SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - October 8, 2015

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The Ninth Commandment
+Martin Luther, Small Catechism
 
You shall not covet your neighbor's house.  

What does this mean?
We are to fear and love God,
So that we do not try to trick our neighbors out of their inheritance or property or try to get it for ourselves by claiming to have a legal right to it and the like, but instead be of help and service to them in keeping
what is theirs. 
Synod Events
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events. Visit the synod events webpage for more information.

Click here for a list of WELCA Fall Conference Gatherings.

OCTOBER
October 22 & 23, 2015
Green Lake Bible Camp, Spicer

October 27
Shores of St. Andrew, New London

NOVEMBER
November 5
Faith Lutheran, Spicer

November 6-8
Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria

Region 3 Gathering of Rostered and Lay Leaders
November 12-14
Ramada Plaza Suites, Fargo, ND

November 20-21
November 21-22
Willmar Conference Center, Willmar
Other News, Events & Resources

Exploring Religious Questions
Next Monday evening , October 12th, Jay Beech, the Executive Director of The Center for Worship & Music Studies, will be part of an ongoing lecture series at Gustavus Adolphus College called, Exploring Religious Questions. Cantor of Christ Chapel at Gustavus, Dr. Chad Winterfeldt, and Jay will present on the topic, "The Power of Music in Christian Faith and Life: Biblical, Theological, and Contemporary Sources."
Chad WinterfeldtThe event is the first in a four-part series. Click here for more information.

Calvary Lutheran Church of Alexandria, MN, Presents...
1st Wednesdays @ 6pm
SPEAKER SERIES: All are invited to join us as we welcome nationally recognized speakers and artists who will help us think more deeply about "FAITH FOR LIFE." Events will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church unless otherwise specified. Free will offering.
 
Why are we doing this?
"Quite frankly, research tells us that 66% of confirmed Protestant youth will leave the church upon graduating from High School and never returning.  As far as lifelong faith is concerned, we are batting .333.  If we were in the major leagues, we'd be doing quite well.  When it comes to faith, this is kind of embarrassing, to be honest.  We can do better.  Calvary is making all kinds of changes to address this fact.  We're investing in new forms of gathering and education and service.  We believe the "Faith for Life" Speakers Series will be a powerful way of inspiring adults and families in faith." Pr. Hans Dahl
Click here for more information. 
Job Openings: 

Gustavus Adolphus College invites applications for the position of Assistant Director for Church Relations and Assistant to the Chaplains. Responsibilities include: office management support; managing special event planning; managing the implementation of the Church Relations outreach and the Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations; managing constituent communications; nurturing collaborative relationships; and providing support for the Chaplains of the College.
Click here for more information. 

Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato invites you to consider a life-changing career as a Chaplain.  
As a Chaplain, you will interact with all levels of hospital and hospice personnel in the delivery of spiritual care to meet pastoral care expectations of patients and hospital members.  You will coordinate pastoral care to patients, families and visitors to provide a comprehensive program to meet their needs. 
Click here for more information.
A Beautiful Crop But a Sad Story
+Bishop Jon Anderson
I had a bad feeling it was coming.

I have watched beautiful fields of sweet corn stand unharvested in southwestern Minnesota. Last week I saw this happening in a field. It is a story from the prairie that is not often told. A farmer was plowing his field under. It was some of the most beautiful sweet corn I have seen in the past 20 years.

I stopped to take a picture of this incredibly sad thing. When I got out of my car, the farmer began to wave from the field. He started to yell at me. I thought he was angry but then I heard the sadness in his voice as I moved closer. I could finally hear what he was yelling. "Take what you need!"

He was a stranger doing something that the farm boy in me knew would be terrible to do. He was wrecking a beautiful field full of food that people here and in other parts of the world would love to eat.

I don't know what got into me, but I walked out into the field to talk to him. When I got to the cab and looked up, I was surprised to see tears in the older farmer's eyes. The tears kept flowing as he explained what he was doing and why. He kept saying, "Take what you need!" I learned in a later conversation that he had called a local food shelf and encouraged them to send people out to take corn from the field before it was destroyed. He thought I was someone from the food shelf. 

As I walked I thought the destruction of the field was a result of such a big harvest that the sweet corn company did not need this field. He told me about an issue with fungus in the field. Even though the percentage was low, this loss was necessary. Twice he returned to how he wished there was some way to distribute food around this world and how sad this made him to destroy his crop. There will be unharvested sweet corn in our area because of disease and the size of the crop this fall.

I introduced myself and what I do. I shared that as a former farmer, I grieved with him. I said I would share this sad story. There will be others doing this hard thing in the days to come. Great crops of vegetables and other field crops can overwhelm the ability of the local food processing plants to handle the crops that will only stay good for so long, like sweet corn.

We have trouble moving food to where it is needed. There are no systems of moving un-needed corn to other places. Even if you could move the field, it would deflate the market for those folks who are trying to raise corn and make a living on sweet corn as truck farmers. In our area the same thing will be true about sugar beets. The crop will be too large to use all of it. Life on the prairie has its own challenges and beauties

As a child, when we had a great crop, the prices of our grain would drop, and we would have a hard year. I am concerned for farmers this fall. Prices are down. 

I wonder why God nudged me to stop and for this interaction to happen. Many have thought it was a gift to the farmer. It was encouraging for him to have his lament heard, as he plowed under a field for the third time in his life time - something he reports gets harder every time. Yet, I found it to be one of the more holy moments of the 12 years that I have been a bishop. It was a reminder God hears our laments. It was a reminder that God stops us at times for more important work than our to-do list for the day. I trust God sends people to support us even when we don't notice.

I will not forget the farmer's sad eyes. My own tears flowed down my cheek as I walked back to my car.

I lament that the farmer had to plow under his field. We both could imagine places where the food might have been used and made a difference. Someday, dear God. Someday. 
Order FREE copies of
Stories of Faith in Action 2016

Stories of Faith in Action is a free, annual publication that highlights how God is changing lives through Mission Support, the percentage of your congregational offering that is shared with your synod and your churchwide organization. Learn or share with others stories from around this church by ordering free copies of Stories of Faith in Action today! All you have to cover is shipping. Click here to order. Check out associated resources, including a "How to use" guide by clicking here. 
Lutheran Disaster Response
U.S. Flooding
+Rev. Daniel Rift, Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal

The rain may have stopped, but the catastrophic damage from record rainfall in the Carolinas is just being realized. Rivers have yet to crest and unprecedented scenes scatter the state. The flooding has led to the deaths of more than a dozen people, tens of thousands are without power, major highways have been compromised, and homes have been destroyed.

Bishop Herman Yoos of the ELCA South Carolina Synod says, "We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for the people of South Carolina in the midst of severe flooding. It is the worst storm since records have been kept in this state."

Lutheran Disaster Response will work to bring God's hope, healing and renewal to those who have been affected by the floodwaters. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. Together, we stand with synods, congregations, pastors and Lutheran-affiliated social ministries to help serve those most affected.

Gifts designated for "U.S. Flooding" will be used in full - 100 percent - to help disaster survivors recover and rebuild their lives. Your generous offerings of prayer and financial support will help address the unmet needs of those affected in the Carolinas and other areas on the long road to recovery. Click here to donate now. 

Please join me in praying for all who are affected by the floodwaters. Use this bulletin insert in your congregation to help support those devastated by the flooding.