The synod assembly early registration discount will end this Friday, April 5th. 

www.swmnelca.org/synod-assembly

Synod Assembly Theme Series – Reflection #3

+Bishop Dee Pederson

Body. Fractured, broken bodies: oh, how they hurt! Maybe you have known the pain of a broken bone, aging joints, threatening disease, or serious surgery. Last month, my husband underwent knee replacement surgery, which is a pretty violent procedure; it requires work to gain strength and move forward! No matter who we are, we have known the pain of injury to these beautiful, vulnerable human bodies. At its best, the skills and miracles of modern medicine work wonders, but sometimes we come to a point when there is no cure, there is no therapy, there is no repair for these fragile human bodies.  

Last week our hearts were focused on the body of Jesus, crucified. This week we celebrate him risen from the dead, but not without scars, not without bearing the marks of the nails that his friends could see and touch and feel. In the past week we’ve thought a lot about the body of Jesus Christ – God in flesh – crucified and risen. 

This week, I’m writing about another kind of body – the body of Christ, which is the church. Click here to read.

Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church

The Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church invites the SW MN Synod to a one hour listening session. Leaders from the commission will offer a short presentation on the Commission's charge and current work followed by a period of question and answer and then open listening. Personal information and identifying details will be redacted, but specific suggestions of how the structure and governance of the ELCA in its three expressions can be more helpful and efficient are greatly welcome!

Tuesday, April 9th 

• 2:00 p.m. - Session for Rostered Ministers
• 7:00 p.m. - Session for Lay Leaders

More information about the commission can be found here: www.elca.org/CRLC

Please RSVP to receive the Zoom Link in your email. 

Generosity: Honest realities and exciting possibilities

The onset of the pandemic led to a surge in generosity in the United States. That surge has now abated a bit. When coupled with inflation, many congregations feel the pinch. It can be easy to assume that these declines in giving will define the future.

Yet congregations have significant advantages over other non-profit organizations when it comes to inviting financial gifts. Some basic best practices for inviting gifts can lead to significant changes in a congregation’s culture of generosity, impacting the bottom line. Many congregations did grow in giving in the past couple of years.

Pete Reuss (ELCA pastor, Certified Fund Raising Executive, and Partner at GSB Fundraising) shares the wider giving trends that impact congregations and provides foundational practices that inspire donors to grow their support for God’s work through your congregation in this 20 minute video.

Ethics and Boundaries for Ministers Training

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 – 9:00am-3:00pm

In person at First Lutheran Church, 1114 Traverse Road, St. Peter, MN.

Presenter: Rev. Emily Carson

Registration Deadline: April 9th

$40 per person

Sexual misconduct by rostered and other religious leaders is one of the most serious challenges faced by the church today. Violation of the sacred trust between church members and their leaders brings deep pain to all who are affected: victims, offenders, family members, friends, and the congregation itself.

In response to this challenge, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod bylaws include the following provisions (S14.25.01. and S14.47.01.):

“Within twelve months of assuming office all rostered ministers of under call shall demonstrate completion of at least six contact hours of continuing education in the prevention of sexual boundary violations.”

A few years ago our synod council created a continuing resolution encouraging all of our rostered leaders to have continued work on appropriate boundaries of all kinds, but especially sexual boundaries, every three years.

Room at the Table for Everyone Zoom Gathering

Hospitality is part of our Christian call to discipleship. Come listen and consider what the Bible says about hospitality as well as how we live out Christian hospitality in the real-life situations we encounter in our congregations and personal lives.

Zoom Gathering Recording: 

• 7:00 p.m. – Session for Lay Leaders

Love Your Neighbor, Even When We Disagree 

Lutheran Men in Mission Spring Retreat

For All Men

Saturday, April 13, 2024

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Gloria Dei Church in Redwood Falls

Guest Speaker: Ted Mathews “How Do We Manage Conflict." Ted Matthews is a mental health practitioner with over 30 years of experience in counseling in rural areas. Click here to view and download the retreat schedule.

Registration: To register please fill out the registration form and mail to LMM Treasurer, Reynold Dittbenner at 24533 State Hwy 4, Sleepy Eye, MN 56085. Cell: 507-220-0185. Click here to view and download the registration form.

Cost: $10 per person

Donations: Donations to the LMM Scholarship Endowment Fund are appreciated even if you are not able to participate in the Spring Gathering.

Important Synod Assembly Dates:

• Registration is Open
• Early rate closes: April 5
• Resolution deadline: April 10
• Report deadline: April 15
• Compensation Guidelines Zoom Hearing: May 13 at 7pm
• Resolutions Zoom Hearing: May 14 at 7pm
• Budget Zoom Hearing: May 20 at 7pm
• Orientation Zoom Hearing: May 21 at 7pm
• Registration closes: May 23
• Display deadline: May 23 or when full

Upcoming Synod Events:

• April 9, 2024 - Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church Zoom Gathering
• April 13, 2024 - LMM Spring Retreat at Gloria Dei Lutheran, Redwood Falls 
• April 23, 2024 - Ethics and Boundaries for Ministers Training
• June 7-8, 2024 - Synod Assembly
• August 6-8, 2024 - Women in Ministry Gathering
• October 6-8, 2024 - Fall Theological Conference