News Update from the Western Iowa Synod-ELCA
Help get everyone in the Spirit!
Please forward this e-Spirit to church Councils, staff, congregations,
community partners, church members in military service, college
or wherever they may be.
May 21, 2020
e-Spirit
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Why Do You Stand Looking Up Toward Heaven?
May 21, 2020
Ascension of Our Lord
“Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?” the two men in white robes asked the witnesses remaining after Jesus ascended.
Today marks 40 days since Easter Sunday. It is the day the church names Ascension of Our Lord, 40 days of time to ponder the power and wonder of Jesus’ death and resurrection as we wait for the mighty wind of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
As Martin Luther has said, Jesus has ascended to be with us and for us. Then we need to be with and for other people, at least in our prayer and support.
Worship at Home | A Time of Prayer on Ascension Day, May 21, 2020
Lorna
Rev. Lorna H. Halaas, Bishop
Western Iowa Synod, ELCA
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Looking Forward...
Preparing to worship and coming together in the building
Ready for worship in the church building again?
We live by faith and we do not want to be captive to fear and anxiety, therefore we act with care, wisdom and love towards those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. As you begin to look toward the day when worship will once again be in the church building, there are a number of things to plan and prepare.
Leadership - Read and share documents at links below.
Conversation - Pastors and leaders consider documents and together develop plan.
Communication - Prepare members of congregation of plan for worship.
• Social distancing
• Wearing a mask
• No communion, singing, shaking hands, or coffee hour
Evaluation - Pastors and leaders meet regularly, making adaptations as necessary.
• If people are anxious about being in the building, you may consider closing again.
Pastors and congregations councils are encouraged to consider these questions for guidance before opening buildings for worship.
1. Will worship in the building allow for all to participate? age, health conditions, etc.
2. How will you clean, sanitize and prepare the building?
3. What is the age of your worshiping community? Age and health of pastor?
4. To keep social distance will you need to add additional times for worship?
5. What will be the order of service? Will you print the full service and use no hymnals?
6. Will you include hymns? Choir? Singing is considered risky.
7. How will you keep social distance and no touch for Holy Communion and Baptism?
8. Will you expect those attending worship to wear masks?
9. Will you have ushers and greeters? How will they do this with no touch?
10. How will you receive the offering?
11. What about coffee hour and fellowship time?
12. Will you continue to offer worship online?
13. Will you continue online Bible studies, devotions, confirmation and Sunday school?14. Reflecting on budget and offering, do you need to consider reducing expenses?15. Consider drive-in worship options for the summer months
16. How will you acknowledge grief, depression, and mental health needs?
17. How will you address addictions in the congregation?
18. How will you celebrate and hear the stories of the people?
Allow for at least two weeks for preparation from date of announced opening to worship in the building! This likely means worship in the building beginning after the middle of June, at the earliest.
Thoughts on Holy Communion in the Midst of the Current Pandemic
Digital Worship and Sacramental Life in a Time of Pandemic
By Prof. Dr. Dirk G. Lange
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Considerations: Returning to In-Person Worship
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.
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Singing "Every Time I Feel the Spirit," the Akron Immanuel Lutheran Church Choir performs virtually, demonstrating how a congregation is doing something traditional in a new way. Watch and be inspired.
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FREE AT-HOME SUNDAY SCHOOL SERIES
FOR FAMILIES
Sponsored by 1517 Media & Sparkhouse Family
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Let us see photos and videos of life in your congregations
(virtual choirs, worship services, Bible studies, etc.).
Please email photos to julie.cook@wisynod.org
for consideration in e-Spirit.
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A Note from
Rev. Judy Johnson
Pastor-Counselor in Residence, Western Iowa Synod
For the pastors who were on Zoom this past Tuesday with the Bishop and synod staff, we did a little bit of “inner child” work. It is the first time I’ve tried to do something like this with a whole group of people rather than an individual, so thank you to all who participated.
I thought it might be helpful to do a little bit of follow-up, in particular around the question: Why? Why do this? It does seem a little self-indulgent – perilously close to navel-gazing – spending time mucking about in distant past of my psyche.
The reason is simply this: the better I understand what lies beneath the surface, the freer I am to choose how I respond in any given moment.
And the more stressed or tired I am (sound familiar?) the more likely I am to react automatically. And guess who runs the autopilot? Not my rational adult self.
While my rational, adult self is juggling 15 different things – while there’s only time and energy for 5 – other voices, with agendas of their own, start speaking up from within me. My rational adult self would never snap at my spouse, or my child, or my church council president. But when I am overwhelmed, my rational adult self is not in charge.
So it can be helpful to know who is steering the bus, at any given moment, not just as a matter of curiosity, but so that I can actually reclaim the driver’s seat.
