Bishop's Appeal

Bishop's Appeal

Click the button above to give online to the Bishop's Appeal for Mission Support or to our Companion Synods.

Upcoming Events

Fri Feb 03, 2012 @10:00AM -
Investment Committee meeting
Fri Feb 03, 2012 @12:00PM -
Upstate Update Submission Deadline
Wed Feb 08, 2012 @12:00PM -
Upstate Update Distribution
Fri Feb 10, 2012
Dean's Meeting
Fri Feb 10, 2012
Synod Council
Sat Feb 11, 2012
Synod Council
Fri Feb 17, 2012 @12:00PM -
Upstate Update Submission Deadline
Sat Feb 18, 2012 @10:00AM - 03:00PM
Synod Assembly Planning Team Meeting
Mon Feb 20, 2012
OFFICE CLOSED: Presidents Day
Tue Feb 21, 2012
Staff Meeting

ELCA News Releases

  • Palestinian Lutheran pastor to receive 'German Media Award'
    CHICAGO (ELCA) - Dr. Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, will receive the German Media Prize award Feb. 24 for his work in founding educational, cultural and...
  • Lutherans invite students to help end malaria
    CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The ELCA Malaria Campaign, a campaign of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and the Lutheran Malaria Initiative will provide new opportunities for college and university students attending Lutheran...

ELCA Prayer Ventures

  • January 27
    Remember all who died in the Holocaust on this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, recognized by the United Nations. Pray for an end to current-day genocide and persecution of people based on religion, sexual identity or ethnicity.

Daily Bible Verse

Daily Bible Reading

  • Friday, January 27, 2012 [Revelation 2:12-17 (NRSV)]
    Idolatrous behavior is condemned

    "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two edged sword:


    "I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.


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December's Living Our Mission

Marcia Brown, Mission Interpreter takes a look at what ELCA World Hunger is doing.

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Ethics of Eating

Another way we can live our mission.

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Living Our Mission - Missionaries

Mission Interpreter Marcia Brown takes a look at the work ELCA Missionaries are doing around the world.

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Who We Are

We are a resurrection people who pray first, walk together and change lives. Learn more about us.

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Capital Campaign

Help us to feed the roots of leadership by supporting in the capital appeal of the Upstate New York Synod, ELCA for: Outdoor Ministry, Campus Ministry & Seminary Education

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Living Our Mission

Our stories of faith in action

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We are a Book of Faith Synod

The purpose of the Book of Faith Initiative is to increase biblical literacy and fluency for the sake of the world.

New Visions Workshop PDF Print E-mail

by Rev. Greg Tennermann

Dr. Peter Steinke will be in upstate New York leading his New Visions workshops at St. John's Lutheran Church in West Seneca on May 10 and 11. The workshops are an outgrowth of Dr. Steinke's years of work with congregations that were making transitions in their lives. They are designed to equip leaders to become effective advocates for mission in their own congregations and they are deeply rooted in Lutheran tradition as well as scripture.

Registration will be limited for this workshop, so early registration is encouraged. The registration for the two day event is $250 which includes lunch each day. Additional registrants from the same congregation will receive a $25 discount. All participants will receive a copy of Steinke's latest book, "A Door Set Open," as well as other materials to use in their own congregations.

If enough interest is shown, additional workshop sites will be set up. Registration will be available on line through the Upstate New York Synod website. Contact Gregory Tennermann for additional details.

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Synodical Staffing - Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility, Pastoral Care, Conflict and Healing, et. al. PDF Print E-mail

by Rev. Greg Tennermann

This is the second in a series of ministry area highlights as outlined in Bishop Jerge's Nov. 30 article

The Assistants to the Bishop for Mobility, Pastoral Care, Conflict and Healing, et. al. are "generalists" who work with the bishop on mobility care for pastors and congregations.  Currently Pastor Dave Preisinger (1/2 time) works with the Transforming Congregations and the Hunger Teams and Pastor Greg Tennermann (1/4 time) works with Intentional Interim Pastors and the Conflict and Healing Team.  together they provide 3/4 of a Full-time equivalent position.

This "generalist" position is the most flexible job description for an assistant to the Bishop. It involves being prepared to walk with congregations at times of change, working with pastors and congregations to become healthier and stronger in their ministry, and serving congregations, pastors and the bishop in a wide variety of ways as situations, needs, challenges and opportunities arise.

This work is shaped by our understanding of ourselves as resurrection people. As such we are always confident that God can call us forth to new life and therefore we live in hope even as we struggle through difficult times and experiences. It is the job of this staff person to assist the bishop, as needed, by walking with congregations and pastors at times of change in their lives. We try to bring clarity into confusing and anxious situations so that the support and the resources of the whole church can work together to bring healing and new life.

This assistant works closely with the Deans and is a resource to them in their work. We also work closely with the Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM) and the Bishop in the planning and care for congregations in transition. For my part, I support Intentional Interim Pastors and the Conflict and Healing Team members to facilitate their important ministries. I have been trained as an Intentional Interim Pastor by the Interim Ministry Network and as a Bridgebuilder Consultant and Healthy Congregations Workshop leader by Peter Steinke.

