FEEDBACK REQUESTED BY MAY 6, 11:45pm CDT
We at the synod office received a request to participate in an ecumenical survey about gathering for in-person meetings. This is an opportunity to share your voice with the larger church. Here is the letter:
Subject: Ecumenical Protocols for In-person Church
Greetings!
In anticipation of a slowing of the spread of the coronavirus, many states are beginning to lift stay-at-home orders and loosen restrictions on public gatherings.
A diverse group of public health professionals, theological educators, church leaders, and pastors is conducting a month-long consultation in May to develop protocols for fellowship, worship, and sacrament for congregations as they consider reopening their doors for in-person meetings. Members of the group come from The United Methodist Church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American, and The Episcopal Church. You may read more about the consultation here:
Ecumenical Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacramental Practices (https://www.facebook.com/Ecumenical-Protocols-for-Worship-Fellowship-and-Sacramental-Practices-102239248149588)
The purpose of this survey is to collect questions and concerns pastors may have regarding their capacity to address public health requirements, pastoral needs of congregations, and theologically-sound practice of worship and sacrament as they adapt to new practices of social distancing. Discipleship Ministries, a United Methodist agency, has agreed to assist with this survey. It should take approximately 7 minutes to complete.
Due to the urgency of the task, the consultation is operating on an abbreviated schedule. The work of the consultation must be completed by the first week of June. Therefore, the survey will only be open until 11:45 p.m. CT, Wednesday, May 6.
HERE IS THE SURVEY LINK: https://www.research.net/r/WORSHIPPROTOCOLS
Thank you for participating in this urgent project.
Sincerely,
L Edward Phillips
Associate Professor of Worship
Candler School of Theology, Emory University
Bishop Larry M Goodpaster
Bishop-in-Residence
Candler School of Theology, Emory University
Taylor W Burton Edwards
Pastor and Worship Consultant
THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD IN A HYBRID FORMAT!!!
MORNING SESSION: on your own, in your household, or with your youth group (if you are gathering in-person, physically distanced, of course). Suggested start time is 10:00am EST / 9:00am CST.
AFTERNOON SESSION: we gather via ZOOM at 3:00-4:30pm EST / 2:00-3:30pm CST
CONCERT WITH RACHEL KURTZ: after our afternoon session, Rachel Kurtz will join in our ZOOM call to lead a concert!!!
So cool! So excited!
PLUS, we get to reveal the theme that SESLYO developed for our 2020-2021 youth events for the synod...Accept. Embrace. Spread Grace.
Cost? FREE, since this event is a hybrid event, with part in-person / part-online
Who Can Come? This gathering is for 6th-12th graders from congregations in the WHOLE SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD,
but especially for the Lutherans and friends of TENNESSEE. ALL are welcome.
This year, we are taking registrations on an INDIVIDUAL BASIS, NOT through a congregational registration.
To see information from prior years, scroll down...
All TN 2019 took place at Trinity LC, Tullahoma, TN
122 youth and adults met November 10 & 11 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson, Tennessee for All Tennessee. During the event youth from across Tennessee gathered to learn more about the "GODISNOWHERE" theme by participating in different activities throughout Saturday afternoon. Youth looked at where God was through an interactive Stations of the Cross activity, they also got to ask Pastor Ed Myers and Pastor Katherine Museus any question they wanted to ask, they learned about how we can be God's hands in the midst of disasters through the work of Lutheran Disaster Relief and put together hygiene kits for Lutheran World Relief. To finish out their service that day they moved mulch on to the church's playground. Worship started with a group of youth from Christ Kiswahili Lutheran Mission leading in song and during the confession participants were invited to take a piece of string to represent their confession and tie it on nails that formed "GODISNOWHERE" - a powerful way to see that God comes to us in the midst of our brokenness and as we communed together we saw God come once again in the body and blood of Christ. Special thanks to the volunteers of Trinity Lutheran Church for their hospitality and meals, as well as the ALL Tennessee planning team for their hard work putting it all together.
The Southeastern Synod is part of the
