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Oregon Synod E-news

God's Work. Our Hands.

12.06.08
Around the synod

Book of Faith Advent Devotions
The "Book of Faith" is an initiative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This initiative invites the whole church to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, and empowered by the Word.

Beginning this Advent, December 2, Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke will be doing a regular devotion online. This resource will be a “Bible study tickler" as we begin our journey through the Word together.

To read the devotions online, please visit http://www.oregonsynod.org/bookoffaith/. At this site you may also sign up for the devotions to be sent to your e-mail address. The subscription link can be found on the right hand column of the web site.

To find out more about “Book of Faith”, you might check out the ELCA web site at http://www.elca.org/bookoffaith/

For those who have already signed up for e-mail delivery:
Once you sign up for the Book of Faith devotions from the Oregon Synod, please check your inbox for a verification message from FeedBurner - addressed as “confirmations@emailenfuego.com,” - the service address that delivers email subscriptions for Book of Faith. You will need to click a link listed in this message to activate your subscription.  If you think you’ve signed up, but haven’t done this verification step, please check your past e-mail messages or sign up again.  Thank you!
Grace Matters offers Advent calendar
If you have not had a chance to visit the Grace Matters web site this week, check it out, www.gracematters.org.  There is a special Advent calendar that you can view each day during the season of Advent.
IRS Announces 2008 Standard Mileage Rates; Rate for Business Miles Set at 50.5 Cents per Mile
IR-2007-192, Nov. 27, 2007 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2008 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
  • 50.5 cents per mile for business miles driven;
  • 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.
The new rate for business miles compares to a rate of 48.5 cents per mile for 2007. The new rate for medical and moving purposes compares to 20 cents in 2007. The rate for miles driven in service of charitable organizations has remained the same.The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile; the standard rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study. Runzheimer International, an independent contractor, conducted the study for the IRS.The mileage rate for charitable miles is set by law.
Annual Meeting Letter from Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke
It is that time of year again for our annual meetings with the budgets, resolutions, and/or visioning processes. Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke's letter addressing your congregations for your annual meeting report is now available.
download PDF letter .
2008 ELCA Rostered Leader Forms To Bishop Now Available Online
This electronic report form is designed to assist rostered leaders in submitting their annual reports to the synod bishop. This form can now be found online at http://www.elca.org/secretary/reports/ldrForm.html.
The ELCA Board of Pensions announces new benefit for Interim Pastors
Starting January 1st, interim pastors will have the option to continue disability coverage at their own expense when between assignments.
They are offering this new benefit option in support of pastors who specialize in interim ministry. Interim pastors are eligible to continue ELCA disability coverage when between assignments if they are under call, or have completed a call, from the synod council.Eligible interim pastors who are currently between assignments have until March 1, 2008 to apply for continuing disability benefits.

Interim pastors and synod council are encouraged to visit the Board of Pensions web site for details about this new benefit option, including the application form:
www.elcabop.org/ManageMyLifeChanges/Spec_interim_min.aspx.
The Life of Apostle Peter With Rick Steves
Available Dec 1, 2007

Join public television travel host and guide book author Rick Steves
as he recounts the story of the Apostle Peter from his early days as a fisherman, through his three-year adventure with Jesus to the tumultuous events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection.  
more
In this season of hope and wonder the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program has put together a list of resources that you may find helpful. Please visit the "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
 
"From time to time the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program shares materials that you may find informative or useful in understanding corporate social responsibility issues. The views expressed in these materials reflect the positions of the outside organization and may not necessarily reflect an official position of ELCA.

2008 Bishop's Convocation
The 2008 Bishop’s Convocation, to be held in the Best Western Ocean View Resort in Seaside on January 2-4, 2008
, will feature presentations concerning how our churches can remain true to themselves and find ways to adapt their ministries to the people and circumstances in which they find themselves in a changing world. Diana Butler Bass, author of “Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith,” will be presenting Thursday and Friday evening. The resolution passed during the 2007 Oregon Synod Assembly titled, “The Just War Resolution -Provide Pastors and Congregational Members information on Just War Criteria” will be discussed Wednesday afternoon. This event is for the rostered leaders of the Oregon Synod.

Just War Resolution
www.oregonsynod.org/assembly/resolutions.htm#4.
Download PDF

Brochures with registration forms are now available
Download PDF Brochure
January 14-16
Byberg Preaching Workshop 2008

Developing skills of ELCA preachers
Speaker: Douglas John Hall
"What Christianity Is Not"
Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center, Cannon Beach
Download PDF Brochure
Registration for this workshop is full.
January 28-March 16, 2008
The Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM)

A LPM board-led class will be offered online in the spring of 2008 (www.cdsp.edu/center_online.php#63). It is entitled, "Leading the People's Song," How do we best bring people together in song? The goal of this class is to equip musical leaders to lead worship that is vibrant and participatory. Since leaders use different instruments to lead song in worship, suggestions will be made to help whether you lead by organ, piano, guitar, or as a singer/cantor. This class will also awaken awareness of teaching music to the congregation and of the skills necessary to do that teaching.

