News from the Northwest Conference

Pastor's Perspective

Meeting our youth on their turf ...

By Kate Makosky, Minister to Youth + Families at First Covenant Church of Saint Paul

I recently taught a two-part class on youth and social media to parents at my church. In addition to parents, we also had grandparents, "grandparents" and young professionals without kids-all with different levels of experience and engagement with social media. For many, this class was about tackling fear of this strange and quickly changing landscape. This fear bore ignorance. Fear is no longer a good enough excuse to be ignorant. If we are going to be serious about working with youth, we have to be serious about growing in our comfort with social media.

It used to be that meeting a young person on "their" turf meant going to a physical location. Physical turf is more important than ever. For many of our kids, the usual turf is secondary to the relationships that are also being played out 24 hours a day on their phones. Our young people need adults in their lives who are brave enough to meet them on this turf too. This is tough and often frustrating work. It is increasingly difficult to believe in the "perfect church kid" when their whole lives get played out online. But, inconsistencies in identity are also an entry into conversation and relationship for caring adults-opportunities to guide and remind them of their true identity in Christ.

We recently had a baptism at church. Assuredly, social media was not in mind as the congregation made its own promise to this young person. But, the wide swath of caring adults who attended this class, each with at least one young person in mind, is a reminder of how the church embodies these words. As we promise to "do our part, by word and deed, with love and prayer, to guide and nurture ... encourage to know and follow Christ and care for them as Christ's own," we cannot have a caveat that says "as long as it's where I am comfortable." Loving our kids calls us to strange places. Will we go? With God's help, we must.

Recharge 2104 to feature NWC staff members leading breakouts

Looking for another great way to train your volunteer teams? Recharge is a day dedicated to equipping leaders in children, youth and family ministry. Main session speaker, Rich Van Pelt, trains thousands of educators, counselors and youth workers each year in adolescent crisis intervention and teen suicide prevention and response. Breakout workshop sessions for Children and Youth Ministry volunteers will be offered.

Conference staff Ginny Olson and Kara Stromberg are both leading breakout sessions at Recharge. Ginny will teach about ministry to girls and Kara is leading a seminar on ministry in small church settings. We also have a room set aside for all Covenanters to gather for lunch together. Hope to see you there!

For more info or to register, visit www.ministryrecharge.com

It's a boy!

Congratulations to Andy and Shannon League, who welcomed a baby boy, Josiah James, on Nov. 20. He weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces. Andy is the Children, Youth and Family Pastor at Salem Mission Covenant in Pennock, MN.

Covenant Trust Company
Year End Review

The holidays can be hectic, but don't let the busyness of the season keep you from assessing your finances before the end of the year. Here are a few specific items to review this month.

Retirement Accounts

Have you contributed to an IRA or 401(k) this year? If so, make a push to maximize your contributions. If this isn't in your budget, contribute as much as you can - especially if your employer matches your contribution.

If you are already retired, be sure that you take any Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) before Dec. 31.

Charitable Giving

If you would like to receive tax benefits for 2013, you'll have to make your donation before the end of the year. Also keep in mind that the IRA Charitable Rollover provision expires on Dec. 31. This allows individual taxpayers older than 70˝ years to donate up to $100,000 to charities and ministries from their Traditional or ROTH IRA.

Estate Planning

If it's been a while since you reviewed your Will or Revocable Living Trust, do so before the end of the year. This is particularly important if: you've moved; there was a birth or death in the family; or if you decide to leave part of your estate to a charity.

Our local Financial Service Representatives can answer any questions you might have about estate planning, as well as help you with any of the other items above:

Kevin Lawson, CFPŽ, 1-877-222-3960 or kelawson@CovenantTrust.com

Steve Allison, ChFC, 1-877-768-1766 or srallison@CovenantTrust.com

From all of us at Covenant Trust Company, we hope you have a blessed, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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.

December 5, 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

Pastor's Perspective

Recharge 2014

It's a boy!

Year End Review

NWC cal icon tan

January 11, 2014

Recharge - Grace Fellowship, Brooklyn Park, MN

March 14-15, 2014

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

April 4-5, 2014

MOVE - First Covenant Church, Minneapolis, MN

April 26, 2014

Go:Serve - Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park, 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

June 21-28, 2014

Adventures in Leadership - Adventurous Christians, Grand Marais, MN

August 7-9, 2014

MUUUCE - Crossroads Church, Woodbury, 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.