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.
AUGUST 27, 2020
Beginning in September, e-Spirit will be published monthly, 3rd Thursday.
Also look for multi-media clips to share with your congregations.
e-Spirit
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A Time for Prayer
God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence
and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss.
Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire.
Revive us to live as Christ's body in the world:
a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors
bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit.
Wherever and however we gather,
unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission,
that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
This week, we especially pray for:
- Southeast Iowa Synod-ELCA and victims of the derecho storm, which left a path of destruction across Iowa farmland, towns and cities, affecting more than 400,000 Iowans.
- Firefighters, residents, wildlife and nature in harm's way as wildfires ravage parts of California and Colorado.
- Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and SE U.S.
- Northeast Minnesota Synod and South Central Synod of Wisconsin, both having assemblies and bishop elections on Aug. 28 and 29.
- Teachers, professors, administrators, parents and students
- Congregations, pastors and people in transition and turmoil
- COVID-19 victims and their families.
Lorna
Rev. Lorna H. Halaas, Bishop
Western Iowa Synod, ELCA
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Pastors' Fall Theological Convocation Featuring Peggy Hahn
Executive Director for LEAD, aligning passionate leaders,
resources, and practices to grow Christian leaders
who grow faith communities in our world. See details below.
When:
Sept. 27-29, 2020
Begins 6:30 pm, Sunday, Sept. 27
Concludes 12:30 pm, Tuesday, Sept. 29
Where:
ZOOM
Cost:
$50 per person - covers speaker & copy of book "Faithful Metrics"
Keynote Speaker:
Peggy Hahn, Executive Director, LEAD
HIGHLIGHTS:
Presentations are Monday and Tuesday mornings, with Monday evening prayer and online game time.
BOUNDARIES MAKEUP SESSION:
Monday afternoon there is a Boundaries Workshop Makeup session, 1-4 pm, for those who missed the event in August.
LINKS & BOOK:
Links to each session will be sent out shortly before each session. You will receive your copy of "Faithful Metrics" prior to the event.
REGISTRATION:
Register now. (Please indicate attendance at Boundaries Make-Up Session when registering for this event.)
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BOUNDARIES MAKE-UP SESSION
DURING FALL CONVO | ROSTERED MINISTERS
1-4 p.m., SEPT. 28, 2020 | ZOOM
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Second Thursdays This Fall
WESTERN IOWA FORUM - Siouxland and Ft. Dodge Forums
Dr. Elizabeth Coody, Assistant Professor, Religious Studies,
Morningside College, Sioux City
Beginning this fall on second Thursdays, we begin the year with something completely different! *Please note special start time.
WHEN: Sept. 10 -ZOOM/*12:15 - 1:30 pm
COST:: FREE
REGISTER: HERE
PRESENTER: Dr. Elizabeth Coody, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies,
Morningside College, Sioux City; Regionally Elected Coordinator,
Upper Midwest American Academy of Religion. Dr. Coody manages the Comics and Sacred Text Database - discovering how sacred texts are used in comics (Yes, cartoons and comic books,)
TOPIC: "Composing the Lives of Wonder Woman Harley Quinn and Mary Magdalene to Understand Women's Power"
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ATTENTION: Administrative Assistants
Want to connect, share stories and tips and support one another?
Join us for a zoom meeting Monday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m. While pastors are at fall convo. Register here!
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HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS WRECK HAVOC ACROSS IOWA FARMLAND, CITIES, TOWNS
Respond by Sept. 7 with Donations to Assist Victims of Iowa Derecho Storm
Caring for neighbors in the Southeastern Iowa Synod - you can assist those affected by storm damage! The Western Iowa Synod has committed $5,000 to assist our neighbors in Southeast Iowa, who have been affected by the storm that blew through on Aug. 10. By Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, you can help double that amount by sending checks (write "Derecho" in memo line) and mail to:
Western Iowa Synod
518 East 5th St.
Storm Lake, IA 50588
We encourage you to share this 2020 Iowa Storm Fund bulletin insert
with your congregations and share it Facebook pages
Southeast Iowa Synod-ELCA Calls for Relief Assistance in Wake of Devastation
The Southeast Iowa Synod-ELCA is calling for relief assistance to assist in the cleanup an restoration of over 400,000 Iowans affection by the derecho storm, which hit the state in early August.
Iowa Lutherans Responding to More than 400,000 Iowans Affected by Storm Damage
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End-of-Summer Reading
Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer
David G. Benner
"Prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Prayer is not just communication with God; it is communion with God..."
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Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices
Daniel Wolpert
"Creating a Life with God goes beyond the rote prayers that so many of us have experienced and found wanting....."
