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Reflections on the May 2012 Meeting of the Southeastern Synod Council

Reflections on the May 2012 Meeting of the Southeastern Synod Council

By Michelle Angalet, Associate in Ministry

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Woodstock, GA

The Southeastern Synod Council met for the second time this year on May 31 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel, just prior to the 2012 Southeastern Synod Assembly.  Our agenda reflected the spirit of this year’s Synod Assembly theme, “What in God’s name are we doing here?” as it was full of discussion and presentations about topics bound together by the common theme of future mission and ministry here in our Synod and throughout our ELCA.  The Rev. Matt Simpkins, Campus Pastor, Lutheran Campus Ministry at Georgia Tech, shared a progress report and the vision for Lutheran Campus Ministry in the metro-Atlanta area.  Currently Lutheran Campus Ministry has a growing presence at the Georgia Tech, Emory University, Agnes Scott College, and Georgia State University campuses.  In March, Grace House, the “home” of Lutheran campus ministry at Georgia Tech, became Grace (coffee) House as free coffee and homemade baked goods were offered during high traffic times Monday-Friday.  This, and the growing campus ministry presence, has resulted in a healthy problem – space.  Drawings for the addition of a 1,000 square foot outdoor deck which can be used year-round have been completed and funding is almost complete. To find out more about the great ministry being done in this place and how you can provide support, visit www.gracepeople.org. 

Diaconal Minister Rebecca Kolowe, Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop, and the Rev. Darrel Peterson, Assistant to the Bishop, facilitated a discussion of the ELCA Macedonia Project.  The Southeastern Synod has been awarded a $10,000 grant by the ELCA, which will be matched by $5,000 from our Synod, to intentionally develop substantive conversations in our congregations and rostered leader groups about mission and ministry at the local, synodical and churchwide levels.  Leaders and congregations will be hearing more about our Macedonia Project in the coming months.  The funding it provides will make it possible for council members to visit congregations, for rostered leaders to intentionally meet with fellow rostered leaders from around the synod to talk about what it means to be engaged in shared ministry, and for Mission Interpreter training to happen throughout our Southeastern Synod.  Specifically, we’ll be practicing together what it means to be story tellers in our contexts.  Telling the stories of our congregations and the stories of ministry that our ELCA is engaged in around the country and around the world, and helping one another see that our own stories are intimately woven into the fabric of who we are as church, as the body of Jesus Christ in the world, is one of the goals of the Macedonia Project.  Such sharing of stories helps not only to create vision of what we can do together, but also helps us to see how the Holy Spirit calls and equips us as bearers and doers of the Gospel for the sake of the world.  Council members engaged in a spirited discussion of how this can and should play out in our Southeastern Synod.

Along the same lines, the Rev. Mary Frances, Assistant Director for Development of New Congregations in the ELCA, shared with us a snapshot of how the ELCA has shifted its vision and approach to developing new evangelizing congregations.  In response to the number of new mission starts which have failed in the last decade and to the changing church culture in which we find ourselves today, there is a renewed emphasis on partnership between the churchwide office (in this case with the Congregational and Synodical Mission, or CSM, Unit) and the 65 ELCA synods in identifying and nurturing both mission opportunities and rostered leaders who can lead them.  The role of Director for Evangelical Mission (our Synod has two of them) is one way this partnership is lived out.  Other ways are through focused stewardship education, focused effort to increase mission support, and intentional congregational mission planning.  Does this sound like the Macedonia Project all over again?  It just might as the ELCA Macedonia Project is one tool that our churchwide organization is using to facilitate such nurturing in many of our synods.  Other ways in which synods are promoting identification of new ministry opportunities and leaders is through multicultural networks, our ecumenical partner network, intentional conversations with seminaries, and promoting out-of-the-box thinking and visioning around fresh expressions of the church.  One example of this latter idea is what the ELCA calls “New Wine” expressions.  Here, new ministries have formed out of congregations that recently disaffiliated from the ELCA.  Truly we are being encouraged to look around and see what the Holy Spirit is calling us to do in the places where we are, even if this means it looks completely different than it looked before. 

To support missional outreach, the Southeastern Synod currently offers a number of grant and loan opportunities to congregations and individuals. The Great Commission Fund is one such funding opportunity.  This fund is set up on an endowment basis; the current spendable amount is about $130,000.  It awards either grants or loans of up to $3,000 for mission outreach projects to congregations or conferences.  For more information about the Great Commission Fund and other funding sources in our synod, visit http://www.elca-ses.org/Grants-Loans.html.  Please note that the award criteria for these grants and loans is currently under evaluation in the hope of encouraging more applications and may be changed at the September 2012 synod council meeting.  In the meantime, we encourage you to become familiar with what is available as you move forward in reimagining your congregational mission plan.

