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We pray for
Pastor Louis Tillman and the people of St. Philip's (Caroline Street) as they celebrate their new ministry at the Installation of the Pastor this Saturday;
Pastor Scott Maxwell and the people of St. John (Linthicum) as they celebrate their new ministry at the Installation of the Pastor this Sunday;
Pastor Reggie Price (Augsburg, Garrison Boulevard), who received the church's gift of Ordination to Word and Sacrament Ministry and was installed as Pastor of Augsburg Church on Sunday;
Matthew Brumback, son of Pastor Lee and Tori Brumback (St. Paul, Funkstown), who is anticipating surgery;
Phil Wiener, spouse of Pastor Chas Wiener (Holy Communion, Fallston), recovering from knee surgery;
Pastor Dave Kaplan (retired), recovering after a recent hospitalization;
Ray Revis, father of Pastor Robin Simpson Litton (Assistant to the Bishop), who is receiving palliative care;
Maryanne, sister of Pastor Jeanne Befano (retired), who is receiving hospice care;
Kellie Ketron, daughter of Seminarian Peg Marose, who is recovering after a hospitalization;
the people of Jerusalem (Whiteford) and Christ (Edmonson Avenue) in their time of transition;
the ongoing healing of Pastor Lura Groen, Ann Fries, Noah Nunberg, Pastor Kathy Rohrbach, Marilyn Hembrock, Pastor Frank Harpster, Marlene Auger, Mike Bossier, Tami, Debbie Anderson, Linda Perry, Pastor Greg Fetzer, Cora King, Eric, Greg, Kathy, Elizabeth, Sarah, Caroline Marshall, Kelly, Ron & Grace Schafer, Bishop George Mocko, Pastor Michael Dubsky, Mick Thistle, Pastor Ron Fearer, Grace, Pastor Skip McComas, Eli, Pastor John Ranney, Pastor Partee Boliek, Jeanette, Jason, and Sharon Gohl;
those who are experiencing natural disasters around the globe;
Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Disaster Response;
for the ministry of United Lutheran Seminary and interim President, Dr. Angela Zimmann;
the ongoing healing of the opioid crisis throughout Delaware, Maryland and the nation;
Pastor Dave Oravec (St. Martin's, Annapolis), deployed abroad as a reservist;
Johanna Olson, Manager for Relationships in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa in our Churchwide organization;
all rostered ministers;
and for all who have unspoken needs.
We pray for our partners in ministry around the world: Bishop Katherine Finegan and the Northern Great Lakes Synod; Bishop Idalia Negrón and the Caribbean Synod; Bishop Matti Repo and the Diocese of Tampere, Finland; Archbishop Urmas Viilma and the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church; and Bishop Michael Adam and the Mara Diocese, Tanzania.
We pray for our bishops, Bill Gohl and Elizabeth Eaton.
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Each week, Bishop Gohl will be writing for our synod blog. We'll share a teaser and a link to the blog in the E-Letter. This week on the blog: Back to seminary.
"These are not exhaustive nor are they in any particular order. There are surely more important aspects of Word and Sacrament, Word and Service ministry; these are just things I wish I had known before I began my ordained ministry nearly 20 years ago."
You can read the rest here.
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Bishop Gohl's Christmas Message
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Bishop Gohl's 2019 Christmas Message is now available. You can download the following files for use in your congregation or organization. This message will also be posted on our blog closer to Christmas, and sent to our E-Letter list on Christmas day.
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Leadership grants available
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Our synod's Leadership Team is dedicating funds from the Forward in Faith capital campaign to provide grants for adaptive leadership training. These grants are designed to help leaders and congregations begin the process of changing the culture of church leadership, host church council retreats, and/or attend continuing education programming centered on church leadership and management. Applications are due by December 15, and can be completed online, where you will also find more information about the grant process.
