|
We pray for
Pastor Dave Oravec (St. Martin's, Annapolis), who has returned home from deployment! We rejoice in his safe homecoming and his return to ministry at St. Martin's. We also give thanks for Pastor Bill Gilroy and Chaplain Paula Thistle for their work at St. Martin's during Pastor Oravec's military service;
Pastor Eric Campbell and the people of Grace (Lutherville), as they begin a new ministry together this weekend; prayers also for the people of Peoples' Community (Loch Raven) as Pastor Campbell transitions out of that ministry;
Pastor Frank Harpster and the people of St. Peter's (Ocean City). St. Peter's called Pastor Harpster on Sunday, ending Pastor Harpster's Synod Council term call and beginning a new season of ministry;
Pastor John Ranney (retired), recovering from a mild heart attack;
Marie Barber, spouse of Pastor Bernard Barber (All Saints, Loch Raven Boulevard), at home after a brief hospital stay for gastritis;
Elaine Wagenfueher (CLAIM Coordinator), at home after a brief hospital stay for pneumonia;
Autumn Simpson, daughter of Pastor Dave and Karen Simpson (Good Shepherd, Frederick), recovering at home after back surgery;
Matthew Brumback, son of Pastor Lee and Tori Brumback (St. Paul, Funkstown), who is anticipating surgery;
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 family and friends of Pastor Rodney Gatzke (Pastoral Counseling Services of Maryland), who died in Christ on November 22. A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, December 16 at 1 p.m. and will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter (130 W Seminary Avenue, Lutherville, MD 21093).
the ongoing healing of Carol Kelley, Kellie Ketron, Pastor Kathy Rohrbach, Marlene Auger, Mike Bossier, Tami, Linda Perry, Cora King, Joshua, Eric, Greg, Kathy, Elizabeth, Sarah, Caroline Marshall, Kelly, Ron & Grace Schafer, Bishop George Mocko, Pastor Michael Dubsky, Grace, Pastor Skip McComas, Pastor Partee Boliek, Jeanette, Jason, and Bill & Sharon Gohl, Sr.;
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;
Hellen Rios Carrillo, Senior Administrative Assistant for Latin America and the Caribbean 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.
|
|
|
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: Rejoice!
"As a kid, and in my liturgical muscle memory, I always looked forward to the Third Sunday in Advent with its rose candle. It was that wonderful moment in the Advent journey with its gospel of end times and repentance where St. Paul would break in with the admonition to rejoice."
You can read the rest here.
|
|
|
As you're planning your New Years' Eve celebrations, make sure you have a computer or mobile device nearby when the clock strikes midnight, because Mar-Lu-Ridge's summer camp registration opens on January 1, 2020 at 12 a.m. Check out the summer brochure to decide which weeks you want to register for and get excited for Summer 2020!
|
|
Young adult weekend service submersion
|
|
|
|
Mar-Lu-Ridge has an exciting opportunity coming this winter for young adults ages 18-30. January 10-12, 2020, they will host a weekend service submersion that includes serving, learning, and discerning together. The cost is $75 per person with full and partial scholarships available. You can learn more and register online. Please contact Amy Sowers for more information and download the flier to share this opportunity with others.
|
|
Sabbath Day at Mar-Lu-Ridge
|
|
|
|
On Thursday, January 16, Mar-Lu-Ridge (3200 Mar-Lu-Ridge Road, Jefferson, MD 21755) will host a Sabbath Day from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. All pastors, deacons, vicars, and youth workers are invited to attend this day of rest and renewal. The event is free and includes lunch. There will be reflection time and lots of space for fellowship or a place apart if you prefer. Please RSVP by email or by calling 800-238-9974. You can also learn more online.
|
|
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.
