Companion Synods/Global Mission

Lutherans invite students to help end malaria
The ELCA Malaria Campaign will provide new opportunities for college and university students attending Lutheran schools and ELCA campus ministries to engage in the global fight against malaria. See www.elca.org/malaria/grants for more information and application materials. Read this story and more at www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).

Indonesia: We go to live with the people to realize the love of Jesus
Lutherans in Indonesia are celebrating their 150^th anniversary. Learn more about a unique institution in their church, a deaconess training school at the southern end of scenic Lake Toba in the crater of an ancient volcano. Hear the students sing and how they are taught in a two-minute video at www.elca.org/companionvoices.

Stories of Faith in Action: free resource for Epiphany and annual meetings
This booklet is full of dynamic stories of how God is changing lives around the world through the mission and ministry of the ELCA. This is a very useful resource for the Epiphany season and for congregational meetings. To order, call 800-638-3522 or order online at www.elca.org/resources. Search for ELCAMA1008. The resource is free; you only pay for shipping.

Global "placeMAPS": Lenten dinner resource
Is your congregation hosting Lenten dinners this year? Consider lending a global flavor to your meal by ordering ELCA Missionary Sponsorship placeMAPS Add crayons to your table for young and old to enjoy while coloring, remembering and praying for your missionary. Request yours at missionarysponsorship@elca.org.

Tanzania: Overnight, the people were filled with hope
Dr. Mark Jacobson, ELCA missionary, reports on the graduation of the first class of Assistant Medical Officers from the Arusha Medical Center in Tanzania and the difference they make in providing health care across the country. Read the entire story at www.elca.org/handinhand; click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the Winter 2011-12 issue of the Hand in Hand newsletter.

Tanzania: you're in the family now
Kristopher and Rebecca Hartwig helped develop a program for terminally ill people in Tanzania. Hear their reflections on global mission service in a short video at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.

Sponsors needed for missionary in Nigeria
You can be a sponsor for the Rev. Lancelot Themba and Kwena Mkhabela, ELCA missionaries in Nigeria, where Themba serves as regional representative for theological education and evangelism in western Africa. Sponsors from Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Northern Texas, Northern Louisiana and the Minneapolis area are especially welcomed to minimize their travel time and maximize their effectiveness while on home assignment. For more information, write missionarysponsorship@elca.org or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2657.

Lutherans in the Holy Land
Learn more about the vibrant ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Go to www.elca.org/peacenotwalls, scroll down to the bottom, and click the link for the "New ELCJHL Facebook Page". While you're there, check out the link above it to the Christmas photos.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
This annual event in the global ecumenical movement will be observed Jan. 18-25, 2012, in the northern hemisphere. Worship resources and materials for your use are available at www.elca.org/ecumenical.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days: scholarships available
A limited number of partial scholarships are available for companion synod committee members interested in attending Ecumenical Advocacy Days' 10th annual gathering, March 23-26, 2012, in Washington, D.C. See www.elca.org/companionadvocating.

Ethiopia: seeking management instructor
Teach management classes at the Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa. A master’s degree in management is required; prior teaching experience helpful. For more information, visit www.elca.org/globalserve/search and enter keyword "Ethiopia."

In our prayers
God of love, enliven the churches of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Reveal your love and hope in ways that renew worship and proclamation of the gospel anew. (This prayer for January 29 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at www.elca.org/prayerventures.)

Young adults: new opportunity for service
The Young Adults in Global Mission program is offering Madagascar as a new country program for 2012! In addition to Madagascar, opportunities abound for service in nine other countries around the world. This volunteer program is open to young people between the ages of 19-29. Final application deadline is March 1. Learn more at www.elca.org/yagm.

Lutherans invite students to help end malaria
The ELCA Malaria Campaign will provide new opportunities for college and university students attending Lutheran schools and ELCA campus ministries to engage in the global fight against malaria. See www.elca.org/malaria/grants for more information and application materials. Read this story and more at www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).

Indonesia: We go to live with the people to realize the love of Jesus
Lutherans in Indonesia are celebrating their 150^th anniversary. Learn more about a unique institution in their church, a deaconess training school at the southern end of scenic Lake Toba in the crater of an ancient volcano. Hear the students sing and how they are taught in a two-minute video at www.elca.org/companionvoices.

Stories of Faith in Action: free resource for Epiphany and annual meetings
This booklet is full of dynamic stories of how God is changing lives around the world through the mission and ministry of the ELCA. This is a very useful resource for the Epiphany season and for congregational meetings. To order, call 800-638-3522 or order online at www.elca.org/resources. Search for ELCAMA1008. The resource is free; you only pay for shipping.

Global "placeMAPS": Lenten dinner resource
Is your congregation hosting Lenten dinners this year? Consider lending a global flavor to your meal by ordering ELCA Missionary Sponsorship placeMAPS Add crayons to your table for young and old to enjoy while coloring, remembering and praying for your missionary. Request yours at missionarysponsorship@elca.org.

Tanzania: Overnight, the people were filled with hope
Dr. Mark Jacobson, ELCA missionary, reports on the graduation of the first class of Assistant Medical Officers from the Arusha Medical Center in Tanzania and the difference they make in providing health care across the country. Read the entire story at www.elca.org/handinhand; click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the Winter 2011-12 issue of the Hand in Hand newsletter.

Tanzania: you're in the family now
Kristopher and Rebecca Hartwig helped develop a program for terminally ill people in Tanzania. Hear their reflections on global mission service in a short video at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.

Sponsors needed for missionary in Nigeria
You can be a sponsor for the Rev. Lancelot Themba and Kwena Mkhabela, ELCA missionaries in Nigeria, where Themba serves as regional representative for theological education and evangelism in western Africa. Sponsors from Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Northern Texas, Northern Louisiana and the Minneapolis area are especially welcomed to minimize their travel time and maximize their effectiveness while on home assignment. For more information, write missionarysponsorship@elca.org or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2657.

Lutherans in the Holy Land
Learn more about the vibrant ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Go to www.elca.org/peacenotwalls, scroll down to the bottom, and click the link for the "New ELCJHL Facebook Page". While you're there, check out the link above it to the Christmas photos.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
This annual event in the global ecumenical movement will be observed Jan. 18-25, 2012, in the northern hemisphere. Worship resources and materials for your use are available at www.elca.org/ecumenical.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days: scholarships available
A limited number of partial scholarships are available for companion synod committee members interested in attending Ecumenical Advocacy Days' 10th annual gathering, March 23-26, 2012, in Washington, D.C. See www.elca.org/companionadvocating.

Ethiopia: seeking management instructor
Teach management classes at the Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa. A master’s degree in management is required; prior teaching experience helpful. For more information, visit www.elca.org/globalserve/search and enter keyword "Ethiopia."

In our prayers
God of love, enliven the churches of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Reveal your love and hope in ways that renew worship and proclamation of the gospel anew. (This prayer for January 29 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at www.elca.org/prayerventures.)