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Oregon Synod E-news

God's Work. Our Hands.

11.28.07
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!

December 13
Join Bishop Dave for the Christmas Bowl On-line
7:00 pm

  • Pull together your team - a few friends, your family, just you, the Outreach Committee, whoever you want.
  • Have a little party - Get the Christmas bowl out, fill it with eggnog, punch, Christmas cookies, Fiddle Faddle, or anything that sounds good.
  • Have a computer handy with sound and a broadband connection, like cable or DSL.
    (If you have such a hookup at your church you can have the party there, but you may prefer to meet at somebody’s house. Just invite a few friends over. Be sure you can turn the sound up so everybody can hear.)
  • Log in live and online to the “Christmas Bowl” at 7:00 pm, Thursday, December 13 and prepare for a “College Bowl” style competition. Questions will be from the Biblical stories of Christmas. (Study is allowed, but not required.) The whole affair is a semi tongue in cheek, fun yet educational event. Great for kids or adults alike!

Frequently Asked Questions
Why are we doing this? - Just for fun and to build a bit of Oregon Synod spirit. Give it a try!!

Computers scare me. Will this be hard? - Absolutely not. If you know how to do e-mail or surf on-line that’s all you need. And if it doesn’t work - hey, you still get an evening with your friends!

How long will this last? - The Christmas Bowl will be 40 minutes long. Of course, unlike a face to face class you can always sneak out early and no one will notice. We hope you don’t, though.

How does it work? - Questions will appear on your computer screen with narration by Bishop Dave. You will get to answer on-line, live, see how others have voted and then have the Biblical answer explained for you. For example:

    • “Where was the baby Jesus born?”
      1) Jerusalem
      2) Bethlehem of Judea
      3) Norfolk, Nebraska
      4)How am I supposed to know?
      • (The answer is “2” Bethlehem of Judea - and you’re supposed to know because the kids sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in the Christmas program every year.)

Does this cost anything? - No, there is no charge of any kind for participating. This event is a gift from your synod staff and Bishop Dave.

So don't hesitate!


 
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 .
The December 07 issue of the Oregon Synod newsletter, The Update is now available online at http://www.oregonsynod.org/publication/newsletter.php.
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.
December 2
Plum Cluster Advent Service
Wait With Us: A Service of Advent Lessons, Songs, and Poems
Redeemer, 5431 NE 20th Ave (corner of NE 20th Ave. and NE Killingsworth St.), Portland
4:00 pm
Join the congregations of the PLUM cluster for a celebration of the season of Advent. Through scripture, poetry, other readings, and songs, we will experience the hopeful expectations of this season. The offering will support the ministries of Northeast Emergency Food Program and Good Samaritan Food Bank (at Portsmouth Trinity). Following the service, a potluck meal will provide opportunities for fellowship.
December 2
"Uganda: Ready to Forgive" will air on NBC affiliate television stations. Check your local listings for the date and time in your area. The 60-minute documentary is about the faith and spirit of the Acholi people of Northern Uganda.

The 60 minute version will be available on DVD December 3, 2007

This is an African story of God's amazing grace.
Through twenty years of war, the Acholi people of Northern Uganda endured rape, torture and child abduction. Thousands died. Many were displaced in squalid camps. Others are still missing. Despite all of this, the Acholi are united in a belief that the only real solution is reconciliation and forgiveness.

Information about the television program, "Uganda: Ready to Forgive," is at http://www.elca.org/readytoforgive/ on the ELCA Web site and http://www.frakesproductions.com/ on the Internet.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's Christmas Message
2007 Christmas Message

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 about full. Please call Mariellen at 360-254-9243 to check on availability.
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.

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

November 30
Rejoice: A Christmas Celebration Concert from the Campus of PLU
St. Mary's Cathedral, 1716 NW Davis St., Portland, OR 97209
8:00pm - 10:00pm
Ticket Sales began on November 1, 2007. PLU's annual Christmas concert presentation with Choir of the West, University Chorale, and members of the University Symphony Orchestra. Richard Nance, Steven Zopfi and Jeffrey Bell-Hanson, Conductors
Contact Information: Music Department at 253-535-7787 or music@plu.edu

November 30
World AIDS Day
STOP AIDS. Take the Lead.
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Workshops: 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Register by email: pdxaids@comcast.net. Registration deadline: November 16th.
Remembrance Service: 5:30 pm-6:30 pm
To register for the Workshops, please email pdxaids@comcast.net or call 503-764-8714.

