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River Crossings in Plain Text

July 2007 Issue

Below you will find all the stories from River Crossings in plain text format, so you can easily copy and paste them into your publications. If you require any graphics for these stories, please email butler@semnsynod.org or call 507-280-9457 with your request.

Page 1 - Cover

Assembly Wrap-Up
Pages 4-5

Vandalism at Root Prairie Lutheran Church
Page 7

Tractor Pull Draws in Community
Page 6

Tanzanian Pastor's Visit to Southeastern Minnesota
Page 5

Inside...
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members
- page 2

Synod Trip to Colombia
- page 2

ELCA News - Churchwide Assembly, video on African people's forgiveness
- page 3

Bishop Usgaard: “The Power of Affirmation”
- page 8

Larry Iverson: “New Stewardship Resource Emphasizes Stories”
- page 8

Lay School of Theology
- page 11

The Bridge - “The ELCA and Ecumenism: What is Full Communion?”
- insert

ELCA.org Top Ten
Below are five of the most-used parts of the ELCA website. Stay tuned next month for the rest of the list, or visit www.elca.org/hotopic.html to read it yourself!

  1. News Releases - www.elca.org/news/releases.asp

  2. Congregation Locator - www.elca.org/FindaChurch/

  3. Country Packets - www.elca.org/countrypackets/ 

  4. Leader Look-up - www.elca.org/it/findldr.html

  5. Prayer - www.elca.org/prayer/

Page 2 - Synod News

Synod Trip to Colombia
Plans to travel to our companion synod in Colombia in October 2007 are currently being made. If you are interested in participating in this trip, please contact or at the synod office by e-mail or at (507-280-9457 or 800-426-6376 (MN only).  

Churchwide Assembly Voting Members
This August, about 2,000 people will gather at Chicago’s Navy Pier for the 10th biennial ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Besides Bishop Harold Usgaard and synod vice president Shirley Gangstad, the following lay and rostered individuals were elected at the 2006 Synod Assembly to be voting members at this year’s Churchwide Assembly:

Ms. Lilah Aas, First, Albert Lea
Ms. Sharon Barnes, St. Olaf, Austin
Mr. Don Bratland, Grace, Nerstrand
Rev. Tammy Dahlvang, Lunder, Albert Lea
Rev. Dan Doering, Grace, Waseca
Ms. Tomine Erredge, Lands, Zumbrota
Mr. Matthew Gerhardt, Grace, Fairmont
Mr. William Groskreutz Jr., Good Shepherd, Wells
Rev. Linda Helberg, Bethel, Rochester
Mr. Marty Helle, St. Olaf, Austin
Mr. Jim Jilek, Messiah, North Mankato
Mr. Charles Johnson, Peace, Eyota
Rev. Richard Jorgensen, First English, Faribault
Mr. John Mills, First English, Faribault
Ms. Helen Nelson, Grace, Waseca
Ms. Kolloh Nimley, Christ, Byron
Rev. Scott Olson, Central, Winona
Rev. Steve Ronningen, Gloria Dei, Rochester
Ms. Carrie Schiltz, Rushford, Rushford
Ms. Genebeth Senholtz, First, Albert Lea
Mr. James Stromberg, Cross of Christ, Houston
Rev. Louise Stromberg, Cross of Christ, Houston
Ms. Marie Tesch, St. John, Waseca
Ms. Catherine Van Hove, Trinity, Kiester
Rev. Curtis Zieske, Trinity, Albert Lea

More information about the Churchwide Assembly can be found on page 3 or at www.elca.org/assembly.   

Assembly Voting Members on Mailing List
Each year the Synod Assembly voting members are added to the mailing list for River Crossings. If you were a lay voting member in 2006 but not in 2007, this is your last issue. If you wish to remain on the list, contact Katie Butler at the synod office by , 507-280-9457, or 800-426-6376 (MN only). River Crossings is always available online at www.semnsynod.org.  

