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Deacon Elayne Werges says that her ministry goal at Cross Roads Lu-theran Parish is to help people connect their faith practices on Sunday to Monday, and then all the way through Saturday. Her go-to ministry resource has been the Northeastern Iowa Synod’s Home Life Network, which shares cre-ative ideas to help children and adults live out their faith in their daily lives.
“The Home Life Network has completely formed and informed how I do things in ministry,” Werges says. “Some of it is from the op-portunity to connect with others and learn, and some has been through work-shops and conferences.”
The network’s main focus has been to share faith practice ideas through its monthly Living Faith at Home newsletter, which is inserted in the synod’s Star newsletter and posted on the synod website.
“It’s good for the ministry and good for the soul to connect and share ideas and lift each other up in this call of ministry,” says Deacon Kris-tin Johnson, who facilitates the Home Life Network.
Ideas focus on ways that families can share their faith at home, carry out their baptismal promises, and celebrate liturgical observances, such as using a blessing jar to count blessings during Lent, hiding Easter eggs in a neighbor’s yard, and using a special prayer to bless the Christ-mas tree.
Johnson and Werges are two of five network members who take turns writing the Living Faith at Home
newsletter to share ideas they have practiced in their own min-istries or heard about through the synod’s Youth Ministry Network. Some 20 youth workers from around the synod join monthly meetings to share their creative ideas and experiences and learn what their colleagues from other congregations are doing.
“One of the coolest parts of our synod is that we have a lot of youth workers who have been in it a long time, some for 20-plus years
IN THIS ISSUE
FEBRUARY 2019 • VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2NORTHEASTERN IOWA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaStar
>> Continued on page 2
Celebrating Renewal: Katherine von Bora Luther — Faith in the Home
Shared ideas bring faith practices home by Marcia Hahn
1 Shared ideas bring faith practices home
3 The best is yet to come
5 Synod bookkeeper is ready to start a new chapter
7 A New Opportunity for Congregational Renewal
9 Congregations
10 Prayer Calendar
Marcus Kammerer holds an Advent log to take home to count down the Sundays until Christmas. Children and adults made the logs together as part of a “cross+generational” event at Burr Oak Lutheran, Decorah.
Kristin Johnson
2 NORTHEASTERN IOWA SYNOD | www.neiasynod.org
with a wealth of knowledge,” says Deacon Lisa Kam-merer, who leads youth and family ministry for Im-manuel, Cresco, and Hesper and Burr Oak, Deco-rah. “Our synod does a good job of fostering col-legiality and pointing people in the right direction. Everyone is always willing to help each other. A lot of the ideas shared in the Home Life newsletter come from the Youth Ministry Network meetings.”
Kammerer says she likes to imple-ment new ideas in her ministry and then tailor them so families can experience them at home. She is currently working on a new “cross+generational” generosity practice aimed at getting children and adults to be more “Jesusy.” Adults will take a financial course while students learn about saving, spending and giving, and join in service projects and random acts of kindness.
“Cross+generational projects at the church are natural lead-ins to con-tinue at home,” Kammerer says.
FIVE STEPS TO PRACTICE FAITH
One faith practice idea that was first shared in the December 2015 newsletter has become a core part of many congregations’ youth and family ministries. Johnson, who serves as youth and family minister for St. Petri, Story City, and Bergen, Roland, introduced the “Faith5” practice, which suggests five faith-sharing steps that families can practice everyday: share highs and
lows of the day, read a Bible verse or story together, talk about the story and how it relates to their highs and lows, pray together as a family, and bless each other with the sign of the cross on the forehead.
Johnson and her family have been doing the Faith5 practice for four years as a bedtime routine. The practice has since caught on with families and with congregations that have used it with their youth groups, inter-generational minis-tries, and as a devotion for church council meetings.
Johnson introduced the Faith5 practice to St. Petri members by inviting the whole congregation to a potluck supper and class for the adults to learn about the psycho-logical and spiritual benefits of the
practice, why it’s important to share highs and lows and to be heard and understood, and how reading the scripture helps in the faith journey.
She offered a challenge for every household to do the practice for six weeks, then come back and share what the challenges were and what the power and benefits of it were. Four years later, more than half the families still continue to do it at home.
“We reinforce that what we do in church can also be done at home,” Johnson says. “We reiterate that this is what we’re doing at youth groups so that families are comfortable and familiar with it and will want to
Shared ideas bring faith practices home << Continued from page 1
Children and adults attending a cross+generational event at St. Petri, Story City, give forehead blessings to each other as part of the Faith5 practice, one of many ideas that have been shared in the Home Life Network’s Faith at Home newsletter.
Lisa Kammerer
>> Continued on page 8
3FEBRUARY 2019
On November 28, I went to the hospital for an outpatient procedure that would prepare for a surgery to correct three aneurysms.
Instead, on November 30 I had triple bypass heart surgery. Since the blood did not clot adequately, there was seepage on the backside of the heart that caused 40 to 50 percent of the blood to leak into the body cavity. An additional four- to five-hour surgery was required. This surgery was successful.
