River Crossings

River Crossings is the monthly newsletter of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod. It is mailed hard copy and available online. Subscribe to the River Crossings blog feed or sign up to receive e-mail notifications when it is posted online. Be sure to check the “River Crossings Notification” box after you submit your address.

Get past issues on the River Crossings Archives page.

Download the February 2012 River Crossings as a PDF or read it below.

Synod Assembly registration is included with this month’s River Crossings.

Synod News – February 2012

Logo

News and information from around the synod. New Children, Youth, & Family E-newsletter In January the Southeastern Minnesota Synod rolled out a new Children, Youth, and Family e-newsletter. If you did not receive the first issue and would like to, email … Continue reading →

ELCA News

ELCA

For full stories and more, visit www.ELCA.org/news Lutheran-Anglican-Episcopal meeting a sign of hope for the church Lutheran, Anglican and Episcopal leaders from the United States and Canada met in December to explore new possibilities for working together and to deepen their … Continue reading →

Synod Assembly Updates

God’s work. Our hands. God’s family. 2012 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly May 4-5, 2012 | Mayo Civic Center | Rochester, MN Theme Ministry with families in the 21st century invites us to connect, be partners, and join our hands through new … Continue reading →

Serving God in a Chicken Suit

Anna stepped out of her comfort zone to help lead worship. Now she’s found that it’s an “easy” way to serve.

By Karen Gieseke Synod Children, Youth, & Family Ministry Coordinator Speaking proudly of dressing in a chicken costume for the good of others is not something people normally do. But for this 16-year-old, it is a role which provided the space … Continue reading →

Snippets – February 2012

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News, events, tips, and tricks from your synod ministry partners Women of the ELCA: What Makes a Unit? Are you a member of the Women of the ELCA? If you are a woman and a member of an ELCA congregation, then … Continue reading →

Join Us for a Slow Down

In Thought Copyright juliaf from stock.xchange

By Katie Livingood Synod Communications Director What are the first activities that come to mind when you hear the word “wellness”? I think of exercise, eating vegetables instead of cookies, and getting more sleep. This is true even after promoting the … Continue reading →

Councils as Leaders: Congregational Toolkit

Toolbox

A synod event for rostered leaders and congregational councils featuring nine different workshops to create a “toolkit” for leadership in your congregation. Sunday, March 11, 2012 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Bethel Lutheran Church 810 3rd Avenue SE Rochester, MN … Continue reading →

Witnessing the Legacy of 100 Years of Ministry in the Central Diocese

A choir competition determined which groups would sing during the celebration service.

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 →

A Book Review on the Power of Thank-Yous

Simple Act of Gratitude

By Larry Iverson Synod Minister I always struggle with the idea of New Year’s Resolutions. I acknowledge the exercise, but best intensions usually end up abandoned only weeks later than the discarded Christmas tree. I recently picked up a book … Continue reading →

From Jesus to Pixar: What Stories Teach Us

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By Karen Gieseke Synod Children, Youth, & Family Ministry Coordinator How can we picture God’s kingdom? What kind of story can we use?…With many stories like these, he [Jesus] presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and … Continue reading →

Call Update – February 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: Adams, Little Cedar & Marshall – solo (2-point) (Margaret Pleiss-Sipppola, Interim) Bricelyn, Bricelyn & North Blue Earth – … Continue reading →

Synods Walk Together

Hay donated from the Northeastern Iowa Synod was shipped to the Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod. A financial gift from the Southeastern Minnesota Synod helped offset transportation costs. (click on the image for a higher resolution image for use in print publications)

The Greek word “synod” translates as “walking together.” From our doorsteps to our neighbors in the Red River Valley to the ranches of Texas to the historic byways of New England and even to countries around the world, we walk with other … Continue reading →