+Pr. Heather Culuris, Synod Minster At times as we are working with congregations and their leaders, questions are asked about how people prepare to be pastors to serve in the ELCA. Learning at seminary and the synod process to prepare pastors is called Candidacy. Below you will find a summary of that process that can […]
What is Candidacy? Read More »
Grace Abounds: Celebrating $1 Million in Grants Awarded to SW MN Synod Rostered Ministers for Education Loan Reduction, Retirement Readiness, and Medical Expense Grants This fall the SW MN Synod reached a milestone. Since 2016, the synod has awarded over $1 million in grants through its Gifts of Grace program to its rostered ministers to
Celebrating $1 Million Read More »
It’s a story that has played out countless times over the years. God calls people to ministry. They receive training. The church ordains them. They serve. Sometimes that process plays out for young people just discerning their careers. For Kari Shumaker, the newly ordained pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bird Island, the inkling
Get that call set first, then live into it. Read More »
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Gifts of Grace program. The grants to rostered ministers for educational loan reduction, retirement readiness, and medical expenses you have supported through your gifts have made a tremendous impact on the lives of rostered ministers in the Southwestern Minnesota Synod. As this recipient of an educational loan
Gifts of Grace Impact Story Read More »
Attention Rostered Ministers: Gifts of Grace Education Loan Reduction and Retirement Readiness Grants Applications Opening Soon! Rostered Ministers- Applications for Education Loan Reduction and Retirement Readiness Grants administered by the Gifts of Grace program will open on August 15 and close October 31, 2025. This is a shorter application period than in previous years, so plan
Gifts of Grace Grants Read More »
Coaching or Counseling? How are they different? Coaching and Counseling each has their own focus and purpose. Coaching focuses primarily on setting and achieving new insights, improving skills, ability and knowledge through goals set by the client. The focus is more “present to future” vs. “past to present” or “where you want to be, vs.
