River Crossings Archives

Each issue of River Crossings from Feb. 2002 to present is listed here. To aid in searching, features for each issue are listed. (If you're looking for a particular story, we recommend you use the "find" command to search for a word.) All issues are in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. You will need to download and install the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader to read these documents. Get it free at www.adobe.com.

Click the month and year (i.e. June 2003 Issue) to download the issue. To save the issue to your computer, right-click the link and choose "save to disk." 

The most recent issues are available in plain text format. If you would like any articles from previous issues in plain text format, call 507-280-9457.

Some features listed beneath each issue name have hyperlinks (are underlined). Click these features to view that feature on its own, rather than having to download the entire issue.

Visit The Bridge Archives, too!

Jump to:

• 2007 issues
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• 2004 issues
• 2003 issues

• Stewardship:
  What Does Stewardship Mean to You?
• Synod News & Announcements:
  Treasure Your Congregation's Heritage
  Remember in Prayer
  CBS-TV Christmas Special Features ELCA
• ELCA News:
  Lutherans Express Concerns About Sexuality Issues
  The World Hunger Appeal Needs Your Help!
• Bishop Usgaard: "Puppies, Sweaters, and Other Gifts From the Heart"
• Bishop Margaret Payne: "Greetings From Our Sister Synod, New England!"
• Audree Catalano: "Compassion and Hope"
• Shirley Gangstad: "How Was Tanzania?"
• Mary Sue Dreier: "Brown Bag Lunches"
• Victor Jortack: "Compassion = Growth"
• Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly 2003 Details
• Theological Conference Wrap-Up
• Lay School of Theology Registration Form: "Lutheran Ethics of Sexuality"
• Call Update

November 2002 Issue (pdf - 1.1 Mb)
Features:

• Our History:
  Looking Back...Our Synod's History by Bishop Usgaard
  Christ Lutheran Women Take An Historic Tour of New Ulm, MN
• Synod News & Announcements:
  We'll See You At Theological Conference!
  Remember in Prayer
  Southeastern Minnesota Synod Presents Gift of a Sculpted Cross to New England Synod
  Pray for Pastors and Laypeople in Tanzania this month
• ELCA News:
  ELCA Sexuality Studies Task Force to Meet With Consultants
• The Southeastern Minnesota Synod Web Site
• Mary Sue Dreier: "Sowing Seeds"
• Victor Jortack: "Planting in Autumn?"
• Larry Iverson: "Deepen Your Faith"
• Shirley Gangstad: "Traveling With Christ"
• Get to Know Our Companion Synods: Tanzania
• Get to Know Our Companion Synods: Colombia
• Call Update

• Caring for the Earth and Its People:
  Good Earth Village: Never Underestimate the Power of Camp!
  ELCA World Hunger Leadership Event
• Synod News & Announcements:
  Leaders in Christian Education: Join LACE!
  Remember in Prayer
  Does Your Church Have an Upcoming Holiday Supper, Craft Sale, or Bake Sale Open to the Public?
  Clergy Housing Allowance Q&A
  What Can I Do To Help the People of Colombia and Tanzania?
  Lutheran World Federation Assembly
  MissionFuture Investment Grows Along With Your Children
  Join ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson for a Live Webcast!
  Clip n' Carry (correct version)
• ELCA News:
  ELCA Presiding Bishop's Statement on Iraq Situation
  ELCA Presiding Bishop's Statement on September 11
• Bishop's Letter: "Thoughts on Theological Conference 2002"
• Mary Sue Dreier: "Paint By Numbers?"
• Victor Jortack: "You Can Help!"
• Audree Catalano: "Without a Pastor..."
• Shirley Gangstad: "Harvest Tales"
• Call Update

• Summer Events & Festivals Wrap-Up
• Synod News & Announcements:
  Important New IRS Guidelines
  See Your Name in Print!
  Where is Your Yellow Envelope?
  Clip n' Carry
• ELCA News:
  Spending To Be Reduced in ELCA Churchwide Organization
  Looking For Resources About the ELCA Studies on Sexuality?
• 148A Information
• Mary Sue Dreier: "Discovering Hope"
• Victor Jortack: "Moving and Multiculturalism"
• Larry Iverson: "What Is LCPPM?"
• Bishop's Letter: "I Was a Stranger, But She Welcomed Me"
• Shirley Gangstad: "Rewards of Attending Churchwide Events"
• How to Protect Your Computer From Viruses
• Call Update
• Lay School of Theology Retreat Registration Form
• 2002 Fall Theological Conference Brochure

