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Dec. 1, 2020
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.
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ABOUT NEW TAGLINE FOR WESTERN IOWA SYNOD
As a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace, liberated by our faith, we embrace all individuals as whole persons - questions, complexities and all. In an effort to demonstrate "All Are Welcome" - every gender and race, we proudly share this tagline. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.
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An Advent Message
from
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton
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John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins. - Mark 1:4
In the wilderness and in the river, on the margins of society, John the Baptizer offered faithful witness to the ongoing work of God. People went beyond the borders of their familiar lives to hear the words of a prophet, to seek renewed faith, to begin new journeys and to be transformed through baptism.
What does it mean to offer faithful witness today? As we ponder this question together as national church leaders, we experience shared challenges, new insights, mutual encouragement, deeper faith and common callings. Our common witness is bound not by ecclesiastical or national borders but by our common baptism. As leaders of four churches on a shared continent, and with shared complicity in the legacies of the Doctrine of Discovery, the enslavement of Black people and the mistreatment of all people of color, we hear the prophets and the Spirit speaking clearly when we listen together.
This Advent, we feel called to name the truth that the sin of racism and white supremacy is ongoing. People continue to be subjected to and oppressed by these systemic evils, even within our own churches and the ecumenical movement.
For the sake of our common mission and witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we share a commitment to dismantling racism and combating white supremacy, and we actively seek opportunities to engage more deeply. We bind ourselves together in this work, even as we are bound together by a common history of complicity with evil. We look forward to meeting with members from the Black, Indigenous and other communities of color within and beyond our churches to help us develop specific goals and actions. We know this will not be easy, but it is essential. It happens only by moving beyond the borders of the familiar, encountering the truth, trusting God’s grace and being transformed. We have much to learn from and with each other.
The birth of Christ to dwell among us holds the hope for our own rebirth. Our faith is in God’s ongoing work that establishes God’s kin-dom of equity, equality, justice and liberty for all. Our calling is to prepare the way of the Lord by embracing truth, promoting healing and acting in love.
As you make your Advent preparation this year, what do you need most? Forgiveness, repentance, healing, renewal of baptismal vocation, time in the wilderness or a word from a prophet? We are confident that God will grant us all that we need to be transformed for faithful witness.
Let us pray...
God of all, form us into churches beyond borders.
When we feel stuck, amplify the prophet’s word.
When we are distracted by privilege, put us in the wilderness.
When we need a new way, dunk us in the river.
When we are wrong, move us down the path of truth-telling and repentance.
When we need healing, sustain us with your love and hope.
When we cannot see beyond ourselves, move us beyond arbitrary borders.
Bless us with the Holy Spirit, that the good news may be for us a beginning.
Amen.
Archbishop & Primate
Linda Nicholls,
Anglican Church of Canada
Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry,
The Episcopal Church
National Bishop Susan C. Johnson,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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TO WESTERN IOWA SYNOD
FROM SE IOWA SYNOD
The Rev. Amy Current, Bishop, Southeast Iowa Synod, ELCA, has sent a multimedia "Thank You" to express gratitude for Western Iowa Synod's generous support of SE Iowa derecho relief efforts. This video and PDF can be streamed online, downloaded, congregations can use in worship, shared on social media.
Stream online: https://vimeo.com/485524367
Download video: https://vimeo.com/southeasterniowasynod/download/485524367/170cc77c03
PDF flyer: https://seiasynod.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2020/11/DerechoThankYouFinal.pdf
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FIND DAILY ADVENT DEVOTIONS ON SYNOD FACEBOOK PAGE
“All Earth Is Hopeful” - Evangelical Lutheran Worship #266
All earth is hopeful, the Savior comes at last!
Furrows lie open for God’s creative task:
this, the labor of people who struggle to see
how God’s truth and justice set everybody free.
The Western Iowa Synod staff invites you to "All Earth is Hopeful – daily Advent devotions on the Synod's Facebook page.
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Giving Tuesday
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty
and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me....” – Matthew 25:35
"PAY THE WEIGH FOR ALL TO EAT"
Weigh In & Compute Pounds to Dollars for Hunger Needs in Western Iowa
Pictured Above: Members of the Synod staff participate in
"Pay the Weigh for All to Eat" with weigh-in at local feed mill.
Today, Dec. 1, is Giving Tuesday - Give to Pay the Weigh for All to Eat! Feed the hungry in the Western Iowa. So far, Western Iowa has donated $1,650 to this Synod program. Now through Dec. 28, donate online at Give or mail payments to Western Iowa Synod, 318 E. 5th St., Storm Lake, IA 50588. (Designate "Pay the Weigh" on remittance form/check memo.)
Here are more details:
WHO: Everyone: Church councils, ministry teams, women’s, men’s & youth groups, individuals
WHY: "Pay the Weigh for All to Eat" A Synod program to address hunger and food insecurity in Western Iowa. Funds will be divided between conferences, to distribute in your conference, and address hunger needs in your local communities.
WHEN: Now through Dec. 28, 2020 (last day donations received in Synod office)
We challenge each conference to raise $1,000! The Synod has committed to match a $1,000 per conference. Let’s work together so each conference can receive $2,000 to feed their neighbors. Or dream higher.
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This Stewardship video is a 2020 recap of our work together in the Western Iowa Synod. When planning your congregation's 2021 mission intent, share this video with council members, finance committees, during your annual meetings and in worship services.
As you reflect on the partnership in ministry we share in the Western Iowa synod and the ELCA through your mission support, we encourage congregations to have discerning conversations when completing 2021 mission intent forms.
