Mission in the New England Synod of the ELCA
The Rev. Jane O’Hara Shields
Mission Director
Home office1795 Main St.
Brewster, MA 02631
508-896-2284
fax: 508-896-2294
jshields@nesynod.org
jshields@elca.org
Synod Office
Executive Secretary: Barbara Lamson
20 Upland St., Worcester, MA 01607
508-791-1530 x 106
blamson@nesynod.org
www.nesynod.org
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1: 1-3
Check it out. New England is a mission-in-progress. We are celebrating start-ups and potential start-ups of mission in a number of different forms. Keep reading if you would like a foretaste of the feast to come!
 In Providence, Rhode Island:
The people of Gloria Dei are emerging as leaders for new and creative ways of doing urban multicultural ministry. They have partnered with the synod in initiating, organizing, and teaching the “Healing the Wounds of Racism” process. It is a goal of synod to have all members participate in this transformational experience, to enter into this covenant of healing. A Liberation team made up of synodical leaders meets regularly to advise and monitor our experience.
Members and leadership of Gloria Dei practice a model of “accompaniment” for urban multicultural ministry: “Walking with Jesus in the street, doing ministry at the grass roots, seeing Jesus already in the community” is at the core of this vision
The Center for Walking with Jesus in the Street is receiving financial support for its start-up from the NES Mission Development Fund. The prayers and partnerships of others who share the vision are welcomed.
The urban-multicultural center brings people from the suburbs, cities, and towns together for biblical study and for learning more about what it means to be in honest relationship as a multicultural community of faith.
Satellite Ministry: Four miles from Gloria Dei, in South Providence, another ministry is being organized through the evangelism, hospitality, and instruction of leaders of Gloria Dei. With the guidance of ELCA Latino staff we are developing this ministry as a second site of Gloria Dei.
If you would like to know more please contact
· Keila Rodriguez, coordinator of the Center 401-454-2119 gloriadeioutreach@verizon.net
· Pastor Santiago Rodriguez 401-421-5860 gloriadeipastor@verizon.net
In Marshfield, Massachusetts:
 The Marshfield mission team, made up of leaders from the Southeast Massachusetts conference, has been meeting on location for several years. This suburb of Boston is one of the most rapidly growing areas in New England. In October of 2005, at a special conference meeting, the team members presented a community survey for critique and trained pairs of persons to “lurk near coffee shops” in the two weeks that followed. Information they received from asking questions in the community was used in a profile completed for application to the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit (EOCM) of the ELCA in January 2006. It has received approval and funding as a new start in the ELCA.
In August of 2006, our Lutheran presence was further established at the popular Marshfield Fair. Teams of clergy and laity from four congregations of the conference hosted a booth the entire week. Thousands of people now know to look for the development of Transformation Place. Please pray with us for the Holy Spirit to raise up a mission developer.
To find out more we invite you to call or email
· Dean: Pastor Ken Rutherford 508-287-0140 krutherford@adventmiddleboro.org
Boston Metro Mission Start:
 Another conference with a special focus on mission is Boston Metro. In 2002, the Boston Metro Conference Council reorganized itself around mission and evangelism. Among their goals was the creation of a new congregation in the conference every 3-5 years. Over the past two years, through prayer, scripture reading and reflection, neighborhood canvassing, intentional listening, and consultations with synodical leaders, the evangelists have attempted to discern the Spirit’s call to a new ministry in Boston. The evangelists bring no preconceived notions of what the new ministry in Boston should look like, rather, they bring a deep commitment to listen to the Spirit speak through the people of Boston and to be led to new forms of ministries that are genuinely and truly open to all of God’s children. Two examples are as follows:
Healing and Hope: After two years of prayerful dialog with lots of listening, two members of Our Saviour’s, Dorchester, have joined with the Boston Metro evangelism team to canvas the neighborhood and explore the potential for developing and/or redeveloping a mission. The existing building, in need of some repair (not major!) sits majestically on a triangle centered in the city. To each of its immediate sides are different cultural/ethnic communities, the largest of which is African American. In May of 2007 three leaders from the ELCA African American Strategy Team entered into dialog with local leaders at Dorchester and with Keila Rodriguez, Director of the Center for Walking with Jesus.
