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Global Mission News
Global Mission News
The Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA, is committed to sharing Christ with the world! Through your support, we advocate and work for mission in different contexts and promote the importance of the dignity and selfworth of all people. Explore our Global Mission Site to discover what we are doing to share the love of Christ.
GLOBAL LINKS - August 2010
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GLOBAL LINKS
Connect to the global church through http://www.elca.org/global-links
PAKISTAN FLOODS DISPLACE FOUR MILLION PEOPLEThe worst floods on record have brought destruction to communities across five provinces of the country. See www.elca.org/disaster for more information, a bulletin insert, a video, and an opportunity to give.
HAITI EARTHQUAKE SIX MONTH LATER
Six months have passed since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the land of Haiti. See www.elca.org/disaster for a report on the work being done to restore the lives of over two million people.
PEACE TALKS TO BEGIN AS FRESH VIOLENCE ERUPTS
Follow breaking news surrounding the gathering of Palestinian and Israeli leaders in Washington. See www.elca.org/peacenotwalls
GLOBAL HEADLINES at www.elca.org/news (click News Releases)
+ Well-known ELCA Missionary to Tanzania, J. David Simonson, Dies
+ ELCA Missionary Witnesses Miracles in Liberia
+ Two ELCA Congregations Give $830,000 to Support Global Ministries
+ Lutherans Learn that Eight Tons of Stone Builds a Hospital
+ ELCA Provides $235,000 for Disaster Recovery Efforts Overseas
+ ELCA Commits $100,000 for Pakistan Flood Response
+ ELCA Commits Additional $110,000 for Pakistan Floods
+ Haiti Still in Crisis, ELCA Members Continue Response
+ Devastation in Haiti Far Worse than Imagined, Says ELCA Leader
+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Discernment, Repentance, Reconciliation
+ Lutherans Begin Ecumenical Pilgrimage to Retrace Luther's Steps
+ ELCA Churchwide Organization Details 2010 Budget Reductions
+ Jackson-Skelton Elected LWF Treasurer, Vice President LWF North America
YOUNG ADULTS IN GLOBAL MISSION
Four young adults are traveling across the country this fall to recruit applicants for next year's Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program and other Global Mission international service opportunities. To learn more or to schedule a presentation, see www.elca.org/globalmission.
STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION FOR DEBT CANCELLATION
Congregations are encouraged to hold a Jubilee Sunday on Sept. 19. For a Christian Worship and Action Resource guide, see http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Advocacy/Congregational-Resources/Act-Now.aspx
GLOBAL MISSION ANNUAL
Find out how to receive a copy of the 2011 Global Mission Annual, featuring photos of current ELCA missionaries, at www.elca.org/handyresources.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIXING AND FIXED
The Rev. Nathan Bowman, an ELCA missionary serving in Japan, offers an inspiring blog post at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/post/bowman-30082010/
RICHARD YOUNG: ELCA MISSIONARY, PASTOR, PHYSICIAN
Some pastors wear a cross. But the Rev. Richard Young wears a stethoscope. Serving as missionary pastor of six Lutheran congregations in Guyana, Young is also a physician. See www.elca.org/handinhand; click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the Hand in Hand newsletter for Fall 2010.
SIFA AND SONS FROM THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Last October, fighting between rebel forces and the Congolese government came too close to home for Sifa Munyaba and her family. Sifa and her five-year-old son, Isaac, and one-year-old son, Henock, fled to a nearby community where they took refuge in a church. See www.elca.org/hunger/stories.
Erika Randall begins her day with a short commute (about 15 steps) followed by greetings ("Good morning, Teacher!") and hugs from her students. It's a quick commute to a job that’s actually very far from home. The 23-year-old Minnesota native teaches English to children in Malaysia at the Grace Center, a program run by the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia. See www.elca.org/stories click on Outreach. GLOCAL MISSION GATHERINGS: two in October
Enhance your connections with local and global Lutherans at a Glocal Mission Gathering at United Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Oct. 1-2, or at West Linn Lutheran Church, West Linn, Oregon, on Oct. 8-9. See www.elca.org/glocal.
NOW register in Spanish at www.elca.org/glocalspanish.
MISSION FESTIVAL: September 19 in Ohio
Bishop Marcus Lohrmann, Northwestern Ohio Synod, is the guest speaker at this festival hosted by St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Pemberville, Ohio. See www.elca.org/localevents under Synod Events
IN OUR PRAYERS
Thank God for the witness of the 44 participants in Young Adults in Global Mission who just completed orientation and are now moving into one-year positions in Argentina, Uruguay, Jerusalem/West Bank, Mexico, Slovakia/Hungary, South Africa and United Kingdom. (This prayer from September 1 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at http://archive.elca.org/prayerventures/.)
