SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - May 20, 2015

Assembly Announcements

Late last week we sent out an assembly announcements
email. Click here if you missed it.

 

Assembly materials can be found online by clicking here. Most of the pre-assembly book is posted and available to print. We are still working on a few details and the remaining documents will be posted soon. The assembly webpage will be updated weekly and another e-news will be sent once all materials are posted. (website tip - please refresh your internet browser every time you visit the assembly page to ensure you are getting the latest information.)

We appreciate your patience while waiting for assembly materials. It's very exciting to know everyone is getting ready for our big family reunion! 

 

Stay Connected. 

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Synod Events
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events. Visit the synod events webpage for more information. 

JUNE
Hunger Awareness Event
Pre-assembly Event 
June 12 - St. Peter
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SW MN Synod Assembly 
June 12-14 - St. Peter 
Click here for more information.
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SW MN Synod Women of the ELCA
Convention
June 19-20 - University of MN, Morris
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Discovering Hope
June 27
Live Event - Concordia College
Virtual locations throughout the SW MN Synod. 

JULY
ELCA Youth Gathering 
July 15-19 - Detroit, MI
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Lutheran Men in Mission
Golf Tournament
July 24 - Redwood Falls 
Congregation Events & Announcements

In need of Choir Robes?
Ramona Revne is wanting to give away: 26 high school gold, 21 high school blue, 38 7-12th grade blue, 11 adult gold, 38 child red. Anyone interested should contact Ramona at ramona.revne@gmail.com.
Located in St. James, MN 
Other Events & Resources

  

Eformation 2015
A conference on ministry in a digital world.

Is your congregation getting serious about its online presence, or hoping to take it to the next level? Would you like to learn with other ministry practitioners using technology in faith formation or congregational growth and development? If so, jump-start your learning goals with hands-on training and big-picture inspiration at e-Formation 2015. Join us June 1-3 at Virginia Theological Seminary for just $279 or by webinar for just $79. More information at eformationvts.org.
 
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The Center for Worship and Music Studies
 Registration for Fall 2015 Courses opens July 1st. 

Enrollment in classes is open to everyone whether or not they are seeking to complete our Certificate in Worship & Music Leadership.
Click here for Fall 2015 Classes. 
 

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Wartburg Seminary
 Learning for Life, Exploring Faith Courses.  

Wartburg Seminary is launching a new opportunity for continuing education for rostered leaders AND individuals in congregations. Building on the core belief that theological education and formation are for the whole church, Wartburg is creating new ways for all the baptized, of all vocations, and from all locations to access theological education. Knowing that people have different learning needs and learning goals, Wartburg is looking to create multiple options for people in their formation journey. Learning is for Life. Seminary is for Everyone.

 

One of the newest elements of Learning for Life: Seminary for Everyone is the Exploring Faith Online Courses that will begin in June. Click here for more information. 

Stewards of Our Health

Our synod's congregations received $57,000 from Portico in premium discounts because we hit the 65% threshold of possible participants taking this year's health assessment. We were the first and only synod to reach 65% by the end of March! We finished with 79.73% completed.  If you have not yet completed the HA you still have time to take it and earn personal wellness dollars. Click here to login to your MyPortico account.

 

Our synod received $28,500 to be used for Wholeness Wheel Health Stewardship activities.

 

We will share these Wellness Dollars strategically to improve your stewardship of your health as rostered leaders and others insured by Portico.

 

The SW MN Synod council assigned the task of finding ways to distribute these Wellness Dollars to the Serving in God's World Board. 

 

Wellness grants are built off of the Wholeness Wheel from Portico Benefit Services. 
It illustrates that wellness is multi-dimensional - made up of spiritual, vocational, intellectual, emotional, physical, social and financial dimensions of well-being. Spiritual well-being is intertwined with and influences our well-being in all other dimensions. 

 

This is the beginning of how we will be investing in you. Click here to read about each wellness grant and how to apply. 
Avian Bird Flu
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson

On Facebook this week I reflected on what I am learning from farmers, agriculture business people, pastors, and friends and family.  The current epidemic in our turkey and chicken farms is a slow multi-layered disaster. I continue to see and learn more about people who are being impacted in our synod's life.  An article from the StarTribune teases out the many layers and impacts in our rural communities. Click here to read Bird flu crimps Minnesota economy by $310 million by Adam Belz Star Tribune. 

We give thanks to God for everyone who is fighting to stop this epidemic. We are praying for those impacted and those afraid the disease will come to their farms.  We remember all those who work in this industry and those who support it. Those impacted are many, while we cannot imagine it all we also hold you in our thoughts and prayers. 

I am curious about how congregations are finding ways to support their local farmers, workers and business people in this time.  

Important Message for Pastors and congregational treasurers

The Lilly Endowment
+Rev. Joyce Piper

I want to invite your participation in a time of research and planning in the Southwestern Minnesota Synod.

The Lilly Endowment is seeking to strengthen congregations by supporting the pastors who serve them. The Lilly Endowment believes that talented and well-prepared clergy are indispensable for fostering congregations that have the vitality to positively impact entire communities. In partnership with the Lilly Endowment and upon a request from the ELCA, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod and New Jersey Synod are studying how congregations and pastors might address their economic challenges and their financial reality. This research will assess the financial health of pastors and their families, and identify economic challenges that they face. After our research is completed, our planning stage will follow in designing innovative programs to ease these challenges. We will submit a grant proposal to the Lilly Endowment to assist in program implementation.

Our research includes two brief surveys for pastors and congregational treasurers and a more detailed online survey for pastors. As a pastor, you have the opportunity to provide important data that will assist our planning and shape our proposals to the Lilly Endowment this summer.

Two brief surveys:
These surveys below were handed out at conference meetings. They are not available online. Please print the PDF form and mail to SW MN Synod, PO Box 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283 before June 2.
This NEW online survey for pastors is to provide additional information for grant research.
The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Click here to start the survey or print the PDF form and mail to SW MN Synod, PO Box 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283 before June 2.

Please complete all surveys by June 2, 2015.

The Lilly Endowment is keenly aware of the significant impact educational debt has on the financial stability of newly ordained pastors. We are also aware that financial stability and sustainability are large and complex issues. I am hopeful that your insights might assist in crafting our proposals to the Lilly Endowment to implement a response to the needs of our pastors and congregations. Thank you for your participation!

2016/17 (World Hunger funded) Domestic Hunger Grant application

+ ELCA Joe Young:

Congregational Synodical Mission Unit

I write to inform you about the upcoming 2016 (World Hunger funded) Domestic Hunger Grants application cycle for your ELCA Churchwide organization.  The domestic hunger grant application is available now and will close on July 10, 2015. Applicants can access the application at www.elca.org/domestichungergrants. Information regarding the application criteria and process can also be found at the above address.

 

If you have questions about how you can effectively apply for grants to address local hunger projects feel free to contact Joe at at 800-638-3522 ext. 2683, or Ms. Johnnie Thompson, Sr. Administrative Assistant at 800-638-3522 ext. 2693 with any questions concerning the Domestic Hunger Grant process.