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X-WR-CALNAME:Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://swmnelca.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220405T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220405T151500
DTSTAMP:20260405T172738
CREATED:20220329T135406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220329T135502Z
UID:8594-1649167200-1649171700@swmnelca.org
SUMMARY:Rostered Ministers Zoom Gathering
DESCRIPTION:“After Two years of Pandemic Life\, Who are We?”\n\nIn this gathering for Rostered Ministers\, Dr. Betsy Stone will speak about the reality of the whiplash and trauma we’ve been living through in these past 2 years\, and the stress this has placed upon our brains and our bodies. She will especially help us consider how we can now grow in the future. \nDr. Stone is a Yale-educated psychologist\, who recently presented sessions for the Conference of Bishops. She has worked and spoken extensively in the area of the relationships of clergy and their congregants. Through her thoughtful presentation\, her warmth and knowledge shine through\, and we will be able to learn from a skilled psychologist and a great teacher. \nThanks for noting the additional time scheduled for this Zoom gathering and plan for an engaging and helpful 75 minutes! \nPlease email Kristin Bakeberg at kristin.bakeberg@swmnelca.org for the Zoom Link. 
URL:https://swmnelca.org/event/ministers-zoom-gathering/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220401
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220403
DTSTAMP:20260405T172738
CREATED:20220203T152127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220331T205751Z
UID:8446-1648771200-1648943999@swmnelca.org
SUMMARY:Sr. High Youth Gathering - CANCELED
DESCRIPTION:After much prayer and conversation the SW MN LYO Board made the difficult decision to cancel the 2022 Senior High Youth Gathering. This is due to very low registration numbers that made having the gathering infeasible. \nThe LYO Board is fully committed to lifting up the voices of young people in the church and creating a space that encourages fun\, friendships\, and worship. With that assurance\, we are turning our attention towards the Fall 2022 Jr. High Youth Gathering with a theme of “The Lord will fight for you\, you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14. Stay tuned for gathering info and communications this summer. \nWe hope to see you all next fall for the Jr. High Gathering and we hope to be able to have a gathering in 2023.
URL:https://swmnelca.org/event/shyg2022/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220331T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220331T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T172738
CREATED:20220318T182627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220324T204326Z
UID:8574-1648753200-1648756800@swmnelca.org
SUMMARY:Lay Leaders Zoom Gathering: Congregation Finances
DESCRIPTION:This gathering will be especially for presidents\, treasurers\, and anyone who works with church finances or stewardship. \nCome hear a presentation from David C. Anfinson\, CPA/PFS\, Former SW MN Synod Treasurer\, on church finances. Whether you are new to church finances or a veteran\, equip yourself with the best practices to help your congregation manage its financial resources. It may not be the most popular job\, but it certainly is important. \nThis gathering will also be recorded for future use.  \nThursday\, March 31st @ 7:00 p.m.\nClick here to RSVP!\nThe Zoom link will come to you in an email AFTER you RSVP.
