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River Crossings in Plain Text

August 2006 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

Letting the Outdoors In - How ELCA Outdoor Ministries has found its way into hearts around the world
Page 4

Good Times at Good Earth Village
Pages 5-6

Inside...
Minnesota Without Poverty Legislation
- page 2

Rev. Bradley Hanson to Speak at Theological Conference
- page 2

Charitable Gifting Workshop
- page 2

ELCA News: Youth Emphasis in July
- page 3

Mission Support Update
- page 6

Bishop Usgaard: “It's All in the Journey”
- page 7

The Bridge - “Youth Ministry: Moving Beyond Fundraising"
- insert

Selected Outdoor Ministry Sites:

Page 2 - Synod News

Minnesota Without Poverty Legislation
At the 2006 Synod Assembly, a resolution was passed to support the principles set forth in the document “A Minnesota Without Poverty - Where All Children Thrive: A 2020 Vision.” Essentially this resolution calls the synod and the individual congregations to help work towards ending poverty in Minnesota by the year 2020. This spring there was a bill passed in Minnesota to support this same effort.

The chair of the Finance Early Childhood Education and Budget Division committee, Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-St. Peter), chief author of the bill, said “We all have a role in ending poverty in Minnesota.”

The bill sets up a commission including nine House members and nine Senate members to prepare recommendations for ending poverty in Minnesota. The legislators for the commission will be selected after the fall elections. The bill also designated $250,000 to support the poverty commission.

Minnesota’s poverty rate averages 8 percent, but some Northern counties average even higher levels.

This important piece of legislation came about as a result of the hard work of many individuals as well as support and encouragement from the faith community, including our synod.

Rev. Bradley Hanson to Speak at Theological Conference
This summer, if your thoughts turn at all toward the fall, remember to schedule in our Annual Theological Conference November 5-7 at the Holiday Inn of Owatonna.

This year's conference will focus primarily upon the spiritual life of those called to tend the Word. Through lectures and small group experiences, Dr. Brad Hanson from Luther College will lead us in experiences of what a grace centered life might look like for each of us called to public ministry. Earlier this year, all the Rostered members of our Synod received a copy of Dr. Hanson's latest book, A Graceful Life: Lutheran Spirituality for Today. While books on Lutheran Spirituality are not the most commonly seen summer reading, wouldn't it be grand if all of us came to Owatonna versed in Dr. Hanson's book?

In addition to Dr. Hanson's work, we're also looking forward to spending a fair amount of time making ourselves at home in our new hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship. The Conference Planning Committee is anxiously hoping that Augsburg Fortress publishing deadlines will in fact come true, and that our worship will be rich with the diversity of our new hymnal.

Now that you've read about these things, get up, grab your calendar, and mark down those dates in ink. Tell your Councils that for those days there will be neither weddings nor anniversaries nor confirmations nor committee meetings to tend. Make time to renew yourself and to be a source of renewal for your neighbor.

Charitable Gifting Workshop
For those who missed the May workshop, those who were at the May event and want more, and any interested lay people, John Rehl is returning! All laity and clergy serving on Stewardship, Endowment, Finance Committees/Teams and Treasurers are invited to an event on Sunday, September 17, 2006 at St. John Lutheran, Kasson from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. This event will feature John Rehl, currently serving as a financial coach with the ELCA Board of Pensions, and a lively presenter. This event will build on the May 23, 2006 clergy presentation. John will present a keynote on "Generosity at the Heart of the Church: Helping Others to Live Generous Lives " and then breakout groups will be held in the area of finance, endowment and stewardship. This event is a part of Thrivent’s charitable gifting initiative grant, "Leadership for the Church: Today and Tomorrow," from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Remember in Prayer
Health Concerns
• The Rev. Don Roberts
• The Rev. Charles Solberg
• Fern Steffen, wife of the Rev. Richard Steffen
• Shannon Reuss, wife of the Rev. Peter Reuss
• The Rev. Ralph and Amy Strand
• The Rev. Ernest Ryden

Sympathies
• The Rev. Norm Wahl, whose father, Rev. Walter Wahl, died
June 13, 2006
• The Rev. Kip Groettum, whose father, Herb Groettum, died
June 15, 2006

