+Bishop Dee Pederson We believe that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) And yet, we know that life and ministry are filled with times of change. In each season, God continues to call, equip, and lead us. It is with deep gratitude for her ministry that we share Synod Minister […]
A Season of Change and Gratitude: Pr. Heather Culuris Read More »
The 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering will take place June 28–July 2, 2027, in Minneapolis, Minn. MYLE (Multicultural Youth Leadership Event) and the tAble will take place June 26-28, 2027, also in Minneapolis. The Young Adult Gathering will take place concurrent with the Gathering, June 28–July 2, 2027. Connect and plan for the gathering! www.elca.org/gathering Email:
ELCA Youth Gathering Read More »
Jesus said, “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest.” +Bishop Dee Pederson Friends, we have been praying, and the Lord has answered. On June 6, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod in Assembly commissioned Synod-Authorized Ministers at beautiful Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter. And God’s people rejoiced! What
Commissioning Synod-Authorized Ministers Read More »
Thank You! +Bishop Dee Pederson 6/11/2026 Gathering for last weekend’s Synod Assembly, you lived out these powerful words from St. Paul’s letter to the early Christians in Rome. From prayerful worship to lively table conversations, joyful singing and generous sharing, serving one another and extending hospitality, all these fruits of the Spirit were present among Southwestern Minnesota Synod
2026 Synod Assembly: Thank You! Read More »
Bishop’s Easter Message Whether you hear the Easter Gospel from John 20 or Matthew 28 this year, both accounts are filled with powerful emotion. Matthew tells of fear—the fear of the trembling guards and the women at the tomb. No matter who we are, you and I all carry our own fears about the present
Bishop’s Easter Message Read More »
In his Easter message, Presiding Bishop Curry says that even though we consider ourselves to be an Easter church, we must remember that we are also a Lenten church, a time when we live in uncertainty, waiting and hoping for renewal. Curry reminds us that in the midst of that uncertainty, comes God’s promise of
The Joy of Alleluia: An Easter Message from Bishop Curry Read More »
Bishop’s Reflection for Holy Week Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9, NRSVUE When the gospel writers tell the story of Jesus’ entry into
Bishop’s Reflection for Holy Week Read More »
Revelation 21:1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud
Bishop’s Lenten Message Read More »
+ Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. + +Bishop Dee Pederson The season of Lent begins as worshipers receive the sign of the + cross on their foreheads and hear again the words from the Ash Wednesday liturgy: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Simple.
Bishop’s Message as Lent Begins Read More »
We will not grow weary | Lutheran bishops condemn aggressive immigration activity The Rev. Yehiel Curry, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and ELCA synod bishops from Minnesota offer a joint pastoral video message addressing immigration activity. The bishops acknowledge the uncertainty being experienced by many in Minnesota and in other parts
Joint pastoral video message: We will not grow weary Read More »
