February 10, 2010

Welcome to the new Northwestern Minnesota Synod Northern Lights weekly email newsletter. This will be your primary source of news, information, events, stories from around the synod and links to other resources to assist you in our shared mission to be God's hands doing His work.  Please note that, somewhere in your email window, you may be asked to click to download pictures/images/graphics included in this email. It is safe to do so.

STATEMENTS OF INTENT DUE

Statements of Intent Due Soon!
As we plan our proposed 2010 budget to be presented at the Synod Assembly in May, it is vital that we receive congregational Statements of Intent by the end of February. You may CLICK HERE to download a Statement of Intent. Thanks!

ROSTERED LEADER REPORTS DUE

Rostered Leader Reports Due February 15
If you have not yet done so, please fill out and return your 2010 Rostered Leader Report by February 15. If possible, you are encouraged to submit this report in a paperless fashion. CLICK HERE for the ELCA page where you'll find the options available based on your current roster status.

Fill out the form, save it on your computer, then email it as a file attachment to Shirleen Wyland, wyland@cord.edu. Thank you!

UPCOMING TRAINING EVENTS

School For Lay Ministry

The Northwestern Minnesota Synod's next School for Lay Ministry will be held February 12-13 at Grace Lutheran Church, 213 Roosevelt Ave., Detroit Lakes.
 
The theme for this class is "Worship's Windows to the World." We will focus on creative and practical ways to explore and implement this vital connection between what we do on Sunday and all the rest of our lives.

Mons A. Teig, Professor Emeritus of Worship, Luther Seminary, will lead the class. Registration Cost is $50. Registration will begin at 6:15 p.m. on Friday with class beginning at 7 p.m.(Please note there will be no supper.) Saturday morning rolls and coffee,  Saturday lunch, and refreshments will be provided. CLICK HERE to register online. Registration questions? Contact rlarson@cord.edu

CLICK HERE FOR UPDATED CLASS SCHEDULE

Church Council Training Events Announced for Newfolden, Park Rapids, Evansville
Church Council Training Events will be held February 21, 27 and 28 in three sections of the synod. The theme:  "RE-ROOTING, RE-ROUTING, RE-FUELING." CLICK HERE for updated information!
Registration Form

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Souper Bowl Sunday Stories Wanted
Did your congregation participate in Sunday's 'Souper Bowl of Caring.'  Do you have stories of youth doing volunteer work at a shelter and/or food distribution center, participating in a fast, etc?
 
If so, please e-mail melissa.ramirezcooper@elca.org with the name of your congregation, city, state, and (if possible) a contact person.

Your Stories Wanted!

We'd like to do more to highlight the great things happening throughout the synod via Northern Lights and the synod website. Please email stories or story ideas from your congregation or parish to the address below, or contact Michael at the synod office.
Your Photos Wanted!
Do you have photos from your congregation you would willing to share? These could be pictures from congregational events or "still life" in and around your building and grounds. Electronic jpegs are preferred. Of course, we want to be sensitive to those who would prefer not to have their faces out there for all to see.

Reply to stein@cord.edu Thanks!

MEN'S MISSION

Building Men for Christ Building a Spiritual Foundation
Building Men for Christ training event for men and congregational leaders was offered on January 22-23 at the South Campus of Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo. The training event, facilitated by the ELCA's Lutheran Men in Mission in partnership with both synods, expressed a compelling vision of every man having a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Despite terrible weather, 23 men from seven congregations attended. MORE

SYNOD RESOURCE LIBRARY

Now Available in Our Resource Library

• Book: "For Heaven's Sake: Parenting Preschoolers Faithfully" CLICK HERE for information package
• DVD: "Everyone's Child" from Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
• DVD: "Care for Returning Veterans"
• DVD: SIMBA/SIMSA Summer Camp Videos
• Book: "40 Days and 40 Nights" Pocket Devotions for Lent
• Book: "Book of Faith Advent Reflections"
• Book: "Worship Guidebook for Lent and the Three Days"
• DVD Sampler: "Communion Preparation for a New Generation"
• VBS Resource: (available for preview) "ReNew It! Challenge" resources for a "green' VBS
• DVD: "Becoming a Vital First Call Congregation"
• Book: "Holden-Prayer Around the Cross" Handbook to the Liturgy

ADVOCACY / GLOBAL MISSION

Global Links
The latest issue of Global Links (February 2010) contains highlights from elca.org of ELCA ministry or connections in other countries. Please share this information with your congregation or other interested parties.

