Jan. 19, 2021
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2021 SYNOD ASSEMBLY IS VIRTUAL
The 2021 Western Iowa Synod Assembly will be April 9-10, which will be held virtually. You should have received Assembly information mailed Jan. 8.
See Synod Secretary Karen Post's Assembly Letter for details. Forms also available at https://www.wisynod.org/synod-assembly-2021. Below are Synod Assembly important dates for your calendar.
SYNOD ASSEMBLY DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
NOW - Accepting registrations by mail. Find the Registration Form here.
FEB. 1 - Online registration & assembly offerings open.
FEB. 8
-Download, complete, submit Resolutions at Forms, Guidelines, & Policy for Handling.
- Nominations information here.
-Reports due, email reports to julie,cook@wisynod.org.
FEB. 28 - Deadline for submitting this application 2021 MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND GRANT.
MARCH 15 - Deadline for registering at early bird rate.
MARCH 16-29 - Deadline for registering at regular rate.
MARCH 29 - Last day to register for Synod Assembly. No registrations accepted after Mar. 29.
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Mission Endowment Fund Grants Applications Due Feb. 28
Applications for the Western Iowa Synod Mission Endowment grants are being accepted now through Feb. 28, 2021. Past grants have supported congregation community meal programs, food pantry, gardening projects, mission trips, backpacks for kids and other similar ministries. Grants have ranged from $200 to $1,500. Download the application at 2021 MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND GRANT. Postal mail completed applications to Julie Cook, Western Iowa Synod, 318 E. 5th St., Storm Lake, IA 50588 or email applications to julie.cook@wisynod.org by Feb. 28.
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CONFERENCE MEETINGS
Rivers of Grace: Jan. 21, 10 a.m., Zoom
Living Waters: Jan. 24, 10 a.m., Zoom
Abundant Fields: Jan. 26, 7 p.m., Zoom, Tentative
Hands of Hope: Jan. 31, 2 p.m., Zoom
Seeds of Faith: Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Zoom
Winds of Hope: Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Zoom
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ANNUAL REPORTS | DEADLINE APPROACHING
COMPLETE | SUBMIT FORMS A & C | DUE FEB. 15
By Feb. 15, 2021, submit your Annual Congregation Reports (Forms A & C), parochial statistics for year ending Dec. 31, 2020, to the ELCA Office of the Secretary. Data on your congregation's Forms A & C are beneficial to the ELCA and congregations in many ways, including:
- Assist call process. Offer latest congregation info for prospective members.
- Help plan mission-outreach.
- Support congregations seeking ELCA loans for building projects.
- Determine new ministries.
- Plan mission strategies.
Begin at A & C login, using your Congregation ID and password. If you can't find your ID and password, call Julie at the synod office, 712-732-4968.
CONGREGATIONAL DIRECTORY | DUE FEB. 15
Update your Congregational Leadership Directory (Form B) at Congregation Leader Directory and login with Congregation ID and password. Update your congregation's leadership, including email addresses, which ELCA requests.
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE BISHOP | DUE MARCH 15
ATTENTION! Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Ministers of Word and Service Complete/submit your Rostered Ministers Reports, due March 15. At ANNUAL REPORT FORMS find forms relative to your status. We have already started receiving these. Thank you!
2021 MISSION SUPPORT LETTER OF INTENT
Stewardship is no longer simply about paying the church’s bills. It is about how congregations can together live out God’s call to love our neighbor. We encourage you to complete/submit your congregation's 2021 MISSION SUPPORT LETTER OF INTENT FORM here.
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CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL MEETINGS
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Q & A Planning Electronic Meetings
Expectations of Congregation Council Members
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL REPORT
TEMPLATE: Covers for Annual Report
TEMPLATE: Page spreads for Annual Report
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PAY THE WEIGH FOR ALL TO EAT | DEADLINE JAN. 20
Pay the Weigh for ALL to Eat Deadline Looming!
This is a Western Iowa Synod program to address hunger and food insecurity in our synod. Funds will be divided among conferences and disbursed by conferences to most effectively respond to local hunger and food insecurity in their communities.
Time is running out!! Contributions must be received by Jan. 20 so we can get the funds disbursed and you can start providing more help to your communities. It is not too late!! You can still contribute online here. Thank you to all who have already contributed! Your generosity will make a difference in our communities.
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As the world reels from the effects of a deadly pandemic, the number of hungry people is rising, while food pantries and soup kitchens are expanding. Study, pray, reflect and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for our families, our neighbors and communities around the world. More information here.
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"Gather, Grow & Go!"
Adult Faith Formation - Zoom
7 p.m., Wednesdays
Through Feb. 10, 2021
Join Dr. Martin Lohrmann, as he walks us through
the Lord's Prayer in Luther's Small Catechism.
Ask your pastor for Zoom link.
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Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
WE ARE FREED TO SERVE
In her latest column, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the past year and looks toward 2021. The pandemic has taught us a lot about our church and about ourselves. We are connected. We are generous. We are freed to serve. Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/38FNErx and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2N4Lcm9.
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Jennifer Prinz
Sign up for coffee with your Portico Regional Representative over the phone or virtually by contacting Jennifer at
563-650-4122 or JPrinz@PorticoBenefits.org.
JANUARY 2021 PORTICO NEWS
For the latest offerings from Portico, visit January 2021 Portico Update.
Virtual Portico Well-Being Workshops – Consider one of the workshops below offered by Portico Regional Representative Jennifer Prinz for synod-wide events, conference meetings, specialized groups, etc. Details at Well-Being Workshops.
- Beating Burnout: A Better You, A Better Congregation
- Tested by Stress
- Smooth Sailing: Becoming a Resilient Leader in Turbulent Times
- Stamina for Your Soul: Cultivating Spiritual Practices, Foster Good Health
- What to Pack When You’re Not Going Anywhere
- Spiritual Recharge: Grounded in the Home
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40th Annual Wartburg Seminary Rural Ministry Conference
Monday, March 8 - ZOOM
Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Tex Sample will explore this division by looking at a key demographic, cultural traditionalists. More details and register at Rural Ministry Conference - Wartburg Seminary
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PRAYERS
Together we lift our prayers for...
Pastors and congregations in the synod.
All those dealing with COVID and its effects.
Medical personnel and public health workers confronting the pandemic and administering vaccines.
For anyone grieving and suffering losses. We ask God to comfort them.
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Rev. John Syvertson - Transferred to St. Paul Area Synod
Rev. Sharon Worthington - Concluded interim call to St. Paul, Atlantic
Rev. Lauri Boysen - Answered call to serve St. Paul, Atlantic
Rev. Deb Mechler - Concluded call to serve Prairie Faith Partners
Rev. Kathleen Anderson - Transferred to Northwest Intermountain Synod
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FOR NEWSLETTERS & WORSHIP FOLDERS
Called Forward Together in Christ – equipping people for their baptismal vocations in the world and this church.
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WESTERN IOWA SYNOD STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Due to the spike in pandemic cases and hospitalizations, Western Iowa Synod staff primarily will work from home with no in-person meetings. We will reassess and provide updates on this protocol as needed.. For staff roles and responsibilities, visit Western Iowa Synod Staff.
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News Update from the Western Iowa Synod-ELCA
Help get everyone in the Spirit! Forward this e-Spirit to church councils, staff, congregations,
community partners, church members in military service, college or wherever they may be.