This issue of Global Links (September 2010) contains highlights from elca.org of ELCA ministry or connections in other countries. Please forward Global Links in whole or in part to others, use it in publications with attribution, or encourage others to read it or subscribe at www.elca.org/globalmission/engage. Send your suggestions and comments to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or to Pr. Lanny Westphal, ELCA Global Mission, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.
Bishop Asks for Support of Youth Missionary
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June 30, 2010
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
On May 5, 2010, the Rev. Raphael Malpica Padilla, Executive Director of the ELCA Global Mission wrote to inform the synod that Jesse Fairfax, a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Cape Coral, has been appointed by the ELCA to serve as a volunteer in the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Program. To quote Pastor Padilla, "The Young Adults in Global Mission Program provides an opportunity for global service, spiritual growth, community building, and reflection on one's place in God's world, all during a formative time in a young adult's life. the ELCA will benefit as these young adults, touched by the world, return to church life in the U.S. where they will share their gifts of commitment, faith and service."
Jesse is very active at Christ Lutheran and it is quite an honor to have been chosen to serve in South Africa for one year beginning in August. Although the Global Mission Program provides the first $6,000 for her support, Jesse needs another $4,000 in additional support to cover transportation costs, housing, and other expenses during her time in Africa. She has been working very hard trying to earn the funds she needs for this mission trip, but we feel that there are those of you who might want to help her attain her goal before August so that she could work for the year as a volunteer missionary.
If you will help Jesse, we ask that you send any funds that you contribute to Christ Lutheran Church, 2911 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral, FL 33904, with notation in the memo line of: “Jesse YAGM.” Jesse is answering her call to become involved in global missions and we ask you to help her make that possible.
In Christ and His Love,
+Edward R. Benoway, Bishop
and
C. Thomas Snapp, Chairman
Global Mission Committee
Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA
Howard S. Olson, In Memorium 1922 + 2010
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Howard S. Olson, beloved pastor, missionary, author, music ethnologist, hymnologist died on July 1, 2010, in the care of hospice at Sun City Center, Florida. Funeral services will be held on July 12, 2010, at 10:00 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Sun City Center, Florida.
Pastor Olson was born July 18, 1922. He received his BA from Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter, MN and his MDiv from Augustana Seminary, Rock Island, IL. He was ordained in 1946. He received his PhD from Hartford Seminary in 1965. Dr. Olson was the recipient of the Honorary Doctor of Letters from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1970 and Distinguished Alumnus from LSTC and Hartford Seminary.
The greater part of Pastor Olson’s ministry was spent as missionary pastor and professor in Tanzania from 1946-1988. He also served as visiting professor at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Wartburg Seminary and in Tanzania. He and his wife, Louise, retired to Sun City Center, Florida in 1991.
Included in his extensive writings, are six editions of a Swahili Hymnal and the first and only text for teaching Greek in Swahili. His African ethnic hymns have been published by GIA in Singing Our Faith and Hymns for the Gospels. Augsburg Fortress published Set Free, a book of 35 hymns of African origin in 1993. His hymns can be found in many ELCA Hymnals, This Far By Faith, With One Voice, and Evangelical Lutheran Worship. His best known hymns are Listen, God is Calling (ELW 513), Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading (ELW 401) and Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia (ELW 364).
Pastor Olson is survived by his wife, Louise, and four children, Howard, Sharon, Timothy, and Linda.
STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY PRAYER EVENT
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Dates: October 17-18, 2009
In 2008, there were 116,993,629 people around the globe who stood up together making a statement against poverty and inequality. This year congregations of the Florida Bahamas Synod are asked to unite in solidarity standing with the poor and the “least of these”. Our goal is to have 35,000 people from our synod congregations participate in this event! On October 17 & 18 during worship we ask you to take a moment to reflect, pray, and remember those living in poverty around the globe. This date coincides with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17.
Global Exchange’s Fair Trade Cocoa Campaign presents the Third Annual: Reverse Trick-or-Treating!
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This Halloween, it is kids who will be giving treats to adults!
Kids across all 50 US States and Canada will urge nearly a quarter million households to shift purchasing to Fair Trade certified chocolate, coffee, etc by handing Fair Trade chocolate to adults.
ELCA ADVOCACY WORKS: The Florida Bahamas Synod Celebrates with Haiti Upon the Cancellation of their Debt!
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The ELCA Advocacy office, including several congregations and individuals from the Florida Bahamas Synod, have worked closely with Jubilee USA for over 5 years toward this goal. Thank you to all of our congregations for your phone calls, letters, emails, prayers and support.
