Fri
Mar 18
2011
John Striebel and Melissa Theesen will soon embark on a one-year fellowship through Mosaic’s International Fellowship Program. Funded in part by a $5,000 personnel grant from the ELCA World Hunger Program, John and Melissa’s Fellowship will focus on poverty alleviation strategies for families who participate in Mosaic’s Building a Caring Community (BCC) Program in Tanzania.
Mosaic began BCC in 2007 in partnership with IMPACT, an international alliance of Lutheran service organizations, and the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) to address poverty, women’s rights and the needs of children and youth with disabilities in the Moshi area. Located in the Kilimanjaro region, BCC serves more than 230 children with disabilities through 11 neighborhood day centers and in-home supports, giving mothers and caregivers the time they need to seek and obtain employment. The services are provided at no cost to the families.
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Tue
Feb 22
2011
Bishop Dave deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you and your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)
Many people have asked how I understand the immigration proposals that are before our state legislature right now. Typically, I do not take public stands on legislative policy matters, but I would invite you to think with me on a situation that is both emotionally charged and politically challenging. The issues of immigration are tremendously complex and not easily resolved. We seem to be living with a broken system that is hurting people, raising fears and escalating a style of response that does not seem true to both our national heritage nor our faith understanding.
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Tue
Feb 22
2011
Pastor Lee Griess
Director of Evangelical Mission
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
That’s our motto here in Nebraska, that’s the mantra that guides what we do - We Do Mission. Over the years, the Nebraska Synod has used phrases like: “The Welcome Place” and “Fill, Spill, Thrill” to describe our ministry. Now-a-days - We Do Mission - are the words we use.
In 2009, the ELCA began using the words “God’s Work. Our Hands” to describe our life together in the church and these three Nebraska Synod words – “We Do Mission” – reflect the same understanding. Yes, it is God’s work and we join hands in serving together when We Do Mission. From the smallest rural congregation to the big, multistaffed mission center, we all ask the same question… How does this connect us to God’s mission? Because together… We Do Mission. It is why Jesus called the disciples and this is the work of the Holy Spirit who brought the church together. It is all about mission.
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