While Advent is a season of hope and Christmas is a season of joy, we know all too well that not everyone feels hopeful or like celebrating right now. The pandemic, grief, illness, aging, depression, loneliness, unemployment, and loss are magnified. Those who are not struggling with losses may feel the stress of changed preparations and expectations …
“The Weary World Rejoices” An Online Chapel Service Read More »
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA, gratefully announces the award of an ELCA COVID-19 grant for $10,000.00. 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. This summer our synod received a grant of $7,500.00. These new, additional funds are …
Synod Awarded $10,000 in ELCA COVID-19 Grants. Applications Open! Read More »
At the last congregational Lay Leaders Zoom meeting, Bp. Jon and the synod staff talked about planning for the winter and moving into 2021. There are two very important details we want to share with everyone! Pr. Dee and Pr. Steve re-recorded their presentations to help answer questions that might arise during your congregational fall …
Resources to help congregations plan for Annual Meetings Read More »
+Rev. Dee Pederson, D.Min., Director for Evangelical Mission One of the powerful ways this truth has been lived out in the COVID-19 crisis is: “generosity.” As unemployment soared and demands on food pantries increased, generous donors across the ELCA contributed $1.6 million to the ELCA COVID-19 Response Fund. This generosity has come to our synod …
+Rev. Dr. Pederson, Director for Evangelical Mission Many of us remember asking our parents on the way to Grandma’s house, “When will we get there?!” In the midst of Stay-at-Home 2020, all of us wondered when things would get back to normal for daily life and for church life. And if someone had told you …
What Might the “Next” Normal Look Like for Your Church? Read More »
Your synod council made a decision to cancel our assembly on June 12-13, 2020, at Gustavus Adolphus College. This came after the recommendation of the Synod Assembly Planning Committee considered the situation and recommended a cancelation and not a postponement of our planned assembly. A second task force of people looked into the constitutional and …
Our congregational leaders recognize the growing need to provide support and care for your members in this time, and are aware that the needs exceed the span of care they are able to provide right now. One way you can increase the ministry of your congregation and support your pastor is to create ways of …
Visitation and Care Strategies for Congregations Read More »
