[DistUpd] January 13
District Updates
distupd at lists.ndlcms.org
Wed Jan 13 09:20:45 CST 2010
Due to the snowy and windy weather last week, I was unable to make it to work the latter part of the week and the Update did not go out as planned. Hopefully this will be the last interruption for quite some time. Thank you for your patience, and I apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused.
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January 13, 2010
In this issue:
Epiphany blessings! Last week the church celebrated Epiphany, the revelation of the Christ Child to the Gentiles at the visit of the Magi from the East. As the account of the Wise Men's visit is told in the Gospel of Matthew, we see these Magi searching for the "King of the Jews." As they told King Herod, "We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." They weren't sure who they were looking for, only that there was someone special they were moved to worship.
Our celebration of Jesus' birth is over, and we are returning to our normal routines. How many of those around us "saw the star" of Christmas these past weeks without knowing the true meaning of the celebrations. They celebrated with Santa, stockings, trees, gifts, and food, but not with the Christ Child. As we visit with those we see every day - neighbors, friends, co-workers, whomever it might be - we should be mindful that they might be searching for the real reason for Christmas. God can use us to share the story of Jesus who came to earth as a baby to be the Savior for all, so that those who are searching might at last find the "King of the Jews" and worship Him as the Wise Men did so long ago.
* Prayer Requests
* LCMS World Relief/Human Care Response to Haiti Earthquake
* Important 2009 Remittance Information
* Upcoming Peacemaker Seminars
* Pews Available
* Stewardship Workshop Offered in Omaha
* In the News: A New Church, An Old Story
* Camp Luther Received $100,000 Grant
* Therapist Needed for Short-Term Work in Turkey
* Grace Place Lutheran Retreats
* Good Shepherd, Gretna, to Celebrate Anniversary and Dedication
* "Reaching Out Together" Conference
* Tell CPH Your Story - Win a Free VBS Kit
* Delegates Give Feedback on Proposed Structure Changes
PRAYER REQUESTS
Iglesia Luterana Jesus es el Senor, Omaha - This Hispanic ministry is reaching out to the Hispanic people living in the Omaha area through Sunday worship services, Bible studies, fellowship opportunities, VBS, and an English as a Second Language program that has reached more than 200 people since its beginning in 2008. Please pray for Vicar Obdulio Felix as he finishes up his studies at the Center for Hispanic Studies through Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and prepares to continue leading this mission church as its pastor. We also ask that God would continue to bless the church as they continue their efforts to share the love of Jesus with those around them.
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LCMS World Relief/Human Care Response to Haiti Earthquake (From http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=16375)
As news of what is being called the largest earthquake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years reached LCMS World Relief and Human Care (LCMS WR-HC) on Tuesday, the Synod's mercy arm began preparing to reach out in the Caribbean nation with much needed assistance and working in cooperation with Lutheran partners.
Only hours after getting reports of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake, the Synod's mercy arm announced it was making available funds to meet initial emergency needs. "The unfolding drama in Haiti calls for unlimited mercy on the part of the people of the LCMS. The needs are urgent and overwhelming right now," said Glenn F. Merritt, LCMS WR-HC director of Disaster Response. "I appeal to God's people to respond as generously as possible during this most difficult time."
Early reports indicate extensive property damage and terrible suffering among people trapped in collapsed buildings in an impoverished country already challenged by longtime political strife and poverty. Haiti is widely known as the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
News of the devastation triggered numerous calls and e-mails to LCMS Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner who, even before the earthquake, was preparing to send the first LCMS WR-HC Mercy Medical Team (MMT) to Haiti next month. Ironically, on Monday Karner sent a massive MMT recruitment appeal to LCMS pastors and congregations asking for physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals to volunteer for the team that is scheduled to serve in Haiti March 11-21.
"Our preliminary legwork for the first MMT team to Haiti in March will serve us well as we prepare to respond," Karner said Tuesday night. "Perhaps now, because of this tragedy, people will see the desperate need in Haiti and prayerfully consider how they can use their gifts and talents."
To learn more about the MMT trip to Haiti, contact LCMS WR-HC's Jacob Fiene at 800-248-1930, ext. 1278, or jacob.fiene at lcms.org<mailto:jacob.fiene at lcms.org>. Following is the full request:
LCMS World Relief and Human Care offers medical professionals opportunities to volunteer abroad in underserved regions. We are in desperate need of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals to work with Lutherans who share Christ's mercy. Pastors also are needed to serve as team chaplains. Teams work in conjunction with LCMS partner churches and local clinics to care for both body and soul.
