 |
|
SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - June 26, 2019
|
Ferman Woodberry Elected Vice President of Southwestern Minnesota Synod
The synod vice president ballot had three nominees: Blair Schrader, Kristy Henriksen, and Ferman Woodberry. On the first ballot Ferman Woodberry was elected with 65% of the votes. About 400 voting members were present.
Before members voted, Bishop Jon Anderson asked the nominees to share a bit about themselves. The video below captures Ferman speaking about how he has always been a service-oriented person. He also shares his experience of joining a Lutheran church and how that ties into his vision for the Southwestern Minnesota Synod. This short video is a great introduction of Ferman.
Vice presidents are the highest elected volunteer lay leaders in every ELCA synod. The position comes with great responsibility and investment of heart, mind, and time. We are excited for Ferman's leadership.
Ferman Woodberry's biographical data from the synod assembly -
Name: Ferman Woodberry
Congregation, City: Salem Lutheran, Jackson
Occupation: Light industrial worker
Education: B.A. in Art from Gustavus Adolphus College
The ministry of every congregation has an impact on the mission of our synod. With this in mind, into what kind of ministry would you like to see your congregation focus its energy in the next 3 years?
- I believe that community outreach is very important; we tend to focus on our immediate needs sometimes forgetting that we have been called to go out into the world as God's hands and feet.
- Continuing education for all age groups, after confirmation most of us do not continue to build up our faith. Study and meditation of the Word strengthens us within and equips us to journey out.
What gifts do you have to contribute to this type of ministry?
I have been a Stephen's minister, a member of this synod's anti-racism team, served on congregation councils, currently serve on Synod Council, the Engaging Leaders Board, and I am the VP of SWMN LMM. I am guided by my faith in God, my loving nature, and discerning mind. I have taken several leaps of faith in my lifetime and this would be a huge one for me; however, I believe that with God's help and the prayers of others that I can perform said duties.
List your 3 most significant leadership positions.
- Husband/Father: I try to be a servant leader in my home.
- Director of Security, MSU Moorhead: Learned to how to handle change.
- Synod Council: Opportunity to have a voice in the working of our synod.
|
|
Effective Treasurers
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
We are looking for treasurers from congregations of a variety of sizes to have a conversation about how we might enhance the work of our congregational treasurers.
If you have someone to nominate, please submit their name with us by
clicking here. Share a little bit about the person and their work as your congregational treasurer. Share your name, the size of your congregation, and location of your congregation. We will not be able to invite all nominees to a webinar but we hope to have a conversation with leaders from across our synod so that we can plan a strong training event for the coming months as part of our Gifts of Grace project.
|
|
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 of 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 approved 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.
|
Questions?
Contact:
Pr. Stephen W Cook,
SW MN Synod Minister
507-627-9046 (office)
320-310-8851 (cell)
|
|
The Lilly Endowment Inc. renews its work with us.
 We are grateful that gifts have come in from the synod assembly to be matched 1 to 1 by the Lilly Fund until the $280,000 goal is reached. Have you had an opportunity to do this? Cards were given to synod assembly voting members. You can also make a give online by clicking here.
|
|
Re-fire-ment
+Pastor Larry Strenge, Director for Evangelical Mission
It hardly seems possible that ten years of serving as the Director for Evangelical Mission in the Southwestern Minnesota Synod is coming to a close. On Friday, June 28th, I will walk away from our synod office and enter what I call "re-fire-ment." Ten years. Where did that time go?
I want to say a bit about "re-fire-ment," but before I write anything more, first let me say how grateful I am for these 10 years of working with you! Thank you for your part in making it a great call in God's Church! I'll say more below.
As many of you know, I've been using the term "re-fire-ment" because I trust that it more accurately describes what I believe not only I, but many who come to this place in life live as we enter into our next chapter: living into God's Story and using the gifts God's Spirit has given me/us to share.
For me there will be more unstructured time. That's exciting! I look forward to living into other life callings--- to be a grandpa, spouse, dad, friend, and citizen. I look forward to increased time for "GPF" (Gratitude. Prayer. Fitness.), practices I've tried to model on a daily basis. And, I believe it also means doing more fun things--traveling, running, hiking, reading novels, swimming, sailing, biking, going to the movies on Tuesday, and maybe even play a little golf or trying fishing!
In the more "structured time" of re-fire-ment I do plan to use some of the passion I have for "cultivating generosity and gratitude." Click here to read about my next chapter of life. |
Cultivating Generous Congregations
in smaller member settings
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod invites you and your ministry team to participate in a three-part seminar experience that will enrich the way you and your congregation approach generosity and giving. Cultivating Generous Congregations (CGC) is an interactive seminar of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. CGC demonstrates how pastors, deacons, and ministry leaders can energize congregational generosity.
This is a great opportunity! Your congregation or parish will have personal guidance and coaching throughout and following the CGC seminars.
|
|
Social Media Preferences
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
We would like to best understanding our synod's social media preferences.
Click here to answer four quick multiple choice questions.
|
|
Synod Events
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events. Visit the synod events webpage for more information.
|
JULY
July 26, 2019
Redwood Falls Golf Course,
Redwood Falls, MN
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
September 28, 2019
St. Stephen Lutheran, Marshall, MN
OCTOBER
Fall Theological Conference
October 6-8, 2019
College of Saint Benedict. St. Joseph MN
Registration will be posted July 12th
|
NOVEMBER
November 2, 2019
First Lutheran, Marshall MN
Jr. High Youth Gathering
November 22-23 & 23-24, 2019
Best Western and Conference Center, Willmar, MN
Leading Worship: A Skills Workshop
November 16, 2019
Cross of Calvary, Olivia, MN
DECEMBER
JANUARY
January 11, 2020
St. Stephen Lutheran, Marshall MN
FEBRUARY
2020 Equipping Congregations Day
February 29, 2020
Willmar, MN
|
|
Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
PO Box 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Phone: 507-637-3904
|
|
|
|
|
|