The originally scheduled surgery on the aneurysms should take place in late January or early February. That surgery will be followed by addi-tional procedures on other internal organs to ensure that they are func-tioning adequately.
Of course, I am tempted to give the same advice that I have been given. De-stress. Exercise. Eat right. Take your meds. These are all measures that may prolong your life.
However, they will not preserve your life for all eternity. Sometimes our shorthand expressions of ap-preciation for the medical staff and technology belie a false hope. “They saved my life.” Well, not really. They postponed my death.
I turn even more completely to the One who saves — Jesus. I am grate-ful to the medical staff who cared
for me and did their finest work in my time of crisis.
But today, I am even more grateful that the gift of salvation has come to me freely. I am grateful that my lifetime has been extended so that I may continue to give my life in service of others and to love those most dear to me — Ruth, our children and their families, and my mother. These are treasures that always bring me blessings.
Thank you for your prayers and for walking with me on this journey. The best is yet to come!
— Steven L. Ullestad Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod
BISHOP
The best is yet to come“I turn even more completely to
the One who saves — Jesus.”
Rostered ministers are invited to attend the Northeastern Iowa Synod’s Day of Renewal set for Thursday, March 14, at Nazareth Lutheran, Cedar Falls. Deacon Elayne Werges of Cross Roads Lutheran Parish will present about faith practices in the home and the example set by Katherine von Bora Luther.
Werges graduated from Luther College and worked as a social worker helping families and children at risk for abuse and neglect. She decided to enter seminary and graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa., in 2008 with a Master of Arts degree in religion/religious studies. Werges is a long-time member of the synod’s Home Life Network and has based her own ministry on faith practices and baptismal promises.
“Home life has been a big part of my life and is my passion,” Werges says.
While in seminary, Werges says she developed an interest in Katherine von Bora Luther from a professor who had done a lot of research on von Bora Luther. Werges and her husband, Dave, traveled to Germany in September and visited the house where von Bora Luther and her husband, Martin Luther, lived.
“I was really impressed with the things I saw there — Katy’s philosophy and how welcoming they were to students and neighbors, her quiet strength and to be able to survive in a world where doors were not open to her, and how she was respected by Martin and other reformers,” Werges says. “Katy was able to engage in the discussions they were having, and Martin wrote about how much he respected her and her work.”
The Day of Renewal event will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no charge to attend. Lunch will be provided. To register by the March 7 deadline, send an email to [email protected] or call the synod office at 319-352-1414.
Learn about faith at home at the Day of Renewal
Elayne Werges
4 NORTHEASTERN IOWA SYNOD | www.neiasynod.org
NORTHEASTERN IOWA SYNOD Bishop Steven L. Ullestad – [email protected] Assistants to the Bishop Rev. Mark A. Anderson – [email protected] Rev. Stephen Brackett – [email protected] Linda J. Hudgins – [email protected] ELCA Director for Evangelical Mission Rev. Dr. Joelle Colville-Hanson – [email protected] Star Editor Marcia Hahn – [email protected]
The Star is published 11 times a year by the Northeastern Iowa Synod, 201 20th Street SW, PO Box 804, Waverly, IA 50677-0804; www.neiasynod.org, phone 319-352-1414, FAX 319-352-1416.
Send news for the March 2019 issue to Marcia Hahn by Feb. 11. We welcome story ideas related to the 2019 theme, “Celebrating Renewal: Katherine von Bora Luther — Faith in the Home.”
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 [email protected]. www.neiasynod.org
Saturday, March 9, 2019
The ELCA stewardship team will host a free 90-minute webcast on stewardship topics on Saturday, March 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon CST.
The purpose of this online event is to thank, inform, teach, inspire and connect steward leaders with fresh perspec-tives, practices and skills that address the challenges and issues faced today. It is an opportunity to hear stories and learn how leaders across the church are enhancing con-gregational vitality in and through their ministry.
Rostered ministers, lay leaders and seminary students are encouraged to attend, along with congregation mem-bers who are involved in finance, generosity, resource and
stewardship committees, mission support, and other related ministries.
Featured topics will in-clude: Stewardship for Small Congregations, Missional Hope for a New Generation, Engaging Disciples & Stewards with an App, Teaching Generosity in the Home, Resourceful Servants, and an introduction of Generosity 365: A New Resource for Congregations. In collaboration with ecumenical partners, the new Generosity 365 resource offers a year-long stew-ardship theme, educational materials for all age groups, a financial response method and four online issues of Giving Magazine.
Participation in this event requires no registration. On the morning of March 9, go to www.elca.org/stewardship and click on the widget titled stewardCast2019. Each partici-pant will be given an opportunity to submit questions through the chat feature and to receive resources after the event.
To view a presentation from a previous event, visit https://youtu.be/XmKuMJyiPZg. For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
StewardCast 2019 Invitation
Lutheran Day on the HillTuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 Des Moines, Iowa
Join Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) and the three ELCA synods of Iowa for Lutheran Day on the Hill Feb. 19 in Des Moines.
