir

January, 2010

Miss Margaret Krantz Sunday
In 1940, Rev. EF Engelbrecht of Martini Lutheran Church asked Margaret Krantz to take over a Sunday school class for a teacher who was expecting her first child. Seventy years later, Miss Margaret is still introducing Jesus to the children at Martini Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD.

“I know my Savior, and I want children to know Him, too,” is the simple explanation Miss Margaret gives when asked about her service. Now 88, she doesn’t mind walking the seven blocks from the home where she grew up to the church where she was baptized and confirmed.

In appreciation and celebration of Margaret’s seventy years of service to God, President Jon Diefenthaler has proclaimed that January 17, 2010, is “Miss Margaret Krantz Sunday” throughout the Southeastern District, LCMS.

Get Your Blaze On!

From Coalition for Lutherans in Black Ministry. Plan now to gather in the North Carolina area (site T.B.A) on March 12-14, 2010 under the theme:  “Get Your ‘Blaze On!!” .  Expect to see new faces as we seek to engage ALL PEOPLE in Black Ministry! Contact Sherry Edmonds  (sedmo27421@aol.com) for more information.

Workshop for Family Ministry
We are inviting you to share information with your family ministry programs. Dr. Mary Manz Simon “one of America’s top parenting pros” is the presenter at this years early childhood conference. Her topic will apply and benefit parents and family life ministry teams as well as early childhood teachers. This conference/workshop is offered regionally on Feb. 25 at Holy Cross in Clayon, NC and Feb. 26 at Peace in King George, VA.  More information and the registration form is on the our website at www.se.lcms.org. Dr. Manz Simon is also presenting a workshop at Galilee in Pasadena MD on January 31 – see Northern Region Notes below.

Hearts For Jesus Project

Each year the schools in our district support a Hearts for Jesus project with their chapel offerings. This year students have an opportunity to make an incredible difference in the lives of children in Flan Town Village, Liberia where there children need a school. Since the civil war there has been no school in this region, so about 150 or more children in fifteen surrounding villages have no means to an education.

Working together we can make a difference – an eternal difference as we provide for Lutheran education in this area that is about 90 miles from Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. With a united effort, our chapel offerings from the Southeastern District can raise the $10,000 needed to build a school.

Please send your Hearts for Jesus check here to the Southeastern District. We will keep you updated on the progress.

Northern Region Events

LWML Baltimore Zone Christian growth Workshop will be at Galilee, Pasadena on Saturday, Jan 16, “Celebrate! You are a Promise” is the theme.

Bring your youth group for a night of awesome Christian fellowship.
National Christian Recording Artists the “Matt Maher Band” will be coming to Dover, Delaware for the 3rd Annual “Spirit Riot ’10″ on Friday February 5.  The Matt Maher Band is currently touring with Michael W. Smith. Their new hit “Alive Again is the #1 downloaded Christian song on itunes. Advanced group tickets only $5 available at itickets.com or by calling 800-965-9324. For more information, please call Greg Coury at 302-883-4000.

Scholastic Author to Present ‘Pop Culture Parenting’
Dr. Mary Manz Simon, named by McCall’s magazine as “one of America’s top parenting pros,” will present “Pop Culture Parenting: 2010″ at Galilee Lutheran Church, Pasadena, Md. at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31.The presentation is open to the public at no charge. Childcare will be provided.  For more information, contact the church office (410-255-8236).

Ministry Quick Links
Central Region Notes
Southern Region Notes
Northern Region Notes
National LCMS

SED Newsletters
Our goal is to keep the newsletters at a readable length. We will now list congregation events in a separate monthly newsletter.  The following is a list of the current e-newsletters.

• SED Official Acts & Prayer Requests (bi-weekly or as needed)
• District News and Calendar (bi-weekly)
• Prayer Partners Update (bi-weekly)
• Congregational News and Events (monthly

Summer Conference: Tending The Flame
Start planning now to attend this summers conference with Reggie McNeal. This three day event if full of informative sessions lead by Dr. Reggie McNeal, exciting workshops, and time for ministry celebrations. Cick for more information
The Southeastern District (SED) 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

More from the Northern Region

Sharing the Love of Jesus
Can you imagine having the opportunity to share the love of Jesus to Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, and non-practicing Christians (as well as with active Christians) on a weekly basis – and to have them willing to listen!?  Can you imagine having these conversations in such languages as Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Farsi, Arabic, and English with people who have moved to the United States from such places as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Korea, China, and more?  This is what Rev. Falak Robson, member at Emmanuel Lutheran in Baltimore and himself from Pakistan, does every week at the local mall.  Rev. Robson and Emmanuel’s pastor, Rev. Martin Schultheis, together walk through the mall stopping at shop after shop to visit with workers and business owners. They check in on those with whom they have made relationships and introduce themselves to new faces. They spend their time taking prayer requests, over which they and a small group at Emmanuel will pray in the upcoming week.  Many who know very little about Jesus have asked for the Scriptures in their native languages. Rev. Robson and Rev. Schultheis leave the mall each week amazed at the opportunities that the Spirit provides to proclaim Christ and the welcome with which they are received.

