Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - Messenger

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September 9, 2008 - Volume 29, #31

• Welcome Laura!
  

  On Sunday, September 21st at a Joint Service with Onondaga Valley/South Presbyterian Church we will formally install Laura Aase as Vicar to serve with us for the 2008/2009 academic year. Laura comes to us from the Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and has just completed a summer term of Clinical Pastoral Education at The Women's Recovery Center and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

  The daughter of a Lutheran Pastor, Laura has engaged in other church vocations before going to seminary. She has been a camp director at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center in Oregon, Illinois & Luther Heights Bible Camp in the Sawtooth mountains of Idaho. She currently serves on the Outdoor Ministries Education Committee of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Inc.

  Laura has two sisters, one nephew, and one niece. Having spent time in Minnesota, Montana, Illinois, and Idaho, Syracuse is an "Eastern Adventure" for her where she is intentionally exploring ministry in an urban setting.

  She will be serving with us for a year during which time she will participate in the full range of pastoral tasks both with us and Onondaga Valley/South Presbyterian Church.

  Please make every effort to meet her and make her feel at home with us.

   

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• Confirmation Class
  

  Confirmation class, for those in 7th and 8th grade, starts on Sept 14th. Class will meet with Pastor Rodgers at noon, in the Coffee Shop.

  If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Rodgers at 492-9065.

   

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• Youth Events - Coming soon!
  

  This year, Sunday School will be packed with special activities for Atonement kids of all ages (and parents too).

  Youth hotdog roast and apple picking

  Our annual fall Atonement Lutheran Youth Organization and 4-5-6 Club Hotdog roast will be Saturday, Sept. 27 at the home of Judy Holmes, 3431 Fox Road.

  We will leave church at 4 p.m. and return by 7:30 p.m. Older youth will pick apples at Navarino Orchards, which will be sold at church, while the younger youth carve pumpkins. All will gather for our bonfire and hotdog roast.

  There will be games and other fun activities.

  Permission slips must be in by Sept. 21.

  Questions: Contact Judy Holmes (673-9393 after 6 p.m. Or email EWHolmes@att.net) or Janet Holmgren (677-3846) or the church office (492-9065).

   

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• Reminder to all Sunday School and Youth Group Parents
  

  A meeting will be held on Sunday, September 14th, at 10:00AM in the chapel to talk about what we will be doing this year and what your expectations are for the Christian Education of Atonement's kids.

  If you are unable to attend, please contact Janet Holmgren at 677-3846.

  

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• Women of the ELCA Meeting and the Next Bible, Baked Goods, and Beverages Gathering

  The first evening meeting of Atonement Women of the ELCA will be held on Thursday, September 18. We'll meet in the Keiswetter Conference Room beginning at 6pm.

  Our topic will be the new Women of the ELCA program they have created and a summary of the Triennial.

  Bible, Bake Goods, and Beverage will be held in the Coffee Shop on Saturday, September 20, beginning at 9am.

  The first topic of the new bible study will be on Ruth.

  All women of the congregation are invited to both the WELCA meeting and the Bible, Baked Goods, and Beverage bible study.

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• Church Basement Ladies Coming to Syracuse
  

  We are planning an outing to the Merry-Go-Round Theater in Auburn, on Saturday, September 20 to catch a performance of Church Basement Ladies, a witty and heartwarming musical about ladies who work in the church kitchen and prove that feeding and "shepherding" the flock is not all sugar and spice. The Playhouse is the site of the East Coast premiere of this show.

  You can sign up to attend the September 20 performance by calling the church office at 492-9065. Price is $30/ticket for preferred seating (an excellent discount!) There are only 10 tickets left, so call soon!

  Read about Church Basement Ladies on the web at: www.churchbasementladies.com.

   

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• Food Pantries Need Your Help
  

  The local food pantries....ours, the Onondaga Valley Ecumenical pantry, and St. Paul's pantry on the west side are all stressed beyond their ability to serve. Please remember to bring in food pantry items as you can. Any and all help is appreciated!

  We need items like: crackers; tuna; mayo/miraclewhip salad dressing; peanut butter; jelly; chunky type soups; canned chili, hash, stew, ham, chicken; canned fruit; canned milk; can openers from the Dollar Store. (When homeless folks are placed by the county at the Budget Inn, they sometimes come to us for food. Many canned foods require can openers.)

   

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• Wednesday Night Class: The Wholeness Wheel
  

  The Wholeness Wheel reflects our call to care for our whole self. By balancing the interconnected dimensions of well-being, we are able to live well in Christ and pass on our faith.

  The Wholeness Wheel illustrates that wellness is multidimensional - made up of spiritual, vocational, intellectual, emotional, physical, social and financial elements of well-being. Spiritual well-being is intertwined with each aspect of wellness.

  Please join Pastor Gaetz and explore the Wholeness Wheel, Wednesday Nights at 7:00pm.

   

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• Appleseed's New Season Opens with "Goodbye Charlie"
  
   

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• September 7 - A Special Day for Atonement Youth
  

  This year, Sunday School will be packed with special activities for Atonement kids of all ages (and parents too).

  Join us for Rally Day on Sunday, September 7th, at 9:45 AM in the sanctuary, where our Sunday Morning Musicians will help us with our Chapel Time. We will also have 12 special guests Ð can you guess who they might be? We will then move to the chapel where, while parents fill out registration information, our kids will have more time with our special guests, more songs, some crafts and refreshments. Don't miss the fun!

  4-5-6 Club registration will also take place on Rally Day for children in grades four, five and six. The first activity of the year will be a bonfire on Saturday, September 27th at Mrs. Holmes' house. The CROP Walk will be Sunday, October 26th.

   
  

  A Special Invitation for Youth in Grades 7 through 12
  Join us on Rally Day on Sunday, September 7th, at noon in the downstairs kitchen and Fellowhip Hall - for our Youth Group Opening Event. We will make pizza for lunch and talk about events planned for the coming year, including:

   
  • Apple Picking & Bonfire at Holmes' House
  • CROP Walk
  • Lost & Found Band at Syracuse University
  • Fall Retreat at LCLC
  • Luther Bowl
  • Volleyball Marathon
  • Senior High Retreat at LCLC
  • Ice Skating in Clinton Square
  • ....and more!