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REMOTE MEETINGS FOR CONGREGATIONS
During this time of physical distancing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many congregation leaders are asking how they can take advantage of technology to continue to hold necessary meetings to conduct the business of the congregation. Here are questions and answers regarding this.
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"Gather, Grow & Go!"
7 p.m., Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9 & 16, 2020
WHAT: "Gather, grow, and go!"
Adult Faith Exploring Luther's Small Catechism
WHEN: Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Dec 2, 9, 16
WHERE: ZOOM - Ask your pastor for Zoom link.
HOW: Gather together, grow & deepen our faith; go strive to live following Jesus.
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PRAYERS
We pray for Pastor Jennifer Yeske-Drown and family on the passing of Pastor Jennifer's sister, Nivi Lund Lange, Dec. 1, 2020. Pastor Jennifer serves at Bethlehem Lutheran, Red Oak; and Faith Lutheran, Griswold.
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Death of Rev. Andrew G. Oppedahl, Jr.
We prayer for the family of the Rev. Andy Oppedahl, who died Nov. 26, 2020, at age 90. Pastor Oppedahl, ordained on June 18, 1961, served as pastor at Saco-Hinsdale-Immanuel Parish, Saco, Montana; Trinity, Hawkeye; Immanuel, Rock Rapids; and St. John’s, Dubuque, Iowa. After retiring Jan. 31, 1996, he was a visitation pastor at St. John, Charles City, Iowa. The funeral service will held be Dec. 12, 2 p.m., St John Lutheran, Dubuque. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn.
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Christmas at Luther 2020
For Everyone Born
Friday, Dec. 4
7:30 p.m. CST, Online
All are welcome, near and far. We may not be gathering in person at the Center for Faith and Life, but we can still be together from a distance to witness the magic of this Luther College tradition. The link to view the performance will be emailed to you in the days prior to the premiere. Register to view the 2020 performance.
Christmas with Wartburg 2020
"Hope Awakens; Love’s New Dawn"
Wednesday, Dec. 23
7 p.m. CST, Online
Christmas with Wartburg 2020 will premiere online at Christmas with Wartburg.
Instead of sharing a live performance, we will record segments of the program throughout the fall. This will keep student musicians as safe as possible.
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HOLIDAY RESOURCES
FROM PORTICO
By Deacon Tammy L. Devine
Tammy shares her passion for health, healing, and wholeness through consulting, coaching and retreat facilitation.
As an ELCA deacon, registered nurse, parish nurse/coordinator and ICF certified coach, she collaborates with thought leaders to facilitate personal and communal growth toward living and leading well.
Here are links to resources by Deacon Tammy:
Contact her to learn more.
As we sing “Peace on Earth,” we want our leaders to find the inner peace that comes from emotional and mental well-being. Portico’s president, Rev. Jeff Thiemann, shared a message of support and encouragement lifting up some excellent resources that can help.
Thank you for your responsiveness during Annual Enrollment! As a reminder, all members with ELCA-Primary health coverage will be receiving new medical ID cards for 2021. Watch your mail later this month for these new cards; however, please note that even if your card does not arrive before Jan. 1, you will still have coverage. And, you can always print or request a new ID card via myPortico. Click on the “Care Coordinators” button under Health Coverage on your homepage.
Questions about your Portico Benefits: You can reach out to your Regional Representative, Jennifer Prinz, directly at 563/650-4122 or JPrinz@PorticoBenefits.org. Please note that Portico’s Customer Care Center is also available at 800-352-2876.
Need a Conference Meeting Speaker? Your Portico Regional Representative, Jennifer Prinz, is available to come to your virtual conference meetings and she may potentially bring along Portico’s CEO, Rev. Jeff Thiemann. If you’re interested, please reach out to Jennifer directly at JPrinz@PorticoBenefits.org or call/text her at 563/650-4122.
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2021 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering
(Click here or poster below to register.)
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When the Spirit nudges and tugs, and you begin to consider a call to ministry, an important question is: Can I afford theological education?
We want you to listen to God’s call, knowing you can afford the master’s degree program required for rostered ministry in the ELCA. Therefore, LTSS offers up-to-full tuition grants for all ELCA students.
Another important funding opportunity comes from ELCA Fund for Leaders, which provides full-tuition grants for ELCA students in candidacy. LTSS students who earn a Fund for Leaders full-tuition scholarship receive a housing scholarship which covers all or most of your on-campus housing expenses.
Find information about LTSS here and ELCA Fund for Leaders here. Questions? Want to talk about seminary? Contact Jennifer Shimota at 803-461-3297 or Jennifer.Shimota@lr.edu.
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NEWSLETTERS & WORSHIP FOLDERS
Called Forward Together in Christ – equipping people for their baptismal vocations in the world and this church.
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SEE SOMETHING IN e-SPIRIT YOU WANT TO SHARE?
Cut & paste articles from e-Spirit archives or email paula.damon@wisynod.org.
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WESTERN IOWA SYNOD STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Due to the spike in pandemic cases and hospitalizations, beginning Nov. 19 through Jan. 1, 2021, Western Iowa Synod staff will work from home with no in-person meetings. We will reassess and provide an update on this protocol on Jan. 2, 2021.. To communicate with Synod staff complete and submit the Contact Us form at http://www.wisynod.org/. 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!
Please forward this e-Spirit to church Council members, staff, congregations,
community partners, church members in military service, college
or wherever they may be.
