News from The Northwest Conference

News from the Northwest Conference

MUUUUCE 2013 Recap

Aliens: We are not of this world!

47 churches. 593 middle schoolers. 138 leaders. 172 Crossroads Church volunteers. 1,600 hot dogs. 198 pizzas. 2 giant fans for 2 enormous gyms. 15 shuttle busses. $2,000 in dimes and dollars for Covenant Kids Congo. 1 out of this world MUUUCE weekend!

Heather Flies, middle school pastor at Wooddale Church, challenged students on the "alien way" as she explored the theme based on 1 Peter 2:11, "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul."

Students roller skated, got sweaty and scared at Valleyfair, and bounced on inflatables at the Welcome Carnival. They also wrestled with what it means to be designed by God and whether they are living their lives like Jesus loves them.

In reflecting on the three-day event, Natalie Stockwell from Zion Covenant in Ellsworth, WI, noted, "There's no words adequate to describe the Holy Spirit's power in quieting over 700 middle school students to absolute silence ... to hear the Good News of Jesus!"

Dave Sampson, middle school leader at the Bemidji Evangelical Covenant Church, made the challenging observation: "Adults leaders need to take a few days and be at this event, even if it means a personal sacrifice for them. These middle school years are a key time in a student's life and MUUCE is a great opportunity to spend ministry time and relationship time with them. I know I built some relationships with students this weekend."

And one student summed it up when she tweeted: This. Is. Awesome.

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.

Registration deadline is Aug. 30

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. The registration deadline for the event is Aug. 30.

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.

Fire Relief Benefit Concert planned for Community Covenant

Sept. 8 at 5 p.m.
Minnehaha Academy (North Campus)

Five weeks after arson destroyed the sanctuary of Community Covenant church and damaged much of the church offices, hope is rising again. "We were knocked down, but not knocked out. With Jesus on our side, we're going to make it. Even more, we are going to come back stronger," said Pastor Luke Swanson.

Come share in an evening of song, testimony and hope.

Featuring Community Covenant Gospel Choirs

Guests: Music by Sherrie Jones and Sanctuary Covenant Church and local Gospel artist Robert Robinson

Download the event flyer for more information.

Karen Balmer named as interim Prek-8 Principal

Karen-Balmer I am pleased to introduce Karen Balmer as the interim PreK-8 Principal at our Lower and Middle School. Karen is a committed Christian and brings relevant experience and background to the PreK-8 Principal role to advance the school mission and move key academic initiatives forward for the benefit of students and families.

Karen began her career in the classroom and continues to hold a K-6 license. She earned her BA in Elementary Education from Taylor University in Indiana and a Master's degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. Karen served for five years on the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School Board and also worked at the Minnesota House of Representatives, first as an education policy and finance research analyst, and later as the Committee Administrator for the Education Finance Committee before accepting the role as Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Teaching in 2006. In the Board of Teaching role, Karen served as the Board's legislative liaison and representative in legal proceedings.

Karen's unique combination of classroom experience, expertise in research-based teaching and learning best practices, education policy advocacy work, personable and inclusive leadership style, and her faith-centered desire to build relationships and community make her the ideal interim leader for the Lower and Middle School. Thank you for your continued prayers as Karen transitions to the Interim PreK-8 Principal role.

Blessings,

Donna M. Harris, Ed.D.

President

Buffalo Covenant Church will host a Faith@Home Weekend, Oct. 5-6

On Saturday, Oct. 5, Buffalo Covenant Church will host the Faith@Home focused church seminar from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This seminar is for pastors, church leaders and volunteers, providing guidance in weaving the Faith@Home focus across every ministry of the church. The cost of registration is $25 per person, but senior pastors attend for free. Churches are encouraged to bring a team of leaders who can work together to effectively implement Faith@Home in their congregation.

Sunday is the Extreme Family Makeover Parenting Seminar from 3 to 6 p.m. Pastor Mark Holmen will inspire parents with the importance of establishing their home as a discipleship center for their family. Childcare will be available for the Parenting Seminar.

Mark the dates now and be sure to bring a team of church leaders, including your senior pastor to the Saturday seminar and a bunch of parents to the Sunday seminar. Download the flyer for details.

Available: Two projection screens

The Northwest Conference has two free projection screens (without stands) available-one is approximately 5 feet wide, and the other is approximately 6 feet wide.

We also have a paper folding machine available. Please contact Cheryl Theilen in the NWC office if you are interested.

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

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.

August 20, 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

MUUUCE 2013 Recap

Converge 2013

Ministerial Association Retreat

Community Covenant Fire Relief Benefit Concert

New MA Prek-8 interim Principal

Buffalo Covenant hosting Faith@Home Weekend

Available: Two projection screens

Covenant Orientation

NWC cal icon tan

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

October 26

VIVE - Crosstown Covenant Church, Minneapolis, MN

January 11, 2014

Recharge - Twin Cities

March 14-15, 2014

NWC Women Ministries Renewal Conference - Buffalo Covenant Church, Buffalo, MN

April 4-5, 2014

MOVE - First Covenant Church, Minneapolis, MN

May 1-2, 2014

Ministerial Association Annual Meeting - Rochester Covenant Church, Rochester, MN

May 2-3, 2014

NWC Annual Meeting - Rochester Covenant Church, Rochester, MN

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.