Star. supported by the church. This program recognizes the challenges of farming and the wisdom and hard work in farm communities,

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1 Star Northeastern Iowa Evangelical march 2018 Volume 31, Issue 3 Lutheran Church in America Celebrating Renewal: Philip Melanchthon Education New VBS is a Good Gift to congregations by Marcia Hahn When Sara McCaw looked through the new vacation Bible school program created by ELCA World Hunger, she immediately loved its farm-related theme and the possibilities it could bring to the vacation Bible school at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Dubuque, where she serves as youth and family ministry leader. It offers great education about hunger, good theology, inexpensive activities, and it is well put together in the rotation style we like to do, McCaw says. It s almost a farm curriculum. Instead of focusing on a faraway country, it s about what we do here in Iowa. I m really excited about it, and it s free. Sara McCaw McCaw learned about the God s Good Creation VBS in January when ELCA World Hunger staff introduced it at the ELCA Youth Extravaganza in Houston. The fiveday Bible school program explores the many gifts that God has given to the world and how children can use these gifts to help end hunger. Each day focuses on a different theme and animal goats, chicks, bees, fish and pigs and the children learn about the gifts these animals bring to others through projects supported by the church. This program recognizes the challenges of farming and the wisdom and hard work in farm communities, says Ryan Cumming, program director for hunger education with ELCA World Hunger. The daily schedule begins with a large group opening with a skit and songs to introduce the day s theme, memory verse and featured animal. The children break into family time small group sessions to travel through five rotations: crafts, games, snacks, storytelling and a simulation station. The simulation station offers an activity that dives deeper into hunger and poverty, Cumming says. The Chasing Down Hunger simulation has one child chase another in and out of a large circle of children who create obstacles by holding hands. This activity shows how difficult it can be to solve hunger and why people must work together to find solutions to get around the obstacles. The storytelling station shares real- In This Issue 1 3 >> Continued on page 2 New VBS is a Good Gift to congregations He exemplified what we do for each other 4 Synod Assembly 7 Congregations 8 Prayer Calendar

2 New VBS is a Good Gift to congregations << Continued from page 1 life examples of how the animals from ELCA World Hunger s Good Gifts catalogue are helping families fight hunger through projects supported by gifts to ELCA World Hunger. One story tells how families living in a mountainous village in China now have 400 goats that provide cheese, milk and meat. When we learn about other people who don t have as much as we do, it helps us be grateful for what we have and helps us refocus, McCaw says. Instead of wanting things for ourselves, it gives us an opportunity to learn how we can help others. If the children learn they can buy a goat and this goat will help a family, it gives them some solutions they can pursue. McCaw says that the Bible school s five consecutive days of hunger education will fit in well with other global mission and hunger activities that Holy Trinity has supported, including the ELCA Malaria campaign, barnyard animals through the ELCA Good Gifts catalogue, and the Buck a Chick project. Since Holy Trinity s vacation Bible school takes place in August, plans are to offer related activities throughout the summer to lead up to the God s Good Creation theme. One idea is for the children to plant flowers in the early summer and then during the week of Bible school look to see if they can find bees among the flowers. McCaw says she plans to invite local farmers and others from the community to share about their involvement with the animals featured during the week. One of our teachers has a son who shows goats at the fair, McCaw says. Another friend has apiaries, and we know some folks who raise chickens. We may even incubate some eggs. We plan to have a lot of fun with this farm theme. The program offers a variety of ideas for crafts and snacks that relate to the day s theme. The first day features the goat and suggests serving goat cheese and crackers for a snack and making a goat bank for the craft. The bank can be used by the children during the week to The Quinn family from Holy Trinity, Dubuque, work in one of four raised-bed gardens that are part of the congregation s Gardens of Grace project to grow fresh produce to give to local hunger agencies. raise money to support ELCA World Hunger or another ministry of the church. Though the VBS is designed for five days, Cumming says it can Ryan Cumming be easily modified to use as a three-day program or to incorporate in Sunday school lessons or children s sermons. We wanted to develop something that would be easy to use out of the box and would be adaptable for people to use in different ways, Cumming says. We tried to make it easy to use and economical, so it s offered free. This new VBS is the first that ELCA World Hunger has offered in a number of years. The ELCA Malaria Campaign published a vacation Bible school a few years ago that was well received, and Cumming says that the God s Good Creation program continues that effort to lift up poverty, health and wellness. To develop the curriculum, the ELCA World Hunger team reached out to congregations to find out what makes a vacation Bible school or educational resource helpful. They asked what the church could provide to meet their needs. People wanted a solid basis in theology to fit in with the ongoing work they are already doing in their congregations, Cumming says. We started with basic Lutheran principles about how we respond to hunger around the world. This program lifts up the goodness of >> Continued on page 3 2 Northeastern Iowa Synod

