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Synod Staff
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Bishop Larry Wohlrabe
Pastor Steve Peterson
Assistant to the Bishop
Pastor Laurie Natwick
Assistant to the Bishop
Mr. Erin Anderson
Assistant to the Bishop
Pastor Keith Zeh
Director for Evangelical Mission
Bill Elmstrom
Charitable Gift Planner, Lutheran Planned Giving of Western Minnesota
Shirleen Wyland
Administrative Assistant
Marsha Hendrickson
Office Manager
Robert Larson
Bookkeeper
Cheryl Zeh
Secretary to Pr. Zeh/Office Reception
Michael Stein
Communications Director
Meet our staff
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Coming Up
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January 22-23
"Building Men for Christ" event, Hope South, Fargo
Details
February 12-13
School for Lay Ministry, Detroit Lakes
(Details below)
May 14-15
Coming Events at Luther Crest
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SYNOD ASSEMBLY
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The 2010 Synod Assembly will be held May 14-15 at Concordia College, Moorhead. Resources and updates will be distributed as they become available.
Guidelines for Writing Resolutions
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Recommended
Resources
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Rev. John Ragan's Powerpoint presentation, "Attitudes, Beliefs & Behavior Patterns of Missional STaR Congregations," is available in PDF format: CLICK HERE
Bishop Wohlrabe's column series, "Theology of Abundance
January 2010"Life Overflowing: The Word"
Word version (right click and save)
PDF version
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The Lutheran
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The January 2010 edition of The Lutheran includes a four-page insert from the Northwestern Minnesota Synod. CLICK HERE to open/download a PDF of the insert
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Prayer Concerns
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(If you have a prayer request to share, please submit them to stein@cord.edu
And as we move through the year the synod staff offers up general prayers for synod leaders in alphabetical order.
Almina and William Beyer
Greg and Sherry Billberg
Reuben Birkholz
Stephen and Marian Bomgren
Jay and Carol Borchert
Kenneth Bowman
Shawn and Kim Brandon
Harald and Andrea Bringsjord
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Join Our List
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Positions Open
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Executive Director, Pathways Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
Youth and Family Ministry Director, Brainerd
Part-time Youth & Children's Director, New Life, Rothsay
Details
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Worth Quoting
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For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
-St. Paul
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Humor Me!
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Your Know You're From Minnesota If...
· You've seen all the biggest bands ten years after they were popular.
· You measure distance in minutes.
· You know several people who have hit a deer.
· You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
· You carry jumper cables in your car.
· You know what "cow tipping" is.
· You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
· You find -20 degrees F "a little chilly".
· You know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Construction.
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Contact Us
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Contact the synod office:
218-299-3019
218-299-3019
WATS:
800-452-3692
800-452-3692
FAX: 218-299-3362
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Welcome to the new Northwestern Minnesota Synod Northern Lights 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.
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DISASTER IN HAITI
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Updates and Resources
Responding to the Devastation in Haiti
ELCA Members Heed the Call
Individuals and congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have contributed more than $1.2 million to fund relief efforts of ELCA partner organizations working on the ground in Haiti, said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission, in a Jan. 19 conference call.
Synod Women Contribute Heartily
Our NWMN Synod Women's Organization responded to the crisis in Haiti with their hearts and dollars. The SWO Board voted to send $10,000 to ELCA Disaster Relief - Haiti and $5,000 to Lutheran World Relief.
"Usually this money would have been given to several other places that might have needed it," said SWO President Elaine Scheer. "But it was felt by the board that Haiti needed an enormous amount immediately. We can always give some to other concerns later, but lives come first. We are proud of what we can do with the money given to us by the women of the ELCA."
Trinity Mission Team Returns
We are happy to report that the mission team from Trinity, Moorhead, which was working in Pignon, Haiti, returned safely last Sunday. The trip out of Haiti and through the Dominican Republic was somewhat harrowing as might be expected under the circumstances. The bus ride from Pignon to the border was only 34 miles, but took more than three hours. One member of the team said, "It's pretty much chaos at the border with thousands of people trying to cross over to the Dominican Republic. It looked like hundreds of thousands of people trying to cross over."
