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River Crossings in Plain Text

November 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 or call 507-280-9457 with your request.

Page 1 - Cover

Important Changes in Health Insurance
Page 4

ELCA World Hunger a Focus for 2008
Page 5

Synod Pastor Hosts New Retreat for Women Clergy
Page 6

Inside...
Communicators Scheduled to Gather for Retreat
- page 2

ELCA News: Lutheran youth in conversation about human sexuality, ELCA hosts consultation on HIV, AIDS
- page 3

Ministry Profile: Lutheran Association for Christian Educators (LACE)
- page 7

Global Warming Solutions Event
- page 7

Bishop Usgaard: "The Risk of Money in Church"
- page 8

Retreat for Women Clergy
- page 11

The Bridge - “Rising Up with Education: Tanzania Scholarship Fund”
- insert

Selected Hunger Resources

Page 2 - Synod News

Communicators Scheduled to Gather for Retreat
Following positive reviews of 2007’s first ever retreat for people in communication roles throughout the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, a second retreat is scheduled for January 24-25 at Good Earth Village. This retreat is meant for any staff or volunteers who work with communications including newsletters, bulletins, and websites. Last year’s group gathered for fellowship, relaxation, job idea and resource sharing, and to learn more about the work of the synod. Watch the December River Crossings for more details about the 2008 retreat.

Young (and Not-as-Young) People Learn about Finances
“The choices we make with our money can change the world.”

Over 100 adults and students were present at Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter on Sept. 29 to hear about the economic impact of our temptations to spend from Nathan Dungan, one of the national media’s go-to experts on family finances and the effects of mass marketing on young people. Considering our spending habits becomes important as temptations to spend do not allow us to be generous people and results in a 0.0% savings rate in our country.

Dungan spoke about how healthy financial habits could equal financial and personal success for all of us. By sharing we can be concerned about the needs of others and live lives of gratitude. By saving we can learn patience and financial discipline. By watching our spending we begin to make distinctions on what are “needs” and what are “wants” in our lives.

These issues are significant with young people spending over $1 trillion a year and children spending five times more money than their parents did when they were the same age. Nathan’s book, Prodigal Sons and Material Girls: How Not to be your Child’s ATM, can be a good resource for your congregation and youth to address these economic and stewardship concerns.

Welcome to Rev. Linda Gunderson
Rev. Linda Gunderson is now in place in her new call as Synod Minister. She can be contacted by calling the synod office at 507-280-9457 or 800-426-6376 in Minnesota or at her new e-mail address: gunderson@semnsynod.org. Her installation will occur during worship on Tuesday morning (Nov. 6) of the Theological Conference.

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. Harold Usgaard, whose father-in-law Mervin Ellingson died Sept. 28
• The family of Rev. Harry Peterson, who died Sept. 19, 2007
• The family of Rev. Leonard Benson, who died Sept. 18, 2007

2007 Mission Support Income
Sept.  YTD
 Current Year - $1,239,549
Last Year - $1,277,394
Budget - $1,289,679

* Fiscal Year February-January

The generosity of our congregations in the past month for gifts to the flood relief has been wonderful. We thank you for your generous gifts. Please continue to honor the regular giving to the synod so we can honor our commitments to our ministry partners and the churchwide expression. We have fallen behind last year’s giving by almost $40,000, but we trust in your faithfulness and your generosity to continue to share this expression of our faith to carry out God’s ministry in the world.

Page 3 - ELCA News

Lutheran youth in conversation about human sexuality
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service

"Free in Christ to Care for the Neighbor: Lutheran Youth Talk about Human Sexuality" is now available to senior-high-school-age members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Issued by the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality, the 75-page resource is available as a free download (PDF) on the church's Web site and was mailed Sept. 10 to the 10,549 congregations of the ELCA. The resource is an adaptation of the adult study, "Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk about Human Sexuality."

The resource engages senior-high Lutherans in conversation about human sexuality through music, movie clips, stories from young people and more. Bible study, prayer and ELCA social teachings provide a foundation for youth as they reflect on such topics as "when is sex okay," "how do creation and sin impact my view of sex," and "how do I respond to the way sexuality is depicted in popular culture." The resource offers six sessions, each with a handout to help families continue the discussion. Youth and their leaders will be able to log on to an accompanying Web site and share ideas in an online discussion forum, said the Rev. Kaari M. Reierson, associate director for studies, ELCA Church in Society.