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Our synod's Lutheran Youth Organization Elementary Team is hosting a Parents' Night Out on Saturday, December 7 from 5-8 p.m. at Divinity Lutheran Church (1220 Providence Road, Baltimore, MD 21286). Parents and guardians may drop off their elementary-aged children (siblings up to grade 8 are welcome) for pizza, snacks, holiday-themed crafts and games, and a showing of the popular animated film about a magical railway adventure to the North Pole. Towson Town Center is located two miles from the church, and there are abundant shopping and dining options nearby. There is no cost to attend, but online registration is required by Wednesday, December 4. Each child attending must also have a completed permission and release form, signed by the parents/guardians, with them when they are dropped off. If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Julie Stecker. For more information, you can visit the Facebook event or our website.
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Closing of Jerusalem Lutheran Church
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Earlier this month, the people of Jerusalem Lutheran Church (717 Wheeler School Road, Whiteford, MD 21160) voted to conclude their ministry as a congregation. The last Sunday service will be on Sunday, November 24 at 10:30 a.m. A Service of Holy Closure will be held on Saturday, December 7 at 3 p.m., with a luncheon beforehand
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Closing of Christ Lutheran Church
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Earlier this month, the people of Christ Lutheran Church (5700 Edmondson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21228) voted to conclude their ministry as a congregation. The last Sunday service will be on Sunday, December 1 at 10:30 a.m. A Service of Holy Closure will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 4 p.m., with a reception following.
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Upcoming Congregational Events
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St. Paul's Lutheran Church (701 S College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713) will host "Ring, Christmas Bells!" on Sunday, November 24 at 4 p.m. The concert is presented by the Capital Ringers, Delmarva's community handbell ensemble. Admission is $15 per person; free to youth under 18. Tickets can be purchased online.
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Braddock Lutheran Church (6938 North Clifton Road, Frederick, MD 21702) will host a Thanksgiving Eve Service of Gratefulness on Wednesday, November 27 at 7 p.m. All welcome. If you have any questions, please email Gail Wilson, OSSD.
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St. Martin's Lutheran Church (1120 Spa Road, Annapolis, MD, 21403) will host their annual Advent/Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. on the first Sunday in Advent, December 1. For further information, please contact Tyler Horton, Director of Music Ministry, at 410-263-4723.
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All Saints Lutheran Church (4215 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21218) will present a live nativity featuring narrative and song by the All Saints choir on Saturday, December 14 from 5-7 p.m. There will be a stable animals petting zoo with a hot chocolate and cookie reception. Admission is free. For more information, please call 410-889-8458.
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First Lutheran Church (3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042) will host their next Faith & Film night on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Center, showing a poignant story and film of justice and faith, love and hate, examining the healing power of forgiveness. The movie is shown with closed captions and is free. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, you can download the flier.
First will also host their annual Advent/Christmas Concert and Carol-Sing featuring their very own choirs and guest musicians on Sunday, December 8, at 3 p.m. A reception will follow.
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Calvary Lutheran Church (16151 Old Frederick Road, Mt Airy, MD 21771) will hold their Christmas Market on Friday, November 22 from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Lunch and a crab cake dinner will be available. There will also be a white elephant table, a silent auction, local vendors, cheese balls, baked goods, and a visit by St. Nick. For more information, please call the church office at 410-489-5280.
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St. Stephen's Lutheran Church (1301 N Broom Street, Wilmington DE 19806) hosts "Calypso Connections: Traditions from Trinidad" featuring Christopher Nichols, clarinet, and Joshua Watkins, percussion on Friday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. The performance includes a newly commissioned work by Texas composer Daniel Adams, a recent work for clarinet and steelpan by Jamie Whitmarsh, and a piece called "Quiet Exchange" by Stephen Chatman. The program also includes a set of calypsos. The concert is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be provided. For more information, you can download the flier.
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Epiphany Lutheran Church (4301 Raspe Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206) invites you to their annual Christmas bazaar on Saturday, November 23 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be attic treasures, crafts, jewelry, baked goods and vendor tables. Breakfast and lunch will be sold. Photos with Santa will be taken from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and the Christmas train garden will open that day. There is free parking in the lot at the corner of Marluth and Raspe Avenues. For more information, you can download the flier.