December 1 and 2
The Seven Joys of Christmas and other works by American Composer, Kirke Mechem
December 1 at 7:00 pm and December 2 at 3:00 pm
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 290 W Gloucester St, Gladstone ( 503-656-8194)
Chautauqua Community Chorus, Featuring Tanya Raudszus, Pianist Elisabeth Southorn, Conductor, and also featuring St. Stephen Handbell Choir Emily Boleyn, Director
Free-will offering received for a Habitat for Humanity Build in Canby.
Contact: Kristi Beyer MBA, 503-656-8194.
Download PDF flyer

December 2
Messiah Celebrates New Organ Installation
Dedication Concerts
Messiah Lutheran Church, 905 N.W. 94th Street, Vancouver, WA 98665
3:30 pm or 6:30 pm
www.messiahvancouver.org
download PDF newsletter

December 2
Bach Cantata Vespers
St. James Lutheran Church, 1315 SW Park Ave.
(corner of SW Park Blocks and Jefferson St.), Portland, Oregon 97201
5:00 pm
Bach Cantata Vespers on Sunday afternoon Dec. 2 at 5 pm, held in St. James Lutheran Church’s historic 100-year-old sanctuary, will feature J.S. Bach’s Advent Cantata #36, “Schwingt freudig euch empor (Soar joyfully on high). Joining the St. James Cantata Choir, conducted by Nancy Nickel, are vocal soloists Christine Welch-Elder (soprano), Lisa Actor (alto), Les Green (tenor), and Nathaniel Loomis (bass). A professional instrumental ensemble of strings, oboes, and continuo accompany the cantata. The freewill offering will support the Bach Vespers series at St. James.
Contact: Nancy Nickel, 503-227 2439
download PDF postcard (additional times)

December 2
Beautiful Advent and Christmas Music
St. Olaf Christmas Festival Simulcast
Five locations in Oregon (see below)
1:00 pm
www.stolaf.edu

December 2
Fundraising Dinner for Northwest House of Theological Studies
Featured Speaker: Marcus Borg
5:00 pm- Social Time
5:30 pm- Dinner
6:30 pm -Program
Red Lion Inn, 3301 Market St. NE, Salem (near I-5)
To order tickets call 503-588-4344.

December 8
Beltaine Holiday Concert & Sing-Along
Part of the Bethel Advent Concert Series
7:00 pm
Bethel Lutheran Church, 5658 N. Denver Avenue, Portland
FREE to Everyone! (Free-will Offering to benefit Bethel ministries)
For more information call: 503-285-4919

December 9
Community Advent Festival
Gethsemane, SE 117th and Market, Portland
10:30 am - 4:00 pm
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Lite Lunch
12:30 pm Dicken's Carolers
1:00 pm Puppet Show
1:30 pm Crafts for All Ages
3:30 pm Puppet Show
Call 503-256-1835 for more information.

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

 

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

Organist/Pianist
Emanuel, Cornelius
Responsibilities Include: Accompanying the congregation for Sunday morning worship services and special services throughout the year. Accompanying the choir for rehearsals and performances
Selecting and playing prelude, postlude, and offertory music.
Contact: Rev. Karl Pishaw @503-357-3377 or Edie Perry @503-550-1451


Part-Time Director Praise Team
Resurrection, Portland

Qualifications: Experience in leading people in music
Appreciation for Praise Christian music
Ability to work with people
Understands the role of worship accompaniment
Available for rehearsal and worship (at 9:15am Sunday Service)
Strong Christian faith

Expectations:
Direct music ensemble to accompany contemporary worship service;
Rehearse music ensemble;
Responsible for preparation of music for Praise Team;
Responsible for slides/PowerPoint/MediaShout presentation of songs;
Meet with pastors to assist with worship planning;
Responsible for recruiting and training of music ensemble;
Coordinate with and support other music staff and ministries.

Salaried part-time position estimated to average 10 hours per week:
(Worship, Rehearsal, Planning Meetings, Preparation)
Four Sundays of Vacation provided by congregation per year;
Responsible to Lead Pastor

Contact: Pastor Allen Jensen at pastor.al.jensen@rlcpdx.org