News from the Northwest Conference
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Do your kids have 'Sticky Faith?'
Dr. Kara Powell, author of 'Sticky Faith,' to speak at Annual Meeting
 Did you know studies show over 50% of church-going young people walk away from their faith after graduating from high school? Dr. Kara Powell, director of Fuller Youth Institute and author of "Sticky Faith," has researched this phenomenon and will present her findings at the NWC Annual Meeting later this month. Kara's presentations are appropriate for parents and anyone in church leadership who cares about the next generation having a faith that sticks beyond VBS and youth group.
You are also invited to a special NWC dessert reception to discuss the "Sticky Faith" research with others who are trying to live this out in their churches. Join Kara Stromberg, director of Children & Family Ministry, and Ginny Olson, director of Youth Ministry, in the upper campus center at Minnehaha Academy following Friday night's worship service for dessert, music and great discussion of the practical implications of "Sticky Faith." Hope to see you there!
Schedule:
Friday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. Speaker: Kara Powell, "Sticky Faith Churches; The relationships and worship that benefit all ages." Afterwards, stick around for a dessert gathering to meet other youth and children-type people in our conference.
Saturday, April 27 10:00 a.m. Speaker: Kara Powell, "Sticky Faith: Practical Ideas to Deepen Your Ministry"
Both Friday and Saturday's gatherings are free and open to the public. Questions? Contact NWC office. To download promo materials or register for the meeting visit our 2013 Annual Meeting page. For more information about Sticky Faith and free, downloadable resources, go to stickyfaith.org.
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2013 Annual Meeting
Minnehaha Academy Centennial Mission Project
On Saturday afternoon, immediately following the NWC Annual Meeting, attendees are invited to participate in a local Centennial Mission Service Project called "Covenant Partners Community Service Day." Minnehaha Academy students, parents and alumni will work alongside members of NWC churches to prepare school readiness kits. School Readiness Kits Sanctuary Covenant Church has a relationship with North Academy of Arts and Communication (new name for Minneapolis North) who has a need for school readiness packets in anticipation for next fall. There are currently 176 students enrolled and the request is for 200 kits. In the next month, Minnehaha campuses will collect items for the packets. NWC churches are encouraged to collect kits and send them with your delegates to the Annual Meeting. 200 school readiness kits of: 8-pocket folders 1-packet of blue or black pens 1-packet of pencils 1-package of college ruled paper 1-3-ring binder (ideally zip up 3-ring binder) For more information, contact Gayle Gilreath, Director of Development, Office of Advancement, Minnehaha Academy at 612-728-7796 or GilreathGayle@MinnehahaAcademy.net.
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You are invited ...
Covenant Trust Company Lunch
Covenant Trust Company (CTC) would like to extend an invitation to pastors, staff and lay leaders of churches in the Northwest Conference to join them for lunch on Thursday, April 25, at 1 p.m. The lunch will take place at Minnehaha Academy in the TW Anderson room, just prior to the start of the Ministerial Association Annual Meeting.
CTC representatives, Kevin Lawson and Steve Allison will be hosting a catered lunch from Famous Dave's with guest speaker, William Moucka, Director of Investments and New Business Development at Covenant Trust. It will be a great opportunity to hear about the history of CTC and learn about the services offered to individuals, churches and other organizations. A specific focus will be made on the new Endowment Services that are offered through CTC and how your church can utilize the services of CTC to establish and run your own endowment.
CTC values the partnership with the Northwest Conference and the ministries, churches and pastors that are part of it. If you are interested in finding out more about how we can partner with your church or ministry, please contact Kevin Lawson to register for this complimentary lunch and presentation. RSVP to kelawson@covenanttrust.com or 1-877-222-3960. Space is limited, so please register early.Advocates for Covenant Clergy Women lunch discussion Julie Jane Capel, ACCW Board Member, invites members of the NWC ministerium to join her during lunch on Friday, April 26, following the Ministerial Association Annual Meeting, for fellowship and the sharing of information on how we can strengthen support and advocacy for women clergy in our conference.
