1 March 2010

From the President

Stewardship Thoughts
It’s been quite a winter!  Record snowfalls!  School, government, and business closings!  Flights cancelled!  Worship services and other church activities curtailed! It’s not surprising that contributions from congregations to the District through Mission Partnership Support during 2010 are lagging behind, almost $80,000 below anticipated receipts through the end of February.  The sense is that it may take some time for the faithful in many of our congregations to get settled once again.  Lots of us are already playing “catch-up” in one way or another as the challenges of this winter have heightened some of the financial challenges both here in the District and in congregations.  We know that congregations will want to send Mission Partnership gifts to us as soon as they are able.

Winter is also a fitting metaphor for tough economic times with which most all of us are struggling to cope.  It’s why we want to assure you that we are trying to the best stewards we can be of every bit of the income we receive from you.  All District salaries for this year remain frozen, and many of last year’s budget numbers have been reduced even further for 2010.

Throughout our Synod, congregations cope with the challenges of the recent economic downturn. Yet our commitment to you remains the same:  to develop partnerships with you to reach others with the saving grace of Christ.  Plans for 2010 are to continue to develop mission partnerships with existing congregations and schools, support the development of lay leaders and church workers, and to provide resources for congregations as they bring the Good News of salvation through Jesus to those in need of hope.   We are thankful for your financial support through your gifts through Mission Partnership contributions to enable us to continue to be bold for Christ.

Prayer Requests
Let Us Pray:
+ Rev. Ed Birner, EM is at the National Lutheran Home, Rockville MD and has been moved to the Hospice Unit.
+ Rev. Cliff Gade, EM (Florence SC) recovering from a recent auto accident.
+ Rev. John Costello, EM (Raleigh NC), recovering from broken wrist.

Official Acts
Calls
+ Rev. Duncan McLellan, (Faith, Lincoln NE) to Trinity, Norfolk VA
+ Rev. Alan J. Flynn (Messiah, Citrus Heights CA) to Redeemer, Hyattsville MD

Calls Declined
+Rev. Bob Stevens (Our Savior, HIckory NC) to St. Paul’s, Holtville CA

Emeritus
+ Rev. Rudy Kampia, EM  February 15, 2006

Installations
+ Mr. Kyle McClure, Minister of Music (Concordia, Conover NC)  on 2/14/2010.
+ Rev. Charles M. Long, Sole Pastor, Grace, LaPlata MD on 2/28/2010

Transfer
+ Rev. Ronald A. Nicols, EM, to Texas District

Disbanded
+ Victorious Life Lutheran Mission, Jefferson, NC, has disbanded effective January 21, 2010, and was removed from the congregational roster of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

Available to Ministries
Martin Luther VHS Videos – 10 assorted videos on Martin Luther are available. They include: Where Luther Walked, Travels of Luther, Footsteps of Luther, Luther – Heretic. Send and email to Sirpa to request them. We’ll send them out to the first request we received – again, they are vhs format.

Victorious Life has a few items that they are unable to store and would like to offer them to another church or mission. These include an altar, lectern, and small table all in matching design.

The altar is 24″deep, 68″ wide and  35″ high and is accented under the top surface with a glass, etched panel reading “Do in Remembrance of Me” that lights up from behind.  The lectern stands 48″ tall  and is 24″ wide.  The small table is 11″ deep, 11″ wide and 30″ high.  All pieces are wood stained in a light finish.

If any of you are able to use these pieces or know of another church/mission who can benefit from these, please email us or call our church number of 336-982-4188 and leave a message.

District Calendar

March 5-6    SED Board of Directors    Alexandria VA
March 7-14    National Lutheran School Week
March 9        Mission U Office Hours    On-Line
March 13    Regional Gathering Make-up Meeting    Alexandria VA
March 13    MDA: Evangelism    On-Line
March 23    Mission U Office Hours    On-Line

April 4        Easter
April 10    MDA: Developing A Mission    On-Line
April 12    Spring Regional PCW Meeting     Cary NC
April 13    Spring Regional PCW Meeting    Silver Spring MD

April 13    Mission U Office Hours    On-Line
April 16-18    Pastors Wives Retreat    Richmond VA
April 23-24    MDA Retreat
April 25    District-wide LCEF Sunday
April 29-30    Multi-Cultural Task Force
April 29-30    Circuit Mission Advocate Meeting

May 5-6        Circuit Counselor Meeting    Virginia Beach
May 11        Mission U Office Hours    On-Line
May 17-19    Lutheran School Funding Academy
May 21-24    LCMS Convention Floor Committees    St. Louis MO
May 25-26    Spiritual Life Team    Richmond VA

June 4-5    SED Board of Directors    Alexandria VA
June 6 – 14    District-wide Pre-Convention Meetings

July 9-17    LCMS Convention    Houston TX
July 17-21    National Youth Gathering
July 30-Aug 1   Tending the Flame     Richmond VA

LCMS Convention: March Prayer
Reflect on All Who Have Been Nominated for Office

I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9 What kind of leaders does God want us to elect? How might
we pray for discernment as our delegates elect those who will lead us?

God of compassion, Your Son came among us not to be served but to serve. We give You thanks for the men and women who offer themselves for leadership among us. Help our delegates to discern those You have chosen and called to serve among us. Give them faith to serve You with gladness, sustain them with a living hope, especially in the time of despair, and kindle in them Your love, so that they live as Your disciples. May all of us boldly proclaim the Good News of Your Son in our words and actions, rejoicing always in Your powerful presence among us; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior. Amen.

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

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