Mission Support: Why is it so important?

Carla Klawitter

In my experience, I have found that I can accomplish quite a bit of housework all by myself. I can work right along early in the day, but by the end of the day my pace has slowed way down and I'm probably exhausted. And maybe I didn't quite accomplish all I had set out to do.

Now, if I have the same housework to do but other family members pitch in to help me, we can accomplish that work in much shorter time, maybe accomplish a few more tasks if needed, and still have time and energy left to do other things together - enjoy a meal, relax, play.

That's how it works when you contribute time and money to your congregation - your church family. One person can accomplish quite a bit, but everyone is needed to get all of the necessary work done in your setting, to encourage each other, to prevent exhaustion, and maybe even have time and energy left to do something fun together.

And again, one congregation cannot accomplish all of God's work by itself. Congregations share leaders and mission support dollars with their synod in order to share the workload, to provide encouragement and energy for each other. Synods unite the work of congregations, serve as regional support, guide pastoral and other staff candidates, and assist to accomplish God's work within their areas.

Synods also share leaders and mission support dollars with the churchwide expression of the ELCA to share the workload, to provide encouragement and energy for God's work throughout the world. We cannot do it all by ourselves.

God's work, both nearby and far away, continues every day. It is not something that occurs occasionally or only at the end of the year. Resources for God's work are needed every day. Your continuing generosity and prayerful support are truly appreciated.

By God's grace, together we have what we need.

Donors Changing Lives and Ministry

Carla Klawitter

Your synod's Rural Ministry Debt Reduction endowment fund has grown out of gifts, both large and small, and these gifts are helping those called to serve in our synod.

This year earnings are providing seminary student debt payments to lending agencies for 30 of our pastors and totaling $15,378.

Thank you to all of you who have donated to this endowment fund. You are making a difference.

Service of Ordination

Nicholas Huseby will be ordained this Saturday, October 25 at 3:00pm, St Mark Lutheran Church in Circle Pines, MN.

Nicholas has been called to serve at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bird Island, MN.

We welcome Nicholas as he continues his journey in serving God. If you wish to send him a greeting here is his email: nhuseby001@luthersem.edu. 

Kiss the Pig! 

Kerkhoven Lutheran Church kicked off its Piggy Project on Sunday, October 5, 2014 by distributing the ELCA Piggy Banks to all children in our Sunday School and all adult members of the congregation at the door following each of our services.  We also held a "Kiss the Pig" contest between Pastor Bill Miller and one of the members of the Stewardship Board, Lee Meyer. For each $30 donated at the coffee hour between services the person donating the money could elect one of these men to kiss a pig. We collected $410 in about 15 minutes and lost count of which person kissed more pigs but each of them claimed to have chapped lips. We wonder about the pigs. Click here to view a Facebook video! This project will culminate on Thanksgiving eve with a light pulled pork meal prior to services, an altar offering to bring in the piggy banks, and pie following services. We are hoping to raise enough money to purchase many pigs. 

We hope all congregations are having this much fun in giving! ELCA World Hunger has some great resources to help: 

ELCA World Hunger

ELCA Good Gifts

Listening Project: Bishop Gatherings

+Bishop Jon V. Anderson

On Monday night we had the third of four gatherings across the synod. It was another reminder of how swiftly our mission field is changing. We also discussed how we are being called to be synod with one another sharing our gifts, vocations, dreams and learning from experiments. It was encouraging. Thanks to all who were able to join us for these gatherings.