Synod News - March 6, 2025

Hospitality Zoom Training for Congregations

Tuesday, March 18th at 7:00 p.m. 

Hospitality is a part of our Christian lives and a significant part of the life of our congregation's worship experience. We all want our congregation to be the most hospitable, but what makes us welcoming? How do we prepare to welcome guest worship leaders and preachers? How can we welcome people new to church? Come and learn about the Biblical foundations of hospitality. Consider how to show intentional hospitality in our congregations and in worship. Learn about a basic checklist you can use to welcome guest, worship leaders and preachers who come to keep your worship life going strong.

Click here to RSVP

Healthy Boundaries Zoom Training

For Professionals & Volunteers working with Children, Youth & Family Ministry

This 90-minute Zoom workshop, led by Rev. Emily Carson, Assistant to the Bishop & Director for Evangelical Mission in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, is designed for volunteers and professionals engaged in faith formation and ministry with children, youth, and families.


Participants will explore their own relationship to power, boundaries, and authority, gaining insights into how these dynamics shape their leadership. Beyond personal reflection, the workshop will also equip leaders to actively foster wise boundary-setting skills in the young people they serve. Through discussion and practical strategies, attendees will be empowered to nurture healthy, trust-filled ministry spaces.


Date: Tuesday, May 6th

Time: 6:00-7:30pm

Where: Zoom (link will be sent to you)

Cost: $10 donation for Global Refuge (formally LIRS)

This is a ELCA Region 3 event.

Participants will register through the NE MN Synod to receive the Zoom link. They ask for a $10 donation, which we will give to Global Refuge, given their increased need and recognizing that much of their work impacts refugee children, youth, and families. Checks can be mailed and payable to the Northeastern Minnesota Synod with "Region 3 Healthy Boundaries" in the memo line.

Click here to register!

If you are a rostered minister this training does not fulfill the SW MN Synod’s bylaws (S14.25.01. and S14.47.01.): “Within twelve months of assuming office all rostered ministers of under call shall demonstrate completion of at least six contact hours of continuing education in the prevention of sexual boundary violations.”


The SW MN Synod synod council created a continuing resolution encouraging all of our rostered leaders to have continued work on appropriate boundaries of all kinds, but especially sexual boundaries, every three years. Click here for the upcoming Ethics and Boundaries Training for Ministers happening May 8th.

2025 Synod Assembly Information

Synod Assembly Registration is Open!

The Assembly will begin at 1 pm with service projects, a display fair, and possibly a couple workshops. All voting members will have the opportunity to hear from Bible Study Leader, Karoline Lewis, Marbury Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary and Executive for Worship, ELCA, John Weit. Onsite attendance is limited and will be based on a first-come basis so please register early! There is unlimited space for attending online.


BEFORE registering online, please click here to view and download the registration information letter.

Click here to register.

Take advantage of the early rate by registering prior to April 1, 2025.


Upon registering, voting members will have the option to choose between attending the Assembly onsite (at Gustavus), or online (Zoom). Whether you attend online or onsite, each voting member will need:

  • their own personal email address that is read regularly, and
  • a tablet/laptop/IPad or smartphone for voting purposes.


Voting members will first register for the Assembly itself. Then, in May, all those registered will be sent a link to register in Zoom. Every voting member will need to register in both places. For all voting members, Zoom Polling will be used for voting. For voting members attending online, this will also be the platform in which you will attend the Assembly.

Bishop Eaton Issues Response in Support of Jerusalem Patriarchs on Gaza

+ELCA News

Recently, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issued an urgent plea to the global church, “A Humanitarian Plea From the Churches of Jerusalem: Defending the Dignity and Presence of the People of Gaza.” I write to uplift the timely and crucial words of these beloved siblings in Christ in Jerusalem and to call on our church to respond in prayer, action and solidarity…read more. 

Visit the ELCA News webpage or ELCA Blogs for more news.

You Spoke: We Listened

Last year, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod listened. Through a survey and listening sessions we heard what excites, concerns, and inspires you.


We invite you to hear the results of the listening process! As we gather on Zoom on Thursday, March 27 at 7:00, we will share what we heard and take your questions.


Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link.

Click here to RSVP

Global Refuge News Deacon Sarah Kretschmann, Global Refuge Congregational Engagement Specialist, last newsletter. “What a blessing to collaborate with colleagues and faith communities like you in the work of welcome. I wanted to let you know that my last day with Global Refuge is March 7th. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have this week…” Click here to read her message with Global Refuge resources, including a Lenten Devotional for 2025.


Visit the Global Refuge's website to join their Newsletter. Click here and scroll all the way to the bottom of their homepage to subscribe.

Lenten Devotional 

“Dismantle: An Anti–White Supremacy Lenten Devotional” was created in response to the call of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly to condemn white supremacy and racist rhetoric. As you journey through Lent, this resource will challenge you and bring you closer to the radical neighbor-love that Christ demands in the Gospels. Click here to download.

Synod Event Dates:

Hospitality Zoom Training for Congregations

March 18 


Synod Listening Process Recap Zoom March 27


Senior High Youth Gathering

April 4 - 5


EcoFaith Summit 2025

April 5 


Healthy Boundaries Zoom Training

May 6 


Ethics and Boundaries for Ministers Training

May 8 


2025 Synod Assembly

June 6 - 7


2025 Fall Theological Conference

October 5-7

 
 
 
Facebook  Twitter