Remember in Prayer
Health Concerns
• Rev. Glennys Knutson
• Cathy Rehfeldt, wife of Rev. Richard Rehfeldt
• Shannon Reuss, wife of Rev. Peter Reuss
• Rev. Don Roberts

Sympathies
• Rev. Sherman Coltvet, whose son, Jonathan, died June 7, 2007

Protection
• Rev. Erik Feig, deployed to Iraq
• Rev. Steven Timm, deployed to Iraq

2007 Mission Support Income
May YTD
 Current Year - $660,927
Last Year - $682,062
Budget - $652,020

* Fiscal Year February-January

“Every good and perfect gift is from God above…” James 1:17

Thank you for your good and perfect gifts shared with us. We will put them to good work in proclaiming the kingdom and serving others. Thank you for your continued trust and sharing. 

Page 3 - ELCA News

ELCA News in Brief
Get the full stories at www.elca.org/news

ELCA Churchwide Assembly to Meet in Chicago, Aug. 6-11
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Voting members of the 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly will elect a presiding bishop and secretary, act on a proposed social statement, proposals for stewardship education and mission funding, an initiative on engaging the Bible, and a commitment for greater ELCA involvement in responding to HIV and AIDS. The assembly, which will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the formation of the ELCA, is Aug. 6-11 here at Navy Pier.

About 2,000 people -- including 1,071 voting members elected by the 65 ELCA synods -- are expected to participate in the ELCA's 10th biennial assembly.

The theme is "Living in God's Amazing Grace: Thanks be to God!" Daily worship, Bible study and prayer are planned. Bible studies will focus on Galatians and Martin Luther's "Freedom of the Christian."

The churchwide assembly is the ELCA's chief legislative authority and represents the 4.85 million members of the ELCA across the United States and Caribbean. The ELCA is the fifth largest Protestant denomination in the United States and is organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, who was elected presiding bishop in 2001, previously announced he will be available for possible re-election at the 2007 assembly. The Rev. Lowell G. Almen, who has served as secretary since the formation of the ELCA in 1988, said he will not seek another term.

Each of the ELCA's 10,389 congregations may send one representative to the assembly as an official "congregational observer."

In addition to the elections for presiding bishop and secretary, the assembly will act on:

+ a proposed social statement, "Our Calling in Education," a 59-page proposal prepared by a task force with input from throughout the church. Dr. Paul J. Dovre, retired president of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., and Christi Lines, principal, St. Paul's Lutheran School, Waverly, Iowa, co-chaired the task force. Social statements are social policy documents, adopted by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, addressing significant social issues.

+ a "Blue Ribbon Committee on Mission Funding" proposal for stewardship education and mission funding. The ELCA Church Council formed the committee to study funding policies and practices of the ELCA. The council is the ELCA's board of directors.

+ a renewal initiative for the church, "Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible," aimed at helping members to engage the Scriptures, and for intentional teaching, understanding and use of Lutheran approaches to Scripture.

+ a proposal to affirm the church's work to introduce "Evangelical Lutheran Worship," the ELCA's newest worship materials introduced in 2006.

+ a proposal to commit the church to greater engagement in response to HIV and AIDS through development of a churchwide strategy for the coming decade.

---
Information about the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly and proposals to be considered is at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly/07 on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA's Mosaic Television Reports African Story of Forgiveness
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The June 1, 2007, issue of Mosaic Television, the video magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is "Ready to Forgive: An African Story of Grace." The program is focused on the plight of the Acholi people of northern Uganda and their readiness to forgive, despite violence and abductions of their children by rebels.

Mosaic Television is the quarterly video program produced by ELCA Communication Services. It is intended for educational use in a variety of congregational settings including Sunday school classes, adult forums, youth groups, women's and men's groups, new member classes, congregational councils, committee and other organizational meetings.

