e-Spirit
Twice monthly news update for the Western Iowa Synod-ELCA
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION - Just in time for Annual Congregational Meetings
- BISHOP EATON'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
- GET-AWAY GATHERINGS FOR NEW YEAR
- SPECIALIZED MINISTERS UNITE
- PRAYER REQUESTS
- AND SO MUCH MORE!
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CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY
10 a.m., Wed., Dec. 25
First Lutheran Church
3939 Cheyenne Blvd
Sioux City 51104
Rev. Kristine Stedje
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BLUE CHRISTMAS
5:30 p.m., SAT., DEC. 21
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
608 Nebraska, Sioux City
- An ecumenical, multicultural Christmas service to help cope with loneliness and melancholy at this time of year invokes. All are invited and welcome.
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ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's Christmas Video Message
We celebrate the miracle of God’s love that has come to us in the form of a tiny baby who gives his life for us, that we might have life....
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MAKE YEAR-END
GIVING HAPPEN
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Year-end gifts.
No hassle.
No problem.
ELCA HOW YOU CAN DO THE GREATEST GOOD
These gifts keep on giving by enriching lives, paying it forward, offering a helping hand. So do it today, give just one more gift, we pray. Here's how...
- Make a gift to your ELCA congregation for ministry to those in your local community to provide food, gas, utilities, clothes and much more.
- Donate to the ministry of 124 congregations in the Western Iowa Synod. Your gifts to the Synod also help with disaster relief, seminary support, campus ministry, hunger network and faith formation for all ages.
- Help pastors in the Western Iowa Synod with a gift to "Fund the Future," an endowment fund for pastor education debt relief.
- Designate a gift to ELCA global partners in the Southern Diocese of Tanzania for ongoing ministry at the Girls School or small business loans through SACCOS.
THANK YOU TO THESE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTORS TO
"FUND THE FUTURE"
Bishops Installation Offering
Trinity Lutheran Estherville
Rev. Tonna Parsons
Rev. Trish Underberg
Rev. Deb Mechler
Rev. Katie Russell
Bishop Lorna Halaas
Kay Broich
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Y-O-U CAN MAKE INCREDIBLE POSSIBLE
By Pastor Rod Hopp on behalf of Global Mission/World Hunger Team
The ELCA's social ministry response to domestic and world hunger, health issues, refuge crises, disaster response and so much more is nothing short of incredible. And, your gifts make that incredible response possible.
YEAR-END GIVING
We invite you to remember and respond to the hungry in your community and around the world; those plagued by health issues, such as HIV/AIDs; refugees and those whose livelihoods have been upended by disaster. You alone can accomplish a lot by contributing to the ELCA’s World Hunger Ministry. Here's how to give online simply and securely...
- Become a Monthly Partner and give automatic monthly gifts in support of ELCA World Hunger at community.elca.org/monthlypartners and select ELCA World Hunger. Mail your donation to: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
- Call 800-638-3522 to make a donation by credit card,Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.CT
- Give through your congregation with checks payable to your congregation, indicating ELCA World Hunger in the memo line.
- Leave a legacy: The ELCA Foundation has a nationwide network of professional gift planning staff who can help you explore a variety of possibilities for making a significant gift to ELCA World Hunger and fulfilling your legacy goals at the same time. Call the ELCA Foundation at 800-638-3522.
- Create your own fundraiser: Visit Team ELCA to create your own event, design a personal page and invite support for ELCA World Hunger.
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When you make a gift through December 31, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000, thanks to a generous gift from longtime supporters Bill and Cathy Eddy. Double your impact and support more former refugees and immigrants in our community. Donate now at DO THE GREATEST GOOD.
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CONGRATULATIONS! IT'S A BOY
Pastor Sarah Deutsch, Immanuel, George, and husband, Pastor Aaron Deutsch, welcome a baby boy!
Pastor Cole McCormick, Trinity, Estherville, and wife, Pastor Jeanette McCormick, welcome a baby boy!
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SAVE. THE. DATE.
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WHAT: RETREAT LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION
WHEN: Feb. 7-8
WHERE: Lutheran Lakeside Bible Camp
SPEAKER: John Sundquist, Men in Mission, Churchwide-Chicago.
