SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - June 3, 2016
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2016 Synod Assembly 
June 10-11, 2016
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
The 2016 Synod Assembly will begin at 11:00 a.m. with on-site registration opening at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 10! If you still need to register please click here. 

IMPORTANT Assembly Announcements!
If you are arriving Thursday, June 9 for the synod assembly -
Jackson Center will be open 1:00-9:00pm on Thursday for housing registration. If you will be arriving after 6:00pm please contact the synod office before Wednesday, June 8. Please know you will still need to register for the assembly on Friday.
Registration -
Registration will be in Lund Center this year, opening at 8:00am. Housing registration will be in Jackson Center. 

Assembly Lay-Led Service
-Service of the Word
-Sermon for Lay Leaders
- Bulletin Insert:  Embrace God's Mission + Equip God's People Funding Initiative
- Sermon Video: Click here to view full screen or to download video. If your congregation would like a DVD copy please contact the synod office. 
2016 Assembly Sermon by Bp. Jon Anderson
2016 Assembly Sermon by Bp. Jon Anderson

Pre-Assembly Book
*Printed Materials Provided at Assembly
-Welcome
-General Information
-Assembly Speakers
-*Assembly Agenda (Draft)
-Let's Do Lunch
-Assembly Procedures
-Parliamentary Procedure
-Robert's Rules of Order
-Report of the Presiding Bishop
-Report of the Synod, Bp. Jon V. Anderson
-Roster Report
-We Remember: (Biographies)
Assembly Resolutions
-*Resolution 16.01
-*Resolution 16.02
-*Compensation & Benefits Guidelines
-*Nominating Report - coming soon
- Narrative Budget
-*Proposed 2017 Budget
- Budget vs. Actual
- Audit Report
-Synod/Conferences
Maps
-City of St Peter, MN
-Gustavus Adolphus College
-*Beck Hall
Assembly Offering
This year the assembly offering will be designated to the following:
House of Grace, Montrose (25%)
Lutheran Immigration Refugee Service (25%)
SW MN Synod Local Mission Partners (50%)
(Campus Ministry, Minnesota Council Churches, Lutheran Advocacy-Minnesota, Luther Seminary, and Shalom Hill Farm)

Congregations are encouraged to contribute $1 per baptized member for this offering.

We will also be doing our annual ELCA World Hunger offering.

If you need to mail a check to the synod office for either of these offerings, please send your donations by July 29, 2016, so that the gifts may be disbursed in a timely manner. Note in the memo line Assembly Offering or World Hunger. Your generosity for these ministries is truly appreciated.

New!
Your synod will be introducing a groundbreaking initiative for the people and congregations of our Synod.  Entitled Embrace God's Mission + Equip God's People. We are very excited to stand together at this pivotal moment for your synod's life. Before us lie many opportunities to equip God's people to steward the Good News in our swiftly changing mission field. More information will be shared at the synod and assembly. 

Also, new this year at our Synod Assembly will be the "TED Talk" like learning events during the lunch times. You will be able to pick up a lunch and attend one 15-to 18-minute presentation on a variety of topics on both Friday and Saturday. These learning presentations are designed to give you some additional information and provide time for questions, discussion, and eating. A complete list of topics that will be offered each day of the two days, will be available with the pre-assembly information.
Equipping All God's People - Scholarships for Center for Worship and Music  
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson 
Last week we lifted up the summer classes of the Center for Worship and Music.  This week we want to share that we have scholarships from a variety of funds to help people participate. If you have already registered and qualify below, please contact Carla to learn more.
  1. One set of scholarships grows out of leftover funds from a previous worship project.  We have $1,050.   We will provide half of the tuition in a scholarship for one class.  You need to contact our office and speak to Carla Klawitter to confirm that we continue to have funds for you to use. The first people who call will receive these scholarships.  We do require that you are a worship leader that serves regularly in an ELCA congregation in our synod. 
  2. Another group of scholarships are possible because of gifts dedicated for rural ministry that have been given to your synod. If your congregation is located in a small town or open country, we will provide up to a $150 scholarship for your one class or workshop to get a taste of the Center's work.
  3. Rostered leaders, you can also apply for a grant from the wellness dollars for up to $250 annually. You could use these funds to participate.  This would be found under the the Intellectual-Wellness Grant area.
Last Week's Article: 
We want to encourage you to explore the work of the Center for Music and Worship. They have been offering great experiences and classes. We are hearing strong and positive report from people who have attended classes and workshops.
 
Here are the upcoming classes and dates.  Some are as small as half a day.  Some are three day intensives. Some are offered online so you don't have to stay overnight.  This would be a gift for your congregation's musicians and also a gift to your congregation as they grow deeper in capacity to lead worship well. 
To learn more, click here. 
Job Openings
Director of Music Ministry
Calvary Lutheran Church, a 2,000 member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Willmar, MN is seeking a full time Director of Music Ministry to coordinate all music ministry within the congregation which includes choral conducting, piano, instrumental, and organ accompaniment. Responsibilities will be supported by a ministry team that includes the Board of Worship, Faith Formation Coordinators, Associate and Administrative Pastors, office support staff and congregational volunteers. The ministry team will work cooperatively in areas of creative visioning and goal setting, program implementation, volunteer recruitment and participation in all areas of music ministry.
Compensation: full time salary commensurate with experience plus benefits
Send resume information to:
Calvary Lutheran Church, ATTN: Search Committee, 302 Olena Ave SE, Willmar, MN  56201 or visit website for full ministry description.Applications will be accepted through July 8, 2016.

Youth and Families Coordinator
Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA, of St. Peter, Minnesota is searching for a Youth and Families Coordinator to be part of a team in developing and implementing programs for youth in fifth through twelfth grades and their families.  Essential functions include but are not limited to assisting with confirmation, high school Bible study and the youth committee, coordinating opportunities to nurture relationships between youth, their families and other adults, perform administrative/clerical tasks, attend monthly Children, Youth and Families Committee meetings and oversee the Family Ministry Team.  Qualifications include but are not limited to a high school diploma, an active faith grounded in Lutheran theology and previous experience with youth programming.  The position is part time, 20 hours or less, per week.  For pay rate and more information or to apply please contact:
Pastor Joy Ekstedt, 
507-934-4786 / pastorjoy@trinitystpeter.org.  
Deadline for submitting a resume is June 20, 2016.
Synod Events
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events. Visit the synod events webpage for more information.
JUNE
June 10-11, 2016
Gustavus, St Peter 

2016 SW MN SWO Convention
June 17 & 18, 2016
Vinje Lutheran, Willmar 
SAVE THE DATE
August 10-13, 216
New Orleans
 
ELCA Churchwide Assembly
August 8-13, 2016
New Orleans  
Other great resources and events! 
  • PLAN-IT Workshop, August 13
    Hosting: Prairie & Shetek Conferences at Shetek Lutheran Ministries.
    This is a guided day of planning resulting in a one year outline for your youth ministry. Click here for more information. 
  • Feeding Our Communities Event, July 28
    Central Minnesota Communities Coalition - Better Together
    Apollo High School, St. Cloud
    Join with your neighbors and community organization in an effort to feed those among us who are hungry right here in Central Minnesota. Together we will pack 1000,00+ desperately needed meals and distribute them to local charities and food shelves. Click here to sign up, support and serve.
  • Your invited to help build cabins! Each Tuesday-Saturday beginning May 17
    Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria
    Great service project! Please contact Dave or Troy at 320-846-2431.

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