GLOBAL LINKS - November 2010

Connect to the global church through elca.org

 

INDONESIA EARTHQUAKE, TSUNAMI AND VOLCANO

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami in the Sumatra region while Mt. Merapi in central Java erupted with the anticipation of more to come.  See www.elca.org/disaster.

 

NICARAGUA FLOODING

Thousands were displaced by storm water and collapsed bridges.  The second planting season was severely affected by flooded fields.  See www.elca.org/disaster.

 

MEET NUBIA IN NICARAGUA

Nubia owns a herd of 60 dairy cows on her ranch on the outskirts of Chinandega, Nicaragua. There she employs nine people, and her cows produce 1,000 liters of milk per day. Each morning, a long line of neighbors forms to buy fresh cheese and dairy products. But three years ago, when her husband died, Nubia didn’t think she could keep her land, much less run a successful dairy.  See her story at http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/ELCA-World-Hunger/Stories/By-Region/Latin-America/Nicaragua-f10.aspx

 

MISSION SERVICE IN TANZANIA

Marv Kananen and Jean Wahlstrom offer poignant reflections on twelve years at the Maasae Girls' Lutheran Secondary School of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.  See this video clip at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.

 

ELCA MISSIONARY STORIES:  THANKS BE TO GOD!

"I love stories. Stories instruct and inspire. They illuminate the sacred in daily life. Shared stories connect generation to generation, creating community, family.  I especially love missionary stories."  Read more at http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Women-of-the-ELCA/Lutheran-Woman-Today/Articles/2010/November/Thanks-Be-to-God.aspx

 

WORLD AIDS DAY

Join in global advocacy efforts to commemorate World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) and to deepen understanding and engage in ways to bring hope for those living and affected by HIV and AIDS. http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Advocacy/Congregational-Resources/Act-Now.aspx

 

IN ADVENT HOPE AND CHRISTMAS ASSURANCE, GOD IS WITH US

"It had been nearly ten years since I last walked the streets of Bethlehem and worshiped at Christmas Lutheran Church." So begins a story told by Pastor Fred and Gloria Strickert, ELCA missionaries newly arrived in the Holy Land.  Read this story at www.elca.org/handinhand in the Winter 2010 newsletter or bulletin insert. 

 

GET YOUR PLACEMAP

A handy idea for you!  This new world map invites you to find your sponsored missionary's country of service, locate and pray for countries in the news, learn world geography, and spend some time coloring.  The resource has a nickname:  the placeMap, because its size is just right to use as a place mat.  Request up to a dozen free maps by contacting .  Consider ordering a pad of 100 maps to use at meals events with a Global Mission emphasis; call 800-638-3522 ext. 2580, and reference ELCADS1025 (free, plus shipping and handling).

 

HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANICS SOUGHT FOR HAITI

The Lutheran Church of Haiti (Église Luthérienne d'Haiti) is recruiting several mechanics based in the U.S. who specialize in heavy equipment to support recovery efforts in the wake of the 2010 earthquake. The positions will initially be U.S.-based, assisting with the acquisition of heavy machinery.  Once the machinery arrives in Haiti on-the-ground assistance will be necessary. Professional experience in mechanics on heavy machinery and trucks is required. Retired persons welcome. See full position description at www.ministrylink.org/mediafiles/haiti-volunteer.pdf or contact Beth Ann Lynch at .

 

COORDINATOR SOUGHT FOR HOLY LAND

Serve as coordinator for the Young Adults in Global Mission program in Jerusalem/West Bank, and assist in coordination of trips to the Holy Land in support of the ELCA's "Peace Not Walls" strategy. Minimum BA plus 3 years relevant experience required, theological training at the MA level or above, preferred. Strong communication skills, knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and an understanding of the ELCA's work in the Middle East are required.  Arabic helpful.  Preferred application deadline is December 1, 2010.  See www.elca.org/globalserve and click Global Service Opportunities to search the database at the bottom.

 

SERMON CONTEST

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) encourages the submission of sermons reflecting on food and faith as a basis for our actions together. The winner will receive a trip to Geneva to deliver the sermon in a special worship service during the 2011 Churches Week of Action on Food (10-17 October 2011) at the Ecumenical Centre.  See http://elcaworldhunger.ning.com/ 

 

GLOBAL HEADLINES at www.elca.org/news (click News Releases)

+ ELCA Sends Relief Funds in Response to Indonesia Tsunami

+ ELCA Funds Water Purification Equipment for Guatemala Families

+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Congratulates World Food Prize Laureate

+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Announces New Churchwide Organization Design for 2011

+ ELCA Church Council Commits to 'ELCA Malaria Campaign'

+ Lutherans Provide $30,000 in Response to Floods, Storms in Nicaragua

+ ELCA Representative in West Africa Crosses Faith With Community Building

 

IN OUR PRAYERS

Praise God for the ministry of Katie Miyamoto in Japan.  She is serving as a teacher at Luther Gakuin Junior and Senior High School in Kumamoto. (This prayer for November 5 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at http://archive.elca.org/prayerventures/.)

 

GLOBAL LINKS NOW ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

Follow Global Links on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GlobalLinks and Twitter at Twitter.com/ELCAGlobalLinks.  Share these links with friends and all who care about global mission. 

 

Global Links contains highlights from elca.org of ELCA ministry or connections in other countries.  Please forward Global Links in whole or in part, or use it in publications, web sites, or blogs.  See a current issue, subscribe, or follow on Facebook or Twitter at www.elca.org/global-links.  Send your suggestions and comments to or to Pr. Lanny Westphal, ELCA Global Mission, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.