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Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
"If one member suffers, all suffer together with it;
if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it."
-1 Corinthians 12:26
Almost two weeks have passed since the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The outpouring of gifts from members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to ELCA Disaster Response has enabled a swift response on behalf of this church. ELCA & HAITI |
Your Thoughts Matter, Please Respond
Hundreds of Lutherans across the U.S. have been sharing their perspectives on the effects of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's vote to permit pastors to be in committed, same-gender relationships. These personal and thoughtful reflections have inspired us to work with Speaking of Faith -- a weekly public radio program on religion, meaning, ethics and ideas -- on a project over the coming months exploring the many ways that a change and a divide in the ELCA are affecting individuals, churches, and communities beyond them.
What does the ELCA's stance on homosexual clergy mean to you and your community? What changes have you observed in your church and community since the vote in August? What changes do you anticipate? Click here |
| "I am the ELCA"
"I am ELCA" is a 10 minute DVD telling the story of three SW MN Synod mission outreach ministries. Travis and Brandy Gerjets, who are recent seminary graduates assigned to SW MN, were given a video camera and invited to visit three ministry sites of the Synod: Shalom Hill Farm, rural Windom, Prisoners of Hope, Appleton and Campus Ministry, St. Cloud. The stories they heard make this short video come alive with a message of who it is to be the ELCA especially in SW MN Synod. You can receive a copy of this DVD to show to your congregation or council or stewardship committee by contacting Sara Johnson at the Resource Center, 507 637-3904.
Additionally, attached is a sermon that Pastor Ann Dwelle Ward shared with the congregation at Salem Lutheran Church, Montevideo. It too is a resource for helping interpret the mission of our shared ministry in SW MN Synod. Read Sermon> |
Health Assessment Update & Tips
If you are on the ELCA's Health Care plan I'm hoping you have either taken--or scheduled a time to take: the Embody Health/Mayo Clinic "Health Assessment" (HA). It takes 15-20 minutes! Make sure you read below for a few "tips" whether you have taken the HA or not. More> |
| Pastor-to-Pastor Retreat
If Martin Luther were alive today, he would likely be at Gustavus Adolphus College on February 11th and 12th to attend the Pastor-to-Pastor retreat on Communication Strategies. The word was the power of the Reformation; the prolific writing of Dr. Luther and the invention of movable type in Gutenberg's printing press fueled it. You do not have to be a "techie" to use today's technology, but sound communications strategy will enhance your reach and help you avoid the pit falls. More> |
The Need for Stress and Conflict
Despite the ideal image of the loving, peaceful congregation in which everyone is happy--an image deeply ingrained in most all of us--leaders at times need to encourage conflict. They need to act in ways that make conflict inevitable. They need to enhance, not reduce, conflict. Doing these things is difficult. Few of us enjoy conflict. More> |
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Where did the Synod "Sharing" (Update) go?
Linda Pedersen, Synod Minister
There are great stories to tell about ministry in SW MN Synod. One of the ways those stories are told in the 264 congregations has been through the Synod Sharing. Monthly the synod office would produce a full 8 ½ x11 sheet of paper which told a ministry story for congregations to reproduce in their newsletter or bulletin. At the end of 2009 we did an informal accounting of how any congregations used this communication offering in their newsletter. The results made me wonder about whether this is the most effective way at this time to share mission stories. I would be interested in receiving your insights about what would be helpful for your congregation, you can email me.
For now you can find copies of previous Synod Sharing/Updates on the synod website but we will only be producing new ones after events like the synod assembly. However we will be adding a section for brief mission stories in the form of a paragraph or two and a picture to our synod website which can be included in your newsletter or bulletin. I hope this will allow you to use even more stories on a more frequent basis. | |
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New in 2009
Please welcome Pastor Kristina Waters. Pr. Kristina was ordained on August 30, 2009. She was installed on September 20, 2009 and is serving at Dunnell Lutheran in Jackson, MN.
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SW MN Synod
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"By God's grace, together we have what we need."
Walking together...
+ engaging leaders
+ equipping congregations
+serving in God's world
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Lenten Worship
The new Worship Guidebook for Lent and the Three Days from Augsburg Fortress is an excellent resource, rich in thoughtful reading and practical ideas for anyone planning or leading congregational worship. Starting with an overview of the season, it walks through each service (in ELW) from Ash Wednesday through the Easter Vigil. The book includes historical background, helps for choosing music, and suggestions for decorating the worship space, for all three years of the Lectionary cycle. If you'd like to borrow our preview copy, just call the Resource Service Center ( sara.johnson@swmnelca.org). |
Upcoming Events
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| January 30 - 9-3:30
February 11-12: Pastor to Pastor
February 13 - 9 - noon
Comm. Outreach & Evang. in Rural Congregations
February 13 - 9-3:30
February 20 - 9-3:30
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