Resources and Announcements
June 4, 2020
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A message from
+Bishop Thomas Aitken:
I can't remain silent. None of us can. White privilege is a cancer in our Country. Racism is a cancer. Violence is a cancer. Precious child of God, George Floyd was yet another victim of this systemic evil system of white privilege, racism and violence. George Floyd’s brutal death at the hands of evil systemic racism was not a rare act in this country. It has happened in this country since its inception and continued on from there. It hides itself under the sinful idea that one group of people, whites are superior to all others. Blatantly and subtly whites have been told they are smarter and more important than any other.
All over the Country, and world, people of color have had enough. Their protests for years have been systematically ignored just as their rights and dignity and God given beauty have been. And so it is not a surprise that anger is spilling out everywhere. Anger and hurt are twins. I affirm the vast majority of protesters whose marches and rallies have been rightfully organized with strength, pointed messages without violence that expose evil. I also affirm those police officers and governmental leaders who have not bowed down to the idol of racism and white privilege. But I understand why violence erupted in many of these protests. And I still condemn it as I do white privilege and racism.
Standing in front of a church, and holding up a Bible after igniting more violence is not an act of leadership from our President. It is the very opposite. It is evil. And it is blasphemous. And while I’m at it, I need to also take my own inventory on racism, how I participate in it and how it also benefits me as a white male in this Country. And I need to repent.
When you and I were baptized into Jesus’ life – as I tell our Confirmands regularly -our lives were claimed for courageous, loving deeds for the sake of the world. We were claimed for a life that courageously stands against evil, and for the Biblical word, agape, (love) which seeks the neighbor’s good, and puts it even before our own good. Jesus defined the neighbor, as everyone, no exceptions. That’s the essence of Christianity dear members of our Northeastern Minnesota Synod. We are to live this life not on our own power, which will not be enough, but by the strength of Christ who now lives in us through the Holy Spirit that you and I and Christians all over the world just celebrated on Pentecost all over this Country.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way let you light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” -Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16)
In two weeks, on June 17, the ELCA will commemorate the 5
th
anniversary of that horrific shooting when a young white Lutheran man, shot and killed nine black members
at a Bible study
at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston. Take part in this. Congregational resources for this commemoration:
https://elca.org/emanuelnine
.
That’s only the beginning.
May the Spirit agitate us into the good and courageous and organized works of love that focus on this particular sin of racism.
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This week, our Rostered Leaders had a zoom call regarding,
- Pastoral Care for people who are hospitalized
- Pastoral Care and Grief Support for parishioners during Covid-19 pandemic
- Community, Hospitals and Congregation collaborations during Covid-19 pandemic
For those unable to attend the presentation, or those wanting to download the Audio recording and slides,
they are available here!
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Last week, the Rostered ministers of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod also met via Zoom for discussions regarding COVID-19.
The presentations were identical but the discussion points differed and provided some great ideas and information that you and your congregation may be interested in.
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For your Council and Smart Team:
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New this week:
- Resources to understand and address issues of racism and racial justice.
- Guidelines and resources as you consider returning to in-person youth ministry gatherings.
- Relational Service Learning Experiences for youth and adults.
- PASSAGE: A new online small group ministry from the ELCA Youth Faith Formation team for graduating seniors to connect with each other as they pass from high school to young adult ministries. Pass this on to your graduating seniors soon - registration closes June 7!
- More VBS/Day Camp resources.
Featured Resources:
- Discussion Guides related to COVID-19, to to use with youth and adults. Topics include anxiety, grief, coping skills, anger, stress/distress, and mindfulness.
Synod Journey/ELCA Youth Gathering Overview
June 9, 1pm, Zoom
Join the Synod Journey planning team to learn more about the
new plans for this year’s Synod Journey
. We will also share a brief overview of the ELCA Youth Gathering. A detailed online training for the ELCA Youth Gathering (how to register, housing and other logistics) will be held later this summer. This Zoom event will be recorded for those not able to attend.
Click here
to submit questions you would like answered.
