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Fall Youth
Workers Retreat
October 5, 2012
Elderberry Retreat
October 18-19, 2012
Prairie Conference
Worship Event
October 21, 2012
Inviting & Welcoming
Lac Qui Parle Conf.
November 1, 2012
Watonwan Conference Worship Event
November 3, 2012
Lakeland Congerence Worship Event
November 3, 2012
Boundaries Workshop
November 8, 2012
Shetek Conference Worship Event
November 11, 2012
Will Steger Event
November 11, 2012
Jr. High Youth Gathering
November 16-18, 2012
Inviting & Welcoming
Scenic Valley Conf.
November 27, 2012
Will Steger Event
December 3, 2012
Will Steger Event
December 4, 2012
Inviting & Welcoming
Shetek Conf.
January 17, 2013
Equipping
Congregations Day
February 9, 2013 |
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Fall Theological Conference
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
We had a great conference up at Luther Crest Bible Camp and Mount Carmel last week. Thanks for all who made it happen.
A couple of our speakers talked about the changes social media is causing and this video was shared.
 | | Did You Know 2011- Welcome To The Social Media Revolution |
Welcome to the Revolution 2012 - It got my brain thinking about the swiftly changing world in which God has called us to serve.
PowerPoint Presentations are being posted on our SW MN Synod Blog, - Cultivating Missional Learning Communities by Dr. Zscheile's - Healthy Boundaries by Rick Loseth |
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Conference of Bishops
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
This week I will be heading off to the Assignment Consultation and Conference of Bishop's gathering in Chicago. The first gathering is where candidates for call are distributed across our church based on the needs of synods and the preferences of seminary candidates.
We give thanks for the ongoing work of the Spirit calling people to serve as leaders in God's church. We are thankful for this group of people who have completed their formation and are ready to serve as Associates in Ministry, deacons, and pastors. It is also a time when I find myself thinking about all our teachers and administration leaders who make our system of leadership formation unfold. Your mission support makes it happen.
Thursday the Fall Conference of Bishop's gathering begins. I invite you to pray for this gathering of leaders from our church body as we continue to work to steward and reform our church body to best serve the Gospel in our time. I will be checking email, but frequently cannot keep up on the work there, while also keeping up on my work here. It is part of the joy and stress of our internet and cell phone time. Your synod ministers and staff will be thankful to support you in your work and questions.
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South Africa
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
We are also preparing to head to South Africa next week. I will be attending an international consultation that happens every three years. This is far from an ideal time to be away, but this gathering has been important to learn more about the whole South African Church and the work of our European Lutheran churches in South Africa as well. Our gathering will be focused on theological education in South Africa.
At the same time our deans will be visiting their companion circuits. We will share a consultation with our Companion Synod after their travels. We want to thank Pr. Harvey Nelson for his leadership in the planning of this trip, Pr. Linda Pedersen (who will not be going) and our Companionship Committee. Thanks for all the support that is making this trip of our deans possible to deepen our accompaniment of our South African brothers and sisters in Christ in Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Africa - Southeastern Diocese. I wish you all could join with us. Since you cannot, I want to share with you a list of movies that will help you learn about South Africa. Many of these will be on Netflix or in your movie store.
- Yesterday (2003) - The story of one family's encounter with HIV/AIDS.
- Tsotsi (2005) - The story of a young thug and the tragedy of a country where many orphans are raising themselves.
- Cry, the Beloved Country (1995) - It is based on the powerful book.
- District 9 (2009 - A sci-fi movie about Apartheid.
- Invictus (2009) - The inspiring story of a rugby team after apartheid ends.
- Zulu (1964) - The epic movie of the ill-fated battle of Rorke's Drift, when a small British garrison held off a Zulu army of thousands during the Anglo-Zulu war or 1897. I have not watched this for a long time, but we will be at Rorke's Drift for a celebration of the first seminary there built by the Swedish missionaries.
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Elderberry Retreat
October 18-19, 2012
Green Lake Bible Camp
The Elderberry Retreat is an opportunity for retired pastors and spouses, widows, retired Associates in Ministry (AiMs) and spouses from the Southwestern Minnesota Synod and neighboring synods to gather for inspiration, fun and fellowship at Green Lake Bible Camp. The related themes for this year's retreat are "Years of Ministry: "A Journey of Grace" presented by Bishop Herbert Chilstrom, and "God's Guidance through Dreams: in Bible Times and in Our Own" presented by Rev. Corinne Chilstrom.
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 Give To The Max Day Approaching
Did you know that on Give To The Max Day one lucky nonprofit gets an extra $1000 every single hour? Contributions throughout the day and night support our community interfaith and refugee programming and up our chances for winning a 'golden ticket'. Put November 15th on your calendar today!