• Sharing Ministry, Hopes, and Dreams (Global Mission/Companion Synod info)
• Where Are They Now...And Who Are These New People? (continued)
• Synod News & Announcements:
  NCC Urges Churches to Mark Sept. 11 With Interfaith Open Houses
  Jokes Needed for Theological Conference
  Need Info on the 2003 National Youth Gathering?
  Get Your Handbook Updates in ASAP
• ELCA News:
  Statement of Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson on Recent Developments Regarding the Middle East
  ELCA Responds to Flooding in Northern Minnesota
• Shirley Gangstad: "Lessons About Trust and Love from Hildy"
• Mary Sue Dreier: "Looking Back - Running Forward"
• Victor Jortack: "What Are You?"
• Audree Catalano: "Lifting Up Future Leaders"
• Bishop's Letter: "It's Not Easy to Say Goodbye"
• Lay School of Theology Retreat Registration Form
• 2002 Fall Theological Conference Brochure
• Call Update

• Where Are They Now...And Who Are These New People?
• Synod News & Announcements:
  Notes on Assembly Evaluations
  Theological Conference Info
  Important Information About Lifeworks
  Get Your Handbook Updates in ASAP
• ELCA News:
  Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality Holds First Meeting
  Bush Signs Clergy Housing Allowance Legislation
• Shirley Gangstad: "Retirement: What Does This Mean?"
• 2002 Salary Survey
• Call Update

• 2002 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly Wrap-Up
• Synod News & Announcements:
  Theological Conference Info
• ELCA News:
  ELCA Studies Health and Wellness of Its Ministers
  "Davey and Goliath" Returning to Television
• Reflections on "Solidarity Weekend"
• Bishop's Letter: "Looks Different From Up There"
• Shirley Gangstad: "Traveling Offers Signs of God's Gracious Love"
• Victor Jortack: "Multicultural Music Festival to Offer Education, Fun, and Worship"
• Larry Iverson: "The Gift and the Giver"

• Southeastern Minnesota Synod Pastors Join New York Pastors in Solidarity Weekend
• Synod News & Announcements:
  People of Hope Dedicates New Mission Center
  LSS Introduces Ann Peterson 
• ELCA News:
  Lutherans Assist Earthquake Survivors in Afghanistan
  Bushkofsky Named Director for Women of the ELCA
  ELCA Board Urges Careful Responses to Terrorism
• A Pastor Traveling Across the U.S.A. - On a Unicycle?!
• Bishop's Letter: "Imagine"
• Shirley Gangstad: "Be Grateful for God's Gifts...Be They Time, People, or Microwaves"
• Victor Jortack: "All Music is Multicultural!"
• Larry Iverson: "Once Every 28 Years"

• Bishop's Letter: "I Wonder What Happened...I Say a Prayer"
• Synod News & Announcements:
  Summer Interns Available from the Slovak Zion Synod
• ELCA News:
  Lutheran-United Methodist Dialogue Discusses Sacraments
  ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Conservation in Energy Plan
  ELCA Presiding Bishop Urges U.S. to Help in Madagascar Crisis
• Mission Fest Offers Congregation a Taste of World Culture
• Shirley Ganstad: "Let Us Offer With Joy and Thanksgiving"
• Rev. Mary Sue Dreier - Published Author!
• Victor Jortack: "Where Are You on the Scale?"

• Bishop's Letter: "Commitment"
• Synod News & Announcements: 
  Welcome Rev. Victor Jortack, Kathy Bolin, and Cheryse Sloan!
  Join the Interim Colleague Group!
• ELCA News:
  ELCA Hosts Conference on Faith and Science
  Childs to Lead ELCA Studies on Sexuality
  Lutherans Provide Aid in Democratic Republic of Congo
  News from the IRS
• Stewardship Resources
• Rev. Kristin Borsgard Wee Publishes Book of Sermons
• Victor Jortack: "What is Multiculturalism?"
• Shirley Gangstad: "Doing Good is In Our Genes!"
• Audree Catalano: "Whom Shall I Send?"

February 2002 Issue (pdf - 572 Kb)
Features:

• Bishop's Letter: "Coffee"
• Support Group Offered for Spouses of Clergy
• Global Mission Event Info
• Synod Benevolence Income Report
• The New Clergy ID Cards Are Here!
• Area Church Group Travels to Czech Republic
• Shirley Ganstad: "Christ's Daily Renewal Beats a New Year's Resolution"