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Sea Island Alliance of Ministries presents
2011 TENT REVIVAL SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY OCT. 12TH:
Time: 7PM
Pastor: Reverend Tom Cassem
Hosting Church: Faith Lutheran Church
3374 Maybank Hwy, John’s Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-1242
THURSDAY OCT. 13TH:
Time: 7PM
Pastor: Reverend Angelin Simmons
Hosting Church: St. James United Methodist
1139 Main Road, John’s Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-5955
FRIDAY OCT. 14TH:
Time: 7PM
Pastor: Reverend Joseph Swinton, Jr.
Hosting Church: New Jerusalem
6179 Bears Bluff Road, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
(843) 559-2229
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News from the ELCA
Drought in the Horn of Africa
Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and other countries in East Africa are experiencing the worst drought in 60 years. The ELCA has committed $1.25 million for drought relief to support long-term rebuilding; more help is needed. See www.elca.org/disaster, http://blogs.elca.org/disasterresponse/ and also www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).
ELCA assembly officially launches the ELCA Malaria Campaign
Every 45 seconds a child dies from malaria, a preventable and treatable disease. Based on the decision made at the Churchwide Assembly, the ELCA will join with Lutheran churches in Africa, to work toward a malaria-free future. See www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).
Germany: Explore Luther's heritage in Wittenberg, Germany
The ELCA Wittenberg Center can assist you in exploring the many study and learning opportunities available in the heart of this historic city of Martin Luther and at other Reformation sites. See www.elca.org/wittenberg.
Senegal: Christian-Muslim relations
ELCA missionaries Peter Hanson and Sarah Grow reflect on life and ministry in an interfaith setting. Watch a short video at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.
The ELCA's best-kept secret: Young Adults in Global Mission
"We have been blessed this past year here in Jerusalem with six amazing, dedicated and talented Young Adults in Global Mission who have impacted our lives and the lives of the Palestinian church, while taking a giant step that means they will never see the world in the same way as before." Read more about the work of these young adults at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.
South Africa: "Ubuntu! I am because we are!"
"Being present here is so important. The electricity may be down. The water supply may be down. But, I am here with you." Read more reflections from two young adults at www.elca.org/handinhand; click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the Summer 2011 issue of the Hand in Hand newsletter.
Asia/Pacific: Regional representative for diakonia sought
Represent the ELCA in diakonia ministries (development, health care, disaster response). Preference will be given to applications received by September 15, 2011. Position starts January 2012. See www.elca.org/globalserve and click Global Service Opportunities to search the database at the bottom of the page.
Why missionaries?
After two months on home assignment, ELCA missionary Brian Konkol considers the role and purpose of Christian missionaries in a blog post at http://lwfyouth.org/.
Glocal Mission Gathering in Wichita, Kansas, September 31-October 1
Equip yourself for God's work in today's global and local realities. For more information and to register, visit www.elca.org/glocal.
Companion synod relationships: More profiles
Online profiles have been updated by the ELCA Alaska, Northwestern Ohio, Southeastern Iowa, and the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synods, and by the Synod of Alberta and the Territories of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Learn of new developments in companion synod relationships at www.elca.org/companionsynodprofiles.
In our prayers
Pray for the new missionaries who are being deployed to many corners of the world this summer. Give thanks for their service to the church and their devotion to mission in God's world. (This prayer for August 30 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at www.elca.org/prayerventures.)
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An Important Note from the Editor of SC Synod Weekly News...
 Bear with me - a personal message from the editor:
While looking for a graphic to use with this report, I came across many disturbing images of what is happening to the people in East Africa. I found this one, but only after seeing photos that were far too graphic to use. While we bemoan the fact that our gardens are wilting in this hot, dry weather, families in East Africa are burying their children because of this drought. This is like nothing we have ever experienced, simply because of where we were born. Please take the time to click the link at the end of this note and respond in any way you can to help these people.
The worst drought in 60 years has reached crisis level in East Africa. Thousands and thousands of people in Ethiopia, central and northern Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia are leaving their homes in search of food, water and shelter.
The Dadaab refugee center, managed in partnership with The Lutheran World Federation, was built to accommodate 90,000 people. However, recently more than 380,000 thirsty and hungry people have gathered in and around the center. This number continues to grow with more than 1,000 people arriving daily.
Please use this link to find out how you can help .
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Pastor Tom's thoughts on the special multi-denomanational Pentecost Sunday service recently held on John's Island...
On Sunday, June 12th, pastors and members of a large number of Christian congregations and ministries on SC's John's and Wadmalaw Islands suspended our late morning worship services and gathered together to worship in the John's Island High School athletic stadium. It was truly an ecumenical gathering of various races and denominations. Although various congregations have joined together in worship and ministry in the past, this was the first time in the 300 year history of our islands that we have all gathered for a major worship service together to show our unity in Christ. It was even more special that we chose to do so in the Spirit on Pentecost, the "Birthday of the Church". The service was well planned by a special clergy and lay team and led by as many pastors from the islands as possible. Since it was a Pentecost Celebration, the Acts 2:1-11 passage was read aloud simultaneously in English, Spanish, German, and Gullah! Spirited singing, powerful preaching, plentiful prayers and fantastic fellowship abounded among all who were present. We shared the Peace of the Lord together, confessed our sins in Corporate Confession, eagerly heard the words of our Lord's forgiveness and absolution, and joined in celebrating Holy Communion. It was significant and an ecumenical blessing that all baptized Christians were invited to partake and share in our Lord's supper, side-by-side, together.
