SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - April 26, 2019
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For all the people killed and maimed....for the churches impacted in Sri Lanka we pray....
We join in lamenting and mourning the attacks.

Rostered Ministers - Invite & Develop
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
As the supply of trained ministers, deacons and pastors grows more challenging, we have to become better at a number of moves at once.

Invite - We need to reach out to youth, people who have shown gifts for ministry, people who have experience in teaching or other forms of work that require strong communication skills to invite people to consider whether or not they have a call to serve in ordained ministry. We have been dependent on other synods to grow our rostered ministers; we need to continue to welcome pastors from other places but up our game at inviting people in our communities, families and congregations. Is God calling you to serve in this way? How is God calling you to build up God's Church and grow deeper and wider as a minister in your baptism?

Develop - One of our synod's strengths is its commitment to the development of the people who serve as ministers in our midst. Through the love and care of congregations, ministers develop their gifts. Our synod has also gathered resources through our Embrace God's Mission + Equip God's People Funding Initiative, the grants we have received from the Lilly Endowment like our Gifts of Grace: Toward Financial Wellbeing, and our partnership in the Thriving in Ministry project with Gustavus Adolphus and the Southeaster Minnesota Synod to help our rostered ministers pray and travel on our Continuous Growth Pathways project.

If you or someone you know is wondering about candidacy please contact synod minister, Rev. Dr. Kathryn Skoglund at 507-637-3904 or kathryn.skoglund@swmnelca.org.

Next week I will share more about our synod's strategy: Invite - Develop - Support - Renegotiate Role - Retain.
Better late than never! Forms A & C
The ELCA's online system for filing Forms A and C will be closing on May 15.
Any reports not filed by May 15 will not be included in the summary statistics (trend report) for 2018. 

These forms are due by February 15, every year. However, it is better late than never, so please complete your congregation's annual report online now! Click here to submit your congregation's Form A & C. If you need your congregation ID (stays the same every year) or your password (unique every year) contact the synod office. We would be happy to help.

Did you know that the information a congregation submits (or does not submit) in reports goes into your congregation's trend report, which is publicly available online? Seekers looking for your congregation can see not only the information you submit but also whether the congregation has submitted Forms A &C. (To view a congregation's trend report on the ELCA website, visit the ELCA directory, click congregations and search a congregation to download their trend report.)

For all of you who have already completed your Forms A & C, we are deeply grateful. Your input will help us plan better for the coming year(s).
Here's a look at submissions to date by conference:


SW MN Synod Endowment Fund
Congregational Mission Grants for 2020
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod Endowment Fund will be making grants to support mission in 2020. The Fund is looking for projects proposals in the following areas:
  • Community Outreach
  • Youth Activities
  • Special Mission Projects 
These grants are intended for new initiatives or for the significant expansion of existing programs to serve new people. The Endowment Fund is particularly interested in proposals that involve partnerships with other faith communities and organizations in the community.

Congregations of the SWMN Synod, as well as Campus Ministries, are invited to apply.
The Endowment Committee will consider requests in any amount, subject to available funds.
Deadlines:
July 1, 2019
 Application must be received.
October 15, 2019
 Applicants will be informed if the Committee has approval or denied the proposal on or before this date.
November 30, 2019
 Successful applicants return signed agreement form.
January 1, 2020
 Funds will be available for distribution.

Click here for more information.

Questions? Contact:
Pr. Stephen W Cook
SWMN Synod Minister
507-627-9046 (office)
320-310-8851 (cell)
Stewardship Toolkit for May 2019
Created by Rev. Rob Blezard
Copyright © 2019, Rev. Robert Blezard. Reprinted by permission.
Pastor Blezard works as content editor for www.stewardshipoflife.org and serves as an assistant to the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and. He blogs at www.thestewardshipguy.com.

Good, thoughtful, consistent communication, education and action can help your congregation develop a healthy culture of stewardship and generosity. This kit can help get you there!

Use the resources of this kit by themselves to educate and encourage stewardship, but they would be more effective as a monthly emphasis about a different aspect of stewardship. You could plan bible studies, temple talks, a preaching series and other activities.

This month's emphasis is Stewardship of community.
"Catch Up Sunday" An Idea for a Special Offering
+Larry Strenge, Director for Evangelical Mission
How are your congregation's finances?
Has the winter been hard on your Sunday offerings, especially when worship was cancelled or only a few people could get to worship?
Here is a suggestion for a special offering to "Catch Up." A Sunday in May would work well! (May 5, 12 or 19). Just ask folks to help you catch up with your offerings. You could set a goal of an average Sunday offering.
Create some excitement: (Here are some ideas to enhance the effectiveness)
  • Do a skit the week before with someone arriving at church with their Ketchup bottle and someone else in a running short trying to catch-up, because they heard you were having a "Catch Up Sunday."
  • Plan to grill hot dogs/hamburgers and have a special picnic lunch.
  • Give out little ketchup packets attached to an envelope the week before to help people get excited or remember to bring their special offering.
Be creative and have fun! Here is a sample newsletter/bulletin announcement to get you started (make a special insert):

Summers Coming, 
Let's Catch Up from Winter
We are having a "Catch Up Sunday." No, we did not say Ketchup, like you put on your hot dog or hamburger. This catch-up is a special offering for the winter worship services that were lost to bad weather or low attendance because of cold, ice or snow.
Summer is finally coming, but like many congregations we are feeling the loss of offerings from a difficult winter. That means ministries we support are suffering. You can help! On dates (suggested May 5, 12, or 19) we are having a "Catch Up Sunday." You are asked to pray about your offering for this Catch Up Sunday. Then act! We invite you to help us receive or exceed an average Sunday offering in this special appeal. (If you use electronic giving, "Thanks!" We invite you to make a "special gift" for our congregation's ministries). Your offerings make ministry happen in Jesus' name! Thanks for giving generously!
See you date   for our "Catch Up Sunday!"
2019 Synod Assembly Quick Links! 
 Click the links below, or visit the Synod Assembly web-page:  swmnelca.org/synod-assembly/

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