Northeastern Minnesota Synod
Online Reflections
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week of April 17, 2016  
Prayer Petitions

Each Wednesday morning the synod staff meets for devotions and prays for the congregations and people of our synod. You are invited to join us.
  • Zion Lutheran, International Falls and Pastor Stephen Olson
  • Pastor Mark Olson, Specialized Ministry in Walker, MN
  • Mrs. Arliss Olson, AiM, retired in Britt
  • Mr. Jerry Olstad, AiM, retired in Cambridge
  • Crosslake Lutheran, Crosslake, and Pastor Kristin Oltmann, and Pastor Greg Larsen
Bishop Aitken's Reflections
 
Yesterday it was my joy to preach and preside at the Eucharist at Immanuel Lutheran, Princeton, Minnesota. It was their 125th Anniversary. I think of the big picture, when I preach at anniversaries in our synod. Think for a minute of the connection you have through your baptism to all those who have come before you and all those who will follow after you. Our Lord has called you, wherever you are on the journey of faith, to be an indispensable link in this long line of disciples and witnesses to God's goodness. We didn't make up the church. We are connected to the One, Holy, catholic and Apostolic church through history by the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls you through the Word and Sacraments in this church, joins you to himself and makes you his ambassadors of love to the whole world.
 
Below, find a link to both a video and a written sermon for Sunday, May 1st, 2016, the 6th Sunday of Easter when our Annual Synod Assembly takes place. The gospel for that Sunday is John 14:23-29. Your congregation is welcome to use this sermon when your pastor is away at Assembly. You can use the written form or the video, whichever you prefer if you would like.
 
Carry on with your good work in Christ!

+Bishop Thomas M. Aitken
  Northeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA


Bishop Aitken's Sermon 5-1-16
Bishop Aitken's Sermon 5-1-16

Have Taken the Health Assessment? Only 13 Days Left to Earn $150.00
 
Were you there sitting at your computer filling out the Portico Health Assessment on-line before Holy Week? If not, now after Easter and before April 30 is a great time to do so! 
 
Full Disclosure Here: It is on my calendar to complete it this weekend. I had misplaced my Dr.'s report with all those important numbers but now the lost has been found! I also found out that if there is a question you or I may not have an answer for, Portico's Assessment has a handy box to check that says, "I don't know." Alleluia!
 
It is so important to take care of your health. We need healthy leadership in all of our congregations. It is also important to take advantage of the discount we receive through Portico just for taking the time to fill out the Assessment. Please make the time to fill yours out today.

Our Synod will receive a 1% health contribution discount if we exceed 65% participation in the Health Assessment. As of April 1st, the NE MN Synod was at 50.36% participation. Help us reach our goal of 100% participation! Take the Assessment by April 30th!

Brenda Tibbetts, AiM
Assistant to the Bishop

2016 Synod Assembly
April 29 - May 1 at Breezy Point Resort
Theme: Living Forgiveness


The Guidebook App with access to the Agenda, Bulletin of Reports, Speaker and Display information is now live! Click here to access the app or scan the QR Code at right >>
The
Guide is also available via any internet browser at the this link: https://guidebook.com/guide/49676/
Please contact Anne Laechel at anne@lolbaxter.org if you have any questions, comments or suggestions for the app.

Eventbrite - 2016 Northeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly

Dr. Anna Madsen wants your Questions!

Members of the NE MN Synod are invited to submit questions about forgiveness to Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen for her to address at our 2016 Synod Assembly. To submit a new question, visit the link below and "Start a New Topic", or comment on one of the questions that has already been asked.

Congregation Observers at Churchwide Assembly
Churchwide Secretary, Rev. Wm. Chris Boerger


Each congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may register one congregation observer for the Churchwide Assembly prior to May 31 in the year of a Churchwide Assembly. 

 

a. Provision shall be made for such an individual to have reserved seating in the observers section of the plenary hall. Such congregation observers will receive a copy of the report of recommendations for assembly action and also materials distributed on the plenary floor to voting members, advisory members, and non-voting members during the assembly. Such observers shall have neither voice nor vote in plenary sessions of the assembly.

b. A registration fee shall be established by the secretary of this church for registration and related costs, including enabling observers to receive the same meals as are provided for voting members. 

c. Transportation costs, housing, other meals, and related expenses shall be the responsibility of the registered observer or sending congregation.

 

The registration fee for congregation observers is $100. Please note the meal package is not included in the registration fee, but may be purchased separately when registering. Online registration will open in April at www.elca.org/churchwideassembly. Please contact the assembly hotline at 800-638-3522 ext 2911 or the registrar via email to [email protected] if you have any questions.


As you start planning for the 2016-2017 program year (and beyond!), make sure these dates for synod events are on your calendar!
 
Events for Youth:
 
November 18-19 or 19-20, 2016
Grades 6-9
 
March 3-5, 2017
Grades 9-12
 
June 22 - July 2, 2018
Grades 9-12
(Registration/Info meetings will be held spring 2017)
 
And there is still time to register for the EcoFaith Youth Camp!
June 26-30, 2016
Grades 9-12
 
Events for Adults who work with Youth:
 
January 20-23, 2017
Louisville, KY
 
February 11, 2017
Duluth, MN

Bulletin Board

Look for the bulletin board in Thursday's Part 2 email!
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Northeastern Minnesota
Synod, ELCA

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The purpose of our

synod is to nurture a

Christ-centered climate

conducive to healthy,

mission-focused

congregations and

their ministries

throughout the world!

Staff Listing
Phone: 218.724.4424
 

  Bishop

Brenda Tibbetts, AiM - 122

  Assistant to the Bishop

Pastor John Dietz - 125

   Director for Evangelical Mission

   Assistant to the Bishop

   Candidacy 

   Youth Ministry 

   Communications/Admin.

   Bookkeeper/Receptionist

   

NE MN Synod, ELCA

1105 E. Superior St.,

Upper Suite

Duluth, MN  55802

 

FAX: 218.724.4393    

Online Reflections Editor

Anne Laechel
218-828-9374

Latest Youth E-Chat
NE MN Synod 
Creation Care Team 
Green Tip of the Week

Yard trimmings and food scraps make up nearly 1/6 of what the average household throws into the garbage.  Set up a compost pile in your back yard for kitchen trimmings and yard waste.  Use your homemade compost on your yard and garden to reduce your use of petroleum-based fertilizers and water.



Story Starter 
Question of the Week

What is a time you have felt the presence of God?