• Not so "communication-y," we discussed prayer shawl ministry. I mentioned a website that can give some more background, including both knitting and crocheting patterns at www.shawlministry.com. I had also received an e-mail about a collection of shawls for the families of fallen soldiers. The website is http://home.earthlink.net/~ps4fs/shawls/. No particular endorsement of either of these from the synod, but they're a couple I had handy to share! If you're looking to start one, giving to new members, new parents, families of deceased, those who are sick, council members, voting members to the synod assembly, etc. are groups in the congregation to start with. Anyone in need of prayer is a great recipient!
• The internet is a great way to distribute materials, but you might not want everything in the hands of just anyone. Info on password protected areas of the website will be on the blog.
• If you go to www.semnsynod.org and look in the address bar of your web browser, you'll see the synod logo (same at www.ELCA.org and many other sites). This also appears if you put a shortcut to the site on your Desktop. Watch the blog to learn how to do this!
• Photo directories can be a hassle even though they're wonderful to have. Communication Resources has software available to make in-house directories that are always up-to-date and don't involve working with another company. Click here for more information. Again, suggestion, not endorsement.
• Many of us can put PDF forms online, but not as many have forms that can be filled out and submitted online. The blog will (eventually) shed some light on this.
• We had an interesting discussion about some of the pros and cons of social networking sites (think MySpace and Facebook). This topic will come up again online and maybe at our meetings.
• The biennial ELCA Communicators' Conference is August 7-10, 2008 in Chicago. This is a great continuing education and networking experience with people from throughout the ELCA. The registration cost is $500 and I expect travel to be free (if with others from the synod). If you're interested in going, let me know (507-280-9457, 800-426-6976 in Minnesota, or by ). More details will be out soon!
• Bible Book of Faith is an intitiative of the ELCA "to invite the whole church to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, and empowered by the word." This is a big deal, check it out and use it!
• "Free in Christ to Care for the Neighbor: Lutheran Youth Talk about Human Sexuality" is an online curriculum designed for senior high youth. Part of the ELCA's ongoing study of sexuality, it features videos, specially-created vignettes, interactive blogs and questions appropriate for group discussions, and is most appropriate to the emotional and intellectual development of those ages 13-18. Click here for more.
• The ELCA Advocacy site (www.ELCA.org/advocacy) has a bunch of helpful resources including a voting and civic participation guide, an
  e-mail Lenten reflection series with an environmental focus (I've been getting it and am a fan), resources for the ONE Campaign including sermon resources (the ONE Campaign is a campaign to reduce poverty), and information about Earth Day Resources.  
• Participants were reminded about the ELCA Board of Pensions Health Risk Assessment. We're not at 75% yet, so if you have health insurance through BOP and are not on Medicare, you should have done this already. If not - do it now! If your spouse is also covered - he or she should do it now! If this doesn't apply to you - bug your pastor, pastor's spouse, and any other staff with BOP health insurance to get it done. It puts up to $300 in the pocket of the person completeing it (in the form of a personal wellness account) AND saves EVERY congregation in the synod 2% on health insurance once we reach 75%. Contact me if you need help or still don't get why it's important.
• Check out the synod's annual ministry report if you haven't already. If you need more content for a newsletter, website, etc. put the whole thing in it, quote pieces throughout the year, contact the synod to write a story on one or more of them, anything you can think of!
• We talked about congregational reports. They were already due, but if you haven't submitted yours, contact Cheryse Brenno-Sloan NOW to get it done. Reach her at 507-280-9457, 800-426-6376 in Minnesota, or by .

Questions:
Contact Katie Livingood by or at 507-280-9457 or 800-426-6376 in Minnesota.