Reaching Out to Unemployed in York, Pennsylvania
First St John, York PA offered a workshop to give strength to the unemployed. This outreach activity was picked up in an article published by the York Dispatch. Vicar Jim Driskell understands the financial, emotional and spiritual challenges that come with unemployment. Workshop presenters were Richard Weidner and John Spadafora, local financial consultants with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Driskell said he organized the workshop so that unemployed and underemployed people will know that they are not alone in their struggles. “I’ve been in the corporate world and I’ve been through buyouts, layoffs, and closings, ” he said. “After a while, you kind of huddle in a room and you start to isolate yourself.” You’ve got a lot of people out there who are really hurting. So many people get their identities from their jobs and it affects their self-esteem. We want to be here to show them that they are not alone. We also want to show them the importance of staying connected with a church where they can meet people of faith who will encourage them.

Central Region Events

Spiritual Formation Retreat
Rev. Art Umbach, a Southeastern District Mission and Ministry Facilitator, will be leading a retreat on Spiritual Formation at Our Savior’s Way at 43115 Waxpool Road in Ashburn, Virginia, on Saturday, January 16th from 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.  The purpose of the retreat is to introduce participants to spiritual disciplines and prayer forms, such as breathing and imaging prayer, the Lectio Divina, the Examen, the Jesus Prayer, Centering Prayer, Spiritual Direction, journaling, fasting, dream work, healing prayer and others.  To register call 703-858-9254 or email epeterson071@live.com.  A fee of $10 is requested to cover materials, lunch and snacks.

Trinity Richmond Member Receives Special Award
Individuals who contributed in significant ways to preserving Lutheran History in America were honored at the 34th Annual Awards Banquet hosted by Concordia Historical Institute on the Concordia Seminary Campus (St. Louis) on November 12, 2009. Susan Guckenberg was one of 15 who received an award. She is the author of “A Congregational History, 1852-2008,” of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Richmond VA. She was presented with a certificate and a “Martin Luther Medal.”

Good Shepherd Lutheran Mission Church – Midlothian, Virginia
Sunday, December 6, was a big day for the new church family of Good Shepherd. The congregation grew from 13 to 59 receiving 46 new members; 23 adults with their 20 children have already expressed interest in the January membership class.

2009 Fred E. Lietz Ministry Award
The Southeastern District congratulates Ed Meise, a fellow servant of the Lord and Church Extension advocate. Ed is a recipient of the 2009 Fred E. Lietz Ministry Award. Ed is an individual who exemplifies Christian love through service as a lay volunteer within his congregation, work outside of his congregation within the District, and as a former member of the LCEF Loan Committee. He is a member of  Christ Lutheran Church in Norfolk VA.

New Center Reaches Out to Young Families in Stafford VA
Laborers For Christ are hard at work building the child development center at Living Hope, a mission congregation with about 165 members in Stafford, Virginia. Their new Open Arms Child Development and Hope Center is expected to open in spring 2010. Lori Schneider will be installed as Director for the center on January 24th.  To learn more about the church and the child development center, visit www.livinghopestafford.org.

Southern Region Notes

Reaching Out to Children
Lamb of God in Spartanburg, SC is reaching out to young families with a new cubscout pack. They are also involved in a child evangelism ministry, forming a “Good News Club” in a local elementary school.

Connection Café in Statesville NC
Holy Trinity in Stateville, NC has recently started a new series called “Connection Cafe” .
Each session starts with fellowship time around coffee and snacks; then a short Nooma (Pastor Rob Bell) video with discussion in small groups afterwards. The discussion questions include some Scripture passages to look at “what God says about this,” and so it becomes an informal Bible study as well.

