February 24, 2010

Dr. Dale Meier is the featured speaker at the Spring Regional Professional Church Workers Conference. He will speak on “Living Lutheran Theology in a Post-Church Culture: Sola Fide (Faith Alone)” We are holding two separate one-day PCW Conferences this Spring: one in Cary, North Carolina and the other in Silver Spring, Maryland on April 12 and on April 13. You will find additional information on the website.

Are you a Living Letter?
In what ways are you God’s message in this time and place? Join us at Tending the Flame, Living Letters on July 30- August 1 to celebrate the joy we have in being Living Letters. Reggie McNeal will share with us how others read us and how we as church, may indeed let the message shine through our actions. A dynamic youth program featuring Echelon will be offered simutaneously. And of course, our children’s program is back. Check out last year’s wrap up and don’t forget to register now.

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 Flahn 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 to the Southeastern District.

Northern Region Events
Benefit Concert for Haiti, Ascension Landover Hills MD on Saturday, March 6, at &:00 P.M. Free will offering for Lutheran World Relief will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The concert will host musical performances by: The Jon Lewis Combo – original contemporary Christian music; Ascension Lutheran School children; The Bowie State Gospel Ensemble; Lamb of God Lutheran Church Choir; and C. Anthony Bush and Friends – Gospel-Jazz pieces.

To God be the Glory, and may each of these new members grow and flourish in the faith walk with Jesus.The Holy Spirit is showing the saints of First St. John’s that he is working through them.  Primarily through the ministry, ideas, and work of vicar, James Driskell, First St. John’s received nine adults into membership in the Transfiguration Service (Feb. 14). Then today, the 1st Sun. in Lent ( Feb. 21)  five children 5 children were baptized. Who says the Spirit can’t move in an “old” inner city church!

Central Region Events

ONE4ONE SUNDAY , King of Glory, Williamsburg VA
A One4One campaign is in full swing. During the season of Lent, the congregation of King of Glory has made a commitment to each pray for 5 unchurched or non-Christian people that they know, and between now and Easter invite them to a church event.

On Transfiguaration Sunday 265 people made a commitment to pray and invite people. That means that between now and Easter 1,325 people will be lifted up in prayer asking the Spirit of the Lord to lead them to hear His message of salvation and believe! It also means that 265 people will be invited to a church event on or before Easter. Praise the Lord! May the Lord bless this effort with courage and commitment.

Help for Haiti in Circuit 9
Prince of Peace in Springfield VA is planning a mission trip to Haiti from 18 -23 March 2010 they partnering with Nursing School at George Mason University. Planning for another mission team for June 2010 is underway.  Prince of Peace is also sponsoring an UNO Pizzeria fundraiser.

Meals for 144,000 Haitians Packaged – Over 700 people of all ages participated in a Stop Hunger Event at Prince of Peace in Springfield last weekend. Members from St. John’s Alexandria, Grace in Woodbridge, Our Saviors Way in Ashburn were some of the many congregations from circuit 9 to help fill the bags with rice, soy, vegetables and a scoop of vitamins. Each bag feeds a family of six. The rice bags were boxed and loaded on trucks ready for shipment and are expected to arrive in Haiti in time for the March mission team to help distribute them.

Expanding “Hope” in Virginia Beach, Va.
When growing Hope Lutheran Church decided to tackle a challenging remodeling and building project, Rev. Mark Nieting “strongly encouraged” the Virginia Beach, congregation to participate in the Laborers For Christ program.

Laborers For Christ are a ministry of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) that helps LCMS congregations take on their own construction projects and build within their budgets.

“I absolutely wanted this congregation to enjoy the wonderful experience of Laborers For Christ,” Nieting said. When Laborers worked for Nieting’s previous congregation, Emmanuel Lutheran in Asheville, N.C., that experience proved so positive that three congregation members joined Laborers – and the pastor joined the ranks of Laborers boosters.

Today, eight Laborers couples and Hope Lutheran volunteers are building a new fellowship hall and remodeling the church’s old fellowship facility into a “kids’ kingdom” for young children and expanded space for the church’s popular youth ministry. The congregation hopes to finish the project by mid-summer.

The church also looked to LCEF for construction loan support and to LCEF’s Capital Funding Services for help with a capital stewardship campaign. “Our campaign was so successful, we shifted gears and actually built a bigger project,” Nieting said. “We were so blessed by the campaign.”

Since Laborers For Christ was founded in 1980, the ministry has helped congregations complete more than 780 “building for eternity” projects. To learn more about Laborers For Christ, visit www.lcef.org/services/laborers_for_christ.

Southern Region Notes

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.

Bridge Hispanic Mission – Hickory NC
It is fascinating to watch a space shuttle launch into space.  Each launch is an impressive feat of energy, calculation, and preparation.  Millions of details and dollars all culminate when the countdown reaches zero.
3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Liftoff!

The comparison is exaggerated, but twice a year The Bridge has its own version of a launch as we begin a new semester of outreach.  Volunteers recruited and trained.  Meetings completed.  Students invited, registered, and evaluated.  Curriculum developed and photocopied.  Facilities confirmed and materials prepared.

And it all culminates on a Thursday night at St. Stephens Elementary School:  Several levels of English classes begin and 5 small groups of Kids Connect are organized.  50 volunteers arrive early to welcome 40 Hispanic adults and 40+ kids.  There are dozens of people to direct and hundreds of details to coordinate.

Yet as chaotic as launch night can be, there is always a great sense of excitement and anticipation as we witness God’s faithfulness in drawing together so many people to a place where they can experience his compassion and hear his word.

