September - Northeastern Iowa Synod

Star
Northeastern Iowa
september 2012 • Volume 25, Issue 8
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Strengthening Leaders
Northeastern Iowa Congregations ‘Walking Together’
by Marcia Hahn
As Bishop of the
Northeastern
Iowa Synod,
Steven Ullestad
says that one
of his favorite
things to do is
visit with people
about the depth
Bishop Steven
and breadth
Ullestad
of the mission
of the church. This fall, he and
synod staff will be doing just that
when they gather with members
of congregations from throughout
the synod in a series of “Walking
Together” conversations.
“We’re taking the
network idea to
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts
another level,”
burning within us while he talked with us on the
Ullestad explains.
road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
“The philosophy is
—Luke 24: 32
if God has called
us to a particular place, he has
share his reflections and lead a congiven us gifts to do ministry in that
versation about the synod.
area. The role of the bishop and
synod staff is to help people identify “As ideas surface and have energy
those gifts and use them for the
around them, the synod staff will
greater mission of the church. The
assist those congregations, youth
answers to challenges and the ways
groups, women’s groups and others
to capture opportunities rest with
interested to make connections
the people God has called to be in
to form new ministry networks or
those congregations.”
build on existing ones.”
The meetings will take place at nine
different locations so that rostered
members, church council members,
Women of the ELCA, youth, and all
interested lay members can gather
for conversations about their congregations and ministries, and how
the synod can help strengthen their
ministries and connections with one
another.
Each meeting will open with a
reading from Luke 24: 13-32 and
discussion about the story of the
road to Emmaus. “We anticipate
‘burning hearts’ as we open scripture together,” Ullestad says.
The synod has hosted similar
meetings in the past, always with a
goal to develop a mission strategy
for the synod. What’s new about the
Walking Together conversations, according to Ullestad, is that they are
intended to deepen ministry connections and broaden the synod’s
structure of networks among congregations.
During small group discussions,
participants will be asked to share
what is going well in their congregations and what challenges and
opportunities for ministries exist in
their communities. They can also
tell about current partnerships that
strengthen their witness to Jesus
Christ and consider new partnership possibilities for their ministries. Those willing will have an
opportunity to stand up and share
with the larger group about their
conversations. The Bishop will also
Congregations will be able to form
networks across the synod based on
>> Continued on page 2
In This Issue
Iowa
1Northeastern
Congregations ‘Walking
Together’
3
Practicing Justice in New
Orleans
4Youth Gathering
7Stewardship Principles
9Events, Congregations
10 Prayer Calendar
Congregations ‘Walking Together’
<< Continued from page 1
shared interests in ministries rather
than geographical location. Like
the synod networks that formed a
year ago, congregations can connect
through conference calls, Skype,
emails and other online resources.
Ullestad cites examples of how
congregational partnerships have
resulted in joint confirmation events
and sharing of confirmation education materials. Some congregations
with small numbers of students
have combined their confirmation
classes and used team teaching by
pastors and lay members.
“Youth ministry is ripe for new
partnerships,” Ullestad says. “There
may be more sharing opportunities
in adult education and ELCA Bible
studies as well.”
Ullestad emphasizes that the synod
will assist with individual development of networks to help congregations connect, but it will be the
congregations and conferences that
actually create the new networks or
programs. These new networks will
help define synodical ministry for
the next three to five years.
“As people sign up for areas of
interest, we trust local congregations to pick up the ball and run
with it,” Ullestad says. “In many
ways, we’re a new synod and we
want to use the energy in our congregations as we face the challenges
that come with a shift in population. We don’t know what to expect,
but we know the wisdom and gifts
of congregational leaders will help
to chart a bright future.”
Fall Theological Conference
Oct. 14-16, 2012, Dubuque, Iowa
Registration for the Fall Theological Conference is due
Friday, Sept. 28. The conference will feature The Rev.
Dr. Stanley N. Olson, president of Wartburg Theological
Seminary, as the keynote presenter with a focus on the
“Vocation of Church Leaders.”
