NORTHEASTERN IOWA SEPTEMBER 2019 • VOLUME 32, ISSUE 8 …€¦ · being mindful of faith when teach-ing their children how to make decisions in life, such as being nice to other

Pastor Rebecca Ninke writes a lot about faith and how to teach it to others. She likes people to know that they do not need to be experts to teach the faith.

“You don’t have to be holy to be faithful,” Ninke says. “It’s okay for parents and Sunday school teach-ers to not have all the answers. It’s okay to say to the kids I’m not sure. That’s a great question, let’s find out together.”

Ninke serves as part-time pastor for two ELCA congregations in the Madison, Wis., area and is an author and freelance writer/editor. She has been a writer and contribu-tor for 16 years for publications offered through 1517 Media (for-merly Augsburg Fortress), the pub-lishing house for the ELCA. Her name appears as a contributor for numerous curriculum resources, in-cluding The Lutheran Handbook and the newer confirmation curricula, Colaborate and Re:Form.

Most recently, Ninke co-authored the children’s book There’s No Wrong Way to Pray with her daughter, Kate, who was nine at the time. They came up with the idea for the book

when they were saying Kate’s bedtime prayers together. The book portrays one kid’s experi-ence praying for funny and poignant things, sometimes in surprising times and places like when the character is picking up dog poop in the yard. Ninke and her daughter hoped to convey the message that kids can just talk to God anytime and anywhere about anything.

Ninke says that rituals around prayer are an important part of sharing faith at home with her children, and so are the informal conversations she has with them about everyday life, such as being good stewards, giving thanks to God for food and learning not to waste food.

“A façade of holiness is not what we’re going for,” Ninke says. “We sit down and talk about what it costs to own a house, pay bills, give to the church and give to hunger organiza-tions.”

Those types of conversations about everyday experiences are a great way for parents to share faith-based values with their children, espe-cially if the parents feel they don’t know much about faith. Ninke points to a cultural shift against church affiliation, which has left many parents feeling they are not

IN THIS ISSUE

SEPTEMBER 2019 • VOLUME 32, ISSUE 8NORTHEASTERN IOWA

Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaStar

>> Continued on page 2

Celebrating Renewal: Katherine von Bora Luther — Faith in the Home

Teaching faith can mean finding the answers togetherby Marcia Hahn

1 Teaching faith can mean finding the answers together

3 Write, speak and act

5 Churchwide Assembly Summary of Actions

6 Little Pantries let us give freely

7 Congregations

8 Prayer Calendar

Rebecca Ninke

Pastor Rebecca Ninke and her nine-year-old daughter wrote the children’s book There’s No Wrong Way to Pray to help kids learn how easy it is to pray to God.

2 NORTHEASTERN IOWA SYNOD | www.neiasynod.org

equipped to share the basics in faith — so they don’t even try to share it with their children.

Ninke recalls leading a confirma-tion class a few years ago when she asked the kids about their prayer life and what they have been taught about prayers at home. They an-swered her with a room full of blank stares.

“The kids were from good church families who were there every week, but the parents weren’t teaching their kids about prayer and how to talk to God,” Ninke says.

Ninke emphasizes that parents can help their children practice faith by being mindful of faith when teach-ing their children how to make decisions in life, such as being nice to other kids at school — especially those who are being picked on — because they have their own set of challenges.

“Parents can help their kids under-stand at an early age that their ex-perience is not the only one,” Ninke says. “If adults can wrap their heads around that too, it can go a long way in the world and in our faith practices and how we help others worship.”

Ninke makes a point to invite parents to be part of communion classes with their children. “I find from the look on their faces that the refresher is good for them — they keep learning, too. We are getting more parents who didn’t grow up in the church, so we can’t presume they have Biblical knowledge.”

Parents can tap a number of user-friendly resources from 1517 Me-dia’s Sparkhouse to bring faith into

everyday conversations. Ninke rec-ommends the Whirl DVDs, which feature animated characters who use light-hearted wit to address common situations and questions related to living out their faith. The short videos are part of a larger Sunday school package, but can also be used by families.

Another favorite standby for Ninke is The Lutheran Handbook, which she still gives to all of her confirmation classes. The handbook uses humor to share practical tips and fun facts to give a basic understanding of Lu-theran teachings and theology.

