August 24, 2016

Youth Ministry    
MUUUCE 2016 photos available online

From Aug. 6-8, 605 middle schools students and their leaders from 45 churches gathered together for creative craziness, on-their-feet worship, formative teaching and incredible fun at Crossroads Church in Woodbury, MN.

Free Seminar     
Solid Rock to host 'Boundaries in Ministry' with Kersten, Lawson

Solid Rock School of Discipleship at Lake Beauty Bible Camp will host "Boundaries in Ministry," a seminar addressing appropriate professional and personal boundaries, Thursday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is for "all those serving in ministry, whether for one year or 31 years.

The seminar will be co-led by the Rev. David Kersten, Dean of North Park Theological Seminary, and the Rev. Carol Lawson, Director of Ministry Services for Develop Leaders, Evangelical Covenant Church.

For more information, read the News story on the NWC website.

Oct. 3-5 at Chase on the Lake Resort      
Registration now available online       
 
The NWC Ministerial Association Retreat for pastors, church ministry staff and spouses, will be held Oct. 3-5, 2016, at the elegant, historic Chase on the Lake Resort situated on beautiful Leech Lake near the heart of downtown Walker, MN.

Speaker: Cecilia Williams 
 
Cecilia Williams is passionate about connecting the ministries of the local church to the physical, social, and spiritual realities and concerns of the communities in which they are planted, as well as the communities to which they are called. She believes that God has anchored the church as a "catalyst of hope" for Kingdom advancement, community transformation and positive social change. Williams currently serves as Executive Minister for the Love Mercy Do Justice (LMDJ) mission priority of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).

Schedule includes: 
  • More Free Time to connect with your peers
  • Spiritual Direction opportunities
  • Worship and Communion
To register, visit the 2016 Ministerial Association Retreat event page online. 
Communications  
NWC Email Sign-Up form 

Did you know that in addition to the bi-monthly UPDATE emails we send to all contacts on our email lists, we also have regular and occasional targeted communications to various groups? If you have new youth leaders, children & family team members, or other staff and lay leaders that should receive these emails, send them to the link below to be added to our lists.

Northwest Conference Email Sign-Up Form
Pastoral Care & Development 
"Transition Curves" Mini-Retreat rescheduled for spring 2017

The Transition Curves Mini-Retreat originally scheduled for Aug. 29-30 at Covenant Pines Bible Camp will be rescheduled for the spring of 2017. Stay tuned for more details.

NWC churches participating in Team World Vision 6K for Water

Team World Vision is hosting a family friendly event that encourages people of all ages to learn about the global water crisis, donate so those in need can have access to clean water, and have opportunity to sponsor children through World Vision. Kids and families of all ages will walk, run, ride in a stroller, or carry a jerry can full of water 6 Kilometers (3.72 miles), the average distance that people in Africa have to walk for water.

Emmanuel Covenant, Faith Covenant and First, St. Paul, have official teams, and other Covenanters are participating as well. Click here to learn more about Team World Vision and the 6K for Water, and World Vision's involvement with the upcoming Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 9. 
Pastoral Care & Development   
Weekend Marriage Retreat for Pastors and Spouses coming in November   
 
The Pastoral Care & Development team is planning a Weekend Marriage Retreat for Pastors and Spouses, Nov. 18-20, at Lake Beauty Bible Camp. The retreat will be led by Keith and Cheri Meyer. More details coming soon. 
NWC News  
Sabbatical for Superintendent Mark Stromberg runs through Sept. 13  
 
Please make note that NWC Superintendent Mark Stromberg will be out of the office through Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day), on Sabbatical and unavailable throughout his time away. Upon return, he will then be at Superintendent meetings the week of Sept. 5 and will have limited ability to respond in a timely manner during that time.

His first day back in the office will be Tuesday, Sept. 13. During his time away, please contact the NWC office with any questions or needs and you will be directed to another appropriate staff person. Mark thanks you in advance for your patient understanding during his absence. 
To see the full NWC Calendar, visit northwestconference.org/events/

September 7-9, 2016
CRIM Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN

October 2-3, 2016
  Church Planter's Retreat - Chase on the Lake, Walker, MN

October 3-5, 2016
Ministerial Association Retreat - Chase on the Lake, Walker, MN

March 31-April 1, 2017
MOVE 2017 - Minnehaha Academy South Campus

April 27-28, 2017
Ministerial Association Annual Meeting - Maple Grove Covenant Church

April 28-29, 2017
Northwest Conference Annual Meeting - Maple Grove Covenant Church

June 17-24, 2017
Adventures in Leadership 2017 - Adventurous Christians, Grand Marais, MN

Connection Events
2016/17 Youth Pastor's Connection + Children & Family Ministry Connection - Sept. 15, Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Jan.19, Feb. 16, March 16, April 20, May 18

2016/17 Church Planter's Connections - Sept. 13, Nov. 8, Dec. 13

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