This free event begins at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church with devotions, advocacy training, and a keynote address by Mikka McCracken, director of Planning and Engagement for ELCA World Hunger. Participants will then depart for the Capitol to have advocacy conversation with legislators. Free box lunches will be provided near the rotunda.
This year’s event will focus on three critical issues facing Iowa families: increased funding for Iowa’s child welfare services, accountability and oversight for Iowa’s Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, and support for services that empower refugees.
Complimentary bus transportation will depart from Waverly, Cedar Falls, Iowa City and Newton. Registra-tion is open through Tuesday, Feb. 12. To learn more or to register, visit https://lsiowa.org/ldh or call Joyce Williams, 866-584-5293.
GENEROSITY
5FEBRUARY 2019
Karol Simmer joined the North-eastern Iowa Synod staff in May 1988 when the office was located near the Waverly Sale Barn, David Brown was Bishop, and Steven Ullestad was an assistant to the Bishop. After nearly 31 years serving as the synod’s bookkeeper, Karol will retire from that role on Feb. 28.
Through the years, Karol has worked part-time maintaining the synod’s financial books, recording benevolence, processing payroll, overseeing synod assembly registra-tion, documenting congregations’ annual statistical reports and an-swering questions from congrega-tion treasurers.
“The most important part of my job has been to see that the bills are paid in a timely manner and that the gifts from the congrega-tions go to their intended use,” Karol says.
Karol grew up in Waterloo and graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in interior design and a minor in business. She worked two years for Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha then returned to Waterloo. A friend who worked for the phone company in Minnesota suggested she apply to be a telephone installer.
“I am sure I got the job because they needed a quota for women in-stallers,” Karol says. She worked in southern Minnesota changing party lines to private lines and install-ing new phones. This work meant that Karol sometimes climbed up telephone poles. Karol’s stint with the phone company came in handy when she was dating Ken, her husband of 42 years, because they
could talk long distance for free.
Karol and Ken moved to his family farm near Waverly, where Ken still farms. Karol continued to work off and on for the local phone company while raising their three children. One day she saw an ad in the Waverly newspaper for a bookkeep-er, and she started working three days a week for the newly formed Northeastern Iowa Synod. Later, when she found out she had been the only applicant for the job, Karol said, “It must have been God’s work leading me here.”
Bishop Steven Ullestad recalls that Karol came to the office in the midst of chaos. Systems needed to be established to ensure that congregational offerings were care-fully stewarded. Karol created those systems, along with the registration process for synod assemblies and other events.
“Karol has been a gift to our synod for over three decades,” Ullestad says. “Year after year our financial audits have been impeccable. Her dedication and competency has meant that I have not had to worry about her responsibilities. This has been a tremendous relief to me per-sonally.”
In those early years, Karol also worked part time doing billing for the Waverly Veterinary Clinic. “I was trying to make extra money to redo the basement of our house,” Karol says. “Instead, I used that money to start my own business. The basement never did get done.”
Karol opened Fiberworks Needle-work Shop in Waverly in 1993. She and her mother had attended a counted cross stitch class at a Wa-terloo shop and found they loved doing it. Karol’s skills and interest in handiwork grew, but when that craft shop closed, followed by two more in the area, Karol decided to start her own supply source.
In addition to cross stitch, Karol’s Fiberworks shop offers supplies for doing needlepoint, quilting, em-broidery, smocking, beading and more. The shop fills a niche for area stitchers and offers an online catalogue for sales to customers from across the United States and overseas. Karol is a member of the Prairie Rose Chapter of the Em-broiderers’ Guild of America and has offered numerous needlework classes in varying techniques. One year she coordinated a “kissing pillows” project that created tiny pillows for children of National Guard troops set to deploy. The
Synod bookkeeper is ready to start a new chapter
Karol Simmer stands with one of three ban-ners she has made for the Northeastern Iowa Synod.
>> Continued on page 6
6 NORTHEASTERN IOWA SYNOD | www.neiasynod.org
Hungarian seminarian visitsÁdám Nagy, a Lutheran seminary student from Hungary, spent a week in January visiting various Lutheran ministries as a guest of the Northeastern Iowa Synod. Nagy’s visit was arranged through an invitation from the Rev. Dr. Kit
Kleinhans, who serves as dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where Nagy is attending two semesters of study.
Pastor Mark Anderson, assistant to the Bishop, hosted Nagy and, despite snowy weather, they visited several sites, including Trinity Lutheran, Mason City; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School, Wartburg College, Bremwood, Bartels Lutheran Retirement Center, and the Ron Zelle farm, Waverly.
Nagy will have two years of seminary to complete in Hungary when he returns. He is interested in working with youth ministry to help children grow in faith. During his visit to Iowa, Nagy especially enjoyed participating in youth ministry and visiting the school at St. Paul’s, meeting the youth at Bremwood, and visiting the residents at Bartels.
June 16-19, 2019 Wartburg College • Waverly, Iowa
High school youth from ELCA con-gregations are invited to the Wholly Iowa Youth Leadership Discipling Event June 16-19 at Wartburg College in Waverly. This annual camp is designed to help high school youth learn how to become future leaders of the church.
