02.28.08
Around the synod |
Bishop's Report at the February Oregon Synod Council Meeting
The bishop's report was done as a PowerPoint. It was the goal of the bishop to give a summarization of his activities in the last seven months. The report can be viewed at www.oregonsynod.org/council/022208. ( about 25 minutes)
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| Our "Souper Heroes"
Seven youth from Zion, Medford collected: $466.00 with a total of 104 pounds of food
Gethsemane, Portland For three weeks leading up to Souper Bowl Sunday, the Youth sponsored an in take of non-perishable food items for our local Snow-Cap Community Charities food pantry. They put a table, football decorations and collection boxes in the narthex. They ran information items in the church bulletin and made special announcements prior to Sunday worship and at the Annual Meeting. As a result, we collected 334 pounds of non-perishable food.
Emmaus, Eugene raised $288.19 which was divided between FISH (a local emergency food pantry) and ELCA Hunger Appeal. In addition, 53 cans of food were delivered to Food for Lane County.
Our Savior's, Prineville brought 54 grocery sacks of food for OSLC's Food Pantry and $353.08 for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. The sacks were placed around the Altar at both services.
Members were given empty grocery sacks on Sunday, January 6 after worship services and told to bring them back full of food. Each sack had a list of suggested items as well as an ELCA World Hunger envelope. Members of the confirmation class counted the food items and stacked the shelves of the food pantry. They counted 688 items and estimated the weight was a little over 400 pounds.
Resurrection, Portland collected $268.00 and 122 cans of food.
Emanuel, Cornelius raised $160 in the soup pots. Not bad for spare change!!! The food and money all go towards restocking Emanuel's Food Pantry.
St. Paul, Ontario collected approximately $160, and 15 hours of service time. They took orders
for calzones and made them on Souper Bowl Sunday. They were shaped like
footballs. Fun stuff.
First, Astoria raised $550.12 which was split between two local food banks.
Zion, The Dalles collected $2008.55. Funds went to the Salvation Army and the food collected all month went to St Vincent De Paul.
First Immanuel, Portland raised $101.48.
Creator, Portland collected 118 lbs of food which will go to Backpack Buddies (for hungry school children) and the Oregon Food Bank.
St. Paul, Portland participated in the Souper Bowl Sunday special hunger offering and gathered $55.10 which will be forwarded to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
Mt. Carmel, Portland gathered $25
Holy Trinity, Portland gathered $23.
Visit http://blogs.elca.org/hungerrumblings/ and check out the fledgling ELCA World Hunger blog. You can share your "hunger rumblings" to the blog adding a comment to a posting.
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Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Oregon City, Oregon receives grant from Wheat Ridge Ministries to support
a sabbatical experience for professional church workers. Wheat Ridge believes that sabbatical leave for rest and renewal is a significant
way that congregations can support and encourage the health and wellness of
church leaders. This grant program is being implemented as a pilot project of
Wheat Ridge Ministries.
For additional information regarding Wheat Ridge Ministries’ sabbatical resources, please visit the web site at www.wheatridge.org.
“Wheat Ridge Ministries is pleased to be able to provide these sabbatical grants for several important reasons,” said Brian Becker, vice president of ministry programs at Wheat Ridge Ministries. “First, full-time church work is one of the most stressful vocations today. It's obvious that these demands take a toll on church leaders. Second, we are seeing that well-planned sabbaticals provide a critical time and place that re-energize both the leader and the congregation. It's our hope that this pilot program will encourage all Lutheran congregations to adopt an effective sabbatical policy. These grants make it affordable for the congregation and the results strengthen ministry.”
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March 8
Living the Vision
Our Savior's, 1770 Baxter Road SE, Salem
9:30 pm-2:30 pm
Register by phone or email. $15 per congregation with no limit on the number from any one church. For questions call Patricia J. Larsen at 503/244-4102 or email Blessed2Give@cs.com .
