Feb. 2, 2021
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2021 SYNOD ASSEMBLY IS VIRTUAL
The 2021 Western Iowa Synod Assembly will be April 9-10, which will be held virtually. You should have received Assembly information mailed Jan. 8.
See Synod Secretary Karen Post's Assembly Letter for details. Forms also available at https://www.wisynod.org/synod-assembly-2021. Below are Synod Assembly important dates for your calendar.
SYNOD ASSEMBLY DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
NOW - Accepting registrations by mail. Find the Registration Form here.
FEB. 1 - Online registration & assembly offerings open.
FEB. 8
-Download, complete, submit Resolutions at Forms, Guidelines, & Policy for Handling.
- Nominations Report here. Nominee Biography Form.
-Reports due, email reports to julie,cook@wisynod.org.
FEB. 28 - Deadline for submitting this application 2021 MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND GRANT.
MARCH 15 - Deadline for registering at early bird rate.
- Deadline to submit Anniversary pictures (Rostered Leaders & Congregations)
MARCH 16-29 - Deadline for registering at regular rate.
MARCH 29 - Last day to register for Synod Assembly. No registrations accepted after Mar. 29.
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Mission Endowment Fund Grants
Applications Due Feb. 28
Applications for the Western Iowa Synod Mission Endowment grants are being accepted now through Feb. 28, 2021.
Past grants have supported congregation community meal programs, food pantry, gardening projects, mission trips, backpacks for kids and other similar ministries. Grants have ranged from $200 to $1,500.
Download the application at 2021 MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND GRANT. Postal mail completed applications to Julie Cook, Western Iowa Synod, 318 E. 5th St., Storm Lake, IA 50588 or email applications to julie.cook@wisynod.org by Feb. 28.
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Attention ALL Congregations!
We want photos of your congregation for the Synod Assembly. Send us pictures outside, inside, at worship in the sanctuary or the park. It is up to you.
Email photos to julie.cook@wisynod.org by March 15, 2021. Thank you to the congregations whose photos we 'borrowed'!
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CONFERENCE MEETINGS
Seeds of Faith: Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Zoom
Winds of Hope: Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Zoom
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CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL MEETINGS
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Q & A Planning Electronic Meetings
Expectations of Congregation Council Members
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL REPORT
TEMPLATE: Covers for Annual Report
TEMPLATE: Page spreads for Annual Report
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ANNUAL REPORTS
DEADLINES APPROACHING
COMPLETE | SUBMIT FORMS A & C | DUE FEB. 15
By Feb. 15, 2021, submit your Annual Congregation Reports (Forms A & C), parochial statistics for year ending Dec. 31, 2020, to the ELCA Office of the Secretary. Data on your congregation's Forms A & C are beneficial to the ELCA and congregations in many ways, including:
- Assist call process. Offer latest congregation info for prospective members.
- Help plan mission-outreach.
- Support congregations seeking ELCA loans for building projects.
- Determine new ministries.
- Plan mission strategies.
Begin at A & C login, using your Congregation ID and password. If you can't find your ID and password, call Julie at the synod office, 712-732-4968.
CONGREGATIONAL DIRECTORY | DUE FEB. 15
Update your Congregational Leadership Directory (Form B) at Congregation Leader Directory and login with Congregation ID and password. Update your congregation's leadership, including email addresses, which ELCA requests.
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE BISHOP | DUE MARCH 15
ATTENTION! Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Ministers of Word and Service Complete/submit your Rostered Ministers Reports, due March 15. At ANNUAL REPORT FORMS find forms relative to your status.
We have already started receiving these. Thank you!
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2021 MISSION SUPPORT LETTER OF INTENT
Stewardship is no longer simply about paying the church’s bills. It is about how congregations can together live out God’s call to love our neighbor. We encourage you to complete/submit your congregation's 2021 MISSION SUPPORT LETTER OF INTENT FORM here.
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All Creation Sings
a supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Announcing the November 30 release of All Creation Sings, a liturgy and song supplement in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship resource family. More info here.
What: An Overview Webinar
Date: February 9, 2021
Time: 3:00 PM Central Time
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Save the date for virtual Lutheran Day on the Hill!
