 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.- Pastor David Putz, retired in Two Harbors
- Pastor Larry Quanbeck, OLFC
- Bethesda Lutheran, Malmo and Pastor James Raisanen
- Grace Community, Bigfork and Effie Fredheim, Bigfork and Pastor Megan Reedstrom
- Pastor Ray Reinholtzen, retired in Cook
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 Bishop Aitken's Reflections
Yesterday I preached and officiated at the Rite of Installation for Interim Pastor Fred Hanson at Our Redeemer Lutheran, Pine City. I have found this congregation to be spirited, dedicated to our mission together and fun! Back in January I preached and presided there for the Baptism of our Lord and got to know these marvelous folks. At this Installation, there was such palpable joy and celebration that I just can't keep it to myself! Pastor Fred Hanson gave a beautiful children's sermon about the reality of the Holy Spirit given to us in baptism, I preached on the texts for Pentecost, the choir (adult and youth) led us in much of the liturgy, we served Holy Communion and then went for coffee fellowship.
At the table where I sat, we engaged in deep conversation about the Spirit's work in our lives. It flowed easily and naturally as we shared together. I was energized and delighted by the good, mature and rich theological conversation about being Lutheran especially the part about being focused on grace and God's love rather than judgement and endless legalisms. There was practical conversation too, about how faith works its way in and through our lives, often quietly and persistently, even when we don't recognize it at first. Conversations around the coffee fellowship table can be deep and encouraging to us in the church. I've been to so many of these generative and holy times as your Bishop. It's one of your gifts to me.
I like our church, and our synod. I like being ELCA Lutheran. I like Our Redeemer Lutheran's warmth and friendly welcome. I celebrate with them the next chapter of their lives together under the leadership of Pastor Hanson. Welcome Fred to our Synod!
Live into the Spirit's leadership in your life this week!
+Bishop Thomas M. Aitken
Northeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
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 GOOD NEWS! We Did It!
The Northeastern MN Synod reached 86.33% participation in the Portico Health Assessments by April 30! Thank you for doing your part. There are still 29 people who can take the health assessment to earn their wellness dollars. |
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Women of the ELCA Summer Gathering/ Convention
Thursday, June 9 & Friday, June 10 Sugar Lake Lodge, Grand Rapids, MN An invitation to all Women of the NE MN Synod of the ELCA to "Live in the Spirit"!  Our Keynote Speaker (Friday) will be Alison Feigh, who serves as the program coordinator at the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, a program of the National Child Protection Training Center. Influenced at an early age by the abduction of classmate Jacob Wetterling, she became an avid spokesperson on issues of personal safety. Alison has been tackling the problem of missing and exploited children for over a decade-providing education and support to families and communities.
Thursday workshops include timely topics such as "Refugee Resettlement", the new LSS bible study "My Neighbor is Muslim", "Grief", and "Life, Humor, Motherhood, Personal Development and Spirituality".
New this year - You must register separately for the Gathering and Housing/Meals. Please make sure to complete and submit both forms to the appropriate person(s).
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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)
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
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Congregation Observers at Churchwide Assembly
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| | 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 CWARegistrar@elca.org if you have any questions.
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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!
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Staff Listing
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Phone: 218.724.4424
Bishop
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
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Online Reflections Editor
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Anne Laechel
218-828-9374
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Online Reflections is a semi-weekly e-newsletter from the Northeastern Minnesota Synod.
Online Reflections Part 1 is published on Monday of each week and contains articles from Bishop Thomas Aitken, Synod Staff, and information from the ELCA.
Online Reflections Part 2 is published on Thursday of each week and contains late breaking news, information about events occurring in the congregations of the NE MN Synod, and job postings.
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NE MN Synod
Creation Care Team
Green Tip of the Week
Water gardens and lawns early in the morning, before 10:00 a.m., when there is less wind to blow the water away and less sunlight to evaporate it. Watering at night seems like a good idea, but it can lead to mold and fungus on the grass and plants.
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