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

Page 3 - ELCA News - Youth Emphasis in July

ELCA Youth Gathering Features Bible Study
by Katherine R. Hinck*, ELCA News Service

Each morning during the 2006 Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), more than 15,000 high-school-age youth gather at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, for a Bible study led by the Rev. Stephen Bond, a recent graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. Trinity is one of eight ELCA seminaries. The first Bible study took place July 6 and featured speaker Dr. San Juana Mendoza Bruce, a charity doctor who serves the poor of Anapra and Juarez, Mexico; praise and worship time with musician Peter Mayer and the House Band; Agapé (David Scherer), a Christian hip-hop artist; and a multimedia presentation that includes dance, music and video.

Bond spoke to participants on the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament, encouraging youth to open their eyes to those who are suffering. "Jesus refuses to let us settle for the fear that keeps our eyes shut," Bond said. "Jesus refuses to let the people at the side of the road remain faceless. Our God refuses to rest until there is no one left at the side of the road."

Mendoza echoed the theme of the Good Samaritan parable, sharing her own experience with poverty. "Sometimes it seems like God is silent, but we have to remember that God gave us free will … to love our neighbor and to seek peace and justice," she told participants. About 40,000 high-school-age and adult Lutherans from the United States and around the world are attending the ELCA Youth Gathering. The gathering is taking place in two back-to-back events -- July 5-9 and July 12-16 -- at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and Alamodome in San Antonio.

*Katherine R. Hinck is a senior journalism and religion major at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.

This story is from the ELCA News Blog, which provides short, quick updates on ministries of the ELCA. Find it at www.elca.org/news/blog

ELCA News in Brief
For full stories, visit the "News and Events" page at www.elca.org .

Lutheran Youth of Color Gather for Leadership Work
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ELCA) -- About 800 high-school-age Lutherans of color and/or whose primary language is other than English gathered July 2-5 for the 2006 Multicultural Youth Leadership Event hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Under the theme "La Luz: The Power of the Light Shines for MYLE," participants came together at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center for worship, leadership training, inspiration, fellowship and fun.

"MYLE is an event that seeks to empower youth of color to be leaders by engaging, enhancing and developing their gifts, talents and faith," said Diana Marcus, Skokie, Ill., chair of the ELCA Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC). Marcus will be a first-year student this fall at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Definitely-abled Youth Gather for ELCA Leadership Event
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ELCA) -- More than 60 parents, caregivers, volunteers and youth with disabilities gathered July 2-5 in San Antonio for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Definitely-Abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE). DAYLE is a leadership event for youth with disabilities planned by the Definitely-Abled Advisory Committee (DAC). DAC is one of two advisory committees to the Lutheran Youth Organization; the other is the Multicultural Advisory Committee.

"DAYLE is a leadership development event," said Jon Vehar, ELCA Disabilities Ministries, Chicago. "It's about showing these participants that they have gifts to offer too, and that they are needed by the church." The event also precedes the ELCA Youth Gathering to give "participants a chance to see the venues and learn accessible routes and what the gathering has to offer before it's flooded with thousands of other people," he said.

Page 4 - Letting the Outdoors In - How ELCA Outdoor Ministries has found its way into hearts around the world
By Katie Butler
Communications Director

I have a confession to make – I hated the idea of going to any kind of “church camp” when I was a kid. I felt forced to go to confirmation camp, and I was not going to be told what to do. Now that I have friends who have enjoyed countless summers at camps, worked at camps, and sent the youth from their churches to camps, I have come to realize how much I missed by that refusal.

Are you familiar with all the opportunities provided by the ELCA Outdoor Ministries? If not, you are missing out on sharing the excitement with the young people in your congregation and on opportunities for yourself, no matter your age (and no, you don’t have to spend a week sleeping on the ground to experience it).

The core of the Outdoor Ministry program is the camps. Throughout the United States and Puerto Rico there are approximately 145 ELCA camps. Since 1861 when the Gunnery Camp, recognized as the first organized camp in America first took a group of boys on a camping excursion (American Camp Association, www.acacamps.org), children have been looking forward to camp every summer. Camps come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties – meaning every kid can find the right one.

