ELCA Synod Bishop Joins Minnesota Governor in ONE Campaign Declaration
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) declared Minnesota a "ONE State," joining the ONE campaign against global poverty and disease by signing a pledge in a ceremony Aug. 20 in St. Paul. The Rev. Peter Rogness, bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Saint Paul Area Synod, joined Pawlenty, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and other Minnesota leaders at the ceremony.

The ONE Campaign is a grassroots effort to motivate people to fight HIV and AIDs and extreme poverty. The campaign seeks an additional 1 percent of the U.S. budget to address global poverty, debt relief for the world's most impoverished countries and fair international trade rules.

Get it Online
• Information about the ONE Campaign is at www.ELCA.org/one

ELCA Congregations Prepare Care for Veterans Returning from War
Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are preparing to create caring and welcoming places for returning veterans and their families. "Care for Returning Veterans" is a series of workshops being held through January across the United States.

The workshops are designed to prepare pastors, caregivers and others interested in providing "care and hospitality for our brothers and sisters who have been impacted by the trauma and stress of war," said the Rev. Darrell D. Morton, assistant to the presiding bishop, ELCA Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries, Washington, D.C.

Fifteen "Care for Returning Veterans" workshops are scheduled [including September 30 at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.].

Get it Online
• Information about the Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries is at www.ELCA.org/federalchaplains

Chinese Congregation Gives ELCA Funds for Midwest Floods
The Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla said he is rarely at a loss for words, but the generosity he and others witnessed Aug. 10, half a world away in China, left him speechless and grateful for the partnership of Luzhou Christian Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission, and other ELCA leaders and staff, visited the congregation that Sunday to participate in worship. The Lutherans were in China for many reasons, one of which was to see how ELCA contributions following the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province are at work.

The earthquake's devastation was beyond anything Malpica Padilla had seen before, including hurricanes and the 2005 South Asia tsunami.

Luzhou Christian Church's pastor, the Rev. Liao Xin Qin, asked Malpica Padilla to offer a brief greeting and homily for the nearly 300 people who were assembled. After he was finished, there was a surprise. "The pastor said, 'We have been waiting for you.' She mentioned that we had accompanied them as they had served their people through all of (their) challenges and particularly through the earthquake. But also, they came to know of the floods that had affected the United States and the ELCA's involvement," Malpica Padilla said. Liao then presented Malpica Padilla with an envelope containing the equivalent of $500 USD, the contributions of members. Barely able to express his appreciation, Malpica Padilla remembered what he saw at that moment.

"I could see their faces. They gave what they didn't have, just to show their solidarity and love to a sister church that has walked with them. That was worth the trip," he said. "In the midst of their need, they heard about ours and responded." The gift is a sign of companionship and accompaniment, Malpica Padilla said.

The funds were designated for the 2008 Midwest floods and will go to Lutheran Disaster Response, a collaborative ministry of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, for its ongoing response.

Page 4 - "God's Work. Our Hands." in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod

“For we are God’s servants, working together.” (I Cor 3)

Throughout 2005-2007 the Southeastern Minnesota Synod emphasized the visions that made up the strategic plan at the time: To Be Joyful Witnesses, To Be Christ-Centered Disciples, and To Be Strong Leaders. We have transitioned out of that era, and we now want to take this faith out into the mission field beyond our church doors.

Bishop Usgaard has asked the parish clergy of this synod to distribute a survey to their congregations on October 5 this year and take 5-10 minutes of worship time to fill the surveys out. The survey questions are:

1. What’s going on in your community that concerns or excites you?
2. Who does or who could your congregation partner with in reaching out into the community?
3. How does your congregation make a difference in the life of your community?

These questions invite thought regarding involvement of congregations in the community. The answers should be interesting and helpful for the leadership of congregations, so pastors are asked to read and discuss the answers with congregational leaders before returning them to the synod.

After reviewing the surveys, they should be returned to the synod office, grouped by congregation, by October 31 or to the Theological Conference November 2-4. While the surveys are anonymous, keeping them in groups by congregation is important. The surveys will be used as we enter into a process of discernment with the synod council in November.

The surveys have been distributed at September conference meetings and the remainder have been mailed. There are some extras, so if you need more, please call the synod office at 507-280-9457 or 800-426-6376 in Minnesota or e-mail Katie Livingood at livingood @ semnsynod.org immediately. They are also available for download at www.semnsynod.org if you would like to print your own.

If individuals are not in worship on the day their congregation completes the surveys, they can also download a copy of the survey from www.semnsynod.org. Please do not, however, mail the completed surveys to the synod office. Give them to the pastor in your congregation.

Thank you for your assistance and support as we seek to be about God’s work in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod.

(Click here for more information.)

