Atlantic District Photo Gallery

Korean & Urdu Missions in the AD

The Rev. E. Johnson Rethinasamy, Mission Executive, has shared pictures taken this summer at St. Matthew, Albany , where an Urdu Mission is being started. “We had a great start and introduction of the Albany Urdu Mission group to Pastor Nuss and leaders at St.Mathew, Albany . Keep this in your prayers....”. In the NY Metro area, Pastor Sung Woo Leem, Korean Mosaic Pastor, St. Peter's, Brooklyn, has been reaching out to the Korean community.

Atlantic District Deacon Graduation
The Atlantic District Diaconate Training Graduation Liturgy was held on June 4, 2011 at the Village Lutheran Church in Bronxville. A reception for the graduates and their families followed.

167 CALLS AND VICARAGES ISSUED, 4 DEACONESS ASSIGNMENTS AND 10 DEACONESS INTERNSHIPS CELEBRATED AT CONCORDIA SEMINARY

ST. LOUIS-On May 4, calls to serve as pastors in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) were issued to 86 students at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, during a worship service in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. These students join more than 12,000 who have been prepared to serve as pastors, missionaries and chaplains during the 172 years of Concordia Seminary's existence.

In a separate service held earlier that day, 81 students received assignments to serve as vicars. Vicarage is a one-year internship that M.Div. and Alternate Route students preparing to serve in the pastoral ministry must complete.

Concordia Seminary also celebrated four deaconess students who were assigned calls and 10 deaconess students who were assigned internships.

The Atlantic District received the following new pastors and vicar from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis:

Pastors
Gonzalez, Matthew - Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bronx, New York
Hodges, Jonathan - St. Mark's Second Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hudson, New York

Vicar
Staneck, Matthew - True Light Lutheran Church, New York City, New York

A complete listing of the calls and vicarages issued is available on the Seminary's website at www.csl.edu.

2011 Spring Pastors' Conference

On May 10, 2011, the Atlantic District hosted the Spring Pastor's Conference at the campus of Concordia College-NY. The conference was attended by over 70 clergy from across the District. The keynote speaker was Rev. Dean Nadasdy, of Woodbury, MN. The District hosts Pastor's Conferences twice a year. The Fall 2011 Pastor's Conference is planned for early October, exact date to be announced.

2011 Festival of Workshops

A beautiful, late-winter day on the campus of Concordia College-NY in Bronxville provided the setting for the 2011 Festival of Workshops. The event was hosted by the Seven Task Forces of the Atlantic District. It attracted over 330 participants from 60 Atlantic District congregations. Embracing the Synod’s Witness, Mercy and Life Together as the theme this year, invitations were extended to members of the neighboring New England and New Jersey Districts. (A protocol that will certainly become part of future Festivals! We were pleased to welcome guests from 10 congregations from those districts.)

Attendees selected from thirty-seven different workshop topics that ranged from self-publishing to confronting cyber bullying to making the most of a short term mission trip.

Early morning arrivals were uplifted by Crooked Roof, the praise band from St. Paul’s in Flemington, New Jersey that played and sang until District President, The Rev. Dr. David H. Benke, opened the day with words of welcome and prayer. Dr. Benke then introduced the keynote speakers, Rev. Jonathan Beyer, Pastor, and DCE Amos Gray, Youth Minister, from First Lutheran Church of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Inspired and inspiring, many of the workshop presenters were pastors and church workers from the Atlantic and New Jersey Districts. These included Dr. Claire Partlow from St. Paul’s, Flemington, who is a specialist in worship studies, and Karen and Mike Davidson, Marriage Alpha leaders from Trinity, Walden, who presented a workshop called “The Marriage Course.” There were also workshop leaders of national reputation, including Joy Skjegstad, a consultant and independent speaker who specializes in techniques for strengthening ministries, the Rev. James Buckman, an Urban Mission Strategist called through the national church office to serve in the northeast and noted journalist and author, Ray Keating, who recently published Warrior Monk: a Pastor Stephen Grant Novel.

The District extends sincere thanks to all workshop presenters for their time and expertise and to Concordia College for the use of their campus. We also acknowledge with gratitude generous support from the Northeast Region of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

2010 Witness in the Public Square

2010 Ablaze Grant Ceremony

Atlantic District Mission Workers

2010 Festival of Workshops

On Saturday, March 6th, the Atlantic District hosted the 2010 Festival of Workshops on the campus of Concordia College, Bronxville. 300 people from congregations across the District attended the event as participants and presenters. 35 workshops were presented over the course of four, hour-long sessions. This year’s theme, “Be Transformed!” was the focus of the keynote address given by Dr. Mary Hilgendorf, Professor and an Ambassador to the Women’s Institute of Concordia University, Wisconsin.

The Festival gathering presented those in attendance with the chance to hear about the District’s Haitian earthquake relief plans and meet the team President David Benke has assembled to help coordinate those efforts.