People in northern Uganda have been affected by war for 21 years. The conflict is between a rebel government known as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and Ugandan defense forces. Those most affected, a tribal people known as the Acholi or "Luo" people, have endured violence and child abductions by the LRA. Thousands have died, many are missing and two million people are displaced, the program reported. Most live in "squalid" camps for internally displaced persons. Yet forgiveness is an important part of the Acholi culture and reconciliation is a cornerstone of their faith, the program said.

Pages 4-5 - Assembly Wrap-Up
Highlights from the 2007 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly: June 8-9

About 600 voting members and visitors gathered at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester for the 2007 Synod Assembly June 8-9, 2007. Bishop Harold Usgaard led the Assembly through Worship, prayer, study, and business matters during the 20th annual Assembly.

Election of a Bishop
In the election of a bishop, Bishop Usgaard was reelected on the first ballot, receiving 374 votes, well above the 330 necessary for reelection. Bishop Usgaard received a standing ovation from the voting members. In response, Bishop Usgaard commented “The Lord be with you” and noted how important this message is for us and for the world.

Other Elections
In other voting, Shirley Gangstad was reelected to another four-year term as synod vice-president. The remaining elections - for the Augsburg College Corporation, Committee on Discipline, and Committee on the Election of a Bishop - were voted on unanimously by the Assembly as they were not contested.

Celebration of Campus Ministry
An ever-present part of this Assembly was the celebration of 100 years of Lutheran Campus Ministry in the United States. In the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, Lutheran Campus Ministry has a presence at Minnesota State University-Mankato and Winona State University.

In recognition of this important milestone, Lutheran Campus Ministry led the closing worship service Friday evening using the popular Holden Evening Prayer Service. Rev. Dr. Siemsen also led the two sessions of Bible study for the voting members. Also a part of the celebration, the Friday evening meal concluded with a birthday celebration and the Saturday morning worship dedicated its offering to Lutheran Campus Ministry.

Emphasis on Sharing Faith Stories
The third and final year of the synod's current strategic plan emphasizes sharing the faith. As part of that emphasis, those asked to give prayers, several presenters, and other speakers included bits of their own faith stories. The Bible study also focused on how we can tell the story.

Worship
Part of every Assembly is the worship. This year's Assembly worshiped throughout the gathering. Besides frequent prayers and hymns, there was a morning prayer service on Friday, a service of Holden Evening Prayer Friday night, and worship with holy communion on Saturday morning.

Reports from Churchwide, Synodical Bishops
The video report from Bishop Mark S. Hanson emphasized our church network is spread around the world doing work on our behalf, doing ministry in places we can’t even imagine. Mission Support is what provides the infrastructure that allows our church to respond in awareness, and service, building bridges for peace with justice. The ELCA needs leaders of faith to work in the world.

This video is available for download or purchase at www.elca.org/mosaic/thanks2007.

Bishop Usgaard also reported on the work of the synod going on right here in Southeastern Minnesota. He also challenged people to do more saying, "That is what I hope we can do in these coming years, identify areas in which people of faith can make an impact."

Resolutions
The Assembly approved six resolutions, including a resolution to form a Youth and Family Ministry Task Force; to encourage congregations, with the help of their conferences, to provide financial support for seminarians; for congregations to financially support new mission sites; to approve the 2008 Minimum Compensation and Benefits Guidelines, which departed from previous yearly proposals by suggesting a range of salaries to be voted on every other year; to advocate in Minnesota to End poverty; and to increase congregational support to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. A resolution to call for conferences to only be required to meet in years when there is an election of voting members to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly or whenever unusual matters require a meeting failed.

Special thanks to the Rev. Scott E. Olson and Barb Anderson for contributing to this report.

More detailed information about the 2007 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly, including full news stories on all that happened, is available at www.semnsynod.org (click on "Assembly" on the left).

Mark Your Calendars
The 2008 Assembly is April 18-19 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. The focus will be on hunger issues. Confirmed speakers include Bishop Peter Rogness, St. Paul Area Synod, ELCA, and David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World.

