Southwestern Minnesota Synod
News & Events - July 10, 2014
Region 3 Practice Discipleship Retreat
August 24-26
Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria

"Frames are important. A picture frame gives perspective and focus to the picture within. The frame of a house gives a foundation from which rooms can be built and decorated. Frames give understanding. Frames help us expand our understanding. Frames give purpose. In life and ministry, there is an overwhelming volume of information that competes for our attention and time.


We can't become experts in everything, so how do we choose?
This year Practice Discipleship will explore biblical, theological and practical frames that can give intentionality to how we prioritize our ministries and respond to the gospel in our daily lives."
At the Region 3 Practice Discipleship Retreat you will have the opportunity to learn more about the "frames" that can shape faith formation ministry in our congregations. The retreat will also be a time to re-charge for Fall. Contact Pastor Kathleen Ulland-Klinkner with questions (prkathleen@embarqmail.com, 507-375-4792)
The Listening Project: Listening to One Another 
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson 
Last week I encouraged you to join in The Listening Project. To be faithful and fruitful leaders and congregations we practice the Three Great Listenings.

We are called to continuously  
listen to God,  
listen to one another inside our communities of faith and  
listen to our mission field or context.


As leaders in our congregation we are called to listen to God. We also are called to listening to one another. We often listen to our friends and family. That is important, but I want to challenge you to listen to other people who participate in your congregation. Be curious about what they appreciate, what they long for in their spiritual lives, what they believe God is calling the congregation to do based on their experience, conversations with others and prayer.

 

To help you think about who you may want to invite into conversation click here.

The Listening Project is Coming - The Landscape

+Bishop Jon V. Anderson

In August, we are going to engage in a deep listening project as a synod. Our goal is to invite over 700 leaders to take our survey called The Landscape. The survey will be done online and take you about fifteen minutes. It will give us a deep look into the life of our synod and our mission field. There are multiple other layers of The Listening Project that have begun or are coming, but our next step will be this survey of leaders across our synod.


This video clip below is from our assembly that shares about this project. 

2014 SWMN Synod Assembly The Listening Project
2014 SWMN Synod Assembly The Listening Project

For you to have a voice in the coming Landscape Survey it is especially important that you and your congregation update your personal and congregational information. We use your information in a variety of ways, congregational information is needed during the call process when administering Minnesota Statute 604.20 Background Checks on pastors. Out of date information can make the call process longer. It means we do not get information to the congregational leaders who might need it.  
ACS Tip of the week!
Did you know the synod has an online directory/handbook?

YES! It is called Access ACS. Congregation staff and leadership have access to this online directory.

Throughout the year we will be teaching leadership how to use ACS and why you should always have your contact information up-to-date.

Please contact the synod office if you would like more information.
507-637-3904
Boundaries Workshops
The synod's next 6-hour boundaries in ministry training event, required for all ordained and rostered lay ministers within 12 months of assuming office in our synod, will be Thursday, November 13, at a central site to be determined. This seminar is also recommended for rostered leaders who have not attended a training event recently (3 years). Please mark your calendars and watch for registration details this Fall.

This requirement could also be met by attending the boundary and ethics training for clergy offered Tuesday, September 30, at United Church of Christ, New Brighton. Register for this event by clicking here. Those who attend this event should send a copy of their completion certificate to carla.klawitter@swmnelca.org.

An abbreviated boundaries update will be offered in tandem with our Church Staff Workers retreat on Tuesday, September 16, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Although this session will not satisfy the required 6-hour training, it will be a good session for lay leaders and a refresher for rostered leaders.
Registration Open for Family Reunion:
Celebrating 275 Years of Adoption!
Sunday, September 21, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Luther Seminary Field on Como Avenue and Eustis Street
Saint Paul, MN
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and Children's Home Society of Minnesota will be holding a giant Family Reunion celebrating the 46,000 adoptions made in their respective 150 years and 125 years of service. Registration for the event is open and we encourage you to bring your friends and family! The event is an opportunity to both remember and celebrate alongside families from across the country. Look forward to kids' games, live entertainment, and sharing your adoption story together. Free admission and food available for purchase. The celebration will go from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21. More information and online registration at www.adoption275.org
20th Lutheran Men in Mission Annual Golf Tournament 
Friday, July 25, 2014
Redwood Falls Golf Club, Redwood Falls, MN
 