3 Bishop He exemplified what we do for each other The Admiral has died. Rear Admiral Alvin Koeneman wore stars on his shoulders. He was the Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Navy. The first time I met him was in the Pentagon as I filled in on a trip as an assistant for Bishop Brown. I was sitting with bishops taking a break when General Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff walked by. The Admiral snapped to attention and introduced us. General Powell spoke for a few minutes and then asked if we had any questions. The bishops were dead silent. Admiral Koeneman shaped my ministry as bishop. He taught me respect for the Office and cared for me in need. Chaplain Koeneman sat down and asked me how I was doing and provided me pastoral care. Years later, I thanked him again for what he had done for me that night. All that he said was, That is what we do for each other. I, being 35 years old, decided that I could ask a question. Time magazine had just featured the General as the Reluctant Warrior. I asked if he was. All military leaders must be reluctant warriors. He went on to explain. The Admiral retired to Waverly to work for his beloved Wartburg. As a young bishop, I found myself needing to confront a pastor with a charge of misconduct. Not wise at the time, I scheduled to meet with him in an evening by myself. About an hour before the meeting, I realized the mistake that I had made. I called Al. Of course, Bishop, I will be right over, even though he was in the process of packing for a flight early the next morning. After the pastor and his wife left, I began to cry. There are some things that you remember the rest of your life. Al lived and gave graciously. Though rightfully proud of his years in the Wartburg Choir under the direction of Dr. Edwin Liemohn, Al would say with pride, The Choir has never sounded better than it does today. And he was right. Admiral Koeneman shaped my ministry as bishop. He taught me respect for the Office and cared for me in need. These are the gifts that we give each other. We are the church together. Steven L. Ullestad Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod New VBS is a Good Gift to congregations << Continued from page 2 creation and how God has provided abundantly for all our needs. The God s Good Creation curriculum is available as a pdf that can be downloaded online or as printed material that can be mailed free by request. Posters and certificates are also available. Cumming says that staff from ELCA World Hunger are also available to answer questions and direct people to resources to help congregations talk about issues of faith related to hunger and poverty. We will do our best to help congregations find whatever they need, Cumming says. Hunger education is faith formation in the ELCA. It s what makes us distinct as Lutherans and how Lutheran theology shapes us in God s world. The God s Good Creation vacation Bible school study and other hunger education resources can be downloaded at ELCA-World-Hunger#HungerEd. Requests for printed copies can be ed to Hunger@ELCA.org or call , ext MARCH

4 Celebrating Renewal: Philip Melanchthon Education Time to register for Synod Assembly The 2018 Synod Assembly will gather at Wartburg College, Waverly, June 8-10, for business surrounded by word and sacrament. The assembly will participate in small group study on Sunday morning. Keynote The keynote address will be presented by the Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Wengert, an ELCA pastor and professor emeritus of Reformation History at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Churchwide Representative The Rev. Heidi Torgerson- Martinez, director of Global Service, ELCA, will bring greetings and a report from the churchwide organization. Forums, Seminars, Ministry Exhibits Saturday s forums and seminars will focus on Celebrating Renewal: Philip Melanchthon Education, the year-long synod emphasis. Assembly Facts Theme/Emphasis Celebrating Renewal: Philip Melanchthon Education. Elections Voting members will elect a vice president, secretary, synod council and committee members, and voting members for the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. Forms General information and registration forms are inserted in this issue of the Star. Fees Fee categories are non-commuter (meals, Safeguarding Workshop Sunday, March 11, 2018 Salem, Lake Mills A session of the Safeguarding God s Children workshop will be offered 1-4 p.m. at Salem, Lake Mills, on Sunday, March 11. This free training session provides information to help church staff and volunteers learn how to protect the children they know and care for in their personal lives and in their church ministries. Call to register. housing), commuter (meals, no housing), and visitor (no meals, no housing). Early bird registration fees will be available until Tuesday, May 8. An additional fee of $25 will be added after May 8. Information A pre-assembly notebook will be mailed or a digital copy ed to registered voting members on May 8. Youth Congregations are encouraged to elect a youth voting member. Voting Requirement Voting members must be voting members of their congregation. Resolutions Business is presented in resolution form. Resolutions may be submitted to the Resolutions Committee by a voting member of a congregation in the Northeastern Iowa Synod, a congregation, or a conference. Visitors Both adults and youth are welcome and encouraged to attend. Linda J. Hudgins Assistant to the Bishop Northeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Steven L. Ullestad ullestads@neiasynod.org Assistants to the Bishop Rev. Mark A. Anderson andersonm@neiasynod.org Rev. Stephen Brackett bracketts@neiasynod.org Linda J. Hudgins hudginsl@neiasynod.org ELCA Director for Evangelical Mission Rev. Dr. Joelle Colville-Hanson colville-hansonj@neiasynod.org Star Editor Marcia Hahn hahnm@neiasynod.org The Star is published 11 times a year by the Northeastern Iowa Synod, th Street SW, PO Box 804, Waverly, IA ; phone , FAX Send news for the April 2018 issue to Marcia Hahn by March 9. We welcome story ideas related to the 2018 theme, Celebrating Renewal: Philip Melanchthon Education. 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. To receive an electronic version of the Star, rather than paper, send your request to hahnm@neiasynod.org. 4 Northeastern Iowa Synod

