River Crossings in Plain Text
November 2005 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 call 507-280-9457 with your request.
Page 1 -
Cover
Southeastern Minnesota
Synod Pastors and Congregations Serve in Relief Efforts of Gulf Coast
Hurricanes
Pages 4-5 Inside...
Bishop Usgaard: "Responding to Disasters"
- page 5
148A Information for
Congregations
- pages 6-7
Evangelism Grants Available
- page 2 IRS Increases
Mileage Rate for Remainder of 2005
- page 2
Lutherans Give $11 Million for
Hurricane Relief
- page 3 Encourage Bible
Study
- page 9 The Bridge
"How Do ELCA Lutherans Understand the Bible?"
- insert
"A Synod Joined in Bible
Study" Poster
- insert Selected
Resources
No Experience Necessary This new Bible study from Augsburg Fortress
helps you listen for God in your life. Order a copy at
www.augsburgfortress.com or call Augsburg Fortress at (800) 328-4648.
Morning B.R.E.W.: A Divine
Power Drink for Your Soul This book teaches you how to create your own
devotional experiences through silence and prayerful visualization. Order a
copy at www.augsburgfortress.com or call Augsburg Fortress at (800)
328-4648.
ELCA Prayer Site This
web site features devotions and ideas for prayer and meditation. Visit
www.elca.org/prayer/ Page 2 -
Synod News
Many Global Mission
Resources Available
Visit
www.semnsynod.org/globalmission.html for a variety of resources,
including:
Global Mission Sunday helps (consider celebrating our companion synod
relationships on Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 20)
Prayer petitions for our companion synods
Information on starting a companion church relationship
Advocacy for Colombia information
Newsletters from the LIZWAN Scholarship Fund
And more!
If you don't have Internet access, please call the synod office at (800)
426-6376 or (507) 280-9457 if you would like a printed resource sent to you.
Mileage Rate Increased to
48.5 Cents Per Mile for Remainder of 2005
The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department announced an increase
to the optional standard mileage rates for the final months of 2005.
The rate will increase to 48.5
cents a mile for all business miles driven between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31,
2005. This is an increase of 8 cents from the 40.5 cent rate in effect for
the first eight months of 2005, as set forth in Rev. Proc. 2004-64.
"This is about fairness for
taxpayers," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. "People are entitled to
deduct the real cost of operating a vehicle. We've responded to the recent
gas price increases by making this special adjustment so taxpayers get the
tax benefit they deserve." In recognition of recent gasoline price
increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final months of
2005. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for
the next calendar year.
Evangelism Grants Available
The Congregational Renewal Team of the Synod Council is going to award a
limited number of grants up to $500 in 2006 for congregations who submit an
application for creative outreach and evangelism projects. If interested,
contact Larry Iverson in the synod office at (507) 280-9457, ext. 106 for an
application. The deadline for grant applications is Feb. 10, 2006, and the
grants will be awarded and announced in March 2006. Please note these grants
need to be matched by the congregation, and an evaluation report must be
submitted by Dec. 31, 2006 outlining the results of the project.
Remember in Prayer
Health Concerns
The Rev. Eugene Boschee
Jenelle Mandsager, wife of the Rev. Michael Mandsager
Shannon Reuss, wife of the Rev. Peter Reuss
The Rev. Don Roberts
The Rev. Charles Solberg
Joys
The Rev. Todd and Heather Hawkins, who welcomed a baby girl, Grace Anne,
on Sept. 20.
Sympathies
The Rev. Joel Erickson, whose mother died Sept. 19.
The Rev. Arne Halbakken, whose mother died Sept. 6.
The Rev. Randall Johnson, whose mother died Sept. 24.
The Rev. Ronald Onnen, whose son-in-law died Sept. 1.
2006 Poster Included
A poster for "2006: A Synod Joined in Bible Study" is included with the
print editions of this issue, and will be distributed at the Theological
Conference Nov. 6-8. Congregations are encouraged to display this poster in
their church starting the first Sunday of Advent. If you did not receive a
poster and would like one mailed to you, please call (507) 280-9457 with your request.