Registration fee $60 per golfer includes:green fees, golf cart, meal, prizes and
a donation to LMM. Teams will be 4 or 5 members. If you do not have a full team,
ad hoc teams will be formed at the golf tournament.
Center for Worship & Music Studies Info Session with Jay Beech
July 21st, from 7:00-8:30
Chrysalis House at Green Lake Bible Camp, Spicer MN
What kind of training would be helpful for your congregation's musicians and worship leaders? Come share your ideas and hear about plans for a new kind of worship music training program, The Center for Worship & Music Studies. Jay Beech is the director of this brand ministry supported by a partnership of ELCA synods including Southwestern MN. He'll be hosting this informal conversation for musicians, pastors, and anyone else who is interested in the Chrysalis House at Green Lake Bible Camp on Monday, July 21st, from 7:00-8:30. If you can, stay for refreshments in town afterwards. Similar info sessions will be offered later in other parts of the synod.
Full Bodied Stewarship Events
Tuesday, August 12 at 5:54pm
Trinity Lutheran, Sleepy Eye
Wednesday, August 13 at 5:45pm
Peace Lutheran, New London
 

Full Bodied Stewardship events promote the Body's growth by providing resources and "best practices" for congregational leaders to practice being full-bodied stewards of God's abundance and generosity in a variety of congregational settings.  

Key Presenters: Rev. Keith Zeh & Jay Beech 


Conversation groups:

- Growing worship and music leadership

- Potluck of ideas for growing, strengthening and developing a stewardship committee

- Help for treasurers

- Stewardship of Property to God's Glory 

- Creating a Men's Ministry   


These events are designed for pastors, council leaders, and others who serve on committees, boards, tables and teams in a variety of areas of congregational ministry. They could provide an alternative to an August council or committee meeting. They will promote ideas, offer resources, and provide best practices for growing a "full bodied stewardship" ministry in a congregation as we look ahead to a new school year and a year of "diakonia" (serving) as our Synodical word.  
Job Openings 
Preschool Director/Teacher

St. Stephen Lutheran Preschool is seeking a preschool director/teacher to instruct children aged 3-5 in the growth needed for primary school while exhibiting a Christian and caring attitude. Starting 2014-2015 school year. Monday - Friday mornings, 25-30 hours per week. Bachelor's degree in education and current licensure preferred. Send current resume by July 14 to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 1301 S 4th St. Marshall. Position Description available upon request.

ststephenmarshall.org

 

Director for Budget Planning

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seeks an experienced leader and budget manager to serve as its next Director for Budget Planning.

Located at the ELCA churchwide organization in Chicago, IL, the Director for Budget Planning is responsible for assisting the Treasurer and Executive for Administration in the development and management of the churchwide organization budgets. This includes income and expense analysis. This senior leader will supervise and direct the activities of staff servicing the units of this church in their budgeting and accounting responsibilities. 

A copy of the Position Profile is attached and can also be found by click here. 

Resumes, cover letters, and question, can be emailed to Gaye Lindfors, the consultant assisting with the search: Gaye@SignificantSolutionsInc.com.

Gaye can also be reached at 651-490-9550.

 

Adult Choir Director 

Atonement Lutheran in St. Cloud is seeking Adult Choir Director (approx. 6 hrs/week) to provide choral music leadership for adult choir which sings in worship September through May and periodically for other festival worship.  The ideal candidate is a faith-centered musician dedicated to spreading the Gospel through music and continually striving to expand the variety of music used in worship. Demonstration of vocal leadership, conducting and proficient keyboard skills are required.   A complete job description is available on our website at www.atonementlutheran.org.  To apply send resume and cover letter to Marcia Handahl, Director of Music Ministry, at office@atonementlutheran.org.   

 

Click here to view job openings that were posted in last week's enews.
Mark Your Calendar!
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events. For more details click here.  

JULY
First Call Family Camp - July 27 - August 1  
Lutheran Men in Mission Golf Tournament - July 25  
AUGUST
Full bodied Stewardship - August 12 & 13
Region 3 Practice Discipleship Retreat - August 24-26  
SEPTEMBER 
Church Staff Workers Retreat - September 16 
Fall Theological Conference - September 21-24  
OCTOBER
Elderberry Retreat - October 23-24  
NOVEMBER 
NW & SW MN Synod Clergy Spouse Retreat - November 7-9 

 

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175 East Bridge St. PO Box 499
 507-637-3904