Download PDF
Registration Form
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April 12
Spring Stewardship Seminar
Creator, Clackamas
The synod stewardship committee is hosting its spring stewardship seminar at Creator Lutheran Church in Clackamas. Michael Meier, the recently retired director of stewardship for the ELCA, will be the keynote speaker. Michael is an entertaining speaker and his topics will include how we can improve our personal stewardship practices and our congregational stewardship practices. The seminar will start at 9am with registration starting at 8:30am. We will conclude by 3pm. More details will be available in March. Put the date on your calendar now! |
 April 12-13
Middle School Gathering
Theme: "Not Just A Survivor"
"...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."- John 10:10
First, 725 33rd St., Astoria
Please contact Lisa Gray at zoaryouth@canby.com or at 503-266-4061.
Download PDF Postcard
Register by April 1st. Cost $25.
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Postponed
May 4
Children's Advocacy Day |
May 12-15
The Lutheran Staff Association (LSA) of the NW
Holden Village, Chelan, WA
Theme: Surrounded by God - Empowered to Serve
Bishop David Brauer-Rieke will be the keynote speaker. The LSA conference invites all lay staff who serve in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Act now to get this into your continuing education budget. Cost is $250 for early registration. For more information please contact Cathy Steiner at 509-838-9871. |
May 30 - June 1
2008 Oregon Synod Assembly
God's Work. Our Hands.
Red Lion on the River, Jantzen Beach, Portland
Registration information display table information will be coming in mid-March. .
for more information >
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June 10-12
Region 1 First Call Theological Education Annual Event
Palisades, Federal Way, Washington
Begining at 1:00 pm on the 10th and ending at noon on the 12th |
Youth and Sexuality
"Free in Christ to Care for the Neighbor: Lutheran Youth Talk about Human Sexuality" is an online curriculum designed for senior high youth. Part of the ELCA's ongoing study of sexuality, it features videos, specially-created vignettes, interactive blogs and questions appropriate for group discussions, and is most appropriate to the emotional and intellectual development of those ages 13-18. Visitors to the site are asked to certify that they are 13 or older. |
| The ELCA Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality has prepared a draft of the social statement for feedback and response. This draft will be made available to the ELCA on March 13 at 1 p.m. Eastern time at http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney on the ELCA Web site. It also will be mailed to all rostered leaders and ELCA congregations. |
Called To Be a Public Church: 2008 ELCA Voting and Civic Participation Guide
Available to download and order! |
| Visit Workingpreacher.org for a whole new breed of preaching resource – fresh, original and downright cool. Oh, and did we mention it’s free? Designed for today’s Web-savvy audience, the site’s design and content is clean and easy to navigate. Writings are organized into four categories: preaching this week, the craft of preaching, culture & context and lifelong learning. |
Other Highlights
To read the complete description of the event, please visit www.oregonsynod.org//publication/events.php |
February 28
Debt Relief for Haiti
An evening of music, conversation and action for Debt Relief for Haiti.
7:00 pm
For more information: 503-281-3222
February 29 – 7:00 pm | March 1 – 10:00 am | March 1 – 3:30 pm
NW Regional Ekklesia Project Meeting
Kenton United Presbyterian Church, 2115 N. Lombard St., Portland
This event seeks to foster conversations related to the "New Monasticism", a contemporary movement of the Spirit in the Church which emphasizes a return to intentional community, and an openness to be informed by the monastic heritage of the church. In partnership with the Ekklesia Project, this conference is dedicated to fostering subversive Christian friendships in which Christians from a variety of denominational, cultural, and economic locations can find encouragement and edification from one another. The fundamental purpose of this meeting is to spur one another on to live faithfully into Christ's call to radical discipleship. Download PDF Flyer
SPEAKERS:
?Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Tim Otto, and Jon Stock.
QUESTIONS:
? For questions regarding the conference contact MICHAEL MUNK: michaelmunk@earthlink.net.
CONFIRMATIONS:
? To confirm your reservation contact MICHAEL MUNK: michaelmunk@earthlink.net.