Instructor: John Marsh is Vice-Chair of the national LPM Board, and Director of Music and Creative Arts at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Norcross, Georgia (Atlanta).

Cost for the class is $175 (or $135 each member of a team of three)
Registration deadline is January 25 ; Register On-Line: www.cdsp.edu/center_online.php ; Questions: call@cdsp.edu

REMEMBER this class does not replace a local LPM course in preparation for the LPM certificate. It's an online collaboration between LPM and the Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership. At this time, LPM classes are not offered online.
Oregon Synod Outreach Grants
The Oregon Synod Outreach Team is now receiving inquiries and applications for Partnership Support Grants from the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit of the ELCA. The grants, which can range from $18,000-$45,000 over 2 or 3 years, are intended to help congregations develop outreach that addresses their context, but also takes them beyond their comfort zone. Not every application receives funding. Each applicant congregation needs to have or be developing a mission strategy, be familiar with the Oregon Synod Outreach Strategy (available on the synod website), and show growth in mission support.

Information about specific grant categories, qualifications, and applications are available from Pastor Harvey Blomberg, Mission Director. The deadline for the applications (first draft) is February 1, 2008. Funding begins in February 2009. Contact Pastor Blomberg at blomberg@spselca.org or 800-275-3522. Questions can also be directed to Pastor Donna Herzfeldt-Kamprath, Outreach Team leader, at donnalhk@aol.com or 541-884-6414. Both will be available for consultation at the Bishop’s Convocation in Seaside.


Mission Investment Fund (MIF)
“I love having a Mission Investment for KIDZ account….I know I am helping churches grow, and I am learning to save!” ……a 12-year old investor. Give a child in your life an opportunity to help with the mission of the church, by giving a Mission Investment for KIDZ this Christmas! For more information, contact: margie.fiedler@elca.org. 208-664-7973.

March 31-April 3, 2008
ELCA Region 1 Pastors Conference

“What difference does it make to be a Christian in this Post-Modern World?”
Hotel Grande Pacific, Victoria , BC, Canada
(valid passports required)
Speakers:
Dr. Robert Benne – “Living as a Christian in a Post-Modern World” (Ethics)
Dr. Mark Allen Powell –
“Reading the Bible in a Post-Modern World” (Hermeneutics)
For more information contact Rev. Roy Jeremiah at 509-448-5298 or visit www.region1pastors.org .
 
Other Highlights
To read the complete description of the event, please visit www.oregonsynod.org/resources/events.php

December 22
"He Started the Whole World Singing” with the Closs Enuff Quire

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Bethel Lutheran Church, 5658 N. Denver Avenue, Portland, OR 97217
All are welcome to atttend. A free will offering will be collected.
Download PDF flyer and press release

January 17—February 21 (7-9 pm)
February 9 & 23, 2008 (8 am—5:30 pm)
Basic Preparation for Parish Nurses & Health Ministers

University of Portland, Franz Hall Room 214, 5000 North Willamette Blvd.
The Basic Preparation Course for Parish Nurses is a nationally endorsed curriculum from the International Parish Resource Center. The American Nurses Association recognizes parish nursing as a sub-specialty in nursing. The parish nurse concept holds the spiritual dimension to be central to the practice.
Download PDF brochure with registration form

February 15-17
"Manna and Mercy: Traveling through the Bible with wit and whimsy."

Speaker: Pastor Dan Erlander
Atonement Lutheran, 2315 N Coast Hwy, Newport

The workshop will be based on Pastor Erlander's book "Manna and Mercy: A brief history of God's unfolding promise to mend the entire universe," published in 1992. This book and others by Erlander are available through his website, where you can also learn more about him: DanielErlander.com Dan is a theologian and teacher who has a wonderful ability to bring Bible stories to life through his books, his droll cartoon-like illustrations, and his thoroughly entertaining speaking. You won't want to miss this weekend with Dan!As well as being an author of several books, Dan has been Campus Pastor at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA; Village Pastor and Resource Center Director and Teacher in Residence at Holden Village; and a pastor on Whidbey Island, Wa. Now that Dan is retired, he is in great demand as a speaker; we are so honored that he has agreed to come to Atonement.Please contact Alice and Bruce McCain at amccain@newportnet.com if you have questions.

Position Openings
To view a complete listing of position opening around the synod visit: www.oregonsynod.org//congregations/positions.php