Shirley and M.E.Sorenson- Feeding Farmville

Feeding Farmville -

 A Story from St. John's in Farmville, VA

Jumping the hurdles of racial discrimination 

and being an unknown church in the community were some of our challenges. Perhaps we were only known as a church that keeps to itself. We were struggling how to help others when the poverty level in the county is at the least 14% higher than the national average. This was the evaluation that St. John's Farmville faced 3 years ago and decided to "do something". Pastor Matt Sorenson inspired the congregation to look beyond their walls into the neighborhood. St. John's members developed a plan to organize a community-wide project to feed 500 neighbors a hot meal on Thanksgiving Day. 

These meals were delivered to the homes. 

Going out -2 by 2- the individuals took time to speak with and pray with the recipients. They let them know they were special to God by sharing His unconditional love.

This community-wide event know as Feeding Farmville was  organized and hosted by St. John's. But, we have reached out into our community for volunteers and financial support. This year we had over 300 volunteers (many pictured above) and 69 different organizations supporting us in various ways. This made it possible, with God's help, to serve 800 meals. What seemed like an impossible mission when we began, was not too big for God. Each year He has provided the volunteers and the finances we have needed.

The hardest part this year was having to turn away requests for meals because we reached our limit with the available food. The best part was to enjoy the atmosphere of neighbors serving neighbors because of the unconditional love of God we share.

This service project involved the Sorenson family, including  M.E. Sorenson from Prince of Peace- Springfield, Virginia.  She was a big help in many ways as the Distribution Team Leader on Thursday. She oversaw the food packing, the sorting for the drivers, and the loading right into their cars.  She has worked all 3 years.

A special thank you to Shirley L. Sorenson, Feeding Farmville 2018 Facilitator, 

for this wonderful story of Love In Action- 

right in the neighborhood.

Artist Carolyn Fletcher

The Crucifer

in the church entrance of 

Faith Lutheran Church- Kinston, NC.

This young gentleman is 

one of the newly baptized members.

Taking Supplies to the Shelter

The Youth Group at Faith Lutheran Church 

taking supplies to the shelter.

Truly a Live Generously lifestyle.

This painting is part of a series of paintings 

for a show at the art center in Kinston 

called ”The streets of Kinston”.

 This show opens 9/6/18 and runs for 6 weeks.

It will feature all the artists 

in the studio that Carolyn is a part of-

 ART 105 

Carolyn will  have 9 paintings in this show.

Crepe Myrtle in Winter.

The City in the Rain

is a random scene from a 
photo that Carolyn liked.

  Currently she has been painting 

random people just living life.

She has 3 future exhibitions 

that will require art submissions,

 so she remains busy.

And every artist hopes- 

 there are sales-

 so she can keep on painting.

We give thanks to the very talented Carolyn Fletcher
 for her partnership in sharing information for this post.
Rev. Ron and Carolyn Fletcher 
serve faithfully at Faith Lutheran Church
 in Kinston, NC.

Sasha the Comfort Dog and the Burdens

People are hurting, 

everyone has something. 

Outwardly, things could look great,

 but inwardly,

 it just seems that everyone could use a friend,

 everyone could use a little comfort and care. 

This ministry has opened our eyes

 to the needs around us.

Phil and Brenda openly said: 

“We’re not dog people,” 

and yet, 

God called them to be the primary caretakers

 and lead the comfort dog ministry

 at their local church.

 Phil reminded us that God 

doesn’t always call the equipped,

 but He always equips the called!

 “We can see how God has equipped us

 throughout our lives for this!” 

@lcck9sasha Sasha Comfort Dog

Listen to this podcast feature 

about Phil and Linda Burden

 from Faithful Innovations:
http://faithfulinnovation.com/ep-011-brenda-phil-burden/

Operation Christmas Child with Grace Duddleston

When you talk to Grace Duddleston 

from Calvary Lutheran Church

in Charleston, South Carolina, 

it doesn't take long to hear her heart's passion.

 Operation Christmas Child.

 In a well-planned manner,

 many hands work to create a multitude of supplies

 for this project.

