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 20, 2020
e-Spirit
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Good to Be Together Again!
This past week, on a beautiful Iowa summer evening, 15 pastors and congregation presidents gathered with synod staff by the lake in Storm Lake.
There was great food – thank you, Kay Broich, for salads, beans, and brownies, and Pastor Dave Kebschull, for grilling burgers!
New friendships discovered –“introduce your congregation by naming the animal that best describes it.”
Good conversation – stories of life and ministry surrounded with a good deal of laughter.
It was a marvelous evening to celebrate and give thanks. - for neighbors, called into community.
Lorna
Rev. Lorna H. Halaas, Bishop
Western Iowa Synod, ELCA
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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 your service activities.
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WESTERN IOWA SYNOD IS COMMITTED TO HELPING IOWA VICTIMS OF 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 "Disaster Relief" in memo line) and mail to:
Western Iowa Synod
518 East 5th St.
Storm Lake, IA 50588
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HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS WRECK HAVOC ACROSS IOWA FARMLAND, CITIES, TOWNS
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.
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Iowa Lutherans Responding to More than 400,000 Iowans Affected by Storm Damage
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John Dau, Human Rights Advocate
FEATURED KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Lutheran Services in Iowa 2020 Empower
$60 - individual
$450-table of 8,
includes $23 per person GrubHub credit
Register Now for LSI's EMPOWER!
Online registration will close Sept. 7, 2020
Check out LSI Empower Facebook Invite.
John Bul Dau
Join us from the comfort of your home as we celebrate the diversity in our community and hear from our keynote speaker, John Bul Dau,
Mr. Dau will share his amazing journey from South Sudanese refugee to prominent human rights advocate. Dau, also known as Dhieu-Deng Leek, is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan who was featured in the 2006 award-winning documentary "God Grew Tired of Us."
Today, he is a father and human rights activist for the people of South Sudan. In 2007, he founded the John Dau Foundation which aims to transform healthcare in South Sudan.
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Rev. Vance Blackfox
"Truth & Healing for the Sake of Indigenous People" Series
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30pm Central
Sept, 16 - Movements in Indian Country
Oct, 14 - Indigenous Thought & Theology
ELCA Coaching and New Story Festival Indigenous-centered Zoom workshops with Indigenous theologian Vance Blackfox. The Rev. Blackfox is committed to teaching ELCA leaders and members the importance of learning about Indigenous people and how to be in better relationship with the oppressed of the oppressed. See attached for a flyer with full details. For previous workshops in this series, visit "Truth and Healing for the Sake of Indigenous People" Series.
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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.
CANCELLED | Dorcas Cluster Fall Retreat
The Dorcas Cluster Women’s Fall Retreat at Twin Lakes Christian Center, rural, Manson, Sept. 9, 2020, is canceled due to COVID-19.
RESCHEDULED FOR NEXT YEAR
The Dorcas Cluster Women's Retreat has been rescheduled for next year on Sept. 8, 2021. Meanwhile, stay safe and healthy! God bless all of you!
- Judy Lang, Dorcas Cluster Chair
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BOUNDARIES MAKE-UP SESSION
DURING FALL CONVO | ROSTERED MINISTERS
SEPT. 28, 2020 | ZOOM
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Looking Forward
2020
Aug. 27 Deans' Meeting 9:00 am ZOOM
September 9 CANCELLED - Dorcas Cluster Women’s Fall Retreat, Twin Lakes Christian Center
September 13 God’s Work Our Hands Sunday Everywhere
September 17 Last Call-Preparing for Retirement 10:00 am ZOOM
September 27-29 Fall Convocation – Rostered Ministers ZOOM/Tentative
With Boundaries Make-up Session, Sept. 28
October 4 Companion Synod Sunday Western Iowa Synod Congregations
October 9 TEEM/Mentors Meeting 9:30 am
October 17 Synod Council 9:30 am
October 20 Worship Planning #227 1:00 pm ZOOM
November 21 Celebration of Thanksgiving 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
**Siouxland & Fort Dodge Forum via Zoom, 2nd Thursday of each month, speakers TBD.
***TBD - Date for Ordination into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament for Jim McColley.
John Jorgensen will be ordained September 19, 2020.
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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PRAYER CONCERNS
- The family of Rev. John Luther Rinde, who died on Aug. 14, 2020. Pastor Rinde was formerly of Council Bluffs, IA. He served ELCA congregations at Grace Lutheran, Sutherland, NE; Messiah Lutheran, Springfield, MO; Holy Cross Lutheran, Omaha, NE; and St. Paul Lutheran, Grand Island, NE.
- 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.
- Northeast Minnesota Synod and South Central Wisconsin Synod, both having assemblies and bishop elections on Aug. 28 and 29.
- Teachers, administrators, parents and students
- Western Iowa Rostered Ministers and Congregations
- COVID-19 victims and their families.
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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
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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Improve readability on any device by increasing View and/or Zoom percentage in Settings or Customize and Control. With touch screens, simply expand minimize with fingertip functions. For further assistance, contact Paula Damon at paula.damon@wisynod.org.
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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.