Correction: In the
October 2005 issue of River Crossings, the photo caption on page 3 was
incorrect. It should have read: Dr. Ruben Mesa (Zumbro, Rochester) spoke
during a plenary session on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
Page 3 - ELCA
News
Lutherans Give $11 Million
for Hurricane Relief
Financial gifts to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) through
Sept. 30 totaled more than $11 million to support disaster relief and
recovery efforts in the wake of the Gulf Coast hurricanes. Many of the
church's 4.9 million members and others contributed the funds by mail, by
phone or through the ELCA's web site.
"This overwhelmingly generous
response from Lutherans will enable a comprehensive relief and recovery
effort now and for years to come," said Kathryn Sime, director, ELCA World
Hunger and Disaster Appeal.
"I am particularly grateful
for the leadership of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans through their
commitment to supplement the gifts of their members. Together, the gifts of
our church family form a powerful witness to God's abundance in the midst of
this disaster," she said.
Funds given to ELCA Domestic
Disaster Response are channeled through Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR),
which is coordinating the response to the disaster. LDR is a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod (LCMS). National and local LDR staff are working to provide immediate
assistance to people displaced from their homes, communities and work as a
result of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.
Lutheran Disaster Response is
coordinating volunteer efforts for debris removal and cleanup in Alabama,
Louisiana and Mississippi. It is also organizing "tent camps" to house these
volunteers, and it is providing grants, plus emotional and spiritual care
for survivors of the hurricane.
Thrivent Provides
Additional Funds
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a Minneapolis-based not-for-profit
financial services organization serving members of the ELCA and other
Lutheran church bodies, is providing additional funds when its members give
to LDR or ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, said Dave Rustad, senior media
relations specialist, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent will give
$1 for every $2 given by members to the disaster response funds, up to $300
per member, he said. Thrivent is prepared to give as much as $2 million in
additional funds, Rustad said.
On Sept. 8 Thrivent and
Habitat for Humanity announced a financial, volunteer and advocacy alliance
designed to increase Habitat's capacity to build more affordable housing in
the United States, including the Gulf Coast area. The alliance, "Thrivent
Builds with Habitat for Humanity," represents a four-year, $105 million
commitment by Thrivent, Rustad said. Thrivent has specifically earmarked $5
million of the total to rebuild homes in the Gulf Coast region.
Lutheran-Episcopal Food
Program Not Needed
"Due to the reduction of evacuees residing at the Houston Astrodome, we no
longer need to provide the level of services that we've been asked to
provide there this month," said Feltman. Initially Lutherans and
Episcopalians were scheduled to provide food for the tens of thousands of
people who escaped Hurricane Katrina and eventually took shelter at the
Astrodome.
With thousands of evacuees now
relocated to other parts of the country, the effort between both church
bodies is no longer needed. "However, Lutheran Disaster Response will
continue to provide volunteer assistance at the Astrodome," she said.
ELCA Domestic Disaster
Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gifts: 800-638-3522 or
www.elca.org/disaster/
Page 4 - Hurricane
Response
Southeastern Minnesota
Synod Pastors and Congregations Serve in Relief Efforts of Gulf Coast
Hurricanes
On August 28-29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina brought devastating and deadly
wind, rain and flooding to Louisiana, Mississippi and other areas along the
Gulf Coast. On September 24, 2005, Hurricane Rita hit communities on the
Texas-Louisiana border.
Several local congregations
and pastors helped in the relief efforts for the Gulf Coast hurricanes,
including Pastor Steven Timm, Chatfield Lutheran Church, and Pastor Audrey
Lukasak (who was unavailable for comment at press time).
Pastor Steven Timm - United
Lutheran Church, Red Wing
Pastor Steven Timm serves United Lutheran Church in Red Wing, and is also a
chaplain with the National Guard. He served with the National Guard's
hurricane relief efforts during the month of September.
When were you called to go
to the Gulf Coast?
I received a phone call on Sunday, Sept. 4 from the National Guard saying
they were looking for volunteer chaplains to mobilize for the relief effort
and congratulations, because I had just volunteered. I had two days to
prepare, and left Minnesota early on Sept. 7.
Where in the Gulf Coast
were you stationed?
Our mission was along the coast of Mississippi, from the Louisiana border as
far east as Gulfport and as far north as Picayune. Our home base was Stennis
Airport, near the town of Kiln, Mississippi.
