Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 As ELCA bishops in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota we serve in contexts that stretch from the badlands to the […]
On Friday, Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) received a stop-work order from the government calling for them to immediately stop serving the nearly 6,000 newly arrived refugees in their care. This stop-work order means that government funding that provides food, housing, education, job placement, healthcare, and basic needs – has come to
Global Refuge Information Read More »
Updated on 1/16/2025. If you have additional information that is not listed below, please contact the synod office. Conference Date Time & Location Great RiverSunday, February 2, 20251pm on ZoomMinnesota ValleySunday, February 16, 202512:30pm at Scandian Grove, St PeterScenic ValleySunday, February 16, 2025TBDShetekSunday, February 16, 20252pm at First, WorthingtonCrow RiverSunday, February 23, 2025TBDLac Qui ParleSunday,
2025 Conference Assemblies Read More »
SW MN Synod E-News The Synod E-News is a biweekly email with current synod news, resources, and information on upcoming events. If you do not already subscribe to the Synod E-News, please sign up. (We respect your privacy. Subscribers will not have their email addresses shared or redistributed in any way.) News Articles from January 10th Bishop’s Message
Blessed Christmas! This sermon is provided for congregational use for the Sunday after Christmas, December 29, 2024. It may be shown as a video, or the text provided may be proclaimed. However you find it useful, know that our prayers are with you, that you might know the promises of God as we celebrate this
Sermon for the Sunday after Christmas Read More »
As we near the end of 2024, I invite you to prayerfully consider joining your generosity to that of many others throughout the Southwestern Minnesota Synod. Generous giving by individuals and congregations allows us to adapt your synod’s ministries for the needs of leaders and congregations who seek support and equipping as never before. Through
+Bishop Dee Pederson Many of us are trying to absorb the results of this election. Some are grieving. Some are rejoicing. In this synod, we recognize that “God has placed us in cities, farms, and towns together under one prairie sky.” That, in itself, names the reality that there are going to be different opinions
Bishop’s Post-Election Message Read More »
Bishop’s Message for All Saints Sunday, 2024 (also The Sunday Before the Election) On the Sunday before what is to be one of the most divisive and consequential elections in the history of this nation, the church gathers to hear and proclaim the scripture readings for All Saints Sunday. Isaiah provides the vision of God’s
Bishop’s Message for All Saints Sunday, 2024 Read More »
Your voice can help set the direction of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod. It all started with the survey. Remember that survey? Yeah, the synod survey launched at Synod Assembly! It’s been about 3 years since we’ve undertaken an effort like this, so it’s high time we created this opportunity to listen to you. Why? Because
Listening Session Gatherings Read More »
“How can we get more people back in worship again?” Most of us are asking this question. Why? Not only because we miss seeing one another; that’s important! We also believe that worship is the primary gathering of God’s people around word and sacrament. Worship gathers us in – all of us, no matter who
2024 Equipping Congregations Day Read More »