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Deaf Community Ministry PDF Print E-mail

By Denise Ballou, Mission Interpreter

Pastor Peter Williams, Grace Episcopal and Holy Spirit Lutheran in Cortland has been involved in ministry with the Deaf community for many years. He has served the Deaf community by leading worship, bible studies, visiting those who are homebound or hospitalized, and traveling far and wide to stay in contact with Deaf people all over Upstate New York. As a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 32 years, Denise Ballou also shares a common interest in the Deaf community. They are wondering if others have considered possible ways we might invite the Deaf into our worship communities. So we're asking:

  • Are there Deaf people in your community who are among the unchurched?
  • Do you already share the Good News with the Deaf community?
  • Would your congregation be interested in learning and using sign language?
  • Is your congregation interested in becoming involved in a Deaf Ministry?

If you'd like to hear more about this outreach ministry to the Deaf, please contact Fr. Peter Williams, Grace/Holy Spirit, in Cortland at frpete310@aol.com or Denise Ballou at nene57622@hotmail.com.

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Report Deadline For Pre-Assembly Book PDF Print E-mail

Each year we strive to have the most complete set of reports for you in our Pre-Assembly Bulletin. In an effort to complete this task in a complete and timely manner, this year's deadline to submit reports is March 15.

What reports are we looking for?

  • Conference Reports from each Dean
  • All Synod Committees, Task Forces and Teams (i.e. World Hunger, Communications Strategy, etc.)
  • Campus Ministries, Lutheran Colleges and Seminaries
  • Affiliated Organizations (i.e. LutheranCare, Social Ministry Organizations, LYO, Mission Investment Fund, Portico Benefits Services (formerly ELCA Board of Pensions), Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, etc.)
  • A Regional Report
  • Camps

Guidelines:

Reports should be one, no more than two, typed pages and submitted electronically (preferably as a Word document or text file) to Neal Fischer (nfischer@upstatenysynod.org). Please, attach any pictures in standard picture formats (jpg, gif, png).

Thank you for your help and assistance in making the most complete and useful bulletin possible. Much of the content continues over to our Annual Report book.

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Mobile For Mission - 2012 Synod Assembly PDF Print E-mail

 

Mobile for Mission is the theme for the 2012 Synod Assembly which will be held June 8 - 9, 2012 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Accommodations will once again be held in the Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside. Join us as we gather to learn about Global Mission and immerse ourselves in this year's text from Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns'." Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in synod business decisions, elect Synod Council members and 2013 Churchwide Assembly voting members, to hear from the ELCA Churchwide representative, Tammy Jackson, Director of International Leadership Development for Global Mission, to explore global mission through educational and experiential learning, and lift our hearts and voices in various worship opportunities. We will learn first hand about mission work in Zimbabwe from our special guests, Bishop and Mrs. Dube from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe.

Registration opens on April 1, 2012. The registration fee is $95 with a $10 discount for those registering by May 1. Hotel and food costs are in addition to the registration fee and will be listed when the on-line registration opens. Synod Assembly is open to all who want to attend, not just rostered leaders and congregational voting members. Child care will be offered throughout the assembly.

 

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2% Savings PDF Print E-mail

We have the opportunity to all earn a 2% discount on our ELCA health contributions again in 2012.

Each congregation and organization in our synod will receive a 2% discount on contributions for all of 2012 if 65% of the eligible ELCA-primary plan members and spouses in our synod complete the online Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by April 30. In 2011 in our synod alone the estimated collective savings that was put to use for mission was $20,600.

The 2012 health assessment is now open. If you have ELCA-primary health benefits, please plan to take 30 minutes by April 30 to complete the assessment. Completing the assessment earns you a $150 credit in your personal wellness account to offset out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Completing the assessment is an act of stewardship for you and this church.

Learn more...

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Sundays and Festivals (Lectionary)

Texts and liturigcal colors for upcoming dates from the Revised Common Lectionary
  • Sunday, January 29, 2012
    Fourth Sunday after Epiphany / Lectionary 4 (Year B)
    Sunday, January 29

    First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
    The prophet speaks with God's authority
    Psalm: Psalm 111
    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. (Ps. 111:10)
    Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
    Limits to liberty: the case of food offered to idols
    Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
    The healing of one with an unclean spirit
    Liturgical Color: Green

Festivals and Commemorations

Lesser festivals and commemorations of the Church
  • Friday, January 27, 2012
    Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith
    Friday, January 27

    Women as well as men were important Christian leaders from the beginning, as demonstrated by these coworkers of the apostle Paul. Lydia, a seller of purple goods, lent her home for a church; Dorcas was known for charitable works; and Phoebe was a deacon in the church at Cenchrae.
  • Saturday, January 28, 2012
    Thomas Aquinas, teacher, died 1274
    Saturday, January 28

    One of the most brilliant and creative theologians in the church's history, Aquinas worked to bring together scripture and the philosophy of Aristotle. A member of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), Aquinas was also a hymnwriter.