5 Local growing project reaches milestone Congratulations to Seeds of Hope, a growing project in Northeastern Iowa that has surpassed the half-million mark in donations to help overseas farmers and villages to become food secure. Farmers and others from Strawberry Point, Manchester and Ryan made a contribution of $57,000 to Foods Resource Bank (FRB) through the 2017 crop harvests of 102 acres of corn and beans, which was supported with gifts of seed, fertilizer, labor and cash. Individuals from the Seeds of Hope growing project meet to determine the disbursement of $57,000 to food security programs through Foods Resource Bank and to plan for the 2018 crop. Three Northeastern Iowa Synod congregations St. Sebald and Emanuel, Strawberry Point, and Peace, Ryan joined Camp Ewalu and seven other area congregations in the Seeds of Hope growing project to support sustainable agriculture in developing countries. This ecumenical project has contributed nearly $544,000 to FRB since This year s donation will support farmer training projects in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Nicaragua. In addition, Seeds of Hope continues to provide funds for the implementing partners Lutheran World Relief, Catholic Relief Services, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Rally to End Racism April 3-5, 2018 Washington D.C. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton invites everyone to join her and ecumenical and inter-religious partners for the Act Now: Unite to End Racism event set for April 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The focus of the three-day event will be a rally on the National Mall on April 4. The National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA organized the event to launch its Truth and Racial Justice Initiative. The ELCA is a founding member of the council. ELCA members from across the country will attend, including the Rev. Dr. Joelle Colville-Hanson, director for Evangelical Mission and staff facilitator for the Northeastern Iowa Synod s Racial Justice Advocacy Network. To learn more and to register, visit Save the Date God s work. Our hands. Sept. 9, 2018 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Plan to save the date Sunday, Sept. 9, for God s work. Our hands. Sunday. ELCA congregations will join together to use their various gifts in service to their communities, sharing the love of Christ with all of God s people. Visit for updates and resources. MARCH

6 Register for a WIYLDE Ride June 10-13, 2018 Wartburg College, Waverly This year s WIYLDE Wholly Iowa Youth Leadership Discipling Event will focus on sharing faith through many different aspects with the theme WIYLDE Ride. The learning times and Bible studies will focus on worship, leading youth group, leading Bible studies and looking beyond high school. There will be guest teachers, small groups, large group Bible studies, games and more! High school aged students of the Northeastern Iowa Synod are invited to attend. The cost is $225 per student. The Northeastern Iowa Synod will kick in a $75 scholarship. Those who recruit a friend who is new to WIYLDE will receive $25 off their registration fee when they register. Registration is due by Tuesday, May 15, The registration form can be downloaded at AMMPARO grant to support migrants Good Shepherd Lutheran, Decorah, recently received one of the ELCA s $5,000 grants given to AMMPARO welcoming congregations for AMMPARO stands for Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities. The Northeastern Iowa Synod established the AMMPARO Welcoming Network through a resolution adopted at the 2017 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly to help congregations welcome and support migrant children and their families. The network is part of the broader ELCA Welcoming Congregations Network of AMMPARO, which serves vulnerable young people who have fled from Mexico and Central American countries with high rates of violence and poverty. Good Shepherd became the first AMMPARO welcoming congregation in this synod just over a year ago. The grant, developed in consultation with other local immigration advocacy programs such as Path to Citizenship and the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center, provides funds to help cover medical, dental, and mental health costs for young people in Northeast Iowa who are applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). SIJS creates a legal path to a green card and eventual citizenship for youth who were abused or abandoned by their parents and who seek protection from violence in the U.S. Good Shepherd s Sunday school has chosen the AMMPARO program as their Lenten project, with a goal to raise an additional $2,000. Learn more about the AMMPARO Welcoming Network at Be a volunteer in Hungary Looking for something adventurous and rewarding to do this summer? Consider a trip to Hungary to learn about the culture of the people of Hungary while helping Bible camp students practice English. Pastor Anne Morawski, an associate in Global Mission for the ELCA and volunteer in Budapest, has extended this invitation to friends from the Northeastern Iowa Synod, which is in a companion synod relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hungary. Most summer camps begin June 18, so Morawski suggests coming to Hungary a few days earlier to participate in an orientation and to get settled. She would arrange for housing and match volunteers with the camps. Some of the camps are day camps at local churches; others are at camps with cabins or dorm rooms for campers. Volunteers would teach children camp songs in English, help students practice daily memory verses in English, share English Bible stories and join in other projects with a translator. Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity should contact Pastor Mark Anderson, assistant to the Bishop, at or andersonm@neiasynod.org. 6 Northeastern Iowa Synod

