Northeastern Minnesota Synod
Online Reflections
synod logo

week of December 25, 2016
Let's kickoff the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in style!

Mark your Calendars now: FREE EVENT!
Come One, Come All!
Be sure to sign up early or you might miss out!

The Northeastern Minnesota Synod is hosting a Bishop's Convocation to commemorate this special anniversary year: on Saturday January 21st from 1:00-4:00 pm at Our Savior's in Hibbing and on Sunday January 22nd from 2:00-5:00 pm at First Lutheran in Aitkin.
 
We will offer several options for workshops (pick 2) and Bishop David Zellmer from the South Dakota Synod will speak about "How the Heck Did We Get to the Reformation?"

Workshop options are:
  • Lutherans and Creation Care
  • Lutherans and Immigrations
  • Lutheran Teaching at the School of Lay Ministry
  • Lutheran Theology: God at work in the world (led by LYO Youth)
  • ELCA Today: Grounded and Changing
  • The Global Lutheran
  • Picture the Reformation: Luther, Cranach and the Power of the Visual
  • Faith Outside: Engaging the future of the church
It promises to be a great time! The event is free and all are welcome. We do require registration to allow for the number of materials and refreshments needed. Please sign up at: https://2017nemnconvo.eventbrite.com or call the Synod office to register. 218.724.4424 x127


Eventbrite - Reformation 500 Kick-off
Bulletin Board
2017 Standard Mileage Rates for Business, Medical and Moving Announced

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2017 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2017, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
  • 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 54 cents for 2016
  • 17 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 19 cents for 2016
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
The business mileage rate decreased half a cent per mile and the medical and moving expense rates each dropped 2 cents per mile from 2016. The charitable rate is set by statute and remains unchanged.  The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.
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.
Events Around the Synod

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.laechel@gmail.com
No PDF flyers please
. Only the text information will be included.
   

Preview Presentation on Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle - Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Virginia
Thursday, Jan. 12th - 6:30 pm - 901 4th St So, Virginia
Come to a preview party and learn more about our pilgrimage to Greece, Sep. 27-Oct 7, 2017. Hear about the details, see pictures of some of the sights, ask questions, etc. You are invited! So that treats and materials can be prepared, please RSVP to Pastor Nathan Sager by Jan. 8th if you interested in attending (nathan@gelc.info or 218-741-4961).

Lake Superior Conference Gathering
Friday, January 13 - Epiphany Service and Dinner, at Lakeshore. No Tuesday gathering.
6 PM - Epiphany Service of Lights Planning Team: Pr. Peter Kowitz and team. Please contact Pr. Peter (pastorkowitz@outlook.com) or Lyle with names of pastors or spouses who have been commended to God since the 2015 service.
7 PM - Epiphany Dinner: Lyle Northey (northeys@frontiernet.net) - Menu below. Reservations to Lyle after Christmas and by January 9th, 2017. Dinner Menu ($23/plate includes meal, tax and gratuity): Salad bar, Maple glazed pork loin, Chicken Marsala, Vegetable, Wild Rice pilaf, Assorted Rolls, Velvet Cake dessert, Vegetarian dish available
Employment Opportunities

Director of Children & Family Ministry - Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa
Lutheran Church of the Cross (LCC), a vibrant congregation in the heart of the Brainerd Lakes area, is seeking a Director of Children and Family Ministry. The Director that we seek has a passion for Children's Ministry, experience in this area, education degree and is excited to be a part of dynamic staff and team that works with Children and Youth ministry. Our Director will be responsible for leadership, development, and implementation of ministry for the growing number of children and families at LCC, targeting children from birth to sixth grade and their families. Compensation rate for this position is commensurate with experience. This position is 32 hours a week.  If you have questions about this position please contact Pastor Kari Williamson (218-963-2564 or pastorkarilcc@gmail.com) To apply for this position, submit a written letter of interest, together with a resume, addressed to Pastor Kari Williamson at Lutheran of the Cross, P.O. Box 29, Nisswa, MN 56468. The position will remain open until filled.

Church Secretary - Our Savior's Lutheran, Duluth
Our Savior's Lutheran is accepting applications for church secretary. 15 hours per week at $12.50/hour. Contact Our Savior's at 218-624-3648 or send resume to secretary@oursaviorsduluth.org

Organist/Pianist - Zion Lutheran, Milaca
Zion Lutheran of Milaca is in search of a part time organist (pipe organ) and/or pianist (Kwai grand piano) to play every other Sunday alternating with our current organist/pianist. Contact Pastor Stephen Blenkush at 320-983-3368 for more information.
In This Issue
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Northeastern Minnesota
Synod, ELCA

synod logo

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
Pastor Amy Odgren - 125
  Director for Evangelical Mission
  Assistant to the Bishop
Deacon Brenda Tibbetts - 122
  Assistant to the Bishop
  Call process
   Youth Ministry 
 Kathy Wimer - 126
   Office Administrator
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
218-851-2214

Latest Youth E-Chat