Here is an interview with Grace

 to learn more about this project.

How long to you prepare for Operation Christmas Child?  

This is our second year of hand made crafts for shoeboxes.  We begin the first Thursday of February and end the 2nd Thursday of November.  We gather ideas mainly from Pinterest and start gathering supplies as early as January. We ask the congregation to donate needed materials. Last year all of our supplies were donated. This year Calvary included $300 in the budget for the purchase of supplies so we are able to do larger projects like the 200 hand puppets. A local shoe store saves large size shoe boxes for us. With the larger boxes we are able to pack boxes for older boys, ages 10-14 with small hand tools.  Samaritan's Purse suggests doing the tools because this will help older boys learn much needed skills. For the older girls we include a large piece of material and a sewing kit with tape measure, needles, pins, thread, scissors and a handmade pouch to keep them in.  We include school supplies in each box. Once again we asked Calvary members to take advantage of back to school sales when things like crayons are only 25 cents a package. Also make fishing kits for older boys.

 How many people participate in this project? 
Over the course of the project time our numbers vary.  Some weeks it is 4, other weeks 10.  We have some ladies who craft things at home, like crochet wash cloths and sewing pouches.  One of our "very senior" members wraps all the plastic shoe boxes and the cardboard ones from the shoe store.  Last year several men from the congregation supplied us with nails and screws for the older boys. 

Where do you get your supplies?
Corks for our fishing kits come from the "wine drinkers" at Calvary! Ribbon was donated by a lady who had a bow making business and when she went out of business she donated all of her supplies to us.  Fabric for sewing kits come from members who have remnants from their sewing projects, empty pill bottles that we decorate for sewing things and fishing kits come from members who take medicine.(We had to stop taking them for a while because we had too many.) Small bars of soap come from people who travel and save the unused soap. A local resort also donates new "fancy soaps". Rule of thumb is don't throw anything away until you check to see if Christmas Child Crafters can use it.

What is the deadline to have things finished? 
Our "packing party" usually takes place the second week of November. After all the boxes are filled and labeled, they are placed in the sanctuary and prayed over during a Sunday service. 

Where do you send them?

 After the blessing, they are taken to a local drop off location where they are boxed in cartons and sent to the central packing warehouse in Charlotte, North Carolina.  From there they are sorted and sent, literally, around the world.  We purchase a special shipping label for our boxes.  Some time in January we will get an email telling us the countries are shoe boxes were shipped to.   

 What have you have learned in doing this service project? 

We have learned that we don't have to be "highly skilled" crafters.  Just willing vessels for the Lord to use in a small way to spread His gospel.  Since we are not limited, we can include "religious" items and themes in our crafts.  

L to R- Jack Martin retired Navy Captain and Calvary treasurer

Grace Duddleston 

and Rev. Bob Duddleston- Emeritus Pastor - 

Calvary Lutheran Church, Charleston, SC

What has been the blessing? 
Oh where do I start, this project is not about making gifts.  It is about sharing Jesus. Not just with the things we make, but with each other.  It's a wonderful time of sharing the Lord in praise reports, prayer requests, etc.  I think back to the days when ladies would have quilting bees, I now know the joy of working with my hands and getting to know my sisters in Christ.  It is wonderful to hear the ladies encourage each other and rejoice with each other over their "creations".  We have no idea who will open our boxes, but a lot of tender- loving care goes into each thing that is created.  It is fun to watch the ladies search for just the right button for a shirt embellishment, or just the right color felt to create a hand puppet.

Thanks to Grace Duddleston for sharing 

this "report from the field" for Journeys of Faith.

Photo credit to Grace.

Welcome to the SED- Rev. Corey and Kristen Brooks

                                                    St Paul Lutheran Church 

in Ridgeway, North Carolina

 hosted the installation of

 Rev. Corey Brooks

 on Sunday, July 22, 2018.

Here is is shown with the Shepherd's Staff 

that is a gift from the Southeastern District

 upon his entry into ministry.

