SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - JANUARY 13, 2016
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Equip: Always Reforming
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson - 2016 Annual Report
We are doing synod in new ways. This is what we have been doing in the past year. In our synod and congregations, as our world changes and our communities change we will need to grow more committed to innovation and sharing what we learn with one another for the sake of the Gospel. This fits our identity as a church that is committed to always reforming to best steward the Gospel we know in Christ Jesus.
Click here to read the full report. 
The Check List is Back!
Start checking off your to do list. At the beginning of every year we always ask you to share your congregation's information in many ways. These really important tasks help grow our ministry. Please take the time to fill out the following: 
Mission Support Intents
As your congregation prepares a budget for 2016, please share with us your Mission Support Intent amount for the Southwestern Minnesota Synod by clicking here.
Update Your Congregational Leadership Data
The synod office uses this information for the call process, giving statements, and getting helpful resources to the correct person. Click here to update now.
Forms A & C (Parochial Reports)
Please fill out your 2015 ELCA congregation report forms A & C by 
clicking here. If you do not know your congregation ID or password please call the synod office at 507-637-3904. Forms A & C should be completed by February 15, 2016. 
NEW THIS YEAR! - Parochial Report Discussion Guide
Click here to download the Parochial Report Discussion Guide. This document is to help your congregation complete Form A's questions TOGETHER. 
Health Assessment (HA)
Portico health plan members and eligible spouses, simply sign in to myPortico to access the new Mayo Clinic Healthy Living online and take your health assessment. ELCA-Primary members, start earning wellness dollars by taking the Health Assessment by clicking here. 
Annual Meeting Resources 
These resources are to help you plan for your upcoming annual congregation meeting.
Ordination of Erik Karlson
The ordination of Erik Karlson will be on Saturday, January 16, at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran in Winthrop.

We extend our congratulations and pray God's blessings upon Erik, who has been called to serve the Neighbors in Christ Parish.
Sr. High Youth Gathering Registration is Open!
March 4-5, 2016
Courtyard by Marriott, Mankato, MN

Theme: "You are the light of the World."
Based on Matthew 5:14 (NIV)
Click here for more information and to register. 

Gathering registration closes on February 1, 2015. Late registration will begin February 2, and close on February 15. Registrations will be taken in the order received and space is limited. If you register participants after the February 1 deadline, you will be charged a $10 non-refundable late fee per person. No registrations can be taken after February 15.
IRA Charitable Rollover information
Amy L. Bigot -  Regional Gift Planner -  NW MN and SW MN Synods

GREAT NEWS... The House  and Senate have both passed a permanent extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover and the President is expected to sign the bill into law early next week!
Once this legislation becomes law, your donors age 70½ or older can make a rollover gift of up to $100,000 from their IRA directly to your organization in 2015.  Because the IRA rollover will be permanent, your donors can make many more IRA charitable rollover gifts in years to come.  This is excellent news for your ministries!
The bill will make the IRA rollover retroactive to December 31, 2014. Gifts transferred directly from a donor's IRA to a charitable organization at any point during 2015 will qualify as a rollover gift. These gifts (up to the $100,000 limit) are both tax-exempt and the amount of a rollover gift can be used to meet the donor's required minimum distribution.
Watch for updates on the passage of this change.  I'll keep you posted.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.
Amy L. Bigot
763-443-3750
 
Lutherans continue effort to end discrimination
  
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will continue her call to address the complexity and implications of racism in "Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning" - a live webcast Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. CST, available at www.ELCA.org/webcast.

This is Eaton's second live webcast on racism. Among other topics, the January webcast will raise the question of the racial disparity in the U.S. criminal justice system, emphasizing the ELCA's commitment to pray for the incarcerated, their families and communities, and those wrongly convicted, as well as to pray for law enforcers and those who work in the system.

"Racism still exits. One webcast or one call for a conversation about race in our church and society will not address this reality. We must continue our work as a church even when some other issue has grabbed the headlines. Click here to read more.
Synod Events
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events. Visit the synod events webpage for more information.
FEBRUARY
February 20, 2016
Willmar

ELCA Region 3 Hunger Retreat
February 5-6, 2016
Luther Crest, Alexandria

MARCH
March 4-5, 2016
Courtyard by Marriott, Mankato

Lutheran Men in Mission
March 11-12, 2016
Green Lake Bible Camp, Spicer
APRIL
First-Call Retreat
April 4-6, 2016

PSST Retreat
April 14-15, 2016
Green Lake Bible Camp, Spicer

SAVE THE DATE 
SW MN Synod Assembly
June 10-11, 2016
Gustavus, St Peter 
 
August 10-13, 216
New Orleans
 
ELCA Churchwide Assembly
August 8-13, 2016
New Orleans  

Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA 
PO Box 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Phone: 507-637-3904