Synod Smart Team Meeting
Tuesday, August 31 
The Synod COVID Smart Team hosted an Open Meeting.  Click on the YouTube video to watch it. 
In the midst of rising new case numbers in many of our communities, this meeting may be helpful to congregations as they prepare for the fall schedule.

​Here are some links that were shared at the meeting and from other sources.

A PowerPoint  shared at the August 31 Smart Team meeting:   Looking at the Numbers.
Talking Points on ELCA Social Teaching Regarding Vaccination During a Pandemic

Click on this  link    for a two-page document prepared by Dr. Roger Willer, Director for Theological Ethics, Office of the  Presiding Bishop.  It contains talking points  on issues regarding religious objections to required vaccinations and  vaccination requirements by Institutions affiliated with the ELCA.

Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota
Click  for an update on the building project for   ​Bethany Crisis Shelter in Duluth.

Items for a congregation to consider with its relationships with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)​

bsa_info_for_congregations.pdf
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Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine
At the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members designated June   17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9—the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at   Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC. On the   Sunday closest to June 17 each year, ELCA congregations in NEMN   Synod join our siblings in Christ from the AME Church to host
Commemoration of Emanuel 9 Sunday.  Resources for this Sunday are   compiled by Together Here Ministries.
Bulletin for the 2021 Emanuel Nine worship compiled by the Together Here Ministries of the NE MN Synod

Other worship resources for Emanuel Nine

Dialog Works & Wartburg Sem --  #1 of 4 courses in series "Engaging God’s Future"

This summer Dialog Works, and Wartburg Seminary offered the first of four courses in series entitled   Engaging God’s Future. These continuing education courses have been designed and developed through conversations with lay leaders, clergy, and synodical representatives. The goal is to build the courage, confidence, and capacity of the leaders of congregations under duress.
Discerning God's Leading, Discovering a Shared Future
On October 7th, the second course in the series will begin meeting. Participants will learn and develop skills for entering and leading a congregation discernment process. The course will provide facilitation and leadership tools, teach focused conversations, and introduce narrative mediation as an approach to conflict.
​​Link to more information:

2021 Fall Theological Conference
Seasons of Life: The Psalms on Grief and Gratitude
September 27, 2021
at Ruttger's  Sugar Lake Lodge

A Message from Northeastern Minnesota Synod:
Due to increased concerns regarding the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, the   Fall Theological Conference will be moved to an all on-line event. We will gather via zoom on Monday, September 27,  2021, with check-in beginning at 8:30 am and learning sessions commencing from 9:00–4:00 pm. We know that this is disappointing for many, however, the well-being and safety of our synod ministers and leaders is of the utmost importance. We are grateful that the Rev. Dr. Kathryn Schifferdecker is  prepared to shift for an on-line presentation as she continues to walk with us through the seasons the  Psalms describe.
Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge has graciously offered to refund reservations for those who have already  sent in their payment. If you registered using a credit card, Ruttger's will credit you for the full amount right away.  If you paid by check,  Ruttger's will send you a check for the full amount within a week.
Because we still need to cover the costs incurred for putting on a one-day on-line event, you are invited  to attend for a reduced rate of $75. Checks should be made out to the Northeastern Minnesota Synod and sent to the synod office at 1105 East Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802. Pastor Rollie Bockbrader will change your Eventbrite registration to a Zoom/online one; if you do not wish to participate via Zoom, please let him know.  If you have not registered, please do so through Eventbrite and Pastor Rollie.
We know that one sign of a healthy leader is engagement in continuing education and gathering with colleagues in shared experiences. We hope to see as many of our rostered leaders, SAMS and Youth & Family Directors as possible at this event.
Because we will not conclude the event with an in-person worship service with Holy Communion as we usually do, Bishop Odgren will provide a recorded sermon, a written manuscript and accompanying liturgy based on the texts chosen had we gathered in-person. These resources will be available to you on our website for use at another time when you might feel the need of such support. Look for more Fall Theological Conference details in upcoming communications.

The 2021 Fall Theological Conference (FTC) will be led by the Rev. Dr. Kathryn Schifferdecker who is on the Luther Seminary faculty in St. Paul.  The FTC is for rostered ministers and spouses, SAMs and directors of youth & family ministry in the NE MN Synod.
We will explore seasons of life as described by the Psalms – times of grief and gratitude and the conviction of the psalmists that in every season and circumstance, our lives are inextricably bound up with God’s life.    Click here for more information.

​There will be only one way to participate in FTC.
​ - Online on Zoom.  Cost is $75.  Register at Eventbrite or through Rollie.Bockbrader@nemnsynod.org .  checks may be sent to the Synod Office.

All participants are also asked to register through Eventbrite.
Click ​Eventbrite Registration