After a day of networking and learning, guests gathered in Sommer Center for the closing program. Don Streed, Director of SonRise, and Hannah Froehlich, Program Director, held a drawing for a week-long stay at the beautiful site in Pottersville. The lucky winner was William Carron of Christ, Woodside.

The Festival of Workshops ended with Sending Blessings offered by President Benke.

The Festival Day started with the music The lucky winner of a week-long stay at

of the praise band, Solid Ground, from Trinity, Hicksville SonRise was William Carron, Christ, Woodside

grant
At the start of the Festival of Workshops, the LWML delivered a grant for cross-cultural youth expansion to St. Peter's, Brooklyn.
Pictured with President Benke are from left, Erica Corlito, St. Peter's, Brooklyn, Lillian Biddle, Grace Queens Village,
and Maureen Consiglio, president of LWML Atlantic District.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Benke introduced Pastor Marvin Griffin, Grace, Queens Village, and Haitian lay member Duory Marin as members of his Haiti Relief Effort coordination team. The other team members include Rev. Joshua Hollmann, Christ, Woodside, Judith Benke, Chairperson, Task Force on Human Care, Rev. Derek Lecakes, the District’s Disaster Response Coordinator and Richard Lomnitzer, of Orphan Grain Train.

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Keynote Speaker, Mary Hilgendorf, center, enjoys a lunch break in the Concordia Quad with,
from left, Hannah Froehlich, Program Director of SonRise, Deacon Ellen Farber, and Janet George.

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AD Mission Society Coordinator, Carol Mittelstaedt, looks over the material goods donated by participants for Haitian relief,
which overflowed at the collection site in the lobby of the Sommer Center.

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District web master and workshop presenter, Jennn Partlow,
with Deacon Ellen Farber, Resurrection, Garden City, and young Levi Partlow

2009 Pastors' Wives' Retreat: A Gift of Leadership

The Atlantic District sponsored a two-day retreat in November at the Stony Point Retreat Center for the wives of its pastors, missionaries and retired pastors. This year's theme was "The Gift of Leadership" and focused on the unique role that pastors' wives play in ministry. The guest speaker was Dr. Mary Hilgendorf, Director of the Women's Leadership Institute, Concordia University, Wisconsin. In addition to the opportunity to relax, pray together, network with other wives and develop friendships, participants were offered workshops by Thrivent Regional Representatives, Deb Kress and Keith Weston, on "Finances in the Parsonage."
The retreat was hosted by a committee of wives, led by Judith Benke, who is the Chair of the Task Force on Human Care Ministries.Support for the 2009 Pastors' Wives' Retreat included grants from the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support in conjunction with LCMS World Relief/Human Care, and the Northeast Region of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

The meditation chapel where the Retreat participants
had a communion service with Pastor Martin Conklin.

Scenes from the 2009 Pastors' Wives' retreat at Stony Point Retreat Center

New Atlantic District Board of Directors

The Atlantic District Board of Directors met on September 24 and included new members as of the June 2009 convention.
Pictured from left are Susan Stewart of Zion, Schenectady, Bonnie Mueller of Bethlehem, Delmar, James Darden of Trinity, Locust Manor, Douglas Kurz, Treasurer, from Resurrection, Garden City, Matthew Dummann of Our Saviour, Bronx, and Bishop David H. Benke. Not pictured are the Rev. Charles Byer, VP Region 3, from Our Redeemer, Aquebogue, the Rev. Marvin Griffin, Sr, of Grace, Queens Village, and Dr. Joy Elwell of Village, Bronxville.

Witness in the Public Square Luncheon
October 20, 2009

The Atlantic District hosted its annual Witness in the Public Square benefit luncheon at the New York Athletic Club on October 20, 2009. The four Lutheran leaders honored this year were Mrs. Terry Lee Kieschnick, Col. Michael Meese, Mr. Howard Crumb and Rev. Jonathan Coyne.

Among the honored guests this year were Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, President of the LCMS, the Rev. Dr. William Diekelman, V.P. of the Synod, and Edwin Meese III, a former "Witness Honoree" who served as Attorney General of the US under Ronald Reagan and is the father of Col. Meese. Click here for full press release.

Terry Lee Kieschnick, the First Lady of the LCMS, after receiving an award from Dr. Benke, left. Also pictured are Judy Benke, who introduced Mrs. Kieschnick, and Rev. Dr. Robert Scudieri, who served as Master of Ceremonies.

Witness Honoree Howard Crumb, a Senior Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (retired) and member of the Board of Regents of Concordia College-NY, Bronxville, is flanked by Bishop Benke and Rev. Dr. Robert Scudieri.

2009 Witness in the Public Square Honoree, Rev. Jonathan Coyne, (center) Senior Pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Menlo Park, CA, with Bishop David Benke and Rev. Dr. Robert Scudieri.

Col. Michael J. Meese, (second left) after receiving his award from Bishop Benke. Also pictured are Dr. Scudieri and Col. Melvin Butts of Redeemer Church, Bronx, who introduced Col. Meese.