And if a little conversation would be helpful, you can reach me at:
Email - judyj7377@msn.com
Phone - 605 881 2241
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Still Time to Send 2020 Assembly Offerings
There's still time to send your 2020 Assembly Offering, which will go to Igumbilo Lutheran Girls Secondary School in our companion Synod of the Southern Diocese of Tanzania and toward transportation for all Western Iowa Synod Youth attending the 2021 ELCA National Youth Gathering "Boundless - Go Beyond God's Measure" in Minneapolis.
By May 29, send your Assembly Offering to: Kay Broich, Finance Director, Western Iowa Synod, 318 E 5th St., Storm Lake, IA 50588. Questions? Email kay.broich@wisynod.org.
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PRAYER CONCERNS
Prayerfully consider...
- Sam Jacobs, battling cancer, and his wife, Diane Jacobs.
- Rev. Jim Mossman, Director of Evangelical Mission, Western Iowa Synod and family as they continue to transition to a new home and community.
- Rev. Dr. Paul Myron Werger, 88, who died May 11of COVID-19. Formerly, Rev. Dr. Werger was Bishop of Iowa Synod-LCA and Southeast Iowa Synod-ELCA.
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SUMMER CAMPS CANCELLED
LUTHERAN LAKESIDE
The board of directors voted to cancel all summer programming at Lutheran Lakeside Camp. This includes youth
camps and family camps, as well as on-site and off-site day camps. Read further details at Lutheran Lakeside Cancels Summer Camp.
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INGHAM OKOBOJI
The Board of Directors and camp leadership staff
have made these decisions:
Cancellation of all on-site youth camps for summer 2020, all off-site day camps for summer 2020 AND all scheduled family camps for summer 2020. Read more at Ingham Okoboji.
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RIVERSIDE LUTHERAN BIBLE CAMP
The leadership staff and Riverside Board of Directors have decided to cancel all summer 2020 onsite youth programs, onsite family camp and all offsite programs, including Day Camps and Adventure Camps. For details, visit Riverside.
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LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF FACEMASK GOAL REACHED
See New Challenge
The response was tremendous and Lutheran World Relief met its 75,000 Face Mask Challenge. To reach even more people, they’re collecting 75,000 more masks! How many will you make to help stop the spread of COVID-19? Sign up for more info: 75,000 MORE Masks.
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ATTENTION PASTORS
Unless you have already done so, please complete and submit the following reports, which are necessary to effectively carry out Syond and Churchwide operations.
Submit completed forms to: Western Iowa Synod Mission Center at 318 E Fifth St., Storm Lake, IA 50588 or email
- Mission Support Letter of Intent
- Congregational Leadership
- Pastor Report - Please select the appropriate form for your status
Submit the forms below to the ELCA.org contact provided at links:
- A & C Forms
- Congregational Directory Update leadership by adding, editing, and/or deleting entries. All leaders must have an email address.
With any questions, call
712-732-4968. Thank you!
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ELCA LEADERS GATHER ONLINE
Being Church During COVID-19
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
Rostered and lay leaders and those holding leadership roles in the church, are invited to join this weekly meeting to provide encouragement and support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Questions? Email jill.beverlin@elca.org.
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Gowrie Zion Lutheran Church Accepting Applications for Endowed Benevolence Grant
Application Due May 30, 2020
The purpose of the Endowed Benevolence Program is to extend and enrich the kingdom of God by witnessing in word and deed to people in need both directly and through organized efforts or organizations, especially those not having their own planned giving programs. This program is not intended to provide support for capital expenditures.
Write or call for an application packet or more information to Zion Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 63, Gowrie, IA 50543 or 352-3645 or ziongowr@gmail.com.
Applications must be received by May 30. Grant awards will be announced June 7. Grants are approved on a year-to-year basis and are not automatically renewable. Multi-year requests are not considered.
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WESTERN IOWA SYNOD STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
As synod staff continue to social distance and for the most part work from home, please note that office hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
During this period, the office phone will be answered at 712-732-4968.
(Kindly do not leave phone messages.)
To contact synod staff members, see email addresses below.
For staff roles and responsibilities, visit Western Iowa Synod Staff. Thank you.
Rev. Lorna H. Halaas,
Bishop
Rev. Dr. Mike Kroona,
Assistant to the Bishop
Rev. Jim Mossman,
Director of Evangelical Mission
Rev. Judith Johnson,
Pastor-Counselor
Julie Cook,
Administrative Assistant
Kay Broich,
Office & Financial Administrator
Paula Bosco Damon,
Manager of Communication
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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 Councils, staff, congregations,
community partners, church members in military service, college
or wherever they may be.
