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Southwestern Minnesota Synod
News & Events - December 6, 2013
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Following the Star is an online devotional experience designed to happen for you each day, right here, in front of your computer. This Advent devotional series will come to have a special place in your journey to the manger this Christmas. We suggest that you take a moment to read through "your first visit" & "about the experience" section to give yourself an idea of how to work through an online devotion.
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Free Advent Resources
+Sarah Hausken, SW MN Synod Youth Ministry Coordinator
There are also tons of Advent Calendar ideas on the web. I like this one that uses some of the names for Jesus. Names of Jesus Advent Calendar.
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Email Transition
+Bishop Jon V. Andersin
In the past week we have made an exchange server transition. We had a server breakdown over Thanksgiving Weekend. We apologize for any difficulties. We want you to be aware of the following:
On Tuesday morning there was a brief period where email may have been lost.
We also have lost email over the Thanksgiving weekend so if you do not receive an answer to your email, you may want to resend your email to the staff member again. Synod Minister Andrea DeGroot Nesdahl used a different process than the rest of her staff for email. We believe that her email was lost in our Exchange Server failure. You may want to resend email to her if there is an unanswered email that still needs attention.
If you have not checked your back-up protocols for computers in your office, this has been a reminder of their value. At this point, beyond Andrea's email, we believe we have lost time, but not our data. If you are not backing up your computer at this point ask someone to help you set this up. You can do this on the web or even more inexpensively by buying a portable hard drive that is kept in a location other than your computer that is being backed up, in case there is a fire or natural disaster. |
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Lutheran Campus Ministry Update
As students are preparing for finals and winter break we keep them in our prayers. Here are some prayer petitions written by your Lutheran Campus Ministry Leaders.
Lord of Great Mercy,
You have seen me through this time of anxiety
as I have finished finals and prepared for time away from campus.
Refresh me now O Lord as I take this time of rest and
prepare for what you next reveal to me.
We give you thanks, O God,
for the growth of children into young adults and for your Spirit
beckoning them to new adventures in unknown places.
Grant them safekeeping in security and in peril, in joys and in challenges,
in triumphs and in failures.
And grant to us who pray for them the joy of happy homecomings.
As we enter the season of Christ's birth
we are mindful of the many needs of the young adults in our midst.
For those traveling home from school for winter break...
For those in the military unable to travel home...
For those struggling with financial stresses...
And those who are secure in the warmth of the season
Grant your joy and peace.
Lord of new life,
you bless all your people with new beginnings
as you visited your disciple and their uncertainty.
Encourage all those who are preparing for transitions:
students who will soon be graduating or moving back home,
those looking for work, and all those whose future in uncertain.
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MAP: Framing Our Unique Ministry
The Multiple Area Parishes (MAP) of SW MN Synod of the ELCA are gathering for a day of learning, sharing and growing.
Saturday, January 18, 2014, 9:00am
St Matthew Lutheran Church, Wabasso, MN.
Frames for Admiring and Structuring the Art of Ministry: Dr. Scott Frederickson will teach us the different ways in which we frame or define our ministry helps us to utilize the strengths of each individual to work together in ministry. Learn about your style and the other styles to aid in ministry development.
Scott Frederickson was an integral piece of the Western North Dakota Synod's "Dry Bones" project that seeks to revitalize rural congregations. Working on attending, assessing, and asserting their unique positions within rural communities in Western North Dakota, this project was a three-year accompaniment of theological assessing, using our resources to make a difference in the communities we live in, and finding ways to bring the joy and love of the gospel to our "ground." In the three years we had 9 congregations seek ways to make a visible impact in their community through following God's mission.
Scott Frederickson has also worked with Luther Seminary over the years in providing quality theological education to congregations in rural North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. He has supervised interns in congregations whose towns have less than 100 people; he provides theological resources for reading the Bible in faithful ways that work from our Lutheran tradition. God has a plan for every congregation, even the ones everyone else seems to have forgotten.
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Celebrating and Giving Thanks for our LYO Board and Leadership
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
Thanks LYO Leaders for your service and leadership at our recent Jr. High Gatherings. You are something special. I wish all the synod could watch you in action. Great work Sr. High Youth, Conference Leaders and Staff.
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Updating your Constitution
Thanks to all of you who have undertaken the hard and sometimes thankless work of updating your congregation's constitution! At the 2013 Churchwide Assembly that concluded in August, a number of mandatory amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations were adopted. The amendments need to be added to your congregation's constitution as soon as possible and approved by your congregation at an annual meeting or other legally called meeting.
Amendments adopted by the churchwide assembly do not need presentation at a prior meeting.(See 17.04 in your congregation's constitution for direction about the process.) So if you get busy right now, many of you could have your constitutions ready for approval at your annual meeting!
Click here for the 2013 Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory and must be included in your constitution as they are written and with the identical numbering. If you have questions, please contact Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl at andrea.nesdahl@swmnelca.org.
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Power and Boundaries Workshop
Jan. 14, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Roseville Lutheran, Roseville Bishop Rogness and the Rev. Susan Miller will facilitate a workshop on ethics in ministry for all rostered leaders. The training includes a discussion on power and gender issues, appropriate boundaries for rostered leaders, self-care and vulnerability, and a review of the synod's response procedure for accusations of sexual boundary violations. The cost is $25; lunch is included. Register for this event by Jan. 7, 2014.
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Give gifts with a purpose this Christmas.
Shop ELCA Good Gifts for 50 different gifts that grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives.
Free Christmas ornament with ELCA Good Gifts totaling
$200 or more.
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Job Openings
Director of Faith Formation Ministries at Vinje Lutheran Church, Willmar MNFull time position, salary commensurate with education and experience. Responsibilities include working directly with pastors, staff, and other leaders with the goal of visioning, leading, planning, and communicating Faith Formation experiences for people of all ages. Requisites: Bachelor's Degree and/or A.I.M. credential; experience in Faith Formation; basic computer skills; organizational skills; ability to form, equip, and multiply leadership; able to work in a team setting; high communication skills. Sense of humor a must. Job description available at www.vinjechurch.com or at the Vinje church office. Resumes will be received through December 20.
Music & Worship Director at Faith Lutheran Church, Spicer, MN
This is a newly created, full-time position that will work in collaboration with our worship planning team to create vibrant and meaningful worship experiences through the use of music, media and the Word of God. The position offers tremendous personal and professional growth opportunities in a setting where a quality music and worship experience is highly valued. You will work with an enthusiastic staff that is highly team-oriented and works collaboratively with unwavering support from church leadership. For a complete job description and salary information, visit our website: www.faithspicer.org. Email your cover letter and resume to: michellep@faithspicer.org Deadline for submissions is Friday, December 13, 2013.
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175 East Bridge St. PO Box 499
507-637-3904
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