The Sunday schedule includes a spouses breakout, dinner,
time with the Bishop, Holden Evening Prayer, and evening
fellowship. Monday’s schedule features morning and
afternoon sessions, lunch, free time in the afternoon, and Holy Eucharist and
fellowship in the evening at Wartburg Seminary. Tuesday offers breakfast,
gathering, prayer, two sessions, a travel litany, and box lunches to send
participants on their way home by noon.
The event will take place at the Best Western Midway Motel in Dubuque.
Spouses are welcome. Special room rates are available until Sept. 10 and can
be made by calling 800-336-4392. To register for the conference, send a
check and registration form to the synod office. The registration form can be
downloaded at www.neiasynod.org/events.
2
Walking Together
A Northeastern Iowa Synod
Conversation
Rostered leaders, congregational
councils, Women of the ELCA
leadership, youth groups
leadership, and all interested lay
members of Northeastern Iowa
Synod congregations are invited to
participate in one of nine Walking
Together conversations beginning
in October. No registration is
required. Each congregation is
asked to bring cookies or bars to
share.
The Sunday meetings will
take place from 2-4 p.m. at the
following locations:
Oct. 21 St. James, Mason City
Nov. 4 Trinity, New Hampton
Nov. 11
St. Paul, Monona
Nov. 18
Bethlehem,
Cedar Falls
Feb. 3
St. Peter, Dubuque
March 10 Bethany, Iowa Falls
March 17 Washington Prairie,
Decorah
April 7
St. John, Sumner
April 14
Faith, Shell Rock
Still time to take
Health Assessment
ELCA-primary health plan members
and spouses who have not taken the
Mayo Clinic Health Assessment can
still do so by Sept. 30 and earn $150 for
personal out-of-pocket medical costs.
To take the assessment, visit www.
elcabop.org.
Northeastern Iowa Synod | www.neiasynod.org
Bishop
Practicing Justice in New Orleans
When you step onto an elevator
at a youth gathering, you know
that virtually everyone else is a
participant. “What has been your
favorite part of the Gathering so
far,” I asked. “It was the speech
by Jamie Nabozny,” a quiet voice
over my shoulder said. “It is the
most important event of the entire
gathering.” Jamie had spoken
of bullying. He challenged our
church to be the leaders in ending
bullying in schools across the land.
I don’t know the young man who
spoke those words in the elevator
and I did not ask why. Perhaps we
can guess why he risked making
that statement on an elevator of
strangers.
On “Practicing Justice” day, we
met with students who have
potential for success but very little
opportunity. These high schoolers
are paid $20 each day to cover
transportation and meal costs
to attend summer school with a
particular focus on reading.
One of our sessions together was
a time to write poetry, a song or a
skit. In preparation for the creative
writing, the small group of six
students from New Orleans and
a dozen from Iowa and Colorado
talked about what it was like to
survive Hurricane Katrina. All of
the New Orleans students had lost
their homes. During the flooding,
some had positioned themselves on
the roofs of their homes until the
helicopters came to rescue them.
The telling of those stories lasted
only a very few minutes before the
conversation turned to what one
of the young women identified
as the “New Katrina.” Violence
among high school age youth is now
unprecedented. Those who have
lost everything to the hurricane now
believe that they have nothing to
lose. “The boys have always fought,”
said one young woman. “Now they
just shoot each other. I am afraid to
go to my mailbox,” she lamented.
“These will
be the only
books in his
home,” said
his teacher.
At the end of
the day, the
students of
New Orleans
asked for
contact
information
from the Gathering participants.
They had listened to the stories and
responded with the compassion of
Jesus Christ. Each wanted to keep
in touch and wanted to be able to
say thank you.
The skit that was created was an
account of the latest shooting in
the neighborhood of the students,
a neighborhood that had once been
a safe place. Two young men acted
out the shooting that resulted in the
hospitalization of three bystanders
and the death of an infant. The
“TV reporter” interviewed the
“eyewitness” as the rest of us wept.
We are the Church. We tell people
about Jesus and we live Jesus for
others. We practice justice because
we have been justified by Jesus
Christ himself. Bullied people
learn of our commitment to end
the violence. God’s children, living
in the battle zones that define
their neighborhood, experience
friendships inspired by the love of
Jesus Christ. Hope is born.