URL:https://swmnelca.org/event/zoom-march/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220223
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220225
DTSTAMP:20260405T172738
CREATED:20220111T194616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220111T194616Z
UID:8397-1645574400-1645747199@swmnelca.org
SUMMARY:Ethics and Boundaries for Ministers Training
DESCRIPTION:Not-Your-Average Boundaries Training by Leaderwise\nWednesday and Thursday\, February 23 and 24\, 2022\nZoom Meeting\n10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (each day)\nCost: $50\nPresenters: Leaderwise & Bishop Dee Pederson \nRegistration Deadline: February 13 \nClick here to register \nIt’s our experience that pastors\, church staff\, and other leaders who transgress boundaries by-and-large are not predators. In fact\, not even close. Most people in ministry who violate boundaries are individuals who know and follow the rules most of the time but whose judgment may be impaired due to an unusually stressful time in their lives. With that in mind\, Not-Your-Average Boundaries Training is tailored to focus on strategies to foster mental health\, emotional resiliency\, and well-being. While we still cover the requirements—“Don’t sleep with a parishioner unless you’re married to them” and the like—we believe the best prevention is to encourage clergy to take steps to manage their stress in order to maintain balance and perspective when temptation arises. We further teach a 3-step strategy to help stop them in their tracks before they commit a boundary violation; and participants leave with their own personal prevention plan. \nThis training is lively and interactive\, full of reflection and conversation—and even laughter. Attendees have given us feedback that our boundaries training was a great experience\, AND caused them to re-evaluate some of their own practices. \nSexual misconduct by rostered and other religious leaders is one of the most serious challenges faced by the church today. Violation of the sacred trust between church members and their leaders brings deep pain to all who are affected: victims\, offenders\, family members\, friends\, and the congregation itself. \nIn response to this challenge\, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod bylaws include the following provisions (S14.25.01. and S14.47.01.): \n“Within twelve months of assuming office all rostered ministers of under call shall demonstrate completion of at least six contact hours of continuing education in the prevention of sexual boundary violations.”  \nA few years ago our synod council created a continuing resolution encouraging all of our rostered leaders to have continued work on appropriate boundaries of all kinds\, but especially sexual boundaries\, every three years. \nNOTE: You must be present at all 6 hours of the training to receive credit for completing the program. \nIf these dates don’t work for you\, you may comply by attending another training event that includes at least six contact hours of instruction in the same content covered by the synod’s workshop and provide proof of attendance for your file.
URL:https://swmnelca.org/event/boundaries-training-2022/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220203T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220203T190000
DTSTAMP:20260405T172738
CREATED:20220125T194843Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T194843Z
UID:8408-1643914800-1643914800@swmnelca.org
SUMMARY:Lay Leaders Zoom Gathering for Presidents / Officers
DESCRIPTION:It’s a new year\, and with it comes new leaders\, new opportunities\, and some of the ongoing challenges churches are facing in this changing time! Whether you are newly-elected to leadership or passing the baton to someone new after an annual meeting of the congregation\, this gathering is for you! We’ll gather for a time of prayer\, present some of the best practices for what makes for effective congregation councils\, think about leadership roles\, review the best available COVID information\, and have time to get acquainted and share wisdom in small groups. The entire synod pastoral staff is now onboard\, so Synod Ministers Pr. Heather Culuris & Pr. Steve Cook\, D.E.M. Pr. Troy Pflibsen\, and Bishop Dee Pederson – all look forward to seeing you there!\n \nPlease know that we are so grateful for your leadership of the congregations across our great synod. Thank you! \nClick here to RSVP\nThe Zoom link will come to you in an email AFTER you RSVP.
URL:https://swmnelca.org/event/lay-leaders-zoom/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220127T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220127T203000
DTSTAMP:20260405T172738
CREATED:20211208T211440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211208T211631Z
UID:8329-1643310000-1643315400@swmnelca.org
SUMMARY:"I am called" Discerning a Call to Public Ministry Zoom Gathering
