Northeastern Minnesota Synod
Online Reflections
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week of September 4, 2016
Evangelical Mission
Strong Center Open Door: Engaging Lutheran Worship Today

In this 10th anniversary year of the publication of "Evangelical Lutheran Worship," you are invited to attend an event focusing on Lutheran worship in our current context. Pastors, musicians, lay leaders, and worship committees: whether you have extensive experience with ELW, are exploring it for the first time, or use other materials for your community's worship, you will find a place at these gatherings. We will open anew the gifts of God at the strong center of worship in word and sacrament. We will explore how to open more widely the doors that welcome the world to these gifts and the doors that send us with these gifts into God's beloved and needy world.
 
The nearest event will be held October 14-15, 2016 at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota. Click here for the schedule and detailed description of the program.
 
Registration for this event is only $40.00 per person (includes lunches) or $100.00 max per congregation. Participants will be responsible for their own hotel accommodations and other meals.
 
Events will include:
  • Introduction - for those engaging ELW for the first time.
  • Deeper Exploration - for those who know the treasures well, but long for renewed energy or a deeper understanding.
  • Newer Resources - for those interested in the many print and online resources in the ELW family that have been produced since 2006.
  • Foundations - for those who want to connect with the core principles of worship in the ELCA while engaging the culture, gifts, and practices of a local community.
  • Synodical Leadership - for those who want to offer ELW introductions and/or refreshers in their synod.
  • ...plus worship, singing, networking, creative brain-sailing, and more.
Presenters include:
  • Susan Briehl, a pastor, teacher and writer; Matt James, a member of the planning team for the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering and continues to serve as a leader for youth ministry events in the New England Synod; 
  • Daniel Schwandt, former cantor of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; 
  • Kevin Strickland, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop and Executive for Worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; 
  • Scott Weidler, ELCA Program Director for Worship and Music. 
  • Click here to read more about the presenters. 
Bulletin Board
What happened at the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly?

The Rev. Chris Boerger, ELCA secretary, outlines key actions and outcomes
Clavinova Request
Bethel Lutheran Church in Warba is looking for a clavinova in good shape and with transposing capabilities. Please call Pastor Mark Wagner at 218-341-1832.
Bishop's Visitation to Confirmation Students and their parents

Bishop Aitken invites you to request him for a Bishop's Visitation to your Confirmation Class.  What works best for his schedule is to do these Visitations to clusters of congregations. He encourages parents to come that night as well so he can meet them and include them in the teaching time. He will teach the gospel, talk about Christian Vocation, the role of the Christian in our world, our call in Christ and end with Communion and Commissioning for service with Anointing oil from Palestine.
Does your congregation have a LSS Ambassador?
 
Lutheran Social Service of MN will host a meeting to kick off this LSS Ambassador year October 8th at First Lutheran Church in Duluth, from 10:00am-noon.
 
The purpose of our meeting will be to define the Ambassador role with continuing and new Ambassador members, as well as share LSS updates and hear from Ambassadors. We will take some time to look ahead into the next year to see what service projects/programs the group is interested in engaging their congregations to support and learn about.
 
With program needs in mind, we hope partnering congregations will participate in our diaper drive for the Crisis Nursery in November and December 2016. At our meeting we will come up with ideas for service projects for February-March. Our NE MN Youth Services luncheon will be May 11th, 2017. And, in June/July we will have a grand opening/service project focusing on the Center for Changing Lives, Duluth.
 
We would love for all NE MN Ambassadors to attend the October training, and we welcome a second or third Ambassador from each congregation to join us as well!
 
Please contact Robin.Maxwell@lssmn.org to RSVP, or by phone at 218-302-6837.
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 [email protected]. No PDF flyers please
. Only the text information will be included.
  

RREAL Benefit- PV for Phebe
45,000 rural Liberians rely on Phebe Hospital for their healthcare. Phebe spends almost half a million dollars annually on diesel fuel for needed electricity. We can do better. PV for Phebe will use solar power to help meet the hospital's electricity needs with clean, renewable energy. Join us September 17th, from 5 to 8 pm at the Farm on St. Mathias (7579 St. Mathias Rd, Brainerd). Ticket options: sponsor a table-8 tickets $800; sponsor half a table-4tickets $400; individual dinner tickets $100. The evening includes: cash bar, corn maze, dinner, program and auction.  RSVP to [email protected] or click the link below to get tickets, buy raffle tickets or to simply make a donation.

Salem, Hermantown's Bike for Hunger
Ride your bike in Hermantown's Salem Lutheran Church's 29th Annual Bike for Hunger on September 10. It's a ride on the Munger Trail from from Carlton to Willow River and back. We have a great support team with refreshments along the route and lunch in Willow River. The ride is open to everyone, including children. Ride part or all.  All collected pledges go to local food shelves and the World Hunger Fund. Find out more via e-mail at [email protected] or call Dave at 722-2100. A registration form can be found on Salem's website slecduluth.org

Via de Cristo - Ultreya at Grace, Hermantown
Sunday, September 18, 2016 4 pm - 8 pm
Grace Lutheran Church, 5454 Miller Trunk Hwy, Hermantown, MN - Necessities: bring a dish to share, yellow book, songbook, name tag and cross. Come and experience this time to gather and worship. If you have not attended a Via de Cristo weekend, we encourage you to join us.

Concerts with Hans Peterson
Saturday, September 24, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Elim Lutheran Church of Blackhoof
2077 County Rd 6, Barnum MN 55707
With a soothing voice like John Denver, driving acoustic guitar, and creative piano playing, Hans draws an audience in with honest story telling in his songs. Come and enjoy listening and singing along with singer/songwriter Hans Peterson. A free-will offering will be received.
Sunday, September 25, 9:00am
Elim Lutheran Church of Blackhoof
2077 County Rd 6, Barnum MN 55707
Hans will lead our Sunday worship, followed by a meet and greet during coffee hour.

Fall Festival at First, Brainerd
First Lutheran Church of Brainerd is having a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 1, 5 -7 pm. Menu: Beef stew, homemade dinner rolls, coleslaw, apple crisp, ice cream and beverage. Entertainment by Shaffer's Lost 40 Blue Grass Band. There will be a silent auction, marketplace table and face painting. Tickets: $10.00/adults and $5.00/children 5-12. Nursery care will be provided. Proceeds will benefit ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Social Services. Sponsored by Thrivent.
Employment Opportunities

NE MN Synod's School of Lay Ministry Coordinator
The Northeastern MN Synod's School of Lay Ministry Advisory Board is now accepting applications for the position of SLM Coordinator. Requirements: Must have completed the 2 year SLM program, good organizational & communication skills,work with the Advisory Board and attend 2 Advisory Board meetings, plan & host 2 yearly retreats, keep track of student progress & payments, order materials, promote & recruit students for the School of Lay Ministry at various Synod events. Modest stipend. Interested persons may send a Letter of Intent along with a resume to Brenda Tibbetts, Assistant to the Bishop, 1105 E. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802. Please include the date of completion of the SLM program.

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. For more information, contact Pastor Jake Dyrhaug at [email protected]
or (320) 632-6667.

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); [email protected]. For other question or more information about the job and compensation, please contact: Joyce Anderson (218-894-1574); [email protected]
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Northeastern Minnesota
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Staff Listing
Phone: 218.724.4424
 
  Bishop
Brenda Tibbetts, AiM - 122
  Assistant to the Bishop
  Call process
   Director for Evangelical Mission
   Assistant to the Bishop
   Candidacy 
   Youth Ministry 
 Kathy Wimer - 126
   Bookkeeper/Receptionist
Tammy Segel-Crilly - 127
   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

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