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
• 2006 issues
• 2004 issues
• 2003 issues
• 2002 issues

• Feature: "Rostered, Lay Leaders Learn about Self-Care"
• Feature: "LDR Focuses on Long-Term Recovery"
• Synod News
  • Synod Electronic Communication Policy
  • Communications Director Accepts LOGA Position
  • Clergy ID Cards Available
  • Remember in Prayer
• ELCA News: "ELCA Publisher Ahead of Financial Forecast"
• Bishop Usgaard: "There are Some Issues on which We All Agree"
• Shirley Gangstad: "We Are All So Blessed" and Larry Iverson: "A Night in a Cardboard Box Open's One's Eyes"
• Prayer Column: "Happy New Year" and Strategic Plan Update: "Lay School of Theology to Offer Bible Study Opportunities"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Flyer

November 2005 Issue (pdf - 485 Kb)  (View this issue in plain text format, for easy copying and pasting into your church publications)
Features:

• Feature: "Southeastern Minnesota Synod Pastors and Congregations Serve in Relief Efforts of Gulf Coast Hurricanes" plus Bishop's column
• Feature: "148A Information for Presidents"
• Synod News
  • Many Global Mission Resources Available
  • Mileage Rate Increased to 48.5 Cents Per Mile for Remainder of 2005
  • Evangelism Grants Available
  • Remember in Prayer
  • 2006 Poster Included
  • Correction
• ELCA News: "Lutherans Give $11 Million for Hurricane Relief"
• Shirley Gangstad: "Putting Your Shoes on the Wrong Feet" and Pastor Audree Catalano: "Pastoral Visits are Cherished"
• Prayer Column: "Encourage Bible Study" and Strategic Plan Update: "Synod Explores Ways to Raise Up New Leaders"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Flyer

October 2005 Issue (pdf - 485 Kb)  (View this issue in plain text format, for easy copying and pasting into your church publications)
Features:

• Feature: "ELCA Responds to Hurricane Katrina Disaster"
• Feature: "Churchwide Assembly Acts on Sexuality Proposals, New Hymnal, Restructuring"
• Bishop Usgaard Reflects on the 2005 Churchwide Assembly
• Shirley Gangstad: "Be Open to Change in Christ's Church"
• Larry Iverson: "Christian Identity and Mission Are Linked" and Prayer Column: "Communication is Vital"
• Strategic Plan Update: "Bethlehem Communion Ware To Be Passed Around Southeastern Minnesota Synod"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Bishop's Golf Open Flyer

September 2005 Issue (pdf - 594 Kb)  (View this issue in plain text format, for easy copying and pasting into your church publications)
Features:

• Feature: "A Pastor in Afghanistan: Scott Hagen's Story"
• Feature: "35th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women"
• Bishop Usgaard: "Congregations Joyfully Celebrate Ordinations" and Shirley Gangstad: "Look Up To Find What You Seek"
• Synod News
  Tesch Elected to National Women of the ELCA Executive Board
  "Equipping Leaders for Children's Ministry" Seminars Offered
  Stewardship Meetings to Take Place in Synod
  E-Newsletter Subscribers Get Synod News Faster
  Remember in Prayer
• ELCA News
  Presiding Bishop Calls for Courageous Faith
  ELCA Brings "Joy to the World" to ABC Television for Christmas
  What Happened At Churchwide Assembly?
• Prayer Column/Strategic Plan Update: "Gearing Up for 2006 Bible Study Emphasis" and "Stewardship Meetings Planned"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Flyer

August 2005 Issue (pdf - 316 Kb) 
Features:

• Feature/ELCA News: "Sexuality, Restructuring, Hymnal to be Discussed at Churchwide Assembly"
• Feature: "2005 Salary Survey"
• Bishop Usgaard: "Discerning God's Will for the Church"
• Synod News
  Thomforde To Leave St. Olaf in 2006
  Taking Care of Church Memories
  Fall Bible Study Kick-Off Announced
  National Youth Gathering Informational Meetings Announced
  Remember in Prayer
• Larry Iverson: "Poverty is Everywhere; Advocate for Justice" and Shirley Gangstad: "Reflecting On Stones and Soil"
• Prayer Column/Strategic Plan Update: "Praying With Nature" and "Spiritual Direction Resources To Be Made Available"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Flyer
• Insert: Theological Conference Brochure

July 2005 Issue (pdf - 611 Kb) 
Features:

• Feature: "Meet the Churchwide Assembly Voters" (plus Bishop's column)
• Bishop Usgaard: "On Hanging Chads...and Abstentions"
• Synod News
  Over $9,000 Raised for ELCA World Hunger
  Congregation Health and Hope Grants Available
  Fall Stewardship Meetings Announced
  Golf for Good Earth
  Remember in Prayer
• ELCA News
  New Book Describes ‘Lutheran Way of Life'
  Editor of The Lutheran Accepts New Role
  Thrivent Gives Grants to ELCA
  'Davey' Comes to DVD
• Pastor Audree Catalano: "Learn to Pray Throughout the Day"
• Shirley Gangstad: "We Are Named and Claimed by God"
• Prayer Column/Strategic Plan Update: "Praying on Vacation" and "Musicians and Worship Leaders Begin Meeting"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Flyer

June 2005 Issue (pdf - 836 Kb) 
Features:

• Feature: "2005 Synod Assembly Recap"
• Feature: "Lutheran Campus Ministry Request"
• Bishop Usgaard: "Fill For the Next Visitor"
• Synod News
  Send Handbook Updates
  "Building in God's Marvelous Light" House Finds a Family
  Outreach and Evangelism Grants Assist Congregations
  Remember in Prayer
• ELCA News
  Hanson Criticizes 'Justice Sunday'
  ELCA Council Recommends Interim Agreement With Methodists
  Luther Seminary Names President-Elect
• Larry Iverson: "Sharing in the Joyful Gift of Evangelism"
• Shirley Gangstad: "Being Grateful to God"
• Prayer Column: "'Thula' - Listen"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Church Communications Today Flyer

May 2005 Issue (pdf - 296 Kb)
Features:

• Feature: "Synod Assembly Preview"
• Bishop Usgaard: "He Had a Great God"
• Synod News
  Are You Ready for Mission?
  LSS Announces Red Lake Recovery Plan
  Remember in Prayer
• ELCA News
  Hanson's Statement on the Death of the Pope
  ELCA Board Plans For Engagement In Israel, Palestine
  ELCA Presiding Bishop Expresses Gratitude For Rural Ministry
• Pastor Audree Catalano: "How Does the Synod Get New Candidates for Ministry?"
• Shirley Gangstad: "God So Loved the World"
• Prayer Column: "Centering Prayer"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Event Flyer

April 2005 Issue (pdf - 488 Kb)
Features:

• Feature: "Investing in Outreach"
• Owatonna Congregation Receives Health and Hope Grant
• Bishop Usgaard: "It Is Easter"
• Synod News
  Remember in Prayer
  Tragedy in Colombia Leaves 30,000 Homeless
  Synod Council Sends $5,000 To Colombia Flood Relief
• ELCA News
  LWF Churches Should Share Resources, Hanson Says
  New Bible Study and Confirmation Materials Available From Augsburg Fortress
  Lutheran Church Membership Growing Worldwide
  Register Congregation Observers for the Churchwide Assembly
• 2005 Synod Assembly Update
• Larry Iverson: "Renew Your Spirit of Giving"
• Shirley Gangstad: "Being Open to God"
• Strategic Plan Update and Prayer Column: "Let's Pray!" and "Synod Council Designates Funds for Strategic Plan Initiatives"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Event Flyer

March 2005 Issue (pdf - 391 Kb)
Features:

• Feature: "Parish Nurses Serve Congregations in Health and Healing Ministries"
• Bishop Usgaard: "We Are All Paying More"
• Synod News
  Remember in Prayer
  Missions Outreach Conference To Be Held at Luther Seminary
  Al Batt To Speak at Men in Mission Event
  Global Mission Events Announced
  Register By Mar. 2 for Church Councils Event!
• ELCA News
  ‘Grace Matters' New Name For ELCA Radio Ministry
  ELCA Members Contribute $2.5 Million Toward Tsunami Relief
  2005 Health Risk Assessment Available
• 2005 Synod Assembly Update
• Pastor Audree Catalano: "What is the Candidacy Process?"
• Shirley Gangstad: "How Badly We Need God's Grace!" plus Healthy Leaders Enhance Lives: "Have a Healthy Heart"
• Strategic Plan Update and Prayer Column: "Practice Your Prayer Life" and "Natural Church Development Participants Trained"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Event Flyer
• Insert: Synod Assembly Registration Form

February 2005 Issue (pdf - 411 Kb)
Right-click and choose "Save this program to disk" and save it to your location of choice - then you can keep it in your files for future reference!
Features:

• ELCA News
  ELCA Studies on Sexuality Report Released January 13
• Bishop Usgaard: "Responding to the Studies on Sexuality Task Force Recommendations"
• Synod News
  Councils as Leaders Event Announced
  Help Disaster Victims in Southeast Asia
  2005 JRLC "Day on the Hill" Announced
  Congregational Reports Due Feb. 15
  Remember in Prayer
• Feature: "Pastors Share Their Favorite Resources"
• 2005 Synod Assembly Update
• Shirley Gangstad: "Having an Epiphany About Joseph"
• Larry Iverson: "Put Your Heart Into the World Hunger Issue"
• Strategic Plan Update and Prayer Column
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Event Flyer
• Insert: Synod Assembly Registration Form
• Insert: Councils as Leaders Registration Brochure

January 2005 Issue (pdf - 411 Kb) 
Right-click and choose "Save this program to disk" and save it to your location of choice - then you can keep it in your files for future reference!
Features:

• Bishop Usgaard: "I'm Over Halfway There!"
• Feature: "Resolution Writing Guide"
• 2005 Synod Assembly Update
• Synod News
  Spiritual Formation Program Announced
  Help Flood Victims
  Synod Office To Stay at Assisi Heights
  Remember in Prayer
• ELCA News
  ELCA Council Approves, Transmits Churchwide Redesign Proposal
  2009 Churchwide Assembly To Be Held in Minneapolis
  ELCA Social Statement on Education Study Guide Available
• Strategic Plan Update and Prayer Column
• Shirley Gangstad: "Dealing With Anxiety Over the ELCA Studies on Sexuality"
• Pastor Audree Catalano: "Raise Up Leaders"
• Call Update/Calendar of Events
• Lay School of Theology Event Flyer