His Ordination service was held at 

St. John's Lutheran Church in 

Conover, North Carolina 

on July 15, 2018.

This is Pastor Corey's home congregation.

Clergy from neighboring congregations

 joined to bring greetings and blessings.

Pastor Corey was installed 

by Rev. Dr. William Seeman-

 Southern Facilitator

 in the Southeastern District.  

May Pastor Corey and wife Kristen 

and daughter, Avery, be blessed 

as they begin their ministry

 in the Southeastern District.

Photo credits for this post
 go to Randy Brooks.

Welcome to the SED- Rev. Adam and Sonja Kosberg

On Sunday, July 22, 2018,

Calvary Lutheran Church

 in Charleston, South Carolina 

hosted the Ordination and Installation of

 Rev. Adam Kosberg as Associate Pastor.

We welcome them to ministry in the 

Southeastern District.

 The Circuit pastors and visiting clergy

 bring greetings and blessings 

to the newly ordained-

Rev. Adam Kosberg.

 Southeastern District President- 

Rev. John R. Denninger 

with Rev. Adam and Sonja.

 A Worship Banner for the Service

 Calvary Lutheran Church

Charleston, South Carolina

Left- Rev. Robert Duddleston- Emeritis pastor 

Rev. Adam and

Rev. Ed Grant

 A blessed day in ministry.

President Denninger with Rev. Adam

The Kosberg men in Ministry

Rev. Adam and his dad- left

 and two uncles on the right-
Rev. Chuck Kosberg- Florida
Rev. Jerry Kosberg- Phoenix, Arizona

 Rev. Adam and Sonja with his parents-

Rev. Kevin and Jennet Kosberg

 Rev. Adam and Sonja with her parents-
Chris and Beth Wall

 The Kosberg family in ministry

 Senior pastor- Rev. Ed Grant and wife Susan

 with Rev. Adam and Sonja

 A ministry team is formed.

May the Lord bless the ministry of 

Calvary Lutheran Church

 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Welcome to Rev. John and Teffanie Engwall

 Welcome to Rev. John and Teffanie Engwall 

to the Southeastern District!

Rev. John was installed as pastor 

at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

 in Aiken, South Carolina

 by Rev. John Denninger- SED President.

Circuit pastors gather to bless 

the new clergy couple 

for their Mission in the Kingdom in Aiken
on Sunday, June 17, 2018.

Rev. John is a new graduate from 
Concordia Seminary- Fort Wayne 
and received his first call to Bethlehem, Aiken, SC.
Surrounding the newly-installed pastor 
are brothers in the ministry.

Thanks to the congregation at Bethlehem 

for such a warm welcome for the Engwalls.

 Teffanie shares a bit more about her journey-

"Hello! I was born in Baton Rouge,

and lived in Denham Springs, Louisiana 

for my first 7 years. 

I have 2 older sisters and a younger brother. 

My family moved around a lot as I was growing up and

I have lived in Indiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

I met John in Knoxville- where we were married. 

I have 3 nieces and 3 nephews. 

I enjoy being with friends and family and going to the movies-

especially having popcorn at the movies ! 

I grew up going to church at different denominations. 

My mother's side was Methodist 

and my father's family was Pentecostal. 

Both didn't attend- they just sent us. 

When John and I got married,

I told him we would be going to church.

So we searched different places until John 

met the chaplain of the police department where he worked. 

We started going to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 

where I was baptized and confirmed.

We became members of Praise Lutheran Church

in Maryville, Tennessee.

I enjoy being around people and will hopefully

find a job that involves helping people.

I am so excited for our our new adventure in ministry 

with our new church families."

We give thanks for this journey of faith 

that has brought Teffanie and John

to this point in time. 

May they be blessed as they serve His people.

University Christian High School

University Christian High School in 

Hickory, North Carolina

opened the doors to their 

new building in the Fall of 2017.

It is an innovative 

partnership of space and resources

with Lenoir Rhyne University 

and this LCMS Lutheran High School,

 as well as the

St. Andrew Lutheran Church 

campus next door.

