Energy to Change

News Update from the Western Iowa Synod-ELCA

Help get everyone in the Spirit!

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May 28, 2020

e-Spirit

ENERGY TO CHANGE

When the day of Pentecost had come,

they were all together in one place.

And suddenly from heaven there came

a sound like the rush of a violent

wind and it filled the entire house…

- Acts 2:1-2

These early followers of Jesus were gathered in sadness, grief and fear when on that day of Pentecost, the Spirit of God blew as a mighty, life changing and unexpected wind. The Holy Spirit came with a surge of new energy, power and chaos upending their lives.

To these early followers and to us, God’s Spirit continues to stir up new energy; bringing bold new imagination, changing attitudes and renewing enthusiasm, love and hope.

And so on this day we pray:

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Renew in us the energy to -

Tell the good news! Jesus is risen! Life conquers death!
Care more about our neighbor than ourselves!
Love all of creation. Working for justice to end racism, nationalism, sexism.
Look forward with hope. Resisting the tug of nostalgia.
Give it away! Living generously individually and as congregations.

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Stir up your power in us, that we may live boldly and confidently in the promises of our baptism and the mission we share for the sake of the world. Amen.

++++++++++++++++++++++

This past week over 50 rostered ministers (deacons and pastors) in Western Iowa gathered by Zoom for learning and conversation with Rev. Dr. Troy Troftgruben, New Testament Professor at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque. During this time together, Dr. Troftgruben asked each one to respond to “Where is the Holy Spirit calling us/the church in a post pandemic world?” The answers are shown in the screen shot below.

Lorna

Lorna H. Halaas, Bishop

Western Iowa Synod

PRAYER CONCERNS

Prayerfully consider...

- Sam Jacobs, battling cancer, and his wife, Diane Jacobs.

- Farmers

- Virus/Reopening

- Western Iowa Rostered Ministers/Congregations

A prayer from...

Rev. Dr. Craig L. Nessan of Wartburg Theological Seminary

For all who have contracted coronavirus,
We pray for care and healing.
For those who are particularly vulnerable,
We pray for safety and protection.
For all who experience fear or anxiety,
We pray for peace of mind and spirit.
For affected families who are facing difficult decisions

between food on the table or public safety,
We pray for policies that recognize their plight.
For those who do not have adequate health insurance,
We pray that no family will face financial burdens alone.
For those who are afraid to access

care due to immigration status,
We pray for recognition

of the God-given dignity of all.
For our brothers and sisters around the world,
We pray for shared solidarity.
For public officials and decisionmakers,
We pray for wisdom and guidance.
Dear God, during this time may your Church

be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all.
Grant peace.
Grant comfort.
Grant healing.
Be with us, Lord. Amen.

Return to In-Person Worship | Considerations

As ELCA congregations face difficult decisions regarding when and how they will be able to gather again for worship, this resource offers general guidance. This not a comprehensive, one-size-fits-all resource; it will need to be interpreted and adapted for your local context. In many, if not most contexts, it will not be safe or advisable to gather for in-person worship for some time. National, state and local medical and legal guidelines will need to be consulted and followed. While risk is not avoidable, this guidance is presented with the aim of reducing the level of risk for your community. Your pastor and congregational leaders will want to carefully review these considerations for Return to In-Person Worship from the ELCA.

WISECast Interview

Rev. Dr. Mike Kroona

Assistant to the Bishop, Western Iowa Synod

WISEGuy

Rev. Chuck Meyer,

St. Paul Lutheran, Treynor

Rev. Dr. Mike Kroona, Assistant to the Bishop, Western Iowa Synod

WISEGuy

Rev. Scott Dalen, Underwood Lutheran, Underwood

In this month's episode of the WISECast, the WISEGuys interview the Rev. Dr. Mike Kroona, Western Iowa Synod Assistant to the Bishop. Together, they explore aspects of Pastor Mike’s call to serve the synod, and how his work connects at every level of the Church, from individuals to the global scale. Listen to their conversation at:

SoundCloud
iTunes
Spotify

ONLINE SAM* PREACHING CLASSES

Aug. 5 & 12

WHEN: 7-9 p.m., Aug. 5 and Aug. 12,

via ZOOM

COST: Only $25 per person for both sessions. To register, email julie.cook@wisynod.