7 Events march EVENTS 1 Meeting, Interim Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 1 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Holy Trinity, Dubuque, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 3 Meeting, Synodical Women s Organization Board, Synod Office, 8 a.m.-12 noon 4-6 Event, Rural Ministry Conference, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque 10 Meeting, LYON, Synod Office, a.m. 10 Meeting, (snow date) Synodical Women s Organization Board 10 Meeting, Nominating Committee, Conference Call, TBD 11 Event, Safeguarding God s Children, Salem, Lake Mills, 1-4 p.m Event, Candidacy Retreat, American Martyrs, Cedar Falls 17 Meeting, Synod Council, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 24 Meeting, Resolution Committee, 9:30-11 a.m. 30 Office Closed, Good Friday april EVENTS 5 Meeting, Interim Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 5 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, First, Decorah, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 10 Meeting, Assembly Planning Committee, 4-6 p.m. 14 Meeting, LYON, Synod Office, a.m Event, FCTE Continuing Education, American Martyrs, Cedar Falls Event, Youth Workers Retreat, Camp Ewalu, Strawberry Point MAY EVENTS 3 Meeting, Interim Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 3 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Lutheran Student Center, Cedar Falls, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 4 Meeting, Candidacy Committee, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 12 Meeting, LYON, Synod Office, a.m. 28 Office Closed, Memorial Day JUNE EVENTS 7 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 7 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, St. John, Guttenberg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m Event, Synod Assembly, Wartburg College, Waverly Event, WIYLDE (Wholly Iowa Leadership Discipling Event), Wartburg College, Waverly Office Closed 16 Event, NE Iowa Synodical Women s Organization Convention, Wartburg College, Waverly 27-July 1 Event, ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston, Texas Congregations INTERVIEWING Sumner, St. John Waterloo, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd SELF-STUDY Castalia, Zion Charles City, Messiah Chester, United Denver, St. Peter Dows, First Dysart, Zion Independence, Immanuel (staff) Janesville, Messiah & Denver, St. John (Maxfield) (Unity of the Cross Parish of Bremer County) Mason City, St. Paul, Rev. Burton Everist, interim Nashua, St. John, Rev. Diane Odermann, interim New Hampton, Trinity (staff) Osage, Our Savior (staff), Rev. Cheryl Szabo, interim associate Radcliffe, Our Savior s and Zion Tripoli, St. John (Crane Creek) Waukon, St. John, Rev. Bill Odermann, interim OBITUARY The Rev. Dr. Alvin B. Koeneman died Feb. 20 at the age of 84. He was ordained on June 7, He served as pastor at Carlton Hills, Santee, and St. Peter, Santa Ana, Calif. He became a U.S. Navy Chaplain, reaching the rank of rear admiral and serving as the chief of chaplains for the Navy and director of religious ministries. Upon his retirement from the Navy, he was called as director of Major Gifts at Wartburg College and later as special assistant to the President. He retired July 1, A memorial service was to take place in Arizona and, at a later date, at Wartburg Chapel, Waverly. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Pastor Koeneman is survived by his wife, Carol, and two children. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Carol Koeneman, 2330 E Montrose Canyon Dr., Oro Valley, AZ MARCH

