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eSpiritBi-Weekly eNews for members and friends of the Western Iowa Synod
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Western Iowa Synod - You are invited to:
Supper and Prayer Service
Friday, August 16, 2019
Summer Supper at 6:30 pm
Holden Evening Prayer at 8:00 pm
St. Mark Lutheran Church
5200 Glenn Avenue
Sioux City, IA
Installation of the Rev. Lorna H. Halaas
as
Bishop of the Western Iowa Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Saturday, August 17, 2019
1:30 pm
First Lutheran Church
3939 Cheyenne Blvd
Sioux City, IA
Rostered leaders are invited to vest in red.
Please be vested by 1:00 PM.
Reception to follow.
RSVP for all events by Friday, August 9th to julie.cook@wisynod.org
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Western Iowa Synod Discipleship Academy invites you to "Take the Plunge!
Come join us for a time to expore and consider your own personal call from God or just explore ways to simply grow in your relationship with God!
- Do you have a desire to learn more about the Bible, Lutheran theology, God’s mission and the work of Christ’s church?
- Do you wonder how you can use your God-given gifts to impact God’s mission in the church, community and world around you?
- Do you feel called to serve in a deeper and broader way?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Discipleship Academy is right for you! Classes start with a retreat on August 24!!
When: Saturday, August 24 Where: Lutheran Lakeside Camp 11:00 am - 3:00 pm 2491 - 170th St.
Cost: FREE Spirit Lake, IA
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Joining Together in Prayer |
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Synod of the week: Greater Milwaukee Synod, Bishop Paul Erickson & Staff
Congregation of the week: Bethel Lutheran, Kiron, Rev. Jeffrey Hansen
- Churchwide Assembly & bishop election
- For our President and US leaders
- Congregations and rostered leaders in transition
- Barbara Brennan, Missional Storyteller, for a speedy recovery from surgery
- The family of Pastor Marvin Dooley who recently passed away
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We Belong to the Truth
In her July column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on how our perception of facts and truth have evolved with internet access 24 hours a day. She asks 'how do we live as people of Truth in a time of spin?"
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The week of July 8th, 13 new ELCA bishops elected in 2019 attended Bishop Formation Week at Churchwide in Chicago.
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The Tri-Synodical Fall Conference will be held in West Des Moines, September 22-24, 2019. Deacons Jeremy Myers from Augsburg University and Chelle Huth from United Seminary will serve as keynote speakers under the theme “Faith Formation as Shared Mission.” Additionally, ELCA Secretary Chris Boerger will also be present and will both present at a session and preach and preside at the Monday evening worship service.
The Southeastern Iowa Synod is handling registration. If paying by check, make sure it is payable to Southeastern Iowa Synod.
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Iowa Hunger Summit
THE IOWA HUNGER SUMMIT is held each year in October, is free and open to the public, and gathers hundreds of leaders from across Iowa who lead and participate in projects to eradicate hunger.
- Share information of efforts of Iowans toward ensuring adequate food for all
- Encourage Iowans to continue and expand these efforts
- Increase statewide awareness of hunger, poverty, and related issues
When: October 14 Where: Des Moines Marriott Hotel Downtown
Time: 8 am - 4 pm Cost: FREE
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HOME GROWN
Local Responses to Food Insecurity
Unique Hunger Summit in Storm Lake. Visit local gardens, sample produce, and hear Farm to Folk Tales.
When: Thursday, September 5th
Time: 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Storm Lake, IA
Reserve Tickets with Stacie Hewett, ISU Extension, at 712-732-5056 or email shewett@iastate.edu. For more information, see flier link below. |
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Celebrating 40 Years of Ministry
Bishop Lorna joined Pastor Doug Rokke July 7th as he celebrated 40 years of ordained ministry. Pastor Doug is the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, Rake, IA.
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WIS Pastors Featured in The Messenger, Fort Dodge.