We gave a half-dozen books to each
student. As I handed the books to
one student, he immediately started
to share them with his friends.
“No, no. These are all for you.”
He could not speak but looked at
me with eyes filled with gratitude.
We are the Church. Thanks be to
God.
− Steven L. Ullestad
Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod
Northeastern Iowa Synod candidates receive ELCA scholarships
Three candidates from the Northeastern Iowa Synod have
been selected to receive ELCA Fund for Leaders seminary
scholarships. Daniel Hanson, Jessica Schenk and Paul
Waterman will receive full-tuition scholarships and will
continue to receive the scholarship each tuition-bearing
year during their remaining time in seminary. Hanson
and Schenk will both be entering their first year of study
at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, and Waterman will begin
his first year of study at Wartburg Theological Seminary in
Dubuque. All three will be honored and recognized at a
banquet in Chicago on Oct. 5.
september 2012
3
Youth Gathering is lifetime experience
Some 686 youth and adults from the Northeastern
Iowa Synod hopped on trains, loaded busses, rode in
vans, and boarded a jet in July to join 33,000 others for
the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The
five-day event introduced the Iowa youth to the culture
and cuisine of New Orleans and gave them opportunities to live out the Gathering’s theme—“Citizens with
the Saints”—through peacemaking, justice and discipleship experiences.
All of the Gathering participants left their mark on
the city by engaging in nearly 400 service projects,
which ranged from painting a high school to rebuilding community libraries. They donated 1,193 pints of
blood to The Blood Center. Some 509 “heads” of hair
were cut to be made into wigs for the Children with
Hairloss mission. And they brought lots of books which
were distributed to children as part of a New Orleans
Literacy program.
The Sunday worship offering took in $256,000 to
support the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)
site work in Southern Africa, ELCA World Hunger,
ELCA Malaria Campaign, and new and emerging
ministries in the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod.
Donations of more than $406,000 went to the “100
Wells Challenge,” far beyond the original $250,000
goal and more than enough to build 160 wells to serve
800 families in areas where needed most.
Thursday’s peacemaking focus was an opportunity for
synod youth and adults to explore displays and interactive stations in the Superdome to learn about ministries, challenge their skills, explore faith questions, and
give back by donating hair, giving blood, and contributing to the 100 Wells Challenge.
Friday was Practice Justice Day, when the Northeastern Iowa groups were assigned service projects in the
community. Heavy rain caused most of the projects to
be cancelled or shortened, but a number of youth were
able to take part in traditional service projects, such as
painting a school, reading to children or learning about
New Orleans culture.
Northeastern Iowa Synod
100 Wells Concert
Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012
Luther College Center for Faith and Life,
Decorah, Iowa
The spirit of the ELCA 2012 Youth Gathering continues
Saturday, Oct. 27, when AGAPE, Lost & Found and
Rachel Kurtz come to Luther College in Decorah to
perform in a 7 p.m. live concert as part of the ELCA’s
100 Wells Tour. Cost for the concert will be $15 per
person or $12 each for groups of 10
people or more.
To learn more about this event, visit
www.luther.edu/cyf/100wells. call
563-387-1271, or scan this code.
4
Northeastern Iowa Synod youth raise their hands in praise during
discipleship day at the ELCA Youth Gathering.
Bishop Rev. Dr. Steven L. Ullestad – [email protected]
Assistants to the Bishop
Rev. Mark A. Anderson – [email protected]
Rev. Darrel W. Gerrietts – [email protected]
Linda J. Hudgins – [email protected]
ELCA Director for Evangelical Mission
Rev. Nancy J. Larson – [email protected]
Star Editor
Marcia Hahn – [email protected]
The Star is published 11 times a year by the Northeastern Iowa Synod,
201 20th Street SW, PO Box 804, Waverly, IA 50677-0804;
www.neiasynod.org, phone 319-352-1414, FAX 319-352-1416.
Send news for the October issue to Marcia Hahn by Sept. 10.
