Star. The youth prepared for the Gathering

Transcription

1 Star Northeastern Iowa Evangelical September 2015 Volume 28, Issue 8 Lutheran Church in America Celebrating Renewal: Jan Hus Bold Leadership Youth, leaders share about the 2015 Youth Gathering by Marcia Hahn Everyone has a story to tell. Here are a few from the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering. Pastor Mark Anderson, Assistant to the Bishop, Gathering Synod Coordinator Anderson has been attending Lutheran Youth Gatherings for about as long as he can remember as a youth and as a pastor and he is quick to say that the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit was the best one yet. He points to the entirety of the event, the gratefulness of the people of Detroit, and the preparation and support from the congregations for making this year s Gathering so special. The youth prepared for the Gathering as members of their own congregational youth groups, raising funds and doing Bible study together, Anderson said. They traveled to the Gathering as part of a travel team with other congregations from their region or conference. Then, at the Gathering, they became part of a global church, sharing the experience with 30,000 other youth. The five-day event included worship each day at Ford Field with Christian music and speakers. The Cobo Exhibition Center, which is the length of 10 football fields, was the center for hundreds of activities There was a feeling of gratefulness from the Detroit people and disbelief that so many would come from all over the country and do this for them. and learning experiences focused on fun, fellowship and mission. Busloads of youth and leaders spent a full day engaged in service projects throughout Detroit, including cleaning up neighborhoods and collecting diapers for distribution. There was a feeling of gratefulness from the Detroit people and dis- >> Continued on page 2 In This Issue Youth, leaders share about the 2015 Youth Gathering Heroes of the Faith were at the Youth Gathering Synod networks strengthen youth ministries Youth from St. John, Clarksville, join thousands of others outside at the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit waiting to begin community service projects. 6 Stewardship 9 Congregations 10 Prayer Calendar

2 Youth, leaders share about the 2015 Youth Gathering << Continued from page 1 belief that so many would come from all over the country and do this for them. Deb Ford, Northeastern Iowa Synod youth ministry coordinator, arranged a meaningful synod day in which the 600 youth and adults from Northeastern Iowa gathered for worship, communion, and reflection. Bishop Ullestad preached and joined four youth in sharing their faith journey stories. Youth from the Decorah congregations provided the music. Anderson noted that the Detroit Gathering was unique because virtually every youth there had a smart phone, which meant there was constant interacting on social media. More than ever before, this was a gathering of the whole church, Anderson said. Whether they donated diapers, watched the events live online, or supported the youth beforehand in making their trip possible, the whole church participated in this Gathering. Tanner Striegel, St. Paul, Hampton I loved it. I thought it was wonderful. The overall energy and vibe that you got from everybody there, my heart was just pounding with happiness, Striegel said. The high school freshman said that a lot of people stopped by to say thank you to his group when they cleared away items from abandoned homes and when the group was walking the streets of Detroit going for dinner. Lots of people said thank you and talked to us about their city. One guy said Detroit isn t that bad of a place, because every city goes through hard times. Tanner Striegel of St. Paul, Hampton, helps clear overgrown brush from a Detroit neighborhood as part of the synod s service day at the ELCA Youth Gathering. Striegel helped make hats for kids in the hospitals and he donated money to the Walk for Water project to build wells. He and his group also participated in the opening number of the Gathering s Sunday morning worship service, dancing and parading through the aisles. He says his favorite part of the Gathering was when everyone came together for evening worship. Afterward, all 30,000 of us spilled into the streets randomly chanting and singing Bible songs while walking. There were so many people at once that it would stop traffic, and people in their cars were honking their horns and cheering for us. Theresa Elverum, Bethlehem, Cedar Falls This was the fourth time that Elverum, who is retired, has attended a Gathering as a volunteer. She says that the energy of the event keeps her coming back. The Bethlehem group joined a busload of other youth to clean up a neighborhood lot. The on-site supervisor told them to clear the lot by the end of the day so that the house could be seen. The group had it cleaned up in 30 minutes, so they spent the rest of the day clearing the whole block. People going by would stop and say they were so glad we were there, Elverum said. The hospitality from one occupied house made the kids comfortable by bringing out snacks, ice and donuts. They went to a lot of extra work for us that they didn t have to do. Pastor Charlie Underwood, St. John, Clarksville I thought it was wonderful to be with the energy and excitement of all the youth, said Underwood of his first youth gathering. From a small town, it was a great eyeopener for our youth. It was the first time many of them have seen homeless or poor people. Our kids came back more spiritual than when they left. The streets were filed with crowds everywhere, and one day, while Underwood and the St. John group were standing in line for ice cream, a lady in front turned around and asked about all the T-shirts people were wearing. One St. John youth answered that they were Lutherans from all over the country here for the ELCA Youth Gathering and to do service in the city. She also told the woman about the hundreds of thousands of diapers they were collecting. The woman announced that she would pay for all their ice cream. >> Continued on page 7 2 Northeastern Iowa Synod