For anyone feeling overwhelmed trying to teach faith to others, Ninke shared these five tips in a post she wrote last year for the Sparkhouse blog:

“You don’t have to know everything, or even close to everything.” “You’ll learn stuff too!” “Not everyone will remember everything you say, but they will remember what you did.” “Not feeling holy enough? Join the club.” “The Christian faith has been passed on to another generation for 2,000 years by people just like you.”

“I went to seminary and 20 years later I still don’t know all the an-swers, but I know where to look,” Ninke says. “That’s the gift of faith — you can keep on learning and keep on exploring.”

SMALL STEPS GROW FAITH AT HOMEJake Bouma is a veteran youth worker who contributes to Sparkhouse curricula and serves as direc-tor of Youth and Family Ministry for Faith Lu-theran in Clive, Iowa. As part of his confirmation classes, Bouma talks to parents about how they can encourage faith in the home. His best advice for parents is to not outsource the faith development of their child to the church.

Bouma helps parents set expecta-tions for what they can do in the home to teach the faith and he offers tools and resources to help them. “We create a document for parents to display in their home, like a reading chart to keep track of their faith development.”

He asks parents of confirmation students to commit to continuing the covenant of baptism, which can mean participating in worship, being a mentor, or joining in service or fellowship opportunities.

“We ask parents to be involved with the church in ways they are com-fortable, such as being a chaperone or other volunteer opportunity,” Bouma says.

Bouma emphasizes the importance of incorporating prayer into the daily routine at home. He and his four-year-old son, Grayson, follow the “help, thanks, and wow” rou-tine, which was featured in a best-

Teaching faith can mean finding the answers together << Continued from page 1

>> Continued on page 6

Jake Bouma

“… I still don’t know all the answers, but I know where to look. That’s the

gift of faith — you can keep on learning and keep on exploring.”

—Rebecca Ninke

3 SEPTEMBER 2019

I have always been fascinated by the word “importunity.” I believe that it only appears once in scrip-ture. The gentlest synonym is “persistence.” Another is closer — “shameless insistence.”

It is not that I have grown weary of the culture of massacres — I am sickened by it beyond description. I do not pretend that there is anything that I write, say or do that will make a difference.

But we must write, speak and act.

More people die of gun vio-lence in this country than in any other developed

country. There are other solutions than what our country has explored.

Because of our importunity, perhaps there can be a change.

— Steven L. Ullestad Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod

BISHOP

“Because of our importunity, perhaps there can be a change.”

Write, speak and act

Tri-Synodical Fall ConferenceSept. 22-24, 2019 West Des Moines, Iowa

Registration for the Tri-Synodical Fall Conference is open until Wednesday, Sept. 18. The event is set for Sept. 22-24 at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines with worship services at Faith Lutheran in Clive.

The conference includes theological discussions, worship services, group meals and designated free time. This year’s theme — “Faith Formation as Shared Mission” — will focus on new ways to proclaim the good news outside the congregation in the public square.

Featured speakers will be Deacon Dr. Jeremy Myers, associate professor for Augsburg University, Minneapolis; and Deacon Chelle Huth, director of Lifelong Learning and Certificate Studies for United Lutheran Seminary, Get-tysburg, Pa. ELCA Secretary Chris Boerger will give a pre-sentation at one of the sessions and preach and preside at the Monday evening worship service.

The registration fee for the conference is $130 per person. A special group rate at the Sheraton of $102 per night is available for Sept. 22-24. The last day to book rooms at the group rate is Sunday, Sept. 8.

To learn more about the conference and to register online, visit www.neiasynod.org/event/#Tri-Synodical.

Join the Fall Leadership EventSaturday, Sept. 21, 2019 St. Paul’s, Waverly

Pastor Daniel Rift, director for ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal, will lead devotions and be available for consultation at the synod’s annual Fall Leader-ship Event, set for Saturday, Sept. 21, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Waverly. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m., with lunch included.

The Fall Leadership Event is an opportunity for lay and rostered members to meet in person to learn about synod ministries and networks, join a network, and plan projects for the coming year. Network members also connect throughout the year through emails, Facebook, Skype, and conference calls.