This year’s “Walking WIYLDE” theme will focus on baptism and the five promises that students make during their affirmation of baptism. Guest teachers, small group and large group Bible studies, learning sessions, games and more will help
the students focus on their baptismal promises.
The cost to attend WIYLDE is $300 per student. The Northeastern Iowa Synod will contribute $100 scholar-ships for their members. Students who recruit a friend who is new to WIYLDE will receive $25 off their registration fees when they register. Registration is due by Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
To download a flier and registra-tion form, visit www.neiasynod.org/wiylde.
High school youth to go ‘Walking WIYLDE’
soldiers put hugs and kisses on the pillows to leave with their children as a way to stay connected. Every year she makes Christmas orna-ments for her six grandchildren.
For now, Karol plans to devote more time to her family and store. In her spare time she will do what she has always done: work on needlework and beading crafts, and host family gatherings. Renovation and repair of the old farm house is also on her agenda.
Personal Bible study and prayer have been a sustaining presence in Karol’s life and a witness to those around her. She has shared her handiwork creations with congre-gations and the synod. She made three banners as a memorial for a young member from St. John, Waukon. She created a series of banners featuring the liturgical seasons, stewardship campaigns and the commemoration of a new ad-dition for her home congregation, St. Paul’s, Waverly. Three of her banners are displayed at the synod office, including the large ELCA banner in the conference room.
“I have been blessed to work with the synod staff members over the years,” Karol says. “They have always worked with me to adjust my schedule as personal and family needs arose, and everyone was glad to see me twice a month when I handed out paychecks. It has been a great place to work.”
“Thank you for your faithful service, Karol,” Ullestad adds. “We will miss you and your attentive services to this essential work of our synod. Enjoy a long and healthy retire-ment.”
Synod bookkeeper is ready to start a new chapter << Continued from page 5
7FEBRUARY 2019
Cultivating Vitality
Are you won-dering what the next step is for your congrega-tion? Are you looking for ways to prioritize your mission goals and develop a strategy to move for-ward with those goals?
Would you like to learn ways con-gregation leaders and members can work together to reach out more ef-fectively in your community? Would you like to work together with other congregations in our synod, sharing ideas, support and resources to vi-talize your ministry?
“Cultivating Vitality” may be the op-portunity for you. This is not a new packaged “program.” This is a two-year process that brings together congregation members and ros-
tered ministers to learn and grow together. The process focuses on the Great Commandment – “Love God and Love your Neighbor” and the Great Commission “Make Disciples.”
This is a new approach being used with success in many other synods, but each process looks different in each synod because it is tailored to the circumstances of each commu-nity.
This is not a new “program” to in-crease membership or raise money, but evangelism and stewardship training is involved. It is a journey of growing in discipleship, deepening faith, and sharing that growth and faith with others.
What is involved?
Participation requires commitment on the part of the entire congrega-tion. There are requirements, but
there is also flexibility to adapt to the circumstances of each congre-gation and community.
Congregations and rostered minis-ters commit to prayer, bible study, and willingness to make the nec-essary changes to further the mis-sion of the church. The synod offers prayer, training and coaching.
If you would like more information about participating in Cultivating Vitality, contact Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson at the Northeastern Iowa Synod Office, [email protected] or 319-352-1414.
A New Opportunity for Congregational RenewalCongregation members and rostered ministers can learn and grow together
by The Rev. Dr. Joelle Colville-Hanson, ELCA Director for Evangelical Mission
Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church La Crosse, Wis.
Portico Benefit Services will host an all-day Pre-Retire-ment Seminar Thursday, Feb. 21, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Wis. Portico members age 40 and over and their spouses can attend all day or just the morning or afternoon session.
The morning session will focus on savings and investing for retirement – how retirement fits in with other financial priorities, how much to save for retirement, and ways to
invest retirement savings. In the afternoon, discussion will explore ways to live well and create sustainable income in retirement. Topics will include how to distribute income from an ELCA Retirement Plan account, how much can I expect to receive from Social Security and health care options after retirement.
The seminar will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost to attend is $35 per person for both sessions or $20 for just the morning or afternoon session.
To learn more and to register, visit www.porticobenefits.org/newsevents/events/pre-retirementseminars.
Pre-Retirement Seminar
8 NORTHEASTERN IOWA SYNOD | www.neiasynod.org
The Nominating Committee of the Churchwide Assembly is beginning the process for elections at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, set for Aug. 5 – 10 at Milwaukee, Wis.
The committee welcomes the names of people who would be appropriate for positions on the Church Council, the boards of separately incorporated minis-tries, and churchwide committees. Names are especially needed for the nominating committee and the committee on discipline, as well as strong leaders for the Church Council. Nominations in specific categories can also be made by voting members on the floor of the assembly.
To be considered for nomination, read and complete the online Bio-graphical Form: http://webapps.elca.org/secretary/nomina-tions. To nominate someone else, please ask him or her to read and complete the Biographical Form or email the person’s name and contact information to [email protected]. The completed forms must be submitted by Monday, April 1, 2019.