We were blessed to tour the campus 

during the Convention days In May.

The painting inside the entrance to the 

University Lutheran High School campus.

The Lenoir- Rhyne Bear 

stands outside the school grounds on campus.

University Christian High School 

are the barracudas.

Principal Bill Unverfehrt 

has led with vision 

and a servant-leader heart.

We give thanks for his perseverance

 to bring this dream to life 

in Catawba County, North Carolina.

 To God Be the Glory!

Follow them on Instagram HERE:
universitychristianhighschool

Give them a LIKE and FOLLOW 
on Facebook HERE:
uchshickory

UCHS website HERE:
uchigh

A Lutheran School and Technology

   Danielle Altieri and Alison Nack

An Interview with 2 Technology Educators

1. What are some fun technology connections 

that you are seeing in your Lutheran school?

This year, the Robotics Club is available to our elementary school grades in addition to our Middle School students which gained a lot of interest. The students work together to program robots to complete tasks. The Middle School Robotics team competes in competitions in North Carolina.

In the classroom, our students use Google for Education to create websites, amazing presentations, digital art, and research papers. The students also learn how to touch type so they can be efficient when working on technology.

The second grade class used a really fun app on the iPad’s named ChatterPix Kids. We used it to bring U.S. symbols to life. The students draw a picture, then upload the picture of their drawing into the ChatterPix Kids app. Then, use the app to record the student voice giving factual information about the symbol. The app makes the symbol drawing look like it is speaking and has the student’s voice. The students enjoyed the entire process and especially once their symbol came to life.

There are also many educational websites to use in the classroom that provide virtual tours with in-depth information using videos, pictures, and maps. It is like going on a field trip without ever leaving your classroom. For example, to experience a virtual tour of the battles of the Civil War, go visit the following website: virtual-tour.civilwar

Virtural Reality is gaining popularity. Our school is planning to incorporate Google Expeditions in the near future.

2.  What is the greatest challenge for the integration 

of Technology practices in your school?

Finding time to teach teachers the new technology is the greatest challenge. We have found that making part of a teacher workday as a “technology training” time is helpful.

3.  How would it be most effective for parents and teachers

to work as a TEAM with technology usage in the school?

The school needs to select the best technology to use. Then offer training for the parents that is effective and easy to learn. For instance, we created Screencasts trainings for parents to watch at their leisure(while at soccer practice, at home, etc…) to learn our new school information system. We also sent Screencasts to teachers to explain specific topics. If parents or teachears needed more help, then additional in person training was offered.

Thanks to 

Danielle Altieri and Alison Nack

for this "field report"

from Resurrection Lutheran School 

in Cary, North Carolina.

Paula Daniels- A Heart for Blessing

Paula Daniels

 Taylorsville, North Carolina

I recently was blessed 

to spend some time with Paula,

and help with

 a "Sem-Student Care Package"

 project.

It was a popcorn packet with a

Bible Verse encouragement 

for about 160 students.

Below is a photo of a few

 of the students at 

Concordia Seminary-Fort Wayne

 receiving their gifts.

Left to Right:
Trae Fistler (IA), Timothy Sheridan (NC),

 Kaitlin Jandereski (MI),

 Christian Schultz (KS), Brett Witmer (PA)

All the men are 2nd year M.Div. students.

It doesn't take much time around Paula
 to see the heart of blessing
 that is part of her DNA.
There have been multiple 
gifts of remembrance 
through the years. 
From the time her son
 was a seminary student,
to now as her husband 
serves on the Board of Regents.

Sometimes even a small gift,
thoughtfully shared, 
lets others know someone is
thinking of them.
Who might you bless this week?

Welcome to the SED- the Lohman Family

Rev. Scott Lohman 

was installed as pastor of 

Advent Lutheran Church 

in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

 on January 21, 2018.

Pastor Scott and and his wife, Gina,

 are looking forward to their ministry

 in North Carolina.

Rev. John Denninger, SED President,

with Pastor Scott and Gina Lohman.

Welcome to the Southeastern District-

May the Lord bless your ministry!