The synod networks and committees that will be meeting are Companion Synod-Hungary, Companion Synod-Namibia, Disaster Response, Hunger, Lutheran Youth Organization, Men’s Ministry, Generosity, AMMPARO Welcoming, Racial Justice Advocacy, and Compensation Committee.

There is no cost to attend. To register, call the synod office, 319-352-1414, by Wednesday, Sept. 11, or email Kathy Liddle, [email protected].

Daniel Rift

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 October 2019 issue to Marcia Hahn by Sept. 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

Workshops to Focus on Youth MinistrySunday, Sept. 29, 2019 St. Paul’s, Waverly, Iowa

Youth ministry leaders from the Northeastern Iowa Synod will lead an afternoon of workshops for everyone who works with children and youth in their congregations.

The “Youth Ministry Intensive” event will offer eight workshops on Sunday, Sept. 29, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Waverly. The workshops will offer creative ideas for volunteers, youth ministry leaders and pastors to use in their youth ministry programs.

CHOOSE FOUR WORKSHOPSEach workshop will be approximately 30 minutes long. Participants can choose four workshops to attend.

• What is Urban Immersion and How Do You Plan a Trip? led by Marcy Colvin of Trinity, Mason City.

• One Congregation’s Journey of Starting a Youth Group

for Fifth and Sixth Grade Students led by Gina DeBoer of Immanuel, Independence.

• What is Faith Formation? led by Robin Souhrada of Bethlehem, Cedar Falls.

• How to Lead a Bible Study led by Pastor Mark Anderson, assistant to the Bishop.

• How to Lead Games — and Some Game Ideas led by Aimee Hanson of St. Paul, Hampton.

• What is Faith 5? led by Kristin Mooneyham-Johnson of St. Petri, Story city.

• Fundraising led by Christin Flucke of St. Peter, Greene.

• Looking Ahead to the 2021 Gathering: What Does a Year of Preparation Look Like for a Congregation? led by Deb Bachman of St. Paul’s, Waverly.

REGISTER BY SEPT. 27Cost to attend is $5 per person. Refreshments and re-sources to take home are included.

To register by the Sept. 27 deadline or to learn more, visit, www.neiasynod.org/youth-ministry/ or call Deb Bachman, 319-352-2850.

Middle School Lock-InOct. 11-12, 2019 UNI Wellness Center, Cedar Falls

Junior high and middle school students are invited to the 20th annual Middle School Lock-In set for Oct. 11-12 at the UNI Wellness Center in Cedar Falls.

The lock-in will feature the theme “How Great is Your God.” Activities include an opening prayer, worship, large group activity, pizza, and snacks. Students will have plenty of time for fun and games, including swimming, volleyball, basketball, climbing wall, ping pong, racket ball and inflatables.

The event is sponsored in partnership with the Lutheran Student Center at the University of Northern Iowa. It begins at 8 p.m. Friday and ends at 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

If registered by Friday, Sept. 27, the registration fee is $40 per youth; $50 after that date.

Registration materials, a poster and schedule can be downloaded at www.neiasynod.org/youth-ministry.

5 SEPTEMBER 2019

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly met at the Wisconsin Center in Mil-waukee Aug. 5-10, 2019, to discuss and make decisions about how to go about God’s work as a church, with the theme “We are church.”

Among the actions taken by the more than 900 voting members:

• Re-elected on the first ballot the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton to a six-year term as ELCA presiding bishop.

• Elected Deacon Sue Rothmeyer to a six-year term as ELCA secre-tary.

• Approved the social statement “Faith, Sexism and Justice: A Call to Action” and its implementing resolutions.

• Adopted a memorial that affirms the ELCA’s long-standing commitment to migrants and refugees and declares the ELCA a sanctuary church body.

• Adopted a resolution to condemn white supremacy and call on all ELCA congregations to engage in a study of the structures and rhetoric that empower and fuel racism and white supremacy.

• Adopted “A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” to serve as church policy for inter-reli-gious relations.

• Witnessed the presentation of the “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent.”

• Adopted a series of amendments to the “Constitutions, Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,” including one that makes ordination the entrance

rite for ministers of Word and Service, and an amendment to no longer count deacons as laypeople for representational principles.

• Adopted the “Strategy Toward Authentic Diversity in the ELCA.

• Adopted 26 memorials en bloc, ranging in topics from gun violence to engagement in the Holy Land and gender identity to seminary tuition.

