|
|
|
|
Southwestern Minnesota Synod
News & Events - March 7, 2014
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 2 - 9, 2014
" The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is an annual HIV awareness campaign that mobilizes faith communities; and highlights the contributions and impact congregations are making in areas of HIV prevention, testing, direct service, advocacy and community engagement.
This national faith mobilization campaign continues to call men and women of faith to prayer and to take aggressive action in dismantling AIDS stigma; to model unconditional love and compassion to all persons living with and affected by HIV; to disseminate factual HIV education and to engage communities in HIV testing and treatment services." (quoted from: The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS)
Please join your sisters and brothers in faith around the world in lifting up prayers for those who suffer with HIV and AIDS, and those who love and serve them. This is an appropriate time to remember the work of the Southeastern Diocese in South Africa and their important and critical work fighting HIV and AIDS there.
Our combined prayers are for: taking away the stigma of HIV and AIDS so that individuals may receive treatment and support; comfort and care for those who suffer and their caregivers; eliminating HIV and AIDS from our world so all may live in health and wholeness; and other concerns you wish to add.
|
Ukraine - Prayers and Statement
Presiding Bishop Eaton on the crisis in the Ukraine. She invites our prayer.
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and Anglican, Episcopal and Lutheran leaders have issued a call to peace and prayer for Ukraine in a March 5 statement.
"We have watched with dismay, along with the rest of the world, as tensions rise and peace is jeopardized in Ukraine. Recent dangerous developments in the Crimean region of the country put the lives of many innocent people at risk, and threaten peace and security far beyond that region of the world," said the statement...read more from the ELCA News Release.
|
|
This afternoon I was at the penitentiary laundry. He looked glum so I asked, "How are things?" Tears rolled down his cheeks as he said, "I'm such a hypocrite." He continued to fold towels as I stood in silence. After a minute we talked a bit; not about his crime or hypocrisy but about life, God and grace. I am honored and grateful to serve a prison congregation on behalf of the wider church.
Those of you reading this know most of us pastors would rather do a funeral than a wedding. We know at a wedding people are eager for us to finish so the party can begin while at a funeral people yearn for what the church offers. After 32 years as a campus pastor (which I loved!) serving a prison congregation is like moving from weddings to funerals. I don't want to push this analogy too far-funerals on campus are always untimely and tough, and there is much joy and laughter at St. Dysmas, the congregation I serve.
I'm writing to invite you to bring members of your congregation to worship with us at St. Dysmas. We worship Thursday evenings. Visitors arrive at 6:00 PM and I escort them to the chapel where church council members welcome them. About 6:15 men begin arriving for worship at 6:30. After worship we have about 20 minutes of fellowship time, time for visitors and guests to mingle and talk. When we leave those interested are invited to gather at a local restaurant for questions and conversation with several former members of our congregation.
Outside visitors are the key to the success of our ministry. Many, if not most, of the men never have a visitor or see an unfamiliar face. Their appreciation for outside visitors is impossible to overstate. I know, too, that the experience is powerful for visitors. I say, without fear, that there is no other congregation where visitors feel more welcomed and appreciated. Many visitors to St. Dysmas tell me how significant, moving and important their experience was to them. Like many service experiences those serving may gain as much as those served.
If you would like to visit St. Dysmas please email me at stdysmas@eastsidelc.org or call me at (605) 338-1735. I do want to let you know without apologizing or being manipulative that we do add visitors to our mailing list and invite their support. One third of our funding comes from congregations and two thirds from individuals. We do not receive support from synod, church wide or prison ministry organizations. I am also available to preach or speak at your congregations on Sundays. If you want more information just email or call.
Pastor Bob Chell
St. Dysmas Lutheran
South Dakota State Penitentiary
|
|
Camp Ministry - Young Adult Leadership Lab & Faith Incubator
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
Our camping ministries are one of our treasures in this synod. I give thanks to God for the many congregations who support our camping system by sending their young adults to serve as staff. I also give thanks for the young people, individuals and families of all kinds who will make time to grow deeper in faith, hope and love at Green Lake Lutheran Ministries, Shetek Lutheran Ministries and Luther Crest Bible Camp this summer.
I want to lift up camping ministry this week and thank all the congregations and individuals who make this ministry happen.
You may want to remember our camps in your prayers this week. I also encourage you to find ways to get away this summer and grow deeper in the community that calls Jesus Lord at camp. |
|
Annual Congregational Reports
The quickest and easiest way to fill out your Congregational Report (Form A/C) is online.
Enter your congregation ID along with your 2013 password.
Your Congregation ID stays the same year-to-year and you can find your 2013 password on the form mailed to you in January by the ELCA. If you need your congregation ID or password please contact the synod office and we would be happy to get you that information. Also, if you have questions on how to fill out the form you can contact the Office of the Secretary at 800-638-3522 or the synod office at 507-637-3904.
 | |
125 congregations = not completed
123 congregations = completed
|
The ELCA will accept completed forms online until May 31, 2014 and they will be included in the synod summary reports. Forms received after May 31st will not be included in the summary reports however the information will still be incorporated into the database and included in future calculations and statistical analysis, including the Congregation Trend Reports. So it truly is better late than never!