It doesn’t sound like much, but the topics have been engaging and everyone is getting a lot out of it – some are even profoundly touched!  In the first four weeks that we’ve run “Connection Cafe,” 20 new people have come, 6 of them more than once, and many more have said they are coming but just haven’t been able to yet. Contact Pastor Pete Varvaris for more information on this new ministry.

School News
University Christian High School in Conover had their projects on display at the recent Science Fair.  Projects were submitted in three categories:  “Cell Phones Gone Wild” submitted by Cristina Boston and Alexa Pappas in the Biology category;  “The Coolest PH” submitted by Perry  Davis, Gregory Bedder and Daniel Roseman in the Physical Science category; and “Kickstart My Heart” submitted by Alec Hass, David Hofeldt, and Will Shepherd.  Each project has qualified to compete in its category in the NW Regional Science Fair to be held on February 20, 2010.

Risen Christ Lutheran School is the featured school in the January 2010 Lutheran Schools Ablaze newsletter from LCMS-St. Louis.

Students design First-ever World Relief and Human Care Christmas Cards
Artwork from five refugee students at Good Shepherd Afterschool program in Charlotte , NC was featured on the first-ever set of LCMS World Relief and Human Care Christmas cards. “Art is a means of expression that many of our students excel in,” said Sheila Eichert, who oversees the afterschool program. Man of the students’ families were persecuted because of their Christian faith but in the U.S. they are free to celebrate the Savior’s birth. Winning artists are: Plih k”Pa, 13; Pyan Rolan, 7; H’Nath K’Pa, 15′ Chuyen Siu, 13; and Pyin Rolan, 13.

From the National LCMS Office

LCMS World Mission is pleased to offer FREE resources for your congregation to celebrate Armed Forces Ministry Sunday. Resources for 2010 include: a suggested sermon, a responsive prayer, and a bulletin insert . Order by Friday, February 19th to ensure delivery in time for Armed Forces Sunday May 16, 2010. .  <http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=16277>  to complete the order form.

Also available: An online form to register congregation members who are in the active military for “Ministry-by-Mail” by clicking here <http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=8100> .

From Concordia Plans
In response to the growing concern over H1N1 and the seasonal flu, Concordia Plan Services has arranged for the charges for the seasonal flu vaccine and administration of the H1N1 vaccine to be covered at 100% as preventive services for CHP members. These vaccines are covered by both medical vendors and by Express Scripts so that members can obtain these recommended vaccines where they are made available and where it is most convenient – in many instances with no up-front, out-of-pocket cost.

For details on coverage and claim filing requirements, please see the information provided in the “News” section of our website

DCE Interns and Deaconesses Seeking Ministry Placements
Did you know that a ‘bumper crop of DCE interns and Deaconesses are seeking ministry placements? If you are interested in more information about DCE interns, contact Tim.Rippstein@CUNE.edu. The DCE Intership Site Cordinator at Concordia, Nebraska.

Contact Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Rev. Robert Hoehner: hoehnerr@csl.edu for Deaconess placements. Deaconesses serve in congregations and schools by teaching, visitation, counseling, youth ministries, family ministries and other caring ministries. They are also equipped to serve with compassion in health care institutions, and older adult care ministries.  Our deaconess candidates have received an M.A. in Deaconess Studies, after completing two years of post-graduate academic coursework, six quarters of field education, and one year of internship.

Contact Information
Deaconess Sally J. Hiller
Director for Congregational Outreach and District Operations
Southeastern District, LCMS

A joyous and festive worship celebration and dinner occurred on Reformation Sunday  at Our Savior in Laurel, MD as Rev Jacob T. Harris was installed as the African Immigrant Mission Developer.  Rev. Glenn Lucas, SED Executive Director for Mission Development preached and installed Rev Harris who will serve the African immigrant community.   New Hope  of Laurel hosted the festivities.  Rev Harris will seek to bring the Gospel to  many unchurched African immigrants.  May the Holy Spirit ignite this ministry that many who are lost will found.

This mission / outreach related information is extracted from a monthly newsletter sharing events in the Southeastern District.  The events listed here are sponsored or hosted by district congregations.  If you have an event that you would like to post in the September newsletter please email sed@se.lcms.org.

Events will be listed regionally – Northern Region, Central Region, Southern Region and National.