Your help is needed today to bring immediate relief and continued hope for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
Help spread the word to your congregations, your conferences and your friends and family. Learn more at www.elca.org/disaster
Please continue to pray for all those affected by this disaster.
Update and News From "TeacHaiti"
"Call for Prayer and Generosity." Message from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson
LWF Teams with Thrivent for "Text to Give" Member Challlenge
Medical Volunteers Needed
Bulletin Insert: Haiti Earthquake Response
Thrivent Financial and its members aim to generate $3 million to aid Haiti earthquake response
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OUTREACH FOR MISSION
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Small Congregation, Big Mission
Little Norway Makes Its Mark in Mission Support
The faithful in attendance at last Sunday's annual meeting of Little Norway, Fertile, carried on their 127-year mission-minded tradition with significant contributions and designations to carry on God's work--including $10,000 for Haiti relief efforts. CLICK HERE for this week's Northern Lights feature.
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SCHOOL FOR LAY MINISTRY
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School For Lay Ministry Set for February 12-13 in Detroit Lakes
Northwestern Minnesota Synod School for Lay Ministry with Mons Teig will be held February 12-13, 2010 at Grace Lutheran Church, 213 Roosevelt Ave., Detroit Lakes. Theme: "Worship Windows to the World." This class will focus on creative and practical ways to explore and implement the vital connections between what we do on Sunday and the rest of our lives. Mons Teig is Professor Emeritus of Worship at Luther Seminary.
Registration Cost is $50. Check-in 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. Please pre-register for this event. Register online or contact Bob Larson at the synod office, 218.299.3019
218.299.3019 , or email rlarson@cord.eduit Lakes, Minn.
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BOOK OF FAITH
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Book of Faith Core Team Opportunity!
We are looking for three or four people to serve on a Book of Faith Core Team in the synod for the purpose of directing opportunities for programming, visioning and resourcing around the Book of Faith Initiative. This core team will meet a couple times each year and will be in frequent communication. Pastor Kate Bruns of Bethlehem Lutheran in Fergus Falls has agreed to serve as chair of the team. If you or someone in your congregation have an interest in serving on the core team, please contact Erin Anderson at eranders@cord.edu or Pastor Kate Bruns at pastorkate@prtel.com. An initial core team meeting is set for Thursday, January 21, from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the synod office in Moorhead, 310 14th Ave. S.
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ADVOCACY EVENTS
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"Day on the Hill" Coming March 25
Every year the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (includes our synod) sponsors a "Day on the Hill" enabling those representing the religious communities of our state to meet with their legislators. The turnout from our synod has been small in comparison to the other synods. I have attended many of these yearly events, and I have been asked by JRLC to encourage greater participation. It would be good if you could find one or more from your congregation who would like to attend this event.
This "Day On The Hill" will be March 25. The morning session will provide an update on the bills before our legislators, and will assist us in addressing major concerns with a united voice as we visit our legislators in the afternoon. Those participating would have to call their legislators for an afternoon appointment. Registration is $30 before 3/10, $40 after 3/10, and $45 after 3/22. (It is less for students and low income persons.) Registration and more information is available online: www.jrlc.org, click on "Day on the Hill'. JRLC's mailing address is 122 W. Franklin Ave, Suite 315, Minneapolis MN, 55404.
Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) will be March 19-22, 2010, in Washington D.C. This year's theme is "A Place To Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees, and Displaced Peoples." Join hundreds of faith-based advocates in taking action on U.S. legislation that welcomes immigrants, protects refugees, and prevents displacement for millions. A Lutheran reception will be held on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, Lutherans will gather for fellowship and to hear more from the ELCA Washington Office staff
A limited number of Lutheran scholarships are still available. To inquire, please contact Jodi Deike at jodi.deike@elca.org with your name, home congregation, contact information, a brief paragraph about why you'd like to attend EAD and why you are applying for scholarship assistance. More information is available at www.elca.org/advocacy.
