We pray for...
Pastor Mona Fitch-Elliott (retired) recovering from an ankle injury
Pastor Becky Resch (Candidacy & Leadership Manager, Reg 7&8)
Bill Kauffman (spouse of Pastor Patt Kauffman, St Paul, Ridgefield) recovering from hip surgery
Pastor Wendolyn Trozzo (Grace, Somers Point) recovering from surgery
We pray for all who suffer in places of war and violence—especially Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and Iran.
These congregations of our synod...
Grace, Teaneck
Messiah, Parlin
Christus, Camden
These companion synods in the ELCA and around the world...
Alaska Synod, ELCA
Pacifica Synod, ELCA
Basel Christian Church of Malaysia
Evangelical Church in Central Germany
We continue our prayers for...
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ROSTERED MINISTERS - SAVE THE DATE!
Bishop's Ministerium Day will be held on Tuesday, April 28.
(Fellowship time on Monday evening, April 27, 7-9 PM).
More information can be found at njsynod.org/rosteredleaderevents
Registration will open soon.
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Synod Assembly News
Assembly Registration is open!
Links and information can be found at
www.njsynod.org/assembly
Upcoming Mission District Meetings
Gateway District, Sunday, March 22, 2026 (4:00 PM), St. Paul, Jersey City
Middle District, Saturday, April 11, 2026 (2:00 PM), Hope, Freehold
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PLEASE SHARE YOUR CONGREGATION’S 2026 MISSION SUPPORT INTENTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
113 of our 143 congregations have replied already! Thank you! If you have not done this yet, please do so soon. You may respond by any one of the following ways:
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Caring for God's Good Creation:
Lenten Resources: Food Loss and Waste
The NJ Synod Care of Creation team Lenten video and meditation series on Food Loss and Waste continues here.!
For March 18, watch Rutgers’ video “Environmental Impacts of Food Waste” and read the two meditations for this week: Blessed are the creative cooks, for they turn leftovers into feasts - and - Blessed are the patient preservers, for they freeze, pickle, and store with care.
Afterward, take a moment to think about the reflection questions and pick a practice to try this week - and check out the recipe and prayer for the week. Look back at previous weeks' meditations and practices if you missed them!
Lenten Series Poster
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Coaching through the Seasons
Holy Week is fast approaching. While it is days away it may feel like minutes as we busy ourselves in preparation. Now may not be the time to consider coaching in the busyness of the season yet coaching can help you through each season not only liturgically but all the seasons of your life.
Wise leaders know that it is not selfish to seek assistance to facilitate growth, change and or renewal as we carry out God’s mission in a changing world.
Coaches will journey with you asking the deep questions with empathy and understanding, helping you to see that you have it in you to be an empowered leader in the church.
To learn more about coaching contact Wendy Abrahamson at momr...@gmail.com or call 201-400-2072. You can also visit the synod coaching page at
www.njsynod.org/coaching. If you would like to discern your own gifts to be a coach contact Wendy Abrahamson or Maristela Freiberg.
| | CHECK OUT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS! | | |
CLERGY CRASH
April 5-8, 2026
This one-of-a-kind gathering for clergy at Cross Roads offers a brief but powerful retreat, an opportunity to pause from ministry, reconnect with God and nature, deepen relationships with peers, and recharge. Whether through worship, conversation, or quiet reflection, the retreat helps clergy renew their spirit, build leadership, and return refreshed and strengthened for service. Register here: https://forms.gle/nX6mPP8DLQMNZe2v6
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Join The Saints Go—a new NJ Synod cohort for rostered and lay leaders open to the Spirit’s nudge. Learn new ways to tell Jesus’ story, discern, innovate, collaborate, and dream together. Explore fresh expressions of church and deepen spiritual practices alongside others listening for God’s movement in our neighborhoods.
Starts April 18, 2026.
More info: Pastor Maristela Freiberg • maristela...@elca.org
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Join your NJ Synod Youth Group friends at a Somerset Patriots Game!
Come at 6:00 pm on Saturday, June 13 for a picture on the field, watch the 7:05pm game, and then stay for the fireworks. Tickets are a special price of only $10.50 each, AND you will receive a $10 gift voucher towards your food that night, just see Debra Porowski at the park for your gift card.
Purchase your own tickets at the link below, and email us at yout...@njsynod.org with any questions!
Get more information and purchase your tickets here!
The ELCA Youth Gathering is coming next summer, along with MYLE, the tAble, and the Young Adult Gathering. Interested in learning more about these events? Sign up for the various webinars that will be hosted by the ELCA every month between now and the Gathering. Even if you can't attend the event live, recordings will be available for all webinars. Check out the list of key dates and register here: ELCA Gathering Key Dates. On March 19, join us for a webinar on choosing adult leaders.
Any Gathering related questions can be sent to Debra Porowski at
yout...@njsynod.org. She will also be at Synod Assembly to talk with anyone who has questions!
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Celebrate Reformation Day 2026 with the NJ Synod
in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany
Reformation: Then and Now
October 26 - November 5, 2026
Click here for Bishop Compton's Invitation, Itinerary & Registration info:
www.njsynod.org/germanytrip
Travel with Synod friends, Bishop Compton and our docent, The Rev. Dr. Kit Kleinhans, recently retired Dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
Interested? germa...@njsynod.org. Pastor Carol Lindsay, Synod Trip Coordinator
Please help us by using this link to advertise the Germany trip in your church publications
Click here to add this to your publications
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An Easter Retreat
for Pastors and Deacons
Tues-Thurs, April 21-23
New Life for Weary Souls
Led by Dr Audrey West & Pastor Dale Selover
Held at Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center
Register at: h...@popnj.org
Download the flyer for details.
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A publication of the New Jersey Synod, ELCA ©2026
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