What sorts of things did
you do to help in the relief efforts?
My primary mission was to provide spiritual support for soldiers in the
relief effort. I led several worship services, offered many prayers, and
spent time counseling people who had gone into the worst areas and seen some
of the worst devastation. My secondary mission was to connect with local
churches and relief centers to help coordinate the military relief effort
with the civilian work.
How did helping with the
relief efforts enrich your faith?
I was greatly moved by the spirit of cooperation between all the different
relief workers in the area faith-based and secular, government and
private, military and civilian, with none of the blame and finger-pointing I
was later told had dominated the news. We had chaplains from several
different states and denominations serving units from around the country,
and we all worked together extremely well. I was also touched by the spirit
of hospitality from the residents, many of whom were poor to begin with and
now had even less, yet they always welcomed us and thanked us for our help,
and offered us whatever food and cold water they had. In the heat of
southern Mississippi, I was reminded of Matthew 10:42, "Whoever gives even a
cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple
truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." In the middle of
this devastation, the Spirit of God was certainly with them.
Page 5 - Hurricane
Response, continued, Bishop's Column
Southeastern Minnesota
Synod Pastors and Congregations Serve in Relief Efforts of Gulf Coast
Hurricanes (continued)
Chatfield Lutheran Church - Chatfield, Minn.
Pastor Chris Finsand of Chatfield Lutheran Church led a drive to collect
backpacks full of school supplies for children displaced by the hurricanes.
The church collected over 1,700 backpacks.
What prompted you to start
the backpack collection?
Chris Finsand: I was watching the news after Katrina hit, and they were
saying that the children being evacuated from the Superdome to the Astrodome
would be dispersed to schools throughout the Houston area. I realized that
they wouldn't have anything to take: no backpack, no school supplies,
nothing. I thought that if they could just have a backpack with a few things
to call their own, it might help them during the day at school and bring
some sense of calm.
Who took part in the
backpack drive?
CF: We are aware of 55 congregations, organizations, businesses, and school
districts that participated; but there were, in addition to that, untold
individuals who came through with backpacks, as well.
Why do you think this
particular project touched so many people and motivated them to take part in
it?
CF: People seemed to need a concrete way of reaching out and helping the
folks in this horrific tragedy. I think it also helped that I had a direct
contact with the Harris County Department of Education in Houston, who
personally saw to it that the backpacks got to the children.
What about this experience
has enriched your faith?
CF: I realized almost immediately that this was God's plan carrying me
along. Right after I began to realize that we would need to transport these
backpacks, a woman named Janie Roell contacted me and said she had access to
a truck and two drivers to help transport the backpacks. Janie and the two
drivers, Steve and Judy Avery, had weathered a hurricane (Hugo) together
some years ago and they wanted to reach out and help. Thanks to Mike Millis
at Millis Transfer and Trucking of Black River Falls, Wis., who donated the
gas, truck, and driver's time, this was able to happen.
Responding to Disasters
By Harold Usgaard
Bishop
The stories are memorable
Carlos Peρa, vice president of the ELCA, shared
the experience of evacuating his family from their Galveston home. And in
allowing each of his children to bring one box of valuables, he saw them
each including a cross. Bishop Warren, whose congregations include the
Mississippi coast, told of a pastor who lost everything in her house except
a Christmas ornament
an angel. Bishop Blom, from the Texas-Louisiana Gulf
Coast Synod, spoke of the initial relief when the levies held for the first
30 hours, and then the shock of two churches that were simply gone under 15
feet of water. Heather Feltman, from Lutheran Disaster Response, told of the
Muslims who came on Sept. 11 to help because LDR had helped them last year
in Florida. They worshiped in a Lutheran congregation on Sunday morning.
And they spoke of their
thankfulness, on behalf of all of the people in that region. They have been
overwhelmed with the outpouring of support.
But I also heard the term
"donor driven" referred to a number of times. "Donor driven"...when relief
begins to focus more on the needs of the donor than the victim. So time and
effort are taken by well-meaning volunteers who show up with no supplies and
no plan of self-support. Trucks filled with needed supplies arrive, with no
one to unload nor any storage center arranged. Money is offered, but with
expectations that recipients will respond and want to develop an immediate
relationship.