• Adopted a memorial to support the vision and goals of the Poor People’s Campaign that align with the ELCA’s social teachings.

• Adopted a resolution to com-memorate June 17 as a day of repentance in the ELCA for the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9—the nine people who were shot and killed June 17, 2015, during a Bible study in Charleston, S.C.

• Adopted a memorial that calls for developing a social statement and social message on the relation-ship of church and state.

• Adopted a resolution to support the World Council of Church’s “Thursdays in Black” campaign toward a world without rape and violence.

• Adopted a memorial to encour-age all synods and congregations to commemorate the 50th an-niversary of the ELCA’s ordina-tion of women in 2020, the 40th anniversary of the ordination of women of color in the Lutheran tradition, and the 10th anniver-sary of the ELCA’s decision to remove barriers to ordination for people in same-gender relation-ships.

Presiding Bishop Eaton an-nounced that the 2022 Church-wide Assembly will take place in Columbus, Ohio, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center Aug. 8-13, 2022.

Read more about the actions at https://elca.org/News-and-Events/8003. View videos from the assembly at https://www.elca.org/CWA.

Churchwide Assembly Summary of Actions

Voting members from the Northeastern Iowa Synod had second row seats for the 2019 Church-wide Assembly in Milwaukee.

6 NORTHEASTERN IOWA SYNOD | www.neiasynod.org

Thirteen congregations in the Northeastern Iowa Synod have now established “Little Free Food Pan-tries.” These are wooden boxes nor-mally on a pole outside the church building. The object is to share a space where people can “take what they need and leave what they can.”

These Little Food Pantries are an excellent example of good steward-ship. Those who can afford to do-nate freely take from their God-giv-en abundance and share with those in need. There are no questions for those who need to take food, no test to see if they deserve the help — simply a gift to a recipient.

I especially like three things about the pantries:

KINDNESS Many people who are in need have jobs; they just don’t earn enough or they have unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs. Be-cause they need to be at work, they often cannot get to the local food shelves when they are open — and yes, some people are too proud to be seen getting food. The Little Free Food Pantry is a way that people can discreetly receive a small amount of emergency help.

EVANGELISM The pantries demonstrate to the whole community that the con-gregation can identify community needs and play a role in addressing them. It shows that as Christians and as Lutherans we care about our neighbors and take Scripture seri-ously.

AWARENESS The boxes are a reminder each time we enter and leave church that there are neighbors among us who need help. The Department of Human Services reports that an average of 356,767 Iowans receive food assis-tance each month — that’s about one in eight Iowans. Of those who receive help, 53 percent are younger than 18 or older than 59. An average of 3,258 elderly Iowans receive com-modities from the state each month.

Yes, there is poverty in Iowa and it is as prevalent in rural areas as it is in cities, and it affects mostly the young and the old.

What a bless-ing it is to have enough to share!

— Pastor Mark A. Anderson

Assistant to the Bishop

Little Pantries let us give freely

GENEROSITY

selling book of the same name.

“We pray for what we need help with, what we are thankful for and what is a wow for the day,” Bouma explains. “It’s fun to hear my four-year-old articulate those and be tuned in with the needs and hurts of others.”

At church, Grayson looks forward to his own ritual of dipping a finger in the baptismal font every time they walk by it. “He dips his finger, makes a sign on his forehead, and says, ‘God loves me,’ ” Bouma says. “It’s not official church language, but he still gets it that there is something powerful and holy in that ritual. I can’t guarantee that he’ll always want to do that, but the fact that he does now is significant.”

Bouma says parents can invite dif-ferent prayers and rituals into their life. They can display Luther’s “Morning Prayer” on the bathroom mirror to get prayer on everyone’s mind when they are brushing their teeth. Conversation starters on apps and cards offer open-ended ques-tions that can help families engage in conversations connected to faith. The Small Catechism app is another convenient resource for parents and youth to access.

“As a parent, I think about incor-porating my understanding of the world theologically into conversa-tions throughout the day and week with my son,” Bouma says. “I went camping with my son and asked him, ‘Isn’t it cool that God created all these different things?’ It’s a pro-cess to be mindful of and to know that the way I see the world and articulate that, is how he will see it too.”

