News from the Northwest Conference

Pastor's Perspective

Church Blizzards

By Rev. Jeff Burton, NWC Director of Pastoral Care & Development

One of the classes offered at the recent Midwinter XIV was "The Seasons of Marriage" taught by Neil and Sharol Josephson. They were clear that the participants were to focus the material in the class on their own marriages rather than simply trolling for new ideas to help others (a pastoral weakness that is insidious). I complied as best I could and found some very helpful personal insights. But I think I am now past the statute of limitations ...

Consider another close relationship: pastor and congregation. I see some crossover applications of the seasonal concepts. There are certainly times when pastors are in a winter season with their churches. There is a coldness to life, an isolation, and a hopeless, pessimistic spirit. Will there ever be a spring in the relationship?

We certainly have been reminded this past winter in the upper Midwest that when it is really cold things are very brittle. In the last winter to rival this one, 1994, I remember trying to move an extension cord that was plugged into my car's block heater. I gave it the normal snap of my wrist and all the insulation on the cord cracked and scattered. Things that in spring or summer would be very pliable and resilient are easily broken in winter.

An awareness of this often reinforces the thought of isolation and avoidance. But a piece of winter survival advice: "Do not lay down in a blizzard." You must keep moving. The three points Sharon and Neil left with us for moving forward are: get honest, get help and get humble.

Children & Family Ministry
Sabbath retreat for children, youth and family ministry leaders

Feb. 26-28 / Covenant Pines Bible Camp

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" Mark 6:31

In partnership with Covenant Pines and the Department of Christian Formation, the Northwest Conference is offering a Sabbath retreat for children, youth and family ministry leaders at Covenant Pines, Feb. 26-28. You will have a room to yourself, opportunities for spiritual direction with Judy Swanberg, Associate Director of Pastoral Care & Development, and guided reflection time led by Steve Burger, Director of Christian Formation for the Evangelical Covenant Church.

We know that you work tirelessly, investing in young people and their families. Your work is appreciated, valued, and important. We also know that fruitful ministry comes from those who experience a vibrant walk with Christ. We are excited to offer this opportunity for you to focus on your own spiritual health.

You are invited to camp anytime after dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 26 and can stay through breakfast on Friday, Feb. 28. Suggested donation of $20 (made out to the Northwest Conference) will help cover expenses.

RSVP to kara@northwestconference.org or 612-721-4893 by Sunday, Feb. 23.

NWC Family Go: Serve

Who: NWC Families
When: April 26, 2014
Where: Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is a new NWC Family event, intended to bring Northwest Conference families together for a shared learning and outreach opportunity.

This NWC Family event is targeted to families with children in pre-K through upper elementary school. Go: Serve is an opportunity for families to learn and grow together, in a family-friendly, yet stretching, environment suitable for younger children. Families can expect to have their worldview expanded, to be inspired by God's kingdom workforce in the world, and to have opportunity to extend the hope and love of Christ with those experiencing unmet needs.

Registration packets were mailed to churches last week, and can also be downloaded HERE. Please register as a family by mail, email or phone directly with the Northwest Conference office by Monday, April 14.

612-721-4893 or cheryl@northwestconference.org

Youth Ministry

Adventures in Leadership promo materials available online

Adventures In Leadership (AIL) promotional and application materials are now posted on our AIL page.

We hope you will consider nominating 1 or 2 of your students (current 9-11th graders) to apply for this transformational experience in leadership this summer, June 21-28.

Please go to the Northwest Conference website for more information and to download all related materials.

If you have questions or would want the conference to provide hard copies of any of the AIL materials please alert Jon Kramka.

MOVE 2014

MOVE is 22.5 hours of serving, worshiping, and learning for Northwest Conference high school students and their leaders. It's April 4-5 and based out of First Covenant Church in Minneapolis. The cost is $30 per student and $20 per adult (that includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday and a T-shirt). Registration info coming soon. MOVE stands for Mission. Outreach. Venture. Experience.

David McDowell

David McDowell, a former pastor at Bethel Covenant Church in Ellsworth, WI, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 1 after navigating physical difficulties for a number of years. A service was held on Thursday at the church. Please be in prayer for his loving wife, Diane, and their children.

To read the full obituary, click here.

North Park University Choir Tour coming to Minnesota

Sing a New Song / March 7-12, 2014

The North Park University Choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Julia Davids, will tour Minnesota, with stops at several NWC churches, in early March.

The tour webpage reads: "Come enjoy a concert repertoire that includes both sacred and secular music, guided by the theme 'Sing a New Song,' and learn more about the School of Music as well as other exciting developments happening on campus at North Park.

Admission to each concert is free and open to the public. For details and dates, click here.

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.

February 7, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

Pastor's Perspective

Children & Family Ministry Events

Youth Ministry Events

David McDowell

North Park University choir tour

NWC cal icon tan

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

September 3-5, 2014

CRIM (Covenanters Retired in Ministry) Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp

Covenant Newswire Stories

Below are several links to recent Covenant Newswire stories of interest to NWC readers:

Despite Temps, Pastor Still Set on 1,500-Mile Fundraising Trip

Grand Forks Church First in Area to Use Video at Second Campus

South Sudan Situation Remains Precarious

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.