Always being made NEW. The Campaign for the ELCA

The initial action taken to support “Always being made New, The Campaign for the ELCA” by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod occurred in the spring of 2014. The synod council met in a special retreat to study the campaign. The synod council developed a recommendation that was presented to the 2014 Synod Assembly In June, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod meeting in assembly at Split Rock Lodge, voted overwhelming to endorse the “Campaign for the ELCA” for our synod and established the goal of 100% congregation participation. That vote affirmed the action, for the NEPA Synod, of the Churchwide Assembly approval at the triennial meeting in August of 2013

The “Campaign for the ELCA is a five (5) year program to raise $198 million by January 31, 2019. This initiative is the first-ever comprehensive campaign for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and will support new and existing ELCA ministries within the wider church in the USA and the Church around the world. Through this campaign we can grow, evangelize, educate women, serve globally, end hunger, overcome malaria, send missionaries, form new leaders and “Do God’s work with our hands”.

The Campaign goal – nearly $200 million – represents a 64 percent increase in designated funding for these ministries over the next five years. Achieving these goals would not be possible without your help. Your gifts may be designated for any of the priorities included in this booklet, or applied where the need is greatest. The following is the breakdown of the ministries to be supported by the campaign:

CONGREGATIONS Renewing Congregations $8 million - Accompany and equip 1,000 congregations in their renewal efforts through ELCA synods.

ELCA New Congregations $4 million - Spread the good news far and wide by planting more congregations in the United States and

the Caribbean.

Disability Ministries $4 million - Expand ministries with people living with disabilities.

LEADERSHIP ELCA Fund for Leaders $15 million

- Grow the permanent endowment fund so that, for generations to come, hundreds more of the most promising leaders can respond to the call to serve our congregations.

Youth and Young Adults $4 million - Engage young people in the life of this church through expanded ministries with

youth and young adults.

HUNGER AND POVERTY ELCA World Hunger $115 million

- Support our comprehensive approach in nearly 60 countries and expand support to communities in at least 10 countries, including the United States, as they work to solve challenges that perpetuate hunger and poverty.

ELCA Malaria Campaign $15 million - Continue the work already under way to help overcome malaria in 13 countries in

Africa.

GLOBAL CHURCH Missionaries & Young Adults in Global Mission $22 million

- Support our missionaries and give 200 additional young adults the opportunity to participate in a year of global service.

Global Ministries $7 million - Equip more than 200 additional women leaders from our global companion churches through

increased scholarships and educational opportunities.

International Leaders — Women $4 million - Initiate new evangelism projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

On the surface looking at the goal figures, this looks like a daunting task for the 10,000 congregations of the ELCA to make this campaign a success! But the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod congregations and individuals of the synod are already supporting four of the ten ministries. Contributions have been made to the Malaria Campaign, World Hunger (directly and through Biking for World Hunger), Missionary Sponsorship and the Fund for Leaders. In all $2.6 million has been contributed (World Hunger leading the way at $2.2 million) to these ministries between 2009 and 2013 by congregations, individuals and appeals of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

Our synod goal, unlike other financial campaigns, is NOT a monetary figure. Our initial goal is to have 100% of the congregations participate in supporting the “Campaign for the ELCA” by contribution to one or more of the ministries that have been outlined. Our bishop, Rev. Samuel Zeiser has an infectious desire to make the campaign “alive” and a success in the NEPA Synod. Bishop Zeiser believes that this campaign will be make our synod and congregations a part of the Church’s future.

What can congregations and individuals of the NEPA Synod do to aid in the success of this campaign? First and foremost, pray for our Church in its three expressions, Churchwide, Synods, Congregations and the ministries which are being supported today; and the ministries are going to be supported by the Campaign. Second thing that can be done is to learn about the ELCA Campaign and its ministries to be supported; and third, begin to find ways to financially support your “favorite” ministry, or perhaps a second or third ministry if your congregations are already supporting one or two of the current ministries.

Information will be shared about the status of the campaign and the ministries in the Synod e-news, Synod News and personal contacts, so that everyone will be able to understand the ministry, the need for support, and how you can help.

In September, Bishop Zeiser appointed a synod coordinator for the Campaign to ensure success in achieving the synod goal each year of the campaign. That volunteer position will work closely with the bishop to “spread the word”, be a “resource” for questions about the campaign and be a “cheerleader” for the congregations. The new synod coordinator is Guy Ehler. He can be contacted via e-mail at guy.ehler@rcn.com .

The first status update of the Campaign for the ELCA by Pr. Ron Glusenkamp, ELCA director for the Campaign, announced that 12% of the financial goal of $198 million or $25 million has been received since February, which was the actual beginning of the Campaign.

As the Campaign was approved by the voting members at the NEPA Synod Assembly in June, this becoming our “official start”, tracking has begun. As of September 30, 2014, support for existing ministries has been received from 123 congregations. That is 44.7% of the congregations in the synod. In addition to the congregation support, there has also been two large contributions totaling $50,000 and several individual gifts totally $2,000 since the beginning of the synod participation in the ELCA Campaign has begun.

Begin to study the campaign, ask questions and pray for our Church and its ministries that are currently supported and will be more fully supported in the future by the success of the Campaign. By doing this your congregations and individuals will find life in supporting the ministries of the ELCA.

29Oct2014