1) Free training event offers ‘care for creation’ resources; apply by Aug. 15

 

On Oct 1-2, Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC, www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org), dedicated to fostering the care of creation throughout the ELCA, will host a training session to provide participants with “green” resources to share with congregations in their respective synods. The New England Synod is one of five ELCA synods that have been invited to send three to five representatives to attend this special networking and fellowship event at the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (www.lomc.org) near Chicago. This invitation is open to both clergy and laity. Travel and lodging will be covered by LRC. Interested? Questions? Contact Kim Winchell, a diaconal minister on the LRC Steering Committee, atkwinchelldm@aol.com by Aug. 15.

 

 

2) Holy Land immersion experience opens for young women; apply NOW

 

The churchwide office of Women of the ELCA is offering a 10-day international study seminar Nov. 4-13 to the Holy Land as part of the organization’s “Women Building Global Community: A Global Education and Advisory Program.” This program in partnership with ELCA Global Mission brings together young women ages 21 to 35 from ELCA companion synods with women in their companion church relationships. This  special pilgrimage is open to four women in the New England Synod since we are a companion synod to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Other women will be participating from the Southeast Michigan Synod and the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod. Cost is approximately $3,100 per participant, which includes the international flight, visas, meals, lodging and ground transportation. Participants will make a two-year commitment to serve as global education advocates in the New England Women of the ELCA and in the synod. For more information, contact Marci Sharp, president of the New England Women of the ELCA, at bowmanrae@aol.com or 203-775-4657 as soon as possible.

 

 

3) Women’s  convention Sept. 10-13 in West Hartford

 

The Seventh Biennial Convention of the New England Women of the ELCA, the synod’s official women’s organization, will be held Sept. 10-12 (Friday through Sunday) at Holy Passionist Retreat Center, West Hartford, Conn.(http://www.holyfamilyretreat.org/). Scholarships are available. Registration materials and details are available at

http://www.nesynod.org/Women/NelliesNotes_May2010.pdf . Questions? Contact the registrar, Nancy Wogman, at nancywogman@aol.com or Paula Rosenbeck, convention chair, at teetee108@yahoo.com. 

 

 

4) Calumet seeks executive director; applications due Sept. 17

 

Calumet Lutheran Ministries (Calumet) is seeking an executive director.  Calumet is an all-season ministry for all people in all seasons of their lives, serving the 200 congregations and missions of the ELCA New England Synod across the six New England states. Responsibilities include board development, staff and financial management, fundraising, public relations/communications and programming. The candidate must have a personal commitment to the Christian faith and faith development, as well as a theology consistent with the Lutheran tradition. Application deadline is Sept. 17. For more information, including a full list of responsibilities and qualifications, email Calumet Lutheran Ministries at CLMexd@aol.com.

 

 

5) Kairos Center offers fall weekend retreat in New Hampshire

 

A fall weekend retreat, “Resting in God: A Time for Retreat and Prayer,” will be held Oct. 15-17 at the Barbara C. Harris Center, Greenfield, N.H., sponsored by the Kairos Spiritual Life Center, a ministry of All Saints Episcopal Church, Worcester, Mass. Retreat leaders will be Susie Allen and Nancy Elder-Wilfrid, both UCC pastors and spiritual directors. Elder-Wilfrid is also director of the Kairos Spiritual Life Center. Cost for the retreat will be $300. Registration deadline is Oct. 5. For more information, contact the Kairos Spiritual Life Center at 508-752-3766 ext. 19 or kairoscenter@allsaintsw.org.

 

 

6) Transformational weekend for women July 2011 in Spokane, Wash.

 

Revitalize yourself in one transformational weekend at the Women of the ELCA’s Eighth Triennial Gathering July 14-17, 2011, in Spokane, Wash. “Renew, Respond, Rejoice” is the theme of this special gathering which offers women an escape from the busyness of life and a chance to renew their spirit. Registration begins Sept. 15, 2010, with a discount available until Dec. 3, 2010. For more information visit www.womenoftheelca.org/triennial or contact O’B Rock, triennial gathering promoter for the New England Synod, at obrock@comcast.net or 508.431.2598.

 

 

7) Juan Cobrda, former bishop of Slovak Zion Synod, dies

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Juan Cobrda, 79, former bishop of the Slovak Zion Synod of the ELCA, died July 1 after an illness. He was known in the New England Synod through First Call Continuing Education, where he presented several workshops.  www.elca.org/news

 

 

8) ELCA News: Lutheran World Federation Assembly focused on alleviating hunger

 

STUTTGART, Germany (ELCA) - Saying that "hunger is not God's fault, it's our fault," the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and presiding bishop of the ELCA, introduced the theme of the LWF's Eleventh Assembly, "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread," at a news conference here July 19, according to an LWF news release. www.elca.org/news

 

 

9) ELCA News: LCMS convention votes to continue cooperative work with ELCA

HOUSTON (ELCA) – After lengthy discussion, delegates to the national convention here of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) voted overwhelmingly July 15 to continue cooperative work with the ELCA "with theological integrity," and asked that its leaders assess and report on the current state of cooperation in one year. www.elca.org/news

 

 

10) ELCA News: LCMS convention requests 'thorough response' to ELCA social statement

HOUSTON (ELCA) - In the final hours of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) convention here, delegates requested "a thorough response" to the 2009 ELCA social statement, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. With little debate delegates voted 934-18 to adopt the resolution July 17. The resolution asked that the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), in consultation with LCMS seminary faculties, "develop a thorough, biblical, confessional analysis of a response to Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, with particular attention to the concept of 'bound conscience.'" www.elca.org/news