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St. Philip's Lutheran Church (501 N Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21205) will host their gospel choir in concert on Sunday, November 24 at 3 p.m. as they celebrate 44 years of this music ministry. There will be food and fellowship after the concert. For more information, you can call 410-732-8070 or download the flier.
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Zion Lutheran Church (400 E Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21202) will host their annual Christkindlmarkt on Saturday, November 30 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Sunday, December 1 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.). There will be German and American arts and crafts vendors, a train garden, a German Christmas store featuring imported products, German food for purchase, and more. Admission is $2 for everyone over the age of 12, and your admission ticket enters you into a drawing for prizes. For more information, you can download the flier.
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Peoples' Community Lutheran Church (6200 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239) will host an HIV awareness symposium on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The sessions will include audience participation, discussion, and question and answer sessions. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and registration is free. For more information, you can download the flier.
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On Saturday, December 7, at 7 p.m. the Bach in Baltimore choir, soloists, and orchestra will be presenting Handel's "Messiah" at First Lutheran Church (3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042). Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
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Youth + Family Ministries
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Mark your calendars for RoadTrip, our high school youth event, where we'll be exploring "Can I ask that?" again. RoadTrip is January 24-26 in Ocean City, Maryland. Registration is now available online! You can also download the flier to share about this event with others.
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Installation of the Rev. Louis Tillman
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The Rev. Louis R. Tillman IV will be installed as Pastor of St. Philip's Evangelical Lutheran Church (501 N Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21205) on Saturday, November 23 at 11 a.m. Rostered ministers and members of the Order of St. Stephen are invited to vest and process (ready by 10:40 a.m.), the color of the day is green.
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Installation of the Rev. Scott Maxwell
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The Rev. Scott Maxwell will be installed as the Senior Pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church (300 W Maple Road, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090) on Sunday, November 24 at 4 p.m. Rostered ministers and members of the Order of St. Stephen are invited to vest and process (ready by 3:40 p.m.), the color of the day is white. There will be a reception following the service.
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Bishop's Leadership Retreat survey
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Our synod's Leadership Team wants the Bishop's Leadership Retreat to be a blessing for all rostered ministers. If you are a Delaware-Maryland Synod rostered minister who did not attend the retreat this year, please fill out this brief survey to help improve the event.
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Advent Family Gathering at Mar-Lu-Ridge
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Mar-Lu-Ridge (3200 Mar Lu Ridge Road, Jefferson, MD 21755) will host their Advent Family Gathering on Sunday, December 1 from 1-4 p.m. in Agape Hall. There will be hot cocoa by the campfire, crafts for all ages, fresh-cut greens for wreaths, and carols in the chapel. All are welcome! Please RSVP by email or to 800-238-9974. The cost is $7 for adults, $3 for youth, and free for children under 3.
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The Central Maryland Ecumenical Council will host the 17th annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Awards Breakfast on Monday, November 25 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Ednor II Apartments at Stadium Place (1050 E 33rd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218). The theme is "Journey to a Healthier Environment for All," and the CMEC Interfaith Leadership Award and the Rev. Bryce W. Shoemaker Ecumenical Leadership Award will be presented. A donation of $25 is requested, and can be given online. If you would prefer to pay at the door, please RSVP by email or call 443-703-6498.
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Spirited Generosity event
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On November 20 and 21, our synod will host a free national live-streamed stewardship event at our synod office (575 S Charles Street, Suite 202, Baltimore, MD 21201). The Ecumenical Stewardship Center is offering this national conference focused on Spirited Generosity: Offering Vitality in the 21st Century. Receiving offerings has been an ongoing part of the church's story, beginning with the earliest scripture texts. This event will explore the history and theology of the offering, its spiritual significance, and how faith communities can continue to make congregational giving a vital practice in 21st-century culture. There will be four plenary sessions and discussion time throughout the day on Wednesday and Q&A time with the four speakers on Thursday morning. For more information and to sign up for this free training, email Karen Kretschmann, our synod's Associate for Generosity, with your name, email, phone, and any dietary restrictions or special needs. You may brown bag it or we will order lunch to be delivered on Thursday. You can also download the flier to share this event with others.
