Events In and Around Our Synod
Featured Events:
Best Practices for Stewardship Consultations
Consulations for congregations wishing to gather for tips and planning time for their Fall Financial Stewardship emphasis can be arranged by contacting Pastor Steve Peterson at the synod office, 218.299.3019 or speterso@cord.edu.
Leadership Program for Musicians
2010-2011 Continuing Education
 Registrations are currently being accepted.
LPM, the Leadership Program for Musicians, looks forward to its second year in the Northwestern Minnesota/Eastern North Dakota region. LPM is a continuing education program for church musicians and pastors. Benefits include a deeper understanding of Christian music and worship and enhanced skills as a worship leader- pastor or musician.
Ten sessions for the academic year (Sept-June) are held at host churches in the area, with the intention to meet in participant’s home congregations when possible. It is open to musicians, pastors and lay persons of any denomination.
Tuition is currently set at $550 per year. It is recommended that this tuition be shared between the student and the congregation. For participants from the NW Minnesota synod, scholarships are also available. Please inquire upon registration.
To find out "What's in it for you" and the mission and benefits of LPM, visit the LMP website.
For more information on this local program, contact Jennifer Baker-Trinity, Regional Coordinator, at jbakertrinity@mac.com or 218-938-4701.
Download brochure and registration form [PDF]
Bridge Builders
August 30 - September 1, 2010
Luther Seminary - St. Paul, MN
The Bridge Builder Team of the Minneapolis Area Synod is sponsoring a training session for the Bridge Builder process.
Download brochure [PDF]
Holy Doodles: Cartoons to Contemplate
Art
Showing
August 30 - October 4, 2010
Dakota Harvest - Grand Forks, ND
 Come by to eat some locally grown foods while contemplating art that will stretch your mind and heart.
Meet Trey Everett, Holy Doodles artist, at Dakota Harvest on Saturday September 18 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM during the Grand Forks Art and Wine Walk.
Holy Doodles, Cartoons to Contemplate, are images that came to mind from meditating on scripture passages, books, past events, conversations with friends and family, and from simply trying to be attentive to God in my everyday life. Following each drawing is a short paragraph about the drawing itself along with a few questions to ponder. The artwork is designed to be thoughtful, introspective, searching, and challenging. To see more Holy Doodles images and for more information about the ministry of MICAH go to www.micahprays.org.
AGAPE* Concert
September 11, 2010
Olivet Lutheran Church - Fargo, ND
AGAPE* [ah-gah-pey]
- The love of God or Christ for humankind.
- A completely awesome HIP HOP Concert for youth
Grades 6 - 12 are invited to an awesome concert kick-off AGAPE* concert in the Olivet Fellowship Hall at 7:00 pm. A $5 donation to benefit the Kolfe Boys Orphanage in Ethiopia gets you in the door and a nonperishable food item gets you 1 free piece of pizza.
Agape* (Dave Scherer) combines rapping, dancing, storytelling and his fluency in Spanish to connect with his listeners in a way that they really "get it." His energy is contagious, and his stories of faith transcend differences. Even those who do not normally enjoy hip-hop, find themselves dancing to his music and captivated by his unique presentation of the Gospel. His passion is to bring together people of all backgrounds and let them know about God's love for the whole world. This is "AGAPE*"
Online ELCA Town Hall Forum
with ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
Sunday, September 19, 2010
4:00 - 5:00 pm
www.elca.org/townhall
If you could ask Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson a question about the ELCA, what would it be? I invite you to submit your question at our next live online Town Hall Forum with Bishop Hanson. Participating is easy and convenient:
- Watch the event live from 4-5 p.m. at
- Log in to post questions online
- Post comments using Facebook Connect
- Tweet about the event using the hashtags #ELCA and #BishopHanson
- View open captioning
Whether or not you have a question to ask, you'll be part of a nationwide conversation with other ELCA members about issues that matter to all of us. What a remarkable opportunity! I encourage you to save the date and join us. Here's your chance to make your voice heard.
Are there members of your congregation without high-speed Internet access? Don't leave them out. Host a viewing party at your congregation or home and be sure to invite them.
Download a bulletin insert and spread the word! [PDF]
Theology for Ministry Conference
September 20-22, 2010
Fair Hills Resort - Detroit Lakes, MN
(For NWMN rostered leaders and their spouses)
We will continue our theme of "Life Overflowing" from synod assembly, with Luther Snow helping us further explore the theology of abundance. Luther is a nationally recognized author and speaker who specializes in empowering others to take positive action for the common good; he has worked with many ELCA congregations helping them focus on God's blessings as they face the daily challenges of being the people of God together. From appreciation and thankfulness for our God-given gifts we are led to connect with our gifts and each other to get things done that we could not get done on our own. He sees his time with us as an opportunity to "put wind in your sails." Luther has a deep passion for helping us see that we are part of something bigger than all of us.
