Synod Assembly—in diaspora!
Pastor Meredith Harber, Christ Lutheran Church
Pastor Meredith Harber, Christ Lutheran Church
Christ Lutheran in Soldotna hoped to host this year’s Synod Assembly in person. After rescheduling it once, our Synod Council decided wisely to cancel an in-person 2020 Assembly until it feels safer to convene people from many different communities across our great state. But just as our congregations aren’t “closed”, neither are we. Christ Lutheran had decided to theme the Assembly meeting “Overflowing with Hope”. And while it may not seem particularly hopeful as we’re entering into our longer nights and colder days, we can remind ourselves of the hopefulness that the Israelites had wandering in the desert.
The word “diaspora” means to be dispersed and spread out, which is what the Alaska Synod is every single day of the year. Cancelling our in-person assembly has changed the way we connect with each other. But the hopefulness of this odd situation is that more people are able to participate in what it means to be the Church, in Alaska, spread out from one other, thanks to technology. Remember that if you can gather safely with others, you could have a "watch party" and participate in these workshops with other folks within your social bubble.
That being said, we have lots of amazing opportunities to continue to learn and grow together as the Synod. Your registration is required for many of these. Mark your calendars for these opportunities! All times listed here are in AKDT and will be hosted on Zoom. Contact Chris in our synod office if you have questions about Zoom elcaalaska@gmail.com Some workshops will be available as Google Docs following the course.
For Everyone:
November 5, 8:30am: Tech Talks—Next-Level Online Engagement
Please click here for more information about this workshop.
November 14, 9am: Revealing Relationships: Climate Change and Environmental Racism
November 19, 12pm: Mental Health and Ministry, Part 3
For Pastors and Deacons:
November 16-19: First Call Theological Education—"Fierce Conversations” For those in the first three years of their first call.
Additional info on presenters and workshops:
Sept. 24, Oct. 22, and Nov 19 at 12pm. Go to www.montanasynod.org/NRIT to register. Note, this is not the Pastoral Care Workshop.
Each webinar is on a Saturday, and each will take place from 9:00 AM- 10:30 AM Alaska time.
The registration link for the first, September 26 'Climate' webinar, is https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmwHcKgpqAKyCsT59dpnNmXZDFWNBIGhU3jyhUlVu22wLXGg/viewform
The word “diaspora” means to be dispersed and spread out, which is what the Alaska Synod is every single day of the year. Cancelling our in-person assembly has changed the way we connect with each other. But the hopefulness of this odd situation is that more people are able to participate in what it means to be the Church, in Alaska, spread out from one other, thanks to technology. Remember that if you can gather safely with others, you could have a "watch party" and participate in these workshops with other folks within your social bubble.
That being said, we have lots of amazing opportunities to continue to learn and grow together as the Synod. Your registration is required for many of these. Mark your calendars for these opportunities! All times listed here are in AKDT and will be hosted on Zoom. Contact Chris in our synod office if you have questions about Zoom elcaalaska@gmail.com Some workshops will be available as Google Docs following the course.
For Everyone:
November 5, 8:30am: Tech Talks—Next-Level Online Engagement
Please click here for more information about this workshop.
November 14, 9am: Revealing Relationships: Climate Change and Environmental Racism
November 19, 12pm: Mental Health and Ministry, Part 3
For Pastors and Deacons:
November 16-19: First Call Theological Education—"Fierce Conversations” For those in the first three years of their first call.
Additional info on presenters and workshops:
- Mental Health and Ministry: Navigating Mental Health Needs Within a Congregation
Sept. 24, Oct. 22, and Nov 19 at 12pm. Go to www.montanasynod.org/NRIT to register. Note, this is not the Pastoral Care Workshop.
- Revealing Relationships
- Saturday, September 26 - Intersections: Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness
- Saturday, October 17 - Intersections: Racism and Disaster Preparedness
- Saturday, November 14 - Intersections: Food Insecurity and Disaster Preparedness
Each webinar is on a Saturday, and each will take place from 9:00 AM- 10:30 AM Alaska time.
The registration link for the first, September 26 'Climate' webinar, is https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmwHcKgpqAKyCsT59dpnNmXZDFWNBIGhU3jyhUlVu22wLXGg/viewform
- Tech Talks with Ryan Panzer