"Through 'Free in Christ to Care for the Neighbor,' senior high youth can provide written feedback to the Task Force on ELCA Studies on Sexuality while the task force writes the first draft and proposed social statement on human sexuality," said Reierson. Responses from youth are due Dec. 15, 2007. A proposed social statement on human sexuality is expected in early 2009.

Get it Online
All the latest on the ELCA’s Studies on Sexuality, including the youth study, is available at www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney

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

ELCA Hosts Consultation on HIV, AIDS
 CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is in the process of developing a national church strategy on HIV and AIDS. The church hosted a consultation on HIV and AIDS in Chicago Sept. 7-9 that called together about 65 Lutherans from the United States and overseas to help guide the church's work in developing the strategy.

"We as religious people want to be involved on the ground as centers giving health resources, and to participate in education and advocacy," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, in a video greeting to participants. "Be prophetic in speaking truth that not all have equal access to resources. This is a human rights issue and HIV and AIDS cannot be separated from issues of wealth, poverty and justice. This involves approbation, legislation and education."

Special guests of the consultation included Lutherans from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, who shared stories and experiences of their work surrounding HIV and AIDS and offered the ELCA advice on issues and topics that a strategy on HIV and AIDS might address. Representatives from the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Lutheran AIDS Network, UNAIDS, and the Lutheran World Federation also attended the consultation.

Information, stories and advice offered at the consultation were recorded and will be passed on to a writing team that will articulate some possible recommendations for the church to consider, said Josselyn N. Bennett, director for poverty ministries, ELCA Church and Society. This process will lead to a strategy on HIV and AIDS for the ELCA. "The strategy will be brought to the ELCA Church Council for (consideration) in 2008 and reported to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly," said Bennett.

The 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly called for the development of the strategy.

Get it Online
Information about the ELCA's ministry on HIV and AIDS is at www.ELCA.org/aids and the ELCA's message on AIDS is at www.ELCA.org/socialstatements/aids

Page 4 - Important Changes in Health Insurance
From www.elcabop.org

For people covered by ELCA Board of Pensions insurance:

What you need to know ...

  • The ELCA Board of Pensions is going to pay you to take the confidential Mayo Clinic health risk assessment and pursue health improvement activities.

  • Take these steps and it will credit up to $300 into your 2008 personal wellness account (defined legally as a health reimbursement arrangement).

  • If your spouse is covered by the plan and participates, you'll get another $300 credit. Use these dollars to reimburse yourself for eligible health care expenses like deductibles and copayments.

  • If 75% or more of the members and spouses receiving ELCA PPO Benefits in our synod take the health risk assessment, our entire synod's congregations and organizations will receive a 2% discount on health plan contributions for 2008.

  • This discount applies starting the month after our synod reaches the 75% goal. The earlier we reach 75%, the more we'll all save on 2008 health contributions.

  • Remember, the health risk assessment is confidential. The Board of Pensions will not share personal health risk assessment results or participation information with employers or synod offices.

What you need to do ...

  • Read the member toolkit that came by mail this fall from the Board of Pensions.

  • Register on the Mayo Clinic EmbodyHealth web site.

  • Take the health risk assessment well before Jan. 1, 2008.

  • Pursue health improvement activities online.

For congregation members wanting to save their congregation money:

What you can do to help earn this 2% discount ...

  • Encourage your employees and their spouses receiving PPO Benefits to take the health risk assessment as soon as possible. This includes pastors and any full-time staff with Board of Pensions insurance.

  • Make sure they have an e-mail account and access to an internet-connected computer. They'll need both to take the health risk assessment and earn their personal wellness dollars. Spouses and plan members will need separate e-mail addresses; they can't share an e-mail address. (Free e-mail addresses are available through services such at Hotmail, Yahoo, and GMail, call Katie Livingood at the synod office if you need help setting these up - 507-280-9457 or 800-426-6376 in Minnesota)

  • If they're having trouble registering on the Mayo Clinic EmbodyHealth web portal (where they take the health risk assessment), help them troubleshoot or contact the Board of Pensions for assistance at (877) 352-0005 or mail@elcabop.org. More troubleshooting help is available online at www.elcabop.org.