3 Bishop Heroes of the Faith were at the Youth Gathering I know there are heroes of the faith who have sacrificed their lives, who have lost all of their possessions, who have had to deal with the loss of their families for the sake of the Gospel. No one can match their sacrifice. There are also heroes of the faith that have not experienced tragic losses, but remarkable celebrations. These are the people of the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering. My faith was deepened, as was the faith of the participants, and Detroit was transformed with hope. I wish words could communicate all that took place in those few days. We have shared with you the stories through our social media sites: neiasynod, neiowasynodelca, and northeasterniowasynodelca. I wish that it were possible to shake each of their hands and give them my deepest thanks. blogspot.com and the stories in this month s Star. Heroes of the event, in my mind, were the pastors, youth workers and youth sponsors that accompanied our young adults to the Gathering. These are remarkable people who cared for our youth, withstood very difficult circumstances, and came out on the other side with joy and gratitude infused in our young people. I wish that it were possible to shake each of their hands and give them my deepest thanks. The other heroes were the youth whose boundless hopefulness and unbridled positive energy witnessed to the power of the resurrection in the lives of people. Then there are the 1,500 volunteers who planned and staffed the Gathering. Most were never seen or thanked. They simply served. Together we have changed the church, the lives of our young adults, and the city of Detroit. Thank you to the hero servants. Steven L. Ullestad Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod Workshop to focus on building men s ministries Building Men for Christ Workshop Oct. 24, 2015, St. Peter, Denver Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) is offering a one-day workshop to help church leaders develop and sustain lifechanging men s ministries for their congregations. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Peter Evangelical, Denver. Developed as part of the leadership training resources of LMM, the workshop will focus on ways to help develop programs that can impact all the men in the congregation, regardless of where they are in their spiritual journey as followers of Christ. Workshop topics include Understanding How Guys Differ, Activity Planning Strategies, Capturing & Sustaining Momentum, the I-GO strategy and more. Lon Buss, former Region 5 Board director for Lutheran Men in Mission, will be the presenter. Registration fee per person is $49 if registered by Oct. 10; $69 after that date. Pastors and church staff may register for $25 per person. Congregations are encouraged to send teams of three to six to attend. Individuals are also welcome. Each registrant will receive the No Man Left Behind resource book, Man Talk cards, and lunch. To register, download the brochure at ministries/mens-ministry. A poster and FAQ sheet are also available to download. SEPTEMBER

4 Synod networks strengthen youth ministries by Marcia Hahn Just over a year ago, Laurie Heidebrink left her role as council president of St. John Evangelical, Charles City, to become the congregation s full-time youth and family ministries coordinator. After years of serving as a Sunday school teacher, confirmation small-group leader, and church council member, the 14-year St. John member welcomed the opportunity to join the Youth and Family Ministry staff. A lot of people in youth ministry jobs come in new to the community, Heidebrink said. I am lucky to already know people here and have a vested interest in the youth and family ministry program. Heidebrink has already initiated a number of changes to the St. John Youth and Family Ministry, including a reformatted confirmation program, expanded opportunities for mission trips, and new family activities. She has also joined the Northeastern Iowa Synod s Youth Ministry Network, which she credits with giving her ideas, feedback, support and confidence to make changes in her youth ministry programs. Children use an idea from the Home Life Network s Living Faith@Home newsletter to write messages of Jesus resurrection on Easter eggs before dyeing them at a family Easter event at St. John, Charles City. Youth ministry can be cyclical, where the youth are really active and then the interest wanes a bit, Heidebrink explained. We decided it was time to make Some two dozen professionals in youth and family ministry comprise the synod s Youth Ministry Network, which meets monthly at different churches and youth ministry settings. Network members share their creative ideas and experiences and learn what others are doing in their ministries. The goal is to support one another in prayer, fellowship and the free exchange of ideas. Having that many people to bounce ideas off has been great, Heidebrink said. For example, I will ask them if they have ever used a certain curriculum and what they think of it. It s been really helpful to have a peer group and be with people who are doing the same job I am doing. One of Heidebrink s first undertakings in her new role was to revamp the confirmation program into six-week learning sessions with courses based on the Bible and Luther s Small Catechism, along with elective courses the youth can choose based on their interests. Northeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Rev. Dr. 