Metropolitan New York Synod

#fromapastorsdesk

#FromAnAssistantToTheBishopsDesk

Each of us is a beloved child of God, perfectly and wonderfully made, just as we are. Thanks to ReconcilingWorks for this Lutheran introduction to sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. https://www.reconcilingworks.org/resources/sogi/lgbtq

FROM THE AFRICAN DESCENT LUTHERAN ASSOCIATION METRO NY "More than 1,400 homes and businesses were burned, and nearly 10,000 people were left homeless. Despite its severity and destructiveness, the Tulsa race massacre was barely mentioned in history books until the late 1990s, when a state commission was formed to document the incident." Read the full article here: https://www.mnys.org/from-a-pa/the-tulsa-oklahoma-massacre/... Image: A monument to the 1921 Black Wall Street massacre is pictured in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S., June 18, 2020. Picture taken June 18, 2020. REUTERS/Lawrence Bryant

This year marks 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre. The Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells, National President of the African Descent Lutheran Association provides this reflection. #TulsaRaceMassacre

Reformation Sunday Sunday, October 25, 2020 Bishop Paul Egensteiner "Today, dear ones, is the day promised. God’s promises never fail. And Jesus says, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' We have all that we need to live this reality. 'The days are surely coming,' and now have arrived."... https://youtu.be/Zya2MgNkubc

MNYSvotes #voteearly "I think we have a responsibility to educate ourselves on the candidates and issues, and then vote. After all, we are all in this together." - VP Renée Wicklund Find information to VOTE EARLY here: https://vote.nyc/page/early-voting-information

#FROMAPASTORSDESK "Who does not desire a little more happiness in their lives? I believe it is impossible for anyone to be too happy. There is so much in our lives that erodes happiness, that a happiness tune-up is always in order. Living a happier life considers many different aspects of your life where a better understanding and a different attitude will help you lead a happier life." Watch The Rev. John Krahn's Living A Happier Life At Every Age, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocWXJuBL-8c&feature=youtu.be

#LATINXHERITAGEMONTH FROM A LATINA LEADER'S DESK Jennifer DeLeon, President of the ELCA Latin Ministries Association & Director for Justice for Women of the ELCA, created a video featuring four bold Latina leaders and active participants of Women of the ELCA. Watch and listen as they share their perspectives as ordained leaders in the ELCA, and learn how to continue to engage with our different communities to make us all one body of Christ. ... Watch the video, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eusCgkVoGf4&feature=youtu.be

#LATINXHERITAGEMONTH FROM A PASTORA'S DESK "The answer was yes, we could do it. And so we accomplished our first Virtual Latina Women’s Retreat in September. With the theme Women of Faith in time of Pandemic, our goals were to understand, to accept, to face reality boldly, and to find hope, friendship, sisterhood, and love, especially in this time of a pandemic."... Read the full article, "Even Virtually, We Are Better Together," by The Rev. Irma Bañales, Director for Evangelical Mission for the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, here: https://www.womenoftheelca.org//even-virtually-we-are-bett

MNYSvotes is an initiative and guide focused on voting, to empower and inform all individuals equally. This series of videos and resources from leaders of our church will provide information for members to orient themselves within and discuss the importance of voting and elections. By also focusing on engaging with young adult leaders and ethnic communities, everyone can be equally equipped with the tools and information needed to enact positive change and enjoy the full potential of their voting rights.

Happy Hand Washing Day!

This webinar is presented by Dr. Susan Michaels-Strasser, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, Senior Director for Human Resources for Health (HRH) Development, Assistant Professor of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, Columbia University. Dr. Strasser has over 25 years of experience in nursing and public health, and is the Principal Investigator for CDC- and HRSA-funded programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, South Sudan, Sierra Leone and Zambia. She has also served at senior management and training levels at various locations throughout southern Africa.

#CENSUS2020 Don't forget that the deadline to be counted as part of the 2020 Census is TODAY! Fill out the 2020 Census questionnaire here: https://my2020census.gov/... NYC Census 2020 is working to ensure that every New Yorker is counted. The census determines how critical resources and political power are distributed. It is critical that every New Yorker is counted: if we’re not counted, we don’t exist!

The ELCA Fund for Leaders supports students of tremendous promise attending ELCA seminaries to become pastors and deacons in our church. This year, 297 students are receiving just over $2.8 million in scholarship support. Many of them would like to express their thanks to you for making their scholarships possible. Learn more at ELCA.org/FundForLeaders.

#FROMOURPARTNERS Join Seafarers International House (SIH) to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting asylum seekers, and celebrate with this year's Outstanding Friends of Immigrant Award recipients. Our very own Christopher Vergara, MNYS Advocacy Taskforce chair & MNYS Sanctuary/AMMPARO Ministry chair, will be receiving this prestigious award.

Today, Gov. Cuomo unveiled a new statue in lower Manhattan of Mother Cabrini, an Italian American saint. When Mother Cabrini was a young nun in Italy, she asked the Pope if she could travel to China for missionary work. But he told her that she was needed in the U.S. to serve the poor Italian immigrants flooding into America. Mother Cabrini dedicated her life to helping immigrants adjust to their new homes by creating schools and hospitals for them around the world. On this ...federally named holiday of Columbus Day, where many recognize Italian-Americans’ contributions, let us remember Mother Cabrini’s work with a prayer of a fellow Italian saint, Catherine of Siena. Let us pray. Power of the eternal Father, help me. Wisdom of the Son, enlighten the eye of my understanding. Tender mercy of the Holy Spirit, unite my heart to yourself. Eternal God, restore health to the sick and life to the dead. Give us a voice, your own voice, to cry out to you for mercy for the world. You, light, give us light. You, wisdom, give us wisdom. You, supreme strength, strengthen us. Amen.

We join states, cities and towns across the country to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day and honor the people whose lands we walk, whos...e Indigenous voices have always been spoken here and who share their gifts and contributions throughout our society. -Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton See more

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares a timely message, encouraging us to take inventory of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. To serve the body of Christ, we must look after ourselves -- including our mental health.