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MOVE 2013 coming to First Covenant Minneapolis, April 12-13
The NWC's annual high school urban mission and service weekend is focusing on Invisible: Who are you not seeing? Students will be challenged to see the invisible around them: invisible people, invisible injustices, invisible peers.
Amy Williams is speaking and JonCarlos Velez and his team are leading worship. For more MOVE details, poster, etc., visit our MOVE page. Please pray for the students and leaders at MOVE 2013!
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Deadline for applications is April 9
Adventures in Leadership set for June 15-22
Do you have a high school student leader who is ready to be challenged to grow in his/her leadership abilities? Nominate 1 or 2 of your key leadership students for AIL. This amazing leadership development experience affirms the leadership potential of students and captures their imaginations on how God can use them as leaders. Because of its impact, other ECC conferences are now looking to replicate the AIL experience for their students.
If you're interested in being an AIL leader, contact Jon Kramka. Promo and application materials are now available on our AIL page.
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Minnehaha Academy
Redhawks win the 2A State Boys Basketball championship
Congratulations to the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks Boys Basketball team on their first-ever state title. The team beat the Dragons of Litchfield, MN, in a 56-54 win on March 23.
To read a recap of the game on MA's site, click here.
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WANTED
Vehicles for ministry staff
We are looking for a low-mid mile, late model vehicle for use by Northwest Conference ministry staff. If interested in donating a vehicle, please contact Cheryl Theilen at the NWC office at 612-721-4893 or 800-756-6692.
A receipt would be given to verify a charitable deduction for tax purposes.
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Metro Area High Schoolers
VIVE, North Park University offering campus visit for MN students in May
VIVE and North Park University are planning a campus visit for Minnesota students in May. The purpose of the trip is to offer an out-of-state option for campus visiting to students who are connected to VIVE organizations. North Park University will host students, provide a campus tour, and provide opportunity to meet with the Admissions department. Students will also attend Chicago VIVE activities. Departure: Thursday, May 2, in the evening Return: Saturday, May 4, in the evening Who is eligible: seniors who have been accepted to North Park and juniors and sophomores interested in applying to North Park University General costs: Megabus ticket approx. $20, $20-40 for food
Contact Paulita Todhunter at todhunterpaulita@minnehahaacademy.net for more details.
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Parenting strategies for parents of children ages 2-18
Biblical Parenting Seminars offered at Covenant churches
Presented by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN
Bring the whole family! Children through age 12 will learn in fun and exciting ways how they can enhance family life.
Relationship Tools for Family Success
Friday, May 10 6:30-9 p.m.
Buffalo Covenant Church, 1601 Highway 25 North, Buffalo, MN
$20/adult, $30/couple
Everyday Parents CAN Raise Extraordinary Kids!
Saturday, May 11 8:45 a.m.-Noon
Crosstown Covenant Church, 5540 30th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN
$25/adult, $35/couple
For more information or to register for either seminar, visit www.biblicalparenting.org/register or call (609) 771-8002
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The Global Leadership Summit 2013
Northern Districts: Oak Hills to host Willow Creek Leadership Summit
August 8-9 @ Oak Hills Christian College, Bemidji, MN Oak Hills Christian College is hosting a videocast of the Willow Creek 2013 Global Leadership Summit. "Three words would describe my experience at the Global Leadership Summit held at OHCC. Encouraged, Inspired, Challenged. I am looking forward to attending this event in 2013!" - Doug Giese, Family Life Pastor, Evangelical Covenant Church of Bemidji Download the Event Flyer, register to attend the summit at www.willowcreek.com/summit, or contact Jim Hodgson at Oak Hills for more information.
