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 »
Presentation by Benjamin Winchester Recording Notes: Ben’s PowerPoint Our “Brain Gain” landing page which contains articles, podcasts, and research papers. http://z.umn.edu/braingain Rural Rebound Initiative overview video https://youtu.be/eC6BPMjKWIM Economic Impact of Rural Housing webinar https://extension.umn.edu/cd-exchange/economic-impact-rural-house-private-benefit-public-action report https://conservancy.umn.edu/items/1c1e341c-4017-4211-ac49-02a851a3c461 Cory Hepola – My Town episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIfukaV3yuM Building Community Prosperity for the Next Generation https://extension.umn.edu/cd-exchange/building-community-prosperity-next-generation It seems the
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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 »
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod Endowment Fund Committee will once again award grants to support the mission and ministries of congregations in their local communities in 2026-2027. The Fund Committee is looking for projects proposals in the following areas: Community Outreach Youth Activities Special Mission Projects Addressing Community Food Insecurity These grants are intended for new
Accepting Applications for Congregational Mission Grants! Read More »
Synod Assembly Offering This year, the Synod Assembly offering goal is $35,000 to support our shared commitment to ensuring every congregation is led by authorized Word and Sacrament ministry. In the synod-wide Listening Survey launched at the 2024 Synod Assembly, congregations identified worship as a top priority. Word and Sacrament ministry remains central to the faith formation of our communities. In
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The call process is the transition of a rostered minister into service with a congregation(s). In this recording, the synod staff walks through each step of the process and share how every transition is unique. This summit was open to anyone interested in learning more. Whether your congregation is currently in the call process or
Call Process Summit Recording Read More »
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.
Synod Assembly: Photos of Hope Read More »
April 9, 2026 In this time of rapid change, your synod remains “Rooted in Redwood, Flowing into the Future, Bringing Healing and Hope” while we, too, adapt to change. Since August, the synod office space has been in transition. We welcomed Anfinson Thompson Accounting as tenants in the east half of the building – both to be good stewards of the space we have been blessed with
Synod Office Building Update 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
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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
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