Weekly E-News

January 22, 2010

Click here for items from previous issues

Contents

• Carings and Sharings
• Reminder: 2010 Women's Retreat
• Visit Lutherland; See the Passion Play
• For Your Calendar: 2011 Learning Ministries Day
• St. Olaf Choir at Kimmel Center
• Leave a Legacy for Ministry and Mission
• Diakon on Facebook
• 2010 Bishop's Conference: Register Now
• Positions/Jobs/Items Available
• Items from Previous Editions

Carings and Sharings

Please remember the following in your prayers:

Pastors George Jones, James Laubach, James Miller, Bruce Potteiger, Andrew Stauffer
Associate in Ministry Elizabeth Elterich
Marcus Albers (mother of Pastor Jira Albers), Bruce Hill (husband of AiM Diana Hill), Chester Melot (father of Pastor Ann Melot), Victor Quinones (father of Pastor Nelson Quinones)

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Visit Lutherland; See the Passion Play

A few openings remain for the upcoming trip to Germany led by Ruth and Rick Doty and Michael and Linda Krentz. Designed in partnership with the ELCA Wittenberg Center, the trip includes "Lutherland" and the Passion Play at Oberammergau. The dates for the trip are May 30 - June 11, 2010, with a possible extension in Berlin until June 14.

For more information, click here to see the trip brochure or contact Ruth Doty at 2dotys.ober@gmail.com.

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For Your Calendar: 2011 Learning Ministries Day

The date has been set, the theme has been selected, and the presenter has been chosen for the 2011 Learning Ministries Day!

Date: January 22, 2011
Theme: "Technology and the Bible: It's All Geek to Me!"
Presenter: Hans Wiersma, Associate Professor of Religion, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN

Don't miss this event. Put it on your calendar today!

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St. Olaf Choir at Kimmel Center

The internationally-renowned St. Olaf Choir, under the direction of Conductor Anton Armstrong, will be appearing in Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall on Monday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m.

This is the first time in eight years that the choir from one of our Lutheran colleges will be performing in Philadelphia, and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia is partnering with St. Olaf to make this concert a success. The choir's last appearance, in 2001, quickly sold out, so be sure to reserve your seats now.

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Leave a Legacy for Ministry and Mission

As of 1 January 2010, the Minimum Required Distribution (MRD) from IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(k)s, and other applicable retirement plans has been reinstated. The MRD was suspended for a year (2009) as part of the Federal Government's economic recovery plan.

For those who are 70 ½ and older, who must take the MRD but do not need the distribution, consider making a charitable gift either outright or deferred. By making a charitable gift, you may offset some of the income tax liability with a charitable deduction. By making a deferred gift using a Charitable Gift Annuity, you will receive a tax deduction, some tax free income for a number of years, and annuity income.

For more information about how to make charitable gifts using retirement plans or other ways to make charitable gifts, call Pr. Greg Kramer at the Lutheran Planned Giving Office at 570-374-2044 or call the ELCA Foundation, 800-638-3522, ext. 2970, or visit their website at www.elca.org/fo.

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Diakon on Facebook

Diakon now has a Facebook fan page, available from their home page at www.diakon.org.

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2010 Bishop's Conference: Register Now

Online registration is still open for Spirituality in a Lutheran Key, the 2010 Bishop's Conference.

Sign up now for this annual conference at Skytop as we explore spirituality from a Lutheran perspective.

Leaders for the conference will be the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Linman, assistant to the bishop for formation, Metropolitan New York Synod, and the Rev. Dr. Robert Morris, executive director of Interweave Center at Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit, NJ.

Click here to go directly to the registration page. More information may be found here.

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Positions/Jobs/Employment Opportunities/Items Available (date posted)

Parish Secretary (1-22-10)
St. Peter Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, is accepting applications for the position of parish secretary. This is a part-time position (twenty hours per week), Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to noon. The parish secretary serves as receptionist, prepares worship bulletins, and compiles the annual report and bulk mailings. The secretary maintains the files and office equipment, updates the church website, and assists the staff and lay leaders. The secretary is required to attend weekly staff meetings. To receive an application, email Barbara_Taylor@stpetersbethlehem.org. All completed applications must be received by March 1.

Organist/choir director (1-22-10)
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Catasauqua, is seeking an organist/choir director. One service per week; one choir practice. Hours and salary negotiable. For more information, contact the church at 610-264-2641.

Youth Ministry Leader (1-8-10)
Robeson Lutheran Church, Mohnton, is looking for a youth ministry leader. The position is part-time with flexible hours. Key responsibilities include overseeing special youth and preschool programs and events. For more information, contact 610-856-7242 or email ddemarco@dejazzd.com.

Summer Staff (1-8-10)
Bear Creek Camp is seeking summer staff. If you are interested in the making a difference in the life and faith of a child, consider spending the summer working at Bear Creek Camp, located just south of Wilkes Barre. Applications are available online at www.bearcreekcamp.org.

Free Hymnals (1-8-10)
Dinkey Memorial Lutheran Church has eight copies of the large print edition of the With One Voice hymnal available free. If anyone is interested, the copies are available for free by contacting the church office at 610-377-4242 or cdinklc@ptd.net.

Organist/Director of Music (12-31-09)
Christ Lutheran Church of Lower Saucon seeks an organist/director of music. Responsibilities include leading ELW liturgy for 10:30am traditional worship service and fostering weekly participation and directing a 6-9 member senior choir as well as a bell choir. The position, which is available immediately, requires up to 15 hours a week. Please send resumes and/or direct any questions to the church office at 610/838-7370 or P.O. Box 153 (Easton Rd.), Hellertown 18055.

Administrative Secretary (10-16-09)
Jordan UCC, Allentown, is seeking an administrative secretary for a busy church office. Full-time position. Lead secretary will manage office with two full-time pastors and a part-time secretarial assistant. Please email resume and salary expectations to church@jordanucc.org.

Director of Music Ministries (9-30-09)
The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit is receiving applications for the full-time ministry position of Director of Music Ministries. Three Sunday worship services; five choirs (one of which is a bell choir) and an instrumental "band" that leads the mid-morning service. Worship planning. Organ, piano, voice and choral direction skills required. Degree with experience preferred. Please submit cover letter, resume and references to Pr Ric Elliott by mail or email (Prelliott@holyspirit-emmaus.org).

Free Choir Gowns (9-25-09)
St. Andrew, Palmer Township, has 25 green choir gowns with stoles that they are offering free to any interested congregation. For information, call 610 252-2258.

Director of Christian Education and Youth (8-27-09)
St. John UCC, Fullerton, is looking for a director of Christian Education and Youth, a 20-hour-per-week position. If you are interested and qualified, please send your resume with references to St. John's UCC, 575 Grape Street, Whitehall, PA 18052 Attention: Senior Pastor.

Banners (8-14-09)
Cedar, Cetronia, is offering free banners (5 or 6) representing various seasons of the church year, as well as a good number of LBWs. The office is open and staffed Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. For more information, call 610-395-6332 or email the church at cedarchurch@ptd.net.

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