To find out more we invite you to call or email
· Dean: Pastor Nathan Pipho 617-328-8348 PastorPipho@aol.com
Imanuel Indonesian in Newington, New Hampshire:
 Our synod’s most recent official new start was received into the ELCA on May 20, 2007, and recognized at the 2007 Synod Assembly. In September of 2000, the members of Holy Trinity opened their doors and their hearts to a growing community of Indonesians. Most of the members of Imanuel have come to the U.S. because of religious persecution in Indonesia. Through a healthy and caring partnership with Holy Trinity, members of Imanuel decided they wanted to be Lutheran. In July 2006, thirty of their members participated in the ELCA Global Mission Event (GME) at Amherst, Mass., witnessing to God’s love by sharing music and dance on stage. Now we rejoice in receiving them into our synod along with their pastor, who is welcomed to the ELCA roster of leaders and called to serve Imanuel.
To find out more we invite you to call or email
· Pastor Robert Waworuntu 603-380-1181 waworuntu@verizon.net
More New Starts:
Ecumenical/ Ethnic specific:
 On Trinity Sunday of 2006, three congregations joined in procession from the Dunkin Donuts on Main Street in Meriden, Conn., to Immanuel Lutheran, for their first official worship together. Immanuel Lutheran now enters its second year of sharing space and ministry with the Anglo and Latino congregations of All Saints Episcopal. Pastor Perry Beaver and the vicar and deacon from All Saints share the leadership in this exciting mission opportunity. They are joined by a team of lay leaders representing all three cultures of the new community in addition to judicatory representatives.
To find out more we invite you to call or email
· Pastor Perry Beaver 203-238-1248 perry.beaver@sbcglobal.net
Consolidation:
In Gardner, Mass., the members of First and Covenant voted to consolidate, becoming Faith Lutheran in 2006. Under the shepherding of their interim pastors they formed a “shared ministry” team that met for a year, exploring creative and energizing avenues for the congregations to combine their resources and make a new start of mission in Gardner. In their new life, they have called a pastoral team. We celebrated the official reception of Faith, Gardner, into the New England Synod at the June 2007 Assembly.
To find out more we invite you to call
· Pastor Scott Grimshaw 978-632-2271
· Pastor Joanna Norris Grimshaw
Other Mission Opportunities:
Transforming Ministry:
Four congregations are beginning their second year of transforming ministry. First, Malden, Mass.; St. Mark’s, Bridgeport, Conn.; St. Paul’s, Bridgeport, Conn.; and Bethany, Orange, Mass. began the process with training in May of 2006. Immanuel in Naugatuck, Conn., sent a team for its second round of training. Hosted by the pastor and the members of Bethesda, Springfield, Mass., who have been in transforming for several years, this group of 50 participants spent four days together with an ELCA training team. They continue to receive support through their coaches and the wider ELCA community.
· Questions? Contact Pastor Shields, NES Mission Director 508-896-2284 jshields@nesynod.org
An Emerging Ministry in Nashua, NH:
A unique opportunity for ministry with young adults and families is emerging in the Nashua, NH, area. As the population of this age group increases significantly, we are exploring new ways to reach out to that community. The ELCA and New England Synod are partnering in the funding of this new and exciting venture. The two developers currently work with an advisory team and are engaging in conversations and Bible studies in locations throughout the city. We hope to establish a worship site and a space for spiritual learning and growth that is oriented toward developing a Word and Sacrament community. This mission receives funding from the EOCM and the NES Mission Development Fund.
To find out more we invite you to call or email
· Steve Kennedy, lead developer 603-882-0274 stev4uth@hotmail.com
· Pastor Kari Keyl, assisting developer 603-889-7537 karitas@comcast.net
Want to partner with these ministries?
Please contact either co-chair for Mission Partners:
Pastor John Nieman 508-835-3323 jhnatlc@rcn.com
Pastor Dan Wilfrid 508-829-4416 dlwilfrid@charter.net
Where is God calling us next?
Rev. 12/7/07
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