The opportunities for work
projects and special efforts will be there for a long time. We are speaking
of years here, not just weeks and months. Until then, consider a focus on
financial gifts. It is what is most needed. See page 3 for information on
how to donate to Lutheran Disaster Response.
In addition, both the
Southeastern Synod and the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod have established
funds for special needs among pastors and congregations. More information is
available at
www.semnsynod.org/newsbytes.html or by calling the synod office at (507)
280-9457.
Thank you...thank you...for
caring and responding.
Shalom,
Harold Usgaard
Bishop
Page 6 - 148A
148A Information for Congregation
Presidents
Since January 1, 1991 the Southeastern Minnesota Synod has been complying
with the provisions of Minnesota Statute § 148A. The compliance procedure
has included doing background checks on all pastors receiving calls in the
synod since January 1, 1991. It also included a provision to do background
checks on pastors who had received calls in the synod after August 1, 1986
and before January 1, 1991 at the congregation's request.
The synod's compliance procedure is designed
to assist congregations in conducting the background checks required by
§148A before calling a pastor, and does not in any way to replace the
traditional responsibilities of the congregational call committee. Call
committees must bear in mind that §148A is, in some respects, quite narrow:
It requires only that some (not all) of the candidates' current and former
employers (not acquaintances or bishops or even the candidates themselves)
for the past five years be contacted and that they be asked only about
sexual misconduct (not other types of misconduct), and then only about
sexual misconduct with counselees (not sexual misconduct generally). Call
committees should continue to inquire into the wide range of professional
and personal qualities that bear upon whether a particular candidate can
provide the pastoral leadership sought by a particular congregation.
Many congregations have inquired about
whether or not other employees of the congregation should be subject to the
provisions of Minnesota Statute § 148A. The accompanying document (page 7)
explains the position of the six Minnesota synods on lay church workers and
the § 148A statute.
Your congregation should determine for itself
whether any lay church employees, whether rostered or non-rostered, need to
have the background check completed. I have prepared a packet of information
for your congregation to use to complete the background check on lay church
workers. Please call the synod office for a copy.
Ms. Beth Gabriel, §148A Compliance
Administrator
Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
507-280-9457 or 800-426-6376 (MN only)
Page 7 - 148A
Minnesota Statutes § 148A and Non-Clergy
Employees of a Congregation
The synod has established procedures to assist congregations that so request
in complying with Minnesota Statutes § 148A. A detailed memorandum
describing this statue as it applies to clergy, together with a copy of the
statute, has previously been mailed to all congregations in the synod.
Additional copies can be obtained on our web site, or by contacting the
synod office.
Questions are sometimes asked about whether
this statute also applies to Associates in Ministry (AIMs) or other
employees of a congregation. AIMs, as the term is used in this discussion,
includes all of the rostered, but non-clergy church workers in the ELCA. The
answer to the applicability of Minnesota Statutes § 148A does NOT depend
upon whether the non-clergy employee of the congregation is rostered as an
AIM or not.
The answer to the applicability of Minnesota
Statues § 148A depends ENTIRELY on whether the non-clergy employee of the
congregation is or will be performing "psychotherapy" as defined in the
statute, namely "the professional treatment, assessment or counseling of a
mental or emotional symptom or condition."
Under this definition it is very unlikely
that a secretary, a custodian or an organist would ever be within the scope
of the statutory definition. If the duties of a teacher, youth director,
social worker or parish nurse include counseling, then in the event of a
lawsuit involving alleged sexual misconduct, a court may find that the
statute applies. In summary, the critical test with respect to a lay
employee of a congregation is what that employee does or will be doing, not
whether the employee is an AIM.
The statute is applicable to persons hired
after August 1, 1986. A congregation who added laypersons with counseling
responsibilities to its staff may wish to comply with this statute
retroactively.
It is important for you to understand that
this background check asks only for information relating to possible sexual
misconduct in a counseling situation. Completing this background check does
not give you information that could be obtained in other types of background
investigations.
