01.23.08
Around the synod |
Long Term Recovery Teams - Lutheran Disaster Response Northwest
Download PDF Flyer
Training for these long term recovery teams will take place January 24th at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 10390 SW Canyon Rd, Beaverton from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. All faith groups are welcome for the training. The long term committees will be involved in the communities of Astoria, Clatskanie, Seaside, Sheridan, Tillamook, Vernonia, and all of the rural and coastal communities affected by the disaster.
Please attend as you are able and encourage potential volunteers to come. For more information contact Norene Goplen at 503-502-6211. If you plan to stay the entire day, bring a sack lunch.
January 31
Climbing the Mountain with Matthew
7:00 pm -8:00 pm
This class will be a one hour overview of the Gospel of Matthew. Special emphasis will be given to Matthew's unique perspectives on faith and life. How did Matthew speak to his day and age? How does he speak to ours?
Class outline:
1. Liturgy and Lectionary - Why Matthew?
2. The Four Gospels - Diversity and Duplicity
3. Climbing the Mountain with Matthew (Looking at the Gospel.)
4. A View of the Cascades (What does this mean?)
My goal is that participants will gain new insights into the first Gospel; have a framework to consider this year's sermons based on Matthew; and join with me as we think together about our Christian calling here in Oregon.
(There is no cost charge for this class. However audio is provided through a long distance phone call which is at your expense.)
Register now by clicking the link below:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/655044568
I hope you'll join me for the following web class on Matthew's Gospel Thursday, January 31. Don't pass up great events going on in your own congregation, but if you'd like to share in this synod effort sign up today. - Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke
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February 3
Souper Bowl Sunday
This national event, held every year on the same Sunday as the NFL's Super Bowl, is traditionally led by youth who stand at sanctuary exits following worship services on that Sunday and collect $1 and/or one can of food from each parishioner. The money and food collected supports local, national, and international anti-hunger efforts. The amount each congregation collects is reported that day to the national Souper Bowl office by phone or online, and the national total is posted online as it grows.
Tell us how you were "Souper Heroes" for the big day! What did you do? How much money was raised? How much food was collected? How many service hours were donated?
Send an e-mail after the big day to us at hunger@elca.org and at juliemankin@qwest.net.
Be sure to include the name, city, and state of your congregation, and the name and contact info of the coordinator. Also, remember to report your totals to soup@souperbowl.org.
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February 7-11
ELCA Youth Ministry Network
Extravaganza 2008
Hyatt Hotel - Anaheim, California
Intensive Care Courses February 7-8; Main event February 8-11. |
February 17
Installation Service of Pastor Jana Deiss as Lead Pastor
Klamath, 1175 Crescent Avenue, Klamath Falls
4:00 pm |
February 24
Installation Service of Pastor Karl Hester as Associate Pastor
Resurrection, 1700 NE 132nd Avenue, Portland
4:00 pm
Pastor Susan Kintner, Assistant to the Bishop of the Oregon Synod will officiate and Pastor Jeff Kallevig, of Christ the King, Tigard will preach.
Download PDF Invitation |
March 8
Living the Vision
Our Savior's, 1770 Baxter Road SE, Salem; 503-399-8601
9:30 pm-2:30 pm
A seminar for congregations that are growing in their knowledge and ability in funding God’s mission through whole life stewardship. Seminar offerings include assessing your stewardship ministry, starting and/or growing your mission endowment, and information on missions that are part of the work in the Oregon Synod and the ELCA.
Cost
$15/congregation. Contact Patricia Larsen, Oregon Synod Director of Planned Giving at blessed2give@cs.com for more information.
What is the Purpose?
To learn and sharpen skills that will strengthen your leadership, deepen your faith, and extend the mission of your congregation. A special session is included to help pastors learn how to talk to members about gifting to the congregation at end of life.
Who Should Attend?
A team of leaders from your congregation, especially present and potential members of the stewardship and endowment committees as well as the pastor and treasurer. Remember that funding God’s mission in your congregation involves your whole leadership team so bring all interested leadership.
There will be a special workshop for treasurers as well as workshops on growing endowments, the ELCA Mission Investment Fund, and stewardship ideas. |
 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.
Download PDF Forms
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May 4
Children's Advocacy Day
“For Every Child A Better World”
Pioneer Court House Square, Portland |
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
Quilters are invited by the Oregon Synod to create a special quilt for a silent auction at synod assembly. Bring your quilt to the registration area at assembly on May 30th, 2008. Proceeds from the auction go to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. In lieu of a quilt, you are invited to bring an offering.
For more information >
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Useful Lenten ELCA Resources
The ELCA World Hunger Lenten Fellowship Leader's Guide, pp. 7--11 of the Advent 2007--Easter 2008 edition of ELCA World Hunger Congregation Connections.
Now is the time to order ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal's "God's Math" 40-day plus calendar and coin boxes, as Ash Wednesday is February 6!
40-day calendar: Free. ISBN 978-6-0002-2015-0; 1 pkg=25 calendars.
Coin box: Free. ISBN 978-6-0002-2004-2; 1 pkg=25 boxes.
