This day will make your WELCA meetings–and your home or other gatherings– a more joyful place as you take home learnings from ‘The Generosity Project.’ Generosity is much more than talking about money. It is talking about all the ways God’s Gifts are shared by God through us so we might live more fully, and yes, happier lives. Register here. NO cost for SW Mn Synod WELCA members and their guests. We’ll even provide lunch at SMSU! (Because of the nature of the interactive events we highly recommend doing this event ‘in person.’ The Livestream option is available but we believe you’ll get MUCH MORE by coming for the day and learning together.” Here is a link to the full flyer: Live Generously. Live Happier flyer
Author: swmnwelca_JT-editor
SWMN WELCA Speaker List is Updated!!
You’ve all been waiting for it, so here it is! Just in time for planning your Spring Gatherings. Click here to download the most recent Speakers List brought to you by your Synod Board. Enjoy!
Synod Board Meeting Focused on Convention Planning
The SW MN Women of the ELCA Synod Board met on October 28. Together we hashed out the details for our annual convention. Speakers and Workshops are tentatively scheduled as well as inspiring bible study and worship leaders. You are not going to want to miss what we have planned for June 29 & 30 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN!
Other Board News:
We also began planning for the 2019 Synod Convention as well as 2020! Be sure to keep checking this site for official dates and locations as we get them!
Lac Qui Parle retreat to the Nest
The Lac Qui Parle conference retreat took place at the EAGLE’S HEALING NEST in Sauk Center MN. THE NEST provides a safe haven for veterans who struggle with mental health, drug and addiction. The facility survives solely on private donations with no government subsidies. The group toured the facility, ate lunch and brought a variety of in kind gifts.
Find out more about Eagle’s Healing Nest here!
Southwest Minnesota Women leaders encouraged to “Reach Out and Welcome”
“So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!” Romans 15:7 (the Message)
Last Saturday, 75 WELCA leaders from all over the Southwest Minnesota Synod gathered at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls, MN for our annual Leadership Training Event. This event is held every September for our leaders to get information on the different officer roles as well as set agendas for the upcoming year.
This year, our agenda is centered on the theme “Reach Out and Welcome.” We are called, as Christians, to always strive to welcome all from our neighbor to the stranger. We are called to welcome them in our church, our towns and our hearts.
What does that look like? Well, our guest speaker, Pastor Jon Nelson of Ebenezer and Tripolis Lutheran Churches, said it might look something like this: It means desiring relationships with the other. It means being open to being changed by the other. It means listening, really listening. It means stepping outside of our comfort zones. It means learning new languages (perhaps farmer, teacher, doctor, nurses, etc.). It means admitting we are uncomfortable when we are not comfortable. It means sacrificing of ourselves. It means keeping the 8th Commandment (to always assume the best of people’s’ intentions). It means letting go of competing. Being welcoming is our calling!