Pr. Genelle Netland and Pr. Kari van Wakeren will preach as part of our worship together, and others from throughout the synod will take part in worship as well. As always there will be time for relaxation, conversation and of course, golf for whom that is tradition!
Download the brochure and registration form [PDF]
ELCA World Hunger “Ethics of Eating”
Region 3
Leadership Training
September 23 - 26, 2010
Concordia Language Village - near Marine on St. Croix, MN
How should we eat in a way that it is just and healthy for human beings and the environment? We will explore this question from a theological perspective with respect to urban, local, organic and conventional farming, and the relation to hunger, food worker rights, and the environment.
The event will include local farmers, farm workers, food production workers, consumers, and actors in food, hunger and environmental justice networks. We will also visit farms and urban agriculture programs. We will also brainstorm about organizing, fundraising, education and the lifestyle of stewardship. After the workshop, each participant is expected to host an event in their local area.
Only 25 openings are available. Applications will be approved on a rolling basis beginning on August 15, 2010, until openings are filled. For an application, please contact Romelia Almaraz (Romelia.Almaraz@elca.org, 800-638-3522, ext. 2696).
More Information:
If you have any questions about the event itself, please contact the event coordinator, the Rev. Eva Jensen (evajensen101@gmail.com, 612-353-6636).
Are you in need of Power and Boundary Training?
Join fellow clergy in an ecumenical setting for training on power and boundaries issues in the congregations and faith communities that you serve. The training will be conducted using lecture, films, and discussion.
Power and Boundaries Trainings:
- Thursday, September 23: The Congregational Church UCC, Detroit Lakes
- Thursday, September 30: United Church of Christ, New Brighton
- Thursday, October 21: St. Paul's UCC, Henderson
- Thursday, November 11: Emerson Congregational UCC, Richfield
Workshops will be held from 8:30am - 4:30pm. Advance registration cost is $150 ($175 if registered less than two weeks before the workshop). For more information and to download a registration form visit the Minnesota Council of Churches website or contact Donald White at (612) 870-3600.
Glocal Mission Gathering
 October 1-2, 2010
United Lutheran Church - Grand Forks, ND
These exciting events bring experience and resources in global and domestic ministry together in convenient locations across the country, so leadership teams can build the skills needed to be a part of God's mission, no matter where service happens. A significant part of the Glocal Gatherings are skill-building workshops. These workshops focus on specific mission skills to be used at both the local and global levels of ministry.
More information...
Download brochure [PDF]
Download a customizable press release [.doc]
Revitalize Your Church Through Worship
October 2, 2010
8:30 – 4:30 pm
Our Savior's Lutheran - Moorhead, MN
Seminar presenter, Cathy Townley, will encourage “updating existing worship through missional and spiritual practices.” Topics covered include: increase worship attendance through spiritual practices; organize communities to plan and lead worship; welcome guests through relationships; and sustain numerical growth.
Pastors are asked to attend with a team of 3-5 persons including musicians, worship team members, or worship planners from their congregations. Register online; Lunch included; cost – $179 per church by August 25.
Life Overflowing: Rethinking Stewardship
Energizing and equipping servant-leaders for vital stewardship ministries in a new day
A New Way to Meet as Conferences!
In lieu of holding autumn conference assemblies in ten different locations, these two events will include time for conference caucuses to take care of important conference business.
Conferences 5 through 10
October 3, 2010
2:00 - 7:00 pm
First Lutheran Church - Detroit Lakes, MN
Conferences 1 through 4
October 10, 2010
2:00 - 7:00 pm
Zion Lutheran Church - Thief River Falls, MN
Find out how stewardship ministries need to change in the
21st century. Come for Vibrant worship, informative and hands on break-out groups, fun food and conversation, and a chance to conduct conference business.
Our Preacher and Keynoter:
Dr. David Lose holds the Marbury Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary. His presentation on how stewardship ministries need to change in the 21st century “lit up the room” at a major stewardship conference held this past July in Eden Prairie, MN.
Break-Out Groups:
- “Boots On the Ground”
A synod is a “walking together” (literally!) of disciples, serving God’s mission in a particular area. What exactly is God doing in and through our synod?
- “Chicago? Higgins Road? Or: Us?”
Experience, in concrete ways, how mission support shared with the ELCA Churchwide organization makes mission grow “on the ground” in God’s world. Share your ideas...
