Synod Office Summer Hours
This summer the synod office will have amended hours to accommodate the overlap of staff vacations. Staff will still fulfill their designated hours June-August, however, the phone will be answered by voicemail, and the office will be closed to meetings and drop-in visits on Fridays.
|
 |
New LSS Bible Study
Dear Minnesota Lutheran Pastors -
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is pleased to announce that we are deep in development of a new five-session congregational discussion guide on racial equity that will be available by October 1 for use in fall adult forums and study groups.
"And Who is My Neighbor?" - authored by Professor Eric Barreto of Luther Seminary - will be patterned loosely after our widely distributed "My Neighbor is Muslim" and will include responses from various pastors of color, rich video teaching tools, video stories by people of different racial backgrounds, and an exercise created by Professor Karen McKinney of Bethel University that helps groups understand the various sorts of privileges that we do or do not have.
Our intent is to give Lutherans a graceful entry into a conversation about race that goes a little deeper with each session, and to give congregations tools to think about what actions they can take to contribute toward a more equitable community.
After the events of the past week in Minnesota and across the nation - not to mention the synchronicity with this past Sunday's gospel lesson - we wanted to be sure you knew that "And Who is My Neighbor?" will be e-mailed to you between the middle and end of September and will be available for download from our websitefrom then on.
Many people have asked us what they might be able to do after this week's prayer vigils to change the way we live in community. We believe that study, discussion, and introspection about our deep-seated beliefs about race, grounded in our faith, are very important steps.
If you have questions, please contact Amy Hahn at (651) 724-1747.
Blessings....
Jodi Harpstead
Chief Executive Officer
Lutheran Social Service of MN
2485 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108
|
 "Welcome to the Synod" Event
Welcome to the Synod is an opportunity to meet other people who are relatively new to service in the synod, the bishop and the synod staff, your conference dean, and others involved in the mission of the church in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod. Welcome to the Synod is a time for leaders to introduce themselves, their work, and the many ministries of the synod including: outdoor ministries, campus ministries, hunger, justice, rural life, creation care ... and many more! Following lunch, there will be an open house at the synod office across the street from First Lutheran Church: come to take a tour of the building or to sit down with a staff member to begin or continue a conversation!
If you are within the first five years of serving in the synod as a rostered leader; within the first five years of serving as a synodically authorized minister; the dean of your conference; a lay youth and family minister working in a congregation of the synod; or a candidate/ seminarian/ intern in the territory of this synod, then you are invited to the 2016 Welcome to the Synod event!
Join us at 9:30 am - 1:30 pm, Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at First Lutheran Church - Duluth (1100 E. Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802). Please call the synod office (218-724-4424) or email Pastor John Dietz at john.dietz@nemnsynod.org to let us know we will be seeing you there! (Please RSVP by August 7 so we can order food - and let us know of any dietary restrictions at that time!)
Pastor John Dietz
Assistant to the Bishop
Director for Evangelical Mission
|
As the 2016 Churchwide Assembly nears, you are invited to participate in 6 weeks of prayer prior to the Assembly, Daily Prayers for each day of the Assembly, and a Prayer for the Sunday after the Assembly.
The prayer for Week 4 (July 24) is:
Loving God, through Holy Baptism you continue to make us new and gather us together across all human divisions reconciling us to yourself in one body through the cross. Strengthen us by your presence that our thoughts and actions may be rooted and grounded in your love for us. Direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by your reconciling love as this church prepares to gather in assembly. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
|
|
Playing Hymns with a Worship Band
Friday, July 22, 2016 - 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville, MN
There has been so much dynamic new worship music written with the "praise band" in mind. However, do you ever wonder if your band-led services should include some music that wasn't written in the last ten minutes? What about the legacy of all the great hymns of the faith? Is there a way to include that music in your contemporary services without having it feel like an academic exercise?
Instructor Jay Beech answers this question with a resounding "YES"! Jay has taken his love of hymnody, plugged it into his internal groove generator, and created very cool arrangements for the worship band.
|
|
Events Around the Synod
We have recently changed the policy regarding the inclusion of congregational fundraising events in the Online Reflections. If you would like to have your event included, please send a brief press release, including the Who, What, Where, When & Why of your event, in an email to anne@lolbaxter.org. No PDF flyers please
. Only the text information will be included.
