The Bridge in Plain Text
Issue To Be Used Any Time After
July 1, 2008
Below you will find all the
text from The Bridge in plain text format, so you can easily copy
and paste the information into your publications. Links to the graphics are
available below the text.
The Bridge
A monthly publication of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
Connecting the congregational, synodical, and churchwide expressions of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Service Opportunities
Get Involved. Make A Difference. Share God's Love.
Today’s the day. Everywhere
you look, there is good work waiting to be done. The ELCA and its partners
offer a wide range of opportunities to get involved, get your hands dirty
and get to work. From spending a year on the other side of the globe as a
mission worker, to working as a youth leader at a local congregation, to
providing comfort and shelter to victims of a natural disaster -- there are
countless big and small ways that you can help share God’s love with the
world. In doing so, you may be surprised how God blesses your life, too.
Locally
Local opportunities are often the easiest because there is little travel
expense, you can continue to serve and watch the changes made, and you can
get together with fellow members, family, and friends to serve.
Check with your congregation,
local food pantries, local disaster relief efforts (when/where applicable),
and many other aid organizations.
Nationally
Some of the most common national volunteering in churches is from youth
groups who travel during the summer months. There are also many options
available for adults. Some are even looking particularly for adults with
certain skill sets, so always keep your mind open to using your skills from
your profession or hobbies. Also watch your congregation’s youth news. Often
those common youth trips are in need of adults as well!
One major need for volunteers
nationwide is always disaster response. By visiting
www.ldr.org, you can find out what areas
are in need of volunteers.
Globally
There are also many opportunities to volunteer outside of this country. One
connection in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod is trips to our companion
synods in Colombia and Tanzania. The synod organizes some visits and many
congregations also organize their own.
ELCA Global Mission also has a
database of mission opportunities from all over the world for periods of one
month up to several years. Possibilities exist for young adults, teaching,
health care, evangelism, administration, or and more. Visit
www.ELCA.org/globalmission
for more information.
Virtually
More and more opportunities are becoming available to volunteer right from
your own desk. This could include helping your congregation with a website,
doing calling or e-mailing for an organization, or spreading enthusiasm for
a cause by blogging your experience.
The ELCA plans to also have a
database of these kinds of opportunities available online in the future.
This will be available by visiting
www.ELCA.org and clicking on “Service Opportunities” under “Our Faith in
Action.”
No matter who you are or where
you are, there are ways to serve based on your gifts. Explore your options!
Featured Resources
-
ELCA Service Opportunities -
www.ELCA.org (click on Our Faith in Action, Service Opportunities)
-
Lutheran Disaster Response -
www.LDR.org
Monthly Bible Verse
This Bible verse was selected by Harold Usgaard, bishop of the
Southeastern Minnesota Synod, for everyone in the synod to study.
“Like good stewards of the
manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has
received.”
1 Peter 4:10
About Our Synod
The Southeastern Minnesota Synod is a faith community of 130,000 baptized
people in 184 congregations as well as related institutions of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Its geographic area includes
15 counties in the southeastern corner of Minnesota.
The Bridge is a monthly
publication of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA. For more information,
contact the synod office:
Southeastern Minnesota Synod,
ELCA
1001 14th St. NW, Suite 300
Rochester, MN 55901-2551
(507) 280-9457
www.semnsynod.org
This issue is designed to be
used any time after July 1, 2008.
Graphics from this issue
Right-click the link and choose "save to disk" to save the
graphic, and then insert it into your desktop publishing program. Graphics
are in high-resolution tiff format. If you require another format, please
call 507-280-9457.
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