My first day as a Churchwide Assembly voting member. Wow, what a day. From COVID protocol checks at registration to sharing stories and meals with colleagues and seeing old friends and meeting new ones, today was a full day. As I walked into the hall where we will go about the business of our church […]
Make plans to join us for the NC Synod summer Bible Reading Plan sponsored by the Engage the Bible Task Group, a Book of Faith ministry. This summer we will read the Gospel of John together as a synod. Journey with John will begin on Sunday, July 3, and end on Tuesday, July 26. Each
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On June 2-4, 2022 the NC Synod converged on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU) for our first-ever Synod Gathering, and it was just what we needed. I traveled to the Gathering in Hickory from Greensboro on Friday, along with five other members of our congregation, Prince of Peace. It was hard to believe that
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The 2022 NC Synod Gathering—the first of its kind—is a wrap! Initially planned for May 2020, but of course, postponed due to the pandemic, the Gathering finally happened! Except for precautionary pandemic-type restrictions, the event was almost identical to the one initially planned. Rostered ministers—pastors and deacons—and lay people from all across the synod came
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In much the same way as it began, the 2022 Synod Gathering ended with a spirit-filled worship service. We gathered at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Grace Chapel on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost with music, liturgy, prayers, and the sacrament of Holy Communion. All rostered ministers were invited to vest and process for the
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It was a long time coming, this Synod Gathering! We had planned to be together in the spring of 2020; that was not to be. The synodwide learning event we dreamed of—with learning, inspiration, and plenty of worship—finally happened! The BBQ with fabulous food, great music, and games was to have happened on Shaw Plaza
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On the final day, Synod Gathering participants ventured into LR’s Grace Chapel for an open and honest panel conversation with young people to consider the gift and the challenge of church. Bishop Smith began the time together by relating a recent conversation. “Bishop,” he was recently asked, “How do we get the young people in
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On Friday morning, Vice President Diana Haywood addressed the Gathering participants: Each year we celebrate with congregations and rostered ministers with significant anniversaries. I’m going to start with the congregations and if your congregation is named, please feel free to stand. Celebrating 25 years: Amazing Grace, Waxhaw Celebrating 50 years: Prince of Peace, Greensboro Celebrating
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Unique to this first-time event, each of the three days of Synod Gathering included two and a half hours each day to attend your choice of workshops and interactive discussions around an array of compelling topics. Some filled the entire time for intensive learning; others allowed for a 60-minute overview of topics. Topics ranged from
Although we had expected Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to join us for our gathering, preach at the opening worship, and share the churchwide report with us, her plans changed about 48 hours before the gathering and Pastor Sara Cutter, Senior Director for Operational Effectiveness in the Christian Community and Leadership Home Area of the ELCA
ELCA Report to the Synod Read More »