News from the Northwest Conference
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Pastor's Perspective
Name and Blessing
by Micah Witham, Lead Pastor of Awaken Covenant Community
Earlier this year I was in Florida at a conference with my wife Laura. We were attending a workshop when we heard, "Oh my gosh, LAURA!"
We turned around to see Judy, Laura's mentor in high school, and her husband Neal. Neal and Judy have always held a special place in our hearts and Judy is one of the most influential people in Laura's spiritual journey. We connected over lunch and a number of conversations and it became very obvious that God was up to something. Fast forward to the last session where people were encouraged to come forward to receive prayer and blessing as they start new churches.
Laura looked at me and said, let's find Neal and Judy.
When we found them, Laura said, "Will you pray for us?" Neal and Judy wrapped their arms around us and pulled our heads in close to their chests. Neal put his hand on my head and they began to pray. They prayed for wisdom and encouragement. They prayed for leadership and authority. In short, they blessed us. Like a father to his son and a mother to her daughter, they spoke life into us and declared what was true about us. They reminded us who we were and what God had invited us into as we started this church called Awaken. They named us and they blessed us.
Name and blessing are a very important part of the story of God in the Scriptures. Think about Samuel and Hannah, Moses, Jacob and Jesus. Upon Jesus' baptism we are reminded before Jesus ever DID anything, the heavens opened and the Father said, "This is my son."
Name and blessing. Who are you and what has God invited you into? Who has called your name and said "this is my son" or "this is my daughter"? We would do well to remember the answers to these questions.
As leaders, we often forget. We forget who we truly are and what our name is. We forget that we have been invited and called by the God. But when we remember, we lead from the very source of who we are. We lead from confidence and authority because the God of creation has spoken our names and has called us out.
May you remember who you are. May you have the courage to be truly known by others so that when you forget, they can remind you of your name and offer blessing to you.
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ECC 2013 Annual Meeting
Read news stories and see photos and videos from Detroit meeting
The Evangelical Covenant Church's Annual Meeting 2013, which took place in Detroit, MI, concluded June 30. The Annual Meeting website features extensive news coverage, as well as a Delegate Summary, and many videos and photo galleries that you can share with your church. Visit covchurch.org/am for access to the full coverage.
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Covenant Trust Company
Giving through estate planning
At Covenant Trust Company, we think everyone should have an estate plan; as stewards of God's gifts, we believe it is important to be responsible for those gifts in life and in death. Of course, estate planning isn't just about the things in your life-it's also about the people in your life and the ministries you support. A Will is a legal document that directs the distribution of your assets and can also determine the legal guardianship of your children. A Revocable Living Trust is a trust funded with assets and designed to provide for yourself and others. You can establish for whom the trust will provide, to what extent, and for how long. Covenant Trust Company can serve as trustee for your Revocable Living Trust and manage the assets should you become unable to do so or after your death. Through a Will or Revocable Living Trust, you can leave assets to the Northwest Conference or any of your favorite Covenant ministries. Without an estate plan, the charities and ministries you support are guaranteed to receive nothing from your estate when you pass. Covenant Trust Company can help you determine whether a Will or Revocable Living Trust is right for you. The attorneys we work with can prepare either document, and we can serve as trustee for a Revocable Living Trust. Give one of our local Financial Service Representative a call to discuss plans that can provide the security you and your family need. Kevin Lawson, CFP®, 1-877-222-3960 or kelawson@CovenantTrust.com Steve Allison, ChFC, 1-877-768-1766 or srallison@CovenantTrust.com As always, please contact your tax advisor for information on how these ideas pertain to your situation. 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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Upcoming Events
 MUUUCE
The Most Unbelievable Ultimate Urban Camping Experience for middle school/jr. high students will be at Crossroads in Woodbury, MN. Heather Flies is our speaker! Registration materials and information can be found on our MUUUCE page
2013 Ministerial Association Retreat
The NWC Ministerial Association Retreat for pastors, church ministry staff and spouses, will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2013, at Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN. For a look at this beautiful setting visit sugarlakelodge.com. This year's focus will be on constancy with Remy Diederich leading us through a retreat experience that will equip you and your church in "Overcoming the Losses We Incur in Ministry."
Download the retreat brochure and registration materials on our Ministerial Association page.
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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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The Global Leadership Summit 2013
Northern Districts: Oak Hills and HOPE Church in Grand Forks to host Willow Creek Summit
Oak Hills Christian College and HOPE Church are both 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.
August 8-9 @ Oak Hills Christian College, Bemidji, MN
Download the Event Flyer, register to attend the summit at www.willowcreek.com/summit, or contact Jim Hodgson at Oak Hills for more information.
August 8-9 @ HOPE Church, Grand Forks, MN
Visit the HOPE Church GLS page for more information and to register.
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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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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 4-6 CRIM Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN
September 14
CONVERGE Metro - Brookdale Covenant Church, Brooklyn Center, MN
September 28
CONVERGE North
- Grace Covenant Church, Little Falls, 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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