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Northern Lights An electronic news digest of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod Visit our website at www.nwmnsynod.org
May 8, 2008 |
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Welcome to the weekly email digest of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod. Send announcements, prayer concerns, etc. to Michael Stein, Communications Director, stein@cord.edu
Please feel free to copy pertinent information and include in your congregation's bulletins/ newsletters.
The Northwestern Minnesota Synod does not necessarily endorse the content, speakers or resources that may be shared in (non-synod) events included in this newsletter.
If you have questions about the information presented here, contact the synod office: 218-299-3019 800-452-3692
Printable versions of Northern Lights are available on the home page
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NOTE: Items with a ☞and headlined in red are new or updated
The May 16-17 weather forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 60s with a chance of rain on Friday. The forecast for the 2008 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly calls for enrichment, inspiration, enlightenment, fellowship, education and more, with a good chance that you’ll return to your home congregation with a spirit of renewal. The synod website currently includes speaker information, assembly agenda, a campus map and FM visitors guide.
Please note that the synod office will be closed Monday, May 19.
Assistance still needed in Southeast Minnesota
Work has gone slowly in the Winona area and people need to be able to return
to their homes. If you are able to give one day, wonderful. Two days,
awesome. Three days, stupendous. Four or more spectacular! Housing can be
arranged.
This help is most needed in May and June.
rick.lane@lssmn.org
☞Creation Care Workshop The Lutheran Earth Keeping Network of the Synods (LENS) will host a workshop in the Northwestern Minnesota Synod to train individuals and congregational Creation Care Teams. Congregations that are interested in starting a Creation Care Team should send any and all interested members to jump start their congregation’s efforts. Congregations with existing programs are especially welcome to come and share their experiences and gather new ideas.
Alycia Ashburn, former Creation Care Coordinator for the Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy and Congregations Caring for Creation, will lead the workshop. She has worked extensively with congregations and helped develop material used by congregations across the country. Bishop Wohlrabe intends to participate in this event as well.
Mark your calendar today, for July 23. The location for the Northwest event has yet to be confirmed, but checking www.lcppm.org will keep you informed and allow you to register for this important event. Please come and join your bishop and fellow Lutherans for an evening of inspiration, empowerment, and shared best practices for caring for creation in your congregation.
☞MCC’s “News for the Common Good” The May 6 edition of Minnesota Council of Churches weekly “News for the Common Good” is available at www.nwmnsynod.org.
☞Dedication Service at Bethany, Nevis A dedication service for a church facility at Bethany, Nevis, will be held June 1 at 1 p.m. Open house and reception to follow.
☞Pathways Work Day Buffet Update: One Date Rescheduled Pathways would love your help getting the camp ready for summer. Work days are scheduled for: Emmaus : May 10. Because of the recent snowstorm, the workday at Camp Minne-Wa-Kan has been rescheduled for May 17.
Lake of the Woods : May 31. All work days begin at 9 a.m. Picnic lunch provided. Bring work clothes, gloves & rakes. Please RSVP to Andrea 218.751.4208. Maps available at www.pathwaysbiblecamps.com
Thrivent Member Challenge: Do you know how much your volunteer time is worth? Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Pathways are partnering to challenge all Thrivent members to volunteer their time at the Pathways Work Day Buffet! Then on your behalf, Thrivent will award Pathways $18.05/hour (or $126.35 for the day) to support camp and projects.
☞Luther Seminary Events & Resources KAIROS Courses Biblical and Ethical Resources for Environmental Issues July 14-18, 2008 – http://www.luthersem.edu/lifelong_learning/kairos/courses.asp#id346
Teaching the Bible to Change Lives July 21-25, 2008 http://www.luthersem.edu/lifelong_learning/kairos/courses.asp#id347
Presence, Power and Prayer: Process-Relational Spirituality July 28-Aug 1, 2008 http://www.luthersem.edu/lifelong_learning/kairos/courses.asp#id348
WorkingPreacher.org WorkingPreacher.org is a free resource for working preachers, providing exegetical material geared to the weekly lectionary and resources and insight regarding the craft of preaching. In the Company of Preachers is a preaching resource brought to you by the Center for Biblical Preaching and Luther Productions at Luther Seminary. This quarterly audio collection of sermons offers preachers both a continuing education element and an invitation to be renewed in their own faith and ministry through the preaching of others. Download the free introductory issue at http://www.workingpreacher.org/
Coming in July: Preaching the Law The law-gospel distinction is at the core of the Lutheran understanding of theology, Scripture, and preaching. But what do we really mean by “preaching the law”? Join Rolf Jacobson and David Lose as they explore preaching the law as an act of telling the truth.
God Pause Looking for spiritual refreshment? God Pause e-mail devotions are short, meaningful reflections on the following Sunday’s lessons and gospel delivered directly to your e-mail box. By Sunday, you'll be ready for an extra meaningful worship experience. Sing up at www.luthersem.edu/godpause.
Church Pews Available A number of church pews from the old Good Shepherd church, Moorhead, are available. Contact Shane, Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, at 701-793-6569 by May 13.
