Silent Phase Concludes with $616,540

The funding initiative "Embrace God's Mission, Equip God's People" was launched at our Synod Assembly from its silent phase with the announcement of $616,540 in cash and pledges. Four times a referee interrupted the assembly agenda to announce another category of gifts that have already been received toward this funding initiative. The resources already received will focus on congregational vitality, local and global mission and developing servant leaders. Plus, there will be additional resources for building a ministerial excellence fund to help congregations and pastors with financial literary and educational debt relief.

The first interruption announced that organizations have given gifts totaling $4,854. Groups include the SWMN Women of the ELCA, two conferences (Lac qui Parle and Glacial Ridge), two congregations (Bethel Lutheran in Lester Prairie and Svea Lutheran) and the Lac qui Parle global mission group.

A congregation Endowment gift from Bethel Lutheran in Willmar got the assembly participates thinking about their congregations when this $10,000 Congregational Endowment gift was announced.

Estate gifts and the Lilly Endowment award pointed the way to what can happen with the generous planning that can follow our values long past our earthly life. This fourth interruption recognized the estate gift of Ruth Beck of East Sveadahl Lutheran in rural St. James of $16,378 for Global Mission and the $500,000 from the Lilly Endowment. These both have been assigned to this funding initiative.

The grand total for this "Silent Phase" of $616,540 is only the beginning. Additional gifts are continuing to raise this total as the invitation to be a part of this "Embrace God's Mission, Equip God's People" is rippling out to organizations, individuals and endowment/estate plans throughout our SW MN Synod and beyond.

Now you are being invited to consider what you and your congregation can do to join this initial effort. Watch for more information about how God is calling you to be a part of this generous and inspiring effort. Find your passion to embrace God's mission and equip God's people and become a part of this movement in our SW MN Synod.

For many, it's already happening. Whether Sunday morning finds them seated at work or at a coffee shop, in the bleachers or on a pew, they're already rethinking churchgoing. And perhaps you are, too.

But what is God up to in all of this? And to what more faithful future are Christian communities now being called? What are the practices of discipleship for a post-churchgoing world?

Join the conversation and discover the courage to ask some fresh questions and engage them more boldly.

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Click here for event speakers.

"It was helpful to see that our church is not struggling in the process alone. I felt it gave me license to think outside of the programming box towards the larger, most basic, central goal of any church work-to create missionaries for the world in a quickly changing cultural climate." -Past Rethinking participant
 

We have received several calls lately from congregations that need to renew their 501(c)(3) status. Apparently the State of Minnesota is catching up on some overdue work. It's important to know that we (synod and congregations) have a group exemption.

If you receive such notice, please contact me at carla.klawitter@swmnelca.org or 507-627-9044. I'll send you the group exemption number, 501(c)(3) certification letter, and copies of two official IRS letters needed to complete your paperwork.