Since 2006, Mercy Medical Teams have provided free medical care to more than 10,000 people in some of the world's most vulnerable communities. Teams care for people suffering with HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, parasites, dysentery, serious wounds, infections, malaria and other tropical diseases, and illnesses associated with unhealthy drinking water and sanitation. We treat both adults and children (including many youngsters orphaned by AIDS) and provide our own pharmacy for dispensing free medications. Please take a minute to watch a brief Mercy Medical Team video at: http://www.lcms.org/?16362<http://www.ne16.com/t/11251026/564516256/53978269/0/>
Today, our most desperate need is for a physician to volunteer with our Mercy Medical Team that will serve March 11-21 in Haiti. If you know of physicians interested in short-term missionary medical service, please touch base with Jacob Fiene immediately using his contact information listed below.
Whether you have medical skills or a sincere heart for service, please consider becoming a Mercy Medical Team volunteer. Learn more at http://www.lcms.org/mercyteams<http://www.ne16.com/t/11251026/564516256/53978270/0/>. For a leader's perspective, log on to the Mercy Medical Team blog at http://mercyandmedical.blogspot.com<http://www.ne16.com/t/11251026/564516256/53978271/0/>. Please e-mail Jacob at mercyteams at lcms.org<mailto:mercyteams at lcms.org> or call toll-free 800-248-1930, ext. 1278.
LCMS WR-HC is working cooperatively with LCMS World Mission, Haitian missionaries, and partner churches to provide relief in a timely fashion. Funds are urgently needed to help Haitians who have lost loved ones and homes.
To share Christ's mercy with suffering Haitians, make a gift online by visiting http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=16375.
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IMPORTANT 2009 REMITTANCE INFORMATION
The District's fiscal year closes on January 31, 2010. Any offerings or gifts your congregation would like to have applied to your 2009 support (February 1, 2009 - January 31, 2010) should be remitted by the end of January, and clearly titled 2009 Remittance. If you are unable to mail your support by the end of January, but would like your support applied to 2009, please send the District a letter indicating your anticipated additional commitment, clearly titled 2009 Remittance. Any other remittances will be applied toward your 2010 support.
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UPCOMING PEACEMAKER SEMINARS
Do your new years' resolutions include mending relationships with family, friends, co-workers, or others? Let the Nebraska District help by attending one of the "Blessed Are the Peacemakers" seminars offered at various locations in the District. These one-day seminars will present how God's ministry of reconciliation is meant to be lived in everyday life and will help you learn how to deal Biblically with the conflict that inevitably occurs in our relationships.
The $20 early-bird registration fee covers the cost of the presentation, breakfast, lunch, and take-home resources. Seminars are currently scheduled for the dates and locations listed below, with more being added. Information and registration forms for these seminars have been mailed to each congregation, and are available to be printed at the District website www.ndlcms.org/congregational/workercare/peacemakers.html<http://www.ndlcms.org/congregational/workercare/peacemakers.html>
February 6-Zion, Imperial (registration due January 22)
February 13-Trinity, Auburn (registration due January 29)
February 20-St. Paul, Utica (registration due February 5)
March 20-Holy Savior, Lincoln (registration due March 5)
Please consider attending the seminar most convenient for you-and invite others to join you! Contact the District Office at 888-643-2961with questions.
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PEWS AVAILABLE
The Nebraska District has wooden pews available for any congregation in need of them. These wooden pews are in Omaha, and the interested congregation would be responsible for picking them up. For more information, contact Connie Borchers at connieb at ndlcms.org<mailto:connieb at ndlcms.org> or 888-643-2961.
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STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOP OFFERED IN OMAHA
Congregational leaders are invited to attend the Turning Donors Into Disciples: FAITH-RAISING, NOT FUND-RAISING workshop hosted by Beautiful Savior (7706 South 96th Street), La Vista, on Saturday, February 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This workshop will:
* Change the "stewardship of giving" culture in your church
* Send you home with the "Stewardship of Giving Toolbox"
* Teach you how "Consecrated Stewards" can help increase giving
* Teach about "Heart In Focus" - a personal, faith-focused money management plan
Facilitators include nationally known leaders. Start planning today and get your congregation leaders registered. The cost is $25 per person or $100 for groups of five.
