Dear Mission Prayer Partners,

We continue to be in prayer for the people of Haiti and the work of response. Many have responded to the cry for help with donations of time, materials, and money. May God multiply these gifts so that those in most need will be blessed.

Today, there is a major event in Washington DC. This is the March for Life rally in DC. I invite you to remember the precious gift of life that God so richly bestows on us and especially those little ones who are being so wonderfully knitted and shaped within the wombs of their mothers.

I’m certain you have seen the email news earlier this week calling all SED members to a time of prayer for the work of the LCMS Convention this summer. There is much scheduled for this event that could distract us from the mission and ministry to which God calls us. Pray that we remain focused on the work of reaching the nations – one person at a time- with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

I know this is getting lengthy and I have not yet begun the prayers and thanks we want to lifting up for all that God is doing among us. I will send an updated list of mission next week. But note below, that the prayer goals reflect some of the changes we are planning to see in this new year.

Our Prayer Goals for 2010

Let us join our hearts and voices as we pray for:

1. Those who do not know Jesus Christ and the joy of His salvation for them.
2. The work of mission outreach teams, missionaries, and outreach efforts that will make a Gospel difference in our communities.
3. Boldness in each of our lives that we will regularly share the Good News of Jesus with others.
4. The continued growth in prayer partners for mission. (Our goal is 3000 pray-ers and a prayer team for each new mission.)
5. For 750,000 recorded faith-sharing events.
6. For the work and the people of the Convention of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

New Prayer Resources
Check out the new prayer resources now available on the website.(http://se.lcms.org/prayer/prayer-ministry-resources.php)

Thank you for your mission prayers, they are making an eternal difference.

Not a prayer partner yet?  Sign Up today!
10:02 am Prayers for the Harvest and Workers
Don’t forget to set your cell phones alarm/alert to 10:02 a.m. and pray for the Harvest and Workers. Luke 10:2 Jesus told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Plan now to join Session 4 of Mission U on Saturday, February 13 with Lutheran Hour Ministry’s Sarah Guldalian, broadcast live from Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 Parham Rd, Richmond, VA 23229.  It promises to be a very full morning, beginning at 9 am and concluding at noon.  Attached is a registration form which you can return to us or you can register by simply responding to this email.

“You won’t want to miss Session 4 of MISSION U. Join us as we discuss witnessing tactics and dialogue to avoid so we do not alienate those around us. We’ll learn to determine the proper time for sharing our faith. We’ll also learn what to do about missed opportunities and how to move forward after conversations gone wrong. And, crucial to gaining confidence in our witness, we will improve in the area of responding to objections. Session 4 will provide answers to tough questions, as well as an opportunity to practice responding to these questions. We will also learn to utilize apologetics towards deeper sharing.” Sarah Guldalian

If it is not convenient for you to attend the live session at Trinity in Richmond, the following congregations will be serving as webcast host sites:

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA 22152
St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 2304 Springs Road, Hickory, NC  28601
Messiah Lutheran Church, 13901 Clopper Road, Germantown, MD 20874

If you want to receive the webcast at your own congregation or at your home on Saturday, February 13, please contact me and let me know that you want to participate and I will provide you with log-on information.  If you had a group from your own congregation who participated in the program with you for the first three Mission U sessions, please get in touch with those people and invite them to the program on the 13th.

Sarah will be providing us with her PowerPoint presentation which we will post on our website a few days before the program so that you can print the handouts and have them available for distribution on Saturday morning.

If you have never participated in a webcast before, I encourage you to test your connection by clicking on the following link which will automatically run a quick test to see if your computer is ready to connect; this test should only take about a minute to complete.

http://breeze.lsportal.net/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

I look forward to hearing from you; if you are able to participate, I will be contacting you again the week of February 8th with additional information, including the website address.

Cathy Long
Southeastern District
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
6315 Grovedale Drive
Alexandria, VA  22310-2501
(703) 971-9371 ext.219
(800) 637-5723 ext.219
(703) 922-6047 (fax)
clong@se.lcms.org
Cathy Long
Database Manager, Ext. 207

New on website: In response to the Call for Prayer for the Work of the LCMS 2010 Convention, monthly prayers and a sample liturgy have been prepared by Rev. Art Umbach. You will find them at Prayer Resources in the column on the right side of the page.