Click here to register.
Reframing Youth Ministry: Hybrid Youth Ministry During COVID-19
June 16, 9-10:30am, Zoom
As we continue to live into the changes and uncertainty that COVID-19 brings to meeting together, what does youth ministry look like for the fall? How might we offer hybrid opportunities - meeting online and in person? Hybrid youth ministry, and the opportunities and challenges it offers, will be the focus for this conversation that will include large group presentation and breakout rooms for small group discussions. All faith formation leaders - volunteers, paid youth directors and pastors - are invited!
Click here to register
!
Youth E-Chat
Youth E-Chat includes a message from Catherine Anderson, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, along with updates and resources for faith formation and leadership development for youth and adults
Click here
for the June 2, 2020 Youth E-Chat newsletter.
Click here
to be added to the Youth E-Chat newsletter list.
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Stay Informed.
Be Safe.
Wash your hands!
Use the links provided below
for the most reliable information
on COVID-19:
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Job Posting!
Immanuel Lutheran Church- Princeton, MN
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Stay in Touch!
Make sure to check out our website for weekly updates under the Pastoral Resources Tab (COVID-19 section)
click here!
Or
here
under COVID-19 Updates tab for more information!
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Bishop Election Update!
ROUND TWO NOMINEE Q&A'S ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
The Bishop Election Committee asked the four nominees for bishop to respond in writing to three questions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their responses have been uploaded to the nominee page on the synod web site. The BEC asked the nominees to provide these written question responses because the opportunity for Q&A at an abbreviated 2020 Synod Assembly will be limited. Another set of Q&A will consist of questions that were submitted by attendees at the nominee forums in March.
Click here
to access the interviews, or to access individual interviews
click here
to view the Bishop Election Nominee Page.
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Don't Forget!
We would love to feature your congregation in our Bright Spots!
We ask that you share things that have worked well for your congregation during this time. Email your story to
info@nemnsynod.org
As always, we are thankful for you for your continued support during these times.
Blessings!
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Even during this pandemic, green blades are rising to repair our relationship with the whole web of creation!
Moments of Arising
A Video Conversation Series for the Jubilee Year of Earth Day
Moments of Arising is a video conversation series produced by our synod's EcoFaith Network to nurture those green blades in the biblical vision of the Jubilee Year– a Sabbath year of coming home, of restoration and renewal for the land itself and for the neighbor.
Promise
is the first in a series of eight 10-minute videos, each one flowing from one of the stanzas of the Easter hymn,
Now the Green Blade Rises,
four original stanzas and four newly composed, environmentally focused stanzas. Filming is done on location in communities and congregations throughout northeastern Minnesota and beyond.
Promise, with a message by Nate Anderson, pastoral minister in rural Kerrick, Minnesota, at Oak Lake Lutheran Church, flows from stanza 1 of Now the Green Blade Rises.
The first three
Moments of Arising
videos are now available -
Moments of Arising
:
An Invitation
;
Earth Day’s Jubilee Year
; and
Earth Day, Our Moment to Arise.
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ELCA Leadership Coaching!
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Every Wednesday at 1:00 pm Central Time, the ELCA Coaching Network gathers together on Zoom to offer support and accompaniment to any rostered minister.
The ELCA has a network of trained coaches who accompany leaders in a variety of ministry areas including stewardship. During this unprecedented time, coaching is offered at no cost. For more information, contact
jill.beverlin@elca.org
.
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The Generosity Project (TGP) - ELCA is providing the 5G: Live It Out! resource to you and your households for free. This resource is intended to encourage conversation and support households in their role as God’s stewards and financial managers during this time of economic crisis and fear.
Please encourage your households to use this resource to find hope in God’s Story and engage in these faithful conversations.
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Bishop
Director for Evangelical Mission
Assistant to the Bishop
Call Process
Assistant to the Bishop
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Office Administrator
Executive Administrative Assistant
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NE MN Synod, ELCA
1105 E Superior St. Upper Suite
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: 218-724-4424
Fax: 218-724-4393
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