Synod News - March 21, 2024

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. 

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

God's work. Our hands.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Sept. 8, when congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.”

Participating in service projects is one way to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

This year we also celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. In commemoration of this milestone, consider including ministries focused on alleviating hunger and poverty in your plans for “God’s work. Our hands.” Or make it a season of service! Expand your volunteer opportunities, advocacy efforts or food drives until World Food Day on Oct. 16.

If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 8, you are encouraged to pick another date that fits your schedule. ELCA congregations participate in acts of service every day. This day of service is an extension of the work you already do to make your community a better place.

Be sure to save the date and check ELCA.org/DayOfService for updated resources soon.

ELCA Youth Gathering News

Mark your calendars!

• April 15: Registration closes.
• April 17: “What to Expect” Webinar (7 p.m. Central time)
• April 30: Final balance due (housing and registration), deadline for cancellation and substitutions, rooming lists due in congregational accounts, housing assignments considered final.

Planning Tips!

• There is a clear bag and clear water bottle policy during the gathering. 
• Many vendors will be cashless. 

Be the first to know gathering updates, sign up to get the gNews. The ELCA Youth Gathering gNews is a monthly e-Newsletter designed to equip and inform those interested in and attending the ELCA Youth Gathering. Click here to sign up.

Connect with Pastor Jon Wendt, the SWMN Synod Champion for the gathering.

Phone: (507) 342-5327

E-mail: stmatthewwabassopastor@gmail.com.

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.

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

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.

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
• 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