For more information, email christinab at churchsmart.com<mailto:christinab at churchsmart.com> or call David Wetzler at 800-253-4276. To register online, click on the "training" button at www.churchsmart.com<http://www.churchsmart.com/>. You may also register by emailing the Discipling/Stewardship Center (Dr. Waldo Werning) at wjwern at aol.com<mailto:wjwern at aol.com>.
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IN THE NEWS: A NEW CHURCH, AN OLD STORY
"Bethlehem. It wasn't the nice, peaceful, picturesque little town we picture in our minds."
This was the picture Cross of Christ Lutheran Church tried to paint for the community of Aurora at its presentation of "A Night in Bethlehem" in December.
Read about the newest Nebraska District congregation's efforts to share the real Bethlehem and the ancient story of Jesus' birth, as well as the community's response, in the newspaper article published by the Aurora News-Register on December 22. Find the article online at http://www.auroranewsregister.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1112:a-new-church-an-old-story&catid=1:local&Itemid=10.
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CAMP LUTHER RECEIVED $100,000 GRANT
Camp Luther of Nebraska, Schuyler, recently received a $100,000 grant from the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, Appleton, Wis., designed to generate thousands more in financial gifts to Camp Luther. The grant will make it possible for the camp to develop a program that involves working with the LCMS Foundation Gift Planner in Nebraska, Neal Koch, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans representatives to host meetings with small groups of interested donors and to make a joint presentation on how individuals can support the future ministry of Camp Luther through their gifts, deferred gifts, wills, and other tools which Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the LCMS Foundation have available.
The LCMS Foundation and Thrivent Funds will manage the Camp's new endowment fund. This program is unique in that it will give donors the opportunity to support an area of their choice: camperships, capital improvements or endowment fund, while receiving a photo newsletter on the opportunities their gifts made available to children. The grant will also make it possible for the camp to hire a pastor to be the Director of Endowment. He will travel throughout the District to preach and speak about the unique ministry opportunity of Camp Luther.
The grant is part of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation Charitable Gifting Initiative designed to educate supporters of Lutheran institutions and ministries about the advantages of tax-wise charitable gifts.
"This grant will give Camp Luther the boost it has needed for many years. Finally, we will be able to get the word out to the people of the area about the life-changing effects camp can have on the lives of children, youth and families," according to board president Allan Zietz of Norfolk, NE.
"It is our hope that this grant will strengthen Camp Luther's ability to inform potential donors of various options available to them to financially support the Camp's work," said Brad Hewitt, president of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation. "As people come alongside Camp Luther with charitable gifts, Camp Luther will become increasingly effective in carrying out its ministry/mission."
For more information on this grant or on the ministry of Camp Luther, contact Hank Rausch, executive director of Camp Luther, at hank at campluther.org<mailto:hank at campluther.org> or 402-352-5655.
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THERAPIST NEEDED FOR SHORT-TERM WORK IN TURKEY
There is a need for a therapist (PT, OT, or ST) that could travel to Turkey during the first week of April 2010 to be involved in a training project that involves training "care workers" who go into disabled people's homes and also into orphanages that house disabled children and adults. The therapist will be doing patient/family education with a local organization that supports people with disabilities.
A second therapist is also needed to cover the following topics:
* Basics of Wheelchair fitting - including doing a demonstration with a locally produced wheelchair with a patient and showing people what to look for to make it a "good fit"
* Basics of Patient Hygiene - hints on keeping dependent patients clean and be able to explain the benefits and then risks of not doing so
* Wound Care
* Psychosocial issues - especially with caregiver fatigue
There is assistance available for travel and accommodations. Please contact Bobbie Lautenschlager immediately at 314-503-4317 or at joliba at sbcglobal.net<http://us.mc573.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=joliba@sbcglobal.net> if you are interested or need additional information.
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GRACE PLACE LUTHERAN RETREATS
Grace Place Lutheran Retreats is a recognized service organization of the LCMS. The goal of Grace Place Lutheran Retreats is to offer preventative wellness skills, attitudes, and resources to professional church workers and their spouses, so they can experience and live the abundant lives to which Jesus called them. Various donors generously support Grace Place and its ministry, which keeps the costs down for attendees. Congregations are encouraged to consider sending one or more church workers to be refreshed and renewed in ministry this year. For more information, contact Grace Place Lutheran Retreats at 314-842-3077 or visit www.graceplaceretreats.org.
