September 8, 2016

Ministry Update 
Soudinh Penkhay reaching former Buddhists in missionary role in Thailand

Many of you may remember that former NWC church planting Pastor Soudinh Penkhay (Laotian Covenant Church in Brooklyn Center, MN), was commissioned and sent to Thailand as a short-term missionary last year.
 
Since returning and doing ministry in Thailand and in his native Laos, Soudinh has had the opportunity to preach the Gospel, lead dozens of people to Christ, baptize them and instruct them in the Christian life. This is significant because the people Soudinh is reaching are all former Buddhists. God is truly using Soudinh to impact his people.
 
Please continue to pray for Soudinh, and if you feel led to support him you can contribute online through Covenant World Mission.

Monday, Sept. 19 - 7 p.m. @ NWC Office  
 
Churches on a calendar year budget are gearing up for budgeting season! We will share wisdom with each other about what has worked best to create an annual budget  in hopes of providing guidance as 2017 budgets take form.

If you can't be here in person, join us through a Webex link! Contact Sandy Norris sandy@northwestconference.org.

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.
 
Sanctuary Covenant Church to host Justice Weekend with Lisa Sharon Harper

Event Details: Join us as we explore the intersection of faith and justice in the Church. At this year's justice weekend we will focus on the concept of Shalom and Witness with author Lisa Sharon Harper.

Justice Weekend Registration Includes:
  • Keynote, Interactive Workshop, Q&A and book signing on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, 9 a.m.  to 3 p.m., with Lisa Sharon Harper
  • Lunch
  • A copy of Harper's book, "The Very Good Gospel."
Registration Fee: $20

Open to all: Sunday worship service at The Sanctuary Covenant Church with special guest Lisa Sharon Harper on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, 10 a.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click HERE.

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. In the second step of the registration process, you will be emailed a link to download the Chase lodging registration form. If you call Chase to make reservations, make sure to ask for Jan Splitt.

Church Planter's Retreat: Oct. 2-3 
 
The Annual Church Planter's Retreat is an opportunity to get away together to focus on Sabbath and the kinds of practices that will allow us to serve out of our connectedness with God. Steph Spencer from 40Orchards who will be leading us in a time of Scripture reading and reflection. Learn More. 
 

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
Jackson Coyer
Born: June 8, 2016
Parents: Tim and Bonnie Coyer (Tim is worship pastor at Catalyst Covenant in St. Paul, one of our new church plants).


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   
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