AN EMBER DAY* EDUCATIONAL EVENT FOR ALL WHO PREACH
Pastors, Deacons, and Lay Worship Leaders are invited to join in a two-part series of deep study, practice, and conversation around the ELCA document, Preaching and Teaching “With Love and Respect for the Jewish People.” Learn ways to preach lectionary texts with confidence, and guidance to avoid perpetuating unintended but problematic interpretations, in a time when anti-Semitism is increasing in our country.
Part 1: Tuesday, September 12: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Trinity Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wexford
Pastor Peter Pettit, co-author of Preaching and Teaching “With Love and Respect for the Jewish People” will join our synod to lead an exploration of its contents. Participants will have an opportunity to collaboratively work on upcoming lectionary messages and process the learnings in a hands-on approach.
RSVP by Wednesday, September 6
$15 registration fee includes lunch.
This event has been underwritten by synod funds dedicated to the care of Ministers.
Registration is now closed.
For questions about your registration, contact Pastor Melissa Stoller at Melissa.Stoller@elca.org.
Part 2: Tuesday, February 6: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Rodef Shalom Congregation, Shadyside
Deepen your September learnings with insights from Jewish voices. Local rabbis and teachers will contribute their own perspectives and life experiences in response to Preaching and Teaching “With Love and Respect for the Jewish People.” Kathryn Lohre, ELCA Executive for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, will guide us to move what we have learned into active collaboration to combat anti-Semitism in our region.
Save the Date
* Unfamiliar with the tradition of Ember Days? Philip H. Pfatteicher sheds light on these observances in Journey into the Heart of God: Living the Liturgical Year:
"The turning of the four season of the natural world has been incorporated into the church's calendar. These are the Ember Days, the name derived from the German Quatember, a corruption of quattuor tempore, "the four times." ... Recognizing an increasing estrangement from the agricultural setting of the Church's calendar, [the Church] replaced the Ember Days with prayer for various needs set by regional conferences of Bishops... but eventually replaced by quarterly lectures and examinations in the catechism." (p.67)