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. 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 October issue to Marcia Hahn by Sept. 14. We welcome story ideas related to the 2015 theme, Celebrating Renewal Bold Leadership. 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 some changes to keep the interest, so we did some research and switched to a university-style confirmation program. The elective courses have focused on praise music, attitudes, world religions, the God s Not Dead movie, religion s tough questions and other topics. Adult volunteers teach the elective courses using a syllabus prepared by Heidebrink. It is easier to recruit adult volunteers to teach the courses when their commitment is six weeks, rather than a whole year, and the youth have enjoyed learning about topics they choose, Heidebrink said. Heidebrink has also focused on reviving St. John s tradition of mission trips by opening them to middle school students, as well as high school students, and their friends. Last year s trip went to the Black Hills, and this year s trip to Milwaukee included 21 youth, half of them middle school students. We want to build consistency in our mission trips and make sure that whatever trip is planned, will happen, Heidebrink said. When Heidebrink needs a new idea for connecting youth and family to faith, she turns to the Living Faith newsletter, created by the synod s Home Life Network. The monthly newsletter features ideas for families to celebrate liturgical seasons and milestones, and is distributed through the synod s Star newsletter and posted on the synod website. In my first year alone as Youth and Family Ministries coordinator, I used Home Life Network ideas for our family Advent and Lenten WIYLDE helped me understand more of what Christian faith is all about and what goes on in the church. events, and for our mission trips and the After School Program, Heidebrink said. The ideas are creative and are useful in a lot of our programming. One idea became part of the Family Faithcation, an event in which families journeyed from room to room at St. John to play oversized games at domestic and international destinations, each with a connection to a scripture message. Flat Jesus puppets were reprinted from the Living Faith newsletter and hidden in a destination room where families could search for the Flat Jesus with scripture from Deuteronomy 4:29, From there you will seek the Lord, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and with all your soul. St. John youth are also active providing free childcare at the church so that parents can enjoy an EWOK Evening With Out Kids. They also help with the Wednesday After-School Program for preschool and elementary students, Sunday school, and vacation Bible School. In addition, a number of middle school and high school youth rise early once a month for the 6 a.m. Bibles Before Books program for Bible study and breakfast together before school. St. John youth also participate in SEPTEMBER 2015 the synod s annual Middle School Lock-In, and this year St. John sent seven high school students to WIYLDE, the Wholly Iowa Youth Leadership Discipling Event. Heidebrink credits the high participation in WIYLDE to the shorter length of the program four days instead of six and to the witness of two youth who previously attended. They shared with the confirmation class what they liked about WIYLDE, how it changed their faith journey, and how much fun they had with others at the event. Eleventh grader Mija Cotton says that her three years at WIYLDE have helped her grow in her faith and given her the confidence to teach pre-school Sunday school. Mija Cotton says that three years of leadership training at WIYLDE have given her the confidence to teach Sunday school at St. John, Charles City. WIYLDE helped me understand more of what Christian faith is all about and what goes on in the church, Cotton said. It helped me >> Continued on page 6 5

6 STEWARDSHIP Synod networks strengthen youth ministries << Continued from page 5 better understand my own relationship with God and how to share that with others. The St. John Youth Board and congregation have been supportive of the mission trips, WIYLDE participation and other youth ministry activities by helping with expenses and volunteering as leaders. Heidebrink makes a point to share with parents and the congregation about the youth activities through s and posts on Facebook. We can reach a whole lot of people better on Facebook than when we send a note home, she said. St. John s youth ministry opportunities are having an impact on the youth and their renewed interest in church. Parents have told me that their kids are asking, Are we going to go to church this week? instead of Do we have to go to church? Heidebrink said. Register for Leadership Event Saturday, Sept. 12, :30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Redeemer Lutheran, Waverly Those planning to attend the Fall Leadership Event should register by Friday, Sept. 4 by calling the synod office, or sending an to boltec@neiasynod.org. This annual event is an opportunity for lay and rostered members to join a synod network and connect with other network members in person. There is no cost to attend, and lunch is included. To learn more, visit www. neiasynod.org/event/#service. Practice