God's Work. Our Hands.
As Lutherans, we believe that when we serve our fellow human beings, we are doing God’s work—spreading God’s love and compassion—with our hands. The ELCA tagline (God’s Work. Our Hands.”) comes from this idea with inspiration from a specific biblical passage in John 15:12: “Love one other as I have loved you.”

It is hoped that this tagline will change the discourse of the ELCA to emphasize this very theme. Congregations are encouraged to use the words, including the design with the ELCA emblem, in their own settings. Details about how to use the image are available at www.ELCA.org/emblem.

If you’re looking for ways to talk about God’s work, our hands, go to www.ELCA.org/love.

Also stay tuned for advertising available using this theme!

Page 5 - Saint Now, Pastor Later
Seminarian Pitches for Local Team
By Nate Harris

During the spring semester of Charlie Ruud’s first year at Luther Seminary, he decided to attend the open tryout for the St. Paul [Minn.] Saints, a team in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. He threw well, but the team didn’t need a pitcher.

Weeks later, Ruud’s mind was elsewhere—on Aug. 6 he would be marrying his fiancee, Becky, whom he met at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.—when the Saints asked if he could make an emergency start in the second game of a doubleheader. However, it was during his honeymoon. Ruud declined, knowing it could have been his only opportunity to play professional baseball.

But the Saints called again soon. Another doubleheader. The newlywed pitched the second game, throwing all seven innings and earning the win. Because the team’s starting pitcher in game one had been injured, Ruud took his spot for the next game and joined the pitching rotation.

Three years later, Ruud, 26, is still with the team and is one semester away from receiving his master of divinity degree. While the baseball season is mostly during the summer, winding up in August, practices do overlap with the end of his year of study at seminary."

That last month of the semester the last couple years has been quite a stressful one, trying to get ready for the season and tying up all the loose ends for classwork," Ruud said. "God has been there through that time to keep me somewhat grounded because it does get pretty hectic."

Growing up in Cannon Falls, Minn., Ruud’s passions were established early in life. He said one of the most influential things was playing catch in the yard with his dad, a Lutheran pastor. "I remember having a ball in my hand from my earliest memories," he said.

Now Ruud, who recently tied the team’s all-time record for wins, has found a balance between being a seminarian and a baseball player. It relieved him when a professor returned a final exam with a comment on the bottom reading, "Pitch while you can, preach the rest of the time."

"The goal with the master’s is to be a Lutheran pastor somewhere— eventually," Ruud said. "It could be this coming January or a year or two down the road. With the baseball, right now I’m just doing it while I can."

Ruud is in the candidacy program of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod.

Taken from THE LUTHERAN, September 2008 issue, copyright 2008 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.

Page 6 - The Birth of a Social Statement

Since 1991 the ELCA has adopted nine social statements, social policy documents, adopted by an ELCA Churchwide Assembly, addressing significant social issues. These documents provide an analysis and interpretation of an issue, set forth basic theological and ethical perspectives related to it, and offer guidance for the ELCA, its individual members, and its affiliated agencies and institutions. They are the product of extensive and inclusive deliberation within this church.

Faithful participation in society is integral and vital to the mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As individual members and as a corporate body, this church lives out the Christian faith with the concerns that shape life in God’s creation. Social statements, messages, social policy resolutions, and studies of social issues are important means by which this church carries out its participation in society.

The process of developing a social statement is set up by the polices and procedures of the ELCA for addressing a social issue. Generally speaking these are the steps of the process for any statement:

1. The development of a social statement starts with a resolution by a Churchwide Assembly.
2. A task force is selected who represent a wide diversity of perspectives. They learn more about the social issue and release a study. Members of the ELCA participate in the study and respond to the task force. Using the response from ELCA members to the study as a guide, the task force creates a draft social statement.
3. Once a draft social statement is released to the church, there is a period of response. ELCA members may respond to the task force in a variety of ways, including participating in a synodical sponsored hearing, writing a letter or completing a response form.
4. The task force then uses the responses from the draft to create a proposed social statement. The proposed social statement needs to be approved by the ELCA Church Council. Once it has been approved, it is put on the agenda of a Churchwide Assembly. In order for a social statement to be adopted, there needs to be a 2/3 vote in favor of it.

Current Status of Human Sexuality Statement

As you probably know, the ELCA is currently in the midst of the process to develop a Social Statement on Human Sexuality. We are in step 3 (see left): a draft statement has been released and you are asked to comment. Following the time for feedback, which lasts through November 1, a proposed statement will be developed based on the feedback from the members of this church. The proposed statement is expected to be voted on at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.