I would suggest two publications that could
be of use in the employment of lay staff church workers not on the rosters
of this synod:
The Church Guide to Employment Law by Julie L Bloss, J.D., CEBS
Selecting and Screening Church Workers: A Guide to Selecting and
Screening Ministers, Church Employees and Volunteer Workers by James F.
Cobble, Jr. and Richard R. Hammar
These are available from Christian Ministry
Resources, P.O. Box 1098, Matthews, North Carolina 28106, (704) 841-8039,
www.churchlawtoday.com. Copies
are also available for you to look at in the synod office.
Materials are available from the synod office
to assist the congregation in completing these background checks. Please
call me to request a copy or if you have additional questions.
Ms. Beth Gabriel, §148A Compliance
Administrator
Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
507- 280-9457 or 800-426-6376 (MN)
Page 8 - Shirley Gangstad's Column,
Pastor Audree Catalano's Column
Putting Your Shoes on the Wrong Feet
By Shirley Gangstad
Synod Vice President
Greetings!
A four year old boy was learning to dress
himself. He had put his left shoe on his right foot and his right shoe on
his left foot. When his mother noticed, she chuckled and said, "You've got
your shoes on the wrong feet."
The boy replied, "But these are the only feet
I've got!"
Often life seems to hand us situations and
circumstances where we do the very best we are able and still end up with
our "shoes on the wrong feet." Often things don't work out as we had hoped
or planned. Perhaps we feel we are not making the best use of our gifts or
talents or perhaps we are, but people just aren't recognizing our good
work. Sometimes we begin to "should" on ourselves berate ourselves that we
should have done this or shouldn't have done that.
I've lived long enough to be able to
recognize that those things I wish I had done back then, I simply wasn't
ready to do. Perhaps I had other things I had to learn first or perhaps I
needed to have deeper faith than I had at the time or perhaps my gifts were
needed elsewhere than where I really wanted to use them. I've also become
totally familiar with though not totally patient with the concept of "in
God's time."
Oprah Winfrey often quotes Maya Angelou, who
says, "When you know better, then you'll do better." I still occasionally
get my "shoes on the wrong feet," but when I do, I find I am more able to
laugh at myself and my predicament, more able to forgive myself and get on
with things, more able to accept that I wasn't in control anyway so why am I
surprised things didn't go my way. That's part of both knowing better and
doing better. Praise God for the gifts of acceptance, patience and learning.
Blessings in Christ!
Shirley
Pastoral Visits are Cherished
By Pastor Audree Catalano
Synod Minister
In early May I began having severe pain
emanating from my knee and encompassing my entire leg. Besides the nagging
pain, one of the most difficult side effects was being unable to sleep. In
August I had orthoscopic surgery for a "lateral release" of tissue on the
side of my kneecap and began a long (in my view) recovery process one
which will continue for quite a while.
This experience has not only tested my
patience, but has taught me many things, some trivial and some significant.
I learned that a walker makes one feel much more secure than crutches. I
discovered that while normally I seldom am at a loss for words, during this
time of pain, I had no desire to converse or even to see people. I found I
had no interest in pursuing hobbies such as reading or crocheting, nor could
I focus on anything for more than a few minutes.
My pastors called a couple of times. I had no
desire to see them but soon discovered I longed to celebrate the
Eucharist, and then welcomed the opportunity of a pastoral visit. While I
had known that my colleagues, friends, and the sisters at Assisi had been
praying for me, this pastoral visit made those prayers real to me and
brought consoling hope and promise of recovery.
While in the parish, I knew pastoral visits
were important, necessary, and appreciated. Now I know why. When the pastor
comes to visit, the pastor brings along the entire community of faith a
tremendous source of grace, solace, and support. What an opportunity for the
pastor and the patient as each are able to give and to receive!
Thank you for your prayers and concern.
PEACE+ and blessings!
Pastor Audree
Page 9 - Prayer Column, Strategic Plan
Column
2005: A Synod Joined in Prayer
2006: A Synod Joined in Bible Study
Encourage Bible Study
By Pastor Jim Ahlquist
Congregational Renewal Team
Congregations all struggle getting more than the usual
number of people involved in Bible Study. In a recent survey of a
congregation, over 90% thought more Bible study was needed. But when asked
if they would attend a Bible study, less than 5% said they would.
