News from the Northwest Conference

CRIM (Covenanters Retired in Ministry)

2014 Retreat to feature Dr. Jay Phelan as keynote speaker

The CRIM (Covenanters Retired in Ministry) Annual Retreat is scheduled for Sept. 3-5, at Covenant Pines Bible Camp in McGregor, MN. All pastors, missionaries, other ministry staff and spouses who are 62+ are welcome to attend. (No, you don't have to be officially retired to be eligible.)

Dr. Jay Phelan, Senior Professor of Theological Studies at North Park Seminary, will be our speaker. His topic will be "Essential Eschatology," which is also the title of his most recent book. Three interest groups will also be offered: Sharing Your Stories, Health and Welfare, and Book Reviews.

Covenant Pines is offering their outstanding facilities with no registration fee. A free-will donation to the camp will be received during the retreat. All are invited, even if you are unable to make a donation at this time. Past participants in this retreat have found it to be a welcoming and inspiring environment. Registration materials will be available in early August.

For more information contact Ken Fenton or Judy Swanberg.

Youth Ministry

MUUUCE (Most Unbelievable Ultimate Urban Camping Experience)

Aug. 7-9, Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN

Early bird registration cost for this EPIC jr. high/middle school event is $99 through June 30. From July 1-21, standard registration cost is $115. Registration closes July 21, or whenever capacity is reached. You can access registration materials at:

http://northwestconference.org/children-youth-family/muuuce

Youth Ministry

It's hard to believe that CHIC is just over a year away. CHIC is a triennial event in Knoxville, TN, where thousands of youth gather for small group Bible study and devotion, large group gatherings with speakers and music, and outdoor recreation.

Here are the prices:

$599 - Early Registration: Aug. 15, 2014 - Jan. 14, 2015
$649 - Normal Registration: Jan. 15 - April 14, 2015
$699 - Late Registration: April 15 - June 15, 2015
$599 - Scholarship Registration
$599 - Staff Registration

The website Chic2015.org is one of the places to go if you have questions. Other questions about CHIC: contact Ginny Olson at ginny@northwestconference.org or Cheryl Theilen at cheryl@northwestconference.org.

CHIC Transportation

The NWC will again be providing safe, reliable and economic bus transportation to and from CHIC. You get to hang out with students or sleep without worrying about highway construction or what to do if the bus breaks down.

We should have an idea of what the transportation cost will be by this July. (The bus company needs to wait until a year from the event in order to estimate fuel costs.) If your group is going to Knoxville early, staying longer, or wants to take a side trip, you can still go through the NWC for great bus prices.

New book focuses on taking charge of emotions

By Stan Friedman

Psychologist Linda Solie hopes her new book, "Take Charge of Your Emotions: Seven Steps to Overcoming Depression, Anxiety, and Anger" will help put her out of work.

Solie, a member of Bethlehem Covenant Church and a lecturer at the University of Minnesota, wrote the book based on 30 years of experience as a cognitive behavioral therapist. Patients who have fully engaged in the process have needed to see her far less often, she says, adding that readers who have never seen a therapist have told her of dramatic improvements in their lives.

Read the full story on the Covenant Newswire

The Northwest Conference has a limited number of copies of the book available to give to ministry staff in our churches. Contact Cheryl Theilen if you are interested in receiving a copy.

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.

May 22, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

CRIM Retreat

Youth Ministry: MUUUCE 2014

Youth Ministry: CHIC 2015

New book focuses on taking charge of emotions

NWC cal icon tan

June 21-28, 2014

Adventures in Leadership - Adventurous Christians, Grand Marais, MN

July 19, 2014

Covenant Softball Tournament - Fridley Community Park, Fridley, MN

August 7-9, 2014

MUUUCE - Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN

September 3-5, 2014

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

October 6-8, 2014

Ministerial Association Retreat - Sugar Lake Lodge

November 8, 2014

IMAGINE - Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN

November 8, 2014

VIVE - Location TBD

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.