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30 Hr Famine
Join congregations around the SW MN Synod at BOLD High School in Olivia, MN to fight against hunger. All youth in grades 8-12 are invited to go hungry from Noon on October 13th to Noon on October 14th. Our time together will include activities centered around global hunger and clean water, worship, sleep, service, and supporting each other during our famine.
Cost is $15 per participant but congregations are encouraged to raise funds which we will donate to 30 Hr Famine, ELCA World Hunger, 100 Wells, and Kids Against Hunger. Just $30 will fulfill a child's needs for a month.
Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church, Attn: Chelsey
1103 W Chestnut Ave, Olivia, MN 56277
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Awareness of Sexual Boundaries in Ministry Training Event
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 301 N. Lincoln St., Redwood Falls, MN
Sexual misconduct by pastors, associates in ministry, 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 constitution and bylaws include the following provision (Bylaw §14.21.01):
"Within twelve months of assuming office, all ordained ministers under call and rostered lay ministers responsible for programmatic ministry shall demonstrate completion of at least six contact hours of continuing education in the prevention of sexual boundary violations."
Please register online by October 26
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"Shout to the north and the south; sing to the east and the west"
These words to the closing song at the community worship in Madison sums up where the 200 worshipers would go following the potluck. Eight ELCA congregations from Lac qui Parle County planned to celebrate community by worshipping together at the park. Hot weather caused them to worship indoors at Faith Lutheran.
Borgund, Minnesota Valley, Faith, Garfield, Lac qui Parle, Louisburg, St. Paul's and St. Johns Lutheran Churches are within a 12 mile radius of Madison and drawing from the rural areas surrounding Madison, Louisburg, Dawson, Appleton, Marietta, and Nassau. Some of them have been in a discussion about forming the Speaking Waters Parish. Although the parish is not yet in existence these congregations decided to worship together and celebrate their connections with each other.
With each congregation contributing a bit to the worship service, the load was lightened for everyone. Pastors Kathleen Soldwisch, Eunice Woodberry, Kirk Mesek, and Chuck Beronius along with Elan Hacker (SAM) led various parts of the service which included Holy Communion and the blessing of the youth and chaperone from Garfield that are attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering. A combined band from some of the congregations lead everyone in spirit-filled music.
While designated offerings were given to their respective congregations, a loose offering of $320.08 went to the ELCA Malaria Initiative.
During the potluck that followed people asked when our next event would be. A Lenten Round Robin is already under discussion but we hope to have other events where we gather as one community in one place.
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The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition
Open Invitation
Sunday, October 21, 2012
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Calvary Lutheran Church, 302 Olena Ave SE, Willmar, MN
This open invitation is to acquaint as many people as possible with the "workings" and process of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC). While the main context is for people in District 17, all would be welcome. Please join Mr. Brian Rusche, Executive Director of JRLC and Ms. Alison Killeen at an open meeting on Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Friendship Room in Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. (The Friendship Room is just off to the right, when coming in from the north entrance door)
The JRLC is non-partisan, seeking to lobby on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged only in matters that are mutually agreed upon by the Minnesota Council of Churches, the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Islamic Center of Minnesota.
Psalm 41:1 indicates "Blessed is he that considers the poor: In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him."
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Come join Bishop Jon as we continue our series of conference gatherings, Inviting and Welcoming. Congregations are invited to spend time together reflecting on God's Preferred Future. Starting at 6 pm and going until 8 pm, these events will include three listenings: Listening to God, Listening to Neighbors and Listening to Each Other. There will be a light supper served and the cost is only $25/per congregation.
Click your conference below for more information.
Nov 1 - Lac Qui Parle Conference
Nov 8 - Glacial Ridge Conference
Nov 27 - Scenic Valley Conference
Jan 17 - Shetek Conference
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Looking For -
Trinity Lutheran Church of Benson needs at least one copy of Indexes for Worship Planning 1996 ISBN 0-8066-2348-9 no longer available through Augsburg Fortress. This is a blue soft cover book of Indexes handy for LBW and WOV and Revised Common Lectionary planning. Trinity also needs 20 copies of the WOV pew edition. If you know of a congregation willing to provide these for Trinity, please contact Pr. Fred Morck at frederick.morck@ecunet.org.
Needs a Home -
Luther's Works with Gen. series, editor Helmut T Lehmann. Would be willing to donate them please contact Caitlin Kodet at caitlin.kodet@swmnelca.org
Lutheran Men in Mission has 18 slightly used Master Builders Bibles that are in need of good homes. These Bibles like to stay in groups of four to six and are anxious to be put to work again. Contact the synod office at (507) 637-3904.
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