The separately incorporated ministries will submit one name for each open position on their boards, so anyone who might be interested in serving on one of these boards should contact the specific organization directly. The nominating committee will
forward the names that come from the respective board development committee or its counterpart to the assembly.
A 2019 Nominations Workbook is available to aid in recommend-ing names to the Nominating Committee. The workbook lists continuing members of the council, board or committee; a list of departing members who are ineligible for re-election; a list of any restrictions placed on a given nomination, along with needs and preferences; a summary of the election process with pertinent constitutional excerpts; and the positions for which nominations are sought.
To download the workbook, visit www.neiasynod.org/event.
Learn more about the 2019 Church-wide Assembly at www.elca.org/churchwideassembly#home.
Churchwide Assembly Nominating Committee seeks names
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Aug. 5-10, 2019
Wisconsin Center Milwaukee, Wis.
practice what’s done at the church at home.”
This year St. Petri will share a Lenten series with Bergen, Roland, focused on the Faith5 practice. Each week will feature a sermon on a Faith 5 step, followed by fel-lowship with everyone sharing their highs and lows.
“It’s one thing for churches to en-courage families, but it’s another thing to equip families to be inten-tional,” Johnson says. “We try to find concrete, easy ways to connect with family members.”
Johnson emphasizes that faith prac-tices at home are for households of any size, not just for parents with children.
“It can be done between a husband and wife and grandparents and grandchildren, and single people can do it with a friend.”
FAITH IS CAUGHT MORE THAN TAUGHT
One of the Home Life Network’s core values is that “Faith is caught more than taught.” Johnson ex-plains that connections and experi-ences have more impact than just learning in a classroom.
“You need to experience it and see other people living it out rather than being spoon-fed information for an hour,” Johnson says. “The network provides opportunities for those experiences rather than just education.”
Archived issues of the Faith at Home newsletter can be downloaded at www.neiasynod.org/youth-minis-try/home-life.
Shared ideas bring faith practices home << Continued from page 2
9FEBRUARY 2019
CONGREGATIONSEVENTS
FEBRUARY EVENTS1-2 Event, Candidacy Retreat, American Martyrs, Cedar Falls6-8 Event, One Year to Live Men’s Retreat for Church Leaders, Camp Ewalu, Strawberry Point7 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.7 Meeting, No Youth Ministry Network meeting due to Extravaganza9 Meeting, Compensation Committee Conference Call, 9 a.m.12 Meeting, Assembly Planning Committee, Wartburg College, Waverly, 4-6 p.m.14 Meeting, Endowment Fund Investment Committee, Synod Office, 9 a.m.16 Meeting, LYON, Synod Office, 10-11 a.m.19 Event, Lutheran Day on the Hill, Des Moines26 Meeting, Executive Committee, Synod Office, 9 a.m.
MARCH EVENTS2 Meeting, Synodical Women’s Organization Board, Synod Office, 8 a.m.-12 noon3-5 Event, Rural Ministry Conference, Dubuque7 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.7 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, St. Peter, Greene, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.9 Meeting, (snow date) Synodical Women’s Organization Board14 Event, Day of Renewal, Nazareth, Cedar Falls, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.16 Meeting, Synod Council, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.23 Meeting, LYON, Synod Office, 10-11 a.m.23 Meeting, Resolutions Committee, 10-11 a.m.
APRIL EVENTS 4 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.4 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Redeemer, Waverly, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.9 Meeting, Assembly Planning Committee, Wartburg, Waverly, 4-6 p.m.19 Office Closed, Good Friday25-26 Event, Youth Ministry Network Retreat, Ewalu, Strawberry Point27 Meeting, LYON, Synod Office, 10-11 a.m.28-30 Event, First Call Theological Education Continuing Education Event, American Martyrs, Cedar Falls
MAY EVENTS 2 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.3 Meeting, Candidacy Committee, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.27 Office Closed, Memorial Day
INTERVIEWING Castalia, Zion, Rev. Jim Harbaugh, interim Denver, St. Peter, Rev. Charis Combs-Lay, interim Dysart, Zion Janesville, Messiah and Denver, St. John (Maxfield) (Unity of the Cross Parish of Bremer County) Tripoli, St. John (Crane Creek) Waukon, St. John
SELF-STUDY Cedar Falls, Bethlehem, Rev. Audrey Lukasak, interim Cedar Falls, St. John, Rev. Paul Svingen, interim Charles City, Messiah, Rev. Norman Bauer, interim Chester, United Decorah, Decorah Dows, First, Laurel Meester, contract lay minister Dubuque, Holy Trinity (staff) Dubuque, St. Matthew Dubuque, St. Peter, Rev. Karla Wildberger, interim Hawkeye, Trinity Independence, Immanuel (staff) Mason City, St. Paul, Rev. Matthew Muters, contract Nashua, St. John New Hampton, Trinity (staff) Radcliffe, Our Savior’s Rockwell, St. Peter and Thornton, St. Paul, Rev. Joel Dahlen, contract interim Sumner, St. Peter (Richfield) and Waucoma, St. John (Stapleton)
ROSTER CHANGES Rev. Brenda Crossfield, transferred to East-Central Synod of Wisconsin Rev. Robin Luckey, transferred to South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
2019 MILEAGE RATEThe Internal Revenue Service 2019 optional standard mileage rate for calculating the deductible costs of operating a car, van, pickup or panel truck for business is 58 cents, up 3.5 cents from 2018. For medical or moving purposes, the 2019 rate is 20 cents per mile. The rate for driving in service of charitable organizations is 14 cents per mile.