Being Grateful by Pastor Mark Anderson, Assistant to the Bishop Mr. A. J. Jacobs, a well know author and lecturer, tried to reconnect with his Jewish heritage by living one year following every commandment in the Old Testament, including even stoning an adulterer (using very small stones). He has written a book about his project titled The Year of Living Biblically: One Man s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. I just listened to a TED Talk that Jacobs offered on his experience, and I was surprised by his statement that of all the rules in the Old Testament, including, of course, Leviticus, the rule he found the most difficult to follow was the rule to be thankful. For example, he tried to be thankful at work when the elevator answered his call, thankful when the elevator did not plummet to the basement. Thankful for friends and family, for everything in his life large and small. He reports that living in gratitude changed the way he spoke about people and events. When the way he spoke changed, the way he thought changed and, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 Pastors, lay leaders and volunteers are invited to photos and summaries of the activities their congregations will be doing for the ELCA Service Day on Sept. 13. The God s work. Our hands. service finally, he changed as a person for the better. After an entire year of trying to live by every rule in the Old Testament, Jacobs found that learning to be grateful has had the most impact on his life. Maybe being more grateful would change not just the heart of a New York author, but even small town Iowans. What if we practiced being grateful for each and every gift God has given us? What if we were grateful for each and every person God has put in our lives? What if we were grateful for every mouth of food, breath of air, drink of water, dollar in our bank, friend on the street? Would the realization of all that we have received make us more generous with others? Would it make us more generous with our wealth? I am not sure, let s give it a try and find out. To download this article or other stewardship resources, visit www. neiasynod.org/stewardship. Share about your Service Day activities day is designated as a time for ELCA congregations to do service projects in their communities as a witness to others. Photos from the day will be posted online and in the Star newsletter and can be ed to Marcia Hahn at hahnm@ neiasynod.org. 6 Northeastern Iowa Synod

7 Youth, leaders share about the 2015 Youth Gathering << Continued from page 2 That really had an impact on our youth for someone to do that because we were there, Underwood said. Underwood added that his personal favorite day was the synod day. The way our synod set up the worship service was very spiritual, he said. It s easy to create an air of excitement, but it s harder to create a spiritual atmosphere. Tucker Thomsen, American, La Porte City I didn t think it would be so huge. Having 30,000 people there, you can t really comprehend the numbers of people until you see them walking in the streets, said Thomsen, a high school senior. Thomsen s group helped clean up a neighborhood where they met two women residents who called them angels and who Thomsen describes as very optimistic and always positive. They asked the group about Iowa and said they loved sweet corn. They wanted to know about the different kinds of corn, and the youth told them all they knew about corn and detasseling. Overall, it was a great experience for us kids living in small town Iowa where everyone knows everyone. Being able to explore in a controlled environment was a positive adventure. Seeing a huge amount of people, you realize the world is Four-year-old Larry helps youth from Immanuel, Independence, deliver diapers to his pre-school in Detroit. so much bigger than you think it is, but you see that people are interested in the same things you are. It was an amazing experience. Pastor Greg DeBoer, Immanuel, Independence Youth and leaders from Immanuel spent their service day delivering some of the one million diapers that were donated to the Gathering. The group picked up diapers from 10 different hotels, loaded them onto a chartered bus and delivered them to a preschool for distribution to families. Fouryear-old Larry was especially excited to watch the boxes of diapers coming in throughout the day. He even talked some of the groups into building him a fort with the diaper boxes. A number of local residents started conversations with DeBoer to say they were following the Gathering on the news and they couldn t thank them enough for the hope they were bringing to the city. That made me feel good to know that the locals were noticing that we were trying to do something good for them, DeBoer said. SEPTEMBER 2015 One image especially stood out for DeBoer watching the Immanuel youth high five as many people as they could. They intentionally sought out people to make them smile the guy sweeping the sidewalk, the employees of Ford Field and the police officers. Pastor Randy Baldwin, One in Christ Parish Baldwin s group cleared brush and trees from an area of mostly abandoned houses, and a dozen or so cars stopped to say thanks. One 72-year-old woman stopped to ask who they were. I told her we came from all over the United States to Detroit because we heard you needed help, Baldwin said. She said she couldn t wrap her head around it, that we would come to help in her neighborhood. I told her we re the church, that s what we do. She said her grandfather was a pastor and she had walked away from the church, but after seeing this, she said she might go back. St. Paul, Monona Chloe Landt, a 2015 high school graduate, said she loved the feeling of the first night at Ford Field, knowing all those people were there for the same reason God. Tenthgrade student Chebe Feuerhelm said she enjoyed seeing people she knew from Camp Ewalu and she appreciated the opportunity to participate in some special roles. It was cool we got to be part of serving communion to everyone in our synod, and at Ford Field we were part of the revealing where the next Gathering will be, Feuerhelm said. It felt like we were a part of the Gathering, not just attending. This was the first Gathering for Pastor Erika Kielstrup, who said it >> Continued on page 8 7

