By Rev. Yang Tut and Rev. Michael Short
On May 17, 2026, the Nuer Community Lutheran Church installed their first congregational council. The Nuer congregation celebrated its one-year anniversary in April and was excited to formally create this council team. The council is made up of four Nuer Community Church members, Pastor Yang Tut, Pastor Mike Walerius, A2B Kathy Chatelaine, and ELCA Director of Evangelical Mission Rev. Emily Carson (advisors).
The day of the installation was a day of celebration! We gathered for worship with singing, prayer, reading and preaching of God’s word, and fellowship around food. Joining the congregation were several people from Nuer communities across Minnesota, Southeastern Minnesota Synod pastors and lay leaders, and representatives from Nuer Christian Interchurch Union of Minnesota, including the organization’s president and secretary. Thanks be to God!
The council meets bimonthly to engage in the work of the church. This work has included learning what it means to be a council member, as well as doing the work that comes with the job. As this new church is a merger of four different southern Minnesota worshiping communities, the council is leading the congregation in learning how to be together as one church. The new council members are excited to serve their congregation and God through this work!
Stories of Shared Ministry is a new feature in the RC Weekly that will regularly highlight two vibrant, Synod-Authorized ministries: Nuer Community Lutheran Church and Shelter Church. These ministries are made possible through your congregation’s mission support dollars as well as synod funds, congregation offerings, and individual donors. Watch for more Stories of Shared Ministry that exemplify how your support makes a direct impact, and consider giving to the New Ministry Fund to help these and future ministries flourish as an expression of what it means to be church together.
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Southeastern Minnesota Synod Office