- “Talking Turkey About Mission Support”
Receive and share down-to-earth tips for talking with congregations about mission support of our ministry together as congregation, synod and churchwide expressions of one church.
- “Money Idolatry vs. the Joy of Discipleship”
Ponder how to foster honest conversations about faith and money that (a) look honestly at the role of money in our lives and discipleship and (b) avoid guilt-tripping.
- “The Sky’s the Limit”
What if our synod received more money than we knew what to do with? Let’s dream together about how we’d invest our pooled resources in doing God’s mission together in exciting new and expanded ways.
Who Should Attend?
- Lay leaders from your congregation, especially those responsible for stewardship ministries;
- Women's and men's ministry leaders;
- Disciples who want to grow as stewards of God's rich gifts and connect with other disciples from across our synod and its ten conferences;
- Pastors and church staff members - as many as you can bring.
Each congregation is urged to send at least three persons. The take-home value of this event will rise dramatically as more registrants come from a congregation. The cost for the first registrant from a congregation is $20, and the cost for all other registrants is $10 per person. Registration covers the cost of the program, materials and supper.
Download poster and registration form [PDF]
"Reflect, Renew, & Refill Your Cup of Parish Nursing"
Parish Nurse Renewal
October 7-8, 2010
Mt. Carmel Ministries - Alexandria, MN
The Parish Nurse Center at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN is sponsoring a continuing educational workshop for individuals involved in health and healing ministries with the theme: "Reflect, Renew, & Refill Your Cup of Parish Nursing".
There will be two sessions offered including "Nurturing Youth Through Food, Fitness, & Faith" and "The Cup of Our Life: A Guide for Spiritual Growth". The speakers include; Linda James & Dr. Betty Larson "Nurturing Youth Through Food, Fitness, and Faith", Annette Langdon "The Cup of Life & The Open Cup", Ann Rabie "The Chipped & Broken Cups", & Sonja Hinderlie "The Cup of Compassion & Blessing Cup". This event will take place at Mt. Carmel Ministries, Alexandria, MN located on beautiful Lake Carlos. For more information or to receive the registration brochure, please contact Tanya or Jean at 218-299-3893 or email parish-nurse@cord.edu.
Renewing Your Congregation: For God's Mission
October 7-10, 2010
Green Lake Bible Camp - Spicer, MN
A Region 3 - ELCA Transforming Ministry Event. Is your congregation yearning for renewal? The Unit for Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission -ELCA has designed a renewal journey called Transformational Ministry that may cultivate new life to congregations. This is not a program or a project. Rather it is an intense process of renewal that involves the whole congregation.
Download flier for more information [PDF]
Crossways Training with Dr. Harry Wendt
October 11-15, 2010
First Lutheran Church - Fargo, ND
 Dr. Wendt, The author of one of the most widely-used, comprehensive Bible study programs will be leading a training session in our area! If your congregation has been wanting to offer the Crossways Bible Study program, here's a great opportunity to get started with the man who wrote the materials. This ELCA Book of Faith event is co-sponsored by the Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota Synods. Tuition Fee: $350.00 (Discounts availble for 3 or more registering together)
For more information and to register, visit the Crossways website.
Healthy Congregations Facilitator Training
October 28–29, 2010
Luther Seminary - St. Paul, MN
Leaders for the training are Pastor Roger Schwarze and Pastor Bill Strom. The cost of the training is $425.00 and includes all materials, meals (lunch and supper on Thursday and lunch on Friday), coffee and fees. Enrollment is limited to 15 participants.
2010 NWMN Synod Middle School Youth Gathering
November 19 - 2, 2010
(Friday - Saturday)
Conferences 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
November 20 - 21, 2010
(Saturday - Sunday)
Conferences 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10
Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND
The hotels, theme, speaker, and musicians are currently being negotiated. More exciting details coming the first week of September!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kristina Johnson (Interim LYO Advisor and Middle School Gathering Coordinator) at lyo@cord.edu or Bob Larson at rlarson@cord.edu / 218-299-4561.
2011
WELCA Triennial Gathering
July 14–17, 2011
Spokane, WA
Are you looking for a life-changing experience that will inspire you to live out
your faith? Enjoy this Christian woman’s retreat and transform your mind, soul
and serving spirit.
- Escapae from the busyness of your life.
- Renew your spirit.
- Rejoice in fellowship with your Lutheran sisters!
- Discover your heart for service. Respond to your calling.
- Attend workshops, worship services, Bible studies, and other events that will
transform your life.
More information... |