Nebraska District Pastors/Educators and Spouses
June 21-25 - Snowmass, Colo.
(registration: $360)
Pastors/Educators and Spouses
July 26-30 - Trego, Wis.
(registration: $225 if Thrivent member)
Single Clergy/Educators
September 1-5 - Snowmass, Colo.
(registration: $360)
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GOOD SHEPHERD, GRETNA, TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY AND DEDICATION
Following is a congregation anniversary that was not listed in the Nebraska Lutheran Reporter. Everyone is invited to join them.
Good Shepherd, Gretna, will celebrate its 30th Anniversary and the dedication of its new addition on Sunday, January 31, with one service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a dinner and program. Guest speaker is Rev. Bo Baumeister, former campus pastor of Concordia University, Seward.
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"REACHING OUT TOGETHER" CONFERENCE
The second annual "Reaching Out Together" evangelism conference will take place on February 13, 2010. It is designed to inspire, encourage, teach, and give opportunity for putting into practice principles for talking about Jesus to others, especially the uncommitted or unchurched. This event is presented by the Saturday Outreach School in partnership with Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, the Missouri District LCMS, and North American Missions Ablaze! "Reaching Out Together" is for pastors, evangelism boards, church leaders, and laypeople in the Missouri District and adjacent LCMS districts.
Featured break-out session speakers include Dr. Thomas R. Zehnder, executive director of LCMS World Mission; Kay L. Meyer, author of Witnessing-A Lifestyle; Rev. John Rathje, pastor of Christ in the City Lutheran Church, St. Louis; Rev. Peter Kirby, Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ; Rev. Kevin Parviz, Lutherans in Jewish Evangelism; and Rev. Brad Aldrich, CrossPollination Ministries.
Registration fee is $20 per participant for the first four people from a single congregation, and $15 for each additional participant. Fee includes lunch and all materials.
The registration deadline for "Reaching Out Together" is February 5, 2010. For more information contact Concordia Seminary Continuing Education at 314-505-7486 or email ce at csl.edu<mailto:ce at csl.edu>.
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TELL CPH YOUR STORY - WIN A FREE VBS KIT
Did you know that in many countries, authorities arrest Christians just for meeting to worship? Though they face persecution, these Christians continue to believe. These believers are bold.
Even if we don't face persecution, we are still called by the Gospel to be bold believers. This is what our 2010 VBS, Planet Zoom, teaches your children. But today, we want to hear from you.
CPH's Bold Bee-liever Challenge is an opportunity for you to encourage others by sharing an example of God's Word in action within your congregation and community. Perhaps your story shares the experience you had on a mission project or other response to God's grace that touched lives in your community; you might recount the Baptism story of a new believer; or share with us the bold witness proclaimed by a member of your congregation to someone who did not know Jesus.
Once we have all the stories, ten will be randomly selected and posted online, where you and the rest of the CPH community will help select one congregation to receive a completely free Planet Zoom Vacation Bible School with enough resources to serve 150 students! The Bold Bee-liever Project is about all of us, rejoicing together and giving thanks to God for the work He alone does in all of our congregations, homes, and communities in and through His Word and Sacraments. That's bold!
Since not everyone who submits a story will be able to be featured on the site, we'll also randomly select one of you (who help to determine the final story) to receive a free VBS. So you'll want to encourage your congregation to visit the site, read the stories, and provide feedback! After the stories are posted on January 19, every person who votes will have the chance to enter his or her congregation to receive a FREE VBS.
That means the more people your congregation gets to vote, the better chance you have to be selected!
Simply submit your story to the CPH VBS website www.cph.org/planetzoom<http://www.cph.org/planetzoom> by 5 p.m. on January 17, 2010.
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DELEGATES GIVE FEEDBACK ON PROPOSED STRUCTURE CHANGES (from Reporter Online, December 31, 2009)
Two of the nine regional gatherings planned for LCMS convention delegates already have taken place, and organizer-presenter Rev. Jon Braunersreuther says that, so far, the events are doing just what they're supposed to do: explain the current structure of the Synod and the 21 proposals of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance, and find out what delegates think about the proposals.