Page 5 - Tanzanian Pastor’s Visit to Southeastern Minnesota

Safari is the Kiswahili word for “journey” and Pastor Edward Gyunda, Ruruma Lutheran Church in the Central Diocese of Tanzania completed his three-month Lutheran Safari in June. His whirlwind tour of our synod has included youth groups, Vacation Bible Schools, Good Earth Village, St. Olaf College, Luther Seminary, the ELCA churchwide office in Chicago, and tours of countless farms, industries and churches.

“Is that a Lutheran Church?,” a question asked frequently his first few weeks in Minnesota. But it has been the interaction between our people that has been a gift from Africa blessing us for three months. Conversing with immigrants from Somalia and Sudan in Faribault to children in Spring Valley to youth leaders in Owatonna, and college students in Northfield, Rev. Gyunda has generated many a smile on his journey.

He has also challenged us to “carry and use our Bibles” more frequently as well as develop music ministry as evangelism. “We are partners—I am learning from you and you can learn from us.” At the Synod Assembly in June, Rev. Gyunda underlined the importance of our partnership by inviting teachers from here who have taught at the Lutheran Institute, Kiomboi, where he prepared for ministry to come to the front of the assembly.

Rev. Gyunda is married to Grace--they have 4 children under the age of 13.

He thanks all those who have hosted him throughout his stay in Minnesota and invites us to visit Tanzania soon—especially as his faith community at Ruruma celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2011—the oldest congregation in the Central Diocese! Asante sana—thank you very much.

Page 6 - Tractor Pull Draws in Community
By Rev. Josh Ehrler

“It sounds like an airplane taking off,” was how one person in the crowd described Mike Hartle’s souped-up Oliver. As soon as he opened the throttle at the start line, hands everywhere covered ears as his machine dragged weight for over 200 feet. Near the end of his line, with the front end bouncing off the ground, rear tires sagging and engine screaming, Mike cut the power and the place fell silent.

On Saturday, June 2, with only a few clouds in the sky, First Lutheran Church of Hope sponsored its 2nd Annual Hope Tractor Pull. The event was held in a large lot owned by SunRich Elevators, located in the middle of town. Tractors, trucks, trailers and lawn chairs lined a path grated through the gravel as the community came out to watch their friends and neighbors.

First organized in 2006 for the Hope Centennial celebration, the tractor pull proved to be an instant success. Due to its popularity last year, First Lutheran Church decided this year to host the tractor pull and make it an annual event.

Once SunRich approved the use of their lot, church leaders got to work planning the event. Several council meetings were spent deciding how to line up sponsors, what advertising would be done and what was needed, from food to trophies. Local businesses from Hope were invited to participate, many of which chose to become involved.

When asked why First Lutheran decided to sponsor a tractor pull, Darla Skalicky responded, “We often invite people into the church for events. With this we are showing that we are also out in the community.”

As the participants gathered in the morning for a pulling meeting, Pastor Josh Ehrler offered a prayer. He thanked God for the opportunity to have fun in God’s glory. He also asked for God’s protection and guidance for all involved.

Competition was opened to all who were interested, from small 3500 pound stock tractors to large open class tractors, including equipment modified specifically for tractor pulls. Nearly all of the tractors were classics or antiques, ranging in color from green to red to prairie gold. Though some bore signs of age, several were clean and almost fully restored.

Many contestants brought not only their tractors, but also their families. Smaller children played while some of the older ones got to participate. One young man pulled for the first time with his family’s old John Deere and was treated to a round of applause. Another was placed in charge of waving a flag to signal when a tractor had completed it’s pull. A younger member of First Lutheran, Jack, was responsible for running records between the announcer and those keeping track of awards.

Several families from the community came expecting a good day of pulling, and they were not disappointed. As the sun shone unhindered, many entrants registered their tractors several times in multiple weight classes. This made for a full day, as well as a successful one for some. One competitor walked away with five trophies. When congratulated for his success, he said, “It was fun. See you next year.” Most of the competitors agreed that the day was good and that they would plan to return in 2008.

