SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - FEBRUARY 1, 2016
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Epiphany Note - Neighbors in Christ Support - We Are Church Together
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson 
During the past several months a group of mostly retired pastors have supported the ministry of our Neighbors in Christ Parish.  After Pastor David Winterfeldt had a heart valve replacement, this group of pastors provided pulpit supply on a regular basis while David recovered. Earlier, many had helped the parish after Pr. Ronald Myers ended a half year intentional interim as Associate Pastor. Their rotation sustained the parish and made sure that word and sacrament ministry was happening in the life of First Lutheran of Winthrop, St. John's Lutheran of rural Winthrop, and Augustana of Gibbon. I was thankful. I know the congregations were also appreciative.

It was a great example of being church together. I want to lift up and affirm this service knowing that other pastors and lay preachers are helping congregations and parishes out in other parts of the synod. Thanks for your partnership in the Gospel...
  • Pr. Dan Buendorf
  • Pr. Chuck Christensen
  • Pr. John Malm
  • Pr. James Snyder.
  • Mike Zaske
In this Epiphany season, we continue to notice and celebrate the light of Christ breaking through our darkness.  I have been sharing verbal affirmations or sending cards with people who have been reflecting the light of Christ in our synod or in my life in this Epiphany Season. Today I want to give thanks to God for this team who cared for this parish through the last several months. 
Paul Johnson's Estate Gifts to the Southwestern Minnesota Synod and Churchwide Hunger Work 
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson 
We want to share with the synod the news of a significant bequest by Paul Johnson of Providence Valley Lutheran Church of Dawson.

Paul gave a legacy gift through his estate of $648,345.00 to the ELCA World Hunger Campaign. He also gave $319,334. to the Southwestern Minnesota Synod. (There are some dollars that may still come when the estate is settled. We have received the vast majority of what we will receive.) Paul's final gift will transform lives and continue to give through portions designated to synod endowment. He also gave gifts to Providence Valley for their cemetery fund and building fund.

Here is a little bit of what we have learned about Paul from his obituary. "Paul Donald Johnson was born July 9, 1922 in Maxwell Township, Lac qui Parle County, MN the son of Rueben and Ida (Anderson) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Providence Valley Lutheran Church. He completed 8th grade in rural District # 72, then helped his parents' farm. In 1944 he was drafted into service. He served in the Navy two years. His first ship was an AKA amphibious ship that carried troops and landing crafts. He was a signal man on the landing crafts, but never saw action on any of the ships he was on. He was discharged in 1946 and came home to help on the farm until 1948 when he and his twin brother, Roger took over the farm. After Roger left for California in 1952 Paul stayed on the farm until 2009 when he entered the Johnson Memorial Home. Paul was active on church council and was an usher for many years, a member of Dawson American Legion and VFW. He was an avid bowler and was on leagues from 1939 - 2000, and liked to hunt pheasants. Paul D. Johnson died Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Johnson Memorial Home in Dawson at the age of 92."

Former Pastor Phil Kettering said this about Paul. "Paul had a passion for people and caring for them. As a farmer, a brother, a son, and an uncle he spoke of his experiences with family and the role a farmer plays in feeding people. He was very proud of his service to his country and his faith in Jesus Christ. I believe this gift is a testament to the man who deeply cared about the world around him"
We are thankful for Paul's amazing generosity. We give thanks to God for his witness.

If you would like help with your estate plans, Western Minnesota Planned Giving Director Amy Bigot, would be happy to assist you as you plan gifts through your estate to further the mission of God's Church or a particular dimension of the work of God's Church after your death. You can reach her at amy.bigot@elca.org  or (763) 443-3750.
Constitutional Hygiene
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
When did your congregation last update your constitution?

Regularly, we encounter old constitutions as we work with congregations.  These constitutions at times have made difficult situations harder because the world has really changed since predecessor church bodies or even from the time the ELCA was formed.
We encourage you to check the date of your last revision.  If you have not revised your constitution since 2014, it is likely you do not have the latest provisions of the ELCA Model Constitution in your current constitution.  

This summer our Churchwide Assembly will consider additional changes to the constitution. 
Forming a committee to work with updating your constitution and then engaging in this work in the fall to be prepared for your annual meeting next year would be something your congregation would find helpful.

Like brushing your teeth or other routine hygiene practices, this is not exciting work but it will keep your congregation healthy.

Click here to learn more.  If you cannot find the latest version of your constitution, please call 507-627-9044, Carla Klawitter at your synod office to research what we have on file.
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. 
Rostered Leaders Report to the Bishop
Forms in which to complete your annual ministry report to the bishop are included here. Click the form that pertains to your ministry. The online form below will be submitted electronically to Bishop Jon Anderson.
- Rostered Leader Under Call from a Congregation
- Rostered Leader Not Under a Call
- Rostered Leader Retired
- Specialized Call
2016 Remittance Books
If your treasurer is looking for your congregation's 2016 remittance book, it was mailed early December, to the church address with attention to the Congregation President. To save on postage, we mailed multiple resources in one large envelope. Also included in this envelope were the churchwide "Where does my offering go?" poster, a synod "Where does my offering go?" handout and the 2016 Equipping Congregations Day poster. Please pass these resources along! 
Annual Meeting Resources 
These resources are to help you plan for your upcoming annual congregation meeting.
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 Retreat
March 11-12, 2016
Green Lake Bible Camp, Spicer
EVENT INFO POSTED! Click here 
APRIL
First-Call Retreat
April 4-6, 2016

PSST Retreat
April 14-15, 2016
Green Lake Bible Camp, Spicer
EVENT INFO POSTED! Click here

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