Learn more at , charitable, medical or moving purposes is website, www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-standard-mileage-rates-for-2019.
PRAYER CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 2019SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
H. George Anderson Fund for Leaders
Rev. Rose Marie Nack, Dawson
Patricia Nelson, Waverly
1Doris Kampfe, Rockford
2
Rev. Scot McVey McCluskey, Clear Lake
3
Grand View University, Des Moines
4
Rev. Joyce D. Sandberg, Roseville, Minn.
5Zion, Castalia
6
Rev. Patricia L. Shaw, Waverly
7
Rev. Dr. Richard Simon Hanson, Decorah
8
Deacon Mildred Dieter, Waverly
Rev. Kristen C. Rod, Jesup
9
Rev. Stephen P. Brackett, Waverly
Rev. Jane E. Harris, Frederika
10
Rev. Burton L. Everist, Mason City
Joyce J. Rohde, Manchester
11
Rev. Linda Marlett, Cedar Falls
12
Luther College, Decorah
13Bethlehem, Cedar Falls
14
Rev. Donald L. Feuerhak, Cedar FallsRev. Roger McKinstry,
MarionDeacon Jean P.
Rieniets, Dubuque
15St. Paul, Cedar Falls
16
Middle East Peace Wartburg College,
Waverly
17
Rev. David L. Coffin, Elgin
Rev. Robert Ericson, Cedar Falls
Rev. Alan R. Schulz, Columbus, Ohio
18
Rev. Dr. Edward W. Amend, Cedar Falls
19Fredsville, Cedar Falls
20
Lutheran Services in Iowa, Des Moines
21
Rev. Jeffrey R. Hansen, Ridgeway
22
Nazareth Evangelical, Cedar Falls
23
Lutheran Youth Organization
24
St. John American, Cedar Falls
25
Bishop Steven L. Ullestad, Cedar Falls
26Mosaic, Omaha, Neb.
27
Rev. Darrel W. Gerrietts, Waverly
Rev. Kevin T. Jones, Mason City (2/29)
28
Portico’s annual wellness program kicked off Jan. 1 for members and spouses covered by ELCA-Primary health benefits. The program invites eligible participants to earn wellness dollars as they complete specific activi-ties designed to strengthen their physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual well-being.
New for 2019, participants will choose from nearly 100 guided activities in an online tool called 2019 Live Well. The tool encourages regular interaction over time to help participants establish meaningful lifestyle changes at their own pace.
Participants can choose from a variety of activities that focus on healthy eating, fitness programs, better sleep, living with chronic diseases, quitting smoking, financial
planning, retirement planning, stewardship, emotional well-being, spiritual well-being, and more.
Participants can earn wellness dollars incrementally — $10 to $50 for each activity completed — up to $400 total.
Portico partnered with RedBrick Health, an industry-leading wellness company based in Minneapolis, to develop the Live Well tool specifically for its member-ship. Features that make the tool unique include a spiritual assessment, spiritual activities, and a holistic approach to well-being rooted in the Wholeness Wheel. The Live Well tool recognizes that faith is central to daily life and can enhance overall wellness.
Members and spouses with ELCA-Primary health benefits can get started at myportico.porticobenefits.org. For a quick introductory tour of the 2019 Live Well tool, visit https://vimeo.com/305544501/95f07b1745.
Portico launches online wellness tool
previously thought. My goal was to deliver many boxes tothe Lutheran World Relief (St. Paul, MN) and GlobalHealth Ministries (Minneapolis) warehouses, which I did,and attend a performance of “A Christmas Carol” at theGuthrie Theater with my niece, which I did. I then spent11 days with my sister and her family in New Brighton,MN over the Thanksgiving holiday. Since my sister andbrother-in-law’s schedules were full during the day I tookGHM up on their offer to welcome volunteers. Andwelcomed I was.
Upon my arrival, John, the warehouse manager, putme right to work. He brought out a very large cardboardbox labeled “disinfectants.” My job was to sort the manyand varied articles into like piles, then check each item forthe expiration date. Sounds simple, right? This projecttook me four days (I volunteered from 9:30-4:30). Ithought I must be a slow worker, and told John that. Hesaid my task was one of the most time-consuming tasks inthe warehouse, which made me feel a lot better.
I packed boxes of disinfectants, i.e., bars of soap,betadine swabs, sterile packages of surgical cleansers,alcohol wipes (yes, some wipes have an expiration date)among many others. John said, “fill the boxes full”,meaning, cloth is stuck/pushed tightly around the items.Each box is measured—height, width and depth, weighed,description of, and how many items in a box—all this on acomputer, then the printer spits out a label with theabove info as well as the exact location where to put orfind it. Placing the boxes in the exact location is how Ilearned that the warehouse made sense.