Be a Superhero in the Minnesota Fight Against Hunger!
Your help is needed to make the largest food drive in Minnesota a success. The March Campaign, by Minnesota FoodShare organizes a statewide media campaign to promote food shelf donations, produce and distribute free promotional and educational resources for food drive organizers, and act as a clearinghouse for all cash donations by distributing the funds to participating Minnesota food shelves. Help your congregation, corporation, nonprofit, school, local civic group, etc. sponsor a food drive today. MN FoodShare is a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches cosponsored by the Minnesota Council of Churches. For ideas on how you can be a superhero visit www.mnfoodshare.gmcc.org/march.php.

Stand for Welcome Sunday

Bishops of the ELCA Immigration Ready Bench and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service are encouraging congregations to hold a Stand for Welcome Sunday in February or March. A Stand for Welcome Sunday can increase members' awareness about the difference people of faith can make on behalf of migrants at risk.
Stand for Welcome Sunday resources include a bulletin insert with stories, prayer, and actions your congregation can take; a mythbuster that reveals the facts about immigration; Bible study to help your congregation respond faithfully to immigrant concerns and postcards to download and send to members of Congress.
More information and resources

EVENTS IN OUR SYNOD AND BEYOND

Pension Program Informational Meeting

The Fargo-Moorhead ELCA retired pastors and other rostered leaders group will meet on February 16 (Tuesday) at Dilworth Lutheran Church. The meeting will begin with a meal at noon followed by the program. Pastor Robert Berg of the ELCA Pension Program will speak to the group regarding the current status of the pension program and will answer questions. Contact the synod office (218-299-3019) by today (February 10) if you'd like to attend.

Agape is Coming to Halstad February 12
Halstad Lutheran Church will host Christian hip hop artist Agape (Dave Scherer) at an "After the Ball Game" concert and youth event February 12, 9 p.m. Tickets at $5. CLICK HERE for more information.

Vibrant Faith Conference for Parents ~ Saturday, February 20
United Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, has extended an invitation for a day together in conversation and learning about how we all work together at home and at church in raising our children as disciples of Jesus Christ. Session topics include: Your Home is Church, too!, Four Keys for Vibrant Faith, Using Milestones to Practice Faith, and Taking it Home-Action Steps.  This event is free with lunch provided.  Click here for more information!

Clergy Day Opportunity to Meet Military Chaplains
On February 12 in Bismarck, N.D., area clergy and church staff members are invited to a training workshop to meet local military chaplains and learn about resources available to help meet the needs of military and families in your congregation.
CLICK HERE for event flyer.

Bible Camp Booster Club

All are welcome to the Lake of the Woods Bible Camp Booster Club on February 14, 2 p.m., at our Redeemer's Lutheran, Badger. The club will discuss ways of promoting the camp and building on the success of last wummer when the camp had a high number of campers. (This meeting will be done in plenty of time for you to take your Valentine out for dinner.)

Reading the Gospels Today
This series of discussions explores the nature of the Gospels and the surprising insights of contemporary scholarship into what the Gospel writers were really up to. Led by Neil Elliott, an Episcopal priest and adjunct faculty at United Theological Seminary.
 
When: Saturdays - March 27 & April 24, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Where: Alexandria, First Congregational United Church of Christ
Cost (includes lunch): $190.00 ($240.00 after March 13)
For more information or to register: www.unitedseminary.edu/CommunityPrograms/academy.asp.

GENTLY USED RESOURCES AVAILABLE

New Life Lutheran, Rothsay, seeks a new home for:
White dishes with green ring: dinner plates, salad plates, cups, saucers, serving bowls and platters, etc. If anyone is interested and has questions, please call New Life Lutheran Church at 218-867-6557.

Calvary Lutheran, Park Rapids, has a free-standing baptismal font to give away. The font is in good condition, and about 4 ft high with a metal basin. Contact Laura at Calvary,  218-732-7284

Calvary Lutheran, Perham, has Faithweaver Sunday school curriculum they are no longer using.  It is Fall 2008 Pre-School through 6th Grade, and Spring 2009 Pre-School through 4th Grade.  There is a leader guide for every grade, and almost all grades still have unused workbooks. They also have a VBS "Beach Party, which still has the director's guide and many decorations. If you can use these resources, or know of someone who can, contact Tracy Bieger Christian Education Coordinator, 346-4780 ext 104