TED Talk Style Pick up a lunch and attend ONE 15- to 18-minute presentation on a variety of topics on both Friday and Saturday in Beck Hall. These learning presentations are designed to give you some additional information and provide time for questions, discussion, and eating. Friday TED Talk Lunch **Offered Friday Only More Than a Babysitter After-School Programs That Engage Kids with the Gospel BECK HALL: 101 Congregation Planning for Reformation Observance BECK HALL: 111 Creating Safe Haven Congregations BECK HALL: 113 How Does Your Congregation Encourage (or Discourage) Healthy Lifestyles? BECK HALL: 115 The Wilderness in Our Midst: Benefits of Bible Camp BECK HALL: 117 Life on the Farm (Shalom Hill Farm, That Is) BECK HALL: 119 SW MN Synod and Our Companionship with the Southeastern Diocese of ELCSA BECK HALL: 121 **Alternatives for Forming Pastors BECK HALL: 201 **Stop Making Excuses! BECK HALL: 211 Proclaim Ministry with Finances BECK HALL: 213 Congregational Memory: A Powerful Tool in Mission Planning BECK HALL: 215 **Faithful Stewards, Lasting Impact BECK HALL: 217 **How Outdoor Ministry Can Strengthen Congregations BECK HALL: 219 **Hunger - Not Only a Developing World Problem BECK HALL: 221 **Forming & Transforming Faithful Leaders For the Sake of the World: Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) Then & Now BECK HALL: 311 Saturday TED Talk Lunch **Offered Saturday Only More Than a Babysitter After-School Programs That Engage Kids with the Gospel BECK HALL: 101 Congregation Planning for Reformation Observance BECK HALL: 111 Creating Safe Haven Congregations BECK HALL: 113 How Does Your Congregation Encourage (or Discourage) Healthy Lifestyles? BECK HALL: 115 The Wilderness in Our Midst: Benefits of Bible Camp BECK HALL: 117 Life on the Farm (Shalom Hill Farm, That Is) BECK HALL: 119 SW MN Synod and Our Companionship with the Southeastern Diocese of ELCSA BECK HALL: 121 **Beer & Hymns, What Kind of Ministry Happens in a Bar? BECK HALL: 201 **My Neighbor Is Muslim BECK HALL: 211 Proclaim Ministry with Finances BECK HALL: 213 Congregational Memory: A Powerful Tool in Mission Planning BECK HALL: 215 **Ten Things Your Finance Committee and Church Treasurer Should Know BECK HALL: 217 **Candidacy, Candidates, and YOU BECK HALL: 219 **Equipping Musicians in Rural Congregations BECK HALL: 221 -Over- 2016 SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD ASSEMBLY 7
Workshop Descriptions June 10-11, 2016 Alternatives for Forming Pastors Leader: Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke, President of Luther Seminary Location: Beck Hall 201 Description: Explore the new ways we are forming pastors. Beer & Hymns, What Kind of Ministry Happens in a Bar? Leader: Pastor Laura Aase, River of Hope Lutheran Church, Hutchinson Location: Beck Hall 201 Description: Is this a ministry you re contemplating? Come and hear what River of Hope has learned about being the church out on other people s turf. Candidacy, Candidates, and YOU Leader: Rev. Paul Baglyos, Coordinator for Ministry Leadership, ELCA Region 3 Location: Beck Hall 219 Description: This lunch talk will emphasize the importance of the encouraging word, the figurative (or literal) tap on the shoulder that helps people to consider themselves as potential public ministry leaders for God s church and helps them to discern God s call to prepare for ministry leadership. Of equal importance, this talk will emphasize the role and the opportunities that YOU have to be the one who speaks the encouraging word and taps the shoulder of potential ministry leaders. Congregation Planning for Reformation Observance Leader: Pastor Matt Hausken, Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church, Olivia Location: Beck Hall 111 Description: Wondering how to set up a 500th anniversary year to remember? The 500th anniversary of the Reformation gives us ample resources to engage one another and our communities. Come and hear and share ideas! Congregational Memory: A Powerful Tool in Mission Planning Leader: Paul Daniels, ELCA Region 3 Archivist & Luther Seminary Archivist Location: Beck Hall 215 Description: This talk will focus on how our shared congregational stories can be engaged creatively to help us move forward in mission. Congregational memory is never a neutral force - we can be held back by it, just as easily as we can be instructed and inspired by it. We will look at examples of both in a conversational "back and forth" style session as we look at an under-utilized asset in our churches. 2016 SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD ASSEMBLY 8
Creating Safe Haven Congregations Leader: Sarah Hausken, Youth Ministry Coordinator, SW MN Synod Location: Beck Hall 113 Description: Learn four steps to preventing and responding to abuse and making your congregation a safe haven for children, youth and adults. Equipping Musicians in Rural Congregations Leader: Jay Beech, Executive Director of The Center for Worship & Music Studies, Minneapolis Location: Beck Hall 221 Description: The Center for Worship & Music Studies is in the preliminary stages of planning for a major research project focused on equipping musicians in rural areas to be worship leaders. Conversations like this one will help to define the focus and goals of that study. Faithful Stewards, Lasting Impact Leader: Amy Bigot, Regional Gift Planner for the SW MN Synod Location: Beck Hall 217 Description: This session provides information for you to take back to your congregation about leaving gifts to ministry through our estates. All that we have is a gift from God and we have an opportunity to use a service for planning that will help us be good stewards of all that we have received and maximize those gifts for family and ministry. Come learn more for yourself and your congregation. Forming & Transforming Faithful Leaders for the Sake of the