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EVENTS IN OUR SYNOD AND BEYOND
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The Northwestern Minnesota Synod's next Lay Ministry Class 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. The outward movement of worship to the world will help all worshipers discover and renew their baptismal vocations. God so loved the world that God gave the Incarnate Word. Jesus so loved the world that He gave his church to the world. The journey to the world for us begins in worship.
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
Jay Beech to Present Workshop January 30
Noted Lutheran composer and musician, Jay Beech, will present a workshop at Bethlehem Lutheran in St. Cloud on Saturday, January 30. The first session at 1:00 will focus on worship planning and rehearsal techniques. After a short break there will be a reading session beginning at 3:00 that will include both congregational music and anthems/performance music. Registration fee for the event is $10 and participants will receive promotional copies of music to take home with them, as well as receive discounts for purchasing Jay's music at www.baytonemusic.com.
Beech will also lead music at the 5:00 service that evening and perform a short coffeehouse set following a light meal at 6:00. For more information contact Brenda Handel-Johnson at bhandeljohnson@hotmail.com or call Bethlehem at (320) 251-8356
(320) 251-8356 .
TRF Lay Ministry Class: Room for More!
The Thief River Falls Lay Ministry Class is a group of about 10 to 12 people who gather together once a month on a Sunday afternoon 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 February 21 as we begin the study of the New Testament with Professor David Rhoads. We meet at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1300 South Nora St., Thief River Falls. For more information, call Pastor Mark Helgeland at 218-681-3390
218-681-3390 or 218-689-0727
218-689-0727 .
Church Council Training Events: Save These Dates!
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 more information and watch Northern Lights for updates.
Call for Auditions: The Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir
MASLC is a Christ-centered ministry, devoted to preaching the gospel to high school students and providing an experience of music and Christian community, described above by two students from MASLC 2009. Auditions for this intensive summer choral experience are being held at sites across Minnesota throughout February. Please encourage high school singers in your congregation to audition. Complete information may be found at the website: www.maslc.org/auditions.html. To request a poster that may be hung in your church, please contact Eric Sorum at: ejsorum@gmail.com
Women of Faith Revisited
Women of Faith Revisited will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2900 N Broadway, Fargo, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You will hear heart-felt, hilarious messages by nationally known speakers and participate in songs of worship. Admission is $15 per person and includes lunch, as well as beverages and snacks throughout the day. Registration required: call church office at . Childcare is available (ages 2 and up) upon request by January 15. Join us for a day of inspiration and be encouraged in your faith journey!
Building Men For Christ January 22-23
Lutheran Men in Mission, along with the Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota Synods is sponsoring a training event for men's and congregational leaders at Hope (South), Fargo. The vision of Lutheran Men in Mission is for every man to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through an effective ministry with men in every congregation. If funds are an issue in deciding whether or not to attend this event, scholarship money is available. Contact Doug Haugen, Director for Lutheran Men in Mission at 773-380-2566
773-380-2566 or Doug.Haugen@elca.org
MORE INFORMATION
Region 3 Hunger Retreat
Jan. 28-29, Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria. Do you have a passion for hunger and justice work or do you know someone in your congregation that does? Join others for this retreat to be inspired by music, worship, Bible study, and presentations on hunger-related issues. Contact the Rev. Paul Erickson at the synod office for more information or to register at 651-224-4313
651-224-4313
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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
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New Life Lutheran, Rothsay, has the following educational material that needs a new home:
VBS
Group: Power Lab, Fiesta: Lava Lava; Avalanche Ranch; these have Chaddder the chipmunk who our kids just really like. Standard Publishing: Construction Zone
Sunday School (material is a group):
Living Inside Out: Star Quest, Wilderness Trail; Heroes: Treasure Island; Under the Tree: Spelunkers; In the Doghouse
Arctic Antics; Rescue 911; Balloon Fest: Available after May 15: Music Camp & Stormchasers.
Contact Joyce Peterson by email or at
218-867-2443
218-867-2443
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
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