I volunteered 5½ days and felt every minute wasworth my time and energy. (Global Health Ministries wasone of the stops on the NEIA Synod WELCA’s outing inJune.) GHM delivers medical products, small items likeboxes of soap, and large items, like x-ray machines andhospital beds, to Lutheran hospitals around the worldwhere requested. GHM has requested more hospice kitsas they are in demand and often do not have stock insupply. For more info contact GHM: 763-586-9590 orhttp://www.ghm.org.
From the PresidentWho is the BOLDEST woman you know?? Yourmother, grandmother, a friend, a member of yourchurch? Are they BOLD because they speak theirmind, or always have something wise to say, or havethey always loved you know matter what? OnJanuary 29th we celebrated Katie Luther's birthday.She was definitely a BOLD woman who lived a life fullof faith and service. What about Leymah Gwobee,from Liberia? Certainly she was a very bold womanwho stood up to violence and injustice and changedher country forever. Or maybe closer to home, whatabout Mary Jo Mettler, from NE Minnesota, whoheard about the Lutheran Hospital in Phoebe,Liberia, and how they did not have consistent electricpower? Through prayer and persistence, she workedwith Women of the ELCA, her local electric coop andmany other groups to bring to reality solar power forthe hospital! Sounds like a bold woman to me! OnFebruary 24th we will celebrate BOLD WOMEN'SSunday in the ELCA. I have been blessed to be part ofmany congregations in my life and have had theopportunity to witness many BOLD women in thepews, kitchen and SS classrooms. I encourage all ofyou to make plans to name the BOLD women amongyou and thank them for all they have done for you,their churches, their communities and even theworld!Be BOLD, Diane Wills
Discipleship CommitteeVOLUNTEERING AT GLOBAL HEALTHMINISTRIES (GHM), by Pastor Jane A.Granzow, retiredSome folks go south in cold weather, I went north.Guess I am more directionally challenged than
As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by theHoly Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministryand action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world.
February 2019Volume 32Number 2Good News
CALENDARMar. 2 SWO Board meeting at Synod Office 9–
12:30 (Mar. 9 snow date)Apr. 13 LWR Ingathering, Clusters H, C, E, St.
Peter, DenverApr. 13 Spring Salad Luncheon, Cluster G, Living
Waters, Bethlehem, Manly, 8:30–12:30Apr. 15 LWR Ingathering, 9–11, South Port Mall (old
Sears area)Apr. 27 Little Flock Cluster B Spring Fling, Bethany,
ElkaderApril 27 Cluster D Upper Iowa River Cluster Spring
Gathering, Good Shepherd, DecorahMay 4 LWR Ingathering, Cluster D, Olson’s
Explosives, DecorahMay 18 SWO Board meeting at Wartburg College
9–12:30June 21 SWO Board meeting at Wartburg College,
7–9 p.m.June 22 32nd Annual NE IA Women of the ELCA
Gathering, Wartburg College, WaverlyNov. 9 LWR Ingathering, St. Peter LC, Denver
NE IA Women of the ELCA Executive Board
Diane Wills, President 641-425-8628 [email protected]
Jan Harbaugh, Vice President563-412-8906 [email protected]
Anna Jetson, Secretary952-240-9569 [email protected]
Beverly Sheridan, Treasurer563-382-9025 [email protected] Serenity DriveDecorah, IA 52101
Good NewsEditor Jan HarbaughP. O. Box 18, Castalia, IA 52133563-412-8906 [email protected] are due the 1st of the month for the next month's newsletter (e.g. April1 for May issue). Please put WELCA in your subject line. (You can also sendpaper copies by “snail” mail.)
Contact Women of the ELCA at:773.380.2730 or 800.638.3522, ext. 2730http://www.womenoftheelca.org/8765 W. Higgins RoadChicago, IL 60631-4189NEIA Women of the ELCA website:neiasynod.org/women-of-the-ELCA
animals, provide no-kill places where animals can live outtheir days, and provide adoption services. According toanimal rescue, there are 124 rescue/no-kill/adoptiongroups in Iowa. And they don’t limit themselves to dogsand cats. There are habitats for horses, mules, blind cats,greyhounds, zoo animals, wildlife and almost any kind ofanimal you can think of. Justice for animals? Of course!Why not? There are many people trying to do just that,and you can find a list of them by putting in the address,”Rescue animals in the U.S. (or in Iowa) Submitted byJane Godson
Stewardship CommitteeWhat are your giving beliefs? Have you shared yourbeliefs with those closest to you? How and when shouldyou start a conversation about charitable giving withyour family?
Currently on the Women of the ELCA website there isa downloadable article that can help you start thisconversation. The article; “Kitchen Table Philanthropy,”written by Emily Hansen (Copyright © 2010 Women ofthe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) gives thereader a chance to really discover the many ways theysteward and how that can shape their family’s generosityboth monetarily and in how you share your time andtalents. It offers guiding questions to help your familyfind its path and commitment to charitable giving. Byencouraging your children to be part of charitabledecisions for the family, you are encouraging them to befaithful givers throughout their life. It is fun to give.Knowing that you are helping in some way, make lifebetter for someone else, is a great feeling. There arealways ways to give. Stewardship is a lifelong gift ofsharing and giving. Start the conversation today on howyour family would like to share their charitablegenerosity. You can find more stewardship relatedresources at womenoftheelca.org. Submitted by DebJacobsen.
