Syria: ELCA responds to the violence and humanitarian crisis
Many Syrians have left their homes, choosing to escape the violence by relocating to more stable areas of Syria or neighboring countries. We are operating through our local partners to help meet their needs with food, hygiene kits, nutritional support for mothers and more. See www.elca.org/disaster.
Will your youth group take on the 100 Wells Challenge?
Join ELCA youth from across the nation in raising $250,000 to support critically important water projects in other countries. Just think, $250,000 could mean 100 wells – each one with the potential of bringing clean water to 500 families at a time. Find fundraising ideas, resources and more information at the 100 Wells Challenge website -- www.elca.org/100wells.
Young adults prepare for year of global service
Fifty-seven new Young Adults in Global Mission volunteers will begin service this August. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare for a year of global mission service in one of nine countries around the world. See www.elca.org/yagm or www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).
Two updates on the ELCA Malaria Campaign
Check out the progress on meeting the challenge to raise $200,000 to begin malaria work in Liberia at www.elca.org/malaria; click World Malaria Day 2012 on the left. Then see which five ELCA colleges and campus ministries received Sorenson Grants to inspire educational activities and fundraising on campus.
Two ELCA "global" employees elected as bishops on the same day
Pastor D. Jensen Seyenkulo, originally from Liberia and currently serving as ELCA program director for disability ministries, was elected bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia on the first ballot on April 28. Pastor James W. Gonia, previously from Colorado and currently serving as ELCA program director for West Africa, Tanzania and Madagascar, was elected bishop of the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, also on April 28. Both men are also married to ELCA pastors. Read more at www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).
Papua New Guinea: seminary principal shares his dreams
Dr. Michael Wan-Rupulga, head of the Martin Luther Seminary in Papua New Guinea, describes his vision to educate pastors with high qualifications and deep spirituality, to create more opportunities for female scholars and to provide more education in English to meet the growing demand for English worship services. See www.elca.org/companionvoices.
South Africa: new "missionary kids"
Young Isaac and Sophia answer questions about their upcoming move to South Africa. Read the entire story at www.elca.org/handinhand; click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the Spring 2012 issue of the Hand in Hand newsletter.
Hong Kong: "What do you guys do?"
Pastors Christa von Zychlin and Wayne Nieminen, ELCA missionaries, describe how their work at the seminary impacts future church leaders throughout Asia. See http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/.
Madagascar: sponsors needed for missionary couple
You can sponsor Pastor Austin and Tanya Propst, ELCA missionaries serving as the coordinators for the new Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Madagascar. Read two short stories about the Propsts at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/ (type Propst into the Search box). Sponsors from the North Carolina, Rocky Mountain, Central-Southern Illinois, Southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia/Western Maryland Synods are especially welcomed to minimize their travel time and maximize their effectiveness while on home assignment. Contact missionarysponsorship@elca.org or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2657.
Thailand: seeking teaching assistants
Teach basic English to K-12 grade students in partnership with a Thai teacher in one of 26 schools of the Church of Christ in Thailand. See www.elca.org/globalserve/search and enter keyword Thailand.
Chicago: seeking Global Mission program director
Candidates with a passion for global mission are currently sought for the position of area program director for West Africa, Tanzania and Madagascar. See www.elca.org/humanresources.
Glocal Mission Gathering in Sioux Falls, S.D., June 22-23
Equip yourself for God's work in today's global and local realities. Find more information and registration at www.elca.org/glocal.
Global tunes for organ
Ronald Roschke of Colorado, pastor and musician, has composed organ settings for seven global hymns as preludes to play when the respective tunes are sung in worship. See “Yours Is the Glory: Settings of Global Tunes for Organ.”
In our prayers
Pray for Stephanie Schmiege and Aaron and Allison Schutte, who serve as ELCA missionaries, teaching in Bukoba, Tanzania. (This prayer for May 26 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at www.elca.org/prayerventures.)