Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
April/May 2016 Volume 33
D ear Friends in Southeast Michigan,
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Perhaps you shouted that back and forth in the congregation where you worshipped on Easter Sun-day. Perhaps you were more restrained, or at a sunrise service on a beach somewhere where shout-ing was frowned upon. Or perhaps you were unable to find your voice because of the particular bur-den you carry right now: grief, anger, sorrow, doubt, fear. There are lots of ways we can be silenced.
Of course, the Roman authorities thought they had silenced Jesus. They thought they had for-once-and-for-all put an end to the ministry of that back country rabbi and his ragtag band of followers. They thought that the might of the empire was sufficient both to overwhelm and then to erase any memory, any record, any mention of the man from Naza-reth in Galilee.
Of course, the authorities were wrong. Stupendously, preposterously, gigantically wrong.
You can’t blame them for trying, though. You can’t blame them for thinking that they could “solve” the man who had become such a problem by putting him to death in a gruesome way. After all, their strategy had always worked out pretty well before. What could be different in Jesus’ case?
The answer to that question is both as long as time and as short as the words we shouted back and forth: Christ is risen!
Death could not hold him. The grave could not contain him. Sin had no power over him because he was the one in whom there was no sin. So after three days, Jesus left the tomb, abandoning the stone behind him like the popped cork on a bottle of champagne.
That is what Easter is about, dear friends. It’s the reason we gather every Sunday during the year, because we remember that it was a Sunday morning when Jesus honored the promises he made, and the promises that had been made about him: that after three days he would rise again.
That truth is at the center of our faith. That truth can sustain us, even in the face of great loss and suffering. That truth can pull us into living a new life, because our old lives are not big enough for that truth to grow and nourish that new creation all around us.
We are invited in to that promise. We are invited to become fellow story tellers with the Evangelists, and to share that remarka-ble good news. We are invited to live in such a way that the folks around us can be moved and surprised by the One at the center of our lives, and the truth that motivates our choices and decisions in the world. We are invited to live the truth of Easter.
My prayer for our Synod this season is that our faith might be deepened, our hopes might be strengthened, and our joy in-creased as we lean into the promise of Christ’s resurrection and what it means for our lives.
For Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Grace and peace,
Bishop Don Kreiss
Prayers for Rostered Leaders, Churches, and Others The Office of the Bishop shares the following names and congregations for our collective prayers:
Rostered Leaders: Pr Martin Gehring, Pr Kathy Gies, Pr Waldemar Gies, Pr Linda Golden, Pr Andrew Gookin, Pr Denise Grant, Pr Diane Greble, Pr Annette Griffin, Pr Fredrick Gross,
Pr Jay Haite, Pr Pamela Hansen, Pr Fred Harms, AiM Helen Harms, Pr Roger Harms, Pr Lisa Hayes ,Pr Jill Heather, Pr Dale Hedblad, Pr Robert Hegdal, Pr Jonathan Heierman, Pr Philip Hemke, Pr David Hendricks, Pr Steve Higley, Pr John Hitzeroth, Pr David Hively, Pr George Hockley, Pr Rick Hogan, Pr Ralph Hoke, Pr Rodney Hokenson, Pr Heather Holland, LLM David Hudson, Pr Sharon Huff, Pr Thomas Huff, Pr Kurt Hutchens, LLM Rosemary Ireland-Black,
Diac Min Troy Jacobson, Pr Sharon Janot, Pr Michael Johnson, Pr Regina Johnson, Pr Joyce Johnston, Pr Daniel Jones,
Pr Dennis Kenny, Pr Paul Keppler, Pr Theodore Kerr III, Pr Jennifer Kiefer,
