SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - March 7, 2019
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Conference Assembly Dates
Due to Minnesota weather some conference assemblies have been postponed to later dates. Click here to view all conference assembly dates.

 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 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)
Director for Evangelical Mission Job Description
 +Bishop Jon V. Anderson 
Click here for the full job description for our next Director for Evangelical Mission. 

This is an ELCA churchwide position under the day-to-day supervision of the synod bishop. The staff member is nested in the synod staff and the midst of the synod where they serve.

No one can replace Larry. Let's be clear about that. We are very thankful for the service of Pr. Larry Strenge in the last decade of our synod's life. We will recognize his service at our coming synod assembly.

The goal is not to replace our last DEM. Our goal is to find our next DEM who will come with different gifts, experiences, and passions. Our synod is continually moving, our culture changing, and we need a person to serve the mission field that is and will be coming.

It is a great calling. We are seeking the person who can move forward the life of our congregations and our leaders. We are looking for someone to equip all the baptized and be a shepherd as we seek to embrace God's mission.
Notice: Rostered ministers and lay leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who apply for a position in the churchwide organization must have completed Rostered Minister Profile papers on file. Please add recruiting@atsondemand.com as a safe site to your email account.

LMM Logo
SW MN Synod Spring Gathering
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls
Click here to download registration form and flyer to share with your congregation.
Register soon! Click here to register online. 
Great upcoming events to share with your congregation
  • Can we do more than pray?
    When so many of our neighbors - both near and far - are affected by violence and injustice, what can people of faith do?
    Join with others who seek to do more than pray as we dig deep into the issue of violence in our families, communities and world with faith-focused action. Sessions will be held on 3 consecutive Sundays: March 24, March 31 and April 7 All sessions will be held on Sundays from 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud. Click here fore more information.
     
  • Tools for the journey: Church Office Staff Retreat
    Monday, April 1, 3pm - Tuesday, April 2. 1pm
    Camp Onomia, Onamia 
    You are often the first contact for people who call or stop in the church. This is an event meant to encourage you in your vocation and to say "THANKS" for your work! Speakers to inspire, motivate, and encourage you in your calling as Church Office staff! Click here for more information. 
     
  • Preview Seminary Life
    Tuesday, April 30, 2019
    Luther Seminary, Northwestern Hall, St. Paul
    Preview is designed to celebrate emerging young leaders! It is an opportunity for pastors and other servant leaders across Minnesota to lean into discipleship and to accompany the high school students in whom they see ministerial gifts on a trip to Luther Seminary. These students soak in the beauty, diversity and creativity of the theological formation at Luther, building up questions and tools for further conversation around discernment. Click here for more information.
GO & DO NEWS
Are you part of a congregation creatively addressing hunger and poverty in your community? Are you a courageous leader? Then you are invited to submit a 90-second video sharing your story, for the chance to be selected as a guest speaker for the 2019 ELCA World Hunger leadership gathering. Learn more about how to submit a video, click here.

2019 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering
Creative Congregations. Courageous Leaders.
July 18-21, 2019 | Minneapolis, MN
The ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering takes place every 18 months and gathers the national network of ELCA World Hunger leaders, congregations and ministry partners for a time of networking, idea sharing and planning for our shared work.
The 2019 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering will focus on the ways creative congregations and courageous leaders contribute to a just world where all are fed.
If you are interested in attending, please contact they Synod office at 507-637-3904.
Synod Events
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events. Visit the synod events webpage for more information.
March 16, 2019
Gloria Dei Lutheran, Redwood Falls, MN

April 5-6, 2019
Lake Geneva Christian Center
Alexandria, MN
Registration Opens March 4th 
SAVE THE DATE
June 7-8, 2019
Redwood Falls, MN

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