  • Invite your employees to wear the I took the first step button (included in the Member Kit) to church or work place once they've taken the health risk assessment.

  • Invite them to urge their synod colleagues to take the health risk assessment. Suggest they wear their button at synod events to start conversations about the health risk assessment.

  • Urge your colleagues within the synod to help promote taking the health risk assessment in 2007.

Help Available at Theological Conference
Board of Pensions will be at Theological Conference to assist individuals in getting started on EmbodyHealth. Bring your medical numbers with you and get your risk assessment completed. You will be asked for height, weight, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar (glucose), body fat %, and blood pressure.

Pages 5, 8 - ELCA World Hunger a Focus for 2008

As mentioned in Larry Iverson’s column this month (see page 9), the emphasis at the 2008 Synod Assembly will be on hunger issues. Part of this includes working towards a resolution passed at the 2007 Synod Assembly, ‘A River of Giving’ to the World Hunger Appeal. This resolution challenges each person in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod to increase their giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal by $1 in 2008. This increase would bring the average giving per baptized member in the synod to $2.51 per year. The resolution stated the intention of this increase to be a means of expression of “our gratitude for all the gifts we have received from our Lord and on behalf of the needs of the hungry and impoverished.”

Read on to learn more about ELCA World Hunger and what your offering dollars help support.

Four major functions
ELCA World Hunger improves the lives of people in need in the United States and around the world by:

  • providing immediate relief for people affected by chronic hunger and poverty;

  • assisting whole communities through long-term, sustainable development to help alleviate chronic hunger and poverty

  • advocating for justice by changing laws and systems

  • educating members of the ELCA in awareness of issues relating to hunger, poverty and justice

These major functions of the World Hunger Program are guided by the related objectives adopted at the 1987 ELCA Constituting Convention.

How does ELCA World Hunger carry out these functions?
ELCA World Hunger supports "partner organizations" that carry out international relief and development on the ELCA's behalf with grants from money raised by the World Hunger Appeal. Also through grants, the program helps fund more than 200 relief and development projects in the United States.

Funds raised by the World Hunger Appeal also support efforts of ELCA units and other outside partners as they:

  • Teach members of the ELCA about causes and solutions to global poverty.

  • Carry out active projects in environmental stewardship.

  • Carry out hunger advocacy work in the ELCA Washington Office in Washington, D.C., and in 20 state offices as well as Bread for the World.

  • Examine our lifestyles through resources from Alternatives for Simple Living.

How is the money raised?
All money raised by the World Hunger Appeal comes through specially designated offerings and donations from ELCA members, congregations, and friends. ELCA World Hunger receives no benevolence (general budget money from general ELCA member offerings). Fund raising efforts are directed by the World Hunger Appeal, but the ELCA's daily world hunger ministry is based in congregations, where most of the fund raising takes place.

Who decides how the money is spent?
While most of the funds the World Hunger Appeal collects are raised in congregations, the funds are collected at the ELCA churchwide (national) office in Chicago. There, the work of raising and spending of funds is coordinated and supported by various units (departments) of the churchwide office, including:

  • Development Services (World Hunger Appeal - fund-raising; hunger education, communication)

  • Global Mission (international relief and development; International Disaster Response)

  • Church in Society (World Hunger Program - overall coordination; hunger education; ELCA Domestic Disaster Response)

  • ELCA Foundation (fund-raising through major and planned gifts)

Responding to disasters
In addition to the ongoing work of fighting chronic hunger and poverty, part of the World Hunger (and Disaster) Appeal's function is to raise funds for the ELCA's Disaster Response program. These specially designated offerings and donations, separate from World Hunger funds, enable the ELCA to respond to both domestic and international disasters. The ELCA responds to many major disasters each year, both natural and human-caused.

This is just a brief overview of ELCA World Hunger. Their website, listed below, includes many more resources including ways to talk about World Hunger in your congregation and many personal stories of how World Hunger has made a difference in the lives of people around the world. There is also information on their website on how to give, so visit now to find out how to get your congregation involved in fulfilling the goal set by the voting members of the 2007 Synod Assembly.