8 Still not on Facebook? by Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson, Director for Evangelical Mission, ELCA If you won t take my word for it that congregations, pastors and church leaders need to be engaging on social media, perhaps you will take Bishop Elizabeth Eaton s word for it. When she addressed the attendees at the ELCA Worship Jubilee Living Voice in Atlanta, Bishop Eaton stressed the importance of congregations and leaders using social media. Martin Luther was wise enough to use the tools that were available to spread his message. I m quite certain Martin Luther would have a Facebook and Twitter account. He certainly would be blogging. And probably Katie Luther would be sharing her beer brewing tips on Pinterest. It is necessary for congregations and leaders to engage on social media, both for the sake of their members and for outreach to those not in your church. Social media is the new mission field. If you are not on social media you are missing opportunities to minister to your own members and you are missing opportunities to witness to how God works through the mission of your congregation and of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I believe I have heard all of the reasons church leaders give as to why they will not be on social media. I do not dispute the reasonableness of those reasons. But I would challenge everyone who has a good reason to stay away from social media to finish your sentence I am not on social media because with and therefore it is worth it to me and the church to miss opportunities to minister and to reach out. I am putting it that strongly because that is how important I think social media is for your ministry. Once on social media, there are better ways than others to engage and use social media. I am available to help congregations and leaders get started and to improve ways to use social media for outreach. I can come to congregations and I can do presentations at women s meetings, youth events and conference gatherings. There are several articles on using social media on our blog, God s Work our Blog, and we have a YouTube Channel with several howtos. But first you have to get on! I look forward to seeing you on social media. Friend me on Facebook. I friend everyone! Youth, leaders share about the 2015 Youth Gathering << Continued from page 7 Youth invited to monthly gatherings was like a big family reunion seeing and hugging people she knew from all over the country. It made me realize how small the Lutheran world is, yet how far we can reach when we work together. The Gathering is an experience like none I have ever had before. I truly didn t know what to expect, but it was an emotional experience my faith was strengthened and challenged at the same time. Lutheran Youth Organization Network (LYON) High school youth in grades nine through 12 are invited to stay in the Gathering spirit by joining the Northeastern Iowa Synod s Lutheran Youth Organization Network (LYON) for the year. The LYON gatherings will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., one Sunday each month, at the synod office in Waverly. Each meeting will include fellowship, Bible study and a focus to build leadership skills. Youth ministry leaders from various synod congregations will lead the sessions. No registration is necessary. Follow LYON on Facebook at NEIALYON and on NEIALYON. LYON SCHEDULE 2-5 p.m., Synod Office September 27, 2015 October 18, 2015 November 22 December 20, 2015 January 24, 2016 February 21, 2016 March 13, 2016 April 17, 2016 May 15, Northeastern Iowa Synod

9 Events SEPTEMBER EVENTS 3 Meeting, Interim Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 3 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Bethlehem, Cedar Falls 7 Office Closed, Labor Day 12 Meeting, Fall Leadership Event, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 12 Meeting, Synod Council, 12:45-4 p.m. 13 Service Day, God s Work. Our Hands. Sunday 17 Conference Call, First Call Theological Education Executive Committee, 11 a.m.-noon 27 Meeting, LYON, 2-4 p.m., Synod Office OCTOBER EVENTS 1 Meeting, Interim Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 1 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., St. John, Charles City 6 Meeting, Colleague Leaders, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m Event, Middle School Lock-In, UNI Wellness Center, Cedar Falls Event, Fall Theological Conference, Best Western Midway, Dubuque 18 Meeting, LYON, 2-4 p.m., Synod Office 24 Event, Building Men for Christ Workshop, 9 a.m. -4:30 p.m., St. Peter, Denver 25 Event, Social Media Sunday 29 Meeting, First Call Theological Education Committee, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. NOVEMBER EVENTS 5 Meeting, Interim Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 5 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Petri, Story City 14 Event, Lost & Found Concert, 7 p.m., Luther College, Decorah 22 Meeting, LYON, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Synod Office Office