Service of Ordination for Ms. Sue Eld Johnson
Service of Ordination to Word and Sacrament for Ms. Sue Eld Johnson will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Family of God Lutheran Church, 4097 Martin Road, Duluth, MN 55803. All area clergy are invited to attend and vest. The color of the day is red. Sue is being called to serve Jesse Lake and Suomi Lutheran Churches, in Talmoon and Deer River, MN. The joint installation service will be held at Jesse Lake Lutheran Church at 10:00 a.m. July 24th, 2016 with a potluck brunch to follow.
"Viva la Justicia"- Witness for Peace summer fundraiser, July 28th -
The annual Witness for Peace fundraiser will be held this year on Thursday evening, July 28th, at the Red Herring Lounge, 208 E. First St., Duluth. From 6:30 - 8:30 pm there will be light refreshments and a cash bar available, along with music, presentations about Witness for Peace with a focus on our work in Honduras, a display of art produced by local artists inspired by the movement for eco-justice and indigenous land rights in Honduras, and a silent auction. Donations to support WFP's work with our partners in Latin America are gratefully appreciated. - After 8:30 pm, there will be a concert performance by the popular local music group "Chase Down Blue," with a cover charge for those coming only for the concert. Please come and support the work of Witness for Peace as we celebrate the struggle for justice and human rights in the Americas. - For more information, contact Lyn Clark Pegg at carolynpegg@yahoo.com
125th Anniversary at Bethlehem Lutheran, Aitkin.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church of rural Aitkin, Minnesota, is celebrating its 125th Anniversary on Sunday, July 31, 2016
. Everyone is invited to join the festivities. The day begins with worship at 9:30 a.m., a picnic lunch at 11:30 a.m., and a program at 1:30 p.m. Many pastors preached at Bethlehem while they were students in college and seminary, all are welcome to attend. Bethlehem is located at 36696 320th Street, Aitkin, MN 56431; phone 218-927-3935.
|
Employment Opportunities
Youth and Family Minister
First Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN is looking to fill a position for a full time Youth and Family Minister. The Youth and Family Minister of First Lutheran Church will develop and carry out ministries of faith formation for children, youth and families to live a life centered in Christ.The Youth and Family Minister will lead by example, work creatively and collaboratively, and provide dynamic leadership, vision and organization. Experience in youth ministry is preferred but not required. Previous experience in a similar role could apply. Intended start date is September 1, 2016. For more information, contact Pastor Jake Dyrhaug at jdyrhaug@flclittlefalls.org
Director of Youth, Families & Christian Education
Faith Lutheran Church in Staples, Minnesota is seeking a full time position as Director of Youth, Families and Christian Education. The position includes coordinating high school, middle school (including participation in Confirmation) and elementary school groups and vacation Bible school and Sunday school as well as providing intergenerational opportunities for the entire congregation. It is desired that the applicant be prepared to take initiative, become involved in sharing the faith with youth and their families at church, school and in the community, and be a vital participant in the life of the congregation. Support and mentoring will be available for a person filling this position. For a complete job description and application form you may contact our church office at: Faith Lutheran main office (218-894-1546); faithlutheranstaples@gmail.com. For other question or more information about the job and compensation, please contact: Joyce Anderson (218-894-1574); flcyouthfamily@gmail.com
High School Ministry Leader
St. Mark's Lutheran Church in North St. Paul, MN is looking for a High School Ministry Leader! This position encompasses leading a ministry of accompaniment, compassionate action, and faith formation with high school youth. You must be able to coordinate a year round ministry to foster an atmosphere of faith and learning with a diverse group of young people and dedicated adult leaders as well as collaborate with other staff on inter-generational events. Part-time-25 hours/week. For more information contact Pastor Ivy Huston at
|
|
 |
Northeastern Minnesota
Synod, ELCA
|  | |
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
Assistant to the Bishop
Call process
Director for Evangelical Mission
Assistant to the Bishop
Candidacy
Youth Ministry
Communications/Office Support
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
|
|
