Synod News - June 27, 2024

Flooding and Clean Up

+Bp. Dee Pederson

This week I was able to be in touch with some of you. I have heard what you are dealing with, and how different things are from community to community. Some of you are organizing immediate assistance in your communities, gathering for prayer, and welcoming people to your buildings. Thank you! Thank you for the many ways you are loving neighbors.

I was also in touch with LSS and Lutheran Disaster Response and received responsive and helpful communication. Lutheran Disaster Response stands ready to support the SW MN Synod and LSS of MN in responding and supporting flood-impacted communities through the recovery process. Both LDR and LSS work closely with other MN VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) groups to coordinate services, avoid duplication, and gain situational awareness. LDR could provide a webinar overview of the disaster process for rostered leaders and congregational leadership if we desire. They can also provide coaching and support, make connections to other partners, and provide grant funds if your buildings are being impacted or if you are hosting people in your building, as well. The 211 system of United Way is fielding all crisis calls statewide and LSS will keep us informed of other response activities as they hear them.

This is a long process and many of you have been doing the hard work of preparing and now waiting as the water crests and recedes. Please reach out if your buildings, or if you personally, are facing new challenges and burdens, and seek assistance in some way.

Many of us may be echoing the words of the Psalmist, “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.” As the holy Trinity brought us through the drowning of holy baptism, so God carries us through these troubled waters today and we are here with one another.

"Save us, O God, for the waters are rising, and there is no firm place to stand. Life as we know it has been swept away. Draw near to us in this time of need and be our protection. Support us as we rebuild what has been ruined. Do not let us drown in our sorrow, but raise us to new life in your promise of rebirth, already claimed for us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen." (ACS Prayers)

Now Accepting Applications for Congregational Mission Grants!  APPLICATION CLOSING JULY 1ST--APPLY TODAY! The Southwestern Minnesota Synod Endowment Fund wants to partner with you in supporting the mission of the Church in your local community in 2024-2025.  

The Endowment Fund Committee is looking for project proposals in the following areas:  

• Community Outreach 
• Youth Activities 
• Special Mission Projects  
• Addressing Community Food Insecurity 

These grants are intended for new initiatives or for significant expansion of existing programs to serve new people. The Endowment Fund is particularly interested in proposals that involve partnerships with other faith communities and organizations in the community. In evaluating applications, the Endowment Committee will consider sustainability following the initial grant period where applicable.  

Congregations of the SWMN Synod, as well as Conferences and Campus Ministries, are invited to apply. (Application Deadline: July 1, 2024) 

This is the sixth year for Congregational Mission Grants. In the last five years, a total of $87,552 has been awarded throughout the SWMN Synod. This year, there is $40,750 available. Funded projects must be completed, with a final report received by November 30, 2025.  

The Endowment Committee will decline to fund building improvements, maintenance, or renovation, and congregational mission trips. In addition, while welcoming applications which involve project staffing, ongoing staff positions will not be considered. Click here for more information.

Understanding our Church in a Changing World Survey

You matter. And synod leadership is committed to listening to you. Please take a few minutes to complete the following survey. Then this fall, come and be part of a listening / conversation gathering that will be held in various locations across the synod. Insights from the survey, along with conversations in person, will help shape synod priorities to equip congregations and leaders in this changing time. Thank you!

ELCA Blogs

The ELCA offers a great variety of Blogs that are also e-newsletters. You can visit blogs.elca.org for resources, stories and news from the ELCA Churchwide office, or you can subscribe to a certain blog to receive emails.

Three highlighted Blogs:

ELCA Youth Gathering Blog

Meeting under the theme "Created to Be," nearly 16,000 youth, adult leaders and others from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will participate in the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, La., July 16-20. The Gathering brings together high school age Lutherans from across the country and overseas for faith formation, worship, fellowship and service. Click here to read the latest blog post "Dear youth leader, YOU ARE BRAVE! 

Administration Matters

A bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders. It addresses common, practical issues including finance, governance, risk management, tax, legal concerns and topics of interest about day-to-day operations and management in church settings.

ELCA Worship - For What Shall We Pray?

A weekly e-mail that includes prayer prompts, events and observance, and prayers from ELCA resources. This blog is one of the many offered from the ELCA Worship Office.

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is Sept. 8, 2024!

This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life — flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Click here to view and download GWOH Resources.

2024 Fall Theological Conference

Sunday Evening, October 6th - Tuesday, October 8th, 2024

Little Crow Resort & Conference Center, Spicer MN

Keynote Speaker: Emeritus Professor Timothy J. Wengert "Confession and Ministry: Finding Your (Lutheran) Roots"

Save the date! Registration and the conference schedule are coming soon.

Housing arrangements and cost is separate from the FTC registration.

All attendees are responsible for their own housing arrangements. The synod office has reserved a block rooms at the Grandstay Hotel & Suites at the Little Crow Resort where the conference will be held. The block of rooms is under the name: SW MN ELCA. This block of rooms will be released on September 6, 2024. Please call 320-347-1450 to make your room reservations.

The 2024 Fall Theological Conference is planned especially for Pastors, Deacons, TEEM Students, Interns, Synod Authorized Lay Ministers currently serving a congregation, and paid staff youth coordinators.

By action of the 1988 Synod Assembly, this conference has been designated as an “official synodical event.” This means that all pastors and deacons under call or appointment are expected to attend. If you need to be absent, please email Bishop Dee Pederson at dee.pederson@swmnelca.org and CC Kristin Bakeberg, kristin.bakeberg@swmnelca.org in your email.

Help Grow Leaders in Rural Ministry 

The SW MN Synod Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) provides for seminary tuition scholarships. Recipients will have an openness and commitment to future service in rural settings.

The profit from the LMM golf tournament goes into the LMM’s Fund for Leaders Endowment to help grow leaders. 

30th Annual Golf Tournament

Friday, July 19, 2024

Redwood Falls Golf Club, Redwood Falls, MN 

Registration: 2:30 pm

Shotgun Start: 3:00 pm

Price: $75.00 per golfer (Includes GOLF CART, green fees, meal, prizes and a donation to LMM)

Registration Deadline: Monday, July 15th.

Upcoming Synod Events:

• July 19, 2024 - SW MN Synod Lutheran Men in Mission Golf Tournament
• August 6-8, 2024 - Women in Ministry Gathering
• October 6-8, 2024 - Fall Theological Conference - GrandStay Hotel & Suites at Little Crow, Spicer, MN