+ Rev. Dr. Kathryn Skoglund, Synod Minister Memorial Day, at one time called Decoration Day is a holiday when we remember and honor all those military personnel who have died in the line of duty. We gather at cemeteries to place flags and flowers at the graves of the beloved dead, civic leaders give speeches […]
COVID-19 Resources
This webpage has been created to help keep resources posted by the Southwestern Minnesota Synod in one location. The synod staff will keep emailing and posting on social media, but here is where we will host a collection of important communications during this time of COVID-19.
Things Just Keep Moving: An Update
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson Our state government offered guidance about our lives and about gathering for worship yesterday, May 20, 2020. Here are the links that might be helpful to you: Minnesota’s Stay Safe Plan (May 20, 2020) Guidance for Faith-Based Communities Considering In-Person Services Minnesota Department of Health, Updated May 13, 2020 Guidance for […]
ELCA COVID-19 Grants
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA, gratefully announces the award of an ELCA COVID-19 grant for $7,500.00. As part of an ELCA COVID-19 response, the ELCA Church Council authorized a new fund to receive revenue to directly support ministries of the ELCA, including congregations and ELCA ministries, such as camps. These funds are being awarded to […]
Worship Resources
Welcome! “Synod” literally means “walking together.” Your Synod Staff is here to walk with you at all times, and we offer this service to thank and support the vital and creative ministries that continue and thrive in these days. It seeks to capture gifts and contributions from around our geography and beyond. We all come […]
Best Practices: Online Meetings for Congregation Councils
It’s been said never to waste a crisis, and that moment is upon us. Congregation Councils carry the responsibility of being the congregation’s board of directors – fulfilling their duties with care, putting the best interests of the organization first, and following the church’s governing documents. As congregations think through how to do what they […]
Risks of Singing During a Pandemic
Singing: Who knew it was risky – until now? +Rev. Dr. Dee Pederson, Director for Evangelical Mission, ELCA I miss the singing! We all feel it: worshipers, choir members, worship leaders, and pastors. We haven’t been together to sing in a long time. Martin Luther said, Those who sing pray twice. Sitting at home, we […]
Letter from the Minnesota Bishops
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. – Romans 12:15-16 To the Pastors, Deacons, Leaders and Congregations of Minnesota Since we learned of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Minnesota on March 6, through the first stay at home order and its extensions to the […]
Can End-of-Life Planning Breathe New Life into The Congregation?
Gift Planning Zoom Conversation We, in the church, are no strangers to talking about life and death. But why, then, are we so reluctant to talk with our people about planning for the inevitable? What opportunities are we missing? What lessons for life and faith are we failing to provide? How can a simple conversation […]
Financial Giving in Such a Time as This
+Pr. Dee Pederson, Director for Evangelical Mission During the past two months, nearly everything about how we function in ministry has changed. At the same time, your congregation’s ministries have never been more important. Your people and your communities need these ministries to remain strong; and ministry depends upon generosity. So how do we talk […]
That was the easy part: leadership and “reopening” congregations
Compared to closing down in the early days of COVID 19 the next phase of slowing returning to public gatherings is going to be complicated. A “stay at home order” is clear – it means stay at home. Reopening our public spaces and gatherings is presenting new, ambiguous challenges. Lack of clarity raises anxiety. Some […]
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