REGISTRATION COST is $25:
? Make checks payable to: Church of the Servant King (write “Ekklesia NW” in the memo)
? Send registration payment to:
Ekklesia NW
c/o Church of the Servant King
5825 N. Willamette Blvd.
Portland, OR 97203
Lutherwood Updates
Sign up for Lutherwood Sundays! Want to bring the excitement, energy and passion of Camp Lutherwood to your church this spring? Lutherwood is scheduling Sunday visits and we want to come to your congregation! Our staff can lead Sunday School Events, adult groups, give children’s messages and do temple talks. Contact Rachel at Rachel@lutherwood.org to schedule your Lutherwood Sunday!
March Workday - Camp Lutherwood’s March workday will be held March 15th. If you or your group is interested in coming to camp to help serve in this place set apart for Christ, please contact us at office@lutherwood.org or (541) 998-6444.
Just Girls and Guys Only Retreats- Lutherwood is now accepting registrations for our spring retreats! Come on out and experience God’s creation with your brothers or sisters in Christ. The Just Girls retreat is March 28-30 and Guys Only is April 4-6. Registration forms can be found online at www.lutherwood.org. Contact Rachel at Rachel@lutherwood.org with any questions.
Summer Staff Recruitment
Recruitment for our Summer Ministry Team of 2008 has begun! If you or someone you know is enthusiastic, loves kids, and loves Jesus, then Camp Lutherwood is a great place to be in the summer! If you are interested, contact Rachel at rachel@lutherwood.org or go to www.nloma.org and fill out an application!
March 2
Wheels of Justice Tour on the Occupation of Iraq and Palestine
Eyewitness Speakers and Peace Bus
Central Lutheran Church, 1850 NE 21st, Portland
9:00 am
National human rights advocates and experts Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh and Mike Miles will talk on the "Occupations and oppressions in Iraq and Palestine"
12:30 pm
National human rights advocates and experts Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh and Mike Miles will talk on the"The US, Iraq, and Palestine: Why it matters."
11:30 am-12:30 pm
Bus Open House for tours of the brightly painted mobile peace-center. Refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Room where Palestinian hand-made olive-branch baskets and olive oil will also be for sale by Lutherans for Justice in the Holy Land.
The public is invited to these events held at Central Lutheran Church, 1850 NE 21st, Portland. For more information contact the church office at 503-284-2331 or email office@centralportland.org.
Download PDF Flyer
March 8
Holden Gathering in Portland
Mission of the Atonement, 7400 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Beaverton
503-646-1344
7:00 pm
Are you missing Holden Village? Never been there, but you'd like to learn more?
Please join us, and invite a friend, for a Holden Evening Prayer,
ice cream and dessert social, and rich conversation with Carol and Paul Hinderlie, two of the directors of Holden Village. For more information contact Pastor Laurie Larson Caesar at 503-646-1344.
You are encouraged to use the bulletin insert and flyer
provided to share this information with your congregation.
March 7-9
Faith Renewal Weekend
United Lutheran Church, 2230 Washington St., Eugene; 541-342-5808
Please mark your calendars for the second weekend in March! Dr. Barbara Rossing, Professor of New Testament at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago will be speaking on the topic of,”The Rapture Exposed: the Message of Hope in Revelation".
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March 7
6:30 pm - 7:00 .m Gathering and fellowship
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm"Exposing the Rapture: Prophecy, Not Prediction"
- March 8
10:00 am - 11:30 am "A Violent Jesus? Ecological Armageddon?"
5:30 pm- 6:15 pm Potluck supper
6:15 pm- 7:45 pm"Hope for the Middle East, Hope for Our Future"
- March 9
8:30 am and 11:00 am Dr. Rossing preaching
9:45 am Dr. Rossing leading the adult forum
March 9
“Visions of Peace” commemorates fifth anniversary of Iraq War
An Interfaith Service to remember those who have died in the war in Iraq and to share our hope for peace.