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Covenant Trust Company
National Financial Literacy Month
April is National Financial Literacy Month, and we at Covenant Trust Company (CTC) encourage financial education for people of all ages. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips for you, wherever you might be in life. New employee If your employer offers a retirement plan, be sure to contribute to it - especially if they offer a match. You can open an IRA and make up to $5,500 in contributions in 2013 (people over 50 can contribute an extra $1,000 - $6,500 total - to their IRA). Are you nearing retirement? General guidelines suggest spending 4% of your retirement funds on an annual basis. Will you be able to afford retirement at that rate? If you're not sure, consider adjusting your financial plan and get more aggressive in saving! Already retired? Knowing the tax status of your retirement accounts can help you strategize your withdrawals and make the most out of your retirement funds. There is a hefty fine if you don't take your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) so always withdraw money to fulfill any RMD obligation first, such as with a Traditional IRA. Generally, withdrawing from taxable accounts, then tax-deferred, and lastly, tax-free accounts in that order will potentially produce the smallest tax bill and allow for more tax-deferred growth. CTC understands the importance of financial literacy, so we've started our own investment and personal finance blog at www.covtrustblog.com. As always, you can contact our local FSR for personalized help and information on asset management, charitable giving, and retirement and legacy planning: Kevin Lawson, CFP®, 1-877-222-3960 or kelawson@CovenantTrust.com
Steve Allison, ChFC, 1-877-768-1766 or srallison@CovenantTrust.com To read more, please visit http://www.covenanttrust.com/news/ To request information, please visit http://www.covenanttrust.com/info/ © 2013, Covenant Trust Company. All Rights Reserved.
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NWC Website
Church Resource Bank
Our website features a great tool for churches requesting or giving away materials and resources. On the Church Resource Bank page, you can browse available requests or give-aways, and submit a new resource to share with churches in need.
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NWC Ministry Priorities series
View, embed and share our new videos on Vimeo
Our 2012 Annual Meeting included the debut of three new videos highlighting the Ministry Priorities of the Northwest Conference. Each video features interview segments with church staff, lay leaders and pastors, intermixed with animations of statistics and key statements designed to help explain each priority.
The videos are designed for use throughout the year in church new member classes, services and other adult education opportunities to help congregations better understand and engage the work of the NWC. The delegates from each church left with a DVD copy of the videos, and the series is available on the NWC web site's video page (www.nwc-cov.org/resources/videos) and Vimeo Channel (http://vimeo.com/channels/northwest).
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April 12-13 MOVE - First Covenant Church, Minneapolis, MN
April 25-27
NWC Annual Meeting - Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, MN
April 27 Minnehaha Academy Centennial Mission Project - Minneapolis, MN April 28
Minnehaha Academy Centennial Celebration - MA North Campus, Minneapolis, MN
June 15-22
Adventures in Leadership - Adventurous Christians, Grand Marais, MN
June 27-29 ECC Annual Meeting - Detroit, MI
July 20
Covenant Softball Tournament - Fridley Community Park, Fridley, MN
August 15-17
MUUUCE - Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN
August 15-18 ECC Triennial - San Diego, CA
August 23-25
Emerge High School Leadership Retreat - Lake Beauty Bible Camp, Long Prairie, MN
September 14
CONVERGE Metro - Brookdale Covenant Church, Brooklyn Center, MN
September 28
CONVERGE North
- Grace Covenant Church, Little Falls, MN
September 29-30
Town & Country Workshop -Grand Rapids, MN
September 30 - October 2
Ministerial Association Retreat - Grand Rapids, MN
October 8-9
Parish Nurse Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp |
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NWC Job Postings Page
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Pastors and ministry leaders, if you have people in your congregation who are exploring ministry, on a part- or full-time basis, please refer them to our job postings page.
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Superintendent Mark Stromberg Director of Church Planting Mike Brown Director of Congregational Vitality Jon Kramka
Director of Youth Ministry Ginny Olson Director of Children & Family Ministry Kara Stromberg Office Administrator Cheryl Theilen Director of Communications Bryan Malley 612.721.4893 800.756.6692 |
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