Closed, Thanksgiving DECEMBER EVENTS 3 Meeting, Interim Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 3 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., TBA 4-5 Meeting, Candidacy 20 Meeting, LYON, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Synod Office Office Closed, Christmas Lock-In set for Oct The annual Junior High/Middle School Lock-In is set for Oct at the UNI Wellness Center, Cedar Falls. Registration will begin in August. Visit for updates. Congregations INTERVIEWING Arlington, One in Faith Parish (staff) Hawkeye, Trinity, Rev. David R. Nelson, interim Lake Mills, Salem, Rev. Peter Soli, interim Waterloo, Trinity West Union, Zion SELF-STUDY Alta Vista, Zion and Lawler, Immanuel (Crane Creek), Rev. Vincent Fricke, interim Calmar, Calmar and Decorah, Springfield, Rev. Phillip Olson, interim Charles City, St. John Clermont, West Clermont Cresco, First Decorah, Decorah (staff) Decorah, St. John s and Hauge Decorah, Washington Prairie Dubuque, Holy Trinity Elgin, Elgin & Elkader, Highland Farmersburg, St. John Frederika, St. John Garner, Faith (Miller) Greene, St. Peter Jesup, American, Rev. Tom Jones, interim Leland, Our Savior Mason City, St. Paul McGregor, First Osage, Our Savior s (staff) Postville, St. Paul Strawberry Point, Emanuel Sumner, St. John Sumner, St. John (Buck Creek) & Oran, St. Peter Waterloo, Our Savior s Waterloo, St. Ansgar, Rev. Alan Schulz, interim Waverly, Redeemer ROSTER CHANGES Rev. Stanley Olson, transferred to Minneapolis Area Synod Nancy Olson, AIM, transferred to Minneapolis Area Synod Register for Fall Conference Oct , 2015, Dubuque, Iowa Special room rates for the Fall Theological Conference are available until Friday, Sept. 11. To reserve a room, call the Best Western Midway Hotel and Conference Center at or and mention the Northeastern Iowa Synod conference. Registration for the conference is due Monday, Sept. 28. Download the registration form at SEPTEMBER

10 Prayer CALENDAR September 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Rev. Dr. Walter C. Bouzard, Waverly Amy B. Wrightsman, Decorah 6 St. Paul, Mason City 13 Rev. Gary A. Hedding, Cedar Falls 20 First, McGregor 27 Rev. Ronald L. Fretheim, Decorah Edna Kamper, Algona 7 Our Saviour s, Mason City 14 St. James, Mason City 21 Rev. Vincent C. Fricke, Waverly Susan A. Garbes, Nashua 28 Our Savior s, Lansing 1 St. John, Luana 8 Rev. James E. Klosterboer, Elkader 15 St. Paul, Maynard 22 Faith, Mitchell 29 Our Savior, Leland 2 Rev. O. Paul Hougen, Decorah 9 Trinity, Mason City 16 Rev. Darryl D. Torrin, Cedar Falls 23 Rev. James H. Carpenter, Waverly Rev. Kathryn H. Wicks, Castalia 30 Rev. Kenneth H. Hatland, Louisville, Colo. Rev. James A. Sandvik, Arvada, Colo. 3 Rev. Selmer G. Hernes, Forest City Rev. Joseph B. Nesheim, Northfield, Minn. 10 Middle East Rev. James J. Carstensen, Raymond, MS Rev. David A. Nelson, Waverly 17 Rev. Erika J. Kielstrup, Monona 24 St. Paul, Lime Springs 4 Bethlehem, Manly 11 Alice M. Martin, Dubuque 18 Rev. Charles D. Ager, Strawberry Point 25 Betty J. Urlaub, Garnavillo 5 St. Paul, Marble Rock 12 Rev. Hillary E. Burns-Kite, Garnavillo Rev. S. Philip Froiland, Edina, Minn. Rev. David E. Jordon, Philadelphia, Pa. Rev. David R. Nelson, Hawkeye Rev. Peter J. Soli, Albert Lea, Minn. 19 Rev. Paul C. Nelson, Waverly Rev. Dawn L. Pederson, Belmond Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Quere, Dubuque 26 OBITUARIES STEPHEN ENGELSTAD Pastor Stephen Engelstad died July 23, 2015, at the age of 95. He was ordained June 5, He served in Fairdale, N.D.; Irene, S.D.; Rockford, Iowa; Estherville, Iowa; and St. Ansgar, Iowa. He retired Oct. 1, 1992, and served as visitation pastor in Cresco, Iowa and St. James Lutheran Church, Mason City. A funeral service took place July 31 at First Lutheran, St. Ansgar. He is survived by his wife Viola, six children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Viola at 2060 S Kentucky Ave., Apt 318, Mason City, IA For a complete obituary, visit www. schroederandsites.com. RAMON RUNKEL Pastor Ray Runkel died Aug. 3, 2015, at the age of 84. He was ordained on June 16, He served as associate pastor at Ezekiel Lutheran, River Falls, Wisc.; pastor at Bethlehem, Brodhead, Wisc. and Trinity, Durand, Ill.; chaplain at the South Dakota Training School, Plankinton, S.D.; and Director of Chaplaincy, Lutheran Services in Iowa, Des Moines. He retired Jan. 1, A memorial service took place Aug. 8 at St. John s Lutheran, Des Moines. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Pearson, and their children. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Runkel Family, st St., Des Moines IA For a complete obituary, visit www. dahlfuneralhome.com/memsol. cgi?user_id=

11 Good News September 2015 Volume 28 Number 8 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. TRI-SYNODICAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS, JUNE 19-20, 2015 I promised you it would be special and it was from the opening worship service with Holy Communion on Friday afternoon to the hugs and good-byes before leaving on Saturday afternoon. 