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News from the Delaware-Maryland Synod
We pray for
the family and friends of Pastor Rodney Gatzke (Pastoral Counseling Services of Maryland), who died on November 22. His obituary is forthcoming;
Pastor Hugo Schroeder III and the people of Jerusalem (Whiteford), as they gather this Saturday to celebrate the congregation's ministry and commemorate the closure of that ministry;
Pastor Matthew Beers, who will be installed as Pastor of Living Water, Stevensville, this Sunday;
Matthew Brumback, son of Pastor Lee and Tori Brumback (St. Paul, Funkstown), who is anticipating surgery;
Pastor Greg Fetzer (Good Shepherd, Bel Air), who has returned to work after medical leave;
Pastor Connie Miller (Holy Trinity, Laurel), who has returned to work after bereavement leave;
Ray Revis, father of Pastor Robin Simpson Litton (Assistant to the Bishop), who is receiving hospice care;
Maryanne, sister of Pastor Jeanne Befano (retired), who is receiving hospice care;
the people of Jerusalem (Whiteford) and Christ (Edmonson Avenue) in their time of transition;
the ongoing healing of Pastor Lura Groen, Kellie Ketron, Phil Wiener, Pastor Dave Kaplan, Pastor Kathy Rohrbach, Pastor Frank Harpster, Marlene Auger, Mike Bossier, Tami, Linda Perry, Pastor Greg Fetzer, Cora King, Joshua, Eric, Greg, Kathy, Elizabeth, Sarah, Caroline Marshall, Kelly, Ron & Grace Schafer, Bishop George Mocko, Pastor Michael Dubsky, 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;
Samantha Quintanilla, Program Director for International Grants Financial 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 SynodBishop 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.
Sign up for Bishop Gohl's weekly reflections and prayers
Submit an announcement to the E-Letter
The Bishop Blogs

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: On Advent bickering.

"They say confession is good for the soul, and so I confess to you: I am already tired of 'Advent bickering.'"

You can read the rest here.

#GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. You can read more about our synod's #GivingTuesday initiative in this letter from the Rev. David Shank, our Assistant to the Bishop for Donor Relations and Development. You can give via our Facebook fundraiser (which has already raised more than $2,000!) or online. Thank you for your generosity!

Installation of Pastor Matthew Beers

Bishop Gohl will install Pastor Matthew Beers at Living Water (Stevensville), which meets in Shand Hall at Christ Church (830 Romancoke Road, Stevensville, MD 21666) at a festive service on Sunday, December 8 at 4 p.m. Please join us as this mission congregation enters a new season of renewal and rebirth! At the pastor's request, we will not vest for the liturgy.

HIV awareness symposum

Peoples' Community Lutheran Church (6200 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239) will host an HIV awareness symposium on behalf of our synod this Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The sessions will include audience participation, discussion, and question and answer sessions. Topics to be addressed are the ELCA Strategy on AIDS, faith community response to the AIDS epidemic, stigma and discrimination (to include HIV criminalization), and Fast Track Vision 2030 (Ending AIDS campaign). Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and registration is free. For more information, you can download the flier.

Young adult Christmas party

Join young adults from across our Delaware-Maryland Synod on Saturday, December 21 from 6-10 p.m. at Divinity Lutheran Church (1220 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286) to celebrate Christmas with a meal, games and activities, and our favorite Christmas hymns. You can learn more about the Christmas Party by clicking here or by emailing the Practice Discipleship team. You can also share this event with others by downloading the flier.

Holy Closure

Jerusalem Lutheran Church (717 Wheeler School Road, Whiteford, MD 21160) will gather one last time this Saturday, December 7, for lunch at noon and a service of Word and Sacrament at 2 p.m. Rostered Ministers and Members of the Order of St. Stephen are invited to vest and process, by 1:45 p.m. The color of the day is blue.

