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Bi-monthly Announcements
January 9, 2024
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View as a webpage to see all announcements | |
Welcome
[Equipping for hospitality, faith, ministry]
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It is Epiphany! "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1).
The feast of Epiphany (“manifestation”) concludes the Christmas season with a celebration of God’s glory revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Like the light of the star that guided the magi to Jesus, the light of Christ reveals who we are: children of God who are claimed and washed in the waters of baptism. We are sent out to be beacons of the light of Christ, sharing the good news of God’s love to all people.
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THEME: ALTERED BY THE SPIRIT
This Lent Church Anew, in Vol. 3 of Lent in a Box is going to look at a kaleidoscope of stories from the Book of Acts, with Revised Common Lectionary suggestions that pair directly with the theme. See the ways the Spirit alters our perspective, transforms our communities, and consistently blazes a trail ahead of us. Read more
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Expanding one's Knowledge:
Jewish faith & Christian teaching and preaching
Gaza, Israel, Palestine Historically and in late 2023
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2024 Fretheim Lecture in Biblical Theology with Amy-Jill Levine
Live Streamed
January 9, 2024
3:30 p.m. Clergy Workshop
"Understanding Jesus and Paul Means Understanding Jewish Practice and Belief
7 p.m. Public Lecture
“The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Why Knowledge of Jewish History Matters for Christian Preaching and Teaching”
Events is free and open to the public with no registration required. The lecture will be live streamed at youtube.com/lutherseminary for those unable to attend in person. For more information click here
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Historical Context for Gaza
Dr. Jim and Judy Bailey share their historical knowledge and experiences traveling throughout the Holy Land over decades. This talk was first presented at Walking Together — Encounters with Christ 2023 in Grand Rapids MN and centered on raising awareness of the history and contemporary situation in Israel and Palestine. Dr. Bailey is one of Northeastern Minnesota Synod’s biblical scholars and the Bailey’s are members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Duluth.
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Synod Ministry Northland Peace Not Walls
This ministry is open to all who want to learn and work to end Israel’s occupation of the Palestinians and foster just conditions for creating a peaceful and a just co-existence between the people of Israel and the Palestinian people. We emphasize Awareness Raising, Advocacy, and Accompaniment. The ministry's website is rich in information. Click on logo to link to learn more.
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RECONCILING IN CHRIST (RIC) SYNOD - Second Forums
The Welcome and Reconciling team announces the second quarterly gatherings in each of the five conferences of our synod. These gatherings will include discussion, education, and resourcing around the topic of biblical interpretations and RIC. For more info Becoming RIC Synod Fall 2023 Info Sessions
Second Forums — Lenses for Interpreting the Bible
Saturday, January 20 10 AM Gloria Dei, Duluth
Sunday, January 21st 3 PM-- First LC, Hinckley
For comprehensive information the The Welcome and Reconciling Team website link here.
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Leadership Camp will be June 9-12 (Sun-Wed) at Camp Onomia
A time set aside to learn and grow in one's leadership skills, this experience is open to ALL 9th-12th graders in the NEMN Synod. While a piece of the focus remains centered around the LYO Leadership Team and planning All Youth Gathering, we look forward to expanding our reach and understanding of leadership in the larger church and within our local communities. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
More information and registration materials coming early spring.
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Pastor Taryn's Maternity Leave
Pastors Taryn Montgomery (Synod staff) and Christoph Schmidt and family welcomed Roland Matthew Montgomery Schmidt, into the world on Sunday, Dec 17th at 10:28 am in Duluth. The whole family reports "this little guy is indeed a gift!"
Pastor Taryn will be on maternity leave until late February/early March. Should you need anything in the meantime, please contact Bishop Amy or Pastor Rollie in the Synod Office. 218-724-4424
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The priority deadline to apply for Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) is one week away, on Jan. 15, 2024. YAGM volunteers who apply by Feb. 1, 2024, will begin their service in August 2024. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM | |
The legacy of Lutheran Storytelling
Compiled by the Living Lutheran staff Dec. 29, 2023
Living Lutheran and its predecessors have been telling the stories of God’s people living their faith for nearly two centuries. The formats, distribution frequency and even church bodies represented have changed for these publications—but the core mission, to share the good news through Lutherans’ stories, hasn’t.
Next year we will continue to find new and farther-reaching ways to tell those stories at livinglutheran.org and beyond. And we will continue to find ways to serve, connect with and share the stories of Lutherans all across our church.
As the final print edition of Living Lutheran hits mailboxes this month, we seek to honor the legacy of Lutheran publications … continue
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Connect
[Building networks. Sharing. Upcoming Events]
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Back by popular demand -- Mental Health and Wellness Lunch and Learns -- February 8!
Northeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
Mental Health and Wellness Lunch and Learn
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Thursday, Feb. 8
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
STEADYING OURSELVES: CULTIVATING WELL-BEING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
In this Lunch and Learn conversation, we dig into topics of supporting well-being amidst times of grief, change, or uncertainty.
Speaker: Dr. Joanna Quanbeck is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in topics of grief, anxiety, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. In addition to her training as a counseling psychologist, she brings an interdisciplinary educational background in literature, theology, and international studies. Together, these deepen her respect for the ways our cultures, stories, and experiences shape us and help us understand the world. Joanna is consistently moved and inspired by people's resilience amidst the messy or painful experiences of being human.
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Download flyer here and post in church communications. Share widely -- thank you! | |
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Retirement Readiness Webinars
Resolved to feel more financially prepared for the future? Check out Portico’s Retirement Readiness Series from Fidelity starting at the end of January. Register for live webinars covering topics like turning your savings into retirement income, understanding Social Security, and estate planning basics. Recorded versions of these topics – and many more – are available on demand on myPortico.