The Southeastern Minnesota Synod held a hearing on the statement in April 2008. While there are no more scheduled hearings in the synod, members have several options for discussion and feedback:

1. Host discussions in your congregation. Feedback can be submitted individually or as a group.
2. Attend a neighboring synod’s hearing. The Minneapolis Area Synod will host two hearings on October 9, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church, 333 S 12th St., Minneapolis, Minn. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod will hold two hearings October 23, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in Detroit Lake, Minn.
3. Read the statement and submit feedback individually. Feedback can be provided at www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney; mailed to Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631-4190; or e-mailed to faithfuljourney @ ELCA.org.

Get it Online
Visit www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney to find:

• The draft statement (or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2996 for one free copy or 800-328-4648 to order multiple copies).
• A list of other hearings.
• A timeline of the past and future steps in this study.
• More!

Myth Buster
A rumor has circulated that responses had to be early or they won't be read. This is NOT true. All responses received by November 1 will be addressed.

Page 7 - Upcoming Events - click here for all upcoming events

Ministry Profile: Conferences

The constitution of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod calls for a breakdown of congregations into geographical groups called "conferences." The five conferences are called to "work together to foster interdependent relationships among congregations and with the synod in support of the mission of the Church in that geographically defined area."

Though the conferences are defined by the synod constitution, each group has their own set of bylaws and functions individually. Each conference has officers to maintain communication with members, establish meeting schedules and programs, manage the finances of the conference, support the synod’s bishop in providing pastoral care to the rostered personnel, and other administrative duties. Both lay and clergy sit on the conference boards.

Generally, each conference meets once a month during the program year (September - May) for fellowship, worship, and a program. Topics vary widely, but sometimes include information on ministry partners, discussions or presentations on ministry ideas/practices, and other spiritual topics or informational topics related to ministry.

While participants in these meetings are typically rostered personnel, the February meeting is a conference assembly including lay representatives from the conferences’ congregations to discuss and vote on conference business, including proposed resolutions to the Synod Assembly and (when applicable) voting for Churchwide Assembly voting members.

Get it Online
A map of the conferences, link to meeting information, and conference officers are listed online at www.semnsynod.org/aboutus/conferences.html

Page 8 - Rev. Jay Dahlvang's Column

Let's Dig in to the Book of Faith
By Rev. Jay Dahlvang
Synod Book of Faith Advocate

As we worship and celebrate our Lutheran heritage the last Sunday of this month, we recall how the Word shaped the reformation and revival of the church. The hope of the Book of Faith initiative is nothing short of the renewal of the church through engagement with the same living Word that has spoken to the apostles, reformers, and saints for the past two thousand years.

"Open Scripture, join the conversation," is the theme of Book of Faith, a grassroots movement across the ELCA to encourage one another to be met by the God who speaks to us through the Word. The Book of Faith initiative is an invitation to our congregations and ministry settings, and to each one of us, to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live out our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, and empowered by the Word. As we dig deeply into the Word, and share the life of the Christ borne by that Word, we anticipate renewal in our churches in response to the Holy Spirit’s invitation to us.

As a grassroots movement and not a program, it is up to each of us in our synods, congregations, and homes to join in conversation as we open Scripture in order to share what has worked for us in exploring the Word, as well as the challenges we continue to face. The ELCA, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, and hopefully each of our ministry settings will partner in the days ahead to shift the culture and customs of our church to a new level of being shaped by the Word.

For more information on Book of Faith, and how you and your faith community can be a part, see www.bookoffaith.org. You can also join in the collaborative community at www.bookoffaith.ning.com. Make sure to look for the Southeastern Minnesota Synod group!

We look forward to gathering with you to, "Open Scripture. Join the Conversation!"

Rev. Linda Gunderson's Column

What is God Up To?
By Rev. Linda Gunderson
Synod Minister

What is God up to?

This might be a fun question to ask at the beginning of congregational council meetings, meetings of worship committees, education team meetings, confirmation classes and even with Sunday school children, "What is God up to in our congregation?" Congregations will have the opportunity to address this question in a particular way when you participate in the strategic plan questionnaires on an upcoming Sunday morning.

What if we asked this each time we met? If we only ask this question once or twice a year we might forget many things. If we ask this question often we might also see more clearly what God is up to in our own lives.

What is God up to in your congregation? Is God making a way for you to speak of your faith loudly and clearly? Is God calling your congregation to some new mission? Is God holding you up because you are grieving the death of a beloved leader? Is God blessing you through the baptisms of infants and even the baptisms of adults? Is God touching your community through the wider church’s care for those in crises?

What is God up to? Part of my work involves conversations with congregations concerned about their present purpose and future ministry. In these conversations I often feel we look at where we see ourselves failing as congregations, forgetting to see where God is at work. Financial stress for many congregations is truth. Changes in demographics have seriously affected memberships. Cultural realities stress traditional ways of doing ministry within congregations. Many question what the future holds. These are all valid concerns. When we speak of our faith, and share our faith experiences we are likely to find joy and hope as we see what God is up to right now in this time.

