We pray for...
Pastor Wendolyn Trozzo (Grace, Somers Point) recovering from surgery
Pastor Joseph Graumann (St Stephen, Woodbury), recovering from shoulder surgery
These congregations of our synod...
Grace, River Edge
Hope, Freehold
Our Savior, Haddonfield
These companion synods in the ELCA and around the world...
Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
Synod of Alberta and the Territories, ELCIC
Lutheran Church in Haiti
We continue our prayers for...
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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
Western District, Saturday, February 28, 2026 (10:00 AM), Redeemer, Succasunna
Northern District, Saturday, March 14, 2026 (10:00 AM), Grace, Teaneck
Delaware District, Sunday, March 15, 2026 (4:00 PM), St. Stephen, Woodbury
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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ELCA Evangelism Resources
Check out this collection from the ELCA Evangelism Network—resources, links, and ideas created to guide, inspire, and strengthen our shared work of evangelizing throughout the sacred seasons of Lent and Easter. May these materials support you in nurturing vibrant faith practices and cultivating deeper connections within your ministry contexts.
Evangelizing in Lent and Easter
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Caring for God's Good Creation:
Lenten Resources: Food Loss and Waste
This week, the NJ Synod Care of Creation team Lenten video and meditation series on Food Loss and Waste begins at leamnj.org!
For February 25, watch Rutgers’ video “Getting to Know the Food System” and read the meditation from Pastor Jeff Elliott, "Blessed are those who value every grain, for they honor the labor of hands unseen." 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.
See the attached flyer for the series (and post in your congregation) and plan to join us for this Lenten series -- with a new video, meditation, recipe, and prayer each week.
Lenten Series Poster
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Sacred Spaces, Safer Spaces: Congregation Preparedness for ICE & Federal Officers
Thursday, February 26 at 6PM via Zoom
A practical refresher for faith communities on public vs. private space in and around congregations, plus updated best practices for safety if ICE, federal officers, or the National Guard show up. We’ll cover know-your-rights guidance related to “harboring,” including what it is, what it is not, and ways to reduce risk. We’ll also share Safe Communities Act updates and gather your input on implementation and what’s happening on the ground. Educational only, not legal advice.
Register: bit.ly/CongregationSafety
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The NJ Synod is a Blessed and Generous Synod!
In 2025, together we exceeded anticipated mission support offerings by over $1,000! In fact, 109 of our 143 congregations met or exceeded their mission support intentions! This means we not only fulfilled but were able to exceed what we forecast would be shared with the ELCA while our mission and ministries rooted in values such as Faithfulness, Change, Respect, Diversity, Interdependence and Generosity thrived! Thanks be to God! Thanks be to God for you!
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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
Church administrators: Click here to add this to your publications
Getting to Know Our Docent, the Rev. Dr. Kit Kleinhans:
I first fell in love with Lutheran theology when I was in confirmation class. Through my graduate studies (MDiv and PhD), I learned how understanding the history of Lutheranism helped me to appreciate the theology ever more deeply. I’ve devoted my ministry to sharing my knowledge and my passion with others, including 24 ½ years teaching religion in an ELCA college and 7 ½ years heading an ELCA seminary. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to visit the Luther sites in Germany dozens of times over the years, sometimes as pilgrim and often as group leader. Consider this a personal invitation to join me on the New Jersey Synod trip to Lutherland this fall. Enrich your faith and your understanding with the opportunity to be “in the room[s] where it happened”!
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NJWELCA Thankoffering
March Thankoffering is being offered on Saturday, March 7th at Calvary Lutheran in Cranford (108 Eastman St). We are gathering at 9:30am with service starting at 10am.
After service, lunch will be served and a workshop on Wellness will be conducted. Pastor Wendy Abrahamson from Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Asbury Park will be our chaplain. Our workshop is being presented by Alison Lauck of Lutheran Social Services.
Please bring a canned good or two for those in need and facing continual food insecurity. Let us share our goods with others.
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Come…Gather and…Be Equipped
Growing in Faith: the diakonia Program
Come and join us for our annual Gathering on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 9:00 – 3:30 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 300 Union Ave, Somerville, NJ. This year we will be welcoming Rev. Maristela Freiberg and several representatives of the Synod’s Go and program. We will learn about the importance of prayer, listening and telling in our Christian lives. The cost of the day is $50 and includes lunch. While you can pay at door, you are encouraged to preregister by emailing Ellen Lindemann at Ellen.L...@raritanval.edu.
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Introducing the Church Property Resource Hub: ELCA Town Hall
You are invited to learn more about the Church Property Resource Hub, a new project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), at one of three upcoming town halls.
These webinars are an introduction to the project for congregations and all people
connected to the management of church property. Join to explore support available to
congregation leaders as they seek to steward property in faithful and practical ways.
Register for the zoom meeting and complete the survey.
Tuesday, March 17, 1 p.m. Central time (2p EST) Register today.
Thursday, March 19, 4 p.m. Central time (5p EST) Register today.
Tuesday, March 24, 1 p.m. Central time (2p EST) Register today.
Developed in response to requests from synod and congregational leaders, the Church
Property Resource Hub offers support in navigating the opportunities and challenges that
buildings and land represent for congregational vitality and the wider mission of the
church.
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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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Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center
FRIENDS & FAMILY RETREAT
MARCH 13-15, 2026
Originally scheduled for January and postponed due to snow, our Friends & Family Retreat is back on the calendar, so there is still an opportunity to join us!
Step away from the busyness of everyday life and enjoy a meaningful weekend at Cross Roads designed for all ages. Come with your family, friends, or church group to share campfires, activities, worship, and unhurried time together while we take care of the meals and details. It’s a simple, joyful weekend centered on connection with God and with one another.
https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/friends-and-family-retreat/
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A publication of the New Jersey Synod, ELCA ©2026
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