We welcome story ideas related to the 2012 theme, “Strengthening
Leaders.”
Articles in this newsletter may be duplicated for use in synod
congregations and organizations, with credit to the Star newsletter.
Please notify the synod office with name and address changes.
Northeastern Iowa Synod | www.neiasynod.org
Saturday’s Practice Discipleship Day started with
the synod groups worshipping together with music
provided by the all-youth praise band from Redeemer
Lutheran, Waverly. Bishop Steven Ullestad preached
and presided, while youth and adults distributed Holy
Communion. Small group Bible study followed, and
rap artist AGAPE stopped by to give a mini-concert and
announce his upcoming tour, which will include a stop
in Decorah Oct. 27.
“It was an amazing sight to see almost 700 people from
our synod spending the day in Bible study and worship
and celebrating being from Northeastern Iowa,” said
Pastor Mark Anderson, assistant to the Bishop and
synod youth coordinator.
All of the Gathering participants met each evening in
the Superdome for praise, music and speakers. The
nightly gatherings also featured talented musical artists
and rousing bands, including Roots of Music, Preservation Hall Junior Jazz Band, AGAPE, Rachel Kurtz,
Lost and Found, and Switchfoot. Photos of the synod
groups and links to videos of the evening gatherings
in the Superdome can be found on the Northeastern Iowa Synod website, www.neiasynod.org/youth/
Gathering%20Information%202012.htm. One of the
videos announces plans for the next Youth Gathering,
set for 2015 in Detroit.
Youth from the Northeastern Iowa Synod meet for a day of discipleship and worship together at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering.
“Youth and adults alike learned more about the love of
Christ, learned more about what it means to be saved
by grace, learned more about Christian Discipleship
and community,” Anderson said. “I don’t believe that
anyone who attended wasn’t deeply moved.”
Jr. High/Middle School Lock-in
Oct. 12-13, 2012
UNI Wellness Center, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Junior high and middle school students from across
the synod are invited to join in the annual Lock-in at
the Wellness Center on the University of Northern Iowa
campus in Cedar Falls. This year’s theme is “Jesus the
Destroyer... of walls.” The event will include devotions,
recreation, laser tag, Bible
study, group activities, food,
fun, and a souvenir t-shirt.
Members of the Redeemer Lutheran All-Youth Praise Band help lead
worship for the Northeastern Iowa Synod groups during Practice
Discipleship day.
Registration is due Friday,
Sept. 28, for the $30 rate.
After that date, the fee is
$40. All registrations must
be in by Oct. 10. To learn
more or to register, visit
www.neiasynod.org/
youth or call the synod
office, 319-352-1414.
september 2012
5
EPIC Matching Grant Program for college students
LSI seeks respite care
providers
LSI (Lutheran Services in Iowa),
a shared ministry partner of the
three Iowa synods of the ELCA,
has a need for respite providers,
which are paid, occasional staff
positions. Respite care is a short
break for caregivers of people with
special needs of all ages, from
toddler to senior adult. Respite
providers can take the individuals
for an outing to a park or movie
or just enjoy everyday activities
together. They work flexible hours
that complement their schedules
or other work commitments. Many
respite providers have full-time
jobs outside of LSI.
LSI asks people to spread the word
to let friends, family members
and others know about this
opportunity. LSI has materials
available and staff who can visit
local congregations, upon request,
to share more about this need.
Though the application process and benefits vary by college, the EPIC program
matches congregational gifts up to $750 (depending on the institution) per
academic year per student. The EPIC program is intended to encourage congregations to support young people in higher education. It is not a means for
parents to funnel contributions to their student’s financial needs.
Congregations that have students attending an ELCA college or university in
Iowa can enroll in the program with one or all of the schools, then send money
only when they have students at the school. Congregations can enroll by contacting the college or university of their choice to find out about the particular
qualifications and benefits that apply to that school.