Page 7 - Vandalism at Root Prairie Lutheran Church

Second Easter as Root Prairie Lutheran Church Recovers from Vandalism
By Shirley Gangstad
Synod Vice President

All of us who worshiped at Root Prairie Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 3, experienced a second Easter of a sort. The congregation had had a Good Friday experience the previous Sunday night as vandals desecrated their church from the steeple to the basement. On Monday, Memorial Day, members viewed the damage amid feelings of anger, hurt, and disbelief. They felt traumatized and violated. They felt they had confronted evil in a personal and powerful way. At times they experienced the feelings of the Upper Room as they struggled with fear and uncertainty about what the future would bring.

Then came the calls, emails, letters, personal visits and prayers. The bishop came and told them not to hide the scars—scars are part of life and make us stronger. Offers of help poured in—money, goods, labor and prayers. Prayers and prayers and more prayers. On Saturday, June 3 nearly a hundred people came to help, to clean, to bring personal support and healing, to prepare the house of worship for the Sunday service.

Sunday morning began overcast and rainy but by 10 o’clock the sun was shining outside Root Prairie Lutheran Church and the Son was glowing inside. The church was filled—with members, with former members who had returned for the day, with brothers and sisters in Christ from the Root River Conference churches and throughout the synod, from the surrounding community. There was such joy and hope in the singing, such gratitude for the moment, for the precious opportunity to worship together in this place, such a resurrection feeling that this place had a 150 year history but the best was yet to come!

Rev. Paul Forde led the worship. We began singing “Holy, Holy, Holy” . . . “Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.” A full church of Lutheran four-part harmony! The Order of Confession and Forgiveness reminded us that we are all sinners, not just those who vandalized the church, and that just as we are forgiven, so we need to forgive. Then we sang the Hymn of Praise: “This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.” Then we shared the bread and wine. And it was Easter.

The building called Root Prairie is wounded and scarred. The Church of Root Prairie—the family of God, the brothers and sisters in and of Christ—has been made well again. Kjirsten Oehlke, a young member of the congregation and a budding theologian, wrote: “We had a blow from ‘the people,’ but we need to forgive them. It may have been a sick and wrong thing to do. They didn’t destroy the Church, they hurt the meeting place, for we are the Church. What would Jesus do? Forgive them. He wouldn’t want them dead. He would say, ‘now is the time to forgive.’ Pray for ‘the people.’ This might bring the Church together.”

Amen! Amen!

Thank You From Root Prairie Lutheran Church
The Root Prairie congregation would like to express their deepest gratitude to the people of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod. Since the vandalism on Memorial Day, we have been richly blessed by the outpouring of support. We sincerely appreciated the visit from Bishop Usgaard, Shirley Gangstad’s message during our worship service, all the members who showed their support by attending worship and the special prayer during the Synod Assembly.

Our spirits have been lifted up by the entire Christian community. We have been the recipients of healing gestures from many different denominations as well as the support from other Lutheran churches. Christian faith and support knows no boundaries in an event such as this. Thanks to each of you for your prayers, calls, e-mails, visits and donations of time and money. All of this has made a huge difference in our recovery.

God Bless All of You.

Page 8 - Bishop's Column, Larry Iverson's Column

The Power of Affirmation
Shalom,

What I am for you terrifies me;
What I am with you consoles me.
For you I am a bishop;
but with you I am a Christian.
The first is an office accepted,
the second a grace received.
The first is a danger;
the second, salvation.
If then, I am gladder, by far
to be redeemed with you
Than to be placed over you,
I shall, as the Lord himself commanded,
Be more completely your servant.
(Augustine, 4th Century Bishop of Hippo)

At our recent synod assembly, I was gratified by your reaffirmation of my call to serve as bishop in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod. We have worked hard during these past six years, and your vote seemed to affirm that those efforts have been valued. But even more, I find myself excited by the continued opportunity to simply walk with you on this journey of faith. There are healthy communities of faith in this synod, filled with faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, served by strong and committed pastors and rostered leaders. What a blessing!