|
|
Upcoming Congregational Events
|
|
|
|
The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter (419 Cedarcroft Road, Baltimore, MD 21212) will host Ensemble Galilei's Christmas/Solstice Concert on Friday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature Liz Knowles on fiddle, Sue Richards on Celtic harp, Jackie Moran on bodhran and banjo, Preston Wilde Howard on Uilleann pipes, Irish flutes and whistle, and Carolyn Surrick on viola da gamba. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. For more information, you can download the flier.
|
|
|
Chapel Lutheran Church (11109 Daysville Road, Frederick, MD 21701) will present their "Songs of the Season" concert on Sunday, December 15. The event will begin with worship at 10 a.m. After the service, there will be a potluck luncheon and the concert will begin around 1 p.m. You can learn more by downloading the flier.
|
|
|
|
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (1515 Emmorton Road, Bel Air, MD 21014) Social Justice Ministry Team will host a film screening and discussion on Friday, January 10, 2020 in Celebration Hall (behind building; door is located up the ramp to the right), based on a movie about a city of anthropomorphic animals where a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 6:30 (PG; 1 hour, 50 minutes). Snacks and drinks will be provided. Folding chairs will be available, but you may bring a blanket, folding chair or bean bag chair if desired. Snow date if needed will be Friday, January 31, 2020 at the same time.
|
|
|
Christus Victor Lutheran Church (9833 Harford Road, Carney, MD 21234) will host a Blue Christmas service on Saturday, December 21 at 4 p.m. Christmas can be a time of sadness for some and for many different reasons, so this service will be a time to express your feelings and find hope in the birth of Jesus, the Christ child.
|
|
|
|
Beloved Community Multicultural Congregation (held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042) is hosting its annual New Year's Eve service on Tuesday, December 31 at 9:30 p.m. The event begins with a covered dish dinner and moves into worship at 11 p.m. All are welcome. To learn more visit the Facebook page, download the flier, or contact Pastor Surekha Nelavala.
|
|
|
Epiphany Lutheran Church (9122 Sybert Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043) has a Fontanini Nativity village on display to the public from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sundays through January 5. Special group viewings can be arranged by calling 410-746-7494. For more information, you can download the flier.
|
|
|
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.
St. Paul's will also host the New Ark Chorale in concert on Saturday, December 21 at 3 p.m. The program will include "Gloria in Excelsis Deo!" for choir, brass quintet, timpani, and percussion by Michael John Trotta. Tickets are available at the door for $15.
St. Paul's will present its annual "Sounds of the Season" concert on Sunday, January 5 at 4 p.m. The program will feature Robert Hobby's carol service, "Holy Light." for choir, handbells, organ and chamber orchestra. The concert is free and open to the public, and a freewill offering will be received benefiting St. Paul's Friends of Music fund. For more information about this and other concerts at St. Paul's, you can call 302-368-0064 or 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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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?
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Tuesday, December 10
AM - staff meeting & chapel
PM - personal errands
EVE - congregation council, St. Peter's (Eastpoint)
Wednesday, December 11
AM - pericope Bible study
PM - Candidacy Committee meeting
EVE - Advent midweek worship
Thursday, December 12
AM - leadership meeting, Peoples' Community (Baltimore
PM - Deans meeting & Christmas luncheon
EVE - congregation council, St. Luke (Dundalk)
Friday, December 13
Sabbath
Saturday, December 14
AM - coaching training, St. John (Parkville)
PM - LYO Advent Party, Our Shepherd (Severna Park)
EVE - Christmas pageant, St. Paul (Lutherville)
Sunday, December 15
AM - preach, Grace (Hockessin)
Monday, December 16
AM - conference calls
PM - family Christmas luncheon
EVE - meeting, Bishop of Metro D. C. Synod
Tuesday, December 17
AM - mobility meeting
PM - staff Christmas luncheon
|
|
|
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 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 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
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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
Youth Minister
Director of Student Ministries
Administrative Assistant
Church Music and Choral Director
|
Items Available
Grand Piano Dolly
Choir robes (2)
Folding chair rack
Piano
Flags
Parsonage for rent
Gulbransen Organ
Portable Speakers
|
|
|
|
|
