AROUND THE SYNOD
THANKOFFERING SERVICE
You Are Invited!
October 22, 2018
The Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta and Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church in Riverdale, Georgia announce the Second Annual Conference on Undoing the Most Segregated Hour in America.
This year’s conference will examine best practices for growing vitality into congregational life. Presenters will explore the need for power sharing, reconciliation and balance in welcoming the stranger and growing congregations which are reflective of their diverse communities.
Lay leaders, pastors and congregation members are invited and encouraged to participate in this conference.
The Conference will take place on October 22, 2018 at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church in Riverdale, GA.
This year’s conference will examine best practices for growing vitality into congregational life. Presenters will explore the need for power sharing, reconciliation and balance in welcoming the stranger and growing congregations which are reflective of their diverse communities.
Lay leaders, pastors and congregation members are invited and encouraged to participate in this conference.
The Conference will take place on October 22, 2018 at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church in Riverdale, GA.
For registration information please email us at lutherancenteratlanta700@gmail.com
Visitors from Guatemala
Pastor Karen Castillo and her sister Beatriz from Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG), one of our companion synods, were visiting the Southeastern states for the last couple of weeks, attending our Synod Assembly in Chattanooga, Christ Lutheran in Nashville, and other congregations in our synod. They are asking for our prayers for the people of Guatemala that were killed, injured or are missing after the eruption of the Fuego volcano in June.
There was a special worship service held for ILAG at St. John's in Atlanta on June 10 led by Pastor Beverly Brown Shaw. Pastor Castillo, president of ILAG, talked about the school at the Lutheran Center in Guatemala City called MILAGRO (which means miracle). Here the young girls from the rural areas of Guatemala are being taught life skills in the hope it will help break the cycle of poverty in their country. They need our support for their program and are asking for help and prayers for MILAGRO. Watch the website and newsletter to find out how you can help.
You can help the girls of MILAGRO in several ways.
1. Prayer
2. Financial support (fund raiser, special offering, etc)
3. Project of making cards for MILAGRO; sending a picture of yourself plus a favorite bible verse
4. Make a WELCA group visit.
Please send your cards or donations to Pastor Stephen Friedrich, co-leader of the synod's Guatemala Team, at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 4814 Paper Mill Road SE, Marietta, GA 30067 or you may contact him at pastorstephen@lcrmarietta.org for more information.
You can help the girls of MILAGRO in several ways.
1. Prayer
2. Financial support (fund raiser, special offering, etc)
3. Project of making cards for MILAGRO; sending a picture of yourself plus a favorite bible verse
4. Make a WELCA group visit.
Please send your cards or donations to Pastor Stephen Friedrich, co-leader of the synod's Guatemala Team, at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 4814 Paper Mill Road SE, Marietta, GA 30067 or you may contact him at pastorstephen@lcrmarietta.org for more information.
St. Paul Lutheran in Maryville, Tennessee celebrates Cinco de Mayo!
by Jayne Young
On Saturday, May 5, St. Paul Lutheran church at 429 Sandy Springs Road in Maryville, Tennessee held their last WELCA meeting of the season until fall. It was with the theme of bright colors, Mexican music and food.
My fellow congregation member from Our Savior Lutheran in Gatlinburg, Rosemary Little, joined me in driving to their church at 2:00 pm. We arrived to find festive notes on their front doors and were led to their fellowship hall. Hola ’and Bienvenido, (Hello and Welcome!) to all our amigos such as Beth, Patty, Elaine, Barb, Nan, and all the others who warmly greeted us. It was inspiring to be in a room full of love.
We were seated at a table with a bright tablecloth, bright colored flowers in a vase, and lots of M&M’s. The plates and napkins were of bright colors, and there was a party favor of a donkey filled with candy at each place setting. They conducted their Bible study on Women of Action as being Super Heroes, given by Beth Drane. Afterward they held their business meeting.
It was followed by a great meal of soft tacos, fruit, and cookies with a fruit punch. All the while soft Spanish music was playing. Their Music director played songs for a big sing-a-long, some in English, and some in Spanish. Then it was time for their door prize, raffle and 50-50 ticket drawing. The door prize was a bag full of goodies, and another was a donkey piñata. My friend Rosemary was lucky enough to win the 50/50.
Sadly it was soon time to leave and head home. There were 42 ladies present that day. Adios amigos until next time. Gracias por un buen momento! (Thank you for a good time!).
Cluster 4 Spring Meeting
April 7, 2018
Epiphany, Conyers, GA
The Cluster 4 (Magi) Spring meeting was held April 7, 2018 at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Conyers, Georgia.
Our worship service was led by Pastor Patti Axel.
We offered our appreciations to outgoing Recorders, Judy Aukes and Judy Johnson. Terri Lange of Epiphany was installed as our new Recorder.
Our program was "Backpack Buddies" for children with food insecurities. The program was led by Evelyn Brown of Community Support and Services who is a member of Epiphany. We made 42 bags with the food we provided as well as food from the Epiphany pantry.
Our worship service was led by Pastor Patti Axel.
We offered our appreciations to outgoing Recorders, Judy Aukes and Judy Johnson. Terri Lange of Epiphany was installed as our new Recorder.
Our program was "Backpack Buddies" for children with food insecurities. The program was led by Evelyn Brown of Community Support and Services who is a member of Epiphany. We made 42 bags with the food we provided as well as food from the Epiphany pantry.
Cluster 6 Spring Meeting
April 21, 2018
Our Savior, Gatlinburg, TN
Cluster 9 Spring Meeting
April 28, 2018
St. Paul, Mobile, AL
The Gulf Coast (9) Spring cluster Meeting was held April 28 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mobile, Alabama. Patti Austin and I (Louise Iconis) were welcomed by the 2018 convention logo in the narthex of the church. After registering under a beautiful cross we met the youngest attendee and her mom, who was probably the second youngest.
We began the day with a worship service in the beautiful sanctuary led by Pastor Kathryn Love who will be the keynote speaker at our convention at Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula, Alabama in September. After the service we
This was followed by a wonderful lunch provided by the ladies of St. Paul. After lunch they held their business meeting which included my report from the synodical board; the election of a new recorder, Kathy Zimmerman; and convention planning with Sissy Gifford. Cluster 9 will be our hostesses for the convention in September and they are planning a lot of fun things for us. See you in September!
We began the day with a worship service in the beautiful sanctuary led by Pastor Kathryn Love who will be the keynote speaker at our convention at Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula, Alabama in September. After the service we
This was followed by a wonderful lunch provided by the ladies of St. Paul. After lunch they held their business meeting which included my report from the synodical board; the election of a new recorder, Kathy Zimmerman; and convention planning with Sissy Gifford. Cluster 9 will be our hostesses for the convention in September and they are planning a lot of fun things for us. See you in September!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE YOUR EVENTS AND PICTURES ON OUR WEBSITE?
Just email them to louise@iconis.com
Just email them to louise@iconis.com