Please join Lutheran Services in Iowa and the three Iowa synods of the ELCA for the 2021 Lutheran Day on the Hill event.
We will gather virtually from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 11.
Details about the agenda, guest speakers, and how to register will be emailed to you soon and available at LSIowa.org/LDH. In the meantime, visit LSIowa.org/advocacy to learn more about LSI’s policy priorities for 2021.
This year, in an effort to protect the health and safety of our participants, we have decided to transition to a virtual event with digital support materials. We hope to see you all in person again in 2022.
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40th Annual Wartburg Seminary Rural Ministry Conference
Monday, March 8 - ZOOM
Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Tex Sample will explore this division by looking at a key demographic, cultural traditionalists. More details and register at Rural Ministry Conference - Wartburg Seminary
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Webinar series “Rural Resiliency: Caring for You and Yours”
Rural residents and those who associate with them are encouraged to partake in this webinar series on four consecutive Tuesday evenings begining March 2, 2021.
“This webinar series is a discussion starter and healthy mindset promoter for dealing with rural behavioral and brain health, communication skills and relationship enrichment for self, marriage and families,” according to Larry Tranel, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and program speaker.
What: Rural Resiliency Webinar
Dates: Tuesday evenings, March 2-23, 2021.
Times: 7:30-8:45 p.m
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ALL Church Leaders - Free Respite Opportunity
Lutheran Lakeside Camp has a program to offer a Free Respite Stay to ALL church leaders-rostered leaders, lay leaders, youth directors. After you have finished all your reports, meetings are done, how about a short time away to relax and recharge? See flier for more details.
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
A social message on …
Government and Civic
Engagement in the United States:
Discipleship in a Democracy
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THANK YOU to all who contributed to Pay the Weigh for ALL to Eat!
Because of you each of the six conferences in the Western Iowa Synod received $3000 to feed hungry people in places like Shenandoah, George, Moville, Fort Dodge, Odebolt, Atlantic and many more!
Thank you! YOU are making a difference right here in the Western Iowa Synod!
This is what it means to be church together!
This is what it means to be synod - connected - working together - caring for all of God's people!
Pay the Weigh for All to Eat is one of the ways the Western Iowa Synod is working to address hunger and food insecurity as the need in many communities continues to grow.
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As the world reels from the effects of a deadly pandemic, the number of hungry people is rising, while food pantries and soup kitchens are expanding. Study, pray, reflect and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for our families, our neighbors and communities around the world. More information here.
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It is with sadness we share that our Tanzanian friend and colleague, Martins Chodota, passed away Jan. 22 after a few days in the Kibena Hospital.
Martins was a supporter of many Center for Agricultural Development endeavors.
May he rest in peace in the loving arms of God. Bwana Yesu Asifiwe!! Amén!!
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Lutheran Bible Camps
Check out our Lutheran Bible Camps for programs, events, and job opportunities.
Lutheran Lakeside Camp, Spirit Lake
Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camps, Milford & Wallingford
Riverside Bible Camp, Story City
Not just for kids!!
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PRAYERS
Together we lift our prayers for...
Pastors and congregations in the synod.
All those dealing with COVID and its effects.
Medical personnel and public health workers confronting the pandemic and administering vaccines.
For anyone grieving and suffering losses. We ask God to comfort them.
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Rev. John Syvertson - Transferred to St. Paul Area Synod
Rev. Sharon Worthington - Concluded interim call to St. Paul, Atlantic
Rev. Lauri Boysen - Answered call to serve St. Paul, Atlantic
Rev. Deb Mechler - Concluded call to serve Prairie Faith Partners
Rev. Kathleen Anderson - Transferred to Northwest Intermountain Synod
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FOR NEWSLETTERS & WORSHIP FOLDERS
Called Forward Together in Christ – equipping people for their baptismal vocations in the world and this church.
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WESTERN IOWA SYNOD STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Due to the spike in pandemic cases and hospitalizations, Western Iowa Synod staff primarily will work from home with no in-person meetings. We will reassess and provide updates on this protocol as needed.. 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! Forward this e-Spirit to church councils, staff, congregations,
community partners, church members in military service, college or wherever they may be.
