There is a "hum" on the video.  This is the best I could get the sound quality at this time.

 

ELCA NEWS SERVICE
 
June 17, 2009 
 
A Lutheran's Faith Remains Steadfast After Tragic Accident 09-134-MRC
 
     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Diana Luscombe spent the past two years being angry with God.  "God and I have a rapport where I can yell. And I feel like God says, 'Bring it on.'"
     About two years ago Luscombe and her husband Mark, along with their 3-week old son and 22-month old daughter, were on their way to a church youth event. Luscombe was driving when the car veered off and hit a concrete median, causing the car to ricochet and roll three times landing on its roof. Their daughter's car window was the only one not broken. While her husband and children were not hurt, Luscombe broke her neck.
     Luscombe spent the next two weeks in an induced coma at a trauma hospital. "When I woke up, I was paralyzed from my shoulders down. I was also on a ventilator and had a tracheotomy," she said.
     Ensnared in a new reality she didn't understand, Luscombe's faith remained steadfast.  Luscombe is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in the process of joining St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Camillus, N.Y.
     An occupational therapist once told her, "Your worst day is your worst day. God finds you in that day and lifts you up." After a month in the trauma hospital, Luscombe moved to another hospital in Philadelphia for rehabilitation.

.hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Verdana } The registration brochure for the 19th annual Hartwick Seminary Summer Institute of Theology at Hartwick College, July 26-31, is now available.  Click here for the brochure and here for the registration form .  Contact Pr. Paul Messner at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with your contact info to receive more information.  28 M-F courses and 24 one time seminars are being offered this year, including all 6 required courses for Deacon Candidates to be recognized by the Upstate New York Synod.  The Institute is open to anyone for continuing education, personal enrichment or Deacon training. The price for the full week (room, board and ALL classes) is just $230.  "We offer more for less"!  Come for the week or just one seminar.  Everyone welcome!

 

 

Did you get a chance to see one of the ELCA’s television ads? Over the past few months, they aired on national cable channels and local networks. I’m delighted to report that we received many positive responses from people all across the country.

Each ad featured a ministry of this church and the ELCA's new tagline: "God's work. Our hands." But these are just two stories, and this church is filled with thousands more.

Now it's your turn. How is God at work in this world through the congregations in your synod?

Do you know of congregations that run local soup kitchens or food pantries? What about youth groups that mow lawns and fix neighborhood park benches? How about a women's circle that knits prayer shawls?

What are congregations in your synod doing today to minister in their communities?
 

 

http://www.elca.org/videocontest

Tell us about a ministry that excites you. Ask congregational members to use their creativity to tell a story that inspires them—a story that will inspire others. The possibilities are endless! Tell us a funny story too; after all, God blessed us with a sense of humor.

Encourage congregational members to grab a camera and start shooting their 30-to-90-second videos today. Then, on June 15, 2009, direct them to www.elca.org/videocontest to enter their videos.

Prizes include a $5,000 ministry grant for an ELCA congregation or a $2,500 cash prize for an individual. If a congregation has multiple stories to share, record and enter them all. They can enter as many videos as they’d like.

It’s easy to enter:

• The contest runs from June 15, 2009, to July 15, 2009.

• Visit www.elca.org/videocontest to register.

• Enter as many videos as you'd like, and rate the ones you like the most.

• Spread the word! Do you know a ministry project that needs a financial boost?

• Encourage your friends and family to rate your video. The top 10 most popular videos will be finalists for the prizes.

Thank you for everything you do. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.

Upstate New York Synod Ministerium
2009 Annual Retreat
The Rev. Mark Hanson, Bishop

September 21-23,2009
Notre Dame Retreat House
Canandaigua NY

 

Click Here for the brochure.

 

Retreat Focus~

Bishop Hanson will be with us during our time together and focus his presentations and our conversations in three specific areas:
1. Leadership in the church, 2. Lutheran World Federation and the global church and 3. The future of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It will be a good time to get to know Bishop Hanson more personally and learn of his ministry in the ELCA and larger church.

Augsburg Fortress~

Augsburg Fortress will once again have a book display during our time at Notre Dame, offering the latest in publications and basic necessities for ministry.

Others~

Mission Investment Fund and Thrivent will have a presence to share their goods and services.

We expect a large crowd for this gathering in light of Bishop Hanson’s presence and space is limited so get those reservation forms in early!

Fellowship~

Again this year Jim Jerge and Aileen Robbins will be making sure that our evening times together are filled with great food and beverages. You won’t want to miss it!!!