First ‘ELM Project’ Class Graduation Announcement!

 

As a proud member of the first class to participate in the ELM Project, I’d like to invite you all to my graduation on Saturday, May 21, 2005. It will be held during the closing worship of the Eighteenth Annual Synod Assembly, which will be held at the Marriott Warner Center Hotel in Woodland Hills, California.

This past two years of month-long classes has been a truly mind-expanding time. I have been able to learn from some of the best instructors in the world and to study with some of the greatest Christian lay people one could ever hope to meet.

When I started out, I had no idea that I would actually want to finish the whole two years of study. As I went along, everything was just so interesting that I never wanted to stop. There is no real requirement to take all the classes. You can pick and choose what interests you. I dare anyone to try just one!

We have class schedules for next fall and registration forms.

Peace and harmony to all,
Jan Smith

 

I am excited and happy to invite you to enroll in the second year of the “ELM Project,” one of the ministries of our Synod’s new School for Equipping Leaders for Mission. The School is one of our Synod’s ways of providing training for members of our congregations to better serve their congregations and neighborhoods as parts of the Body of Christ here in Southern California.
The challenge of ministering to the diverse populations of our Synod requires not only dedicated and well trained clergy, but also dedicated and well-trained lay persons as well. As I have looked at the tremendous opportunities for mission which confront us in Southern California, one of the needs I have identified is the need for laypersons to serve as evangelists, catechists and deacons. Evangelists are those who can share the good news of God’s love for us in Christ. Catechists are those who can teach the essentials of the Christian faith to children, youth and adults. And deacons are those who can organize a wide variety of ministries which serve the needs of the community. Many are already doing these things in their congregations and communities. But many more would do them if they felt equipped and empowered to serve in these ways. Project ELM will provide the training for you to serve as an evangelist, catechist or deacon.
I urge you to consider registering for this year’s class of the ELM Project. Classes will again be offered in English, but with translations in Spanish and Mandarin also. Please pray that God will use this to further the mission of Christ here in Southern California. I look forward to seeing you as a part of the ELM Project this fall.

Peace,
Bishop Dean W. Nelson

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