Northern Region Events

The Lutheran Church of the Cross is having a Fall Festival!  It will be held at the church at 12801 Falls Road, Rockville, Maryland from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2009.  Please come and enjoy a lunch of homemade beef stew and hot crusty bread for $5.00 per person.  We will also have a silent auction of gift baskets and a bake sale with a variety of homemade baked goods, gift food jars, Chinese dumplings and more.  Outside we will have pumpkins for purchase and a pumpkin carving and/or painting area for kids both young and old.  This fund raising event will be the kickoff event that leads up to the 50th Anniversary Jubilee of our church that will take place in October of 2010.  We will have a table of upcoming events, our stained glass window project booklets and note cards, and other items.  Hope to see you there!

Calvary Silver Spring Sponsors Corn Maze
Pirate adventure corn Maze is a 5.5 acre Maze shaped like a pirate ship. We also have Hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a human hampsterball, water ballon sling shot, a sea monster, food games and more. This is a fundraiser for Calvary Lutheran Church. Go to www.pirateadventure.com  or call 301-948-3141.

LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
U.S. economy affects marriages!  It takes much effort just to make ends meet in our world today.  Do you wish you could talk about something besides all the stresses in your life?  A Marriage Encounter Weekend gives you the time and tools to revitalize romance, deepen communication and nourish spirituality in your marriage.  The next Marriage Encounter weekend is November 6 – 8, 2009, in Gaithersburg, MD.  The registration deadline is October 31, 2009.  Visit our website at www.godlovesmarriage.org  to register online.  You may also contact Tom and Ina Berkey for more information by phone at 703 978 8558 or by E mail at tomandina@cox.net.

Central Region Events

Crossway Mission, Norfolk VA relocates. Faced with an announcement that the space they were in was going to be leased to a new company, Crossway began a search for a new location. They were led to 401 Granby where a newly renovated first-floor, very visible location now hosts this mission.

Southern Region Events

Outreach Activities at Lamb of God, Spartansburg SC
Rev. Rickert shares that a new Cub Scout Pack is meeting at Lamb of God. This is an attempt to reach out to young families.

From the District Office

Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler Named to Lutheran World Relief Board of Directors
The Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler, President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Southeastern District, officially joined the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Board of Directors at its meeting in Baltimore in September. Diefenthaler was elected to the board in July.
Diefenthaler said, “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to serve alongside LWR’s board, staff, partners and supporters in this important ministry as it seeks to further God’s mission in our world.”

John Nunes, LWR President and CEO, said, “We are honored to welcome President Diefenthaler to the board of directors. His practical wisdom and spiritual passion will be a great asset to this organization and to those we serve.”

From the National Office

National Youth Gathering is accepting registrations. DCE Krista Young (kristayoung@ctc.net), Hope- Wake Forest is the SED Coordinator for this event. Feel free to contact her with your questions or for assistance in preparing for this event.

Volunteers are needed to help in the recovery effort following the Dundalk, MD flood. The greatest need is for volunteers willing to perform follow-up sanitizng and cleaning in basements. Anyone interested is asked to bring their own cleaning supplies (rags, sponges, buckets, gloves, etc).

The Red Cross will coordinate teams of about 4 people each to specific addresses.

Volunteers are asked to arrive by 9:30 am on Saturday, September 26th at the:

Recovery Service Center
Water’s Edge Community Center
7894 Dundalk Avenue

The center will be open to public from 10 am – 4 pm

Salvation Army will also be there to provide coffee and doughnuts and a light lunch for everyone.

To register your participation, please contact Deaconess Roberta Hillhouse, Disaster Relief Coordinator at the Lutheran Mission Society, at 410-636-0123 or email rhillhouse@lutheranmissionsociety.org. Thank you for your support.

©2009 Lutheran Mission Society | 601 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore, MD 21225

An Article in the York Dispatch by Eyana Adah McMillan on 18 August 2009 details Jim Driskell’s Kickboxing training sessions, which are held at 3 p.m. Thursdays at local First St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, where he is completing a pastoral internship program as a student of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Jim’s classes combine exercise, life philosophy, and Christian witness. You can read the entire article by following the link above, or watch the video here

Is your congregation prepared to respond to a disaster should one occur in your community? Are your church files backed up? Do you have a COOP plan? Over the next several months, the SED Disaster Response Task force will be providing Congregational Disaster Preparedness Training workshops for congregations to assist in preparing for an emergency/disaster.

The first training will be at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Olney, MD on Saturday, August 22, 2009. The workshop will begin with registration and fellowship from 8:30-9:00 am and the training will be from 9:00 am -12 noon. There is no fee for the workshop and you are encouraged to send several representatives from your congregation. To register, please contact the SED office at disasterhelp@se.lcms.org or call 1-800-637-5723 Ext. 215 by August 15.