On January 21, we launched into our third semester of outreach.
·      Please pray that the Hispanic families would experience God’s love though the volunteers.
·      Pray that the volunteers would develop great relationships with kids and adults.
·      Pray that God would use these relationships to open doors for his Good News to be shared!

From the National LCMS Office

Orphan Grain Train Aiding Haiti.  Recently, the Orphan Grain Train, in cooperation with LCMS World Relief and Human Care has shipped over 500,000 “Kids Against Hunger” meals to Haiti.  Cash donations of any amount will help the survivors in that beleaguered country.  Checks may be sent to Orphan Grain Train, PO Box 1466, Norfolk, Nebraska 68702-1466.  Please write “Haiti” on the memo.

Also, Orphan Grain Train, Maryland Division, is planning to ship a 40 foot container to Haiti as soon as possible!  We need clothing sorted and packed from churches, in addition to health kits and crutches, canes, and wheelchairs.  If you are able to help, please contact Elfie Eberle at or Ron Phipps. Thank you for your support and helping send Relief for Human Need Worldwide!
CAMPUS VISIT PLANNED FOR THOSE CONSIDERING SERVICE TO THE CHURCH

FORT WAYNE, IN (CTS)-Do you have questions about the possibility of serving in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod?  Would you like more information on the possibility of serving as a pastor or deaconess?  Then attending the spring Prayerfully Consider Campus Visit, March 24-27, 2010, on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the place to start.

There is no fee for the visit.  On-campus meals and housing are also provided free of charge.  For additional information or to register online, please go to www.ctsfw.edu/pcv. Also at that site, you will find a downloadable poster that pastors and congregations can use to advertise this special opportunity at CTS. You may also feel free to call 260-452-2155 to speak with our Admission staff.

Greetings from Grace Place Lutheran Retreats.  I ask that you remind single clergy and educators in your District of the special Grace Place Retreat for Single Clergy and Teachers to be held at the spectacular Retreat House of St. Benedict’s Monastery in the Colorado Rockies in Aspen Valley, September 1-5, 2010.

This is the fourth annual Singles Retreat held at St. Benedict’s and it provides single church workers with a wonderful “pause point” in ministry to reflect, restore and rejuvenate, focused on body, mind and spiritual health.  Our interest is keeping healthy church workers healthy.  The retreat center is easily accessible by car, train and air near Aspen, Colorado.  Cost $360 per person covers room, meals and all retreat expenses.  Leaders:  John D. Eckrich, M.D., Exec Director of Grace Place,  and Drs. Mel and Mary Jacob of Orlando, Florida.  Visit the Grace Place Website:  www.graceplaceretreats.org or call Annette:  (314)842-3077.

CELEBRATE CONCORDIA SUNDAY, APRIL 18
Concordia University System colleges and universities are a special gift to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It has been said many times but it’s worth repeating: A church body that teaches is a church body in mission!

April 18 has been designated as Concordia Sunday, a day to celebrate our colleges and universities.  They help prepare individuals to serve the church as pastors, teachers, directors of Christian education and outreach, deaconesses, lay ministers, and directors of family life ministry and parish music. They also prepare individuals to serve the community as Christian leaders in business, education, nursing, pharmacy, and numerous other professions.

LCMS congregations are encouraged to celebrate Concordia Sunday.  This special day highlights the importance of a Christian education in a Lutheran context. It can encourage youth to consider serving in positions that benefit both the LCMS and society. It is also a special time for congregations to pray for the continued blessings of our Heavenly Father for ongoing ministry that proclaims Jesus Christ as the Lord of Life

Free Resources – Click here to request free materials to use in celebrating Concordia Sunday.

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:  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.

Annual Benefit Breakfast Expressions of Abundance: Hope Springs Eternal! March 10

Expressions of Abundance Hope Springs Eternal!
Wednesday, March 10  – Marriott Key Bridge, Arlington, VA

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSS/NCA) cordially invites you to a benefit breakfast celebrating more than 90 years of Lutheran service in our communities. Hear inspiring, personal stories of triumph over adversity and how your support of LSS/NCA’s mission has made a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. LSS/NCA programs include Foster Care & Adoption, Refugee resettlement & Immigrant Services, Disaster Preparedness & Response, and Youth Haven Camps for children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS.

Breakfast is provided free of charge; contributions will be welcomed.  For more information and to RSVP, contact Summer Parrish at LSS/NCA at (703) 698-5026, ext. 138 or . We look forward to seeing you!

HearUSA will provide a free hearing screening for Concordia Health Plan members with diabetes in the month of March, 2010. Call 1.800.442.8231

VBS curriculum includes Dominican Republic mission project
Concordia Publishing House’s 2010 vacation Bible school curriculum, “Planet Zoom,” provides a hands-on opportunity for children to become more involved in God’s mission. The curriculum’s featured mission concept, “Project: Dominican Republic,” is a joint project of LCMS World Mission and LCMS World Relief and Human Care. The mission project encourages vacation Bible school participants to give offerings and supplies to share God’s love with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Dominican Republic.

The proceeds from offerings given by children attending vacation Bible schools across the country will help build two Lutheran church buildings, purchase musical instruments and Christian resources, and purchase medicine and medical supplies for children with disabilities.

For more details on Project: Dominican Republic, and to view a brief video about mission work in the Dominican Republic, please visit www.lcms.org/vbs.

The “Planet Zoom” curriculum is available for purchase on the Concordia Publishing House Web site or by calling 1-800-325-3040.

Learn  about how LCMS missionaries in the Dominican Republic are responding to the earthquake in Haiti.

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