Pr Lauren Kirsh-Carr, Pr William Kirsh-Carr, Pr Robyn Kistemaker, Pr Bonnie Klos, Pr Katherine Kolodziejczyk, Pr Michael Konow, Pr Gustav Kopka, LLM Jim Kroll Congregations: Messiah/Swartz Creek, Mother of the Savior/Dearborn, Mt Calvary/Warren, Our Risen Lord/Burton, Our Saviour/Port Huron, Peace/Southfield, Pilgrim/Marysville, Prince of Glory/Madison Heights, Prince of Peace/ Ida, Revelation/Detroit, Salem /Flint, Salem Memorial/Detroit, Shalom/Pinckney, Shepherd Of The Lakes/Walled Lake, Shepherd's Way/South Lyon, Spirit Of Grace/West Bloomfield, Spirit Of Hope/Detroit, St Andrew /Bloomfield Hills. We pray continuously for the presence and gifts of our faith leaders: Bishops Donald Kreiss, Craig Satterlee, and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. We pray for our companion partners and their bishops: Rev. Nicolaus Nsanganzelu (Mubulu Diocese, ELCT), Rt. Rev. Dr. Munib A. Younan ELCJHL);
What’s happening around the Synod April 16 Synod Council Meeting 19 Deans Meeting 21-22 Discernment Retreat—Michindoh Retreat Center/Hillsdale 24-26 First Call Theological Education—Potawatomi Inn/Angola, IN 28-29 Trout Lectures—25th Anniversary—Trinity Lutheran Seminary/Columbus May 13-14 Synod Assembly—Shalom/Pinckney 16 Synod Office Closed 30 Memorial Day—Synod Office Closed June 4 Licensed Lay Ministry Retreat 17-18 Synod Council Retreat July 23-29 Bridge Builders Camp—Stoney Lake/New Era August 8-13 ELCA Churchwide Assembly—New Orleans 10-13 Grace Gathering—New Orleans
Rev. Claire S. Burkat (Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod).
Countries around the world that continue to live with and recover from hateful acts of terror. Our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land as they live amidst the continued Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Those oppressed by governments and systems of power. Those recovering from disasters of flood and fire. The people of Flint, MI in the midst of a tragic water and health crisis, especially Pr. Monica Villarreal and Salem Lutheran Church as they celebrate 100 years anniversary. Congregations in conflict or without called pastoral leadership. The 76 ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM), especially, Joshua Harold and David Meza as they end their time of service.
We also pray for those who mourn the deaths of Pr. Charles Fox, Pr. Richard Nelson, Pr. Dan Rolik, Pr. Terry Ruther & Pr. Sherry Schacht. Others who mourn: Pr. Diane Greble (father, Richard Bareis), Pr. Sean Ewbank (mother, DeEtte), Pr. Lori Carey (mother), Lisa Jeffreys (father-in-law Jack), Pr. Rodney Buland (mother Marlis).
#FlintWaterCrisis Update—Advocacy Contact List
President Barack Obama
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @POTUS
Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Phone: 517-373-3400
Twitter: @onetoughnerd
U.S. Senator Gary Peters
515 North Washington Avenue
Suite 401
Saginaw, MI 48607
Phone: (989) 754-0112
Twitter: @Peters4Michigan
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
Flint/Saginaw Bay Office
432 N. Saginaw St
Suite 301
Flint, MI 48502
Phone: (810) 720-4172
Twitter: @Stabenow
U.S. Representative Dan Kildee
Flint District Office
111 East Court St. #3B
Flint, MI 48502
Phone: 810-238-8627
Washington, DC Office
227 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3611
Twitter: @DanKildee
State Senator Jim Ananich, District 27
PO BOX 30036
Lansing, MI 48909
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 517-373-0142
Twitter: @jimananich
State Representative Sheldon Neeley, District 34
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Phone: (517) 373-8808
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @SheldonNeeley
State Representative Phil Phelps, District 49
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Phone: (517) 373-7515
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @phil_phelps
Flint Mayor Dr. Karen Weaver
101 S. Saginaw St.
Flint, MI 48502
Phone: (810)766-7346
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @karenaboutflint
Sign the Petition Visit change.org and search for “Flint Water”
to find the petition titled:
“Stop Making Flint Residents Pay for Poisoned Water!”
http://tinyurl.com/Flint-change-org Share this petition with your network of friends on
social media
#FlintWaterCrisis Volunteer teams are invited to help out
every Thursday & Saturday morning. Call the church office Monday - Thursday, from 10 am - 2 pm at 810.235.0863.
