January 9, 2026 Learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17). Alongside our siblings in Christ in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota and all who have been impacted by aggressive immigration enforcement and violence by federal law enforcement agents, I mourn the shocking shooting death of Renee […]
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ELCA Congregation Reports / Forms A Each year, every congregation, synod-authorized worshiping community (SAWC) and new start is asked to provide information about its people, finances, and resources through the Annual Congregation Report. This provides the churchwide organization and synods with a record of the congregations and worshiping communities that make up the Evangelical Lutheran
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Bishop Dee Pederson’s Christmas Message Dear Friends in Christ – The message of the angel to Joseph is one of promise and hope today! “Jesus,” a name that means, “God saves.” Christmas may not be a season when we want to think much about the need to be saved from sin. Yet beneath the Advent
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Sermon for December 28, 2025 | Matthew 2:13-23 This sermon by Synod Minister Seyward Ask can be read (Download a PDF format) or shared by video. There are no bulletins or hymn suggestions paired with this sermon. Our prayers are with you as we journey through Christmas and celebrate Christ’s birth.
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Living out baptism in daily vocations. In Mid-October, 8 of our Synod-Authorized Ministers (SAMs) and 10 mentors gathered at St. John’s Guesthouse in Collegeville, MN to grow in fellowship and understanding of lay ministry together. Synod-Authorized Ministers serve in congregations without a rostered leader and are authorized by the Bishop to preach and preside for the sacraments in a
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Global Companions: The Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA and The South Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa Thank you, Pr. Rebecca Sullivan and Peg Hatlestad As the church celebrated the Sunday of the Reign of Christ, we prayed as we do every week when the church gathers for worship, “Thy kingdom come,
Thanksgiving 2025: That All Might be Fed +Bishop Dee Pederson Praise and Thanksgiving Praise and thanksgiving, God, we would offer for all things living, you have made good: harvest of sown fields, fruits of the orchard, hay from the mown fields, blossom and wood. God, bless the labor we bring to serve you, that with
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As Advent 2025 begins, worship readings turn to Matthew’s Gospel. We will hear about Joseph’s experience of the birth of Jesus Emmanuel but not so much about Mary’s story. I’d like to share one of the particularly lovely hymn interpretations that gives voice to Mary’s Magnificat. My Soul Magnifies the Lord My soul now magnifies
Beginning January 1, 2026, Minnesota will launch its statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave program, which provides eligible employees with paid time off for medical and family-related needs. As a reminder to congregation leaders and staff, and to assist in preparing for this transition, I am sharing important dates and resources. There are several aspects
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
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