First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th St., Portland
4:00 pm
This event is a part of the monthly series of interfaith services that celebrates the shared values of our faith traditions. The March service will include songs, reflections, prayers and a slide show. People of all faiths are welcome. A time of fellowship and tabling will follow the service.
Sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the Interfaith Alliance, the Interfaith Council of Greater Portland, and the Inter-religious Action Network.
March 16
Bach Cantata Vespers
St. James, 1315 SW Park Ave. (corner of SW Park Blocks and Jefferson St.), Portland, Oregon 97201
5:00 pm
Bach Cantata Vespers on Sunday afternoon March 16 at 5 pm in downtown Portland’s historic St. James Lutheran Church will feature J.S. Bach’s Palm Sunday Cantata 182, “Himmelskonig, sei willkommen” (Welcome, King of Heaven). Joining the St. James Cantata Choir, conducted by Nancy Nickel, are vocal soloists Lisa Actor (alto), Les Green (tenor), and Nathaniel Loomis (bass). A new motet by Carl Schalk, commissioned for this occasion, will also be sung. A professional instrumental ensemble of strings, recorder, and continuo accompany the cantata. Freewill offering supports the Bach Vespers series in its third season at St. James.
Contact: Nancy Nickel at 503-227 2439.
April 12
Earth Day workshop on green building methods and renovations
will help congregations save money and care for the Earth
“Green Building and Renovations”
Community Presbyterian Church, 529 NW 19th St., Redmond
11:00 am to 4:30 pm
“Green Building and Renovations” is a practical workshop to help congregations save money and lighten their foot-print on God's Creation. Topics will include: principles of energy-efficient building; why energy is a spiritual issue; case studies; getting the results you want—how to work with contractors and architects; Energy Trust of Oregon, Oregon Department of Energy and Oregon Interfaith Power & Light programs and resources; solar technology for congregations; financing and incentive opportunities available to congregations; integrating energy efficiency with aesthetic and spiritual concerns; and tips for working with your congregation.
The registration fee is $30 per individual including lunch. Call for a discount on large groups from the same congregation. Call (503) 221-1054, ext. 203, or e-mail jkam@emoregon.org to register. Pre-registration is requested by one week ahead, but registration will be accepted at the door. To download a brochure, go to www.emoregon.org.
April 18-19, 2008
The Journey continues at Northwest House of Theological Studies and the Salem Interfaith Forum
in cooperation with Office of the Chaplain at Willamette University present Roberta Bondi
Wisdom for 21st Century Pilgrims: Ancient Lessons for Contemporary Life
MICAH Worship Center, 680 State Street , Salem, Oregon, www.nhts.org
If you are searching for rich and meaningful ways to access a deeper spirituality, then join Roberta Bondi’s presentation which brings the ancient spiritual practices of the early church to contemporary pilgrims.
Download PDF Registration Brochure | PDF Poster |
April 24-27
Cursillo Retreat
Canby Grove
“Cursillo” is a Spanish word (pronounced “coor-see-yo”) that means “a short course”. A Cursillo is a Spiritual Retreat, a short course in the basics of the Christian Faith. It’s a renewal movement that began in the Roman Catholic Church in Spain, but is now ecumenical and international.A Lutheran Cursillo Retreat will be held in Oregon, April 24-27th, at Canby Grove Christian Camp and Conference Center, in Canby, sponsored by St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Gladstone and St. Mark Lutheran Church, Salem.The Retreat begins Thursday evening and ends Sunday afternoon. Costs vary based on the degree of privacy one would like in their room accommodations (see registration form). Meals are included. Space is limited and registration is the way to reserve your preference.
For questions or for further information, contact Pastor Scott Dunfee, St Stephen Lutheran Church, Gladstone, Oregon (503.656-8194) or Pastor Janell Bethke, Oregon Synod Interim Ministry (503.667-7897), the Spiritual Directors for this Retreat
Download Brochure and Registration
October 16-18
Living Liturgy Event at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9706 N. Division, Spokane, WA
Early Registration by 7/15/08: Individual $125 each; Cost per congregation (up to 4 participants): $100 each.