A prayer tent was set up and all who attended were told that prayer teams had been praying for them and for the service since before it began, and would continue to pray throughout the service and after it was concluded. People were invited to go to the prayer tent for special prayers.
Pastor Mary Stoney said in her sermon, "When you feel the breeze, know it is the breath of God. This is Him." At that very moment the breeze kicked up and blew very strongly. The church and American flags were fully unfurled and everyone marveled at the tangible sign of the invisible Spirit's presence. As her sermon reached its peak, a lone large bird entered the area, caught a small but powerful thermal directly over the prayer tent, and began circling. As it circled above, it gained more altitude and eventually flew away into the air above our surrounding community. Was this a sign of the Spirit's presence, ascending rather than descending, confirming our prayers and leading us out into our community in mission? Could well be!
Although all of the participating pastors shared concerns about closing their own church doors during the traditionally "high, holy hour" and discouraging potential visitors who might show up, we all believed that the risk was worth the benefits of supporting such a service. The mission was clearly seen as "driving a stake into the ground for Jesus" and making a clear statement that we of so many different and diverse Christian congregations on our islands were publicly standing together in praise of our common Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This was a statement that we felt needed to be made. While there are worship and cultural traditions and practices which divide us as Christians, we believed that the Christian "silent majority" should be silent no longer. Our thought and prayer was that holding this service might be the beginning of our really working together in new and more powerful and effective ways of ministry and service to our community that can make a definitive difference in people's lives.
Submitted by The Rev. Thomas A. Cassem
Pastor, Faith Lutheran Church, John's Island
Dean, SC Lutheran Coastal Conference
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Synod Assembly News
Besides posting a two-page "Synod Assembly Highlights" document, we've also uploaded lots of pictures for you to enjoy. Please click here to connect with the Synod Assembly page, which has links to take you to the online photo albums.
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Earthquake Relief 2011: Japan
As we all know, a.9-magnitude earthquake caused severe damage and led to a tsunami that overwhelmed cities and farmland in Japan. In addition, nuclear radiation leaks now pose threats to thousands throughout the country. So many people have lost loved ones and all that they possess in this tragedy. The ELCA and its predecessor church bodies have a long history in Japan. Our close relationship with Lutherans in Japan began in the late 1800’s when the first Lutheran missionary to Japan was ordained and commissioned at St. John’s in Charleston by the United Synod of the South. We have been blessed ever since those days with a deep mutual relationship between the South Carolina Synod and the JELC.
Currently the JELC has grown to having 23,000 baptized members, 119 churches and 97 clergy. The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church has a rich tradition of education and service to those who are in need. Pastor Sumiyuki Wantanabe, President of the JELC, reports that they are organizing volunteers to go into areas that have been the hardest hit. They greatly welcome our financial support being distributed through their network of relief and assistance where it is needed most. He also shared with us that both Lutheran churches in the city of Sendai are OK, and that one even has full use of its utilities for which we are grateful.
Pastor Naoki Asano of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Ichigaya Church and Director of Global Mission in JELC, reports that according to Kuniaki Fujii, pastor of the two Sendai congregations, the church members seem to be fine. Gasoline is very short, not able to move. In one of the congregations they have a kindergarten and he said it is open with 13 kids. Electricity was recovered. They barely can secure water, but town gas and tap water do not work. They need more food, not because food supply is not enough, but due to the fuel shortage, they cannot transport food enough for the people to eat well. The primary express highway has been used only for transporting relief goods, and is not available for others.
We will continue to walk alongside our companions in ministry as they respond to the disaster.
Your prayers and partnership are needed.
Send your check to Faith Lutheran Church or:
South Carolina Lutheran Synod
P.O. Box 43
Columbia, SC 29202-0043
Write "Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church" or "JELC" on your check's memo line.
All donations received will be sent directly to our JELC companion synod to help them assist their congregations' local community relief efforts.
"Thank You for your gifts and prayerful support!!"
In Christ,
Thomas A. Cassem
Pastor, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church
Dean, SC Lutheran Coastal Conference
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“Believing in the presence of God, the value of human life and the dignity of the individual, the mission of Lutheran Homes of South Carolina, as a ministry of the church, is to promote the well-being of older adults by providing residential, health care and hospice services.”
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word hospice? Immediate death? Giving up? Displacement? Expensive? These and other thoughts conjure up negative feelings and usually no one wants to discuss hospice. But let’s look at some myths vs. reality.
- Myth: Hospice means "giving up" or that my loved one only has a few days left to live.
ü Fact: Hospice does not mean giving up – in fact, many hospice patients live longer than originally expected as a result of the intense and comprehensive supportive care provided by a support team which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Myth: I will have to take my loved one to a facility to spend their last days.
ü Fact: Hospice is a face not a place; a philosophy of care. We provide a team of experts that care for the patient and family at home -- whether that home is a private residence, nursing or assisted living facility. Our team consists of specially trained nurses, doctors, social workers, homecare aides, spiritual caregivers and volunteers that provide support during one of life’s most challenging times.
- Myth: Hospice care is too expensive.
ü Fact: Hospice care is usually fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurances. This includes all services, supplies, equipment and medications related to the terminal illness.
There are other myths but the most important thing to remember is that Lutheran Hospice focuses on ministry and providing superior quality of life and comfort for each patient and family.
The choice is yours. The difference is Lutheran Hospice. www.lutheranhospice.org
Lutheran Hospice
1885 Rifle Range Rd. Suite 46
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843.856.4735
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