* Lenten devotions
* Lutheran Disaster Response
* Synod Assembly
* Call for Nominations
|
|
* Epiphany Devotion Series
* Ministry Enrichment
*
Regional Youth Gathering
* Camp Tomah Shinga Youth Retreats
* Parochial Reports
|
|
|
|
Our Lenten Journey – Traveling the Way of Jesus
Bless now, O God the journey that all your people make,
the path through noise and silence, the way of give and take.
The trail is found in dessert and winds the mountain round,
then leads beside still waters, the road where faith is found.
(ELW 326)
|
Lent is often described as journey rather than just a season. It is a journey that begins on Ash Wednesday in which we are invited to the
discipline of Lent—self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love—strengthened by the gifts of word and sacrament. Let us continue
our journey through these forty days
to the great Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The forty days of this Lenten journey are modeled from story of Jesus’ journey into the wilderness where he was tempted by devil, ministered by the angels, as he prepared to begin his public ministry as God’s anointed one.
During our Lenten journey this year, I would like to invite us as the Central States Synod, to
travel the way of Jesus.
I would like us to explore the question:
What is the way of Jesus?
And to grow in our commitment to travel this way as individuals, communities and as synod, which we know means “walking together.” How can we walk together as we travel this way of Jesus?
As we journey together, I invite you to:
Engage in daily Scripture readings, always asking the question – how does this story, this teaching reveal the “way of Jesus?” Many congregations have developed their own daily readings or devotions for Lent. Or there is a resource for daily Lenten devotions from Augsburg Fortress entitled “
Grace Unbound
,” You can order it
augsburgfortress.org
. This is what the synod staff will be using. Make Scripture your constant companion on this journey.
Keep a journal where you write down what Scripture has revealed to you about the “way of Jesus” and where you write down where you have seen and experienced the way of Jesus in your daily life.
Choose a devotional book that can help expanse your sight and insight into this way of Jesus. I am going to read a book recommended by my pastor,
Following Jesus: Finding our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety
,
by Henri Nouwen.
Participate in mid-week Lenten services, either at your congregation or maybe take a Wednesday to travel to another congregation!
Walk each day, if at all possible, even if it is just for a short distance, ideally outside, using the time of walking as a time of prayer and reflection. Many of us, myself included, have trouble just sitting in silent prayer but when I walk, especially out in nature, my whole body is open to conversation, listening and speaking with God.
Each Wednesday during Lent, I will be sharing a brief devotion in which I reflect on how I see and experience the way of Jesus in Scripture. I’ll also be
posting pictures
and brief reflections as I walk/travel/journey through these days of Lent and encourage you to also share your pictures and brief reflections with me. I look forward to this journey with you.
|
Rev. Susan Candea, Bishop
|
|
|
Prayers
15
I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15
We give you thanks, almighty and gracious God, for raising up among us faithful servants
for the ministry of word and sacrament, especially for
Rev. Dave Whetter
(2/24/2007) and for
Rev. Karen Scherer
(3/1/1997) as we celebrate the anniversary of their ordinations.
Bless
Rev. Dan Baldwin
and his installation
to shepherd Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Kansas. Be with him and all of his siblings in Christ as they gather February 20 at
Trinity Lutheran
.
Amen.
|
|
|
|
The work of Lutheran Disaster Response has been an important part of the overall mission of the ELCA for many years. The Central States Synod is no stranger to the impact of disasters and will continue to be regularly impacted by disasters in the future. Thanks to a grant provided by Churchwide to pilot a program, the synod had an opportunity to bring a fulltime disaster position onto the synod staff in September 2019. After 2 and a half years a decision was made with Bishop Candea, Ben Perrin (Director of Disaster Response for the Synod), and John Pyron (Program Director for LDR-US) to end the position at the end of February 2022.
On March 1, 2022, Ben Perrin will transition to working directly with LDR-US to help aid in multiple projects, including developing and implementing new disaster-based trainings that will be used across the LDR network. At that time Ben will no longer be on the Synod staff.
Feel free to reach out to Ben Perrin,
Ben@MidwestDisaster.com,
if you have questions about how you or your congregation can still be involved in the work of Lutheran Disaster Response going forward.
|
|
|
|
"Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life."
