To open or not to open for worship – that is NOT the question!

News Update from the Western Iowa Synod-ELCA

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JULY 23, 2020

e-Spirit

To open or not to open for worship – that is NOT the question!

Instead…I invite pastors and councils to engage in conversation asking –

What does our mission lead us to now?

How do we serve the people who are knocking on our digital door?

What do the people around us (in the neighborhood) need and how can we

serve them?

What is God calling us to be for the sake of the world?

What does it mean to be the church today?

In these past weeks rostered ministers of Western Iowa have met each Tuesday for conversation and learning. The learning has been good - bringing new theological insights, challenging traditions, providing new possibilities and understandings in this time of change,

Together pastors and deacons have learned from –

Rev. Dr. Ben Stewart Holy Communion practices

Rev. Dr. Troy Troftgruben Rooted and Renewing

Kay, Erin, Wendy, Eric Broich Stories of racism in rural Iowa

Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann Racism and the Lutheran tradition

Rev. Judith Johnson Self-care

Jennifer Prinz Portico Benefits

Rev. Dr. Winston Persaud Theology in Luther’s Hymns

Rev. Louise Johnson Adaptive Leadership

In the weeks ahead topics include -

Dawn Rudman Sunday School and faith formation today

Barbara Keller Rostered Ministers Boundary training

Keith Mundy Stewardship in time of a pandemic

Lorna

Rev. Lorna H. Halaas, Bishop
Western Iowa Synod, ELCA

No, Thank You Brian!

It is with deep sadness I share that Brian Campbell, Vice-President of the Western Iowa Synod, died this past Tuesday in Emmetsburg. As Vice-President of the synod, Brian gave countless hours of time to the synod council and synod assembly. Brian’s leadership and friendship will be missed.

Our prayers surround wife Janis, daughter Kim, and grandchildren BriAna, Alec, and Phoenix.

Funeral arrangements in Emmetsburg are still pending.

Resuming Care-filled Worship and Sacramental Life During a Pandemic

The pandemic has challenged churches to continue being the church without gathering in person. We have met that challenge by meeting online, live streaming worship and providing instructions for worship at home. Now churches face another challenge. How will we resume worship gatherings in-person while the pandemic is still with us? A new in-depth resource of safe practices for worship during the pandemic has been created by an ecumenical consultation. In addition to representatives from several denominations in the U.S., the consultation team included scientists and medical professionals.

Additional materials are found on the supporting website, including a Spanish edition of the core resource.

FOR CHURCH NEWSLETTERS

Please include in your church newsletters the the items below. Thanks!

Boundaries Training for ALL Rostered Leaders

It is an expectation that all ELCA rostered ministers participate in boundaries training every three years. Presenters will be Barbara Keller, ELCA Churchwide, Pastor Judy Johnson, and Murray Sagsveen on Definitions and Guidelines. To receive the Zoom link, RSVP to Julie Cook at julie.cook@wisynod.org prior to August 4.

Please make every effort to attend - this means shutting off cell phones and email while presentations are happening.

When: Tuesday, August 4th, via ZOOM

Time: 10 am - 3 pm (with lunch break)

REQUIRED ANNUAL SAM AUTHORIZATION

Registration Open

Synod

Authorized

Ministers (SAM)

ONLINE PREACHING CLASSES*

*Required for SAM Annual Authorization

WHEN:

Aug. 5 and Aug. 12

7-9 p.m. via ZOOM

WHO:

Current SAM - These classes are required for SAM annual authorization.

Future SAM - If you are interested in becoming a SAM, these classes are a first step.

COST:

Only $25 per person for both sessions.

PRE-READING:

For Aug. 5 class, read "A Lay Preacher's Guide: How to Craft a Faithful Sermon"

by Karoline Lewis.

Preaching date(s) will be scheduled during class.

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Gratitude Gathering for Church Leaders

It has been a challenging year for church leaders as we cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bearing in mind the persistent uncertainty about how and when to gather, we invite Western Iowa Synod congregation presidents, vice-presidents and rostered leaders to a cookout. One of our priorities is developing relationships across the Synod. This gathering will give the Synod staff a chance to thank church leaders and for all of us to get to know each other better.

When: Wednesday, August 19th

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: Chautauqua Park Shelter House

410 E. Lakeshore Drive

Storm Lake

Cost: FREE

Following health department guidelines and to gather as safely as possible, we are limiting the number of attendees. Please RSVP to julie.cook@wisynod.org no later than Aug. 12. Please come!

Announcement

The ELCA National Youth Gathering is postponed one year.