8 Prayer CALENDAR MARCH 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Ruth E. Groth, Chassell, Mich. Rev. David L. Lenth, Ossian 4 Good Neighbor Home, Manchester 11 Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood 18 Good Samaritan Center, St. Ansgar 25 Aase Haugen Senior Services, Decorah 5 Rev. Virginia A. Olson, Eldorado 12 Galilean, Clear Lake 19 Nazareth, Coulter 26 Rev. Kent Mechler, Mason City 6 Rev. Robert F. Lehmann, Dubuque 13 Faith Lutheran Home, Osage 20 Rev. Gary K. Lee, Decorah 27 St. John, Charles City 7 First, Clarion 14 East Clermont, Clermont 21 Rev. Harold R. McMillin Jr., Garnavillo 28 Ministers enjoy a Day of Renewal Some 60 rostered ministers attended the Northeastern Iowa s Day of Renewal, which took place Feb. 22 at Nazareth Lutheran, Cedar Falls. The Rev. Dr. Martin J. Lohrmann, assistant professor of Lutheran Confessions and Heritage at Wartburg Theological Seminary, presented about the reformer Philip Melanchthon and his leadership role and influence on education in the church. Lohrmann gave an overview about Melanchthon s life, emphasizing that Melanchthon was an effective, gospel-centered church leader, who blended courage and wisdom in public service and fostered faith, freedom and accountability as a teacher and reformer. Martin Lohrmann The event included a Holy Communion service with the Rev. Steve Brackett preaching, conversation with the Bishop, and lunch prepared by members from Nazareth. Download an outline of Lohrmann s presentation at www. neiasynod.org/ministries/leadership-support. H. George Anderson Fund for Leaders Julie Nordstrom, Cedar Falls 1 Luther Manor, Dubuque 8 Good Shepherd, Inc., Mason City 15 Rev. Ronald L. Roberts, Clermont 22 Rev. Dennis E. Bauer, Cedar Falls Rev. Dave A. Nerdig, Jewell 29 Northeastern Iowa Synodical Women 2 United, Chester 9 Rev. Roger L. Buhr, Decorah Rev. Kristen Briner Wipperman, Cedar Falls 16 Good Samaritan Center, Postville 23 Sarah Andersen, Decorah Rev. H. Allen Vik, Decorah 30 Messiah, Charles City 3 Rev. Dr. H. George Anderson, Green Valley, Ariz. 10 Middle East Peace St. John, Clarksville 17 West Clermont, Clermont 24 Rev. Karen R. Grandall, Spring Valley, Minn. 31

9 Good News March 2018 Volume 31 Number 3 As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world. From the President Blessed are the weary. Really?? Have you ever been so tired, so mentally and physically exhausted that you aren t sure if you can keep going? I have, a few times, but there is one time in particular that I would like to share with you. Ten years ago, our daughter, Amanda, fell from a 3rd story window while studying in Scotland. Long story short, she required surgery, and after two days of harrowing air travel complicated by winter weather, I arrived at her bedside. It was the day before Ash Wednesday and when I left home, I asked for everyone to pray for us as we entered into our darkness journey. I knew this Lenten journey was going to be fraught with decisions and lots of the unknown, but I was not prepared with how mentally, physically and spiritually exhausted I would feel. I can still remember coming back to the flat (walking at least a mile from the hospital) and being unable to think of what to do next. No computer or cell phone, only a daily phone call on a land line to talk with my husband. I journaled every day. This journal helped me to see the blessings of each day (sometime very small things) and see the progress to health Amanda was making. I forced myself to daily remember God s blessings, even when I could not think straight. When my husband arrived to relieve me and I returned to the States, I still found myself trying to recover from the drama. The darkness seemed to prevail, but with the help of my dearest friends from my circle, I kept fighting. It was probably another year later that I finally felt as if the darkness had lifted, and I felt spiritually whole again. Our Gathering theme this year is about that feeling of weary and how the Bible encourages us to keep going, even when we cannot see how we might do that. What I do know is that through God s healing hand, lots of prayer, Bible reading, journaling, the great care of some amazing physicians and Amanda s determination, she is completely healed, married, a mother of two great kids and soon to be a rostered Minister of Word and Service in the ELCA! God s blessings truly abound! Blessed and weary, Diane Wills Mission Area: Discipleship To begin, I d like to thank Marcia Hahn for stepping in for me last month while I was in the hospital. And all those who were praying for me and the family, thank you! And because prayer was so crucial for us through it all, I d like to share my Lenten Journey book with you. Each Lent I choose a book to read as I contemplate my Christian calling and my path to the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus. This year I have returned to Prayer: Finding the Heart s True Home by Richard J. Foster (New York, HarperCollins Publishers, 1992). In it, he explores the many manifestations of Christian prayer. Many are familiar. Some not so familiar. But Foster says, this book is about a love relationship with the God of the universe.real prayer comes not from gritting our teeth but from falling in love. (P.3) May the love of the Father of us all be with us, and carry us to the joy of the Easter celebration. Submitted by Jan Harbaugh. Mission Area: Justice One of my favorite bible verses is Micah 6:8, He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. There is so much injustice in the world that I find it hard at times to keep focused on acting on the individual issues. However, we have a couple of great websites to help each of us stay focused on the current issues and take positive action to work to eradicate the injustices. One site is Cherish all Children, which is found at info@cherishallchildren.org This is an ELCA ministry, and a wonderful site from which you can receive an every Wednesday. Each week it has a prayer and issues regarding children to lift up in prayer, there may be action you can take and you can also donate to the organization if or when you want. Another site is the ELCA Advocacy Action Center which will ELCA Advocacy Alerts to you. This site will inform you of the different issues in current events that our church is concerned with praying about and acting on. Sometimes this might be signing a statement to send to Congress or it may have information regarding a statement our bishop has made regarding a current event. I have enjoyed receiving s from these two sites as it is