WHO: These classes are a prerequisite for those currently serving as SAMs to become authorized SAM.

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. *SAM (Synodically Authorized Minister)

The Holy Spirit, Day of Pentecost, May 31, 2020

FREE AT-HOME SUNDAY SCHOOL SERIES
Family Sunday School by Sparkhouse Media

"I Am With Your Always...." Matt. 28:20

Reflections by

Mark Stelzer, M.D. (retired), Spiritual Director, Western Iowa Synod

A repeated reminder during the Pandemic of Covid19 has been “we are all in this together!” We are not alone! To be alone is often frightening. On the other hand, being with someone, especially one’s spouse or a friend, makes every situation better in many ways!

The good news is that we are never alone! Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus reminds his disciples and all of us, “remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20). God is with us always! God is with us even when we can’t pray, or don’t know what to pray for, or simply feel overwhelmed and lost. Jesus did not promise to fix everything, but Jesus did promise to be with us, always, through everything, no restrictions.

A simple prayer practice is the “Attitude of Gratitude.” Take a few moments to notice God’s presence and love, in nature, in relationships, in everything. And remember, God is truly with us always; we are never alone!

Last Chance to Send 2020 Assembly Offerings

The Synod office must receive 2020 Assembly Offerings by Friday, May 29. Send to Kay Broich, Finance Director, Western Iowa Synod, 318 E 5th St., Storm Lake, IA 50588. Email kay.broich@wisynod.org. Your offering will go to Igumbilo Lutheran Girls' Secondary School in our companion Synod of the Southern Diocese of Tanzania and for transportation for all Western Iowa Synod Youth attending the 2021 ELCA National Youth Gathering "Boundless - Go Beyond God's Measure" in Minneapolis.

Build Your Resiliency with Being

Portico provides support for your total well-being, including your mental or emotional well-being.

In addition to your ELCA-Primary mental health benefits, you also have access to a full suite of programs — at no additional cost — designed to help support mental health, for you as well as your covered family members. We invite you to check out the following services to see how they could help you maintain a healthy emotional life.

We invite you to check out offerings on resilience, including “Beating Burnout: A Better You, A Better Congregation” with ELCA rostered leaders, “Resiliency” with Jenny Evans, and “Spiritual Recharge: Grateful and Grounded” with Diana Butler Bass.

Get completely confidential 24/7 online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Details at Build Your Resiliency with Being.

ONLINE CONTINUING ED CAMP | JULY 6-8

With Rev. Dr. Winston Persaud

"BEING LUTHERAN IN THE 21ST CENTURY:

HEARING THE WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL IN MARTIN LUTHER'S HYMNS"

The Rev. Dr. Winston Persaud, Wartburg Theological Seminary, will present an online continuing education camp titled "Being Lutheran in the 21st Century: Hearing the Witness to the Gospel in Martin Luther's Hymns, " July 6-8. For details on how to register, visit Being Lutheran in 21st Century.

SUMMER READING

Author Anna M. Madsen's book is a fresh and challenging look at the legacy of Martin Luther and the new reformation that is calling people of faith to action today. This book is born out of the conviction that at least two gods are currently competing for our collective trust: nationalism (and its many sub-manifestations) and quietism.

Jan Richardson, a gifted author, poet, and artist, believes it is essential for women to listen to one another and to bring the fullness of their lives, with all their wonders and messiness, into their life of prayer. This book, Richardson writes, is an invitation to enter into a conversation.

ELCA COACHING

Wednesdays, 1 p.m. CST

Zoom link each week at https://www.elcacoaching.org/
Watch recorded sessions at https://www.elcacoaching.org/covid19

ABOUT THESE GATHERINGS

Offer rostered leaders, lay leaders and those in church leadership roles encouragement and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. With questions, email jill.beverlin@elca.org.