Information in this article reprinted from www.elca.org/hunger/whatwedo

Get it Online

Page 6 - Synod Pastor Hosts New Retreat for Women Clergy

On December 2-4 women clergy of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod will gather at Good Earth Village for a women clergy retreat offered by Rev. Ann Siverling, Grand Meadow Lutheran Church, Grand Meadow, Minn. This retreat, approved by the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Spiritual Renewal Team of the Lay and Clergy Development Team, will be the beginning of a 14-month exploration adventure to which participants will be invited (but not required) to participate.

Siverling writes the following about the upcoming retreat:

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “midwife” is defined as: “a person who is trained to assist women in childbirth.” A second definition of “midwife” is: “one who assists in or takes a part in bringing about a result.” The literal roots of the word “midwife” mean “with woman.”

Women clergy often find themselves in situations where they are the honored midwives assisting or taking part in bringing about a result. Women clergy have unique gifts to midwife others in their spiritual journey. By doing so, they shape the future that is as of yet undetermined and unnamed.

The goal of this retreat is to open the eyes and spirits of women clergy to their unique gifts and special presence as women that especially enable them to midwife each other, their families, the people of their congregations and all those they meet along the way, to become who and what God has created those people to be. As part of the journey, participants will learn to tend and be tended by one another as they give birth to their own visions, dreams and goals of their ministries and lives.

The guide for this journey will be the book Midwives of an Unnamed Future: Spirituality for Women in Times of Unprecedented Change. The publisher of this book writes, “This is a book for women who are passionate about exploring their role in shaping the ‘unnamed future.’ Using the image of the midwife, [authors and] spiritual directors Mary Ruth Broz and Barbara Flynn have developed a series of reflections and rituals that can be used by individuals or groups of women coming together to deepen their own spirituality and uncover new life in age-old spiritual truths.” (This book will be provided at the retreat.)

Siverling is currently the pastor of Grand Meadow Lutheran Church in Grand Meadow, Minn. and a certified Spiritual Director. She received her Masters of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. and her spiritual direction training and certification from the Christos Center in Lino Lakes, Minn. Ann has experience in providing individual and group spiritual direction and has organized and led numerous spiritual retreats.

Look for the flyer and registration information on this retreat on page 11 or go to www.semnsynod.org/events/additional.html

Page 7 - Ministry Profile: Lutheran Association of Christian Educators (LACE)

One of the organizations that is part of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod is the synod’s chapter of Lutheran Association of Christian Educators (LACE).

Members of LACE are people - professionals and volunteers - who are dedicated to Christian Education for all ages.

LACE is an organization of members who support and inspire each other through:

  • providing resources and educational opportunities

  • facilitating communications

  • offering venues for idea sharing and support

  • nurturing spiritual growth

LACE was formed through grassroots efforts in the ELCA by people who saw the need for an association of Lutheran Christian educators. In 2000 formal discussions began to decide what this association might look like and what kind of purpose it would serve. With the help of the ELCA’s Christian Education group, a planning team was formed in October 2001. This team worked diligently to form an organization for all Christian Educators in the ELCA. While LACE is separately incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the association works closely with ELCA affiliates.

The Southeastern Minnesota Synod chapter of LACE meets most months at churches throughout the synod to join for fellowship, a meal, and a education-related program. All are welcome to these meetings.

For more information on the synodical LACE chapter, contact Marcia Pedersen at mpedersen@oursaviorsaustin.org or 507-437-4516 or go to www.semnsynod.org/LACE.html.

For more information on what LACE is and to become a member, visit www.ELCA.org/lace

Get it Online

Global Warming Solutions Event
A public forum with polar explorer Will Steger

On Nov. 4 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, Minn., Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota (LCPPM) will present a forum to discuss the current environmental situation and global warming’s effects on the polar regions.

Will Steger, Minnesota’s own eyewitness to global warming, known for his polar expeditions, will speak about his vivid, firsthand account of the effects of global warming on the polar regions. Fresh Energy’s J. Drake Hamilton will describe effective global warming solutions for individuals, businesses, and governments. Faith reflections will be offered by Bishop Harold Usgaard.