I am especially grateful for all of your phone calls and notes. It feels good to be affirmed…and appreciated. It is encouraging when our efforts are recognized. You have always done that so very well.

I only hope that you are receiving the same affirmations. To you lay leaders who are reading this, I encourage you to let your pastors and rostered leaders know how thankful you are for their efforts in ministry. Too often we take one another for granted. We - everyone one of us - need a good word to keep going. What a difference it makes. I know!

“I thank my God every time I remember you…” (Philippians 1)

Shalom
Harold Usgaard
Bishop

New Stewardship Resource Emphasizes Stories
John grew up in a family with limited money, so the $5 he got from his grandma for his birthday was a big deal to him. He sat in his Sunday School class one day as the teacher told of a family who had lost their home and possessions in a fire. John did not know the family, but he could put himself in their place of losing their home and stuff. He reached into his pocket and offered his whole $5 to the teacher to give to this family. It was a sacrifice to him, but he felt good about the gift.

John’s story shaped his life of generosity, and such stories are a part of the “Stories to Tell & Gifts to Share” latest ELCA stewardship resource for 2007. This resource is designed to be used with the Bible studies: Graceful Living; Grateful Living; Giving to the Church; Cheerful Sacrifices and combined with members of the congregation sharing their faith stories about God’s generosity in their personal lives, how the congregation has shared their faith in giving or how ministry has been done beyond the church doors in mission interpretation in the larger church.

This resource is a nice tie-in with the theme for this last year of the strategic plan in “A Synod Sharing our Faith Stories.” This resource provides sermon outlines, Bible studies, children’s resources, bulletin inserts, a year-round stewardship plan, sample letters to the congregation, a planning guide for a 1-year and a 2-year approach and other information. It is all packaged on a CD-ROM and available from Augsburg Fortress. For more information, see the ELCA web site at www.elca.org/stewardship. 

In Christ’s love,
Larry Iverson

Page 9 - Strategic Plan Update

Three Years of Being ‘Called into God’s Marvelous Light’
Throughout 2005-2007 we have been a synod ‘Called into God’s Marvelous Light’ to be:

  • Joyful witnesses

  • Christ-centered disciples

  • Strong leaders

Now that the cycle of the strategic plan has ended, let’s take a look back at what the last three years have brought:

  • Strengthened prayer lives, including praying for our brothers and sisters in other congregations

  • Better understanding of the Bible through study and regular reading

  • More ideas for ways to share our faith stories

  • Increased awareness of synod ministries in the congregations, including the creation of The Bridge

  • Stronger congregations in those that participated in Natural Church Development

  • Greater emphasis on youth including the return of the Lutheran Youth Organization at the synodical level and the creation of the Youth Servant Leadership Institute to raise up young leaders

  • Strengthened worship, including several meetings for church musicians and opportunities for worship leaders to learn about the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnals

  • Increased awareness about stewardship through stewardship visits, dinners, and events

  • Greater connection to our church’s global context through continued relationships with our companion synods, the first synod delegation to Colombia in several years, and the opportunity to use a set of communion ware from the Holy Land

  • Greater awareness of our church’s local context through supporting new mission sites

  • Stronger rostered leaders through a focus on healthy leaders at Theological Conference and the development of the Spiritual Task Force

  • More awareness of the larger church through trips to visit the ELCA churchwide office in Chicago for First Call pastors and others from the synod

  • Celebration of our rural heritage through a “Celebrating Rural Life” event

The strategic plan is over now, but many of the programs and their results will continue to bless our synod in the years to come. For more, go to www.semnsynod.org/strategicplan/marvelouslight.html

Role Models Through Word and Deed
By Mark Bradley
Congregational Renewal Team

The faith stories of fellow Christians from my congregation and from work make frequent reference to key role models in their faith journeys. A role model is a friend who invites you to Young Life club or a Sunday school teacher who joyfully shares his faith story. Or it’s a youth pastor who could “be very real, enjoy life, and also lead a very healthy and strong spiritual day-to-day existence.”