At Wartburg, call the Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry office at 319-352-8217
or visit www.wartburg.edu/churchrelations/epic.html. At Luther, contact
the Office for College Ministries. 563-387-1271, e-mail [email protected], or
visit www.luther.edu/ministries/congregations/epic. At Grand View, call the
Church Relations office at 515-263-6021, e-mail [email protected] or visit
www.admissions.grandview.edu. Follow the links to Admissions > Financial
Aid/Scholarships > EPIC Scholarship (or www.admissions.grandview.edu/
tabid/4459/Default.aspx).
Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy
For more information, contact
Barb Dee at barbara.dee@LSIowa.
org or 563-322-7419.
OBITUARY
Pastor Roger Hoppenworth died July
11, 2012. He was ordained May 28,
1961, and served as pastor at St. John,
Olin; Lake and St. Paul, Renwick; Zion
(Elvira), Clinton; and Rock Creek, Osage,
Iowa. He retired Oct. 1, 2000.
The funeral took place July 16 at
Messiah Lutheran, Charles City. Pastor
Hoppenworth is survived by his wife,
Jane, and four children. Expressions
of sympathy may be sent to Jane
Hoppenworth, 1702 N. Grand Ave.,
Charles City, IA 50616.
6
EPIC (Educational Partnerships in Covenant) is a matching grant program that
began in 1983 as a cooperative venture between Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) congregations in Iowa and their colleges: Grand View, Luther, and
Wartburg. EPIC is a means of encouraging congregations to financially support
their students who attend one of these three Iowa colleges.
The Fellowship of Recovering
Lutheran Clergy (FRLC) invites
Lutheran clergy who suffer from
alcoholism, addictions and codependency to join them in their journey
for wholeness.
Active since 1991, the FRLC is a
nonprofit autonomous group of
more than 200 ELCA and LCMS
pastors nationwide. The organization practices the 12-step model of recovery
with a goal to reach out to support Lutheran Clergy recovering from alcoholism, addiction and codependency. The FRLC was recognized as an Independent Lutheran Organization (ILO) by the ELCA Church Council in 2011.
To learn more about the FLRC, visit www.frlc.org. In addition to information
about the organization, the website includes a link to their book and information about an upcoming retreat cruise in February. Contact Pastor Ed Treat
for more information, 651-356-1073.
Northeastern Iowa Synod | www.neiasynod.org
Stewardship Principles
By Pastor Nancy Larson
ELCA Director for Evangelical Mission
We belong to God and share in the
amazing blessings of God’s grace.
I was recently in one of our community’s large
box stores. While shopping I heard a rather
loud and emotional exchange between a small
child and parent. Apparently the child had taken
something off of a shelf that was not on the shopping
list. The parent wanted to return it to the shelf, and all
the child could say was MINE! MINE! MINE! As this
event progressed, the volume increased and the child’s
resolve deepened. Mine, all mine, mine, all mine.
I didn’t hang around long enough to hear how the
tug-of-war was resolved, but I did leave thinking that
this young child really speaks for many of us. I own
a home, my new car, my newest technological toy…
MINE, MINE, MINE.
“As baptized members of the body of Christ, we
gratefully confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We
boldly proclaim the gospel as the Word of God. We
clearly recognize the gifts that God has given us
through grace, and we joyfully accept our role and
responsibility as stewards.” These words are from
the introduction of an ELCA document called 10
Stewardship Principles. You can find it on the ELCA
website. It articulates 10 guiding principles about what
it is to be stewards.
I suspect it is that third sentence
of this introduction that provides
a very real challenge to us
all. It begins with “We clearly
recognize the gifts that God
has given us…” Do we? I mean
really, do we clearly recognize the gifts of God?
As the people of God, we are recipients of the gifts of
God—forgiveness of sin, life and salvation. These gifts
come wrapped in some surprising packages—simple
bread and wine and common everyday fellowship —
and yet they are life changing and life giving. Our
humanness may push us to think of everything in terms
of ownership and control, but God calls us back into
the relationship of sacrificial love and gift giving that
cannot be earned or purchased or deserved. It is God
who says MINE—ALL MINE. We belong to God and
share in the amazing blessings of God’s grace.
To download this article or for more stewardship and
mission support resources, visit www.neiasynod.org/
synod_resources/Stewardship-MissionSupport.asp.
