e-Spirit
Twice monthly news update for the Western Iowa Synod-ELCA
IN THIS ISSUE:
LUTHERAN DAY ON THE HILL
FIRST ANNUAL GALA for FUND FOR THE FUTURE
GATHERINGS, CONFERENCES, RETIREMENTS
|
|
LUTHERAN DAY ON THE HILL
Be a part of Lutheran Day on the Hill (LDH), as Lutheran Services of Iowa and all three Iowa Synods of the ELCA gather in Des Moines, Feb. 25. At LDH, we empower people to exercise their rights and responsibilities in the legislative process. Find registration, issues, agenda, bus schedules at https://lsiowa.org/LDH/.
Prior to LDH, Lutheran Youth for Transformation (L.Y.F.T.) and other participants may learn more about legislative issues at these times/days:
10-11 a.m., Jan. 30 - Join Wartburg class with Professor Lynn Peters. Participate at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/226512157 or call (872) 240-3412, Access Code: 226-512-157.
1-2 p.m., Feb. 13 - Join Luther class with Professor Susan Schmidt at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/707128037 or call (408) 650-3123, Access Code: 707-128-037. LDH is supported, in part, by an ELCA World Hunger (Domestic Hunger) Grant and planned in partnership with the three Iowa Synods of the ELCA.
|
|
"FUND FOR THE FUTURE" GALA
|
|
You Are Invited to the
Fund for the Future
GALA
Friday, May 1, 2020
(Opening Night of Synod Assembly)
Clay County Regional Events Center, Spencer, Iowa
Fund for the Future is a Debt-Reduction Endowment for Rostered Ministers Serving the Western Iowa Synod-ELCA
Ticket price $50 if purchased by MARCH 31, 2020*
Ticket price $75 if purchased APRIL 1-23, 2020
(No tickets sold after this date.)
*If you pre-register for 2020 Synod Assembly,
GALA ticket price is included in pre-registration fee.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Bruce Miller
Editor, The Sioux City Journal
The GALA will feature a delicious Chicken Marsala meal and great fun.
Bid on live and silent auctions. All proceeds go to Fund for the Future, a debt reduction endowment to assist ELCA rostered ministers serving in Western Iowa with seminary and educational debt.
DONATE AUCTION ITEMS
Share your talents and/or vacation homes, including condos, summer cabins, quilts, birdhouses, artwork, canned goods and so much more. Tell us what you will share, build, grow, bake, stitch, create and then donate to the First Annual GALA auction by emailing Sue Boblit at sdboblit@gmail.com.
Invite friends, families, neighbors to
a fun-filled evening of dining, donating and bidding.
Looking forward to your support
of rostered ministers in Western Iowa.
See you at the Gala!
|
|
ORDINATIONS | INSTALLATION | RETIREMENT
Ordination of Tim Johnson
- 3 p.m., Sun., Jan. 26, Estherville Lutheran, 208 N. 8th St., Estherville
- Pastor Tim has been called to serve Estherville Lutheran.
Ordination of Jeff Geiger
- 2 p.m., Sat., Feb. 1, Faith Lutheran, 155 Boyson Rd. Marion
- Pastor Jeff has been called to serve Bethany Lutheran, Spencer
Installation of Cara Knutson
- 9:30 a.m., Worship, Sun., Feb. 16, Emanuel Lutheran, 2444 N. Broadway, Council Bluffs
- Pastor Cara has been called to serve Emanuel Lutheran.
Ordination of James Rut
- 3 p.m., Sun., Feb. 16, St. John Lutheran, 633 Willow Ave, Council Bluffs
- Pastor Jim has been called to serve South Sudanese Thanksgiving Lutheran, Council Bluffs
|
|
|
|
RETIREMENT: PAUL STONE
A reception to honor the retirement of Pastor Paul Stone will be on Sun., Feb. 2, 2020, 2:30-4:30 p.m., St. Olaf Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 239 North 11th St., Fort Dodge. Pastor Paul has served as pastor The Church of the Damascus Road since April 2009 and retired Jan. 15, 2020.
|
|
SPOUSES OF ROSTERED LEADERS GATHERING
Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Pentecost Room (Lower Level)
Western Iowa Synod Office
Storm Lake
Calling all spouses of rostered leaders, you are invited to
take part in this refreshingly fun gathering. ELCA Pastor-Counselor Judy Johnson will facilitate the event. Please RSVP by Feb. 6 to Julie.Cook@wisynod.org or call 712-732-4968.
Hope you will join us!
|
|
|
|
|
|
GATHER. LEARN. GROW.
GATHERINGS. ASSEMBLIES. FORUMS.
Conference Assemblies
LIVING WATERS
Jan. 25, 9:30 a.m.
St. Mark Lutheran, 5200 Glenn Ave., Sioux City
RIVERS OF GRACE
Feb. 2, 3 p.m.
St. Paul Lutheran, 12 Park St., Treynor
ABUNDANT FIELDS
Feb. 8, 9:30 a.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran, 1101 E Summit St., Red Oak
SEEDS OF FAITH
Feb. 9, 3 p.m.