Register after 7/15/08: Individual $150 each; Congregation per congregation: $115 each. Please make checks payable to St. Luke Lutheran Church PO Box 28948, Spokane, WA 99228. For accommodations call the Ramada Limited Suites at 1800-272-6232 or Quality Inn Oakwood at 1877-424-6423 and mention the Living Liturgy workshop at St. Luke. Call ASAP as there are other events that weekend in Spokane.
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Position Openings/ Other Offerings
To view a complete listing of position opening around the synod visit: www.oregonsynod.org//congregations/positions.php.
Director of Faith Formation
Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Vancouver , WA
Position Purpose:
Direct and lead the Church’s Faith Formation and education for the entire congregation and with a major focus on programs for youth and families. The Director seeks to provide and foster the spiritual growth of adults and youth involved in all programs managed. The Director is responsible for planning, developing and administering programs, budget and space for all inter-generational education and enrichment activities. This is a dynamic position which will develop and grow as the church changes and expands.
This is a full time position, offering salary and medical benefits.
Please send your resume to: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 12513 SE Mill Plain Blvd. , Vancouver , WA 98683
Phone: 360.254.9243 Fax: 360.254-0115
Email: bslc@pacifier.com
Web: www.beautifulsaviorlutheran.com
Global Mission Positions
Cameroon: ELEMENTARY EDUCATION TEACHER
Serve as teacher/tutor to a missionary child (grade 6/7) to a family based in eastern Cameroon. B.A. in Elementary Education and teacher certification required. Basic French helpful, but not required. One year commitment - GM2 provisions (stipend and housing, air travel, full medical and dental, education loan assistance among other benefits). Starts July 2008. Preference given to applications received by March 15, 2008.
Botswana: FINANCIAL TRAINER
Assist the head offices and congregations of both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa - Botswana Diocese and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana in financial management. Accounting degree required, relevant experience preferred. Two year commitment - GM2 provisions (stipend and housing, air travel, full medical and dental, education loan assistance among other benefits). Preference given to applications received by March 15, 2008. Starts July 2008.
Cambodia: COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Work with the LWF Cambodia Program, based in Phnom Penh, in developing communication strategies and facilitating public relations. BA in communications, journalism, English or creative writing required. Experience in communications (professional writing, graphic design and/or photojournalism) preferred. One year contract position at GM2 level support (stipend and housing, air travel, full medical and dental, education loan assistance among other benefits). Preference given to applications received by March 15, 2008. Starts July 2008.
Indonesia: ENGLISH TEACHER
Teach English to students at the HKBP Deaconess School in Balige. BA required; English degree preferred. ESL training and/or experience helpful. Two year commitment - GM2 provisions (stipend and housing, air travel, full medical and dental, education loan assistance among other benefits). July 2008 start. Preference given to applications received by March 15, 2008.
Slovakia: TEACHERS (12-15 positions)
Teach in a bilingual junior/senior high school in one of three cities: Kosice, Bratislava or Liptovsky Mikulas. Primary need is for English teachers - other subjects (science, math, geography, etc) also needed on a limited basis. See Further Information for provisions. B.A. required. Relevant degree or some teaching experience preferred. One academic year commitment (ends June 30, 2009). Preference given to applications received by March 15, 2008. Starts mid-August 2008.
Papua New Guinea: ASSISTANT INTERNAL AUDITOR/CHURCH ACCOMPANIER
Serve as auditor in the Central Processing Unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. Accountant qualifications required. Four year commitment preferred. Long term provisions (stipend and housing, air travel, full medical and dental, pensions, education loan assistance among other benefits). Starts mid-August 2008.
Contact: Franklin Ishida at FRANKLIN.ISHIDA@ecunet.org for more information.
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