Monthly Archives: July 2012

The Power of Belonging

By Karen Gieseke Synod Children, Youth, & Family Ministry Coordinator And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:6) Where do you belong? If asked this question, how would you respond? Based on a … Continue reading

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Call Update – August 2012

A monthly update of congregations in the call process and changes in the synod’s roster of leaders and congregations. Call Update – Self Study: Albert Lea, First – associate (Joel Erickson, interim) Austin, St. Olaf – senior (William Odermann, interim) … Continue reading

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Defining Boundaries in Ministry

A 2009 Christian Century article cited a study that found that in an average congregation with 400 adult members, seven women have been victims of clergy sexual misconduct since turning 18 years of age (Study finds clergy sexual misconduct widespread, … Continue reading

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Computer Networks, Backups, and More – 7/12/12

On Thursday, July 12, 2012 the Synod Communicators group gathered at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Owatonna to hear from Wayne Norrie, Software EXCELerators, about computer networks, backups, and more. Present: Barb Anderson, Hosanna, Rochester Lori Bakken, Our Savior’s, Owatonna Nancy Deetz, Our Savior’s, … Continue reading

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Celebrating Life

By Barb Peterson Congregational Life Minister Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN Remembering the Story Summer tends to be a season when we intentionally gather with family and friends. These gatherings may be a large reunion, a vacation spent reconnecting, or … Continue reading

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Book Review: Almost Christian

By Carole Joyce, AIM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Plainview The good news: Most young people believe in God. The bad news: God doesn’t mean much to most youth. God’s a lot like wallpaper – there but not really noticeable or … Continue reading

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Synod News – July 2012

News and information from around the synod. Rev. Carol Howard Merritt to speak at 2012 Theological Conference The 2012 Southeastern Minnesota Synod’s Fall Theological Conference will meet under the theme “Reframing Possibilities.” This year’s keynote speaker will be Rev. Carol Howard Merritt. The … Continue reading

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ELCA News

For full stories and more, visit www.ELCA.org/news A year later, ELCA members remain committed to restoring Minot, N.D. The Souris River began rising June 22, 2011, in Minot, N.D. Five days later it would crest nearly 13 feet above the flood … Continue reading

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Connecting Thoughts and People in Blogs

By Katie Livingood Synod Communications Director Once upon a time, the word “blog” brought to mind images of a digital version of a teenage girl’s diary, providing little value for a large audience. Today there are over 150 million blogs covering … Continue reading

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BE HEARD! Communicators Workshop

Synod-sponsored workshop on communication: August 7 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 124 Viola Rd NE Rochester, MN Cost: $10/person Registration deadline: July 27 Click here for details.

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Snippets – July 2012

News, events, tips, and tricks from your synod ministry partners Global Mission: Global Mission Sunday, Oct. 28 All congregations are encouraged to celebrate Global Mission Sunday on October 28, 2012. This is Reformation Sunday, a day when we remember our Lutheran … Continue reading

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What Does A Youth Ministry Volunteer Look Like?

By Lisa Hawe Youth Minister, United Lutheran Church, Red Wing Mark Vagasky, an adult leader at the 2009 National Youth Gathering (NYG), waited in line to get his daughter’s t-shirt signed by Dave Scherer (aka AGAPE*) the hip-hop artist who had … Continue reading

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The Art of Family

By Carole Joyce, AIM Passing on the Faith Coordinator Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Plainview The family is one of nature’s masterpieces. – George Santayana, The Life of Reason Our congregations are filled with a variety families of all ages, sizes, … Continue reading

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Tips for Your Library

Full story at www.livinglutheran.com/seeds/tips-for-your-congregations-library.html Are you thinking about starting a library in your congregation? Do you need to dust off the collection you already have? Here are some tips for you to follow to help get the right resource into … Continue reading

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Giving as Childen Give

By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop We were unprepared in experiencing our first “noisy offering.” The children brought their metal containers out into the congregation. When the first child approached, we emptied all of our loose change into his container. … Continue reading

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More Opportunities for Mission Conversation

By Rev. Linda Gunderson Synod Minister Listen…God is here! There! Everywhere! Last fall (2011) close to 400 people gathered in four locations for Excelling in Mission…A Generous Undertaking events. These events invited congregations to be about naming what God is … Continue reading

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Do You Have a Passion for New Ministries?

By Rev. Peter Reuss Synod Mission Developer Over the past several years the synod’s New Ministry Table has done some great work. While much time has been spent with our five cutting edge African-National ministries, the table has had wider … Continue reading

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Call Update – July 2012

A monthly update of congregations in the call process and changes in the synod’s roster of leaders and congregations. Call Update – Self Study: Albert Lea, First – associate Austin, St. Olaf – senior (William Odermann, interim) Bricelyn, Bricelyn & North … Continue reading

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The Prayerful Process of Calling a Pastor

LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran Churches make up a small two-point parish in New Richland, Minn. In the summer of 2010, they found themselves in the same situation as many other congregations, but one they had not fully experienced in … Continue reading

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