Annual meeting report cover

Still planning your annual meeting? Consider using the 2019 Annual Report Cover from the ELCA, which includes a message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, an opening liturgy, and more. It can be downloaded here or from ELCA Stewardship.

Holiday office hours and E-Letters

The synod office will be closed Tuesday, December 24-Wednesday, January 1 for the Christmas holiday, reopening on Thursday, January 2.

Please note there will not be an E-Letter on December 24 or 31. Any announcements that you would like posted before January 7 should be submitted for the December 10 or 17 E-Letters. As a reminder, all E-Letter announcements should be submitted online.

Parents' Night Out

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.

Upcoming Congregational Events
St. Paul's Lutheran Church (701 S College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713) will host "A Flute Tootin' Yule" on Sunday, December 15 at 4 p.m. This concert by the First State Flute Choir, in residence at St. Paul's, is free and open to the public. For more information about this and other concerts at St. Paul's, you can download the flier.
Immanuel Lutheran Church (3184 Church Street, Manchester, MD 21102) will host a holiday concert with carol singing on Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm. The cost of admission is a non-perishable food or hygiene item, baby wipes/items or personal items, and a free-will offering will be collected. All donations will benefit the North East Social Action Program and Shepherd's Staff. The concert will feature local church choirs, soloists, and singers from the Masterworks Chorale of Carroll County directed by Michael Holmes. Tickets may be reserved here. For more information, you can download the flier.
The Hafenmusik: Music by the Harbor concert series at Christ Lutheran Church (701 S Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21230) presents "Sounds of the Season" on Sunday, December 15 at 2:30 p.m. Christ Church's organist, Daniel Aune, teams up with tenor Vijay Ghosh for a program of music that highlights the journey from Advent to Christmas. The program includes organ and vocal music featuring holiday favorites, and there might be a carol sing, too. Free parking is available in the church garage, Arrow Parking, located at 11 E Lee Street. A reception will follow. For more information contact Daniel Aune by email or at 410-752-7179, or download the flier.
St. Peter's Lutheran Church (10301 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD) Son & Sand Retreat Center is accepting inquiries and/or requests for dates in 2020 to come on retreat for mid-week, weekend, and weekly stays. The retreat center is available for youth, adults, mission trips, confirmation retreats, and congregational councils. If your group is interested in coming on retreat, please contact Paul Grahe by email or at 443-604-8068. You can also learn more and submit a reservation request online.
 
 
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church (1301 N Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19806) will host an Art Loop Wilmington reception on Friday, December 6 from 5-8 p.m. for Artist and SciArt Educator Dolores Bartholomew's award-winning "Meanings of the Heart Art" series. Using the holiday season as her inspiration, Dolores explores the theme of traditions and memories and how essential they are for creating lasting bonds of connection among us. For more information, you can download the flier.            
Evangelical Lutheran Church (31 E Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701) will hold their annual winter market on Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. to benefit the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership of Frederick. Lunch will be available to purchase as well as crafts, jewelry, a silent auction, vendors, and more. Vendors will be in Traver Center and all else in Trunk Hall. You can call the office at 301-663-6361 or visit the website for more information.
Woodsboro Evangelical Lutheran Church (101 S Main Street, Woodsboro, MD 21798) will host a holiday bazaar on Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. On December 8, the church will be hosting its third annual free community Christmas concert at 6 p.m. There will be refreshments and a free-will offering to support the Glade Valley Community Services Food Bank. For more information about the holiday bazaar, you can download the flier.
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.
First Lutheran Church (3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042) will 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.
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.
Youth + Family Ministries

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.

Leading a Culture of Year-Round Generosity event

On Saturday, January 18, 2020, our synod will host the first of a three-session training event on Leading a Culture of Year-Round Generosity: Empowering Congregational Generosity & Stewardship teams, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The training will be offered in a centralized location, to be determined by January 7. Come collaborate with congregations across our Delaware-Maryland Synod and join the Rev. Scott McKenzie from Horizons Stewardship as we dig deeper into applying year-round generosity practices and creating a tangible plan for each congregation. We will also create congregational accountability partners to support and learn from each other between training sessions (offered on Saturdays 4-6 weeks apart). You can learn more and register online, and you can download the flier to share this opportunity with others.

Connected in Christ event

Our synod's Connectedness Team will host "Connected in Christ," a day of worship and workshops on topics centering around our work of discipleship, communication, leadership and connectedness on Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church (905 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228). This day will feel much like our past PIF/PIV events and will include three sections of time to attend a variety of workshops, as well as fellowship, display tables, and time to connect with others across our synod. The day will end with worship lead by Bishop Gohl. The $10 cost includes morning refreshments, lunch, childcare, and fellowship. You can register a group of up to six people online. For more information, you can download the flier.

Our synod ministries and programs are invited to share displays and/or materials. Please contact Claudia Harrington if you are interested. Space is limited. 

Workshops will include the following to choose from that day:

  • DISCIPLESHIP: From "At-Risk" to "Risking for Mission"
  • DISCIPLESHIP: The Power of Listening
  • COMMUNICATION: Telling the Story of Faith and Transformation
  • COMMUNICATION: Leveling Up: Free Digital Tools for Ministry
  • LEADERSHIP: Leading in God's Rapidly Changing World
  • LEADERSHIP: Equipping the Saints for Ministry
  • CONNECTEDNESS: Integrating Care for Creation in Worship and Faith Practices
  • CONNECTEDNESS: Engaging in our ELCA Advocacy
  • CONNECTEDNESS: Radical Inclusivity & Building Beloved Community + We Are an RIC Synod. What Next?
Energy efficiency for Delaware congregations

Congregations in Delaware can connect with Energize Delaware to receive an energy audit for your church and help with implementing solutions. Low-interest loans are available, even for solar panels. You can get more information by calling 302-883-3048 or by visiting the website.

Bishop Gohl's Christmas Message

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.

Leadership grants available

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.

Bishop Gohl's Schedule
Tuesday, December 3
AM - mobility meeting
PM - leadership team, Jerusalem (Whiteford)
EVE - campus ministry visit, University of Delaware

Wednesday, December 4
AM - pericope Bible study
PM - rostered minister appointments
EVE - campus ministry visit, UMBC

Thursday, December 5
AM - leadership team, Christ (Edmondson Avenue)
Lunch - First Call Theological Education group
PM - rostered minister appointments
EVE - Advent midweek, St. Mark's (St. Paul Street)

Friday, December 6
Sabbath

Saturday, December 7
AM - HIV/AIDS Symposium, Peoples' Community (Baltimore)
PM - preach, Jerusalem (Whiteford)

Sunday, December 8
AM - preach & preside, St. Mark's (Hampstead)
PM - preach & install, Living Water (Stevensville)

Monday, December 9
AM - office appointments
PM - office appointments

Tuesday, December 10
AM - staff meeting & chapel
PM - staff appointments
Where are they?

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, December 14 - preach at New Light, Dundalk
  • Sunday, December 21 - teach at a Bay Area OELC, California
  • Sunday, December 29 - preach at Salem, Catonsville
The Rev. Robin Simpson Litton, Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility and Leadership
  • 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
Karen Kretschmann, Associate for Generosity
Upcoming Events
Here are a few of our upcoming events:

December 7: Parents' Night Out
January 18: Year-Round Generosity event
January 24-26: RoadTrip high school youth event
February 8: Connected in Christ event
Good StewardTips
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.
Classifieds
The classified ads listed below are available on our website. To submit an ad, please use the form at the bottom of the webpage.
Open Positions
Maintenance and Facilities Staff
Contemporary Worship Leader
Administrative Assistant
Youth Minister
Director of Student Ministries
Administrative Assistant
Church Music and Choral Director
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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