Oregon Synod

Hello all, we are now three weeks away from assembly. We're glad that so many were able to register by last Friday. There is now a late fee in effect, but you can still register or update your registration until May 3rd. A few new things:

• Some of you may have had difficulty reserving a room through the Hilton's website on Wednesday morning. The problem has been fixed. There are still plenty of rooms available. The Hilton has extended the block room reservation deadline until Monday April 29th. To make a reservation, visit http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/E/EUGEHHF-SYN-20130515/index.jhtml.
• Resolutions have been posted online. They are being reviewed by Reference and Counsel committee and may change pending that committee's decisions. Download links are at http://oregonsynod.org/assembly/resolutions.
• There are a number of open council and committee positions. We are accepting nominations through an online form again this year. To read more about the positions or to submit your nomination, visit http://oregonsynod.org/assembly/nominations.

Portland Lutheran School is Seeking a New Executive Director. A qualified candidate must be a member of a Lutheran church who models a lifestyle of Christian faith and who communicates effectively, displays innovation, demonstrates successful financial management and institutional development/advancement, possesses the minimum of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution of higher education (advanced degree preferred), and possesses at least five years experience in an administrative role. To apply, please send your resume, a cover letter, three letters of recommendation, and a list of references to kkaufman@portland-lutheran.org, and jbishop@campbellgroup.com. Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2013.

The Head Teacher will lead the program through its start-up phase and into implementation by September 2013. Responsibilities will include hiring, orienting, supervising, and evaluating staff; recruiting and enrolling children; establishing positive relationships with families; developing and implementing program policies; complying with Child Care Division rules; operating within an established budget; communicating with CYFM Ministry Coordinator, church staff and congregation, and community partners; planning curriculum and daily activities; teaching in one group of children, observing and assessing children. Particular attention will be devoted to supporting St Andrew Lutheran Church's core values of God Care, Earth Care, Neighbor Care, Community Care, and Self Care.

More information at the job description linked below. To apply, email your cover letter and resume to brogers@standrewlutheran.com, or drop off in the church office Tuesday through Friday 9 am – 4 pm.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is looking for a Director of Good Shepherd Lutheran School. Information is provided in the job description linked below. To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to goodshepor@aol.com

Dear Members of the Oregon Synod,

It is Friday morning and a rare 'work from home' day for me. I have a lot of writing to do and it helps to have fewer interruptions. I see from emails, Facebook and the news that Boston is in a state of virtual shut down this morning. One of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects has been killed, and the other is still on the loose. The city barely breathes as authorities hunt down the second suspect. As Gretchen said to me, "They are really serious about this!" My heart breaks for so many people involved with tragedy. Please pray with me for healing, understanding, civility, perspective and peace, both in Boston and our world as a whole.

If you follow ELCA news releases, or are subscribed to the ELCA News Listserve (www.elca.org/news) you know that your church is present and prayerful in this midst of this tragedy. As Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson prays, "Oh God, in Jesus name we renounce the forces of evil and the disruptive power of violence. With all those who suffer, we cry out for mercy and healing, by your spirit join us together into one community of compassion and courage ..." Worship resources and other materials are available. Also please know that New England Synod Bishop Jim Hazelwood keeps us other bishops informed and involved as he and your sisters and brothers in that place do what they can. I know you don't see this dimension of your church at work, but I want you to know it is there.

A new movement on social media called "#26THINGS" (also referred to as #26ACTS, and #26ACTSOFKINDNESS) is a response to the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.  As a way of honoring the 26 victims of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, people are encouraged to do 26 acts of kindness for others.

Christ The King Lutheran Church, Tigard, Oregon, signed on with the movement, asked members to do "26 things", then asked them to anonymously share those acts by posting them on a bulletin board with others.  There are lots of bad things in our broken world, but as the "collage of kind acts" grew we could see evidence of so many good things in this world too.

Recently that bulletin board display of kind acts was taken down, packaged, and sent to Sandy Hook Elementary School.

We hope that it will in some small way be an encouragement to the Newtown community, knowing that we are working with them to make the world better.

The first-ever Luther House Beer and Cheese Pairing Event gathered more than one hundred friends and supporters at Linn-Benton Community College Sunday afternoon, April 14.

A veritable feast of eight Oregon artisan cheeses were paired with eight local craft beers and served with fresh-baked breads, smoked salmon, and chocolate truffles. These tasty treats were accompanied by educational narration by Kendall "Beer Prof" Staggs, who teaches history at LBCC, and Lisbeth Goddik, the OSU Production Specialist who is especially knowledgeable about artisan cheese-making. Rounding off the afternoon was up-beat, old-time music by the Festival String Band.

Feedback from participants ranged from "this was amazing" to "you MUST do this again" to "what a fun way to spend an afternoon."

While the event was certainly meant to be a fundraiser for ongoing programming at Luther House -- it succeeded in that regard -- it also became a great way to connect with old friends, make new acquaintances, and extend the Luther House "spheres of influence" throughout the community.

Without the help of generous donors of beer and cheese, countless volunteers, a visionary planning team, and lots of community support, this would not have been possible. Thanks so much for your support and participation!

A few items for your attention this week:

• The synod assembly registration deadline is Friday, April 19th. After the 19th, there is a $50 late fee for registering for assembly. No new registrations may be started after Friday, May 3rd. Registration is at http://www.regonline.com/oregon2013synodassembly
   
• The deadline for the Hilton's discounted room rate is Wednesday, April 24th. After that, normal hotel room rates apply. Room reservations are at http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/E/EUGEHHF-SYN-20130515/index.jhtml
   
• The deadline for submitting resolutions and memorials is Wednesday, April 17th. Please send documents to office@oregonsynod.org
   
• OLYO is holding their convocation during assembly at the Hilton as well. Each congregation is entitled to send two youths in 8th grade through high school age as OLYO delegates. Registration for OLYO convocation is available on the normal assembly registration page by choosing "Oregon Lutheran Youth Organization" on the first page and following the instructions. Please register as soon as possible so that we can reserve enough space.
   
• Congregations: Please send your list of voting members for assembly to the synod office if you haven't yet. We need their names and some way to contact them (phone and/or email) in preparation for assembly.

Thank you!

The position of Music Minister at Joyful Servant Lutheran in Newberg, will be available by September 2013. The position is "To serve our Lord and this congregation by developing, coordinating and administering an effective and well-rounded music program and providing leadership to those involved in this ministry."

This is a part-time position (25 hours/week). Responsibilities include 2 Sunday worship services per week, choirs, worship teams, and instruments. Pay is $1,490/month with 2 weeks paid vacation per year. Contact Joyful Servant administrative staff for an application (see below). To apply send a cover letter, application and resume (including professional and personal references) to

1716 N Villa Rd
Newberg, OR 97132
503-538-0475
joyfulservant@frontier.com
http://joyfulservantlc.org/

The Before and After School Program Staff will provide supervision of youth in safe and engaging activities, transport students to and from school, coordinate with volunteers in mentoring and tutoring students as needed, and contribute to the mission of the St. Andrew Learning Center. The Before and After School Program Staff will also work with the Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator to provide comprehensive coordination of the Children, Youth and Family Ministry programs and events.

The full job description is available for download below.