News from the Northwest Conference
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Pastor's Perspective
What's new?
by Rev. Judy Swanberg, soon-to-be NWC Associate Director of Pastoral Care When Moses asks to know more about God, God responds by describing core characteristics: "The Lord, the Lord [is] the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness ... and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin" (Exodus 34:6-7a). Our God has an unending supply of mercy, grace, patience, love, faithfulness and forgiveness. We can rely on God's unchanging character. Yet this steadfast God is constantly making changes. Change is the first thing God shares with us in Genesis 1, and all kinds of changes occur whenever God speaks. On each day of creation, God looks at the changes and says, "This is good!" God is in the business of changing things for good. When you hear of changes happening nearby or far away, what is your first impulse? Is it reactive - "No changes allowed in my world"? Or is it perceptive - "What good can I see in these changes?" As we grow in faith, we learn to look for what is good in the changes around us, trusting that God excels at this business of restoring and renewing. We learn to trust that God's goodness, even if hidden for now, will become visible as things change. God hasn't finished making good changes in us or in our communities. Our gracious God is still actively transforming our world. We are called to remember, frequently, the word of God spoken through the prophet Isaiah (43:19): "I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it yet?" (CEV).
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METRO + NORTH
Converge 2013 coming to Twin Cities and Little Falls
We are excited to announce our next NWC Converge leadership training events ... that's right, events is plural. This fall, the NWC will offer Converge METRO on Sept. 14 at Brookdale Covenant Church in Brooklyn Center, MN, and Converge NORTH on Sept. 28 at Grace Covenant Church in Little Falls, MN. These one-day training events will feature a variety of workshops designed for pastors and lay leaders to come together to learn and be inspired. Registration and promotional materials, along with more details, are available now on our Converge page.
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Register soon for this annual time of encouragement and support
I am proud of myself, and you should be proud of me too! I just finished registering for the Ministerial Association Retreat which will be held Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, at Sugar Lake Lodge, Grand Rapids, MN. I know the deadline isn't until Aug. 30, and usually I wait until about then to register. But this year I am trying to set a good example and make sure that my registration is in on time.
Registration materials are available on the NWC Ministerial Association page.
The Bible calls all those who serve the church "Partners and Fellow Workers" (2 Corinthians 8:23). As Partners in the Gospel the pastor's retreat offers the opportunity to give expression to this connection between us. As we come together we are also encouraged in this identity and in the work itself as we share conversation, hear stories, devote ourselves to scriptural teaching, and pray for one another. The interaction goes both ways, as Paul declares in Romans 1:11-12: "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each others faith, both yours and mine." Sometimes we need a word that comes to us from another pastor, and sometimes another pastor needs a word that comes from us. So, as Partners in the Gospel, we encourage you, as a way of embracing this partnership, to fill out that registration form (on time) and join us at the retreat, where we will present ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to do a work in all of us. Bob De Young, Chair Northwest Conference Ministerial Association |
Bethany Covenant Church
1904-2013
"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (John 12:24). On Sunday, July 28, Bethany Covenant Church in Richfield, MN, closed its doors after more than a century of Christian witness in the Twin Cities. Pastor Greg Ellis expressed words of encouragement and challenge to a full house. He noted, "We have chosen to become a Living Legacy Church. In this way we can be a blessing to new churches that will be started in the Northwest Conference." NWC Superintendent Mark Stromberg shared the message and affirmed Bethany for facing its reality and taking a courageous step that will allow the birthing of new congregations. Words of gratitude were then expressed by two new church planting pastors, Paul Robinson (Grace Outreach) and Touger Thao (Roots). These are the two newest churches within the Northwest Conference and will be resourced through the proceeds coming from the future sale of the Bethany facility. At the service, former pastors in attendance also had opportunity to express their personal greetings and fond remembrances with the congregation. Following a time of sharing the Lord's Supper together, those in attendance were invited to take with them a pine cone that had been used to make a Christmas tree ornament. The pine cones were taken from the trees that are on the Bethany property. Each had a picture of the church building attached to it. After the worship service, everyone was invited to attend a BBQ lunch in celebration of the church. Members from other Covenant churches in the area volunteered to serve and clean up so that every Bethany member and attendee could simply enjoy the time of fellowship. We praise God for the legacy of Bethany Covenant Church. We are also grateful for new life expressed through the starting of other churches as they seek to reach out to others in the Name of Jesus. "The LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100:5).
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Covenant Trust Company
Your financial plan
Covenant Trust Company believes that there isn't one specific financial plan that works for everyone. However, there are general financial matters every plan should consider. Here are four to include in yours. Retirement Do you know where you want to live or what you want to do during retirement? Make a plan for your retirement now and start saving. If you're already retired, a plan is still essential: you need a strategy for managing your money and investments during retirement, too. Tax Strategy Taxes can be complicated; a tax strategy can help you organize your tax situation and reduce the taxes you owe, maximizing your net income so you can funnel more money towards financial goals. Estate Plan With an estate plan, your assets can support family, friends and charities after you pass away. Everyone should have a Will, and depending on your situation, a Revocable Living Trust might be appropriate, too. Charitable Giving Consider different charitable giving options. For example, we offer Charitable Gift Annuities, Endowment Trusts, and several other ways to give to Covenant ministries like The Northwest Conference. These can increase the power of your gift, reduce your taxes, and even provide a steady stream of income for you. We can help Is your financial plan missing something? Contact one of our local Financial Service Representatives, we can help develop a financial plan that's right for you. 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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Wife of former Roseau church pastor killed in car accident
We have received word that Mrs. Evelyn Yvonne Fisher, wife of former Covenant Pastor Bill Fisher, was killed in a car accident on July 17. We extend our sympathy to the family and pray for God's comfort at this time of loss. Bill Fisher served as pastor of Bethel Covenant in Roseau, MN.
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Covenant Orientation Class to be offered at Bethel University
History of the Evangelical Covenant Church will be offered at Bethel University (St Paul, MN) Nov. 4-8.
Download the registration form
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CWR Update
The Covenant World Relief summer update and bulletin inserts are available online now. They feature a new design and an info-graphic (below) about CWR's water project in Ethiopia. CWR would love for you to share this information via your newsletters, emails, and social media.
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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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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
Faith Community Nurse Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp
January 11, 2014 Recharge - Twin Cities
March 14-15, 2014 NWC Women Ministries Renewal Conference - Buffalo Covenant Church, Buffalo, MN
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Our Place resident releases CD of songs and hymns
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Baird McDowell, who lives at the Our Place Covenant Enabling Residence, says he recorded his piano instrumental CD of traditional gospel songs and hymns in honor of his sister, Anna, who died from muscular dystrophy when she was 14 years old.
"The thing that really inspired me was, that was in a time when people were called physically disabled," says McDowell, who suffers from a form of cerebral palsy. "She taught me that 'disabled' was a bad word. I prefer to call myself physically and mentally challenged."
Read the full Covenant Newswire story online
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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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