A Weekly Update on Ministry in Western North Dakota |
In Mission Together:
Minot Men's Winter Refuge
Minot has seen a LOT of changes in the past few years. One of those changes was a shortage of affordable housing in the wake of the oil boom and the flood. Many single working men were finding themselves walking the aisles of Walmart to keep warm or attempting to sleep outside on our -40 degree nights.
So last winter, with the generous donation of a house from First Lutheran Church in Minot, and the support of multiple congregations from multiple denominations, and after getting all necessary paperwork together and city approval, the Minot Area Men's Winter Refuge was born and was off to an incredible start.
In its first (shortened) winter season, The Men's Winter Refuge was open for 63 nights (756 hours). The refuge was blessed with forty-three different volunteers who gave a total of 1747 hours of their time to serve their neighbors in need of a helping hand and a warm bed. In its first season the refuge served 23 men with an average length of stay at 12.5 nights. Since its opening, volunteers have been blessed by their experiences at the refuge. Not just in their giving of their time but their receiving of fellowship and friendship from the people they serve. It's been said by a few volunteers, that they need this time of service more than the people they serve need them. More
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Lorentzsen Luncheon, March 19
Join speakers Jesse Veeder, folk musician, columnist and North Dakota Ambassador Award winner, and Bill Sorensen '73, former mayor of Bismarck, N.D., for a conversation about Inspirational Leadership in the Spotlight. This event is hosted by Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. More
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Clergy Tax Preparation Guide
Tax issues for clergy can be complicated. To help you tend to your financial well-being, Portico offers resources to help you better understand your tax situation, both now and in retirement including the annual Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide by Richard R. Hammar - at no cost to plan members. More
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Scholarships available for EQ HR Events
Five Wellness Scholarships of $500 each are still available for rostered leaders interested in participating in an Emotional Intelligence and Human Relations Worship. The closest workshops coming up this summer will be held in St. Paul, MN, Allen Spark, CO or Saskatoon, SK. View a listing of all upcoming workshops. Contact Lisa Ahlness for scholarship information.
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Take the Health Assessment and Save $
Got ELCA-Primary health benefits? Take the health assessment by April 30. If 65% of us do it, all our synod employers will save a collective $23,000.
New this year: To take the Mayo Clinic health assessment, access Mayo Clinic Healthy Living online directly through myPortico - no separate Mayo Clinic ID and password necessary. Go to PorticoBenefits.org/HealthyLiving for details.
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Legislation concerning concealed weapons and implications for congregations
We have had several inquiries regarding proposed legislation in the ND House regarding concealed weapons and implications for congregational ministry. Synod Attorney Murray Sagsveen has compiled a list of the proposed bills as well as a summary of each and links to the actual text of the legislation. More
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Annual Report to the Bishop
Each year rostered leaders are expected to file an annual report to the synod bishop. These ELCA reports are now available and posted on the synod website under Resources for Rostered Leaders. Find your report
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More Synod News . . .
Click the links below to read more about what's happening in the Western North Dakota Synod
Tax Info for Clergy Related to Health Coverage
Since they are not part of the Federal Health Exchange, Portico Benefits will not be issuing a Form 1095C as proof of health insurance, but learn what documents can be submitted in lieu of this form More
Submit a Resolution for Consideration by Synod Assembly
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Synod Transitions
Calls Accepted
Rev. Norman Paskowsky to Sherwood Area Lutheran Parish
Installations
Feb. 22, 2015, Rev. Brian Knutson at Zion Lutheran, Elgin, ND
March 8, 2015, Rev. Norman Paskowsky at Sherwood Area Lutheran Parish
Transfers Rev. Brian Knutson, Oregon Synod
Rev. Kirsten Frantsvog, Eastern North Dakota Synod
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Save the Date:
2015 Synod Assembly
June 4: Pre-Assembly Workshop & Mission Gala
June 5-6: Synod Assembly
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In Our Prayers . . .
Synod Congregations:
First Lutheran, Willow City Sunne Lutheran, Wilton Bethlehem Lutheran, Wing St. Luke Lutheran, Wishek Wolford Lutheran, Wolford
Those facing health concerns: Rev. Jeff Giles Linda Nygard (wife of Rev. Mark Nygard)
Rev. Karen Edwards Rev. Stephanie Swanson Carol Moen - retired AIM
Those who have lost loved ones: Family of Rev. Tim Solberg Others: Our companion synod: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic |
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