208 women, pastors and presenters (80 women from our synod) gathered at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge for worship, special speakers, interest sessions, good food and fellowship. Rev. Minna Quint (grew up in Ryan) and Bishop Rodger Prois (Western synod) led us in opening worship, followed by keynote speaker, Rev. Wynetta Bullock, assistant to Bishop Eaton in our Churchwide office. Our offerings were distributed to Women of the Churchwide Organization, Lutheran Disaster Response/Iowa and Lutheran Chaplaincy Outreach at University Hospitals in Iowa City. Our Bishop Ullestad and Rev. Paul Ostrem (SE Iowa Synod) led us in Bible studies following the theme, GENERATIONS OF FAITH. We especially appreciated having our bishop and his wife with us. Rev. Cindy Breed shared her work as chaplain at the U of Iowa Hospitals and thanked us for our offerings and the MANY prayer shawls that were given to them at this gathering. Rev. Jeff Ungs, who works with Lutheran Disaster Response in Western Iowa also thanked us for our offerings. There was also a large outpouring of items brought for the recovery homes in Fort Dodge. Our interest sessions, Music through the Ages, Recording Family Stories and scrapbooking, were choices related to the theme. Interest sessions on Human Trafficking, recovery program for women who suffer from drug and alcohol addictions, domestic abuse, and identity theft made an impression on all of us. Nondelegates joined together to hear and share stories across generations. All of these sessions, along with the Bible studies, received excellent evaluations. It was special, too, to have three Churchwide board members with us Patti Austin, president of our Churchwide Board from Atlanta, GA, Jackie Wilson from Hot Springs, AR and our representative, Cindy Arnett from Cupertino, CA. They spoke to us on stewardship, resources available on the website and their board s responsibilities. They also had an interest session on use of the Women of the ELCA website. We all enjoyed a lively banquet with Jive for Five, a brass quintet, playing for us after dinner and more good food at our Saturday luncheon. And let s not forget shopping! The room adjoining the dining room was filled with displays and vendors. So all the planning that took place for over a year came together for a very special gathering. Next year we will be back at Wartburg College on Saturday, June 18. Hope to see you there! I want to especially thank our own Syd Brinkman for her leadership and Western Iowa Synod for being our gracious hostesses. THEY MADE IT SPECIAL FOR ALL OF US! Gloria Tollefson REVIEWING OUR BUSINESS MEETINGS Each synod held their own business meetings. In spite of cramped and warm quarters, we did: *Adopt our 2016 proposed budget *Pass three resolutions submitted by synod board committees 1. We encourage use of our NE Iowa Synod website by having all written communication included on our website. 2. We promote the use of our Gather magazine and its Bible study by purchasing additional subscriptions for new members of our churches, family members and friends 3. Clusters and congregational units will use speakers, films, books etc. to help prevent human trafficking through increased awareness, political action and prayer. *Elect and install a new president, secretary and two new board members and re-elected two: President: Diane Wills, Zion-St. John, Sheffield, Three Rivers Cluster H Secretary: Anna Jetson, Highland Lutheran, Spring Grove, MN, Upper Iowa River Cluster D New Board Members: Lisa Bahe, Zion Lutheran, Oelwein, Little Flock Cluster B

12 CALENDAR Sep. 4 Three Rivers Cluster H Fall Gathring, EWALU, Stone Center, Strawberry Point Sep. 15 Riverside Cluster F Fall Gathering, Learning Center, Carlson Tree Farm, Coulter Sep. 16 Free-will supper and bazaar/auction, St. Olaf Lutheran, Belmond, 5:30 pm Sep. 16 Graduates from Magdalene Home/Thistle Farms of Nashville, TN will be at St. Paul s Postville, 7 pm Sep. 17 See above, Upper Iowa University, Fayette, 6-9 Sep. 18 See above, Zion, Oelwein, 1 pm Fellowship Tea, program 7 pm Oct. 17 Jubilee Cluster C Event, Zion-Jubilee LC, rural LaPorte City, 9:30 am Oct. 24 Little Flock Cluster B Fall Gathering, St. Paul LC, Monona Nov. 7 Fall LWR In-Gathering for Clusters C (Jubilee), E (Tree of Life) and H (Three Rivers) at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls Nov. 14 Living Waters Cluster G Fall Gathering, Bethlehem, Manley Jun 18, 2016 NEIA Women s Synodical Convention Della Benson, Immanuel Lutheran, Scarville, Living Waters Cluster G Re-elected Board Members: Vicky Jaeger, First Lutheran, Decorah, Upper Iowa River Cluster D Melissa Miller, Redeemer Lutheran, Waverly, Tree of Life Cluster E *Elect next year s nominating committee: *Present three Educational Scholarships Lora Ann Tabbert, St. John s Rock Township, Osage Kristi Anderson, St. James, Allison Kelli Hanken, Zion, Castalia THANKS TO OUR DELEGATES WE APPRECIATE YOU! Gloria Tollefson BOLD SERVICE At our July Immanuel WELCA general meeting we asked Jennifer Peterschmidt to share with us her experiences on the Mercy Ship docked in Madagascar in Western Africa NEIA Women of the ELCA website: neiasynod.org/womenoftheelca Good News Editor Jan Harbaugh P. O. Box 68 Renwick, 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.) this past year. Jennifer is a daughter of Immanuel Lutheran in Independence. She is a surgical nurse serving with many surgical doctors and nurses. She and the entire staff feel the call from their Lord. Their response to His call, Here I am, Lord; I will go, Lord. Jennifer has served 6 years on the Mercy ship. They perform many types of surgeries and the people are so appreciative of the help and healing they are able to bring to them. They too are richer for the experience. Jennifer has decided to remain with the ship another year. After spending June and July with her parents and friends, she will leave in August to sail back to Madagascar in Western Africa for next year s outreach with a major surgical emphasis on women s health issues. She is very thankful for our love, prayers and support given to her. Submitted by Marie Bushkovsky, WELCA Immanuel, Independence UPCOMING HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROGRAMS Two graduates of Thistle Farms of