DESCRIPTION:God calls everyone to do God’s work in the world. \nHow is God calling you?\nExplore that question in a series of Zoom conversations. \nThis event is open to all in Region 3 (Minnesota\, South Dakota\, and North Dakota). \n\nSession One: Public Ministry in the ELCA\nLearn about discernment resources and explore the call to public ministry as you hear call stories from pastors and deacons!\nThursday\, January 20th @ 7:00 – 8:30 pm \nSession Two: So\, How Do I Get There? Seminary and other Things You Need to Know.\nLearn about the ELCA Candidacy Process and hear from Seminary partners about programs that can equip you to follow God’s call.\nThursday\, January 27th @ 7:00 – 8:30 pm \nClick here to RSVP! \nAttending both sessions is encouraged\, but you are welcome to attend just one!\nThe Zoom link will be emailed to you two days prior to the session. \nFor more information\, please contact:\nDeacon Krista Anderson\nELCA Region 3 Candidacy and Leadership Manager\,\nProgram Director for the Support of\nMinisters of Word and Service\nkrista.anderson@elca.org / 651.208.7713 \n[gview file=”https://swmnelca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Region-3-Discernment-Poster.pdf”]
URL:https://swmnelca.org/event/called2/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220120T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220120T203000
DTSTAMP:20260405T172738
CREATED:20211208T211214Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211208T211553Z
UID:8323-1642705200-1642710600@swmnelca.org
SUMMARY:"I am Called" Discerning a Call to Public Ministry Zoom Gathering
DESCRIPTION:God calls everyone to do God’s work in the world. \nHow is God calling you?\nExplore that question in a series of Zoom conversations. \nThis event is open to all in Region 3 (Minnesota\, South Dakota\, and North Dakota). \n\nSession One: Public Ministry in the ELCA\nLearn about discernment resources and explore the call to public ministry as you hear call stories from pastors and deacons!\nThursday\, January 20th @ 7:00 – 8:30 pm \nSession Two: So\, How Do I Get There? Seminary and other Things You Need to Know.\nLearn about the ELCA Candidacy Process and hear from Seminary partners about programs that can equip you to follow God’s call.\nThursday\, January 27th @ 7:00 – 8:30 pm \nClick here to RSVP! \nAttending both sessions is encouraged\, but you are welcome to attend just one!\nThe Zoom link will be emailed to you two days prior to the session. \nFor more information\, please contact:\nDeacon Krista Anderson\nELCA Region 3 Candidacy and Leadership Manager\,\nProgram Director for the Support of\nMinisters of Word and Service\nkrista.anderson@elca.org / 651.208.7713 \n[gview file=”https://swmnelca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Region-3-Discernment-Poster.pdf”]
URL:https://swmnelca.org/event/called/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220113
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220114
DTSTAMP:20260405T172738
CREATED:20211221T174935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220106T200505Z
UID:8362-1642032000-1642118399@swmnelca.org
SUMMARY:Vital Congregations Re-BOOT Cohort
DESCRIPTION:Congregations in SWMN have attended in the past and the impact has been powerful! \nIs your congregation ready to take some steps (even small steps) toward renewal or revitalization? Are you ready to try some new things\, share some ideas\, gain a greater understanding of the broader mission\, bring clarity about your own congregation’s mission\, acquire knowledge on how to live that out in community\, gain confidence to share what you have learned with the world\, and find new allies from within a cohort of congregations? Then\, you are invited to attend the 2022 Spring Session of the ELCA Vital Congregations Re-BOOT Camp. \nThis is a fast paced\, co-creative\, and co-experimental RE-BOOT CAMP facilitated by leaders with steep experience in redeveloping congregations as well as added guest presenters from a variety of settings with a wealth of knowledge. These principles and more will be explored: focusing on Jesus and justice\, being expectant of the Holy Spirit\, living as disciples of Jesus\, multiplying leaders who are young\, diverse and bring fresh insights\, and aligning with purpose and core values. \nThis will be a four-session training. The training sessions will be held two times per day from 1:30-3:00 p.m. (eastern time) and from 7:30-9:00 p.m. (eastern time) on January 13th\, January 27th\, February 3rd and February 17th. You may choose the best time each day that works for you. All sessions will be recorded and available to all registered participants. Pastors and congregations are encouraged to come as teams of 3–5 people for a time of inspiration\, learning\, planning\, sharing\, experimenting\, visioning\, and implementing. \nClick here to Register! \nFor more information please contact SWMN Synod DEM Troy Pflibsen at troy.pflibsen@swmnelca.org or call 320-221-1614. Troy can connect you with congregations who have participated in the past\, and you can hear their stories. He can also help with registration and other logistics. 
URL:https://swmnelca.org/event/vital-congregations/
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