☞Rainbow of Promise Namaste! This traditional Indian greeting is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with the hands pressed together in front of the chest, palms touching, and can be translated as “the Spirit in me greets the Spirit in you”. Do you have a great desire to meet new people; to greet the Spirit within them? What would it be like to greet others in a place where Christians are a minority in a primarily Hindu culture? What would it be like to serve on a team that is called to give support to Indian Christians who are sometimes persecuted, or share Christ’s love with the poor or hurting? Are you able to passionately and openly speak about your faith with others?
Youth Encounter will sponsor Rainbow of Promise, a relational music ministry team to India and Nepal for August 2008-August 2009. They are looking for people who are excited to minister in a culture different from their own! They want people who are passionate about Jesus and sharing His love!
To apply for Rainbow of Promise or any of the other teams Youth Encounter sponsors please visit www.youthencounter.org and click on Ministries!
Questions? Contact Mary Bull, Director of Recruitment at 1-800-65-YOUTH, ext 8474.
Opportunity for Youth Leaders
A new
opportunity is being offered to synods who are interested in training their
youth leaders (adults who lead senior high programs, forums, Sunday school,
retreats, etc.) in congregations or synods on how to use and best utilize a
comprehensive senior high sexuality curriculum. This opportunity is being
offered by the Department for Studies, part of the Church in Society program
unit. The department is able to send an individual to a synod gathering of
youth leaders to train them on the curriculum and related resources.
Rural Churches: Ecumenical Community Service and Ministry Pastors and church leadership are encouraged to attend a two-day workshop, “Rural Churches: Ecumenical Community Service and Ministry,” designed to energize ecumenical work to meet community needs through shared service and ministry. May 14 & 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Paynesville (Minn.) Lutheran Church, or May 21 & 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Madelia (Minn.) United Methodist Church, Madelia, Workshop presenters include: Rev. Keith Zeh, regional mission director with the ELCA Outreach Division Rev. Arland Jacobson, director of the CHARIS Ecumenical Center, Concordia College Rev. Linda Kuhn and Rev. Dave King, Sand Bur Consulting –engaged in community and congregational problems.
For more information contact Lynne Holman at (612) 230-3211, lynne.holman@mnchurches.org or visit www.mnchurches.org. Click here for an informational brochure.
Minnesota Lutherhostel Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) and Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA) will offer the Minnesota Lutherhostel, a five-day musical feast, at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., July 16-20, 2008. For more information about this event, contact Walt Schmidt, 623-937-8835 or waltlois@cox.net
Theology of Christian Worship Conference The Theology of Christian Worship Conference will be held June 22-23,2008, at Luther Seminary. Keynote Speakers: Frank C. Senn, John T. Pless, Walter Sundberg. Also engaging workshops and inspiring music. Sponsored by ReClaim Resources for Lutherans. For more information, go to www.ReClaimLutheranWorship.org
Problem Gambling Conference 2nd Annual Minnesota Regional Problem Gambling Public Awareness Series: 2008 Regional Conferences on the dates listed below. All conferences will run from 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. and include 7 CEUs. Friday, May 16: Granite Falls, Project Turnabout/Vanguard Thursday, May 22: Moorhead, Trinity Lutheran Church/Lost & Found Ministry CLICK HERE for detailed brochure.
Lutheran World Relief Drives Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota will collect quilts and kits at LSS, 1325 11th St. S., Fargo, May 19-23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you have questions contact Ashley Kallod of Lutheran Disaster Response/LSS at 701-271-3288.
Regional Gift Planner Position Posted ELCA Human Resources has posted the Regional Gift Planner position on its website, http://www.elca.org/employment/descriptions/fo/regionalGifts.html . This is a position that will be supported by a $100,000 grant the Northwestern Minnesota Synod received in 2007. Please note that the ELCA Foundation is the hiring entity for this position. A hiring date is not included in the position description, but August 1, 2008, is when we hope to have this position filled. Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Camps Launch New Summer Choral CampsA new pilot junior high choral camp program will be offered at three Lutheran camps this summer:
The music camps are designed for area youth in grades 6-8 who are interested in singing and learning more about choral music. Lutheran Music Program (LMP) will provide a conductor and a team of choral faculty to deliver musical instruction for the camp. This summer’s conductor is Zebulon M. “Zeb” Highben who serves as Choirmaster and Associate Musician at Westwood Lutheran Church (St. Louis Park, Minnesota). For complete information, CLICK HERE Continuing Education Opportunities from CHARIS June 16-19, 2008 “Leading from Within: The Spirituality of Leadership” with Roy Oswald In this seminar, you will: explore the disciplines and rituals needed to keep centered, focused, and balanced in life and in your work; discover how to face fears about your leadership role; examine and possibly refocus your mission in life; explore the key polarities that need to be managed for effective leadership; explore the shadow side of your personality and learn how to utilize it for difficult leadership tasks; examine your leadership style related to authenticity and integrity with special emphasis on Parker Palmer’s “Leading from Within.”
Starts June 16 at 10 a.m. and ends June 19, noon, at the Park Region Lounge in Park Region Hall, Concordia College. Cost: $439; fee includes breaks only. Early Bird Discount (if paid in full by May 30) $40 off. On-campus room and/or board available on request. CEUs: 2 (= 20 contact hours) - $5 admin fee.