Bethel Lutheran, 401 West Patterson, Gretinger
WINDS OF HOPE
Feb. 9, 2 p.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran, 300 East Bow, Cherokee
Forums
Siouxland Forum & Fort Dodge Forum at Holstein
Thurs., Feb. 13
St. Paul Lutheran, 310 East 2nd St., Holstein
9:30 a.m. - Coffee/snacks
10 a.m.- Noon - Presenter/Topic
Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad, Lenten Season
An Iowan, Rev. Dr. Lunblad, now retired, served as Professor of Preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. A regular guest on the Protestant Hour for many years, she formerly was pastor of an ELCU
parish on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
|
|
SAVE. THE. DATE.
|
|
WHAT:
LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION RETREAT
WHEN:
Feb. 7-8
WHERE:
Lutheran Lakeside Bible Camp
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
John Sundquist, Men in Mission, Churchwide-Chicago
Registration and details at Western Iowa Synod Events. Questions? Call Mark at 712-540-1391 or email mcmjuhl@midlands.net.
|
|
WHAT:
GENERATIONS RETREAT
WHEN:
Feb. 7-9
WHERE:
Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp
Church leaders, parents and grandparents will gain practical tips and ideas for encouraging cross-generational engagement in churches and at home. Details at www.okoboji.org or call 800-OKOBOJI.
|
|
WHAT:
TOOLBOX 2020 - FOR ROSTERED MINISTERS, COUNCIL, STAFF, CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS
WHEN/WHERE:
Sat., March 14, 10-3 p.m.
Our Savior's, Albert City
Sun., March 15, 2-7 p.m.
St. John, Mineola
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Victoria Flood, Director, ELCA Mission Support
The day will begin with Worship, followed by discussions on Racism, Sexism, Privilege and Boundaries. After lunch, attend breakout sessions on Constitution, Treasurers, Communication and Renewing Worship. The day will be highlighted by keynote speaker Victoria Flood, ELCA Mission Support, along with a closing blessing.
|
|
PORTICO Plan for Retirement Seminar
Registration Deadline Mar. 23
Whether it feels light years away or just around the corner, retirement takes planning. Portico’s Plan for Retirement Seminar can help you prepare.
WHEN:
April 23
Register by March 23 at http://prs-ks.eventbrite.com.
WHERE:
Atonement Lutheran Church in Overland Park, KS
WHAT:
Learn how to balance investing for your future with your current financial goals. Discover ways to create a sustainable income in retirement. Portico will guide you through the topics to focus on and when.
|
|
|
|
PRAYERS
"I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words."
Psalm 17:6
Together, we pray for...
Rev. Jean McCartney, St. Paul, Missouri Valley
Rev. Vic Johnson, Wall Lake, Retired
Rev. Carroll Lang, Fort Dodge, Retired
Rev. John Rinde, Council Bluffs, Retired
Synods & Congregations
Jan 22
Our Savior's Lutheran & Rev. Celeste Waymire, Council Bluffs
Upstate New York Synod & Bishop John Macholz
Jan. 29
Zion Lutheran & Rev. James Davis, Gowrie
Alaska Synod & Bishop Shelley Wickstrom
In Sympathy
The Rev. Gary P. Landsness died on Jan. 17. Online condolences and obituary may be found at Book of Memories. Please keep the Landsness family in your prayers.
The Rev. Dr. Delmar Carlson died on Jan. 18. Arrangements are pending through Greenwood Schubert Funeral Home of Cherokee, Iowa, for a memorial service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Cherokee, at a later date in the spring. Please remember Zona and family in your prayers.
On Jan. 19, the first presiding bishop of the ELCA, Herbert W. Chilstrom, 88, died. In 1976, Chilstrom was elected bishop of the Minnesota Synod of the Lutheran Church in America. At the 1987 merger that created the 5.2-million-member ELCA, he was elected the first presiding bishop. Please keep Corinne, the Chilstrom family and this church in your prayers.
|
|
|
|
FOR CONGREGATIONS: AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
by Synod Secretary Jim Mossman
At its Churchwide Assembly in August 2019 the ELCA made a number of amendments to the model constitution for congregations. Part of the ongoing work of the church is to ensure our governance is clear, efficient and transparent. A number of the changes editorial in nature (i.e. replace ‘synod’ for ‘synodical’) or related to our denomination’s decision to ordain deacons.
A couple of changes may impact more directly the life of a congregation:
·Congregations must now be sure to elect members of synod assembly only at congregational meetings.
·Provision is now made for meetings of the congregation to be held by remote communication or teleconference, provided certain conditions are met.
It is part of the life of the congregation to ensure that governing documents are kept in order and up to date. As Secretary, I want to encourage all our congregations to update your constitutions at upcoming annual meetings. The process for bringing your congregation’s constitution up to date with the latest model can be fairly simple. Revisions that match the language of the latest Model Constitution can be passed in one vote at your regular meeting (see C16.04). Some of the constitutional language is required of all congregations, other chapters are open to adaptation to local use. (Proposals that modify the language of the Model where permitted require two votes on identical motions at separate properly called meetings.)
2019 Constitution & Amendments:
Please refer to the 2019 Model Constitution for Congregations and Amendments to the Constitution, which were approved at the 2019 August’s Churchwide Assembly.
Feel free to consult with me about how to prepare revisions to your constitution at your annual meeting. If it has been some time since the last revision of your congregation’s constitution, more work may be entailed. We stand ready to assist. (Email: pastorjim5@gmail.com)
|
|
e-Spirit
Send congregational events, ministries, celebrations for consideration to
paula.damon@wisynod.org or julie.cook@wisynod.org.
Western Iowa Synod
318 E Fifth St.
Storm Lake, IA 50588
712-732-4968