Thank you for your partnership in sharing the Gospel message with so many who do not know and who have not heard. Faith sharing events that have been reported now number more than 362,000. Please take time to report your events and stories. The district Ablaze Task Force is at work preparing a daily devotional series (using these stories) during the days of Easter. If you have a faith-sharing story to share, please send it to Sally Hiller.

Let Us Pray:
+ Rev. Ken Schwengel (First, Bowie MD) who is hospitalized and recovering
+ Rev. Paul Nelson, emeritus, who is home recovering from surgery.
+ Deaconess Robie Hillhouse (LMS, Baltimore MD) and family who grieve the earthly loss of her sister, Audrey Sauer Wilson on January 7. Audrey celebrates her eternal victory in Jesus Christ.
+ Natalie Hartwig who gives thanks for the faithful witness of her husband, Rev. John Hartwig who was called to glory last week. Rev. John Hartwig, retired, lived in Salem VA.
+ Rev. Paul Lierseman (First, Huntington MD) and his family who remembers with thanksgiving the life of his father,  Frank P. Liersemann, Sr. who was gathered into the arms of the Lord last week.

Calls Accepted
+ Rev. Charles Long (New Hope, Chesterfield VA) to Grace, LaPlata MD

Installation
+ Director Lori Snyder to Open Arms child Development Center, Living Hope Stafford VA, 1/24/10

District Sponsored Events

Feb 5-6: LCMS Convention Pre-Meeting, Atlanta
Feb 6: Circuit 1 Disaster Preparedness Training
Feb 9: Mission U Web Office Hours (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Feb 11-12: School Administrators Meeting, Virginia Beach VA
Feb. 13: TLO Broadcast: Mission U, part 4
Feb 23: Mission U Web Office Hours (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Feb 25: Early Childhood Conference, Clayton NC
Feb 26: Early Childhood Conference, King George VA

Mar 5-6: SED Board of Directors
Mar 7-14: National Lutheran School Week
Mar 9: Mission U Web Office Hours (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Mar 23: Mission U Web Office Hours (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)

Apr 12: Professional Church Workers Conference, Resurrection-Cary NC
Apr 13: Professional Church Workers Conference, St. Andrew – Silver Spring MD
Apr 13: Mission U Web Office Hours (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Apr 16-17: Pastors Wives Retreat, Roslyn
Apr 29-30: Circuit Mission Advocate Meeting
Apr 29-30: Multicultural Task Force Meeting

May 5-6: Circuit Counselors
May 11: Mission U Web Office Hours (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
May 17-19: Funding Academy for Schools

June 4-5: SED Board of Directors

July 9-17: LCMS Convention
July 17-21: National Youth Gathering
July 30, 31, August 1: Tending the Flame, Living Letters

Please note: District Office Hours
Our current hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 P.M. We use the answering machine when we have a staff meeting, devotions (Wednesdays at 12:30) and during the lunch break (11:45-12:30).

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..

www.se.lcms.org

Mark Your Calendars! Tending The Flame July 30-August 1, 2010 in Richmond VA

This summers Tending the Flame conference features Reggie McNeal, author of Missional Renaissance, as well as workshops, missions fair, youth and children’s program and fellowship with people throughout our district. Registration Information

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

On July 10-17, delegates from across the country will gather in Houston, Texas for the 64th Regular LCMS Convention. This meeting is the legislative assembly of our church body and in its gathering, will make decisions on mission, ministry, structure, governance, and funding that will have a tremendous impact on the future direction of the LCMS.

In preparation for the LCMS convention, the Southeastern District voted at its 2009 Convention to commit this year to prayer for discernment and guidance in our Synod in this time of preparation for the 2010 LCMS Convention.

To assist you in this process two special resources have been prepared by Rev. Art Umbach, Director of Spiritual Life.

The first is a series of prayers and Bible references for reflection for each month prior to the Convention. I have included the prayers for January in this email. You may download this complete resource from the Prayer Resources page on our website or click on the following link Prayers for the LCMS Convention.

