We pray for...
Pastor Penny Stechmann (retired), recovering from surgery
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
We pray for all who suffer in places of war and violence—especially Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and Iran.
These congregations of our synod...
Zion, Rahway
St Andrew, Parsippany
Reformation, Absecon
These companion synods in the ELCA and around the world...
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA
Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA
Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (India)
Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (India)
We continue our prayers for...
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A Holy Week Invitation
from the Bishop
March 2026
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ROSTERED MINISTERS - REGISTER NOW!
“Faithful Neighboring: Our Sacred Call to Stand for Justice"
Bishop's Ministerium Day will be held on Tuesday, April 28.
(Fellowship time on Monday evening, April 27, 7-9 PM).
njsynod.org/rosteredleaderevents
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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
Middle District, Saturday, April 11, 2026 (2:00 PM), Hope, Freehold
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Did you know that in the God's Love Made Real Report, Strategic Recommendations for the ELCA, this is the 3rd of the 5 goals for the church:
Commitment #3: Tangibly and significantly incorporate and empower young people in all levels of the Church’s life.
How can YOU help us all reach this goal? Invite and empower a youth or young adult at your church to attend this year's Synod Assembly. Every church in our synod can and should send a member under the age or 30. The Youth Ministry Mission Team will offer a time together for these young people, along with a table with giveaways, a place to get your questions answered, and even a pre-assembly Zoom to help them all know what to expect. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about bringing a youth or young adult to Synod Assembly! You can email us at yout...@njsynod.org
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THANK YOU! One hundred thirty-three (133) of the NJ Synod’s one hundred forty-six (146) Congregations and mission sites have responded to your synod’s annual appeal. This is a blessing! And as always, we know others shall be responding soon!
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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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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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 25, watch Rutgers’ video “Food Miles” and read the meditation for this week: Blessed are those who waste nothing, for they walk gently upon the earth.
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.
Previous weeks' meditations and practices are also available if you missed them!
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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.
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From the New Jersey Organizers of
The Palm Sunday Path
We are living in exilic times—when we feel separated from the country we love because people in power are denying the image of God in our neighbors and subjecting them to cruelty and violence. Our baptismal vow says we are to “renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God”. The spirit of Dietrich Bonhoeffer says this is our “Confessing Church” moment. The spirit of Martin Luther King says this is our “March on Washington” moment.
In response, a broad coalition of clergy, congregations, denominational leaders, and faith-based organizations are coming together across the country in a plan for nationwide actions. Here in New Jersey there will be a prayer vigil in Trenton on Palm Sunday afternoon, where we will join with communities of faith across the state to demand justice for those being brutalized by xenophobia and racism.
Join us on March 29 beginning at 2:00 PM
Questions: Please contact Pastor Scott Rush (pas...@emanuelnb.org).
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AFRICAN DESCENT LUTHERAN ASSOCIATION New Jersey ADLA
Invites you to a celebration of
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Tues., March 31, 2026,
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Topic: Resilient Hope: “Women Overcoming Barriers”
Keynote Speaker: Bishop Christa M. Compton, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – New Jersey Synod
Special Guest: The Rev. Maristela Freiberg, Assistant to the Bishop of New Jersey Synod
Zoom details: ID 841 0459 4119
Passcode 787330
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Don't forget to register soon
for these upcoming events...
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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
PASTORS AND CHURCH ADMINISTRATORS:
Please help us by advertising this. We are finding lay people very interested in this trip. Use this link: Click here to add this to your publications
Questions: germa...@njsynod.org
Pastor Carol Lindsay, Synod Trip Coordinator
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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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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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Join the Youth Ministry Mission Team at the Somerset Patriots Game on June 13th!
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!
All families and ages are welcome!!!! Please invite your congregations!
Get more information and purchase your tickets here!
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@NJSynodELCA
Pray with us every day at noon on Facebook
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A publication of the New Jersey Synod, ELCA ©2026
Weekly submission deadline: Tuesday mornings to communi...@njsynod.org
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