A resource fair featuring local organizations with information on global warming solutions will be offered after the main program.

This program is free and open to the public. Sponsors include the Will Steger Foundation, Fresh Energy, Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota, and the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA.

For more information, contact Carin Skoog at Fresh Energy, 651-726-7561, skoog@fresh-energy.org. Find location details at www.flcal.org or call 507-373-6424. The flyer is available online at www.lcppm.org.

Get it Online

Page 8 - Bishop's Column

The Risk of Money in Church
It is certainly not the first time that I have read these words. They were most recently hand lettered on an article sent to me. But I have also heard these words spoken in person. You have too. It goes something like this, “if you continue in this direction, why should we continue to support the church with our weekly offerings?”

To view such a statement in the most negative sense, one sees it as a threat, “If you don’t do what I want you to do, I will stop giving.” Viewing such a statement in a more objective sense, it becomes more of a logical consequence, “If you don’t do what I believe is right, I will find a place for my offerings that is closer to what I believe.” But either way, the message is that money is being used as the leverage point. How do we get someone’s attention? In our culture, seemingly even in our churches, it revolves around the pocketbook. If you want to make it hurt, you do it with money.

Interesting, I have never heard someone in the church say, “if you don’t do what I want you to do, I will stop praying for you.” I wonder why we never hear that? Perhaps it is because it isn’t much of a threat. What is the big deal if someone quits praying for us? But if they withhold money, now they have our attention.

But does money establish a community of faith? How much time is spent at church council meetings focusing on money? How much ministry is derailed because of a concern for money? Yet how many of you have been members of congregations that have struggled and suffered just because a large gift of money was received? Tell our partners in Tanzania and in Colombia that if only they had more money, they could be a more vibrant church.

So, in this time of year when the focus is often on stewardship of money, here is the bishop warning against a focus on money, even in the church. Yes, friends in Christ, money does matter. But we are nothing without prayer and Word and Sacrament and community. That is what we cannot do without.

Shalom,
Harold Usgaard
Bishop

Page 9 - Larry Iverson's Column, Shirley Gangstad's Column

Hunger Issues the Focus at Synod Assembly
 By Larry Iverson
Synod Minister

We in the synod office and the Hunger Task Force are excited about the focus on Hunger for our 2008 Synod Assembly next April 18 & 19.

We will have David Beckman, the president of Bread for the World, as our keynote speaker. Bread for the World is one of the world’s largest organizations dedicated to building the political will to end hunger. David has been an outstanding leader in advocating to end poverty and hunger in the world, and we are thrilled that he will be with us.

Bishop Peter Rogness, Bishop of the St Paul Synod, will also be with us to discuss the effort at ending poverty in Minnesota. The Southeastern Minnesota Synod has signed on to support and advocate for this important and significant work that can bring an end to poverty in Minnesota with all of our efforts and support.

In addition to David Beckman and Bishop Rogness, we will have a number of workshops to learn how we can work together to end hunger in Minnesota and beyond in the world.

As part of this focus for 2008, we passed a resolution at last year’s synod assembly - ‘A River of Giving’ to the World Hunger Appeal to grow our congregational giving to World Hunger by $1.00 per baptized member in 2007 and an additional $1.00 in 2008 which would lift this synod’s giving to the Hunger Appeal to over $500,000 by the end of 2008.

So please pray for an end to hunger in our state and in the world as we prepare to come together to hear how we work effectively to bring this about.

In Christ’s love,
Larry Iverson

Get it Online

Practice Grows Faith
Greetings!

This past summer I got a lesson in fertilizing. I have flowers on my stoop. Last summer I bought bigger, more expensive plants, and I didn’t fertilize. By summer’s end they were nice. This summer I bought smaller, cheaper plants and fertilized once a week for six weeks with Miracle Gro. WOW! By summer’s end these plants were prolific in their blooms and in their foliage. What a difference fertilizer can make!

