Click the above graphic for a PDF containing nominations and bios for the offices of Dean and the Executive Council. These offices will be voted upon at the upcoming Carolinas Mission District convocation.

“If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” — Martin Luther

A Word for Today – Peggy Mericle Hoppes

Awakenings – Pr. Eric Jonas Swensson

Beam’s Bible Bounty – Pr. Thomas Beam

Diakonia – Pr. Allen Schoonover

In the Wilderness – Pr. Judy Mattson

Motorsage – Pr. Thomas Beam

My Lutheran Roots – Pr. David Nuotilla

Possessing the Sacred Cross – Pr. Ian Wolfe

Reflections – Rev. Dr. Rick Capezza

Theodidacti – Pr. Mark Ryman

Greetings all in the name of Christ Jesus!

It is time again to begin registration for our 2nd Annual Carolinas NALC Youth Summer Retreat at Union Lutheran Church in Salisbury. Last year’s retreat was a huge success. we are looking for even more involvement this year since several congregations have already expressed interest.

Attached to this email please find a Flyer you may post on your bulletin boards or use as a bulletin insert. Also attached is a tri-fold form for registration of youth and a congregational registration form. All necessary information should be included in these forms. If you have further question just send me a message or give me a call.

Thanks for your interest and support for our retreat and for our mission district youth. See you all at the convo!

Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

Poster

Brochure

Registration

On Saturday, April 20, pastors and laymen from the Carolinas Mission District met with Pastor Carl Haynes (CMD Dean). The purpose of this meeting was to gather information concerning the need for a new ministry for the men of the Carolinas Mission District. Many thoughts and ideas were exchanged, but one thing was clear, God is calling the men of our Church to be in mission. One day later, men from NALC congregations in South Carolina gathered for a similar meeting. With about fifty men attending, it was made clear again that God is calling the men of our mission district to begin leading the way toward a new Men’s Ministry.

The fruit of these two meetings is that a task force has been appointed by those men who gathered seeking the Lord’s guidance. Pastors David Nuottila (Union Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC) and Brett Collins (Holy Trinity, Little Mtn, SC.) are serving as pastoral leaders and advisors. Four laymen, two from NC and two from SC round out the committee of six persons. These four are Wayne McCullough (Salisbury, NC), Robert Crouch (Newton, NC), Charles Frick (Little Mtn, SC) and Lynn Shealy (Chapin, SC).

We ask congregations to lift up these men in prayer as they begin listening and following God’s call. A preliminary report will be given during our Mission District Convocation. We give thanks to God and ask him to guide our NALC Carolinas Lutheran Men in developing this ministry.

Our seminarians from the Carolinas Mission District are Tonya Brittain, Joshua Morgan, Paulette McHugh, Dawn Rister,  Christopher Metze, Mark Metze, Randy Drafts, and Ron Hamm.

Dear Colleagues and fellow disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord and Savior!

It is my distinct honor to announce to you the formation of a Department of Lutheran Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since the fall of 2009 there has been a great need in the South for a place for orthodox Lutheran students to receive a Confessional and orthodox Lutheran seminary education. That is now possible at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Gordon-Conwell is an evangelical institution that is intentionally multi-denominational.

Since January of this year a task force, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Mary Havens, chair, the Rev. Dr. Nathan Yoder, Secretary, Mrs. Tricia Price, Mr. Frank Merrell, Pr. Randall Cauble, Pr. Steve Johnson, Pr. Ken Reed and Pr. Carl Haynes, Dean, has worked with the administration of Gordon-Conwell to put together a Memorandum of Understanding whereby a Lutheran Studies program can operate on their campus.

Beginning in May, Dr. Mary Havens will begin her work as the Department Director and professor of the Lutheran Confessions. Her duties will include teaching, mentoring students, fundraising, and promoting the program. Other Lutheran professors in the Department will include Dr. David Yeago, the Rev. Dr. Monte Luker, and the Rev. Dr. Amy Schifrin.

It is our intention that this Department of Lutheran Studies will become an integral part of the NALC educational network that is currently in development. We in the Carolinas Mission District received special dispensation from the NALC Task Force for Theological Education to begin building a program at Gordon-Conwell for Fall 2013 because of the immediate need to provide our NALC students with a solidly Biblical, orthodox seminary education.

This is all possible because of a very generous gift from an anonymous donor in the amount of $150,000. The donor would like to challenge the congregations and other interested lay persons in the Carolinas Mission District to work together to match the gift to insure the future of the Lutheran Studies Department.

We have also received gifts from Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church in Newberry, SC for $3000, and Faith Lutheran Church in Faith, NC for $300. These gifts will enable the Department of Lutheran Studies to begin classes in Fall 2013. Persons or congregations interested in making gifts to the program may do so by writing a check to the Carolinas Mission District and on the “For” line write in Department of Lutheran Studies. Mail the check to Ms. Laurie Ritchie, Treasurer, at 1110 Spring Rock Drive, Salisbury, NC 28146.

We are grateful to these three donors and hope their generosity will inspire us to make similar gifts so that we can continue to build a place for our future pastors to receive a solid Confessional education upon which to base their ministry.

We are also grateful to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary – their Dean, Dr. Tim Laniak, and their Advancement officer, Neely Gaston, who have worked closely with our task force to make this all possible.

We are appreciative of the Theological Education Task Force of the NALC for supporting us in this endeavor and allowing us to move forward with their blessing to begin classes in Fall 2013. We currently have eight students signed up. We are asking pastors and lay folks to get the word out to those persons who may be looking to go to seminary to consider the Department of Lutheran Studies Department at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

In all of this we give glory to Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for His great power at work in the Church today. May this Department of Lutheran Studies and all who are a part of it be used by God to further His Kingdom on earth and glorify His holy name.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Carl M. Haynes
Dean of the Carolinas Mission District

North American Lutheran Church Seminarians gather once a week, outside the walls of the seminary to discuss Lutheran Theology at Lizard’s Thicket. This group of potential and present seminarians (some to graduate soon) are using Carl Braatan’s book, Principles of Lutheran Theology, to compensate their learning, under the direction of The Rev. Dr. Mary B. Havens.

This group has been meeting since January and has developed a commitment to fully understand the dynamic theology that makes us Lutheran. Please keep all Seminarians in your prayers, as we discern what we are to be doing in God’s Kingdom.

Christopher Metze
Mark Metze
Paulette McHugh
Randy Drafts
Ron Hamm
Dawn Rister
Joshua Morgan
Rev. Dr. Mary Havens

Are you in eastern North Carolina and interested in learning about the North American Lutheran Church (NALC)? Contact:

Reformation Lutheran Church
507 Craven Street, New Bern, NC  28560
(252) 633-3711
Pastor Stéphane Kalonji

We can also assist you in starting a small group—faith sharing or Bible study—that may, God willing, grow into a house-church. Call or email us today!

Shalom!