The camps of the ELCA offer programming intended to strengthen, support, and lift up the body of Christ through building relationships with each other and with God. Their ministries include encounters with scripture, experience and care of the environment, witness of staff, and opportunities for worship, re-creation, and development of relationships through intentional Christian Community (go to www.elca.org/camps for this and more information).

How each camp, and even separate programs at the same camp, does this varies dramatically. Everything from day camps to adventure trips, even a variety of adult opportunities, offers participants ways to worship, study, grow, and relax – all in a Christian community setting.

Many ELCA camps offer experiences that venture away from the actual camp location. These journeys offer both servant programs and high adventure programs. Unique programs like these strive to provide participants with an experience that they can take home to establish a habit of lifelong learning, enthusiasm and commitment to service, ongoing faith development, self-confidence, and a stronger sense of community. Camps across the country offer a variety of ways to provide service to either the surrounding communities or to communities in other parts of the country or the world. The high adventure programs include canoeing and rafting, backpacking, caving, biking, even boogie boarding and other beach activities.

The American Camp Association, a community of camp professionals (including those at Good Earth Village, Southeastern Minnesota’s ELCA camp), performs ongoing studies of camps to ensure that their affiliates are making a positive difference in the lives of the children they serve. Their reports show that camp builds vital skills to prepare youth to be successful adults. Campers benefit from camp through increased self-confidence, independence, social skills, exploring, learning new activities, and spirituality (“Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience,” American Camp Association, 2005).

If the research isn’t enough to convince parents and prospective  campers that a day, a week, or a whole summer spent participating in some form of Outdoor Ministry, the fact that it’s just plain fun should. Requiring kids to go for one week during their confirmation years may turn some kids off to the idea, just as it did to me, but going to a camp for the day as a family or starting young children out in a day camp program and then letting them know about the high adventure programs available to them as they get older will let them know that camp can be a fantastic experience.

Pages 5-6 - Good Times at Good Earth Village
By Katie Butler
Communications Director

The Southeastern Minnesota Synod is blessed with one exceptional camp that the synod and over 140 congregations (including some United Methodist, Presbyterian, and Catholic congregations) in Southeastern Minnesota support. Situated on 500 acres in beautiful Spring Valley, Minnesota is Good Earth Village. In December 1969 an ecumenical organization of 26 congregations in this area came together to develop an outdoor ministry. In 1975 a full-time, year-round director was hired and the camp began. Now affiliated with the ELCA, the camp seeks to use the outdoors to bring people together around the Word of God and help them recognize the importance of Biblical images in our world. The site remains simple and activities are basic and fitting to the environment, but this does not minimize the opportunities available at Good Earth Village.

Like most camps, Good Earth Village offers opportunities throughout the summer for all school-age children.

  • Day Camp is coordinated with congregations to provide a fun, Christ-centered camp experience close to home. This program is designed for children who have completed kindergarten through 4th grade. Activities include worship, Bible study, games, crafts, and, of course, all kinds of fun. Day camp is also a great way for the whole congregation to get involved.

  • Elementary Programs offer several experiences for elementary-age children. Kids as young as first grade can enjoy the camp for different lengths of time and at different levels depending on age. These programs provide plenty of fun outdoor activities, worship, and Bible study.

  • Jr. High Programs offer even more options. The Explorers and Outpost programs provide a more rustic camping experience with more activities – like canoeing and service work – available to them. Confirmation camp is also available to Jr. High students through individual congregations. Confirmation camp includes time with the pastor or confirmation leader from the congregation.

  • Sr. High Programs bring students into the world of leadership. These campers can participate in the Staff-in-Training program, which involves a week of training and then two or more weeks serving as a junior counselor. This experience provides all the fun of the younger camper programs while also developing valuable leadership skills.

  • Summer Family Camp allows parents and children to experience the fun together. Family camp allows families to take some time to eat, worship, play, and grow together.

Good Earth Village is not all about the summer youth programs. Throughout the year the camp offers fun and faith-based programming for kids and adults. Some of these activities include:

  • Family Spring Fling is a day to just get away with the family. Experience the camp for the afternoon and celebrate spring.