The Earth Charter - The Way Forward
Registration Now Open
|
|
|
This year we have just four synod council positions on the ballot during assembly, the majority of which are lay positions. Additionally, we have two open council positions to be filled by appointment. These are also lay positions.
while we seek to fill the synod council with voices representing all parts of the synod, we cannot do so without your help. Please consider who know that would be a good nominee for the following:
-
Female Lay, Person of Color
-
Deacon
-
Youth/Young Adult
-
Male Lay, At-Large
Nominations forms
are now available. You may contact
Pat Bjuland
, Nominations Chair with questions or nominations.
Also consider these open positions and contact
Bishop Candea
with any recommendations:
-
Male Lay, Western Kansas
-
Lay Female, Youth/Young Adult
|
|
|
|
This week we share a message from Marquis Stewart, an educator from Ballwin, MO who joined the Racial Justice Team out of his desire to be a part of the solution.
|
|
|
The Epiphany season has been designated as a “Season of Global Awareness” in the
Central States Synod. Our Companion Synod Team is sharing devotions for the season. Much like the Magi that carried gifts and enlightenment to a foreign land, we invite you to consider the gifts that give and receive from our companions synods.
Read the Devotions here
|
|
|
|
Beginning in March, the Central States Synod will be offering a new series:
"Ministry Enrichment."
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
4th Thursday of each month
Topics will vary from month to month. Some sessions will appeal more to clergy, while others may be of interest to your church's lay leadership. Everyone is welcome and we encourage you to share this resource with those that may be interested.
-
March 24: Using Google Workspace (docs, drive, sheets, & slides)
-
April 28: Conflict: Recognizing when it's dangerous, and dealing with all types.
-
May 26: Step by step communications & undoing triangles
-
June 23: Constitutions: Keeping them Up-to-date
|
|
|
|
No Coast Regional Youth Gathering
In place of the ELCA National Youth Gathering,
Camp Tomah Shinga
has opened their doors for a 5-day youth gathering July 23rd-27th. This will be a week immersed in the beauty of Creation surrounded by all of God’s children, and serving the surrounding communities.
Partnering with the
Central States Synod
and
Bethany College
, we are excited to serve the central states (and beyond) for an alternative ELCA National Youth Gathering. With special guest speakers, high ropes, service projects and much more, this is an event your youth group won't want to miss! Food, housing, service projects, and events are all included in the $450 price."
Additional details will be coming soon. If you have questions, contact
Jacob Spilker.
|
|
|
Forms A & C Due February 15
|
|
|
|
To better understand how the Good News is being lived out across this church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) asks each congregation annually to share information about its ministries, participants, and stewardship. Even though this cannot provide a full view of your congregation's richness and vitality, it provides a way to reflect on the past year and to plan for what God is calling us to next.
|
|
|
The information you provide will allow those in the churchwide organization to better understand how the ELCA is changing, to see different types of growth in a variety of contexts, and to discover opportunities for new life. The synod will use this information to understand trends both in individual congregations and in the synod as a whole, and to help develop strategies for listening and service.
|
|
|
|
Training of Conflict Transformation Trainers (TCTT)
Presented by a team led by Dan & Sharon Buttry
August 2-11, 2022 (in-person)
Central Seminary
Shawnee, KS
|
|
|
The intensive 10-day TCTT workshop will focus on the following topics: conflict analysis, conflict resolution, personal conflict styles, dealing with diversity in conflict, power issues, nonviolent struggle, strategizing for campaigns, trauma and trauma healing, reconciliation, practical issues for peacemaking over the long-haul, and experiential education principles, methodologies and practices. The training will have a specifically Christian focus, utilizing Bible studies for many of the topics. The participants will also engage in community spiritual practices during the training period. All the training will be done in an experiential education mode. The TCTT is what we call the “grad school of the university of the streets.”
[
More information and Registration
]
|
|
|
Upcoming Staff Travel and Events:
|
|
|
February 17:
February 19 & 20:
February 20:
February 22:
February 27:
March 2-5:
|
|
Diversity & Anti-Racism Training
Peace, Joplin, MO
Trinity, Lawrence, KS - Rev. Dan Baldwin installation
Diversity & Anti-Racism Training
Living Christ, Florissant, MO
Conference of Bishops - Chicago, Il
|
|
|
February 17:
February 22:
February 27:
|
|
Diversity & Anti-Racism Training
Diversity & Anti-Racism Training
Advent, Olathe, KS
|
|
|
Copyright © 2022 Central States Synod, All rights reserved.
Changed your mind? You can
unsubscribe
at any time.
|
|
|
|