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SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - September 27, 2019
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Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
SERVE All People Following The Example of Jesus
"For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45 NRSV)
Serving is at the heart of Jesus' ministry. Making the connection between Jesus feeding the five thousand and setting up a food pantry is easy. God serves others through us. Jesus calls us to be more than good waitstaff. The ministry of feeding is commendable, but there is more to serving.
To follow the example of Jesus and serve all people requires us to get involved in the lives of others. Jesus valued relationships. Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman, making time for children or comforting his friends Martha and Mary serves as a blueprint for moving us beyond projects and anonymous charitable activities to relationships.
Following the life of Jesus leads us into the mess of life where lives are transformed and Christ is made known. Serving as Jesus serves brings us closer to Jesus, the one who did not come to be served but to serve.
As we serve following the example of Jesus Christ, we can:
- Visit the sick and the imprisoned
- Feed the hungry
- Respond to disasters
- Walk alongside others
- Give of our resources
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 Local youth guide nursing home residents
on a sunset walk
By Mary Rominger | September 19 at 7:53 PM
SLEEPY EYE, Minn. (KEYC) - The youth confirmation class from Trinity Lutheran Church gave a visit to a local nursing home Wednesday evening.
Click here to watch the video!
Pastor Nate Luong says the class is on a mission to live out their faith.
In doing so, they visited the Divine Providence Community Home to take a walk along the Sleepy Eye Lake with the residents.
"The focus of why we include this in the confirmation program is so that they really do get practice in living our faith and being around other people and fostering relationships," Luong said.
The lake trail was constructed in 2007 and it was only this year the Divine Providence residents were able to enjoy it.
With the help of Sleepy Eye Police Department to stop traffic across the busy highway, the youth helped push wheelchairs and foster relationships with the residents.
"Oh, I thought it was wonderful the youth taking us for a ride and getting to know them, it was awesome. And having that beautiful sunset going to the lake," resident Ramona Kirchner said.
There are plans for the two groups to link up in the near future and continue on the fun.
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50 Years of Ordained Women
+Bishop Jon Anderson
At our synod council meeting last weekend we spent time on both the joys and struggles of being a woman pastor. This video and our conversation was a reminder that we have more work to do, to do what our new social statement calls for - Faith, Sexism and Justice: A Call to Action
We Are Church, We Are Called, 50-40-10 Resources:
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Financial Support Slows
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
At the end of August we watched our congregational Mission Support open a larger gap than it has already been showing. We are currently 6.3% off of where we hoped to be this time of year given past experience. We were 2.2% behind of where we were last year. While we have resources in reserve to support our work in this type of moment, it raises concern. People have asked us in the past to communicate to our synod congregations and leaders about our financial life.
We are thankful for your personal and congregational generosity. |
Leading Worship: A Skills Workshop
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church, Olivia, MN
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Gathering for worship is at the core of what the church is and how we grow Everyday Spirituality. This day will build skills in three key aspects of vibrant and effective worship:
- Leading Worship
How to be effective when the church assembles for worship - reading, movement, praying, officiating.
- Planning Worship
Resources and best practices over the course of the year.
- Music
New ideas and approaches to enhance the assembly's song.
Each workshop will be 90 minutes long and will be repeated twice so participants will have their choice of two workshops to attend.
Worship committee members, church musicians, assisting ministers, and people serving in Synodically Authorized Ministry sites are especially encouraged to attend.
Leaders will include:
From the ELCA Worship Office:
Deacon John Weit, Program Director for Music
Deacon Jennifer Baker-Trinity, Program Director
for Resource Development
From the Southwestern Minnesota Synod:
Jullian Euteneuer, Director of Music,
Peace Lutheran, New London MN
Pastor Ellen Munter, Bethel Lutheran, Porter MN
Pastor Debra Dawson, Zion Lutheran, Arlington MN
Jane Wolle, Speech Coach
Bishop Jon Anderson, Southwestern Minnesota Synod
Registration:
Registration will close if we reach maximum capacity of 50 participants.
Registration fee is $10 per participant.
Complete the online registration and mail registration fee prior to the event.
Mail to: SW MN Synod
PO Box 499
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Make checks payable to: SW MN Synod
Click here to register.
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ELCA Newsletters
Stay in-the-know and stay connected to the ELCA - subscribe to one or more of our e-newsletters below.
Looking for a place to start? We suggest Seeds Monthly, a monthly newsletter providing access to the latest resources, stories and events from around this church.
Receive information about our Global Mission work
Receive information about Stewardship
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Receive Seeds Monthly e-newsletter
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Fall Theological Conference
Dates:
October 6-8, 2019
Location: College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN
Theme: Everyday Spirituality: Going deeper and wider
Speakers: Dr. Todd Green and Rev. Dr. Anna Mercedes
A few conference reminders!
- The Fall Theological Conference is for SW MN Synod Pastors, Deacons, TEEM Students, Interns, Synodically Authorized Lay Ministers and paid staff youth coordinators.
By action of the 1988 Synod Assembly, this conference has been designated as an "official synodical event". This means that all pastors and deacons under call or appointment are expected to attend. If you must be absent, please email Bishop Jon Anderson at jon.anderson@swmnelca.org.
- All lodging accommodations are separate from the conference cost and you are responsible for making your own lodging accommodations.
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Synod Events
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SEPTEMBER
September 28, 2019
St. Stephen Lutheran, Marshall, MN
OCTOBER
October 6-8, 2019
College of Saint Benedict. St. Joseph MN
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NOVEMBER
November 2, 2019
First Lutheran, Marshall MN
November 5, 2019
Faith Lutheran, Spicer
DECEMBER
JANUARY
January 11, 2020
St. Stephen Lutheran, Marshall MN
FEBRUARY
2020 Equipping Congregations Day
February 29, 2020
Willmar, MN
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Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
PO Box 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Phone: 507-637-3904
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