We start with what God is up to among us. When we share this with one another then in response we can together discern what it is God is calling us to as congregations.

Peace,
Pr. Linda

Page 9 - Shirley Gangstad's Column

How Important are Traditions?
Greetings!

We all love our family traditions. Some of them go back for generations, and they truly make us who we are. Even in the face of family disagreements we may strive to carry on these traditions. But when someone new joins the family as an in-law or friend, they have their own traditions and may have some ideas about new ones to start. This may create some difficult holidays and uncomfortable gatherings until compromises are reached and there is general agreement that being together as a family is really more important than carrying on traditions—some of which may even have become timeworn. For example, my family always enjoyed eating lutefisk before our Christmas celebration. My brother-in-law from another ethnic tradition was not enthused. We decided we could have lutefisk some other time because it was not essential to our family celebration—but my brother-in-law was!

Most of our church families, our congregations, need the influx of new family and friends in order to survive, but these new families and friends will bring new ideas and will often have little or no understanding and perhaps little respect for some of our favorite congregational traditions. This will make for some uncomfortable meetings and some unhappy people. Congregation members in disagreement often don’t have the stability that being related to one another can bring to a family disagreement, and often someone may leave in a huff.

There is a wonderful word we all should know: adiaphora. It means "matters not essential to the faith." We need to be open and honest and sort out those things that are adiaphora in our congregations—things we may enjoy or appreciate, but that are not essential for our spiritual life or growth. As congregations grow and change, many things that are adiaphora can and should disappear, and even if they are important to us, we need to be gracious in letting them go.

Blessings in Christ,
Shirley

Wellness: Final Ramblings...Balance?
By Deborah Ann Norrie
Synod Executive Assistant

At a recent meeting our group had an opportunity to hear Presiding Bishop Hanson. To a question, he commented that people are always asking him if his life is balanced. He said it’s not important if his life is in balance. What is important is how he is with God.

I have been thinking about that. How am I with God? The Wholeness Wheel describes a life that is multifaceted, like a diamond glistening in the light. The diamond is cut perfectly and when the light shines on it, it sparkles and reflects that light. That is what God has created us to be. I guess whether you look at it as a life in balance or a life centered on a relationship with God in the person of Jesus Christ, maybe we are talking about the same thing.

However you think about it I encourage you to learn about well-being. Take advantage of the tools provided by the ELCA Board of Pensions to aide you in this journey of self-discovery and how you are with God:

• Are you a part of a community that nurtures you?
• What keeps you from becoming the person God intends for you to be?
• Are you physically active, do you pay attention to what you eat?
• Are you sharing your gifts through your life both at work and at home?
• Do you stretch your mind with new ways of thinking?

Watch next year for an addition to the Wholeness Wheel – financial wellness. How much is enough? Are you a good steward of God’s gifts?

I hope you have enjoyed my musings these past months and pray that you have learned something that has helped you – that it may be well with you.

Page 10 - Call Update - click here to view call update

Roster Update
Calls from the Synod Council to Specialized Ministry:
Rev. Cheryl Szabo from Saint Paul Area Synod to Chaplain, Seminary Memorial Home, Red Wing, 2/20/08
Kyle J. Wiersma Halverson from Minneapolis Area Synod to Interim Campus Pastor, Mankato 6/1/08

On leave from call:
• Elaine Siemsen, Campus Pastor, Mankato, 6/1/08

Resignation from the ELCA Clergy Roster:
• Michelle Timm from on leave from call-family leave, 9/6/08

Retired:
• Philip Lewison from St. Peter, New Richland & St. Peter, Otisco, 11/1/08
• Robert Rendahl from St. John, Montgomery, 11/1/08 Richard Salge from St. John, Mapleton, 11/1/08

Transfer Out:
• Jon Fredrickson, Chaplain US Navy to Florida-Bahamas Synod, 8/31/08
• Carol Solovitz, associate, Zumbro, Rochester to Florida-Bahamas Synod, 8/31/08

Page 11 - Theological Conference

Click here for more information.

Page 12 - Back Cover

River Crossings is the monthly newsletter of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod for pastors, associates in ministry, and lay leaders. The next deadline for River Crossings is October 8. Please send correspondence to Katie Livingood, livingood@semnsynod.org;
507-280-9457.

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Did you know you can read River Crossings online, weeks before it's released in print? Check it out at www.semnsynod.org (click the "River Crossings Newsletter" button on the left). You can be informed when new issues are posted by subscribing to our e-mail newsletter (see above). If you'd like to access River Crossings exclusively online, and cancel your paper subscription, please call 507-280-9457 or 800-426-6376 (MN only) or email livingood@semnsynod.org with your request.