  • Quilting and Scrapbooking Retreats are short retreats to get away and get creative. No responsibilities or distractions, just some time to catch up on projects, learn new techniques, and fellowship with other Christians.

  • Youth Blast! is for kids in grades three through six. These overnight retreats give the kids a taste of camp and let them enjoy activities during a different time of the year.

Good Earth Village is also very intentional about providing adult programming with a deeper focus on identities as Lutheran Christians and what that means about caring for creation. The camp has worked hard to retain the land they have and to prevent development or activities with a negative impact on the environment. Besides functioning in such a way to set a meaningful example for visitors to the camp, much of the new programming involves studies and reflections on stories and images in the Bible that focus on symbols found in nature to mediate on the question of our responsibility to creation. Some of the programs offered with this focus include:

  • The Exploring Faith, Forests, and Feathers in Costa Rica trip to Costa Rica explores the connection with the ecological and Christian faith communities. The group travels with a professional Costa Rican tour guide to cultural and natural sites. Daily devotions and Bible study complement and enhance the daily activities.

  • The Village to Village: Good Earth to Holden trip travels to Holden Village, a year-round ecumenical Christian renewal center, in Washington state. This community, grounded in the Lutheran tradition, combines a rustic lifestyle, natural beauty, and faith-based programming.

  • Women’s Day (sponsored by the Southeastern Minnesota Synod’s WELCA) is a day for women to get away, enjoy the camp, participate in worship and Bible studies, attend programs, and fellowship with other women.

Another new initiative at Good Earth Village, in cooperation with the Southeastern Minnesota Synod and funding from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, is the new Youth Servant Leadership Institute (YSLI). YSLI is designed to raise up young leaders. The program involves a week-long leadership camp at Good Earth Village in the summer and four weekend Leadership Retreats during the school year.

The fun doesn’t stop there. Good Earth Village keeps busy year-round with other retreats and programs. The facilities are available to rent for your congregation or other group and you can even draw on the staff to help with the programming for all or part of your event. Check out their website – www.goodearthvillage.org – for more information on their programming or to look into setting up your own retreat at the camp.

Page 6 - Southeastern Minnesota Synod 2006* Mission Support Income

June YTD
Actual - $837,356
Last Year - $822,772
Budget - $909,272

* Fiscal Year February-January

Thank you for the gifts your congregations have generously shared to carry out the mission to serve God in our synod and beyond. We invite your combined help and financial support to fulfill our mission to be Joyful Witnesses, Christ-Centered Disciples, and Strong Leaders.

Page 7 - Bishop's Column and Global Mission/Companion Synod Column

It's All in the Journey
“Cruzando”…it means “journey with Jesus.” I am writing this as we head to the ELCA Youth Gathering in San Antonio. “Cruzando” is this year’s theme.

I pray that all of our youth and their counselors will journey with Jesus, and that it will be a safe and rewarding trip. I think of the former bishop in our companion synod in Tanzania, Bishop Maghina, who would always lead a prayer in the car before we began a journey. Some suggested it was because of his driving ability or perhaps because of the difficult and dangerous roads. I suspect it was really reflective of his prayer discipline all through the journey of life.

I love these youth gatherings. To join with the youth as they sing and dance, worship with shouts and silence (their silence is deafening), pray with all the emotion a young life can handle, and offer service in the midst of 100 degree days -- all part of journeying with Jesus. But it doesn’t happen only in San Antonio.

I listened to one young woman recounting her experience on a youth trip to Colorado. The joy was indelible on her face. And to hear another story of a group that was rock climbing; the pastor recounted that the first one over the 100 foot rock face was the quietest person in the group. And how her example brought that group into a community they could never have imagined. Another apologized for talking so much, recounting the experience of a work camp in a Native American village and how a villager had shared, “forget the building and painting…just get to know us.” Those are stories filled with Jesus.

Summer is a wonderful opportunity for our congregations to experience journeying with each other…and with Jesus. It can set the tone for ministry throughout the coming year. “Cruzando!”