Nashville, TN will be in Northeastern Iowa in September! Graduates of Thistle Farms are survivors of prostitution, trafficking, addictions, and homelessness. We welcome them to share their stories of being victimized into prostitution and the success they achieved when they went through the Thistle Farms program in Nashville. Thistle Farms proudly uses Love Heals as their motto because love is the biggest force in getting women off the streets and into the life that was intended for them by their creator! Please come and listen to their amazing stories. They will inspire you to look at the issues hidden under our noses in our own communities. Human trafficking is not a big city issue. It is here, and we are BOLD women who can make a HUGE change. Sep. 16 Graduates from Magdalene Home/Thistle Farms of Nashville, TN will be at St. Paul s Postville, 7pm Sep. 17 Upper Iowa University, Fayette, 6-9 Sep. 18 Zion, Oelwein, 1 pm Fellowship Tea, 7 pm Program Submitted by Lisa Bahe. NEIA Women of the ELCA Treasurer Nancy Poppe 2656 Gilmore Ave. Ionia, IA Popcan@exede.net Contact Women of the ELCA at: or , ext W. Higgins Road Chicago, IL

13 Living Faith Dear Fellow Soul Shapers, Happy Fall! By now the summer activities are a memory, the kids are headed back in school, the evenings are chilly and come quicker..a new year begins at church. Finding time, especially time spent with family has been a challenge, it was when I was a kid, when my kids were kids, and is even more of a challenge these days. This month s living faith offers some ideas for spending time together as a family. At this year s NEIA Synod Assembly my friend and AIM Kristen Johnson offered a great workshop on the Cross Generational Ministry that St Petri Lutheran Church in Story City has been doing for the last year. One of the ideas that she shared was to do the Faith 5. I thought it was such a good idea that I made my family do it every day on our cross gen camping trip that included grandparents/children, aunts and uncles. Here is what we did each night at supper or at the campfire. Each person took a turn as we went around the circle. 1. We shared highs and lows from the day. 2. We read scripture, usually something we just picked and read. 3. We talked about how it related to the day. 4. We prayed together. 5. We made the sign of the cross on each other s forehead and used the words that reminded us of the blessing we heard at our baptism- NAME, You are a beloved child of God, sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever! We agreed to spend 15 minutes in the process. And we could have, but we found that we liked the conversation, so it lasted longer. We have continued to do it when we came home. I encourage you to try it! Blessings on the Journey, Elayne Werges, D.M., Grandma, & Roads Lutheran Parish Baptismal Promises To Proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed. Praying Through the Crayon Box This is a prayer for parents and grand-parents to use as a guide when praying for their children. It uses the colors in a crayon box. Red: Pray for safety of all in the school day. Orange: Pray for social communication and attitudes. Yellow: Pray for your child to remember that God is always with them and never leaves them. Green: Pray for your child s growth Blue: Ask God to give your child a sense of peace no matter where they are in their day. Purple: Thank God for your child s imagination Brown: Ask God to give your child a strong work ethic Black: Pray for your child s teachers, the staff and administration This information has been prepared for you by the Northeastern Iowa Synod- Home Life Network for use by families and local congregations. For more ideas about how you can pass on faith in your homes go to: Find us on Facebook!

14 September 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Take pictures of 3 Gather as a family 4 Invite your 5 Do Something things that look and Share your friends to a nice for like letters, spell highs and lows tailgate pot someone else from the day. your name luck! 6 Celebrate Vocation- Wear your work clothes to Worship 13 Honor your Grandparents- Thank them for all they do for you! 7 Labor Day- Explore a career- ask a neighbor what they do at their job. 14 Invite a grandparent to have a class with you- Have them teach you how to make or cook something Celebrate the last days of Summer- Have a picnic 27 Attend Worship as a family Talk about what the Gospel said to you! 28 Have a Movie Night-Talk about where you saw God in the story. 8 9 Take a Road Trip to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco to the AGAPE Concert! 15 Make a family tree, make a leaf for each family member 22 Celebrate the Fall Equinox In the Northern Hemisphere. Talk about what it means to be equal 29 Take a family picture.print them off, frame them & Pray for each member of the family every day. 16 Look for a Monarch Butterfly- Talk about God s amazing Creations 10 Celebrate God s Work Our Hands- Sunday September Talk about what happened on 9/11/01 Pray for peace Go on a faith walk-look for signs that God is at work in the world Throw-Back Thursday Watch old family movies or look at old family picture albums- Tell a story about each family member 30 Pray for the farmers as they head to the fields to harvest the crops Happy October! 25 Support the Team Go to the game. Say something positive to the visiting team 12 Make some Chex mix, Give it to the next door neighbors 19 Have everyone in your family trace the outline of their hands on pret- ty paper, cut them out, frame them. Write the date on it 26 Choose your favorite Bible Story-Have a theme supper around your story. Tell the story as you eat.