Every congregation has a constitutional responsibility to file these reports. This is an important ministry that provides congregations, synods, the churchwide organization, agencies and institutions with valuable information for evaluating and planning the mission of this church. Thank you for your effort and work in completing these forms on behalf of your congregation! |
|
Health Assessment Update
Our SW MN Synod has been a champion synod in completing the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment (HA) and earning a 2% discount on all health contributions in past years. This year's synod goal was to be the first synod EVER make the 65%+ goal of completed HA by the end of February.
So, do you think we made it? We'll have to watch and see the Portico results. Typically Portico posts the results around the 10th of every month, these results will show how many people took the HA in February.
Based on the synod report form we asked people to fill out after taking the HA we are so close and hopeful we can reach our goal. Pr. Larry Strenge wanted to share our synod's reporting results with you - Click here. Blitz Challenge winners will be announced early next week. |
|
Full-time Director of Children Job Opening St. John's Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Annandale, MN is seeking a full-time Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries to provide leadership in assisting our congregation to effectively carry out our baptismal promise to support families and pass on the faith to our children and youth. We are seeking applicants with an understanding of Lutheran theology, who would enthusiastically seek to build meaningful, faith-filled relationships with our children and youth and their families, and oversee, in collaboration with our pastoral staff and CYF Team, our year-round Children, Youth and Family programs and ministries.
A qualified candidate will have significant hands-on youth ministry experience; strong organization and interpersonal skills, the ability to relate with a variety of ages, both verbal and written communication skills, and competence in computer and social media.
Applications should be sent to: St. John's Lutheran Church, Attn: Pastor Dave Nelson, 331 West Harrison Street, Annandale, MN. 55302 or submitted via e-mail (dnelson@stjohns-annandale.org). Please include a completed application (which you can download from our website: www.stjohns-annandale.org), a cover letter, resume and three letters of recommendation. Application deadline is April 1st. |
|
Registration Reminder - LMM Spring Retreat
The 2014 Lutheran Men in Mission Retreat will be held Saturday, March 15 with a pre-retreat Friday, March 14, both held at Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer, Minnesota. This year's theme is
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." - Ephesians 4:11-12
The pre-retreat Friday evening will be a program about Relational Leadership by Laura Praske, Tentmakers Ministry, an interactive and participative workshop to integrate faith-based leadership skills into your personal and professional life. Saturday's retreat will be focused on Building Men for Christ by Jeff Mason, Lutheran Men in Mission Region 3 Board Director.
|
Registration Reminder - Senior High Youth Gathering
Today, March 7 is the last day for late registrations.
No registrations can be taken on or after March 8.
|
|
PIE (Prosper-Invest-Endow): A Recipe for Generosity
The PIE workshop, based on Psalm 1 and developed by our SW MN Synod, addresses legacy gift planning. It is not a sales pitch. You will not be pressured, as often is reported at estate planning events. You will not be asked to sign up for anything or buy a product. Rather, P.I.E. informs! It shares a healthy "recipe", through the use of music, scripture, stories, and gift planning resources. How to pass stories, values, and assets to the next generation in a way that brings glory to God. Again, there is NO cost. No products will be sold. The event is paid for through a grant from the Macedonia Project.
"PIE: A Recipe for Generosity" is now nationally recognized by our ELCA for its ministry value to families! Perhaps you are part of a family system where family members no longer speak to one another because of the way "assets" (both titled and non-titled) were shared at the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, those stories are plentiful in today's culture. Those sad stories, told by family members, nursing home chaplains, and pastors, make us believe "PIE: A Recipe for Generosity" will be meaningful to you, your family, and God's World in Christ! This is about being "told" not "sold." You will be "told" plenty that can help you in your generosity. We believe this is time well spent! We believe you will find it a great "investment" in your family legacy. Come for PIE!
Click here for event times and locations!
Click here to register!
|
March
- March 15 - P.I.E. (PROSPER INVEST ENDOW): A Recipe for Generosity
- March 22 - P.I.E. (PROSPER INVEST ENDOW): A Recipe for Generosity
- March 14-15 - Lutheran Men in Mission Retreat
- March 18 - Together in Ministry Prairie Conference
- March 28-29 - Sr. High Youth Gathering
April
- April 12 - Multiple Area Parishes (MAP): Framing Our Unique Ministry
- April 25 - P.I.E. (PROSPER INVEST ENDOW): A Recipe for Generosity (morning)
- April 25 - ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton (afternoon)
- April 25 - Pastoral Staff Support Time (PPST) Healthy Staff Relationships Retreat (evening)
- April 26 - P.I.E. (PROSPER INVEST ENDOW): A Recipe for Generosity
|
|
175 East Bridge St. PO Box 499
507-637-3904
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
