News from the Northwest Conference

MUUUCE 2015 asks students to consider what they 'Amplify'

From August 6-8, 661 middle schools students and their leaders gathered together for amazing worship, fantastic teaching and awesome fun at Crossroads Church in Woodbury, MN. The energy, the passion and the laughter all melded together to make the 29th annual MUUUCE (Most Unbelievable, Ultimate, Urban Camping Experience) an incredible event.

Cesar Castillejos did a great job as the speaker ("He was really funny," commented one middle schooler) and the Crossroads team again did a fantastic job designing and hosting the event, with a team of over 160 volunteers working different shifts to make it run seamlessly. Besides the worship and teaching, students went to Pinz, Valley Fair, and had a specially-designed Welcome Party with giant inflatables and more.

Read the full story online | See photos from MUUUCE 2015

Space still available for Sept. 21-22 Mini-Retreat at Covenant Pines

TITLE: God's Word Runs Swiftly .... (Psalm 147:15)

PARTICIPANTS: Covenant pastors and ministry staff

Confirm your reservation with Judy Swanberg by Monday, Sept. 7 - judy@northwestconference.org or find more information online.

Imagine: A day for Children & Family Ministry leaders

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015

Crossroads Church, Forest Lake MN

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Mark your calendars and plan to bring your volunteers to this free event to celebrate, encourage and train your children and family ministry team.

Our presenters, Jim and Lynne Jackson, have over 25 years of both parenting experience and professional experience as authors, speakers and coaches working with families of highrisk teens and children with behavior challenges. In 2002 they launched the ministry organization Connected Families to give hope and build strength in families.

Their work has helped thousands of parents and ministry leaders learn to be peaceful, purposeful and confident in their work with the children entrusted to their care.

This event is free for anyone who works with kids and families in Northwest Conference churches. Lunch is included.

2015 Retreat Scholarship application deadline is Aug. 31

Oct. 5-7, Chase on the Lake, Walker, MN

The NWC Ministerial Association Retreat for pastors, church ministry staff and spouses, is fast approaching. Scholarship applications are due by Aug. 31 and are available at the page linked below.

This year Keith Meyer will lead us through a retreat experience centered on the theme of "Transformation: Becoming the Change Your Church Needs."

Registration materials are available for download on our Ministerial Association Retreat event page.

The Sanctuary's Williams named as Collegeville Institute Fellow

Congratulations to Edrin C. Williams who was named to a group of 13 Collegeville Institute Fellows. They were selected among 165 individuals nominated by Minnesota church leaders for this prestigious opportunity.

Williams has served as the Pastor of Equipping & Formation at The Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis since November 2013. For two years, he led MOSAIC, a community of youth and college students from the Twin Cities metro area. Before joining The Sanctuary, Williams led a vibrant youth ministry at the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis for six years.

Williams is an advocate of the local church, and he's very passionate about equipping leaders of all ages who will impact society with the Gospel of Jesus. He blogs about faith, family, and other familiar things at www.edrinwilliams.com.

Funded by a major grant from the Lilly Endowment, the Collegeville Institute Fellows program aims to bring an ecumenical group of participants together with professionals from other sectors of Minnesota society (in education, business, health care, criminal justice, social services, etc.), toward the goal of helping to strengthen these church leaders' sense of themselves, and their capacities, as civic leaders and public theologians.

To enhance connections among those serving in NWC churches and other types of ministry, we are initiating this Life Events feature. Pastors and ministry staff are encouraged to send news of births, adoptions, weddings, and deaths (immediate family only) to Judy Swanberg, Associate Director of Pastoral Care & Development.

Births

Olle Roger Carlson

Born: July 10, 2015

Parents: Sten and Erica Carlson (Sten is the Assistant Pastor at Cedarbrook Church in Menomonie, WI).

Sister: Lucy (almost 2 years old)

Alexander Lee Makosky

Born: July 25, 2015

Parents: Kate & Daniel Makosky (Kate is Minister to Youth and Families at First Covenant Church of St Paul).

SAVE THE DATE - Nov. 14, 2015

An all-day learning opportunity for pastors, ministry staff, and key lay leaders with Bill Henson as the presenter

This is part of our ongoing effort to resource our pastors and churches in living faithfully and graciously into our Covenant position on human sexuality. Bill presented to 140 of our pastors in May and is coming back for the training of both pastors and lay leaders. More details coming soon.

In addition:

Pastors,

We have scheduled a number of two-hour small group sessions for the remainder of the summer and the fall with Dr. Gary Strauss around this same topic. Over 80 pastors indicated interest. If you did not indicate interest in a group by calling or emailing the NWC office, but would now be interested, contact Jessa Anderson for the schedule and availability.

August 25, 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

MUUUCE 2015 Recap

NWC Mini-Retreat at Covenant Pines Bible Camp

Imagine: A day for Children & Family Ministry leaders

2015 Ministerial Association Retreat

The Sanctuary's Williams named as Collegeville Institute Fellow

Life Events

SAVE THE DATE - Nov. 14, 2015

NWC cal icon tan

August 31-September 1

Mini Retreat for Pastors/Staff 55+ - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN

September 9-11

CRIM Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN

September 21-22

Mini Retreat for Pastors/Staff - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN

October 5-7

Ministerial Association Retreat - Chase on the Lake, Walker, MN

October 10

Imagine - Crossroads Church, Forest Lake, MN

October 20-21

Faith Community Nurse Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN

October 26-27

Spiritual Directors Retreat

- St John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN

November 2-3

Mini-Retreat for Clergywomen

- Lake Beauty Bible Camp

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.