Dr. Everett Flanigan, Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop, updated the council on the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta (LTCA).  Working closely with the ELCA Congregational and Synodical Mission Unit, LTCA has a new vision and is being retooled to support the ministries our congregations and synodical, national and global expressions are engaged in.  A schedule of programs for 2012-14 was presented which includes, but is not limited to, a Missional Leadership School, seminary level course offerings, and classes for TEEM candidates.  LTCA is also working toward providing many of these offerings in Spanish, Korean and Kiswahili so that our brothers and sisters from other cultures can participate.  A Lecture and Preaching Series for the coming year will include the following:  lecture(s) on criminal justice; a Global African Diaspora Symposium; an African American Spirituals, Spirituality and Healing course; and possibly the Hein-Fry Lecture Series.  The annual Hein-Fry Lectures are sponsored by Luther Seminary and identify key theological issues facing the church. The lectures are designed to stimulate inquiry and discussion at the eight ELCA seminaries and throughout the church.  Additionally, the Council approved the Covenant of Agreement for the LTCA and its operation as a ministry and program of the Southeastern Synod in partnership with the ELCA CSM Unit and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, authorized Bishop Gordy to sign the agreement on behalf of our synod, and appointed Dr. Everett Flanigan as Administrative Dean of LTCA.  This is a half-time appointment funded by the ELCA.  Dr. Flanigan will also continue to serve as a half-time Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop in our synod. 

The council also received an update on the Standing on the Promise Campaign by Ms. Libby Bedenbaugh of Lutheridge-Lutherock, Ministries, Inc.  At this time, congregations in the Southeastern Synod are receiving council visits by members of the campaign and are being asked to discern their commitment to it.  A major portion of the proceeds from this campaign will be used to equip Lutheranch as an outdoor ministry site right here in our own synod.  The Synod Council also forwarded to the Synod Assembly a resolution to protect Lutherock by requesting that Mountain Electric Company find an alternate route for its electric transmission line outside of Lutherock and The Lutherock Natural Area. 

In answer to the question, “What in God’s name are we doing here?” the Synod Council can answer that it is intentionally and enthusiastically having ongoing conversation about how it can facilitate and support God’s work that needs to be done in our Southeastern Synod.  But our conversations are incomplete without your input.  Please reach out to a member of the Synod Council and ask questions, provide input, tell us what you think.  Or, gather together with your conference neighbors, your cluster friends, or other congregations that share your ministry goals and talk about ways that you can work together. You can find your conference representative and all the contact information for synod council members under the Synod Info tab on the synod website homepage or use this direct link:  http://www.elca-ses.org/Synod-Council.html. 

Thoughts from Pastor Justin Ask, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, Ga

What in God's name are we doing here? This question doesn't always have abundantly clear answers. Yet as the Body of Christ, as a Church that is larger than any one congregation, we are blessed to come together and ponder this holy question. As we hear of the ongoing stories of God's presence in our lives as individuals, congregations, synod, and ELCA, I am reminded of the faithfulness of our God and the great privilege we have to be a part of God's work in the world. I am challenged by words from Dr Jacobson that the truly awesome blessing of being God's treasured possession should cause us to be mindful that the whole earth is God's. Certainly that will help to guide us as we seek Spirit-filled wisdom to the question before us as we journey together faithfully as a synod into the future. 

Pastor Justin Ask, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, Ga

Thoughts from Bishop Jim Arends, La Crosse Area Synod

It's truly an honor to be with the people of the Southeastern Synod in Assembly. The warm welcome and neverending Southern hospitality bring joy. The questions and conversations about snow, ice fishing, and Scandinavian food are fun. But best are the conversations about the ministry that unites us. Both of our synods are celebrating new congregations, an influx of most talented young pastors, and continually increasing lay leadership. Next weekend my report will tell our Synod Assembly what in God's name we are doing in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I will begin with life-filled stories of what you are doing in God's name in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennesee. Thanks for everything. God's blessings to you all.

Jim Arends, Bishop

La Crosse Area Synod - ELCA

What in God’s name are we doing here?

SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD ASSEMBLY:

“What in God’s name are we doing here?”

There’s nothing like starting a Synod Assembly Plenary Session with one of Pastor David Hood’s humorous original songs set to jazz standards.  “Pastor, Get us out of church; ON TIME!”

As the 25^th annual Assembly of the Southeastern Synod has gathered together in the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, we have been blessed by David’s witty songs, Dr. Diane Jacobson’s insightful exploration of Exodus 19:1-8, and Bishop James Arend’s spirit-filled sermon pushing us to find our “Pentecost voice.”

Combined with the plenary sessions and workshops and mealtime and lobby conversations; we have all been asking ourselves, “What in God’s name are we doing here?” 

I have asked several participants to write reflections and answers to that question and send them to me this afternoon and I will post them here on the blog this evening.  Meanwhile, why don’t you ask yourself that question, “What in God’s name am I doing here?”

Delmer Chilton

  

Home at Epiphany Lutheran Church

Our synod assembly is this week!  Last week , we featured a blog from Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church, Richmond Hill, GA.   This week we have thoughts from members of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Collierville, TN. We are excited that both of these mission congregations will be organizing as official congregations of the ELCA at this year's Southeastern Synod Assembly. We hope you enjoy learning more about them as we prepare to celebrate with them!

The following thoughts are shared by two members of the mission of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Collierville, TN. Collierville is just east of Memphis, TN. The congregation is allowed worship and meeting space in the chapel and academic building of St. George’s Episcopal School.

