January 21, 2016

Live-streaming (mini) Midwinter to take place at Hope Covenant in St. Cloud 
Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Midwinter is a treasured connection with Covenant colleagues, content and conversations for many pastors and credentialed leaders. If you are unable to attend the full experience, join us for a (mini) Midwinter on Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
 
Streaming live from Chicago, alongside regional colleagues and closer to home, we can yet be "in it together." This (mini) Midwinter is hosted at Hope Covenant Church, St. Cloud (60 miles from Minneapolis, and less than 3 hours from Duluth, Alexandria, Bemidji).
 
Check www.covchurch.org/midwinter for CovTalk speakers, and evening worship details. Peer Learning Group option for (mini) Midwinter includes locally-led options.
 
Registration includes sessions, Midwinter books, and lunch. $29 single or $59 team. Register online or on Facebook, or by email to jill.ulven@covchurch.org.

Download the (mini) Midwinter Promo Flyer for schedule details.  

Workshop with Dr. Mark Yarhouse set for Feb. 27 at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, MN
 
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Salem Covenant Church
2655 5th Street NW, New Brighton, MN 55112

As we enter 2016, the Northwest Conference is pleased to provide another opportunity for learning and engagement by sponsoring a workshop led by Dr. Mark Yarhouse, Psy.D., entitled, "Sexual Identity & the Christian: Positioning the Church to Be Both Faithful and Engaged in a Changing Culture."
Join us for a discussion on how people of faith navigate sexual identity questions in their lives. Sexual identity refers to the labels people use to discuss their sexuality-labels like gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight. In the morning we will discuss two of the most frequently asked questions: "What causes homosexuality and can it change?" and, "What are the experiences and challenges encountered by people of faith who are navigating sexual identity questions in their personal lives?"

Then, in the afternoon we turn our attention to practical ministry tools for helping individuals and families, as well as strategies for positioning faith communities to engage and provide ministry in a dramatically changing culture.

This event will be held at Salem Covenant Church (New Brighton) and is open to pastors, ministry staff members, lay leaders and key influencers in NWC churches and affiliated ministries. This event is free of charge. However, refreshments and a box lunch will be provided for a suggested minimum donation of $10.00/person.

Please RSVP with how many people are planning to attend from your church or ministry by Monday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. to Jessa Anderson at the NWC office by phone (612-721-4893) or by e-mail at jessa@northwestconference.org. We encourage you to make use of this valuable resource. 

 
"Transition Curves: Successfully Navigating New Directions" Mini-Retreat offered again this winter
Feb. 29 to March 1 at Lake Beauty Bible Camp 

One of the characteristics of new or redesigned roads is the presence of transition curves. Such curves are used to navigate gradual changes of direction instead of abrupt right angle turns. Transition curves allow for the continuation of momentum (slight speed reduction) while changing direction. By definition such curves are complex; the radius always changing. Come away with sisters and brothers in your age group who are facing such curves.

To learn more or download a promotional flyer, visit the event's page on our website.  

CHET Northwest Conference planning ministerial-level courses for fall of 2016

CHET Northwest Conference is a partnership between the Northwest Conference and Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos (CHET) with a focus on ministerial formation seeking to assist those whose desire is to serve the Lord, the church and their communities. We are a satellite campus with the CHET Headquarters located in the geographic center of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.
 
At CHET, we believe that theological education and ministerial formation is for all members of the community of God. Some of our students are pastors, others have just begun their pilgrimage of faith; some are professionals, others have little schooling; some come from historic churches, others belong to new charismatic and Pentecostal movements. Our students, like the educational and administrative staff, are men and women committed to serving Christ.
 
CHET Northwest Conference offers six pre-ministerial courses on the life of Jesus and the book of Acts, and we are holding classes at Minnehaha Academy on Monday evenings. Our hope is that in the fall of 2016 we will begin offering ministerial-level courses, which can lead students to ministerial credentialing with the ECC.
 
Pastor Greg Ellis began serving as Coordinator of CHET Northwest Conference at the beginning of the year. If you have any questions, or would like to be involved with CHET as an instructor, student or a donor, please contact Pastor Greg at greg@chetnorthwestconference.org.


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

Births

Mercy Avalon Fernandez del Villar

Born: Jan. 10, 2016

Parents: Jeff & Katie del Villar (Jeff is the Youth Pastor at Crossroads Covenant Church in Forest Lake, MN.)

Pastoral Installations 
Matt Kennedy installed at Bethlehem Covenant in Minneapolis
 
Congratulations to Matt Kennedy who was installed as Lead Pastor at Bethlehem Covenant  Church in South Minneapolis on Jan. 17. Matt has been the Worship Pastor at Bethlehem for the past three years.
Faith and the Modern Family parenting seminar at Crossroads Church, Woodbury,
Feb. 5-6

Join author Craig Jutila for a seminar on being a healthy family in the midst of hectic schedules. $10 per family, childcare provided for a small fee. Register here!

Download
2015 Superintendent's Letter to Churches Gathering in Annual Meetings Available
 
Click here for your copy of Superintendent Mark R. Stromberg's letter to churches gathering in annual meetings.
 
Feel free to include this letter in your annual meeting booklets or provide a copy to your church family via a bulletin insert!

To see the full NWC Calendar, visit northwestconference.org/events/

Jan. 23, 2016
Recharge - Fargo, ND
 
Feb. 27, 2016
Dr. Mark Yarhouse Workshop - Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN
 
March 11-12, 2016
Women Ministries Renewal Conference - Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park, MN
 
April 15-16, 2016
MOVE - Minnehaha Academy, South Campus, Minneapolis, MN
 
April 28-29, 2016
Ministerial Association Annual Meeting - Lakeview Covenant Church + First Covenant Church, Duluth, MN
 
April 29-30, 2016
Northwest Conference Annual Meeting - Lakeview Covenant Church, Duluth, MN

May 7, 2016
Go:Serve - First Covenant Church, St. Paul, MN
 
June 18-25, 2016
Adventures in Leadership - Adventurous Christians, Grand Marais, MN
 
August 4-6, 2016
MUUUCE - Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN

Northwest Conference, 3106 47th Ave. S.  |  612.721.4893  |  northwestconference.org