The second resource is a worship liturgy that may be used for small group settings, prayer groups, or for a monthly prayer meeting. The purpose is to help us to prepare for the Convention and to turn to God through prayer the work and challenge that is before us. This resource is also available from the Prayer Resources page or by clicking the following Preparation of the LCMS Convention.

We encourage you to use these resources and to lift up the work and people of our Synod in prayer.

For January 2010:
REFLECT ON FORGIVENESS

Under the convention theme of “ONE PEOPLE – FORGIVEN”  (“Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32 ESV) we are called to stand at the foot of the cross.  For us to be “one people-forgiven”, each of us needs to seek God’s forgiveness for the brokenness we may have caused and then to offer that forgiveness to each other.

What do we learn about God’s forgiveness through the parables of the lost coin, the lost son, and the lost sheep (Luke 15)?  How does Jesus model this for us?

Psalm 51 leads us into confession, while Matthew 18:15ff. and 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 guide us into living a life of forgiveness.  How might these help us as we deal with each other in the LCMS and our Convention?

PRAY

Loving Father, we come with grateful hearts for Your generous gift of forgiveness and reconciliation through Your Son, Jesus.   We seek Your forgiveness for the ways that we have hurt others, built barriers of anger and resentment, and willfully separated ourselves from those who disagree with us.  Help us to receive Your forgiveness and with an open heart to extend it to those we consider our adversaries.  May we listen for your voice in the midst of conflicted relationships.   By Your Spirit may our Convention be a time of healing and recommitment to the ministry of reconciliation.  As we gather, “restore to us the joy of Your salvation, and uphold us with a willing spirit.”  By the power of Your Spirit, help us to focus on You and the mission to which You have called us.

Loving Lord Jesus, the extent of Your love carried You to a cross, where in Your dying breath You begged Your father to forgive us. The extent of Your love reaches all people and does not cease to provide opportunities for all to come to Your loving arms. We pray Lord that our love for all Your children would model Your example. We pray that we would persevere as Your disciples and never cease to open our loving arms to all those who so desperately need to know You. Direct our hearts to love those who are hard to love, showing unconditional love and forgiveness at all times and at all cost, just as You have done for us.  In Your precious Name, we pray.  Amen.

Dear Friends,

With each miracle story of another person found alive in the rubble, I give thanks to God. Indeed we are seeing miracles unfolding before us. And just I rejoice with the latest good news, I am praying for those people who continue to hope that their loved one will be found, who cry for help, who struggle for the very essentials of life. These are difficult days – moments and our prayers are needed.

A brief update for you regarding the relief response.
Thrivent for Lutherans has announced a decision to match $1 for every $2 given by its members up to $250 per member. Go to Thrivent “Helping Haiti” for information.

Lutheran World Relief has announced a “text to give” program. Starting Sunday, January 17, to support LWR from your cell phone, just text the keyword “LWR” to 40579 to donate $10. Remember to reply YES to the confirmation. It’s quick and easy, and the donation will appear on your next cell phone bill. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

Many have asked about where to send contributions. LCMS World Relief and Human Care is working cooperatively with LCMS World Mission, Haitian missionaries, and partner churches to provide relief in a timely fashion. To make a gift that shares Christ’s mercy and helps suffering Haitians, click on the link below, call toll free 888-930-4438, or mail donations marked “Haiti Earthquake Relief” to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861.

LCMS World Relief – Donate Please be cdertain that you designate funds for Haiti Earthquake Response

Lutheran World Relief – http://lwr.org

Lutheran Disaster Response – http://www.ldr.org/alert/index.html

From the Red Cross -To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Each of these organizations have mobilized and are already involved in disaster response in Haiti. You can follow their work on their websites. Orphan Grain Train has also prepared to ship 513,216 “Kids Against Hunger” meals next week. Orphan Grain Train is shipping to Haiti both by air and by sea. They are also receiving cash donations to assist with this effort. You can learn more about it at their website.