Marti Laslavic has been a member of Epiphany from the time a small gathering began monthly worship in the home of Pastor-Mission Developer Lynda Ernst.

In the early days of Epiphany, few of us knew each other.  Some were linked by common employment while others were linked by common former churches. Many were strangers. But the bonds formed early because Epiphany offered newcomers a sense of home.  No matter your origins or the newness (or strangeness) of your new surroundings (barbeque pizza, really?) joining in worship on Sunday morning lessens the loss of home and smoothes the edges of the unfamiliar.  Whether we met in the mission pastor’s home or the Collierville Funeral Home, Epiphany offered the comfort of the Lutheran liturgy.  “For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord ” joins you to the common worship experience and to the love of God.

Becoming a part of a mission congregation is a different experience than becoming a member of an established church.  There is no slipping into a pew, joining in worship, and slipping out the door.  The smallness forces one to be congenial and brings the people together as a group of worshippers. 

We in the mission congregation continued to share each others joys, fears, and disappointments... and through all our growth pains, our stepping forth in faith, and the evolution of our church, we continue to be comforted by the familiarity of the worship experience.  Never dull or dry - never rote or insincere, we weekly join together confessing our sins, asking for mercy, and singing our song of praise.  We praise God for bringing us together in a special place called Epiphany. 

Thoughts from Diane Kruse. Diane and her husband Wendell joined Epiphany within the last year.

"But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.” – Luke 8:15.

Several years ago, my family was searching for “good soil” in a house of worship. Because we were experiencing a rough patch in our faith journey, we were looking for a place where the church listened to the word with a good heart as well as a desire to love and serve others.

 
We found an ELCA mission church just east of our home. We visited the chapel where the church worshipped. [For us] hearing the Gospel helps us to see that God should be at the center of our lives. We also remember that Jesus told his disciples to love one another. We love God and we love each other.

In addition to hearing the Gospel, the minister there gave a dynamic sermon showing her faith and conviction. And as I listened to the pastor’s words, I was reminded of Christ’s suffering. I realized in comparison, my problems were very miniscule. After the sermon, we participated in Communion, sharing home baked bread brought by one of the church members. Upon leaving the church, we were greeted warmly by the members. The love we felt sure gave us a feeling of warmth and hospitality! We were invited to visit afterward at coffee fellowship.

The above account took place a year and a half ago and we joined Epiphany about a year ago. Since then, the Epiphany Men’s group has planted a garden on land is being purchased through the help of the ELCA. The vegetables grown are to be shared with the town food bank. Now that is some good soil for growing in more ways than one!

We now feel at home at Epiphany Lutheran Church!

A Grace Odyssey-Spirit of Peace, Richmond Hill, GA

We will be featuring blogs from members of Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church, Richmond Hill, GA, and Epiphany Lutheran Church, Collierville, TN, this week and next. We are excited that both of these mission congregations will be organizing as official congregations of the ELCA at this year's Southeastern Synod Assembly. We hope you enjoy learning more about them as we prepare to celebrate with them!

The life and ministry of Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church has truly been a grace odyssey from the time of its formation in 2001! God stirred within the hearts of people in coastal Georgia the desire for a new ELCA congregation in Richmond Hill. This grassroots effort, led by the Holy Spirit, included the selection of the name “Spirit of Peace” during the fall of 2001. During a time of national anxiety, anger, and alarm, “Spirit of Peace” began to embody for the community our living hope in Christ.

Weekly worship began in February 2002, initially in the sanctuary of the local Episcopal Church, then in the chapel of a funeral home. It was a great location – in the dead center of town! Necessity spurred on creativity as other community facilities and family homes were used for fellowship dinners, Confirmation classes, Bible studies, and Youth gatherings.

Richmond Hill is a highly mobile community and is home for numerous military families [Fort Stewart  and Hunter Army Air Field are 30 minutes away] as well as persons who work in Savannah. For those who are active military, Spirit of Peace has provided spiritual support and encouragement, especially during times of deployment and field training. For life-long Lutherans, Spirit of Peace has been a welcomed new church home. And for the many people who had been church homeless for years, Spirit of Peace has brought the grace of God and the joy of Jesus into their lives in transformational ways.

In 2008 a capital campaign entitled “Raising Spirit Together” launched the congregation toward ambitious goals, including the building of our first church home. Even as the Great Recession impacted our nation, God’s great grace was upon Spirit of Peace. The campaign was a great success, spiritually and financially. The following year, Spirit of Peace received a free gift of four acres of land in a great location – for real! Soon we would adopt a constitution, elect Council members, create a living charter, and secure a construction loan. With gratitude to God, we’ve consistently tithed 10% to mission support for the ELCA.

Now we are home at last - Bishop Gordy properly dedicated our facility to the glory of God on November 13, 2011 – and we will soon officially be what we know in our hearts we already are: a congregation of the Southeastern Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. God’s grace has led us safe thus far; and now we see that God, who helped us build a new church home, is also building among us a new church with new people who are being built together like living stones into a spiritual house!

Thank you for listening to our story – you will see and hear more on June 2^nd in Atlanta at Synod Assembly!