News from the Northwest Conference
|
|
|
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!
Special Offering: Minnehaha Annual Fund
Each year at the Friday worship service for the Northwest Conference Annual Meeting, a ministry is selected to be the recipient of the evening offering. As we celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Minnehaha Academy at our 2013 gathering, it seems most appropriate to direct this year's offering to the annual fund established by the school.
Minnehaha Academy is committed to providing a good foundation for the future of its students, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed (I Tim. 6:18-19). Caring teachers, a high-quality education, and opportunities to grow in faith and service to the Lord and others all combine to have a significant impact on students, preparing them for a vibrant future. The students at Minnehaha go out into the community, region, nation, and world having grown in their educational spiritual, and personal development.
Our offering will help renew the promise of the NWC founders of Minnehaha-providing a firm foundation for students as they grow through their experiences in the classroom, on the playing field, in the performing arts, through service to the community, and during cultural field experiences.
Thank you in advance for your gift that will provide the "treasure of a good foundation for the future" for Minnehaha's current students.
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.
|
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.
|
Last chance to register...
Covenant Trust Company Lunch
There are a few spots remaining for the lunch being hosted by Covenant Trust Company (CTC) on Thursday April 25th, at 1pm. The lunch will take place at Minnehaha Academy in the TW Anderson room, just prior to the start of the Ministerial Association Annual Meeting. Pastors, staff and lay leaders of churches in the Northwest Conference are invited to attend. Please register by Monday April 22.
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.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.
|
MOVE 2013 experiences challenge students to consider what makes people 'Invisible'
On April 12-13, 300 students and youth workers from throughout the Northwest Conference converged on First Covenant Church in Minneapolis, MN, for MOVE 2013-a weekend of teaching, worship, service and experiential learning. This year's theme was "Invisible: Who are you not seeing?" To read the full story and see pictures from the weekend, visit our News page.
|
Children, Youth & Family Ministry Connection:
The Art of Bible Storying
 Thursday, April 18
12 - 3 p.m.
Bethlehem Covenant (3141 43rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406) www.bethlehemcov.org
Bring your lunch for a time of connecting, prayer, lunch, and a new way of looking at teaching.
Join children, youth and family ministers and volunteers for a Bible Storying experience, an imaginative way to engage in the Scriptures through storytelling, creative reflection, and lively dialogue. Together, we'll explore how this learner-centered approach helps participants discover meaning and identity in the biblical narrative.
Our speaker is Michael Novelli. For more than two decades, his passion has been to explore the intersection of spiritual formation and experiential learning. This drive continues to fuel his work as a content designer, church youth leader, and community advocate. He has a M.Ed. in Integrated Learning and serves as a senior curriculum developer for sparkhouse, creating learner-centered resources and experiences for children, youth and adults. Michael, his wife Michele and children, Angelo and Abrielle, live in Elgin, Ill.
Hope to see you there!
|
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.
|
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.
|
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
|
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.
|
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.
|
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).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
NWC Job Postings Page
|
| |
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.
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
