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Recent Posts
- Always being made new. Summary of 2013 Synod Assembly
- Rev. Steven Delzer elected bishop of Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly
- Results of the fifth ballot for the election of a bishop
- Assembly challenges congregations to continue benefits as health care policies change
- Bishop Hanson’s report issues challenge to be witnesses to the cross
Recent Comments
- Philip and Marilyn Peters on Rev. Steven Delzer
- Bill Arndt on Bishop Usgaard’s Sermon
- Bill Arndt on Second Bible study sends participants to be ambassadors
- Darrell and Mary Golnitz on Rev. Steven Delzer
- Natanael Lizarazo on Always being made new. Summary of 2013 Synod Assembly
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Messages from Bishop Usgaard
Bishop Usgaard’s Report to the Synod Assembly
Tonight the synod will recognize the synod staff which has served you during these past 12 years. But I want to take this opportunity to thank them as well. I have asked them to come to the front as I … Continue reading
Bishop Usgaard’s Sermon
Gospel Reading: Luke 8:40-56 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him … Continue reading
Changes are Coming for Health Care
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop As we prepare for the 2013 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly, we will again this year receive a resolution dealing with “Minimum Compensation and Benefits Guidelines” for rostered leaders and lay professionals in our synod. … Continue reading
A Message on Same-Sex Marriage Legislation in Minnesota
Partners in Ministry: Last Tuesday, May 14, Governor Dayton signed into law the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota. It will officially take effect on August 1, 2013. Such a change in the legal understanding of marriage in this state … Continue reading
Making God Part of Everything We Do
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop This year I am joining other ELCA bishops in a “Journey of Renewal.” Our coaches define it as an attempt to “live intentionally, centered, and well – for the sake of ministry. Wellness is … Continue reading
A Holy Week Message from Bishop Usgaard
Dear Partners in Ministry: It is the last sentence in Luke’s passion narrative; it goes almost unnoticed: “On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” What a week: the entrance into the city, at table for the last supper, … Continue reading
Scripture Leaves Room for Mystery
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop “Perplexed” and “terrified.” Do you note the words in Luke’s description of Easter morning? These are the reactions of the women at the tomb. And the disciples with whom they shared their experience thought … Continue reading
My Plans for the Future
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop So about those future plans… I have appreciated the insights and suggestions that many of you have shared with me as I approach the end of my call as bishop. I have also shared … Continue reading
Lent Takes Time and Effort, It Is Important
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop The sign on the side of the car said “student driver.” I should have realized that. An auto going five miles under the speed limit, a young driver with eyes glued straight ahead, hands … Continue reading
The World Didn’t End, What Now?
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop Well, if you are reading this, the world did not end on December 21, 2012. I am writing this prior to the 21st, conscious of all the conversation about the Mayan calendar and the … Continue reading
Prayers for Newtown
Dear Partners in Ministry: The tragedy of this past weekend in the New England Synod certainly touches those of us even far removed. Suddenly Matthew’s rendition of the holy innocents has become a jarring reality. How often it is the children in … Continue reading
An Advent Message from Bishop Usgaard
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art, Dear desire of ev’ry … Continue reading
The pressures of being a bishop
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop All three of our children came home from school crying. They were all in elementary school in those days. We were living in Milwaukee. It was December 7. I couldn’t imagine that they knew … Continue reading
Jesus on the Side of the Road
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop I am used to seeing deer carcasses along the road, and lately I have noticed the increased frequency of crosses and floral bouquets noting the site of dreadful accidents too. Especially in the fall, … Continue reading
Sunday School Lessons on Grace
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop The Sunday school children were singing in front during worship. It was “homecoming” in this rural congregation. They invited former members and pastors, neighbors and friends to join them for worship, a meal, games, … Continue reading
Reflecting on Ourselves in Times of Tragedy
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop Now it has happened in a Sikh temple in Milwaukee, Wis. The images of the murders at a theater in Aurora, Colo., had barely left the front page. Before that it was a father … Continue reading
The Lifelong Promise of Baptism
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop It was the bulletin for the funeral service, and on the cover was a copy of his Baptismal certificate, “This certifies that Fredrick Henry Hagen, child of Henry and his wife Margaret, born November … Continue reading
The Hope of Ascension
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop The story is told of a rabbi who announced to his congregation that the messiah had come. Shocked, the members began to protest. They questioned his sanity. How could that be? Look at the … Continue reading
Bishop’s Report to the 2012 Synod Assembly
I mentioned the word “joy.” As in Paul’s letter to the Romans: “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing…”as in the Gospel of John: “These things I have spoken to you, that my … Continue reading
Opening Worship – Bishop’s Sermon
Watch the video on YouTube Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:1-17 Have you ever seen such a cast of characters? Certainly some folks you would expect to be here. Like Abraham, called to be the father of a great nation…faithful…trusting to the … Continue reading
The Value of Questions
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop Easter day was something special! I have finally become accustomed to worshiping with my family on Easter after years of standing in front leading worship. Together, with children and grandchildren, we filled the pew. … Continue reading
A Holy Week Message from Bishop Usgaard
Holy Week, 2012 Dear Partners in Ministry: The Gospel of Mark always makes life interesting at Easter. It leaves us hanging. “So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said … Continue reading
How We Address Social Concerns in the ELCA
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop “Faithful participation in society is integral and vital to the mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As individual members and as a corporate body this church lives out the Christian faith in … Continue reading
Thank Our Faithful Leaders in Ministry
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop This time of year pastors and other rostered leaders submit a report to me sharing their experiences in ministry during the previous year. They share goals, accomplishments, significant experiences, and concerns. Every year I … Continue reading
Witnessing the Legacy of 100 Years of Ministry in the Central Diocese
By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop It takes 21 hours to travel from Minneapolis to Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha, Tanzania. We had received our shots, taken our malaria pills, packed for warm and wet weather, and exchanged our money. And … Continue reading