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Southwestern Minnesota Synod
News & Events - May 2, 2014
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The generosity of our synod shines through again
On World Malaria Day, Friday, April 25, a special offering was taken after Presiding Bishop Eaton's presentation at Calvary, Willmar. A total of $7,675.61 was collected and will be submitted to ELCA Malaria Campaign before May 2 in order to have these gifts matched dollar for dollar. That will mean a total of $15,351.22 for the important work against malaria in our global companion churches in Africa. Thank You!
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Assembly Update
Assembly deadlines are coming soon! Click here to get the latest information on the 2014 Synod Assembly.
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 | | Sunitha Mortha, ELCA Director for Mission Formation |
Invite your congregation to
Glocal Mission Day!
On Saturday, June 14 of the synod assembly we invite anyone interested in learning more about local and global missions to join us for the day!
Treat yourself to a day focused on Global and Local Mission emphasis. Hear Sunitha Mortha, ELCA's Director for Mission Formation, and Bishop Jon Anderson speak about out church's mission outreach around the world and in our communities. Attend two workshop from a list of about 20 opportunities and grow your awareness of mission ministry. Enjoy global music too!
You do NOT need to be a voting member but you do need to register for this day in advance.
(if you are a voting member you do not need to register for this day,
it is included in your assembly registration)
Cost is $20 per person if registered by May 9.
Cost is $25 per person if registered after May 9.
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 Thanks
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
We want to say thanks to all who made our recent visit from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton a success.
Thanks to Presiding
Bp. Elizabeth Eaton, Calvary and Bethel Lutheran Church and their teams of leaders, Planned Giving Director Jim Schade, Jim Barkley from Sōnant History, our staff team and all the folks who came to learn, share, and celebrate what God is up to in our synod and church body.
Thanks support staff, in particular Tammy Sather, Andrea Nesdahl and Larry Strenge for the PIE, but it took the whole team to make this day happen. I was affirmed for the day many times, I said I have been blessed with a great team who helped imagine and execute the many layers of the day. Thanks so much for your contributions.....you all.
If you weren't able to hear Bp. Eaton speak you can read this article the West Central Tribune wrote. "First and foremost we are church," she said, and a place where people worship together. Click here to read more.
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Pastoral Staff Support Time (PSST) Healthy Staff Relationships Retreat.
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
This was our second annual gathering of pastors who serve on teams in our synod. It happened at Shores of St. Andrew Bible Camp last weekend. Our facilitator was Pr. Al Negstad. You can find his summary and speaking notes on our SW MN Synod's Blog by clicking here. Pr. Andrea Nesdahl, Steven Carmany Deb Bergstrand and Ted Kunze planned and executed our gathering. When I arrived a tad late, I could already tell that taking time to do some holy stewing about how to be a faithful and fruitful team had already made an impact. We had a great time the rest of the gathering. Since we mostly organize by geography pastors serving on multiple staffs were having a chance to visit and get to know one another from across the synod. Thanks for all who participated and made this event a rich feast. More PSST events will be posted soon!
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Respectful Conflict?
According to Hartford Seminary, 75% of all congregations experience conflict. But how is it managed? They write "Rather than being hidden in the hushed tones of parking lot planning and telephone gossip, if conflict is recognized as inevitable-and potentially even healthy-it can become an opportunity for focus, affirmation, and renewal."
Using a Respectful Conversation to manage conflict - to maintain positive relationships even while dealing with divisive issues - helps a conflict to be productive rather than destructive. Using the tool as a form of outreach to your community can even help your neighbors to know your congregation as a source of peace. To learn more, contact Respectful Conversations program manager Jerad Morey at j.morey@mnchurches.org.
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A Meditation on Fear and Trust from the Iona Community
Posted by Kathryn Ostlie-Olson
Luther Seminary Ministry in Context BlogLord Christ, Help us to have the courage and humility to name our burdensAnd lay them down,So that we are light to walk across the waterTo where you beckon us.Our prideArmoring us,Hardening us,Making us defend our dignity by belittling others.We name itAnd we lay it down.The memory of hurts and insultsDriving us to lash out, To strike back.We name it And we lay it down.Our fear,of unsolved questions,of the unknown,of fear itself,We name itAnd we lay it down.We do not need these burdens, But we have gotten used to carrying them,Have forgotten what it is to be light.Beckon us to lightness of being,For you show us it is not unbearable.Only so, can we close the distance,Only so, can we walk upon the water.By Kathy Galloway of the Iona Community
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Wellness Grants
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod once again is offering more health incentives because we rejoice that you care about your health!
The synod received over $50,000 from Portico in premium discounts returned to congregations for reaching 65% participation in the Mayo Clinic (Embody Health) Health Assessment. And over $40,000 additional wellness dollars to be used for Wholeness Wheel activities. These wellness dollars you earn are intended to grow our synod in being "wholly healthy."
The SW MN Synod council assigned the task of finding ways to distribute these wellness dollars to the Serving in God's World Board. $37,250 wellness dollars will be used for the following grants below. The remaining $2,750 will be used on other incentives in 2014. Grant funds are limited and application will close once we have reached our availability.Click here to view Wellness Grants Applications. |
Youth Director Employment Opportunity
First Lutheran Church in Pipestone, MN is seeking a part time Youth Director.
Requirements: Planning Faith based activities and chaperone trips.
Part time, could lead to full time in 2014. Salary based on experience. Please send resume to: First Lutheran Church, Attn: Cristy A, 401 7th Ave. SW, Pipestone, MN 56164.
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May 3 - Synod Women's Organization Convention
June
June 13-15 - Synod Assembly
June 14 - Glocal Mission Day
July
July 24 - August 1 - First Call Family Camp
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175 East Bridge St. PO Box 499
507-637-3904
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