10 Mar. 1 Mar. 3 Apr. 1 Apr. 14 Apr. 28 May 1 May 4 May 19 Jun. 15 Jun. 16 Nov. 3 CALENDAR April Good News deadline SWO Board, 9 12:30, Synod office (snow date Mar. 10) May Good News deadline Spring Gathering, Clusters C, E, H, Fredsville LC, rural Cedar Falls Upper Iowa Cluster Spring Gathering, Big Canoe LC Little Flock Cluster Spring Gathering, St. Sebald, Strawberry Point June Good News deadline LWR Truck Loading, First Lutheran, Decorah SWO Board, 9 12:30, McCoy Room, Wartburg College SWO Board 7 p.m. 9 p.m., McCoy Room, Wartburg College 31 st Annual NE IA Synod Women of the ELCA Gathering, Wartburg College, Waverly LWR Truck Loading, Decorah a way I can be involved in current issues and do a part in seeking justice. They also help me stay informed as to what our church is doing in society to seek justice. I believe it is important to live our faith daily by being actively involved in doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. I encourage each of you to check out these sites, if you haven t already, and become active in supporting the ELCA in seeking to do justice in our world. Submitted by Nancy Miller Mission Area: Stewardship Do you know someone who gives regularly to Women of the ELCA, rain or shine, no matter what? Someone who s a faithful friend and steadfast supporter of the organization we all love? What does the Bible say about people like that? Sturdy shelter. Beyond price. Life-saving medicine. Yes, we thought, those phrases certainly describe the many steadfast supporters of Women of the ELCA. So that s what we ve named our new giving program: Faithful Friends. NEIA Women of the ELCA Executive Board Diane Wills, President wills.dianes@gmail.com Cindy Pogge, Vice President jpogge@comm1net.net Anna Jetson, Secretary amjetson@yahoo.com Beverly Sheridan, Treasurer sherida701@gmail.com 701 Serenity Drive Decorah, IA Faithful Friends is an easy way for you (or your congregational unit or your synodical organization) to give monthly to Women of the ELCA by automatic withdrawal from your checking account or by automatic charge to your credit card. Download the form at: ( Then mail the form to: Women of the ELCA Faithful Friends c/o ELCA Gift Processing Center P.O. Box 1809 Merrifield VA The Faithful Friends program supports the Women of the ELCA General Fund, which makes it possible for your churchwide organization to act quickly and flexibly in response to any need that may arise. The prophet Isaiah tells us that God says, I am about to do a new thing (43:19a). And Faithful Friends is one way you can help Women of the ELCA be ready for whatever new thing God has in store. (from the womenoftheelca.org website) Did you know that you can also donate to Women of the ELCA through AmazonSmile? Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. You will see eligible products marked Eligible for AmazonSmile donation on their product detail pages. Did you know that you can direct your Thrivent Choice dollars to many organizations: your home congregation, EWALU, LSI, Women of the ELCA, Wartburg Theological Seminary, and many more. If you are a Thrivent member, just go to and look for Direct Choice dollars and they will direct you from there. As you can see there are many opportunities for you to help your favorite charity, some without even having to write a check. Giving opportunities are all around. Submitted by Beverly Sheridan Good News Editor Jan Harbaugh 112 W. Wilbur St., Hawkeye, IA jan.harbaugh@gmail.com Articles are due the 1st of the month for the next month's newsletter (e.g. April 1 for May issue). Please put WELCA in your subject line. (You can also send paper copies by snail mail.) Contact Women of the ELCA at: or , ext W. Higgins Road Chicago, IL NEIA Women of the ELCA website: neiasynod.org/women-of-the-elca

