Synod News & Events 
August 1, 2014
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Synod Events 
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events.
JULY 
First Call Family Camp
July 27 - August 1, 2014
St. Andrew Village,
New London

AUGUST 
Full Bodied Stewardship
August 12, 2014
Trinity Lutheran,
Sleepy Eye
Full Bodied Stewardship
August 13, 2014
Peace Lutheran,
New London
Region 3 Practice Discipleship Retreat
August 24-26, 2014
Lutheran Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria

SEPTEMBER 
September 16, 2014
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls
Fall Theological Conference
September 21-24, 2014
Mount Carmel & Luther Crest Ministries, Alexandria

OCTOBER 
Elderberry Retreat
October 23-24, 2014
Green Lake Lutheran Ministries, Spicer

NOVEMBER 
NW & SW MN Synod Clergy Spouse Retreat
November 7-9, 2014
Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria
Jr High Youth Gathering
November 21-23, 2014
Willmar

SAVE THE DATE 
All Conference Assemblies
February 8, 2015

Full Bodied Stewardship 
Have you signed up for the Full Bodied Stewardship event yet? 
These events are only a couple weeks away, register today!

Tuesday, August 12 
Trinity Lutheran, Sleepy Eye 

Wednesday, August 13 
Peace Lutheran, New London 

ELCA leaders to visit shelters for unaccompanied children
To learn more about the recent arrival of unaccompanied children into the United States, a group of leaders from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will travel July 16-18 to Texas. Their time there will include visits to children shelters and facilities managed by Lutheran Social Services of the South, based in Austin, Texas, and meetings with ELCA pastors and members to hear about their experiences and response efforts.
"The holy family was undocumented and fled to Egypt because their lives were threatened by King Herod. The children entering the United States have fled because their lives are in danger. God is their ultimate hope, and we can be a sign of that hope," said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop...read more.

Want to learn how the ELCA is helping migrant children click here. 
Young Adults in Global Mission - Brittani Lamb
+Bishop Jon Anderson
Brittani Lamb from First Lutheran, St. Peter is heading off to South Africa, serving the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission program.
Follow her blog, Britt in South Africa.
She will be working with an Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) congregation in Upington.
If there are other YAGM's who wish to share their blog or plans, please pass them along so we can join in their pilgrimage and see the world more clearly through their eyes. E-mail Kristin Bakeberg at kristin.bakeberg@swmnelca.org.  
What is Bishop Eaton doing September 7?
What is Bishop Eaton doing September 7?
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. On Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, the nearly 10,000 congregations of this church gather to serve communities in ways that share the love of God with all of God's people.

Need resources to promote the day?
Click here for bulletin inserts and a planning toolkit. 

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 thirty 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.


Click here to watch a video clip from our assembly that shares about this 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.  

2014 Fall Theological Conference
Sepember 21-24, 2014
We are returning back to the beautiful settings of Luther Crest and Mount Carmel Ministries for this year's FTC! 
Our theological focus will be on the theme, Diakonia, formed to serve with Dr. Marcia Bunge and Pr. Drew Genszler as our primary speakers.
Registration deadline is September 12, 2014.

The Fall Theological Conference is for SW MN Synod Pastors, Associates in Ministry, Interns, and Synodically Authorized Lay Ministers.
ACS Tip of the week! 
Throughout the year we will be teaching leaders how to use AccessACS our online directory/handbook. 


How is an online directory helpful? 
Our rostered leaders are very relational and it's important for them to be able to connect with one another. Calls change all of the time. Having an online directory helps keep our rostered leaders up-to-date with the movement of their colleagues.
Please contact the synod office if you would like more information. 
507-637-3904 
2014 Church Staff Workers Association Retreat
September 16, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.at
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

The annual CSWA retreat offers an opportunity for
congregational staff to come together for a day of inspiration,
learning and sharing hopes and concerns.

Join us for speakers, Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen from 
OMG: Center for Theological Conversation and 
Jodi Harpstead, CEO of Lutheran Social Service of MN.
As well as, free chair massages, lunch and time to gather with other church staff workers. 

Office Administrator
Atonement Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, MN
Seeking an office administrator for all ministries (34 hours/week)  to administer church calendar, schedule building use by internal and external groups; serve as primary receptionist displaying hospitality to members and guests, and assist them in their personal and public ministries; manage and process accounts receivable and maintain church membership records. This person is the first contact person for Atonement, whether it is on the phone or in person as they enter the building. Strong interpersonal skills related to hospitality and respect while juggling a multitude of administrative tasks is essential. The ideal candidate is able to maintain confidentiality in all matters and demonstrate effective teamwork; self-starter and willingness to learn; demonstrate proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher; experience in financial record keeping and office management; and proficiency in the use of office equipment with basic information technology (IT) knowledge.  A complete job description is available on the church website at www.atonementlutheran.org.
If you have questions, contact Rev. Erica Kennedy, Lead Pastor at ericak@atonementlutheran.org.
To apply send resume and cover letter to Atonement Lutheran Church at office@atonementlutheran.org attention Jan Anderson, Staff Support Committee Chair.