SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - February 7, 2019
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A New Question
+Living Lutheran
Amid all the talk of the church in decline, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, in her February column for Living Lutheran, wants us to ask a new question. Instead of "What can we do?" we should ask, "What is God up to?" so we can open ourselves up to the life-giving promise of God's future. Click here to read her column in English or click here to read in Spanish.
Immigration and Us
What Do We Know?
What Must We Know?
Saturday, February 23, 2019
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Peter MN

The topic of immigration has been discussed and debated at great length. And yet, there exists both significant confusion and a general lack of knowledge about basic elements related to the topic. Presenters at the 2019 Simpson Forum will offer information and  insights as to the nature of various issues related to immigration.

Registration is due by Tuesday, February 19.
Click here for the registration, schedule and presenter bios.

2019 Equipping Congregations Day
February 23, 2019 - 8:30am - 3:30pm
Vinje Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Willmar MN
Early registration ends Friday, February 8, 2019!
Click here for registration information.
Click here for a complete list of workshop descriptions.

MyPortico Resources
For those who have Portico Benefits, check out these resources:
Financial Planning
  1. Login to MyPortico
  2. Click on the Retirement Center tab > Tools and Information > Financial Planning 
  3. Portico Financial Planners understand the unique attributes of church benefit plans, have detailed knowledge of ELCA benefits, and provide personalized guidance at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Education Videos
  1. Login to MyPortico
  2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, under Support Center > click Education.
  3. These in-person and online education opportunities are designed to enhance your financial, emotional, and physical well-being.
IMPORTANT Dates and Information
Start checking off your to do list. At the beginning of every year we always ask you to share your congregation's information in many ways. These really important tasks help grow our ministry. Please take the time to fill out the following:

Annual Meeting Resources
Visit our  annual meeting webpage for report covers, meeting documents and other helpful resources to help you get ready for your congregation meeting.

Mission Support Intents
As your congregation prepares a budget for 2019, please share with us your Mission Support Intent amount for the Southwestern Minnesota Synod by  clicking here.
Deadline: ASAP
 
Update Your Congregational Leadership Data
The synod office uses this information for the call process, giving statements, and getting helpful resources to the correct person.
Click here to update now.
Deadline: ASAP

Forms A & C (Parochial Reports)
Watch for a letter in the mail coming from the ELCA Churchwide office with your congregation password. Online forms will be open soon!  Click here to access the online forms. If you do not know your congregation ID or password please call the synod office at 507-637-3904.
Deadline: February 15th
2019 Conference Assembly Dates
  • Crow River Conference
    February 17 - Beckville, Beckville at 2 p.m.
  • Glacial Ridge Conference
    March 3 - St. Paul's, Lowry at 2 p.m.
  • Great River Conference
    March 3 - Peace, Cold Spring at 2 p.m.
  • Lac Qui Parle Conference
    February 24 - Watson, Watson at 2 p.m.
  • Lakeland Conference 
    March 10 - Vinje, Willmar at 2 p.m.
  • Minnesota Valley Conference
    February 24 - Bernadotte, Lafayette at 2 p.m.
  • Prairie Conference
    March 3 - Campus Religious Center at Southwest State, Marshall at 2 p.m.
  • Scenic Valley Conference
    February 17 - Gloria Dei, Redwood Falls at 2 p.m.
  • Shetek Conference
    March 3 - Salem, Jackson at 2 p.m.
  • Watonwan Conference
    February 17 - Trinity, Sleep Eye at 2 p.m.
Weather Announcement - Synod Office Hours
The synod office follows the Redwood Area School District policy on weather conditions such as snow, ice and visibility conditions. If school is closed, so is the synod office. With the exception of cold weather days, the synod office will be open.  
Synod Events
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events. Visit the synod events webpage for more information.
FEBRUARY
February 2, 2019
Trinity, Truman
Kvitseid, Milan
Kandiyohi, Kandiyohi

Equipping Congregations Day
February 23, 2019
Willmar, MN
Registration Open!

SAVE THE DATE
April 5-6, 2019
Lake Geneva Christian Center
Alexandria, MN

SW MN Synod Assembly
June 7-8, 2019
Redwood Falls, MN

Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA 
PO Box 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Phone: 507-637-3904