Monthly Archives: May 2011

Funeral Arrangements for Rev. Charles Akre

May 25, 2011 Dear Friends, Word was received of the death Monday, May 23, 2011, of the Reverend Charles H. Akre at his home in Northfield. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. from … Continue reading

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Synod Assembly News

News stories and a comprehensive report of the 2011 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly are available at www.semnsynod.org/assembly/2011-synod-assembly-news/

Posted in News | Leave a comment

A Report of the 2011 Synod Assembly

Print-Ready Versions Portrait (full 8.5″x11″ page printed double-sided) Landscape (half sheet, 5.5″x8.5″, finished size to be printed on a full sheet, double sided and folded in half) The “Lutheran hands” of the 503 voting members of the 2011 Southeastern Minnesota Synod … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News, Bridge | Tagged | Leave a comment

Ann Peterson Elected as Synod Vice President

By Rev. Emily Carson and Katie Livingood The 2011 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly elected Ann Peterson as the next vice president of the synod. Shirley Gangstad, outgoing vice president, stated, “Constitutionally our vice president chairs the synod council, attends the … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News | Leave a comment

Luncheon Provides Opportunity to Grow Global Partnerships

By Jeremy Wahlstrom Rev. Fred Rengstorf, chair of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Global Mission/Companion Synods Committee, reminds us that “the church is about relationship, first with our Savior Jesus Christ, and then secondly with our brothers and sisters in Christ.” … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News, Global Mission News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bible Book of Faith Leaders Lead and Demonstrate Good Bible Studies

By Rev. Josh Ehrler Beginning the 2011 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly Bible study series with a Volkswagen Passat ad showing a child trying fruitlessly to control his environment. Rev. Jay Dahlvang expressed the challenges and the joys with opening scripture. … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News, Book of Faith | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Report of the Bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod

It is about mission. We need to remember that. God’s work. Our Hands. Or as we have said these past two days, our Lutheran Hands. The Scripture reminds us that God would have all to be saved and come to … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News, Messages from Bishop Usgaard | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bishop Usgaard Addresses the Mission of the Synod

By Linda Johnson Bishop Usgaard began his report to the 2011 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly by reminding the assembly that the church is here to be a messenger of the Gospel, which proclaims that God would have all to be … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Assembly Votes to Recommend Former ELCA Pastors May Not Continue with ELCA Board of Pensions

By Rev. Josh Ehrler Discussion ensued but remained civil as the 2011 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly debated the ramifications of Resolution 2011-01, “ELCA Health and Benefits Program.” The resolution asked the ELCA Church Council to “consider removing from the Health … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Telling the Stories of the ELCA

By Linda Johnson An M&M pretzel candy package was part of every voting member’s packet. Why M&Ms? To help lift up Mission Interpretation and Mission Interpreters at Synod Assembly. More than a dozen mission interpreters from congregations within the Southeastern … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Signs of Hope in the ELCA

By Linda Johnson Though this seems like a tumultuous time in the church, David Swartling, secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, reminded the 2011 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly that the church throughout all time has experienced turmoil. Four … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Gifts of Grace and Unity

By Rev. Josh Ehrler Returning Saturday morning after a previous day of assembly involving both great joy and much discussion, participants gathered in the hall to share in Morning Prayer. Rev Siri Strommen Campbell led the congregants through the Evangelical … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News | Leave a comment

The Lighter Side of Lutherans, Celebrating Shirley

By Katie Livingood An ELCA synod assembly means a room full of Lutherans studying the Bible, worshipping, and carrying out the business of the church. Lutherans are also pretty good at laughing at themselves. The Friday evening program at the … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Persaud Encourages Lutherans to Question in Assembly Keynote

Friday afternoon’s keynote address was given by Dr. Winston Persaud, professor of Systematic Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary. Persaud’s style of speaking was a mix of theology, humor, and personal narrative. For much of his address, he spent time highlighting … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 Synod Assembly News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment