| Upcoming Events | | |
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran, Crookston, MN
Concordia College
Moorhead, MN
See all events...
Looking Ahead: Re-rooting in
God's Mission: A Missional Spiritual Discovery Journey
for Congregations Begins
February 25, 2012 Registration Deadline: February 10, 2012 2012 Synod Assembly May 11 & 12, 2012
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| News for the Common Good | | |
Weekly eNewsletter
from the Minnesota Council of Churches
This Week:
* How Ministry with Refugees Enables the Global Conversation
* A Hopeful Earth Networking Event
* Celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
* SpringHouse Ministry Center Open House
* Healthy Legacy Day on the Hill; Rural Ministry Conference
* Give the Gift of Encouragement
* What is the Most Important Issue to You This Year?
* A Place to Lay Their Heads; Get Your Taxes Done for Free!
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| Contact Us | |
All submissions should be sent to wyland@cord.edu by noon on the Monday before the publication date.
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School for Lay Ministry
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School for Lay Ministry
Word in Worship Provides Windows for the World
February 10-11, 2012
Christ the King Lutheran Church - Moorhead, MN
"The life-giving pattern and text of the great tradition of Christian liturgy is really the Bible set to text, action and music. Our task as worshipers is to live more fully and prayerfully "between the lines" of the worship texts so they become an event of the Gospel for us.
We will explore how our forms of worship have the "power to raise the dead" and "give new life." Participants will have the opportunity to discover and express how the various parts of the liturgy can give them a "lens" and "window" to see all of life in a new, deeper and life-changing way.
 Our presenter is Dr. Mons Teig, Professor Emeritus of Worship, Luther Seminary. Mons stresses that worship isn't simply our offering to God. "The liturgy is not just our work," he says, "it is first God's work on behalf of the world as proclaimed in Word and Sacrament. Or to put it another way-worship is God's 'I love you' to us and our 'I love you' to God." Above all Mons believes that effective worship must be hospitable and welcoming.
Cost is $50 per person. Please contact Marsha mhendric@cord.edu or 218-299-3019 to register.
More information [PDF]
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2012 Church Council Training Events
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Walking Together Into God's Future
Sunday, February 12, 2012
2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Franklin Lake, rural Pelican Rapids, MN
Sunday, February 19, 2012
2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Thief River Falls, MN
Members of the synod pastoral staff will be offering brief presentations, leading into discussions of Walking Together....
- as we navigate change
 - as pastors and lay leaders
- in step (though not necessarily lock-step)
- with purpose
Registrations Due:
- Tuesday, February 7
for Pelican Rapids - Tuesday, February 14
for Thief River Falls
Download registration form [PDF]
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Getting ready for Lent 2012
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On Tuesday, January 17 about 25 people spent an afternoon at a Come and See! event at Trinity in Pelican Rapids learning about and experiencing the new homegrown in the NW MN Synod A Season for Prayer and Renewal, Seeking a New Vision for our Congregation's Purpose in God's Mission. There was energy for and interest in making use of this new, very flexible resource for the life and growth of their congregations either during Lent or at another time.
A Season for Prayer and Renewal is a spiritual renewal resource to help congregations discern the movement of the Holy Spirit and join God in the work God is doing in their neighborhoods. Spiritual renewal is the most important part of what is sometimes called the transformational ministry process. Back to the basics: Read the Bible/dwell in scripture, pray, engage in holy conversation, take time for silence and humility and open up space for discernment.
Pray for a glimpse of the movement of the HS. These resources are a guide to help congregations engage in these central faith practices for the sake of their life, health, energy and sense of mission. Congregations are to use them in whatever way best suits their context for ministry.
Download this resource and contemplate how your congregation might want to make use of this opportunity for renewal below.
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Mission from the Grassroots Up!
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Exciting things are happening in our Northwestern Minnesota Synod of our ELCA! "Mission from the Grassroots Up!" is a brochure describing some of the ministries that are reaching out to their unchurched neighbors in new and different ways and how the prayers, volunteers and donations provided by our Synod's congregations and individual members support these grassroots mission efforts within our Synod!
Please prayerfully consider joining in tending the growing harvest. Be a Mission Partner in our Synod-based efforts to help God's Kingdom grow.
Download brochure [PDF]
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Lay Ministry Class
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Lay Ministry Class
Begins February 19, 2012
Third Sunday of each month
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Redeemer Lutheran Church - Thief River Falls, MN
The Thief River Falls Lay Ministry Class gathers once a month for an in-depth, seminary level, study of the Scriptures, our Lutheran heritage and theology and some of the practical aspects of serving the church (preaching, pastoral care). Prayerfully consider becoming a part of this group who will be starting or continuing such a venture on Sunday, February 19 to begin the study of Church History with Dr. Jim Nestingen, former professor of Church history at Luther Seminary in St. Paul.
This is a five year course of study; participants may join in any year and complete the course after they have taken all five sessions. Session four begins February 19. The only cost to the participant is for books.
For more information, call Pastor Mark Helgeland at 218-681-3390.
Download flyer [PDF]
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Synod Pastor to Receive Honorary Degree in India
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The Rev. Dr. James Bergquist, a retired pastor of the NW MN Synod, will be given an honorary doctorate by the Senate of Serampore University in India at its annual convocation next month. Bergquist will also deliver the commencement address during the convocation, at which about 1500 seminary graduates will receive their degrees.
Serampore University is the oldest university in India, founded in the late 1700s. The Senate of Serampore governs the curriculum and degrees for more than 100 seminaries of all Christian denominations in India.
Dr. Bergquist is being recognized for 45 years of involvement as an ELCA missionary and leader in Indian theological education, along with several books and articles he has published regarding the church and theological education in India.
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Take the Health Assessment NOW!
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Got ELCA (Portico Benefit Services) health coverage?
 Take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment between now and April 30. You'll earn $150 a wellness account credit and help all the employers in our synod save 2% on health contributions for ALL of 2012.
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