At St. John in Waseca, Pastors Vicki Hultine and David Berg
are lifting up Scripture with a "Bible Minute" each week. After the welcome
and announcements, worshippers are introduced to a Bible verse from the
lectionary (not necessarily the theme for the day) that is printed in the
bulletin. The verse is read together, briefly talked about, and then the
people are encouraged to memorize it. "They walk with it throughout the
week," said Pastor Hultine.
What is working in your congregation to lift up Bible study?
Please let the Congregational Renewal Team know so this can be shared
throughout the synod. In the meantime, we continue to pray for congregations
within our synod, seeking for ways of allowing God's Word to renew hearts
and lives.
The Congregational Renewal Team, in an effort to keep Bible
study before the people, has decided to add one verse from the weekly Psalm
in the lectionary to the 2005-2006 Prayer Calendar. This calendar is
available online at www.semnsynod.org (click "2005: A Synod Joined in
Prayer" on the left).
Nov. 6 (All Saint Sunday): Union Prairie, Lanesboro;
Trondhjem, Austin; Wangen Prairie, Cannon Falls; Whalan, Whalan
Nov. 13 (26 Pentecost): Wanamingo, Wanamingo; United, Walters;
Rejoice!, Northfield; Winona State University Campus Ministry
Nov. 20 (Christ the King): United, Frost; West Freeborn, Hartland;
Glory to God, Rochester; Specialized ministry partners serving nursing
homes, hospitals, retirement communities, and the military
Nov. 27 (1 Advent): Ascension, Albert Lea; Bethel, Northfield;
Aurora, Owatonna; Arendahl, Peterson
Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Psalm 80:7
Synod Explores Ways to Raise Up New Leaders
Synod Strategic Plan Highlights, Nov. 2005
Vision: Called into God's Marvelous Light: To Be
Strong Leaders
Objective: Raising up new leaders to serve Christ's church
Good Earth Village has applied for a Youth Leadership Initiative Grant
through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Co-sponsors include the synod,
Habitat for Humanity, Holden Village, and Lutheran Volunteer Corps. If
approved, this grant would provide funding for a youth leadership program.
Part of the program would include hiring a part-time person to coordinate a
Youth Servant Leader Institute, program development and mentorship. The
intention is to have 20 youth each year participate in the program,
developing skills to share with home congregations.
The synod has applied for a "Leadership in the Church
Today and Tomorrow" grant through Thrivent. If approved, this grant will
provide funding for a charitable gifting program. Part of the program would
include hiring a part-time person to coordinate the efforts, develop
relationships and encourage giving to not only the synod and Good Earth
Village, but to home congregations and other potential Lutheran partners.
A proposal was approved by the Lay and Clergy Leadership
Development Team of the synod council with short and long-term goals
centered around helping youth and young adults discern vocations in
ministry. More information on these efforts will be forthcoming.
Vision: Called into God's Marvelous Light: To Be
Strong Leaders Objective: Supporting healthy rostered leaders
The Spiritual Renewal Team is offering three programs and a variety of
resources that can be presented at conference meetings. The programs
available include:
"What is Spiritual Direction?"
"Prayer 101"
"Developing a Rule of Life'"
The team is also happy to provide resources for reading and
reflection, a list of spiritual directors, retreat centers, and spiritual
formation programs.
For more information on the synod's strategic plan, visit
www.semnsynod.org and click the "Strategic Plan" link on the left.