Shalom,
Harold Usgaard
Bishop

From the Home of Mayo Clinic to the Clinics of Tanzania
By Paul Christian
Bethel Lutheran, Rochester, for the Global Mission/Companion Synod Committee

After a whirlwind 18-day trip to Tanzania, there’s only one conclusion which can be made: We have it pretty good here, a discovery made recently by a 21-person mission group from Bethel Lutheran Church, whose mission was to fix and clean-up three dispensaries. They are called dispensaries in Tanzania, but we refer to them as clinics.

We take it for granted, but our hospitals and clinics have walls with no cracks. And the roofs don't leak.

Bedding and pillows are readily available. There are mattresses. Most patients aren’t starving. We have water, and it’s not contaminated.

Windows here have glass or screens. We have electricity. We have lights.

Drugs and medicine are available at the local pharmacy, and if we needed mosquito nets, presumably they would be available.

Our walls are painted, if not decorated.

There are no hornet nests in the rafters in our delivery rooms and, generally speaking, microscopes and all of the lab equipment is functional.

And, oh yes, our toilets flush. There is running water.

Not so when you travel deep inside Tanzania, or what is referred to as the “bush” country . . . and with good reason.

Imagine the worst roads you’ve ever traveled, and then multiply those conditions by, oh say, 50 per cent. These are the main thoroughfares.

Undaunted, the group pressed on. Our main group was divided into three teams of seven, with assignments at the Mukuru Dispensary, Merya Dispensary and the Sepuka Dispensary. A typical clinic sees between 15-20 outpatients per day and do 10-12 deliveries per month.

This was the third mission trip Bethel has taken to Tanzania under the direction of Pastor Linda Helberg. Bethel works alongside the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania which oversees 14 dispensaries and the work is over half done -- eight dispensaries have received much-needed attention.

Page 8 - Pastor Audree Catalano's Column, Shirley Gangstad's Column

Support Through Mutual Ministry
By Pastor Audree Catalano
Synod Minister

“The church affirms the universal priesthood of all its baptized members. In its function and its structure this church commits itself to the equipping and supporting of all its members for their ministry in the world and in the church. It is within this context of ministry that the church calls or appoints some of its baptized members for specific ministries in the church.” (Constitution of the ELCA 7.11; emphasis added).

The purpose of a congregation having a Mutual Ministry Team for its pastor/s and staff is so that there might be mutual benefits for the people of God, the pastor/s, the community and the world.

One of the primary purposes of a Mutual Ministry Team is to affirm and to strengthen the mission of the congregation and the ministry of the staff by:

  • Listening and clarifying

  • Sharing and communicating

  • Reviewing and reflecting

Some of our congregations that have already been working with some form of a Mutual Ministry Team have reported these and other benefits:

  • Developed open communication about the expectations, attitudes, and concerns within the congregation, the community, and the staff;

  • Were able to identify early warning signs of misunderstandings;

  • Became a “Listening Post” for pastor and people;

  • Served as a group where the pastor and staff could test new ideas for ministry;

  • Conducted annual review and affirmation of staff;

  • Were a “sounding board” in time of personal or professional stress;

  • Planned continuing education that benefited both the mission of the congregation and the ministry of the staff.

While a Mutual Ministry Team is important to all pastors and congregations, please note that this kind of team is especially appropriate and helpful for First Call pastors.

For specifics on the Mutual Ministry Team structure, read Pastor and People: Making Mutual Ministry Work (Augsburg Fortress (800-328-4648), 2003, pp. 44-61).

PEACE+ and blessings!
Pastor Audree

Comfort the Fear
By Shirley Gangstad
Synod Vice President

Greetings!

One of the amazing capabilities of our mind is that it can capture a moment and keep it alive in our memory for years. More than forty years ago my father was making the transition from dairy farming to hog farming. This was in the time when dairy farmers knew each cow by name, personality, and genealogy. He had an auction to sell all of the dairy animals and equipment. Once the auction was ended, pandemonium took over as buyers sought to load newly purchased equipment and animals and make their way home. There was momentary chaos unlike anything we or the animals had ever experienced.

