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Southwestern Minnesota Synod
News & Events - January 2, 2014
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Congregation Annual Meetings
Here are a few resources to help you plan for your annual meeting. Watch for an upcoming e-news for more annual meeting resources.
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A Blessed Christmas Season
+Bishop Jon V. AndersonWe continue to live in the wonder of Christmas. In the past year I have read about the Eastern Church. I am mindful for many Christians their celebration of Christmas comes on what we call Epiphany on Jan. 6th. And I notice that many of you are noting the passing of the twelve days of Christmas in a variety of ways. I posted this on Facebook and sent it to a few people before Christmas. I want to share it with you all. May You Be Surprised By Joy....
 This icon caught my attention yesterday. I received it as a gift from the Lutheran congregation in Bethlehem during a trip there a few years back. It reminds me of the events of that first Christmas in its pictures. It reminds me that there is something deep, old and powerful in the story of the birth of Jesus. As I take time to study it something new is also happening as it challenges my imagination and engages me. God always is working. The icon's images the story of the birth of Jesus in ways that are part of another culture and time. This gently reminds me that each generation hears this Good News in similar and different ways. May God surprise you with joy in this season.... Thanks for all you do as a leader in our synod's life to steward the Gospel in your congregation and community. May God bless your celebration of the birth of Jesus our Lord. Thanks for all you have done in the past year to make our ministry and mission happen.
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Time to take the Health Assessment: Begin 2014 in a healthy way!
Mayo Clinic Health Assessment opened on Jan. 1st. You are encouraged to be among the first in our Synod to take it! If you visit the Portico website there's a quick link to do the Health Assessment.
If you have Portico Health Insurance there are LOTS of reasons to take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment - You will be a better servant by paying attention to the Wholeness Wheel. Good health is vital to serving our Lord
- You receive $150 for taking the Heath Assessment. If you have done it before it has large portions that are already filled in for you! 15 minutes earns you $150.
- Our synod congregations ALL receive a 2% Discount on our health premiums when we have reached 65% of eligible persons completing the Health Assessment! In 2013 that was over $48,000! Here's what it says on the Portico website: "Encourage your ELCA-Primary health plan members and eligible spouses to take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment when it opens Jan. 1. They'll earn $150 wellness dollars and help your organization get closer to saving 2% on 2014 health contributions." Our synod has done it every year. Let's be the first synod to make 65%! Click here to learn more about the 2% discount.
- If you are new to the ELCA health plan at the Portico website click here to learn more about the health assessment.
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Gratitude for gifts
We want you to know that your generous support for the ministries of our synod is very much appreciated. God's work is truly possible because of our many hands working together.
Our synod's fiscal year ends Jan. 31, 2014. We will be grateful for your cooperation in getting your congregations' year-end gifts to us by Jan. 21, 2014, if possible, to allow us adequate time to record transactions, share designated gifts, and prepare year-end reports accurately.
By God's grace, together we have what we need. |
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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Healthy Boundaries, Healthy Relationships
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
St. Stephen's, West St. Paul.
This seminar for Children, Youth and Families (CYF) ministry professionals and volunteers will address the importance of establishing and maintaining healthy, professional ministry boundaries. Those working with CYF ministry, both paid and unpaid, are strongly encouraged to attend.
Pre-registration is required by Feb. 13, 2014. Cost is $20.00 per person.
Click here to register now!
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175 East Bridge St. PO Box 499
507-637-3904
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