Missouri Synod President, the Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, his wife and mother, in town to for the Witness luncheon, where Terry Kieschnick was honored, attended services at Dr. Benke's congregation, St. Peter's, Brooklyn, on Sunday the 18th. There President Kieschnick participated in the service of installation of the Rev. Sung Woo Leem as Korean Mosaic Pastor, the dedication of a new bus and building renovations, and the reception of new members into the congregation. Pictured are (l to r) Mrs. Sarah Leem, Rev. Leem, Judy Benke, Dr. Benke, 2009 Witness Honoree, Terry Kieschnick, Mrs. Elda Kieschnick (the president's mother), Dr. Kieschnick, the Rev. Hyun Bong Moon of California, and the Leem's daughter Stephanie and son David.

Col. Michael J. Meese, (right) President of West Point Lutheran Ministries, head of the social sciences department at the USMA, and a former Atlantic District Board member, poses with his father and mother, Edwin Meese III and Ursula Meese, and his wife Ramona, after being named a 2009 Witness in the Public Square Honoree.

New Worker Orientation
August 20, 2009

The Atlantic District’s New Church Worker Orientation, which took place on Thursday, August 20, 2009, offered those who attended the opportunity to learn about the resources and support available from the District and provided a feeling for and insights into aspects of ministry that are unique to this region.

Opening business was held at the Krenz Academic Center of Concordia College in Bronxville. After the welcome and devotion led by Bishop David H. Benke, self-introductions were made by those attending and the Atlantic District staff.

The round of introductions paused for the belated presentation to Rev. Travis Yee of his Certificate of Ordination by Region 2 Vice President, Rev. Deric Taylor, Associate Pastor, Village Lutheran Church and Chapel School, Bronxville.

The New Church Workers gathered with Dr. Benke outside of the Krenz Center for the first of several group shots. Pictured, left to right, Rev. Johnson Rethinasamy, Immanuel, Whitestone; Rev. Travis Yee, St. Peter’s, Pine Island; Rev. Joshua Hollmann, to be installed as Pastor of Christ, Woodside in September; Linda Guteres, AD Staff Bookkeeper; James Darden, AD Board member, President of Trinity, Locust Manor; Mrs. Jeannie Nowak and Rev. Thomas Nowak, Calvary, East Meadow; Kathy Witto, Martin Luther High School; Erica Corlito, DCE intern, St. Peter’s Brooklyn; Bishop David H. Benke; Rev. John Priest, Pastor of Immanuel, Delhi, the District’s newest member congregation; Mrs. Sarah Leem and Rev. Sung Woo Leem, Korean Outreach Ministry, St. Peter’s, Brooklyn.

The group headed for a brief glimpse of the Atlantic District’s offices;
Pastor and Mrs. Leem on route; Pastors Travis Yee and Joshua Hollman on route.

Board member, James Darden, visiting the Atlantic District offices. Behind him is Bishop Benke speaking with Peter Labenberg, VP of Lutheran Church Extension Fund and Executive for Stewardship and Finance.

The balance of the day was spent visiting urban and suburban congregations around the Metro area to see
Transforming Congregations outreach initiatives in action. Concordia College graciously provided a van;
Tom Manigault, AD staff, Finance, did the driving honors.

The first stop was Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Chuch in the Bronx, where the fifth day of their eight day Vacation Bible School was in full swing. The group was welcomed by several members of the congregation including Office Administrator and Director of Religious Education, Carol Sandblom, fifth from the right, who acted as our official guide during the visit.

Julia, a young camper at Redeemer’s Vacation Bible School, shows the treasure box she is making at her arts and crafts session. The project was used to illustrate the Daily Word—Truth—and the Affirmation, “I will seek the treasure of God’s truth.”

The Rev. Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor, the Pastor of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Bronx, rocked the closing devotion of day five of their eight day Vacation Bible School with song and dance. The children, their counselors, parents and guests responded with joy.

Dr. Benke talked about the positive impact of faith-based community action during a stop at the
newest housing units of the Nehemiah Project at Gateway Plaza, Brooklyn.

At St. Peter’s, Brooklyn, Dr. Benke had Pastor Leem and Rev. James Roy talk about their ministries to the immigrant communities throughout the Metro area. He also introduced several congregation members, including Margarita Thompson, seen here with Sarah Leem. Margarita is the mother of two students at St. Peter’s and a professional cook who provides food for the congregation’s schools.

Rev. John Priest, Immanuel, Delhi, and others arrive at the Church of the Resurrection, Garden City. Vicar Justin Vetrano welcomed the group and explained something of the joys and challenges of planting a daughter church at The LIFE, in Old Westbury. Peter Labenberg used the setting of his home congregation to brief the new workers about the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and other important financial matters.

The Orientation group ended their day enjoying a bountiful BBQ hosted by The LIFE, Old Westbury,
prior to their weekly Thursday evening worship.