Justice CommitteeDogs, cats, big cats, horses, mules, zoo animals.What do these animals have to do with Justice? Ifyou’re an animal lover, you might already know.Many of you have seen the commercial put out bythe ASPCA featuring dogs and cats outside sufferingfrom the cold, without food or water, or frozen ifthey have any. These are bleak pictures, but happenmore often that we realize. There are many dogsand cats dropped off or thrown in rivers to drown.How do those who survive live? Don’t animalsdeserve to be treated with kindness? Where is thejustice for these animals? Some of you may feel thatthey’re just animals, and “can take of themselves.” Ifeel that these animals deserve justice fromuncaring owners. And there are laws on the booksthat provide for the arrest for some of theseuncaring or uneducated owners.
Luckily there are organizations that rescue
Living Faith
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
Dear Faith Shapers, Even though Lent doesn’t start until March 6, I wanted to get you to start thinking and be prepared for the season of Lent. I hope these resources help you to have a mean-ingful Lenten journey as a family (or congregation). I also included a few things as we think about Valentine’s Day and loving not only the ones close to us, but all of our neighbors that we are called to love. Deb Bachman Director of Faith Formation at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School
What is Lent All About? (you can find this on the synod website as well)
Lent is a 40-day liturgical season that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Easter. Sundays are not included in the 40-day count because every Sunday is a joyful celebration of Jesus' resurrection. Though not biblical, Lent has long been a tradition in the Christian Church, and it is thought that the tradition of the 40 days recalls the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), the 40 days and nights Noah and his family spent on the ark and the 40 years of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness. Focused on the Easter promise of new life and renewed faith, Lent invites us to look honestly at ourselves as we seek to be strengthened in the call to be Christ’s disciples. Lent is considered a time of penance, discipline, almsgiving (sharing what we have), prayer (for ourselves and others), and fasting (special resolve to work on greater faithfulness).
Ash Wednesday (March 6) is the first day of Lent. On this day, Christians focus on their complete sinfulness and the necessity of Christ's suffering and death to insure their salvation. Ashes are referred to many times in the Old Testament as signs of sorrow, mourning, humility, and repentance, and on Ash Wednesday they are used to remind people of their mortality; that "you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). We use ashes during Ash Wednesday worship in a ritual called the Imposition of Ashes. In this custom, ashes are mixed with a small amount of oil and applied to the forehead of each worshipper.
Walking through Lent with Kids
While you journey through this Lenten season, may some of the below activities help your children come understand it’s meaning and
importance in their faith walk. 1. Learn a new prayer or table grace during Lent. Or set up a prayer wall for Lent. Have kids add prayers each day.
2. Use a visual countdown or calendar. There are some available on our Facebook page: Northeastern Iowa Synod-Home Life Network or on Pinterest.
3. Give away unused/extra toys or clothes. Take your children with you when you donate them. It is a simple way to show almsgiving to small kids.
4. Make pretzels. Early Christians used to pray with their arms crossed and touching their shoulders. Pretzels are a symbol of that prayer.
5. Cover a cross with a purple cloth or light a purple candle each week for Lent. 6. Fast as a family. Give something up together during Lent. Here are some ideas of
things to give up: movies, TV, video games, meat, desserts, candy, gossip, soda pop, complaining, or snacks.
7. Keep children connected to what the Church is doing during Lent by participating fully as a family. Go to Lent services and Lenten suppers, join in a Lenten Bible study or devotion, and attend Sunday worship together.
8. Use the Lenten Passport from the synod website (Under Ideas & Resources, then Liturgical resources). You’ll need to change the dates, but a great resource to walk with kids throughout the entire season.
A Valentine’s Day Service Project
(taken from Feb. 2014 Faith at Home)
Encourage your kids to show their love for God by serving someone else. They could complete a simple service project like making a meal, shoveling snow, or cleaning for someone who could use help. Have the kids make a valentine for the person and include the words: “We love because God first loved us” or “We are valentines of God.”
Hearts full of God’s Love: 8 Day Countdown to
Valentines Day
Cut out 8 hearts on cardstock paper. On the hearts write out the following: 1. Be Mine: John 3:16 2. All Mine: John 10:27-30 3. True Love: Jeremiah 31:3 4. Love Me: Luke 10:27 5. I’m Sure: John 14:1-3 6. Sweet Talk: Psalm 119:103 7. Be Good: John 14:15 8. Call Me: Jeremiah 33:3 Each morning hide one of the hearts in the house. When the kids wake up, tell them that they are going on a treas-ure hunt for God’s love. Then let them search for that day’s heart. Once they find it, place it on the fridge, dinning room table, or somewhere in the house where you'll be able to see all the hearts displayed. Then look up the verse in the Bible and talk about what that verse means for them.