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On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old
Parker J. Palmer
"Palmer explores the questions age raises and the promises it holds. 'Old,' he writes, 'is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to dive deep into life, not withdraw to the shallows...'."
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NEW WORSHIP & PRAYER RESOURCES
NEW SEASON OF CREATION DEVOTIONS
The ELCA and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions to observe the Season of Creation 2020, Sept. 1–Oct. 4. The weekly devotions begin Sept. 6. Fine "Season of Creation" devotions here:
Evangelical Lutheran Worship includes “Thanksgiving for the Word” (ELW, p. 220). In addition, new prayers have been composed and are now available. Such prayers give thanks for the Word that has come near and dwells among us, and especially for the Word made flesh in Jesus. This Word comes near not only through what is heard but also in the ways beautiful feet reveal Christ in deeds of love and mercy.
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"GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS. SUNDAY" IS SEPT. 13
On Sunday, Sept. 13, ELCA congregations will observe “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. This year our church — and our world — are living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical distancing has changed the way we worship and serve. But the need is great, and God’s church is at work.
We encourage you to plan your day of service in compliance with local health guidelines. The safety and well-being of your volunteers and those you serve is a top priority. Follow all local guidance regarding physical distancing, mask-wearing, maximum gathering size and building capacity limits.
Acts of service can happen anywhere: you might contribute to an online project from your home or volunteer in person keeping a safe physical distance and wearing a mask.
To help your congregation plan worship, activities and promotion of “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, here are ELCA resources:
Acts of Service Can Happen Anywhere
Remember to send your stories, videos and photos to Living Lutheran so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you. Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.
On God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday,
we celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America —
one church, freed in Christ to serve
and love our neighbor.
If your congregation cannot participate in Service Sunday on Sept. 13, please consider another day for service activities.
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ELCA World Hunger Time of COVID-19: Life for Today
Hope for Tomorrow with Rick Steves
EVENT:
"Hunger in the Time of COVID-19: Life for Today and Hope for Tomorrow"
ELCA World Hunger Virtual Benefit
WHERE/WHEN:
ZOOM, Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. CT
HOSTS:
- Rick Steves, best selling author and travel host
- Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA
- Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee, Northwest Washington Synod-ELCA
This first-of-its-kind virtual benefit for ELCA World Hunger is to raise $250,000 to confront hunger in the time of COVID-19. We are called by God to share hope in this time of challenge. Join us to face this global hunger crisis head-on, and continue to move toward a just world where all are fed. Please spread the word about this extraordinary event among your congregations and communities. Register now.
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FOR CHURCH NEWSLETTERS
Please include in your church newsletters the the items below. Thanks!
Called Forward Together in Christ –
equipping people for their baptismal vocations in the world and this church.
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Looking Forward
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2020
September 9 CANCELLED - Dorcas Cluster Women’s Fall Retreat, Twin Lakes Christian Center
September 10 Western Iowa Forum ZOOM/12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
September 13 God’s Work Our Hands Sunday Everywhere
September 17 Last Call-Preparing for Retirement ZOOM/10 am
September 19 Ordination into the Ministry of Word & 2 p.m.,, St. Mark, Sioux City Sacrament for John Jorgensen (social distancing & facemasks required)
September 27-29 Fall Convocation – Rostered Ministers ZOOM/Begins 6:30 pm,, Sept. 27. Concludes 12:30 pm, Sept. 29
Includes Boundaries Make-up Session ZOOM/1-4 pm
September 28 Administrative Assistant Gathering ZOOM/10 am
October 4 Companion Synod Sunday Western Iowa Synod Congregations
October 9 TEEM/Mentors & 1st Call Pastors ZOOM/9:30 am
October 17 Synod Council 9:30 am
October 20 Worship Planning #227 1:00 pm ZOOM
November 21 Celebration of Thanksgiving & Ordination of Women/Lizard Creek, Ft, Dodge
December 12 Synod Council 9:30 am Synod Office/ZOOM
2021
January 5 Worship Planning #227 1:00 pm ZOOM
February 7 Seeds of Faith Conference 2:00 pm Bethel, Graettinger
April 9-10 Synod Assembly-Fort Frenzy Ft. Dodge
April 27 Worship Planning #227 1:00 pm ZOOM
***TBD - Date for Ordination into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament for Jim McColley.
The ELCA – called, gathered and sent into the world to embody the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we exist to be a reforming, renewing and reconciling expression of God’s grace through life-giving relationships and communities of worship, mercy, justice and service.
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Cut & paste articles from e-Spirit archives or email paula.damon@wisynod.org.
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WESTERN IOWA SYNOD STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
The synod staff continues to social distance and for the most part works from home. Office hours are 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mon.-Fri. To contact synod staff members, see email addresses below. For staff roles and responsibilities, visit Western Iowa Synod Staff.
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.
