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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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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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 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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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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