June 24-25, 2008 “Leading Change and Living to Tell About It” with Anthony B. Robinson The focus of this workshop is to explore such transformational leadership—and survive to tell about it. Tony Robinson is a UCC pastor in Seattle whose focus these days is building congregations and communities and strengthening leadership. The author of “Transforming Congregational Culture and Leadership for Vital Congregations,” Robinson has served four congregations, both rural and urban, large and small.
Starts June 24 from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m; June 25, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Jones Conference Room in the Student Center at Concordia College. Cost: $299; fee includes breaks only. Early Bird Discount (if paid in full by June 6) $30 off. On-campus room and/or board available on request. CEUs: 1.1 (= 11 contact hours) - $5 admin fee
July 21, 2008 Skill Enhancement Workshop for Church Secretaries and Office Staff This is a workshop designed by church secretaries and office staff for church secretaries and office staff. They know what they want and need, and CHARIS works with them to provide this workshop, which will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Concordia College.
There will be three ‘breakout’ sessions, with workshops on computer security, church security, church newsletters and bulletins, website (an overview), archives, office communication, and a motivational workshop. The fee for the day is $85, which includes lunch and breaks.
For more information on these seminar/workshops, contact Jacki Knapp-Raaen, Coordinator, CHARIS Ecumenical Center, Concordia College, 218.299.3566 or knappraa@cord.edu
Augsburg College Summer Theology Institute Augsburg College asks pastors and other church professionals to nominate youth completing 10-12th grades who demonstrate theological capability to attend the Augsburg College Youth Theology Institute at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, June 15-20, 2008. The registration fee is $100. That $100 will cover housing, all meals, and all programming for the Institute. Augsburg College and a grant from the Lilly Endowment will cover all other expenses for the week.
During the week, participants will receive theological education on the theme "Why Christian: Claiming Our Faith in an Age of Pluralism." Participants will study the book Why Christian: For Those on the Edge of Faith by Douglas John Hall.For more information, please contact Ross Murray, Augsburg College Youth Theology Institute Program Director at 612-330-1151 or murray@augsburg.edu.
Mission Director Position Posted
on ELCA Website
http://www.elca.org/employment/#Mission_Director_-_Saint_Paul/Minneapolis_Area_Synods
Position Opening: Director of Youth and Family Ministries The Director of Youth and Family Ministries at St. John Lutheran Church in Fargo is a professional staff position that bears primary responsibility for the planning and management of the Youth and Family Ministries programs of St. John Lutheran Church. The DYFM shall foster Christian community through building relationships with youth and their families, work to strengthen the commitment of our youth to the church and help them grow their faith. The DYFM will work in partnership with the pastors, staff, and lay leadership of the church. This is a full time position with context of the responsibilities described on full position description (applicants seeking a ¾ time position should also apply).
View full job description at: www.stjohnfargo.com.
Send resume with references by May 25th to: Jason Baumgartner, DYFM Call Committee Chair, St. John Lutheran Church, 1710 5th St. South, Fargo, ND 58103.
Position Opening: Director of Children and Youth Ministries Shalom Lutheran Church of Alexandria, Minn., seeks a full time Director of Children and Youth Ministries, to develop, coordinate and provide leadership for a comprehensive ministry with children and youth from baptism through High School. Contact Pastor Grant Aaseng, shalom@embarqmail.com, or (320) 762-8641.
Youth Ministry Position Open in Evansville The Joint Youth Task Force of Calvary Covenant and Faith Lutheran in Evansville, Minnesota, has a full-time job opportunity for a qualified candidate seeking to help youth grow spiritually. Primary responsibilities are to youth in grades 4-12. Youth ministry training or experience is required. Candidates with parish education and musical experience will be considered first. For more information or to apply, contact Pastor Irv Arnquist at irvarnquist@hotmail.com or 218-948-2574.
Director of Music Ministry Position Open in Willmar A large congregation in Willmar, Minn., seeks a full-time director of music ministry. Duties include organ playing, directing adult choir and worship planning of traditional and contemporary services. Competitive salary and benefits. See the church website, www.vinjechurch.com or contact Pr. Knudson, 320-235-1441 or pastorknudson@vinjechurch.com
Updated Pulpit Supply List, Including Summer 2008, Available The synod pulpit supply list for October 2007-May 2008 is continually updated on the synod website (www.nwmnsynod.org). Links to a PDF and Word version are listed on the left side of the home page.
☞Prayer Concerns (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. Please join us this week as we pray for: Gretchen Person and Mark Ring John and Dee Peshek Allen and Mary Peterson Chad and Emily Peterson David and Rena Peterson David and Joy Peterson Donald and Esther Peterson Stephen and Enid Peterson Theodore and Mildred Peterson
☞Quotable Quotation Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. – C. S. Lewis
☞The Last Laugh A preacher announced from the pulpit, "I have good news and bad news. The good news is we have enough money to retire the mortgage on the church."
A sigh of relief went through the congregation.
The preacher continued: "The bad news is: the money is still in your pocket." |