Parents are key role models. “The thing I remember most about my mother is that I never, ever remember her saying a bad word about anybody. She always looked on the positive side of things.” “My father was, and is, the most influential person in my Christian life.” “Where did my faith come from? It was the result of the endless hours my own mother spent reading to me from a favorite story, If Jesus Came to My House. My mother’s patience must have been incredible…”

Or the Christian role model can just be a friend when you are in a strange city trying to get home in a snowstorm when the airport is closed. “Feeling somewhat panicked, I called Dave. What a friend! He drove through inclement weather to pick me up, took me to his house for the night, and delivered me to a different airport the next day.”

Lord, May we be role models today. Amen

Quotations are from Ordinary People of Extraordinary Faith, Mike Ransom and Carol Solovitz, Editors.

Page 10 - Call Update, Calendar of Events

Call Update
Self Study:
• Austin, Grace – solo
• Cannon Falls, First English – associate
• Glenville, First – solo (Gail Klavetter, interim)
• Harmony, Saetersdal – part-time, solo
• Kenyon, Gol – part-time, solo (Dan Dimick, interim)
• Mabel, Mabel First – solo (Curtis Fox, interim)
• Rochester, Bethel – associate
• Zumbrota, Lands – solo (Luther Peterson, interim)

Interviewing:
• Alden, Redeemer – solo (Dick Spande, interim)
• Blue Earth, Trinity – co-pastor (Barbara Jewell, interim)
• Cannon Falls, Urland – senior pastor (Charles Jacobson, interim)
• Cannon Falls, Wangen Prairie – 1/2 time solo (Charles Jacobson, interim)
• Cleveland, Our Saviors – solo
• Dodge Center, Faith – part-time associate
• Mankato, Christ the King – administrative pastor
• Oakland, Oakland/Moscow – solo (Peter Soli, interim)
• Rochester, Gloria Dei – associate (Dick Rehfeldt, interim)
• Waseca, St. John – associate
• Webster, Solor – solo, part-time
• Wells, Good Shepherd – shared ministry pastor (Gerry Geise, interim)

Ready to Extend Call:
• Red Wing, First – associate
• Wykoff, Immanuel – solo, part-time

Call Accepted:
• Elise (Liz) Erickson, Luther Seminary, to St. John, Elkton, 7/16/07
• Ann Siverling, Central/Southern IL, to Grand Meadow, Grand Meadow, 6/1/07

Ordination:
• Elise (Liz) Erickson, Luther Seminary graduate, to solo, St. John, Elkton, 6/24/07

Roster Update
Call to Specialized Ministry:
• Victor Jortack, on leave from call to Zwingli United Church of Christ, West Concord, July 1, 2006.

Transfer Out:
• Glenn Leaf, retired to Northeastern Minnesota Synod, June 1, 2007

Upcoming Events

July 8-12, 2007 (Sun.-Thur.): Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Biennial Worship Conference
Houston, TX
www.alcm.org/news/national/national.asp

July 12-15, 2007 (Thur.-Sun.): The Spirit of Wholeness in Christ: A Racial Ethnic Multicultural Event
Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotell, Los Angeles, CA
800-638-352, ext. 2832 or www.elca.org/multicultural/APIevents.html

July 11, 18, & 25, 2007 (Wed.): Summer in the Son Worship
Future site of Glory to God Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN
Staci Magnuson at 507-289-1841 or www.semnsynod.org/events/congregational.html 

For more information about these or other events, visit www.semnsynod.org and go to any of the “Events” links.

Page 11 - Lay School of Theology

Download the brochure PDF

Page 12 - Back Cover

River Crossings is the monthly newsletter of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod for pastors, associates in ministry, and lay leaders. The next deadline for River Crossings is July 4. Please send correspondence to Katie Butler, butler@semnsynod.org; 507-280-9457.

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