“Seriously?” “Seriously?” “Eye-opening.” “Disturbing.” “I’m sorry that our church treats you this way.” These were just a few of the responses at my table after we watched the “Seriously?” video at the NC Synod Assembly and were invited by Dr. Mindy Makant, deacon, to engage in some discussion.
Detectives of divinity The Rev. Ruben Duran, ELCA Director of Congregational Vitality, reminded the assembly of John 15:5 as he began his session on congregational vitality on Friday afternoon. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches, if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from
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Who are we? Reflections on a Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) on-site trip by Ginny Hultquist, member of First, Greensboro. They sat by themselves at one of the round tables, a weathered grandfather and his granddaughter, neither speaking amidst the other excited voices of families chatting with the Spanish-speaking LIRS board members. But no
What bishops do I’ve spent last week from early each morning until dark each night at Lenoir-Rhyne University with 13 high schoolers from all over Region 9 in the ELCA. Though “Bishops’ School” has been happening for decades, several years ago it started rotating around to happen on the territory of the six Region 9
Sustainability and vitality: the congregational life cycle During Saturday’s morning session, the assembly heard all about mold and maggots. Yes, you read that right. Mold and maggots. The Rev. Danielle DeNise, NC Synod Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM), reminded the assembly of the story of the children of Israel in Exodus 16, where they received
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Constitutional changes approved Before an en bloc vote of several changes to the synod constitution, Secretary Doug Ramsey offered concise summaries of those changes.
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Vice President Haywood offers concluding remarks Newly re-elected Vice President Diana Haywood started her remarks saying, “As I say every year, North Carolina is the place to be.” She jokingly declared that she was initially both encouraged and still surprised by the assembly still voting for her until she realized she was the only name
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Tell It! videos make Bible stories new Each year, Engage the Bible (the synod’s Book of Faith task group) holds a video competition. Youth groups across the synod are encouraged to create a video telling a Bible story. Videos are submitted and the top ones are brought to the LYO assembly each February where they
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The danger of a single story Dr. Shanitria Cuthbertson addressed the assembly regarding the work we are doing as a synod to address issues of bias and racism. “As toddlers, we begin to understand and conceptualize our world through difference. It’s essential in human development to note difference. The problem is in adulthood, difference and
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Life-giving relationships with God The theme of the assembly was Vital Congregations. Throughout the assembly, there were many examples of vitality in the North Carolina Synod. One of the ways in which a congregation can be vital is by breaking the molds and challenging stereotypes for what it means to be a Lutheran church. Deacon
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