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Pastor Phil Tonnesen hosts the Ministry Partner Fair

Being church together with ministry partners

By Catherine Fink / June 1, 2019
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Being Church together with ministry partners Being the Church together means being in relationship together. The Reverend Philip Tonnesen, assistant to the bishop, shared with the assembly the way partners in ministry across synodical, churchwide, and community organizations are proclaiming the Gospel to those in need across our communities as well as in our companion […]

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Bishop Tim at the podium

Congregational Vitality is assembly focus

By Catherine Fink / May 31, 2019
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Congregational Vitality is assembly focus Those entering the 2019 NC Synod Assembly today were confronted with a question: “What is Congregational Vitality?” It was on display throughout the room, on the front screens and on every tabletop. Fortunately, the answer read in bold just below the question: “Communities of Jesus that nurture life-changing relationships with […]

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Lay Preaching Program commissions first cohort

By Catherine Fink / May 31, 2019
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Lay Preaching Program commissions first cohort “Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true, where all God’s Children dare to seek, to dream God’s reign anew.” —All are Welcome, ELW 641 What do an insurance salesman, a paramedic, an HR rep, a teacher, and a church musician have in […]

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Pre-assembly event explores Sacred Shifts

By Catherine Fink / May 31, 2019
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Pre-assembly event explores Sacred Shifts We are living in a new and changing world. We know this and yet it still creates challenges. So we keep talking about it in order to focus on opportunities to breathe new life into our churches in this new age. In Thursday’s pre-assembly session, Peggy Hahn, Executive Director of […]

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Vice President Haywood’s reflections

By Catherine Fink / June 5, 2018
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Vice President Diana Haywood’s reflections Vice President Diana Haywood opened her reflection with the prayer that God would equip, help, and guide her as she serves God and the church. Continuing her remarks, she noted that the NC Synod is blessed with committed volunteers and staff, rostered and lay leaders. Specifically, Vice President Haywood highlighted […]

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Bishop Smith announces new synod vision

By Catherine Fink / June 5, 2018
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Bishop Smith announces new synod vision On Saturday afternoon, the bishop announced a new synod vision to the assembly. The vision is the result of intentional work by synod staff in conversation with Synod Council to focus and guide the work of the synod for the months to come. Vital Congregations tops the list.

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Cherokee congregation blends Christian traditions with native culture

By Catherine Fink / June 4, 2018
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Cherokee congregation blends Christian traditions with native culture The 2018 NC Synod Assembly with the theme, “We are church for the sake of the world,” featured three keynote conversations which provided illuminating glimpses into the ways God is working through the NC Synod, ELCA, to demonstrate, “We are church together. And together, we are church […]

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West Charlotte mission partners with local schools

By Catherine Fink / June 4, 2018
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West Charlotte mission partners with local schools The 2018 NC Synod Assembly with the theme, “We are church for the sake of the world,” featured three keynote conversations which provided illuminating glimpses into the ways God is working through the NC Synod, ELCA, to demonstrate, “We are church together. And together, we are church for […]

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Latino ministry includes challenges and hope

By Catherine Fink / June 4, 2018
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Latino ministry includes challenges and hope The 2018 NC Synod Assembly with the theme, “We are church for the sake of the world,” featured three keynote conversations which provided illuminating glimpses into the ways God is working through the NC Synod, ELCA, to demonstrate, “We are church together. And together, we are church for the […]

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Tammy Jones West and deans installed

By Catherine Fink / June 4, 2018
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Tammy Jones West and deans installed One of the highlights of this year’s assembly was the installation of Deacon Tammy Jones West as assistant to the bishop. Tammy has been serving on synod staff as Director of Youth and Family Ministries (and, more recently, Director of Leadership & Discipleship) since 1994. Her appointment to serve […]

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