New Season of Tri-State Forum
Five day-long lectures are planned for the 2012-2013
Tri-State Forum lecture series on the Wartburg Theological Seminary campus in Dubuque. Each event offers .5
continuing education units. Cost for all five lectures is
$150; individual cost is $60 per lecture. To learn more or
to register, visit www.wartburgseminary.edu and follow
the link for Lifelong Learners, email lifelonglearners@
wartburgseminary.edu, or call 563-589-0327.
Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012
Evangelical Witness and the New Creation in Christ
Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, along with the Rev. Dr.
James Kenneth Echols, director for Theological Resources
and Networks in the Office of the Presiding Bishop, will
explore the many opportunities to give a Lutheran evangelical witness in a world of social media, headlines, and
short attention spans. They will also explore the theme
“New Creation in Christ” and its implications for individual
and communal ethics.
Oct. 18, 2012
Spiritual Resiliency and Aging, presented by Dr. Janet
Ramsey
Nov. 15, 2012
Preaching Advent Texts in Year C, presented by Dr. Mark
Allen Powell
Jan. 24, 2013
Preaching Lent in Year C, presented by Dr. Karoline Lewis
April 18, 2013
Preaching and Stewardship, presented by Dr. Craig
Satterlee
july/august 2012
7
Youths pool their resources to fight malaria
came out to cheer them on. Together
the pair received about 40 pledges
and raised $3,991.50 in just one hour.
“It was way over what I thought we
would make,” Burroughs said.
When it comes to raising money
for the ELCA Malaria Campaign,
14-year-old Noah Burroughs of
Sumner knows how to get into
the swim of things. Last year he
sold net corsages at his home
church of St. John, Buck Creek.
“I was really impressed about
how inspiring it was and I really
wanted to do more for malaria,”
Burroughs said.
‘Reformation and
Music’
This year Burroughs organized
a swim-a-thon. A year-round
Jacob Risse, left, and Noah Burroughs, swam laps to
swimmer for swim teams at
raise nearly $4,000 to fight malaria.
Sumner and the Waterloo YMCA,
Burroughs put out sign-up sheets
weeks later Burroughs swam 140 laps
at St. John and St. Peter, Oran, for
at the Sumner pool, and 12-year-old
members to pledge money for each
Jacob Risse joined him and swam 117
lap he could swim in an hour. Two
laps. About a dozen church members
Families invited to Life-Long Learning Event
Living the Good Life: Connecting with Faith in the Real World
Nov. 9-10, 2012
Camp Ewalu, Strawberry Point, Iowa
Adults, youth and children are invited to a
family retreat focusing on the relationship
between faith and life. This Life-Long Learning
Event will offer activities for all ages to explore
the basics of the Christian faith together, as
grownups or growing-ups. The Rev. Dr. Norma
Cook Everist of Wartburg Theological Seminary,
Dubuque, will lead the retreat using Martin Luther’s Large Catechism to
explore the basics of Christian faith and help people understand how Christ
is using them in ministry in their lives, homes and the world.
Arrival begins at 5 p.m. Friday with closing by 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Family
accommodations at the newly renovated Walnut Lodge include a fireplace,
fully stocked kitchen, and hotel-style rooms with attached bathrooms.
Early bird registration is due Oct. 1, with fees of $30 for adults. Family rates
are $25 for adults with children along, $20 for ages 12-18, $10 for ages 4-11,
and free for children three and under. For registrations after Oct. 1, add $5
per person. All registrations are due by Oct. 15. To learn more, contact Susan
Friedrich, 563-422-6242 or [email protected]. Registration forms
can be downloaded at www.neiasynod.org/events/default.asp.
8
Three educational sessions written
by Kathryn A. Kleinhans, Ph.D.,
professor of Religion at Wartburg
College, Waverly, are part of the
online resources available to
help congregations celebrate
The Luther Decade leading
up to 2017. The Association of
Lutheran Church Musicians is
offering liturgical, worship and
informational materials to help
congregations celebrate the
“Reformation and Music” theme
for 2012 with a hymn festival.
