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Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Be transformed by the gospel

Te Daily Call

Temes of vocation, edu-cation, and transforma-tion came together to cre-

ate a patchwork quilt ofworship as we gatheredaround Gods word andmeal hoping to be madenew.

We heard the storyof God bringing life todry bones (Ezekiel 37),Pauls encouragement tonot conform to the pow-ers of this world (Romans

12), and Jesus call to resistthe temptation to hideChrists light within us,but instead be a beaconon a hill, or in a valley,at workplaces, homes andanywhere else God leads us(Matthew 5). We heard, prayed, and sang the messageof Tursday nights Imagining Ministry event.

As Christians, Bishop Marie Jerge reminded us

Resurrection people who pray first, walk together, and change lives.

Whats Happening Today Plenary 3 begins at 8:30 am

2014 Mission Proposal and Proposal toRestructure Synod Council will come to the floor

Conversation about proposed ELCA Social

Statement on Criminal Justice

a call to order a call to worship a call to be transformed

Upstate New York Synod Assembly 2013

Saturday, June 8Rochester Riverside Convention Center Volume 6:2

by the Rev. Norma Malfatti

Synod Vice President Tom Madden and the Rev.David Cleaver-Bartholomew prepare to asperge

worshipers to remind them of their baptism.

Whats it all about, Alfie?

Friday morning began with a bang as Don Johnson, ourkeynote speaker, came running through the plenary hall.Dressed as Alfie, a thirty-year-old everyman, Johnsonwandered around the hall as he told Alfies story of faithand discernment.

Trough his portrayal, Johnson set the stage for hisafternoon workshop and todays keynote address about

the transforming power of discerning Gods call. John-son argues that discernment and vocation should not beonly something for churches and pastors. Instead, wereall called to be in relationship with God and called intoservice to the world for the sake of the gospel.

Tis means we must re-define words like vocationand discernment. From Johnsons perspective, voca-tion isnt about deriving pleasure from a task. Instead,its about the relationship created by the task. Discern-ment is the process by which you discover vocation.

So, what isit all about, Alfie? Te answer: relation-

ship with God and others.

by the Rev. Norma Malfatti

that we dare to believethat God is calling usto open ourselves to thetransforming power of

the Holy Spirit and thatour Savior God does nottake away our sorrow butsends us more deeply intoitsometimes kickingand screaming, painedand suffering, want-ing answers but findingnoneuntil we let go ofall our pictures of what

the church ought to be,let go of our agendas andour time frames, so thatGod might make some-thing new in and throughus.

Even through the jour-neys of pain and joy, we ex-

perience Gods presence and proclaim the good news ofour God who is with us and for us always.

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Te Daily Call Saturday, page 2

Newspaper Production Staff

Editor: Te Rev. Katie YahnsReporters: Te Rev. Norma Malfatti

Te Rev. Rebecca MentzerPhotography: Te Rev. Jeff L. Kane

Mr. Dave rulandStaff Liason: Te Rev. Judith VanOsdolProduction: Te Rev. Jeff L. KaneDistribution: Ms. Marcia Brown

Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Resurrection people who pray first, walk together, and change lives.

A Missional Word Searchcreated by Puzzlemaker at discoveryeducation.com

Tis year at assembly, special offerings were collectedfor ELCA World Hunger and the Ronald McDonaldHouse. Give Peas a Chance was the hunger themeand congregations across the state donated towards the$40,000 goal to combat hunger globally and locally.

Congregations also collected dozens of pounds ofsoda can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, whichprovides a home away from home for families of hos-pitalized children. Each of these offerings is a great re-minder of how little things can make a huge difference

in the world.

by the Rev. Rebecca Mentzer

Special offerings strong

Imalu Thren challenged the assembly to invite aMission Interpreter to every congregation during amission moment on Friday morning. Rumor has it shemight visit the assembly again today!

Personal connectionsimportant for Stadie

As the Program Director for Lutheran Disaster Re-sponse, the Rev. Michael Stadie loves making connec-tions with new people. Whenever a disaster happensand help is needed, those connections are what makerelief and recovery possible.

Even in his role as ELCA Churchwide Representa-tive, Stadie enjoys the very same thing. Its a bit likea family reunion, he shared. Even though the ELCAhas four million members, its still a small church.

He especially enjoyed meeting Gary Roller and theRev. Elaine Berg in person after working with them

long-distance through Lutheran Disaster Responseswork in Schoharie County. Disaster work, like churchwork, is all about relationshipsface to face.

Stadie also brought greetings on behalf of the entireELCA and reminded the assembly that as the church,we can do amazing things together that are impossibleto accomplish alone.

G P O A N I B H Z V K E P Q C

S U E O O O W C O L L D E V Q

Z F K M I V Q C P B U K D N G

D V E X S T A W A W U A U Q F

N Y I L S T R T X X M J C J G

W R F A I Y X A W X O G A J B

Q Q E O M Q G L N P C Z T V RF X N C R V E D A S A C I D A

E H S V S H X J R T I S O O M

T E A M D I D U P Y S T N I M

W M T F A B D E R E T T I W T

V U L H X N O E S V S S H O V

N Y Z Z W Z A S H X P V Q F N

T R A N S F O R M A T I O N A

R S C F A O J G Q Q K N U M M

discern education mission table team

transformation transition witter vocation

Portico Updates ComingSteve Knutson of Portico addressed the assemblyFriday morning about the coming changes to healthinsurance due to the Affordable Care Act. His topadvice to congregations and members is to watch www.porticobenefits.org for plan information in August.Congregations will be asked to choose plans in the fall.Knutson is available today to answer questions. Stop byhis table at registration to get more information.