Order Eco-palms by February 20 for Palm/Passion Sunday. Visit www.lwr.org/palms to order.
Sign up and receive daily environmental Lenten devotions online.
Subscribe to "Living Earth: A 40-Day Reflection on Our Relationship With God's Creation"
Called to be in communion with God's creation, we must live in such a way that is sensitive to precious natural resources and in conscious relationship to the earth, creatures and each
other. This 40-day Lenten reflection series will offer a
holistic approach to how we live as earthly companions,
combining God's caring relationship with creation to our journey
in the physical universe. Each e-mail emphasizes individual and
communal solutions, resources for further learning and
suggestions for how to act or become more educated.
Subscribe to the ELCA's daily 2008 environmental Lenten reflections, "Living Earth: A 40-Day Reflection on Our Relationship With God's Creation" at www.elca.org/advocacy
This is a limited subscription; the first e-mail will arrive on Ash Wednesday and the last e-mail will arrive Easter Sunday. |
SAVE THE DATE!
June 10-12
Region 1 First Call Theological Education Annual Event
Palisades, Federal Way, Washington
-Beginning at 1:00 pm on June 10
-Ending at noon on June 12 |
 July 10-13
Women of the ELCA
Did you know that the largest gathering of women and girls in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will take place in Salt Lake City this summer? You are invited to "Come to the Waters" to be refreshed, inspired, and connected July 10-13, 2008. In addition to fun, fellowship, worship, exhibits, and servant events, educational opportunities include workshops and speakers such as Sister Joan Chittister.
This weekend will teach, encourage, and challenge you to come to a greater understanding of your faith and what it means to live out your baptismal call. Visit www.womenoftheelca.org/tg08/ or phone 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2737, to request a registration booklet for this exciting event. Bring your daughter, friends, relatives, and other congregation members. Registration is open through the gathering; however, the discounted registration fee ends January 31. |
Other Highlights
To read the complete description of the event, please visit www.oregonsynod.org//publication/events.php |
Last Sunday of Each Month
Alternative Worship with an Informal Setting
Emmaus Lutheran Church, 1250 W. 18th Ave., Eugene
5:45 pm
Come alone or bring a friend! This is an interactive service with guitars and drums.
Download PDF Flyer
Holden May Youth Weekends
Registration for the 2008 Holden Youth Weekends begins February 1st.
Sponsored by Trinity Lutheran College and Holden Village.
This year’s theme is “Digging into the Word” and will involve bible studies focusing on young heroes and heroines of the faith in scripture. The weekend will include music, presentations, small groups, a service project, and plenty of time to hike, relax, and enjoy the mountains. Through a partnership with Luther Seminary, there will also be an opportunity for an in-depth bible study called "TheoSurge" for young people who might be considering church ministry as a vocation.
The dates for the 2008 weekends are May 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, and 25-27. More information is available at www.tlc.edu/cyfcenter or email holdenmyw@tlc.edu.
February 15 - 17
Contemplative Practices from the Christian and Sufi Traditions
Alton Collins Retreat Center, 32867 SE Highway 211, Eagle Creek
Offered by the Center for Spiritual Development
Co-led by The Rev. Canon Marianne Wells Borg, Sufi teacher Khadim Chishti and Spiritual Director Jack Kennedy, this retreat is open to people from all denominations and faith traditions. Cost for the retreat is $275 for registration by January 25, 2008 and $280 after January 25 and includes all meals and lodging. For more information and to register call The Center at 503-478-1218 or online: www.center-for-spiritual-development.org.
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".
Dr. Rossing writes, "God and religion are top-sellers in the pop culture mainstream, from "The DaVinci Code" to the" Left Behind" novels. How do we respond to the God-hunger in our culture? How does the Bible come to life for us in ways that are life-giving an earth-affirming?"
March 7
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm- 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
Dr. Rossing describes the goal of the first lecture: "The notion of the Rapture and the two-stage return of Christ was invented by British preacher John Nelson Darby less than 200 years ago, yet it has become the dominant cultural lens though which many Americans read the Bible. We will discuss the origins an implications of Rapture theology and prophecy, including its interpretation of Daniel, Revelation, First Thessalonians and other biblical texts."
She describes the second lecture as: "Have fundamentalists hijacked the nonviolent Lamb of Revelation? We will consider issues of violence and nonviolence as addressed in competing images of Jesus in popular culture today, including the avenging warrior Jesus of the Left Behind novels, and the notion that the earth must be destroyed."
The third lecture is described as: "Nowhere in the world is healing more urgent today than in the Middle East. We will offer a model for seeing Scripture coming to life not in global disasters or in Middle East wars but in 'Lamb Power' - the power of Jesus nonviolent, self-giving love for the world- a world that will not be left behind!"
As you can see, Dr. Rossing will offer us a very different way to understand what God is doing in our world. This will be a stimulating, thought provoking weekend. Please come and bring a friend as well as they are more than welcome.
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Position Openings
To view a complete listing of position opening around the synod visit: www.oregonsynod.org//congregations/positions.php. |