I will continue to send updates your direction and urge you to continue to keep the people of Haiti, all the volunteers, and yes, even the process of response in your prayers.

In Christ,

Sally Hiller

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

Dear Friends,

The overwhelming stories and images of the earthquake in Haiti continue to call me to prayer for the people, the children, and those who are providing assistance.  May God show his mercy in every way in these days as response takes shape in the midst of devastation?

Word has been received of LCMS missionaries, short-term mission teams, servant event groups, and even family members who are in the midst of the turmoil and destruction. We certainly pray for them and for news. Missionary Alyssa Stone and her family, working with LCMS World Mission are in Haiti and are safe. DCE Sue Steege and a volunteer team from First Lutheran, Tonawanda are currently in Haiti on a mission trip. They have reported in and are safe. Rev. Mark Hricko shares: “Derson Jolteus is a member of our congregation who attends Montgomery College.  He is a native of Port-au-Prince where his family resides.  On Wednesday, Derson contacted me to let me know that his family home has been destroyed, his father and sister were severely injured, his brother was killed, and his mother is unaccounted for as of this writing.”

President Gerald Kiesschnick shares: “We praise God that our missionaries in Haiti are confirmed to be safe. In addition to an LCMS World Mission GEO (Globally Engaged in Outreach) missionary and family stationed in Haiti, there are at least three short-term mission teams in the country from LCMS congregations and mission organizations from Nebraska, New York, and Wisconsin. We are working to confirm the safety of pastors and others in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti (ELCH), which has been a partner church of the Missouri Synod’s since 2001. While communications are still sketchy, we believe Rev. Marky Kessa, president of the ELCH, is safe.  We are continuing our efforts to reach our other dear brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti.”

I am certain that throughout our District, there will be many connections to people in Haiti and we lift them up before God in prayer. For those seeking resources for Sunday services, a bulletin insert has been prepared by LCMS World Relief. You will find it at LCMS World Relief: www.lcms.org/ca/worldrelief/dnews

Many have asked about where to send contributions. LCMS World Relief and Human Care is working cooperatively with LCMS World Mission, Haitian missionaries, and partner churches to provide relief in a timely fashion. To make a gift that shares Christ’s mercy and helps suffering Haitians, click on the link below, call toll free 888-930-4438, or mail donations marked “Haiti Earthquake Relief” to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861.

LCMS World Relief – Donate

Lutheran World Relief – http://lwr.org

Lutheran Disaster Response – http://www.ldr.org/alert/index.html

From the Red Cross -To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Each of these organizations have mobilized and are already involved in disaster response in Haiti. You can follow their work on their websites. Orphan Grain Train has also prepared to ship 513,216 “Kids Against Hunger” meals next week. Orphan Grain Train is shipping to Haiti both by air and by sea. They are also receiving cash donations to assist with this effort. You can learn more about it at their website.

In the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick speaks of LCMS relief efforts and encourages the people of the Synod to give generously. (watch video)

Volunteers, especially skilled workers, will likely be needed in the coming months, but the situation on the ground is still far too chaotic – no water, no power, few roads, and very limited communication – to support volunteers traveling to the area in the immediate days. The immediate need in a disaster is always financial to support organizations trained in rapid response to provide medical assistance and emergency shelter, sanitation and safety in the area.

Rev. Glenn Merritt from LCMS World Relief writes:  “The unfolding drama in Haiti calls for unlimited mercy on the part of the people of the LCMS. The needs are urgent and overwhelming right now,” said Rev. Glenn F. Merritt, WR-HC director of disaster response. “I appeal to God’s people to respond as generously as possible during this most difficult time.”

This is the time when we can show Christian compassion in our responses to a people in great need through a continuous outpouring of prayers from God’s people for the people of Haiti and for the response effort and as we make a financial contribution towards the response effort. Please visit the websites of the organizations listed above for current information. Please keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts, in your prayers, and in your hearts.

Rev. Jon T. Diefenthaler, President
Southeastern District, LCMS

See the update with pictures that is now available on the Lazarus Project web site.  It is updated as of today.  They will now be able to carry the most up to date information about the status of the Village of Hope and the people there.

jerry

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