World: Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) Then & Now Leader: Pastor Amy Karlson, First Lutheran Church, Hector Location: Beck Hall 311 Description: Learn about the beginnings and recent exponential growth of the ELCA s Young Adults in Global Mission Program. Hear and see personal stories and experiences of a year of living, learning and serving in South Africa. Come and imagine yourself or someone you know in the world! How Does Your Congregation Encourage (or Discourage) Healthy Lifestyles? Leader: Tammy Devine, Diaconal Minister and ELCA Wellness Manager, Portico Benefit Services Location: Beck Hall 115 Description: It s a powerful question many churches haven t considered. This practical presentation gives ideas and tools so you can evaluate your church culture and identify ways to encourage your leaders and members to make healthy lifestyle choices. Join this session and make this your congregation s first step into the wellness reformation! 2016 SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD ASSEMBLY 9
How Outdoor Ministry Can Strengthen Congregations Leader: Marv Nysetvold, Shetek Lutheran Ministries Location: Beck Hall 219 Description: Outdoor ministries offer many resources for congregations and are eager to partner with congregations to serve and strengthen their ministries. Come find out more about how congregations can benefit from partnerships with camps! Hunger - Not Only a Developing World Problem Leader: Pastor Stephen Rasmusson, Winds of the Prairie Ministries Location: Beck Hall 221 Description: Join us for a reflection on the prevalence of hunger in the United States, its causes and effects. We will learn about the ages and geographical areas of hunger in the US and the world, and share what local ELCA faith communities are doing to make a difference. Life on the Farm (Shalom Hill Farm, That Is) Leader: Pastor Linda Lagergren, Shalom Hill Farm, rural Windom Location: Beck Hall 119 Description: Hear about all the exciting things happening down on the Farm some having to do with PIZZA! Join the conversation about good stewardship of land, water, and food, and learn interesting thoughts about gardening. Learn about the resources we have for personal retreats, professional and congregational retreats and meetings. More Than a Babysitter After-School Programs That Engage Kids with the Gospel Leader: Pastor Amy Juel, Vinje Lutheran Church, Willmar Location: Beck Hall 101 Description: After-school programs for students in elementary school can sometimes turn into glorified babysitting. How do we keep this from happening? How can we be more intentional about making every church experience a Faith Formative experience (and NO, it doesn t have to be BORING!) Let s think it through together! My Neighbor Is Muslim Leader: Jodi Harpstead, CEO of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Location: Beck Hall 211 Description: In response to questions and concerns about refugees being resettled throughout Minnesota, LSS has heeded the call of the pastors for a resource to spread accurate information about foundations of the Muslim faith. In 2014, Minnesota resettled 2,232 refugees, the highest per capita in the country. Many of these new neighbors are Muslim. Because Minnesota has always had the reputation as a very welcoming state, we are sure to welcome more Muslim neighbors in the future. To learn more, take a look at our LSS refugee facts and figures resource. 2016 SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD ASSEMBLY 10
Proclaim Ministry with Finances Leader: LuAnn Ferguson, Regional Manager, Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA Location: Beck Hall 213 Description: Does your congregation struggle with balancing the budget? Do you find yourself asking everyone to pitch in a little more to stay in the black? Join us for a talk about how to frame the congregation s finances around the ministry God has called you to accomplish. We ll discuss investing with purpose and sharing the story of your congregation s good work through the lens of finances. Stop Making Excuses! Leader: Pastor Jennifer Thul, Danebod Lutheran Church, Tyler Location: Beck Hall 211 Description: This is my wish: Stop making excuses and do something--anything to develop followers of Christ. Pastor Jennifer Thul is passionate about equipping people to open their eyes to see teachable moments and to (intentionally) pass on faith in their daily lives. This talk explores FAITH5 and using an "At Home Faith Box". SW MN Synod and Our Companionship with the Southeastern Diocese of ELCSA Leader: Pastor Harvey Nelson, Vinje Lutheran Church, Willmar Location: Beck Hall 121 Description: Where are we walking together and who is your circuit partner? Walking together means being companions with South African Lutherans with their different gifts, appreciating each another in our walk as we make God s love known to all people and cultures. We will do an overview of our synod and conference companionship and seek to understand who our circuit partners are and what we can do together. Ten Things Your Finance Committee and Church Treasurer Should Know Leader: David Anfinson, Anfinson Thompson & Co., Willmar Location: Beck Hall 217 Description: Does church finance get you down? Come and learn the top ten things each finance committee and church treasurer should know to confidently understand your churches financial issues. Together we will learn, laugh and be inspired! The Wilderness in Our Midst: Benefits of Bible Camp Leader: Dave Eliason, Green Lake Lutheran Ministries, Spicer Location: Beck Hall 117 Description: I will share some of the new research that has been compiled regarding Bible Camp and its impact on the lives of those who attend and/or work there. This new research shows the hard evidence of its importance in our lives and in the life of the church. 2016 SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD ASSEMBLY 11