The same is true for our faith. We can “fertilize” our faith by prayer, by reading scripture, by worship. If we do one or two of these, we will notice nice results, but if we want to put a “WOW” in our faith life, we really need to do all three. We seem to do the best and feel most comfortable with worship. Lots of faithful Christians I know still seem slightly uncomfortable with prayer—especially praying in a group. It like any other habit we have—the more we do it, the easier it becomes.

And then there’s that matter of reading scripture. Would it be easier to pick up the Bible if it were entitled “Miracle Gro” because that is what it is and does? If reading the Bible still seems difficult for you, go to the religion section of your local book store and look at different versions. Choose a familiar passage like Psalm 23 or John 14 and compare how the texts feel to you. There are versions that will feel and read like a best-seller (because, of course, it is!); you just need to find the one that fits for you—and it may not be the version you got for confirmation.

Given normal growing conditions, most plants will survive with no fertilizer and no human attention, but when plants get fertilizer delivered with loving attention to their needs, they flourish mightily. The same is true of our faith. Given little attention, it will survive, but if we want it to flourish, then we need to “fertilize” with worship, prayer, and the Word—not necessarily in that order! And then at the end of the growing season, we will have much to be thankful for!

Blessings in Christ,
Shirley

Page 10 - Call Update, Upcoming Events

Call Update
Self Study:
• Albert Lea, Central Freeborn – solo
• Albert Lea, First – associate
• Austin, Grace – solo (Bob Iverson, interim)
• Cannon Falls, First English – associate
• Cannon Falls, St Ansgar – associate
• Canton, Henrytown – ¾ solo
• Dennison, Dennison/Vang – ½ solo (Terje Hausken, interim)
• Glenville, First – solo (Gail Klavetter, interim)
• Hayfield, Trinity – solo (Bob Kleinke, interim)
• Kenyon, Gol – part-time, solo (Dan Dimick, interim)
• Myrtle/Glenville, Bethlehem/Deer Creek Valley – solo
• Northfield, St. Peter – associate
• Sargeant, Evanger – solo
• St. Charles, Faith – solo (David Beckstrom, interim)
• Waterville, St. Paul’s German Lake – part-time solo
• Whalen, First of Highland/Whalen – solo

Interviewing:
• Mabel, Mabel First – solo (Curtis Fox, interim)
• Rochester, Bethel – associate (Lissa Kahl, ½ interim)
• Waseca, St. John – associate
• Webster, Solor – solo, part-time (Dean Larson, interim)
• Zumbrota, Lands – solo (Luther Peterson, interim)

Ready to Extend Call:
• Cannon Falls, Wangen Prairie – 1/2 time solo
• Oakland, Oakland/Moscow – solo (Peter Soli, interim)
• Wells, Good Shepherd – shared ministry pastor

Call Accepted:
• Jason Bryan-Wegner, Luther Seminary, People of Hope, Rochester, associate, 10/1/07

Ordination:
• Jason Bryan-Wegner, Luther Seminary graduate to People of Hope, Rochester, associate, 9/30/07

Upcoming Events
Nov. 2-4, 2007 (Fri.-Sun.): Called to Create: A Lutheran Festival of Writing
Luther College, Decorah, IA http://programming.luther.edu/lutheranwriters/

Nov. 4, 2007 (Sun.): First Lutheran Church Sound System Dedication Concert - A Celtic Prayer
First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, MN
(507) 373-6424, firstoffice@flcal.org, or www.semnsynod.org/events/concerts.html

Nov. 4-6, 2007 (Sun.-Tues): Fall Theological Conference
Radisson Hotel, La Crosse, WI
www.semnsynod.org/events/additional.html

Nov. 10-12, 2007 (Sat.-Mon.): "Considering Your Call" Conference on Ministry
Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA
www.wartburgseminary.edu/template_FutureStudents.asp?id=256

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

Page 11 - Retreat for Women Clergy

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 Nov. 7. Please send correspondence to Katie Livingood, livingood@semnsynod.org; 507-280-9457.

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, go to www.semnsynod.org and enter your e-mail address in the sign up box.

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 informed when new issues are posted by subscribing to our e-mail newsletter (see above). If you'd like to access River Crossings exclusively online, and cancel your paper subscription, please call 507-280-9457 or 800-426-6376 (MN only) or email livingood@semnsynod.org with your request.