The Rev. Jennifer Owen’s office at Friendship Haven is a much visited and calming place. Residents stop by to chat, sometimes with her, sometimes with either Lincoln or Luther, her therapy certified yellow labs. Read full story here. (Photo credits to Fort Dodge Messenger) |
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It was his time as a self-described “trouble maker” that Jim Davis, pastor for Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie and Fulton Lutheran Church in Roelyn, was given the nudge to serve. Read full story here. (Photo credits to Fort Dodge Messenger)
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Missional Storyteller
 We say THANK YOU and SHARE
MISSION SUPPORT STORIES.
Student Pastor Betty Rendon, who serves at Emaus Lutheran Church in Racine, was detained by ICE on Wednesday, May 8. Her daughter, who has DACA status, was also detained and later released. You can read the rest of the story in July's newsletter in the link below.
This is just one of the stories in July's Missional Storyteller Newsletter. Also linked below is June's newsletter
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The Flash Newsletter
The July 2019 Edition of The Church of the Damascus Road's newsletter, the FLASH is available below!
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Asante Sana!!
From the Southern Diocese
Greetings from Njombe. As the Secretary of Education in our Southern Diocese, I would like to give a word of acknowledgement and thanks to the Western Iowa synod assembly which has approved this important fund and also to the esteemed western Iowa synod leadership for their love and ceaseless efforts to support the girls of which without such scholarship would have been unable to get education. We do extend our thanks for the more support to the Masai boys. This is very important because if only girls get this educational chance, in near future, there will also be a big line separating them. We know that the girls have more challenges comparing to boys, but it is important to know that the boys of this Masai communities are also still lagging behind. They also need this privilege of education. Thank you so much.
Convey our sincere heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed this scholarship and other many previous scholarships. God bless you all. Shalom.
Rev Seth Yona Mlelwa
Education Secretary
ELCT SOUTHERN DIOCESE
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St. Olaf Lutheran Church of Fort Dodge is seeking a Youth Leader....person to lead their young people (high school youth) in their faith development through discipleship, fellowship, bible study and service; encouraging them to be committed followers of Jesus Christ. They are looking for the person who can work effectively toward the goal of growing our young people in life-giving relationships with God and one another.
This is a part-time position, envisioned as approximately 15 hours per week. One need not be a member of St. Olaf, but Christian faith is prerequisite. For job description contact Pastor Len Halvorson at 605-359-8344. To apply, send cover letter and resume to pastorlen.stolaf@gmail.com
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Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City, IA is looking for a new Coordinator of Youth Ministry.
If you are comfortable with your faith and have a passion for working with our youth 6 th grade-12 th grade, this may be what you are looking for. This includes working with Confirmation and leading Middle School and High School youth group. You are guiding our youth as they grow in their faith and leadership. If interested, please contact Pastor Zech Anderson or the church office (641-585-3152). Or check us out online at www.immanuelfamily.com and look under employment opportunities which can be found on our home page. |
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Upcoming Events in and Around the Synod
More info can be found on the website at
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Secretarial/Administrative Assistants Fall Conference
The Iowa District West Secretarial/Administrative Assistants Conference will be held at Mission Central this fall. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, September 17 from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. All ministry assistant professionals are invited to enjoy a relaxing, inspirational, and educational day. Our special speaker will be Annetta Dellinger sharing several topics that will encourage and support you in your ministry.
Conference Brochure
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'Just love' Gathering 2020
...logo and theme remind us that we are all part of one body
Following Jesus is messy. Loving one another is justice. We are not perfect, we are often broken, sometimes we don’t fit. Sometimes our edges are rough—but we are one body in Christ.
The 2020 Gathering theme was unveiled at the Conference of Presidents, Feb. 22-24, along with the art accompanying the theme. You can learn about the artist and event here!
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Bishop Installation August 17th
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eSpirit Submissions
If you have a story, article or pictures to share from your congregation's ministry, please send to Julie Cook - Julie.Cook@wisynod.org.!
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Western Iowa Synod
318 E Fifth St.
Storm Lake, IA 50588
712.732.4968
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