11 Living Faith Dear Faith Shapers, March continues our Lenten journey but also includes Holy Week and Easter! What a great month! In this months newsletter insert is included activities to help you continue to celebrate Lent and as well as Holy week and Easter. When the generations come together to make Jesus the center of our celebrations, we can learn from one another; we let our children see us practicing our faith and we can create lasting traditions for years to come. Its so important that we talk with each other about the foundations for living a life of faith. It helps us to reclaim the ancient tradition of telling and retelling of the messages of hope that have been handed down from generation to generation. May you find time to walk with Jesus alongside one another, rejoicing in the good news that He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed. Alleluia! Kristin Johnson Deacon Lent Idea #1 Choose a charity to support and have everyone in the family save change for a week or longer! Lent Idea #2 Print off a world map, choose a country and pray for it. Draw a smiley face on the map to show where you have prayed for. Lent Idea #3 Make a card and send it to one of your friends and relatives. Before you send it, thank God for that person. Lent Idea #4 Count your blessings every day with the Blessing Jar. **Take a jam or coffee jar and decorate it. Cut up some bits of paper and put them by the jar with some pens or pencils. Put the jar somewhere accessible to everybody at any time e.g kitchen table. When something good happens or someone has been kind to you, write it on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. Make a routine of opening the jar once a day or once a week when everyone is together, reading the slips and saying thank you to God for His blessings! Maybe you could even glue them all into a book to look back at in the future to see how God has blessed you! Lent Idea #5 Use the Freedom Bubbles prayer. **Talk about Jesus dying to set us free from the wrong things we had done and also to release us from the things that worry us. Then thing about something you wished you hadn't done or something you were worried about and, in your heads or out loud, asked God to help you with it or to forgive you. Then blow some bubbles and watched them float as a symbol of the freedom that Jesus was giving you. This information is prepared for you by the Northeastern Iowa Synod-Home Life Network for use by families and local congregations. Like our page on Facebook and our posted resources will appear in your newsfeed. Our page is Northeastern Iowa Synod Home Life Network ELCA

12 Jelly Bean Prayer Supplies: Assorted colors of Jelly Beans (M&M s or Skittles may also be used, adapt colors as needed) A zip lock plastic bag Directions: 1. Put one jelly bean of each color in the plastic bag Gather your family for prayer. You could use this when it is time for Dessert Encourage members of your family to pray for the following things, and then they may eat them Close by praying the Lord s Prayer Let them color and write their prayers in the jelly bean jar below. Green-For all of God s creation Red-For all those who protect and care for us. Blue-For the lost and forgotten Pink-For our neighbors and for missionaries Orange-For all those that teach us Yellow-For all families and the members of your family Purple-For our the leaders of government, the church, and our communities Black-For the things that are most important to your family. White-For what you are thankful for. Seven Days to Easter Starting on Palm Sunday, follow Jesus footsteps. Choose a time when the family can be together and read the Bible story and discuss the story. You can also do fun things with the key objects such as: hide the objects and find them, create, draw or color the objects, or place them at your dinner table for discussion. Day 1 Palm Sunday Story: Jesus entering Jerusalem Scripture: John 12:12-19, Mark 11:1-11 Key objects: palm branch, donkey Day 2 Monday Story: Jesus turning over money changer s tables Scripture: Mark 11:15-19, Matthew 21:12-17 Key object : coins Day 3 Tuesday Story: The withered fig tree Scripture: Mark 11:12-14, 11:20-25, Matthew 21:18-22 Key objects: fig tree, figs Day 4 Wednesday Story: Woman anointing Jesus; Judas agreeing to betray Scripture: Mark 14:1-11; Matthew 26:6-13, 26:14-16 Key Objects: perfume (pour some on cloth), 30 silver coins Day 5- Thursday Story: The Last Supper, foot washing, Garden of Gethsemane Scripture: Mark 14:17-26, 32-42; John 12: 1-17 Key objects: bread, wine, bowl with water Day 6 Friday Story: The crucifixion; the burial Scripture: Luke 23; Matthew 17:1-61 Key objects: cross, crown of thorns, dice, sponge, nails Day 7 Saturday Story: The tomb; prophecy of Crucifixion Scripture: Matthew 17:62-66; Isaiah 53 Key objects: stone, lamb, tomb

13 2018 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly Celebrating Renewal: Philip Melanchthon Education Wartburg College Waverly, Iowa June 8-10, 2018 Registration Materials EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 8 After this date, an additional fee of $25 per person will be added. This fee cannot be waived. No exceptions. Every person attending must register. Please copy the attached information for each voting member and visitor.