As I watched the cows being loaded, one gentle cow named Flash reared her head above the rest of the cows. Her eyes were filled with utter terror. I see them as clearly now as I write as I saw them then. I’m sure Flash went to a good home. After the truck ride and the introduction to her new herd, I’m convinced that her life went back to normal and she became a contented cow again.

So why do I remember that moment so vividly and why does the memory come to me at strange and unexpected times?

Perhaps I am to be aware that fear is universal among all living beings. Perhaps I am to be compassionate to those who experience fear. Perhaps I am to remember that fear is something to get through and to get beyond—that once I do get through and beyond fear, life will once again return to normal. Unlike our dear Flash, I also have the promise of Jesus who said, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36), and believing, we know “that we ... might serve him without fear” (Luke 1:74).

I believe; help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24).

Blessings in Christ,
Shirley

Page 9 - Strategic Plan Update

Natural Church Development
By Kathy Paul, Salem Lutheran Church, Albert Lea

Vision: Called into God’s Marvelous Light: To Be Joyful Witnesses

Objective: Natural Church Development multiplies

In the spring of 2005, the Salem congregation in Albert Lea began a process which has had wonderful outcomes. This effort, the Natural Church Development (NCD) process, was introduced as a way to address the aspects of our church life which need to be strengthened to remain effective and vital. A "Health Team" was appointed from among the congregation to carry out the NCD process along with a coach to teach and guide the team. Based upon the results of the initial survey which was completed by members of the congregation, the focus for the first year was Passionate Spirituality.

The Health Team visited every group within the congregation to get feedback -- what did folks think that we could do to improve our Passionate Spirituality? The clear indication was that we should become a more prayerful congregation. The Health Team went back to the groups and asked, "How do you think we can become a more prayerful congregation?"

Much needed to be done. We recruited more members to the Health Team, rolled up our sleeves and got to work putting into practice ways for us to become a more prayerful congregation. In the first year we:

  • Added a small altar and a kneeler to our parlor creating a Prayer Chapel where people are invited to pray before and after any service.

  • Placed prayer request cards in the pews.

  • Recruited and trained a Prayer Team to pray for those on a prayer list.

  • Began including a short scripture quote accompanied by an original prayer in each Sunday bulletin.

  • Developed a web site to give access to the resources in the church, including the Prayer Team.

  • Distributed a time/talent survey to the congregation.

  • Began an initiative to provide a sabbatical for our Pastor and congregation.

  • Provided progress and update reports to the congregation.

While these actions were happening, the congregation responded. Many things happened as we went through the process that were not planned: new leadership came forward, public speaking skills and opportunities grew, some groups worked with renewed purpose, people were recruited who had not been actively involved before. Undoubtedly, there are still more areas of growth yet to be discovered.

Then, it was time to take the NCD survey again. The results of the 2006 survey are in -- the overall rating average went up ten points and Passionate Spirituality is up eleven points. We have identified the focus for the next year -- it will be Loving Relationships.

The Health Team is energized with the potential for growth in Loving Relationships. There is great strength to build upon. We pray that we will continue to grow in our love and understanding.

Women Studying the Bible!
By Cathy Mannel, AIM
Congregational Renewal Team

This past spring, what started with six women gathered for prayer and Bible study grew. It culminated in a ten-week Bible study at Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna. One hundred women of various ages and faith traditions committed themselves to individually study a Bible lesson for 30-45 minutes five times each week. The topic was: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life. The study was based on a workbook: “Breaking Free” by Beth Moore.

Monday evenings, the women gathered in small groups for discussion, prayer, and to work on response sheets for the first hour. The second hour, all the groups gathered in the sanctuary to watch a teaching video featuring Beth Moore. A survey taken at the end of the ten weeks indicated that over a majority of the women would like to do another study.

For more information about this study, contact Kathy Blomquist, a Trinity member and one of the organizers. Her home phone number is: 507-451-8281.