Page 10 - Call Update, Calendar of
Events
Call Update
Self Study:
Albert Lea, Ascension solo (Clark Cary, interim)
Amboy/Delavan, Jackson Lake/Faith solo
Byron, East/West St. Olaf 1+1/2 time (Kathy Gauger, interim)
Faribault, First English associate
Kenyon, Gol part-time, solo (Dan Dimick, interim)
Owatonna, St. John solo
Rapidan, Calvary solo
Rochester, Gloria Dei senior (Glenn Leaf, interim)
Rochester, Good Shepherd senior (Tom Hanson, interim)
Rochester, People of Hope associate
Interviewing:
Fountain, Fountain/Root Prairie solo
Goodhue, St. Luke solo (Glen Bickford, interim)
Grand Meadow, Bear Creek/Grand Meadow solo (Gail Klavetter, interim)
Lake City, First solo (Wayne Radke, interim)
Rochester, Mount Olive associate, part-time
Waseca/Janesville, North Waseca/Faith solo (Karl Korbel, interim)
Zumbrota, United Redeemer associate
Call Extended:
Kenyon, Hegre part-time, solo
Rochester, Hosanna senior
Call Accepted:
Kristi A. Koppel, seminary graduate, to associate, St. Olaf, Austin,
11/01/05
Bradley R. Lindberg, seminary graduate, to associate, Christ, Byron,
10/25/05
Ordination:
Bradley R. Lindberg, Luther Seminary, to Christ, Byron, 10/16/05
Kristi A. Koppel, Wartburg Seminary, to St. Olaf, Austin, 10/23/05
Southeastern Minnesota Synod Council Call:
Clark Cary, to interim, Ascension, Albert Lea, 6/07/05
Karl Rydholm, to chaplain, St. Luke's Care Center, Blue Earth, 8/22/05
ELCA Church Council Call:
Erik Feig, to chaplain in the National Guard, Bureau for Federal
Chaplaincy Ministries, 8/01/05
Corrections:
Howard White, reinstated to the Roster of the ELCA through the
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, to part-time senior, Trondhjem, Lonsdale,
9/25/05
Janet White, reinstated to the Roster of the ELCA through the Southeastern
Minnesota Synod, to part- time pastor, Trondhjem, Lonsdale, 9/25/05
November Full of Opportunities
Nov. 6 (Sun.): Bus Trip to National Lutheran Choir All Saints Festival
Bus departs from Rochester, MN
Contact: Good Earth Village, (507) 346-2494
Nov. 6-8 (Sun.-Tue.): 2005 Southeastern
Minnesota Synod Theological Conference
Bloomington, MN
Contact: Synod office, (507) 280-9457
Nov. 10-12 (Thu.-Sat.): Parish Health
Ministry: Caring for Body & Soul: Healing the Whole Person
Fargo, ND
Contact: (218) 299-3893
Nov. 11-12 (Fri.-Sat.): Senior High BLOC
(Building Lives on Christ) Party
Rochester, MN
Contact: (507) 285-0092
Nov. 12 (Sat.): THRiVE! Leading a Life of
Significance - A Conference for Women, Unlike Any Other
Albert Lea, MN
Contact: (507) 373-6424
Nov. 12-13 (Sat.-Sun.): Church Youth Fest
Decorah, Iowa
Contact: (563) 387-1040
Dec. 13 & 14 (Tue. & Wed.): Carols of
Christmas
Spring Valley, MN
Contact: Good Earth Village, (507) 346-2494
For more information about these and other
events, visit www.semnsynod.org and
click on any of the "Events" links.
Page 11 - Lay School of Theology Flyer
Lay School of Theology
Saturday, January 14, 2006
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Salem Lutheran Church
115 N. Washington, Ave
Albert Lea, MN
Presenter: Prof. Chuck Gavin, Waldorf College
"The Augsburg Confession: The Lutheran Magna Carta"
Cost: $40 (includes materials, snacks, lunch)
The three sessions will include: "The Confessional
Principle"; "An Overview of the Book of Concord"; and "The Augsburg
Confession: The Lutheran Magna Carta."
Recommended reading: The Augsburg Confession, ed. By
Theodore Tappert, ISBN 0-8006-13856
For more information, please contact Kathy Bolin via e-mail
at bolin@semnsynod.org or by phone
at 507-280-9457.
(To download the registration brochure,
click here.)
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 are Nov. 2 and Dec. 7. Please send
correspondence to the synod office. Get weekly synod news on e-mail!
Join our e-mail list! You'll receive a weekly e-newsletter about the latest
synod happenings and updates to the web site (including notification when
new River Crossings issues are posted). Don't worry you won't get any
unsolicited e-mail for signing up; your address is kept completely
confidential. To sign up, send a blank e-mail to semnsynodnews-request@listserve.com with the word
subscribe in the subject line.
Help us save paper and postage!
Did you know you can read River Crossings online, weeks before it's released
in print? Check it out at www.semnsynod.org
(click the "River Crossings Newsletter" button on the left). You can be
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