Metro e-Word

• Contribute to December 27 Lessons & Carols
• 1/6 Epiphany Worship Offered by ELCA Bishops
• LSSI Opportunities
• LWR Season of Hope Resource
• Bp. Anderson House Spiritual Care Training
• Mediation Skills Training Offered
• Empowering Communication Workshops
• 12/9 Antje Jackelén Online Talk, ‘Technology, Theology and Spirituality in the Digital Age’ 
• Scholarship from Beta Sigma Psi
• 12/12 Lutheran Men in Mission Bold Gathering
• Ignite the Church Conference 
• COVID-19 Virtual Care Program
• Portico Corner

LSSI Opportunities 

Therapeutic Foster Parents Needed in Aurora, Rockford, and Chicago

Be a part of a successful pilot program at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) by becoming a therapeutic foster parent through programs in Aurora, Rockford, and Chicago. Therapeutic foster care places children with histories of severe trauma and emotional/behavioral needs in family treatment homes where they receive more one-on-one care and attention. The program is evidence-based and provides short-term, intensive support for these children, so that they can thrive in a family home. Therapeutic foster parents receive intensive training, 24/7 support, and a generous daily stipend, and they are part of an evidence-based treatment team. Learn more at LSSI.org/TFC.

The Women’s Network of LSSI Invites You to its Virtual Advent Gathering

The Women’s Network of LSSI invites you to meet virtually on Zoom on Thursday, December 3, 10:30 a.m. This annual Advent gathering invites guests to answer the question "What brings special warmth and meaning to you at Christmas?" An object passed down through generations and brought out at Christmastime? A tradition, perhaps a favorite Christmas carol, a treasured Christmas cookie recipe? Come and share! Please RSVP to Ann Klicar annk75@att.net by Monday, November 30 to receive the Zoom link. The Women’s Network and guests will contribute to purchase gifts for children served in Chicago and Rockford program offices in LSSI’s Children’s Community Services programs this Christmas. Click on one of these links to donate.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ChristmasRockford

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ChristmasAugustana

Christmas Gifts Needed for Children in Foster Care

Please join us in providing Christmas presents, boots, hats, and gift cards to meet urgent needs of children and families served by Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’s (foster care and family support programs/insert program name of church’s choice). A gift of $25 will provide a Christmas present for a child in foster care. Visit LSSI.org/Christmas to make a donation and help ensure that every child receives a Christmas gift.

Spiritual Care Training at Bp. Anderson House

Spiritual Care Visitor Training is geared towards individuals who want to learn the art of being a healing presence through basic skills of active listening. Other topics include the role of faith, sacrament and prayer in spiritual care; addiction; ministry to the cognitively impaired; advance directives; cultural diversity; and serious illness, death, & loss.

All are welcome who wish to enhance their spiritual care skills by learning how to support members of their faith community in times of transition and change. These learned skills can also be applied to different volunteer opportunities at nursing homes, hospice centers, and hospitals. Graduates have found it to be a very empowering and meaningful way to increase their capacity to care for others.

The next session begins Saturday, January 30. 

Find a full description here of spiritual care training here. For more information and questions, contact Kim Lessner at 312-563-4825 or Kim_Lessner@rush.edu.

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders

Does your congregation experience conflict?  Does it harm your Christian fellowship and distract from your church’s mission?  Learn to transform conflict from a negative force into an opportunity for reconciliation and growth.  Register now for one of these six sessions of our popular and practical Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders:  March 1-5, May 3-7, June 21-25, August 2-6, October 11-15, or November 15-19, 2021.  The “early bird” rate is $695.  Currently we plan to conduct this event online via Zoom.  NOTE:  After December 2020, online registration will no longer be available via Brown Paper Tickets.  To register or to learn more, contact the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center at 630-627-0507 or Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org.

Empowering Communication Workshops for Clergy 

Four Empowering Communication Workshops for Clergy are being offered from January 18 – February 12, 2021, facilitated by the Rev. Joel Westby and the Rev. Leslie Ritter-Jenkins

For information and registration follow this link:  https://empoweringcommunicationinc.net/workshops-for-religious-leaders

Antje Jackelén, Archbishop of the Church of Sweden, will give an online talk, “Technology, Theology and Spirituality in the Digital Age,” Dec. 9, noon U.S. Central time. Jackelén was director of the Zygon Center for Religion and Science at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), 2003-2007 has also been president of the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (ESSSAT). This talk is hosted by the Center for Advanced Studies in Religion and Science (CASIRAS) and LSTC.  Register to receive the Zoom link by completing this form. The link will be sent the morning of Dec. 9. 

Jackelén was associate professor of systematic theology/religion and science at LSTC from 2001 until she became bishop of Lund, Sweden, in 2007. Her research interests include the dialogue between science and theology, the role of religion in society and Trinitarian theology. She has received honorary doctorates from the University of Greifswald, LSTC and Virginia Theological Seminary. Her most recent books are Tillsammans i hoppet (‘Together in hope’) (2016), God is Greater: Theology for the World (2020) and Otålig i hoppet (‘Impatient in hope – theological reflections in the time of the pandemic’) (2020).  

Her international engagements include the office of Nordic Vice President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and member of the LWF Council. 

12/12 Lutheran Men in Mission Bold Gathering

Dr. Mallory Everett, PsyD., LPC has more than 10 years of clinical experience. She received her Educational Specialist Degree from Hampton University in 2013 and her Masters of Arts in Counseling from Hampton University in 2010. She recently completed her PsyD in Counseling Psychology in August 2019 from the University of St. Elizabeth. She presently holds her New Jersey Professional Complex Trauma and working with clients who are attempting to establish and maintain recovery, Co-Occurring (diagnosis of mental health disorder and substance abuse), Crisis Management, College students who experience adjustment and academic deficiencies, Children and families in need of psychoeducation and resources to meet family needs, Incarcerated and Diversity Challenges. In addition, she has worked in a plethora of settings to include College Counseling Center, Correctional, Intensive Outpatient, Residential, Partial Hospitalization, and Community Agencies. Mallory is committed to serving those in need and dedicated to make it her life's work.

Hear Dr. Everett at the Lutheran Men in Mission Bold Gathering.

Sign up here: www.boldgathering.com