February 3, 2016

2016 Annual Meeting
It's time to start selecting delegates for the 2016 NWC Annual Meeting
 
We are putting the finishing touches on plans for the 2016 NWC Annual Meeting, which will take place April 28-30 at Lakeview Covenant Church, Duluth, MN, and we've got great speakers and events lined up this year! Registration materials should have arrived at your church by mail. Here's a few highlights:
 
Theme: Serve Globally
While correlating to one of the mission priorities of the ECC, our theme primarily emanates from the historic commitment that NWC churches have had to proclaiming the good news of Jesus around the world; still believing that it is important to remember the "uttermost ends of the earth," in obedience to Christ's command to preach the gospel to all people. 
 
Come then and join us as we celebrate the good things that are being done to do just that through our churches and people!
 
Speaker: Al Tizon
Al Tizon is Executive Minister of Serve Globally, the international ministries arm of the Evangelical Covenant Church. His role includes overseeing administration, pastoral support, strategic direction and training for 128 missionaries serving in 19 countries.

Al also leads Serve Globally ministries such as Covenant World Relief and Paul Carlson Partnership.
 
Global Mission
In celebration of the "Serve Globally" theme of the 2016 Annual Meeting, the Northwest Conference will highlight the great work that is being done worldwide by our ministry partners and missionaries throughout our time together. These organizations and missionaries-including the Clausons and Isazas who are home on furlough-will be sharing the vision, purpose and work of their call to further the kingdom of God.
 
It's not too early to start selecting delegates and making plans to attend this year's meeting. For more details as they become available, and to register online, visit our 2016 Annual Meeting page.

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. 
 
 
Online registration opens in March!

Go: Serve is a service and outreach opportunity for families to learn and grow together, in a family-friendly, stretching environment. Families can expect to have their worldview expanded, be inspired by God's kingdom workforce in the world, and to extend the hope and love of Christ with those experiencing unmet needs. 

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

For those of you who were unable to attend the Midwinter Conference, this could serve as one of your vocational growth experiences required for your annual Vocational Growth Tool.

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 upcoming semester registration opening soon

CHET Northwest Conference registration for the upcoming semester is Monday, Feb. 8!
Check out the calendar at: chetnorthwestconference.org/calendario/

Resource 
Military Veterans in your church?

If you have military veterans in your church community with needs that you would like help addressing, we have a resource person who might be very helpful to you. Please contact Jeff Burton, Director of Pastoral Care and Development for more information.


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

Isla Rosemary Lee-Norman

Born: Jan. 22, 2016
Parents: Ryan and Rose Lee-Norman (Rose is Associate Pastor of Family Ministry at The Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis).


Brynna (Bryn) Noelle Hodgson
 
Born: Jan. 22, 2016
 
Parents: Joshua and Lindsey Hodgson (Joshua is the youth pastor at Community Covenant Church in Upsala, MN).
 
Brynna was only 27 weeks 6 days along (12 weeks premature). She weighed 1 lb. 15 oz. at birth, and was 13 ¾ in long. She is in the NICU at St Cloud Hospital.

Lots of things need to happen, so pray that she grows and develops and has strength to overcome any problems that will come up!


Pastoral Installations 
Kendall Churchill installed at Calvary Covenant Church in Evansville, MN
 
Congratulations to Kendall Churchill who was installed as pastor at Calvary Covenant Church in Evansville, MN, on Jan. 24. Kendall is a recent graduate of North Park Seminary and is entering his first full-time pastoral call.

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/

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