"The objective here is to share the information, to make it clear to the delegates, many of whom don't know how the Synod is structured. And to make it clear what the proposals are, allow them to ask questions, and then, to get their feedback," said Braunersreuther, assistant to Synod President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick. "We want to know what they think so that the floor committee can take that information and use it to help mold the resolutions that they'll put forward on the floor of the convention."
Some 1,250 delegates are expected to take part in the convention July 10-17 in Houston, spending the first two business days (July 11-12) determining which of the task force's proposals -- fine-tuned and presented as resolutions -- will best prepare The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod to carry out its mission in the years ahead.
"We need structure and governance that are flexible and forward-looking -- receptive to new opportunities God is giving the Synod," Kieschnick said in introductory comments at each of the regional gatherings. "And we need a system of structure and governance that can help us maximize limited resources as faithful stewards, a need that has become even more critical in the current economic climate of our nation."
Each of the pre-convention gatherings involves between 100 and 200 delegates. "People can really participate because of the size -- it's not intimidating," says Braunersreuther.
One delegate told him that he had read through the task force's report "and didn't understand a thing" until he attended the pre-convention gathering, which "made all the difference in the world." The delegate said he now understands the issues "so much more."
"So, that's a delegate who, if he had just come to Houston, would have been in the dark and it would have been confusing," Braunersreuther said. "And now he'll come and he'll be prepared to make good decisions about the proposals as they're put forward."
Rev. Dennis Lassanske, a pastoral delegate from the Michigan District, attended the Dec. 11-12 regional meeting in Detroit. (The first meeting was held Dec. 4-5 in Denver, and it was this meeting the Nebraska District delegates attended.) After reading the task force's report, he says he is "convinced that the restructure of the Synod operation is long overdue" and that the proposals offer "some insightful options."
"I better understand their thinking as a result of the pre-convention meeting," Lassanske said via e-mail. And, even though he realizes that the restructuring process will be difficult, he says he is "hopeful that delegates will be well-read and prepared to make supportive decisions that will move the Synod forward on these structure issues."
Particularly helpful, he added, were the question-and-answer sessions, which "gave great information for making a more complete evaluation of the material and its historical context and impact."
Said Lassanske: "I am more hopeful today than before the meeting and more determined to do my research and prepare for the convention this summer."
Ron Jenkins, a lay delegate from the Indiana District, called the Detroit gathering "very informative and helpful."
"I think it's always good to [re-examine] our Bylaws so we can understand why we do things and not do it just because it has always been done that way," he said.
Eva Fronk, an advisory delegate from the English District, said the regional meeting she attended "made me very positive and hopeful for our Synod."
"We are examining our present practices, evaluating our strengths and weaknesses, and prayerfully considering 'which course is best for the salvation of souls,'" Fronk said, quoting the Synod's first president, Dr. C.F.W. Walther.
Even though the participants didn't agree on everything, the first two delegate gatherings "went very, very well," according to Braunersreuther. "There was a wonderful spirit in the room at both of those regional gatherings. People have been courteous and yet upfront about what their disagreements are. That's a good thing."
Everyone taking part in the meetings is being asked to complete a survey about the task force proposals, explaining what they like and don't like. And, in table discussion groups, they are identifying the two or three most important proposals for convention action.
After all the regional gatherings have ended, the results of the table discussions will be tabulated. That information, along with the written survey responses, will be considered by Convention Floor Committee 8, on Synod Structure and Governance, as it prepares the resolutions and decides which proposals are most critical for the convention to address.
The remaining seven regional gatherings will take place in January and February in Madison, Wis.; Minneapolis; Boston; Newport Beach, Calif.; Atlanta; Dallas; and St. Louis.
Braunersreuther asks delegates who will be attending those meetings to "read the report, keep an open mind, and come with your questions."
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The weekly Email Update is a resource offered to all in the Nebraska District to share information and to enrich the ministry God has called you to. Please continue to share information you feel would be of interest to others and let us know if there is any other way we at the District Office can be a resource to your ministry. Items for inclusion in the Update may be sent to communications at ndlcms.org<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org>.
Blessings,
Nichole Hetz
Nebraska District LCMS
Director of Communications
1-888-643-2961
nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org>
www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/>
* Please Note: The inclusion of items in the Update from outside sources is for informational purposes only. Inclusion of such items does not constitute District endorsement.
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