Donate Online to support Salem Lutheran Church via the Southeast MI Synod web-site, and get updates as they become available.
Mail checks to Southeast Michigan Synod, 8115 E Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48214
Keep up with the advocacy efforts of the ELCA Advocacy Network
For Your Information
The Southeast Michigan Synod now offers online donation.
Please see the DONATE link on the website: www.semisynod.com
Rise Up Together
Spring Event 2016
Rise Up Together Spring Event 2016 will continue the work started at the ELCA Youth Gathering last sum-mer. The work of 30,000 youth is
just the beginning of dedicated efforts to rise up with people in Detroit. Saturdays in April from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ELCA members and friends will meet at Matrix Human Ser-vices, 13560 E McNichols in Detroit to work in the Os-born community. We are partnership with Matrix, Youth Connections and neighborhood groups to complete some of the work started last summer. We are looking for people willing to work joyfully and hard and are in particular need of people with skilled labor and tools for house board ups. If you would like to know more contact Dave Upmeyer at [email protected].
Synod Assembly Registration and more.... Mark your calendars! The Synod Assembly is Friday, May 13 - Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Shalom Lutheran Church in Pinckney, MI. This year's theme is "Rise Up! Go Forward! from John 5:2-1. Registration is open - Voting members can register online with a credit card, or register by mail and pay with a check. Visit the synod website for access to Table Vendor Forms, Resolutions and Nomi-nations information and more.
Our featured speakers are Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton,
Rev. Wayne Muller and Rev. Mike Ward.
AVOID LATE FEES—GET YOUR REGISTRATION IN BY APRIL 18TH!
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Nelson W. Trout Lectures in April Trinity Lutheran Seminary will host the 25th Anniversary event Thursday, April 28 - Friday, April 29 on its campus in Columbus, OH. To commemorate the event, a special dinner buffet is planned for Thursday evening. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information visit Trinity's events page. Trinity Alumni and members of the Detroit congregations are being encouraged to attend. Visit with old friends. Hear good singing and pre-pare to be moved by the good preaching of The Rev. Otis Moss III.
T H E B I S H O P ’ S S E M I N A R I A N F U N D
On Sunday, May 8, 2016, which is also Mothers’ Day, I am asking every congregation in our Southeast Michigan Synod to collect a once-a-year offering to help support candidates from Southeast Michigan congregations who are currently studying in ELCA seminaries.
The costs for seminary education keep rising, and many of our candidates are already carrying undergraduate student loans. The purpose of this Fund is to:
Help our seminarians bear the burden of seminary education costs.
Build bridges between our congregations and our seminarians.
Break the chains of financial stress that limit the options of those called to serve.
Bring hope for the next generation of church lead-ers.
The Bishop’s Seminarian Fund will be used to provide scholarship assistance and encouragement to those called to serve as professional leaders in the church.