Send your full name, postal mailing address, phone, email, congregation name/city/town and $60 check payable to Western Iowa Synod Men in Mission to Mark Juhl, Treasurer, 11884 Polk Avenue, Remsen, IA 51050 Questions? Call Mark at 712-540-1391 or email mcmjuhl@midlands.net.
WHAT: SPOUSES OF CLERGY GATHERING
WHEN: Jan. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
WHERE: Synod Office, Storm L.
Calling all spouses of clergy, you won't want to miss this refreshing and fun time. Network with other spouses of clergy. Make new friends. Discuss ins and outs of being a PS (preacher's spouse). As an extra bonus, Pastor-Counselor Judy Johnson will lead the event. by by Jan. 16, or sooner, RSVP
Julie.Cook@wisynod.org or call 712-732-4968.
WHAT: TOOLBOX 2020
WHEN/WHERE:
MARCH 14 - Location TBD
MARCH 15 - Location TBD
Plan on this essential time to recharge and replenish your ministry toolbox. Watch e-Spirit for more details on times and locations.
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Pray Always. Then, Pray more.
"I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words."
Psalm 17:6
Together, we pray for...
Pat Olson, long-time administrative assistant, Immanuel, Sioux City
Rev. Jean McCartney, St. Paul, Missouri Valley
Rev. Pete Petersen & family, passing of wife, Kathy
Marilyn Berka, wife of Pastor Jim Berka
Rev. Lauri Boysen & family, passing of Vertis Boysen
Rev. Jean Morse & family, passing of Zelda Morse
Barbara Derby, mother of Melissa Munsen, Trinity, Akron
Synod
Northwestern Ohio Synod, Bishop Daniel Beaudoin
Congregation
Nain Lutheran Church, Newell,Scott Essing
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ATTENTION: Specialized Ministers
The Western Iowa Synod is exploring the formation of a Specialized Ministry Task force for Specialized Care settings, diaconal, AIM and other related ministries. Designed for ministers serving in specialized settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospice chaplains, visitation ministries, etc., the group would meet regularly at a central location. The Task Force would support specialized ministers
in their roles by sharing resources, education opportunities and experiences. Interested? Contact Pastor John Syvertson, St. Luke Homes and Services, Spencer, 712-262-5931(office), 712-260-7637(cell) or email jsyverts@hotmail.com.
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FOR CONGREGATIONS: AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
by Synod Secretary Jim Mossman
At its Churchwide Assembly in August 2019 the ELCA made a number of amendments to the model constitution for congregations. Part of the ongoing work of the church is to ensure our governance is clear, efficient and transparent. A number of the changes editorial in nature (i.e. replace ‘synod’ for ‘synodical’) or related to our denomination’s decision to ordain deacons.
A couple of changes may impact more directly the life of a congregation:
·Congregations must now be sure to elect members of synod assembly only at congregational meetings.
·Provision is now made for meetings of the congregation to be held by remote communication or teleconference, provided certain conditions are met.
It is part of the life of the congregation to ensure that governing documents are kept in order and up to date. As Secretary, I want to encourage all our congregations to update your constitutions at upcoming annual meetings. The process for bringing your congregation’s constitution up to date with the latest model can be fairly simple. Revisions that match the language of the latest Model Constitution can be passed in one vote at your regular meeting (see C16.04). Some of the constitutional language is required of all congregations, other chapters are open to adaptation to local use. (Proposals that modify the language of the Model where permitted require two votes on identical motions at separate properly called meetings).
Please refer to the 2019 Model Constitution for Congregations and Amendments/Changes to 2019 Model Constitution approved at the 2019 August’s Churchwide Assembly.
Feel free to consult with me about how to prepare revisions to your constitution at your annual meeting. If it has been some time since the last revision of your congregation’s constitution, more work may be entailed. We stand ready to assist. (Email: pastorjim5@gmail.com)
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e-Spirit
Send congregational events, ministries, celebrations for consideration to
paula.damon@wisynod.org or julie.cook@wisynod.org.
Western Iowa Synod
318 E Fifth St.
Storm Lake, IA 50588
712-732-4968