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Tuesday, November 19
AM - Candidacy Committee
PM - appointments outside the office
EVE - congregation council, Good Shepherd (Bel Air)
Wednesday, November 20
AM - pericope Bible study
PM - Joyanne to the dentist
EVE - preach & preside, Good Shepherd (Bel Air); Racial Justice Ministry Team meeting, Good Shepherd (Bel Air)
Thursday, November 21
AM - Conference of Deans
EVE - Mar-Lu-Ridge board meeting; congregation council, St. Luke (Dundalk); congregation council, St. John (Sweet Air)
Friday, November 22
Sabbath
Saturday, November 23
AM - Installation, Pastor Louis Tillman, St. Philip's (Caroline Street)
Sunday, November 24
AM - 175th Anniversary, St. John's Leisters (Westminster)
PM - Installation, Pastor Scott Maxwell, St. John (Linthicum)
Monday, November 25
AM - mobile office, Baltimore North
PM - office appointments
Tuesday, November 26
AM - staff meeting
PM - office appointments
Wednesday, November 27
AM - pericope Bible study
EVE - preach, Good Shepherd (Bel Air)
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Each week, we'll share some of the planned Sunday visits by members of our synod staff. If you would like to schedule a member of the staff to visit your congregation, please contact them directly.
The Rev. Dr. Amsalu Geleta, Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Mission
- Sunday, November 24 - preach at Mara Evangelical, Baltimore
- Sunday, December 1 - Christ, Catonsville
The Rev. Robin Simpson Litton, Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility and Leadership
- Sunday, November 24 (morning) - pending
- Sunday, November 24 (afternoon) - Installation of Pastor Scott Maxwell at St. John's, Linthicum
- Sunday, December 1 (morning) - worshipping and meeting with the councils of St. Abrahams and St. Peter, Hampstead
- Sunday, December 8 (morning) - call vote at St. Peter's, Ocean City
- Sunday, December 8 (afternoon) - Installation of Pastor Matt Beers at Living Water, Stevensville
- Sunday, December 29 (morning) - call vote at St. Mark's, Wolfsville
- Sunday, December 29 (afternoon) - Installation of Pastor Greg Hartman at South Mountain Shared Ministry
- Sunday, January 5 (afternoon) - Installation of Pastor Dave Simpson at Good Shepherd, Frederick
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Here are a few of our upcoming events:
November 20-21: Spirited Generosity event
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Let's talk about debt, baby! This is a poignant message from Rozella Haydee White about debt and shame and a need for safe space in our congregations to discuss these issues. Encouraging our congregations to offer ways to have conversations regarding finances, spending, effects of marketing on one's identity, at all stages of life.
We are Church Together! ELCA members live out this message daily whether they're gathering for worship, service, fellowship or action. Through generous gifts that start in congregational offering plates, our synods and our churchwide organization do ministry in places where no one person or congregation could go on their own. When a congregation invests in ministry through Mission Support, it commits to the work of the church around the block and around the world. We are church together! We often ask, "Where Does Your Offering Go?" Here is an important video that showcases how Mission Support dollars flow from the offering plate to synods to the churchwide organization, advancing ministry in each expression of the ELCA.
With many of you in the midst of your fall stewardship work, this article by Pastor Charles Lane provides an important perspective on where we have been as stewardship leaders and offers encouragement for our work in the future.
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The classified ads listed below are available on our website. To submit an ad, please use the form at the bottom of the webpage.
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Open Positions
Maintenance and Facilities Staff
Contemporary Worship Leader
Administrative Assistant
Youth Minister
Director of Student Ministries
Administrative Assistant
Church Music and Choral Director
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Items Available
Grand Piano Dolly
Advent Wreath
Choir robes (2)
Folding chair rack
Piano
Flags
Parsonage for rent
Gulbransen Organ
Portable Speakers
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