Southwest Minnesota Flooding

Many communities in the southwest corner of our synod have been affected by heavy rainfall and flooding. Join us in prayer.

Merciful God, you give us the grace that helps in times of need. 

Surround us with your steadfast love and lighten our burden.

By the power of your Spirit, free us from distress 

and give us a new mind and heart  made whole

in the name of the risen Christ. Amen.

Exciting Announcement from the ELCA Youth Gathering!

Synod Minister Search: Equipping Congregations

+Bishop Jon Anderson

We invite you to pray and think about who might have the gifts to serve on your synod's staff in the future. Pr. Linda Pedersen has shared she will retire as our Synod Minister: Equipping Congregations towards the end of 2018.

I invite you to join me in praying that God will guide us in our search for a new synod minister to serve on the Southwestern Minnesota Synod staff. This candidate could be a pastor, deacon or a lay person who has been deeply engaged in your synod's or another synod's life.

There is a job description posted on the synod's web site. Look it over closely and lift up names with our team at swmnelca@swmnelca.org. Put in the Subject Line - Synod Minister Search.

In previous searches, the shared-mind of many synod leaders helped us find strong team mates. It also helped us see people who we might have missed because of a closer experience with that leader's gifts. Our goal is to have all Cover Letters, Rostered Minister Profiles or Resumes in the office no later than July 10 ^, 2018. Resumes will be accepted via email ( swmnelca@swmnelca.org), hand delivery or the U.S. Postal service.

Prs. Kathryn Skoglund, Linda Pedersen and Synod Vice President, Gwen Arneson, will be available for discernment conversations about this position. I will be on sabbatical and available in only limited ways. Tammy Sather, who supports the work of the bishop, is also available to help with questions if you have them.