New Dates. Same Boundless God!

The ELCA National Youth Gathering is rescheduled for July 22-24, 2022

Minneapolis, MN

Called Forward Together in Christ –
equipping people for their baptismal vocations in the world and this church.

Looking Forward

2020
August 3 Candidates Wellness Workshop 12:00 pm ZOOM
August 5 Annual SAM Reauthorization (required)
-First Class 7:00 pm ZOOM
August 4 Boundaries Workshop 10:00 am ZOOM
August 8 Synod Council 9:30 am ZOOM
August 12 Annual SAM Reauthorization (required)
-Second Class 7:00 pm ZOOM
August 19 Gratitude Cookout 5:30 pm Storm Lake/park
-Pastors, Presidents, & Vice Presidents – please RSVP

September 13 God’s Work Our Hands Everywhere
Sept. 27-29 Fall Convocation – Rostered Ministers ZOOM/Tentative

October 4 Companion Synod Sunday (this year)
October 9 TEEM/Mentors Meeting 9:30 am
October 10 Synod Council 9:30 am
October 20 Worship Planning 1:00 pm ZOOM

November 21 Celebration of Thanksgiving-Lizard Creek Fort Dodge
December 12 Synod Council 9:30 am

2021
January 5 Worship Planning 1:00 pm ZOOM

February 7 Seeds of Faith Conf Meeting 2:00 pm Bethel, Graettinger

April 9-10 Synod Assembly-Fort Frenzy Fort Dodge
April 27 Worship Planning 1:00 pm ZOOM

**Siouxland & Fort Dodge Forum via Zoom, 2nd Thursday of each month, speakers TBD.

***TBD - date for Ordination into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament for Jim McColley.
John Jorgensen will be ordained September 19, 2020.

The ELCA – called, gathered and sent into the world to embody the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we exist to be a reforming, renewing and reconciling expression of God’s grace through life-giving relationships and communities of worship, mercy, justice and service.

SUMMER READING

Strength for the Struggle

Joe Ellwanger shares his experiences and wisdom as a pastor in times of great social struggle, both in 1960s Birmingham and in more than three decades of ministry in Milwaukee's inner city.

So Wrap to Talk About Race

Author Ijeoma Oluo offers a hard-hitting but user-friendly examination of race in America Widespread reporting on aspects of white supremacy-from police brutality to the mass incarceration of Black Americans-has put a media spotlight on racism in our society. Still, it is a difficult subject to talk about.

Materiality as Resistance Walter Brueggemann defines materiality as the use of the material aspects of the Christian faith, as opposed to materialism, which places possessions and physical comfort over spiritual values. In this concise volume, Brueggemann lays out how we as Christians may reengage our materiality for the common good.

Psalms of Lament

Here beloved poet Ann Weems offers a poignant rendering of her own personal psalms of lament. She draws from the rich heritage of Scripture to give voice to the grief and anguish she has felt. Her words will deeply move anyone who has mourned.

Ambiguous Loss

When a loved one dies we mourn our loss. We take comfort in the rituals that mark the passing, and we turn to those around us for support. But what happens when there is no closure, when a family member or a friend who may be still alive is lost to us nonetheless?

PRAYER CONCERNS

- The Campbell family, comfort as they grieve Brian's death

- Rev. Katie Russell, recovering from COVID

- Sam and Diane Jacobs

- Western Iowa Rostered Ministers and Congregations

- COVID-19 victims and their families.

- Barbara Derby and family, recovering from a fire in their Akron home.

- Paula, Communications Manager, WIS, and husband Brian Damon as they spend time with family in Indiana and safe travels home

TRANSITIONS

Rev. Charles (Chip) Borgstadt, Jr., Pastor, St. John Lutheran, Dunlap;

Bethesda Lutheran, Moorhead

Rev. Kelley Pedersen, Interim Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran, Rockwell City

Rev. Matthew Manz, Interim Pastor, South Enes Lutheran, Vincent

Rev. Barbara Kopperud, retiring from Trinity Lutheran Church, Sibley, moving to Red Wing, Minn.

Trinity Lutheran, Sibley, voted to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and are now Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC)

TELL US ABOUT

YOUR AMAZING MINISTRIES

IN WESTERN IOWA

EMAIL paula.damon@wisynod.org.

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WESTERN IOWA SYNOD STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

The synod staff continues to social distance and for the most part works from home. Office hours are 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mon.-Fri. To contact synod staff members, see email addresses below. For staff roles and responsibilities, visit Western Iowa Synod Staff.