Kleinhans’ session on “Martin
Luther’s Greatest Hits” explores
the meaning of several of Martin
Luther’s best known hymns. The
“From Heaven Above” session
offers suggestions for a musical
performance, short drama or
reader’s theatre version of Luther’s
Christmas hymn. “Martin Luther,
the Catechism and Music” looks
at how Luther used music and
hymns to make it easier for people
to learn about their faith.
Kleinhans’ materials and other
Reformation and Music resources
can be downloaded free at www.
elca.org/Who-We-Are/OurThree-Expressions/ChurchwideOrganization/Global-Mission/
Where-We-Work/
Europe-Middle-East/Germany/
Luther-Decade/ReformationResources.aspx.
Northeastern Iowa Synod | www.neiasynod.org
Events
september EVENTS
3 Office Closed, Labor Day Observance
6 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, St. John, Arlington,
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
22 Meeting, Synodical Women’s Organization
13 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group,
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Meeting, First Call Theological Education executives,
conference call, 10 a.m.-noon
15 Event, Fall Leadership (Networks, LYO, Synod Council),
Redeemer, Waverly, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Meeting, Synod Council, 1:15 p.m.
18 Gathering, Upper Iowa River Conference Mission Support, St. John, Waukon, 7-8:30 p.m.
19 Event, Confirmation, Iowa Falls, 6-8:30 p.m.
20 Gathering, Prairie Grace Conference Mission Support,
American, Jesup, 7-8:30 p.m.
27 Meeting, Fall Conference Planning, 2-4 p.m.
Gathering, Wartburg Conference Mission Support,
St. John, Nashua, 7-8:30 p.m.
OCTOBER EVENTS
4 Committee, First Call Theological Education,
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
4 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Zion St. John,
Sheffield, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
7 Event, Safeguarding God’s Children, St. James, Mason
City, 2-5 p.m.
11 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group,
9:30-11:30 a.m.
12-13 Event, Jr. High Lock-In, UNI Wellness Center,
Cedar Falls
14-16 Event, Fall Conference, Midway Best Western,
Dubuque
15 Event, Candidacy Training, Luther Seminary
21 Event, Walking Together Conversation, St. James, Mason
City, 2-4 p.m.
27 Event, Citizen’s with the Saints Tour, Luther College,
Decorah
28-30 Event, Region 5 Hunger/Global/Companion/
Malaria Event, Madison, Wis.
NOVEMBER EVENTS
4 Event, Walking Together Conversation, Trinity New
Hampton, 2-4 p.m.
8 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group,
9:30-11:30 a.m.
8 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Trinity, Mason City,
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
8 Meeting, Deans and Chaplains, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
9-10 Event, Life-Long Learning for Lutherans, “Living the
Good Life: Connecting with Faith in the Real
World,” Camp Ewalu, Strawberry Point
10 Meeting, Synodical Women’s Organization
11 Event, Walking Together Conversation, St. Paul,
Monona, 2-4 p.m.
Safeguarding God’s Children
A session of the “Safeguarding God’s Children”
workshop will be offered 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7,
at St. James Lutheran, Mason City. To register contact
St. James, 641-423-4702.
september 2012
9
Events
<<continued from page 11
17 Meeting, LYO Team, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
18 Event, Walking Together Conversation, Bethlehem,
Cedar Falls, 2-4 p.m.
22-23 Office Closed, Thanksgiving Observance
30-Dec. 1Meeting, Candidacy Committee
DECEMBER EVENTS
6 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Wellsburg/Iowa Falls,
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
7-8 (Snow Date) Meeting, Candidacy Committee
8 Meeting, LYO Team, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
13 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group,
9:30-11:30 a.m.
24-25 Office Closed, Christmas Observance
Assembly Offering
As of the end of July, the 2012 Synod Assembly
offerings have brought in $7,337.44. The offerings will
be used for the Northeastern Iowa Synod Fund for
Leaders in Mission and for the ELCA Malaria Campaign.
Gifts are still being accepted. Please make checks
payable to the Northeastern Iowa Synod.