Learn to Live 2024 Webinars – January
Take 30 minutes to boost your mental well-being by joining a live webinar led by the Learn to Live Clinical Team. January topics include making effective habit change, mindful eating, and creating a positive mindset by avoiding negative thinking traps. View the webinar schedule, as well as their library of previous topics, and use the access PORTICO to register.
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Camp Onomia's Winter Programs | |
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Ghosted: Ministering to Estranged Parents
Webinar January 18
Presented By: Fe Anam Avis, Author and
Entrepreneurial Humanitarian
The next educational event sponsored by the Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association. Addressing the prevalent issue of estrangement in families, the faith community nurses, clergy and/or other members of the ministry team, and individuals experiencing estrangement within families are encouraged to participate. See the following information and go to the website for more information and to register.
Download flyer here.
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Discerning a Call Events in 2024
Wondering about living out your faith in a more intentional way or know someone? The Arrowhead event is for anyone interested in discerning God's call. That could mean deepening your response to God's call to you in baptism, or maybe exploring a call to ministry. PLTS hosts a spring event to become acquainted with their seminary programs.
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2024 Fretheim Lecture in Biblical Theology with Amy-Jill Levine
Live Streamed
January 9, 2024
3:30 p.m. Clergy Workshop
"Understanding Jesus and Paul Means Understanding Jewish Practice and Belief
7 p.m. Public Lecture
“The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Why Knowledge of Jewish History Matters for Christian Preaching and Teaching”
Events is free and open to the public with no registration required. The lecture will be live streamed at youtube.com/lutherseminary for those unable to attend in person.
For more information click here
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Trinity Lutheran Church (1108 E. 8th St.) is seeking a live-in Caretaker
After many years, our beloved caretaker has moved to another state to be near family. We are currently seeking to fill this position. The Caretaker provides for the regular care and maintenance of all buildings, sidewalks and grounds of Trinity Lutheran Church. Duties include a full range of scheduled and unscheduled cleaning and maintenance of multi-use, multi-level facility; daily closing of the Church building; setting up tables and chairs as requested; making minor repairs; seasonal grounds keeping including lawn care and snow removal; other duties as required. The position requires a presence of hospitality, warmth and welcome for all people, while upholding building use boundaries in coordination with other team members. The job requires regular, consistent occupancy of the apartment within the main church building. The Caretaker is compensated through lease of the apartment without rent.
Please direct anyone interested to call 218-724-9369. Thank you! Pastor Shivon
Download announcement here.
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Camp Onomia
Summer staff applicants… graduating high school seniors and college student for all camps in the synod. To apply
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Reform
[Rekindling faith. Building new habits]
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Servant of Christ Award: Nominate a Remarkable Congregation
In the long history of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, faith communities have been some of our most important partners. Congregations have hosted office space, provided meals, sewn quilts, welcomed refugees, and contributed in so many unseen ways to their communities.
Each year, LSS recognizes partnering congregations that lead the movement to change lives in their community. Which faith community has been invaluable in your work? Nominate a single congregation – or congregations in partnership – who demonstrate leadership in love and service to our neighbors.
Nominate a Congregation | Lutheran Social Service of MN (lssmn.org)
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Green Tips
Here are Laura Raedeke's Green Tips from Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa
The Problem of Plastic Waste and How We as a Society and as Individuals can Prevent the
Waste from Happening
Use these in your congregation's bulletins, Facebook pages, websites, or newsletters!
Reversing Biodiversity Collapse and Slowing Climate Change: In Saving the Earth, We Save Ourselves
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Stories of Faith in Actions (SOFIA)
This month we highlight the "Cultivating Generous Congregations" training available in partnership with our Stewardship ministry and the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving.
The current Stories of Faith in Action publication can be found here.
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Upcoming Events in our Synod
January 12-13 First Call Retreat
January 20 Welcome/Reconciling in Christ Forum 2 Gloria Dei, Duluth
January 21 Welcome/Reconciling in Christ Forum 2 First LC, Hinckley
February 3 Lay Leader Network Intensive Series #2 via Zoom
February 17 Lay Leader Network February Seminar, Brainerd
April 6 EcoFaith Summit
April 27 2024 Synod Assembly (One day only online event)
Also see Synod website >> Calendar and Featured Events
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Support
[Resources. Leadership formation. Prayer List]
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Annual Congregation Reports (Form A)
It is soon time for Annual Congregation Report to be filled out and submitted! The ELCA will be sending a packet of information out in mid-January which will contain instructions, your congregational ID (five digits) and the password for entering the data online with the ELCA.
You will notice that this year (for 2023) there is only Form A. Who should work on this? Read on....
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Join us in praying for the following
Churches and Pastors
Kenwood Lutheran Church Duluth
Our Saviors Lutheran Church Duluth
Pastor Rebecca Hinz SAM Deloris Hillstrom
Retired Pastors Alan Hendrickson Larry Hendry Chris Hill
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Each month the focus of our weekly communication is as follows:
- 1st Tuesday – Walking in the Word readings
- 2nd Tuesday – Announcements – please submit your content to [email protected] or [email protected] to be included
- 3rd Tuesday – Reflections that are a newsletter-type article
- 4th Tuesday – Announcements
- 5th Tuesday (Mar, May, Aug, Nov) Expressions of God’s Work in our world or ministry in the Synod – videos, stories, testimonials, et al.
You are invited to submit content (deadline is Thurs @ noon) and to repost on your communication platforms.
Please help us get this weekly communication out. Forward to others and encourage people to sign-up to get the updates from your Synod office.
We appreciate you!
Monica Bruning, Communication Director
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