Page 10 - Call Update, Calendar of Events

Call Update
 Self Study:
• Albert Lea, Ascension – solo (David Beckstrom, interim)
• Blue Earth, Trinity – co-pastor
• Elkton, St. John - part-time pastor
• Faribault, First English – associate (Lyndy West, interim)
• Grand Meadow, Bear Creek/Grand Meadow – solo (Gail Klavetter, interim)
 • Granger, Saetersdal - part-time, solo
• Kenyon, Gol – part-time, solo (Dan Dimick, interim)
• North Mankato, Messiah – associate
• Owatonna, St. John – solo (Arne Jessen, interim)
• Rapidan, Calvary – solo (John Hagen, interim)
• Waseca, St. John - associate

Interviewing:
 • Byron, East/West St. Olaf – solo
 • Granger, Saetersdal - part-time, solo
 • Owatonna, Trinity – associate
 • Rapidan, Calvary - Solo

Call Accepted:
 • Paul Thompson, NE IA Synod, to part-time, Union Prairie, Lanesboro, 6/19/06
 • David Berg, St. John, Waseca, to senior, Good Shepherd, Rochester, 7/17/06

Roster Updates
On Leave from Call:
• Daphne Hamborg, associate at Christ the King, Mankato, 6/15/06
 • Thomas Hanson, interim at Good Shepherd, Rochester, 7/1/06

Transfer Out:
• Christopher Thomforde, President of Saint Olaf College, Northfield, to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, 7/1/06
 • Laurel Thorstensen, Retired, to the Rocky Mountain Synod, 7/1/06
 • Arthur Thorstensen, Jr., Retired, to the Rocky Mountain Synod, 7/1/06

Upcoming Events
Aug. 6, 13, & 20 (Sun.): Outdoor Drive-In Service
7:30 p.m.
Mona Lutheran Church, Mona, IA
(ministry made possible by Mona Lutheran, Mona, IA and Six Mile Grove Lutheran, Lyle, MN)
For more information go to www.semnsynod.org/events/congregational.html or call
507-325-2437
Aug. 7 (Mon.): Good Earth Open
Somerby Golf Club, Byron, MN
For more information, go to www.goodearthvillage.org (click on the event in the “News” box)
Aug. 13 (Sun.): Centennial Celebration
10:30 a.m. - Worship, 1:15 p.m. - Program
Lunder Lutheran Church, Twin Lakes, MN
www.semnsynod.org/events/congregational.html, 507-373-6668, or tammy@smig.net for information
Aug. 4-5: Together in Faith LACE (Lutheran Association of Christian Educators) Regional Event
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN
For more information go to www.semnsynod.org/events/educational.html or www.elca.org/lace, call 612-331-5988 ext. 19, or email dianes@ulch.org
Aug. 11 (Fri.): Lutheran Social Services Night at the Twins: Striking Out Youth Homelessness!
7:10 p.m.
$15 tickets ($6 from each ticket goes to LSS)
Go to www.lssmn.org/twinstickets/default.htm to order tickets 

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 Flyer

Lay School of Theology
Friday-Saturday, September 22-23, 2006
Good Earth Village
25303 Old Town Dr.
Spring Valley, MN
Presenter: Rev. Jack Friedli (retired), Good Shepherd, Rochester

“Traveling from the Law to the Gospel in Romans”

The retreat will be held in the Log Lodge. Reservations are first come, first served. There are 26 lower beds and 10 upper bunks. If the Log Lodge fills, other housing is available in the Hilltop Cabins.

Schedule:
Friday, 3:00 p.m. - Check-in begins. Enjoy the trails, walk the labyrinth, or enjoy the view.
Friday, 5:30 p.m. - Supper then worship with communion, conversation, and campfire.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Session (breaks and noon meal provided)

Cost: $65 for the overnight - includes meals, lodging, and materials/$40 for Saturday only - includes meals and materials
** The Lay School of Theology is subsidizing the cost of the overnight portion of this event to keep the cost low for all participants.

This study will be an interesting and exciting look at a few chapters of Romans. We have a wonderful freedom in Christ and it helps us to enjoy this freedom if we know how it came about. Paul tells us about this gift of freedom in Romans. Pastor Jack Friedli is a frequent adult forum presenter and teaches often on his favorite book of the Bible, Romans.

(To download the registration brochure, click herePDF.)

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 deadlines for River Crossings is August 9. Please send correspondence to Katie Butler, butler@semnsynod.org; 507-280-9457.

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