SYNOD NEWS AND EVENTS - JULY 27, 2016
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2016 Churchwide Assembly
August 8-13, 2016 in New Orleans
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson 
We are preparing for our upcoming churchwide assembly. Click here to learn more about this gathering and the first time event, The Grace Gathering, that will happen alongside the assembly. 
Here is a picture of our synod's voting members.  We want to thank all our voting members pictured and not pictured for their giving of time to participate in this gathering of our church body that happens every three years. 

We invite you to join us in prayer.
Loving God, through holy baptism you continue to make us new and gather us together across all human divisions reconciling us to yourself in one body through the cross. Strengthen us by your presence, that our thoughts and actions may be rooted and grounded in your love for us. Direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by your reconciling love, as this church prepares to gather in assembly.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Visit the Churchwide Assembly Resources webpage to download a series of prayers for your congregation and personal devotions.

Some Assembly Action Items: 
  • Election of Churchwide Vice President - Our synod's Vice President Gwen Arneson is one of the people who have been identified prior to the assembly as a possible nominee in a new pre-assembly process.  
  • Two Rosters Proposed - Roster of "Ministers of Word and Sacrament" and "Ministers and Word and Service" Here is a story that will take you into this decision from Living Lutheran by Jeff Favre. "Lay rostered leaders: What's in a name?" 
  • Doctrine of Discovery - Another resolution that will come before the assembly will call for our denomination to join other denominations in repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery.  This doctrine of the church and our immigrant ancestors stated that whoever discovered land would have the right to claim it.  The difficulty we understand now is that this denied the ownership of the native people who lived in this areas before our predominantly European ancestors arrived in the United States and in Minnesota. 
    There are many other memorials and people submit resolutions at the assembly. We will share more later about our assembly. You can also follow on live stream. We will share more about that later. 
Social Media Coming Soon!
The Churchwide Assembly social media webpage will have the Livestream video and links to Facebook and Twitter feeds, and possibly a few others. We will share this webpage as soon as it because available. 
Hawk Creek
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
Last Saturday a lightning strike started a fire that destroyed most of Hawk Creek Lutheran Church.  This was what was left in the afternoon when I was able to visit.  We are thankful for all the support and prayers offered by sisters and brothers in Christ. We are thankful for the crucial work of the firemen of many communities who came to assist.
I visited with Pr. Dan Bowman today and he said their sense of loss is deepening, but their awareness of the joy of being embraced by a "great cloud of witnesses" has been increasing as they are hearing from neighbors and strangers who are calling to express support and concern.

Pr. Bowman shared that the entire building was condemned. They have begun the work of engaging insurance and other people who will help them move forward. The fire did not claim many of the historical items in the church. The altar stood as a witness even when the rest of the building had fallen. I was touched to hear the memories and hopes of members as I visited. 
We know that the church is not our buildings. We are thankful the fire did not hurt anyone. Pr. Bowman named that the members of the community of faith is the real church. God has a future for them all. 
Date Change
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
Last week we posted a save the date for a Legal 101 event for August 25, 2016 which has changed to Church Law Day on August 18, 2016.
After multiple requests we have put together a day on church law in conjunction with the Southeastern Minnesota Synod.  This gathering will be in St. Peter at Gustavus Adolphus from 9:30 to 3:00.  We will engage the issues related to the new overtime regulations, the ministerial exception and a broad number of areas that pastors, administrators and council leaders would likely find helpful. More detail will be coming in the days ahead.   
Assembly Bible Studies
All three of Rev. Dr. Brian Konkol's Bible Studies are available to watch and download on your SW MN Synod Vimeo page. Click here to view.
Like us on Facebook Book of the Month Facebook Group
There is still time to join the conversation!
FREE Featured book: Ministry and Money: A Practical Guide for Pastors.
Click here to join the Facebook Group.  
"Good afternoon friends! My name is Pr. Erik Karlson of the Neighbors in Christ Parish of Winthrop and Gibbon, and I will be moderating the conversation for the SW MN Synod Book of the Month: 'Ministry and Money' A Practical Guide for Pastors.'
Over the next weeks, we will be exploring the text written by Janet & Philip Jamieson who seek to provide a biblical, historical, and theological perspective on issues pertaining to money, pastoral discipline, and congregational systems. This study is also designed to finish the same week when the Jamieson's will be speaking at their Ministry and Money Event, being held at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar, MN on Friday September 9th and Saturday September 10th.
I plan on introducing the topics/chapters of the book on Thursday or Friday in order to give time for reading, and then open up the conversation on Monday of the following week. Each week will be specific to the assigned topics which will include the problem with money in the church, history of the church's teaching on money, understanding basics of church accounting and financial reports, church budgeting, financial transparency, the freedom and love of 'giving,' and how pastors use money in their own personal lives.
If you do not have the book, please register by clicking here to receive a FREE book. Looking forward to the conversation!"
+ Pr. Erik
Worship and Music Lay Job Opportunities
Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN are seeking the following positions: 
  • Position title: Saturday Worship Accompanist
  • Position title: Children's Choir Director
  • Position title: Saturday Worship Accompanist
Application deadline: Open until filed.
To apply: send cover letter and resume or complete application online at www.bethlehemlutheran.org
Contact person: Lori Fuchs, Director of Operations, lfuchs@bethlehemlutheran.org
Synod Events
Below is a list of all the upcoming synod events. Visit the synod events webpage for more information.
JULY
July 22, 2016
Redwood Falls Golf Club, Redwood Falls

Better Together Hunger Event
July 28, 2016
Apollo High School, St Cloud

AUGUST
August 10-13, 216
New Orleans
 
ELCA Churchwide Assembly
August 8-13, 2016
New Orleans  
SEPTEMBER
Ministry and Money
September 10, 2016
Calvary Lutheran, Willmar 
Church Staff Workers' Retreat
September 13, 2016
Gloria Dei Lutheran, Redwood Falls 

LMM Fall Retreat
September 24, 2016
Shetek Lutheran Ministries

Fall Theological Conference
September 25-27, 2016
Mount Carmel Ministries & Luther Bible Camp, Alexandria, MN
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. 

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