14 Celebrating Renewal: Philip Melanchthon Education 2018 NORTHEASTERN IOWA SYNOD ASSEMBLY DATES PLACE BUSINESS Friday-Sunday, June 8-10, Registration begins on Friday at 4:30 p.m., opening worship at 7:00 p.m. The Synod Assembly will close with the noon meal on Sunday. Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa Resolutions and elections. The Synod Assembly will elect a vice president, secretary, 2019 churchwide voting members, synod council and committee members. KEYNOTE The keynote address More Lutheran than Luther : Philip Melanchthon and the Educational Reformation of the Church will be presented by the Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Wengert. CHURCHWIDE REPRESENTATIVE The Rev. Heidi Torgerson-Martinez, Director of Global Mission, ELCA, will bring greetings and a report from the churchwide organization. COST EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEES, UNTIL MAY 8: Voting member registration: $190 for those staying on campus, $140 for commuters Visitor registration: $160 for those staying on campus, $110 for commuters Visitor and ministry exhibit staff registration: $60 (no meals, no housing) WHO MAY REGISTER? AFTER MAY 8: An additional fee of $25 per person is added Please make checks payable to the Northeastern Iowa Synod and send with registration forms to: Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly, PO Box 804, Waverly, IA Voting members to the Synod Assembly will be the following: 1. All rostered individuals under call on the roster of the synod. 2. The formula for congregational representation for the Synod Assembly follows: The total lay delegation from any congregation be as nearly as possible 50% male and 50% female. Two voting members elected by each congregation, plus one youth voting member elected by each congregation (must be eligible to vote in their congregation), plus an additional lay voting member for every 750 baptized members, i.e., 750=1 additional, 1500=2 additional, 2250=3, etc. - continued

15 3. Members of the Synod Council. 4. All retired clergy on the roster of the synod shall elect 10 percent of their number to be voting members; all other retired clergy shall be advisory members with voice but not vote. 5. All rostered persons on leave from call for reasons of disability shall elect 10 percent of their number to be voting members to the Synod Assembly. There shall be a minimum of one (1) such person provided both voice and vote. VISITORS Any interested person may register as a visitor to the Synod Assembly; visitors do not have voice or vote. Rostered persons-not under call and retired clergy-not elected to represent retired clergy are permitted voice but not vote. ON-CAMPUS HOUSING Housing will be assigned on a first-registered, first-assigned basis in college residence halls. All rooms are air conditioned. Most rooms are double occupancy and have single beds, none are bunks. Sheets, blanket, pillow, towel and washcloth are provided. For your personal comfort, you may wish to bring an additional pillow or blanket. You will need to bring your own toiletries, such as soap and shampoo. Bathroom and shower facilities are shared, but designated as Men s or Women s. MEALS Registration fees include the following meals: (no meals on Friday, June 8) Saturday, June 9: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sunday, June 10: breakfast and lunch. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Questions concerning registration and campus facilities may be directed to the Northeastern Iowa Synod office, 319/ On May 8, a pre-assembly notebook will be mailed/or a digital copy ed to registered voting members.

16 2018 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly Wartburg College--Waverly, Iowa, June 8-10, 2018 Celebrating Renewal: Philip Melanchthon Education VOTING MEMBER REGISTRATION FORM Please type or print. Name Telephone No. Mailing Address City State Zip Congregation/Institution Address Pre-Assembly Report: Please send me a printed copy OR Digital copy to: Please check one (1) in each Category: Category A: Ordained Minister (under call) Associate in Ministry (under call) Diaconal Minister (under call) Lay Adult Youth Retired Clergy (elected by retired clergy) Clergy On-Leave from Call for Disability (elected) Synod Council Category B: Male Female Category C: Early Bird Registration UNTIL May 8 Commuter $140 (meals, no housing) Non-Commuter $190 (meals, housing) AFTER May 8 Add $25 Fee Amount Enclosed $ Housing: Most rooms are double occupancy, all beds are single. If you do not indicate a roommate, one will be assigned. I would like to room with: Name Address Handicap Accessible needed Children Accompanying Age/s Dietary: Special needs: Please include payment with this registration. Make checks payable to Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA. Send to: Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly PO Box 804 Waverly, IA REGISTRATION FEES will be refunded for cancellations received by May 8.

17 2018 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly Wartburg College--Waverly, Iowa, June 8-10, 2018 Celebrating Renewal: Philip Melanchthon Education VISITOR REGISTRATION FORM Please type or print. Name Telephone No. Mailing Address City State Zip Congregation/Institution Address Please check one (1) in each Category: Category A: Ordained Minister (not under call) Associate in Ministry (not under call) Diaconal Minister (not under call) Lay Adult Youth Ministry Exhibit Staff Invited Guest (No Charge) includes speakers/presenters, Assembly Committees Category B: Male Female Category C: Early Bird Registration UNTIL May 8 Commuter $110 (meals, no housing) Non-Commuter $160 (meals, housing) Visitor/Exhibit Staff $60 (no meals, no housing) AFTER May 8 Add $25 Fee Amount Enclosed $ Housing: Most rooms are double occupancy, all beds are single. If you do not indicate a roommate, one will be assigned. I would like to room with: Name Address Special Needs: Please indicate any special needs (housing, dietary, handicap accessible, children accompanying you, etc.) Please include payment with this registration. Make checks payable to Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA. Send to: Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly PO Box 804 Waverly, IA REGISTRATION FEES will be refunded for cancellations received May 8.