PASTORAL VACANCIES BY CONFERENCE—APRIL 2016
CONFERENCE 1: DEAN- THE REV. DENISE RUSSELL
CONFERENCE 2: DEAN-THE REV. ROLAND TROIKE, JR. St. Peters, New Haven Supply LLM Jim Kroll Trinity, Brown City Paperwork in process Interim P. Vuylsteke, DM* St. Martin, Port Huron Supply LLM Charlie Martin
CONFERENCE 3: DEAN-THE REV. JONATHAN HEIERMAN King of Kings, Lake Orion Interviewing Pr. Bart Muller, SS Christ the Shepherd, Ortonville Supply Supply preachers Good Samaritan, Pontiac Call accepted Pr. Jen Herrmann St. Andrew, Bloomfield Hills Supply Licensed Lay Ministers
CONFERENCE 4: DEAN-THE REV. BART BEEBE Fellowship, Sterling Heights Transition Pr. Mark Evans St. Peter, Warren Transition Supply preachers
CONFERENCE 5: DEAN-THE REV. GEORGE OBERLE Bethlehem, Harrison Twp In study LLM Robert Brannon
CONFERENCE 6: DEANS– THE REV. LINDSEY ANDERSON AND MS. ROBIN MCCANTS Good Shepherd, Detroit In Study Supply preachers Gracious Saviour, Detroit In Study Supply preachers Iroquois Avenue Christ, Detroit In Study Pr. Wayne Nabors, SS Revelation, Detroit In Study Supply preachers St. James, Detroit Stated Supply Pr. Jill Heather Cross of Glory, Detroit Interviewing LLM Joyce Brooks
CONFERENCE 7: DEAN-THE REV. SEAN EWBANK St. Philip, Trenton Stated Supply Pr. Bob Carr*, SS
CONFERENCE 8: DEAN-THE REV. LINDA GOLDEN Timothy, Livonia Supply Eric Stenson Holy Cross, Livonia Transition Pr. Krister Ulmanis* Antioch, Farmington Hills Call Extended Pr. Martha Butzier*
CONFERENCE 9: DEAN – THE REV. TED KERR Trinity, Riga Supply LLM David Corliss Good Shepherd, Monroe Stated Supply Pr. David Hively Zion, Petersburg Stated Supply Pr. David Vinciguerra St Paul, Maybee Supply LLM Gail Cebelak
CONFERENCE 10: DEAN-THE REV. DAVID HENDRICKS King of Kings, Ann Arbor Transition Pr. Peggy Rose*, Trans. Pr. Emmanuel, Ypsilanti Transition Pr. Christine Thompson*, Trans. Pr. Lord of Light/Lutheran Campus Min, Ann Arbor Transition Pr. David Hendricks*, interim Holy Faith, Saline Transition Pr. Stan Eckermann* Zion, Ann Arbor Associate Transition
CONFERENCE 11: DEAN-THE REV. PAUL WALTERS Trinity, Clawson Call accepted Pr. Ken Fouty (1/2 time) Good Shepherd, Royal Oak Transition Pr. Dennis Meyette*, Trans. Pr.
*Trained Intentional Interim Minister; SS—Stated Supply; Transitional ministry—pastor serving ½ time or more;
In study—discerning God’s desire for future staffing
ORDINATIONS/CONSECRATIONS/COMMISSIONINGS/INSTALLATIONS
Rev. Jen Hermann Installation Good Samaritan, Pontiac April 17—2:00 p.m.
Southeast Michigan Synod 8115 E. Jefferson Avenue Detroit, MI 48214-3970 313-821-1055 phone 313-821-1425 fax www.semisynod.com
On The Way Together
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631
800-NET-ELCA (800-638-3522)
www.elca.org
E-mail Addresses for Synod Staff Bishop Donald Kreiss- [email protected]
Rev. Jack Eggleston - [email protected]
Rev. Heather Holland - [email protected] Robin McCants - [email protected] Beth Fisher - [email protected]
E-mail Addresses for Synod Deployed Staff Director Youth Ministry Lisa Jeffreys [email protected] Director Synod Life Rev. Lauren Kirsh-Carr [email protected] Director Interim & Transitional Ministry Rev. Jan Marvar [email protected]
Director Candidacy Rev. Barry Osterbur
Director Licensed Lay Ministry Rev. Scott McKinney
E-mail Addresses for Synod Executive Officers Vice President Al Asfour—[email protected]
Treasurer Valinda Vincent [email protected] Secretary George Watson—[email protected]
Deadline for On The Way Together
The deadline for this publication is the 15th of each month. E-mail items of interest to: [email protected]
Additional Websites Acts In Common
www.actsincommon.org
Augsburg Fortress
www.augsburgfortress.org
Capital University
www.capital.edu
Ecumenical Theological Seminary
www.etseminary.edu
Living Water Ministries
www.elcalivingwater.com
Lord of Light Lutheran Campus Ministry
www.lordoflight.org
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan
www.lssm.org
Mission Investment Fund
www.elca.org/mif
North/West Lower Michigan Synod
www.mittensynod.org
Thrivent Financial Services
www.thrivent.com
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
www.TLSohio.edu
Wittenberg University
www.wittenberg.edu