Teaching faith can mean finding the answers together << Continued from page 2

Men’s Ministry mission seeks volunteersLutheran Men in Mission is seeking volunteers to help 2017 hurricane victims recover in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. All labor skills/abilities are welcome, with a real need for experienced carpenters. Volunteers who stay 15 days or more and work on homes 40 hours each of the two weeks will have their airfare, transportation, room and board paid for by the U.S. Federal Emergency Man-agement Agency (FEMA).

Learn more at www.neiasynod.org/ministries/mens-ministry.

7 SEPTEMBER 2019

CONGREGATIONSEVENTS

SEPTEMBER EVENTS 2 Office Closed, Labor Day3 Meeting, Executive Committee, Synod Office, 9 a.m.5 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 5 Conference Call, First Call Theological Education Executive Committee, 10-11 a.m.5 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Bethlehem, Cedar Falls, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.8 Event, “God’s work. Our hands.” ELCA Day of Service12 Event, New to Synod, Synod Office, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.21 Event, Fall Leadership Day, St. Paul’s, Waverly, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.21 Meeting, Synod Council, St. Paul’s, Waverly, 12:45-3 p.m.22-24 Meeting, Tri-Synodical Fall Conference, West Des Moines 29 Event, “Youth Ministry Intensive” Workshops, St. Paul’s, Waverly, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

OCTOBER EVENTS 3 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.3 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, First, Decorah, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.8 Event, Colleague Leaders Gathering, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.11-12 Event, Middle School Lock-In, UNI Wellness Center, Cedar Falls24 Event, First Call Theological Education Orientation, Synod Office, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 31 Meeting, Conference Deans and Chaplains, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

NOVEMBER EVENTS 7 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.7 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, St. Petri, Story City, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.8-10 Event, LMM Men’s Retreat – “One Year to Live,” Camp Ewalu27 Office Closed, Thanksgiving, 12 Noon-4:30 p.m.28-29 Office Closed, Thanksgiving

DECEMBER EVENTS 5 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.5 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, St. Peter, Greene, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 5 Meeting, Candidacy Committee, Synod Office, 1-5 p.m.6 Meeting, Candidacy Committee, Synod Office, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.16-26 Office Closed

INSTALLATION Rev. Bryan Robertson, St. John, Waukon, Oct. 6

CALL EXTENDED Dysart, Zion

INTERVIEWING Castalia, Zion, Rev. Jim Harbaugh, interim Cedar Falls, Bethlehem, Rev. Audrey Lukasak, interim Cedar Falls, St. John Dubuque, Holy Trinity (staff) Dubuque, St. Matthew Independence, Immanuel (staff) Nashua, St. John, Rev. Charis Combs-Lay, interim Rockwell, St. Peter and Thornton, St. Paul, Rev. Joel Dahlen, contract interim Tripoli, St. John (Crane Creek) Waverly, Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community

SELF-STUDY Belmond, Trinity Charles City, Messiah, Rev. Norman Bauer, interim Chester, United Cresco, Immanuel Decorah, Decorah Elma, St. Paul (Maple Leaf) Guttenberg, St. John’s and St. Paul Hawkeye, Trinity Mason City, St. Paul, Rev. Matthew Muters, contract New Hampton, Trinity (staff) Northwood, First Ridgeway, Peace, Orleans & Madison (Ridgeway Parish) Sumner, St. Peter (Richfield) and Waucoma, St. John (Stapleton) Tripoli, Grace, Rev. Dennis Niezwaag, contract interim Waterloo, St. John (Bennington)

ROSTER CHANGES Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann, Assistant Professor of Lutheran Confessions and Heritage, Wartburg Theological Seminary, transferred from Greater Milwaukee Synod Rev. Dr. Walter “Chip” Bouzard, transferred to Virginia Synod

SUNDAY, SEPT. 8, 2019

ELCA congregations will join in service and mission projects on Sunday, Sept., 8, as part of the “God’s Work.

Our Hands.” dedicated day of service. Look for photos on the synod’s Facebook page,

www.facebook.com/neiasynod.

‘One Year to Live’ Men’s RetreatNov. 8-10, 2018 Camp Ewalu, Strawberry Point

Men of all ages are invited to attend the “One Year to Live” men’s retreat set for the weekend of Nov. 8-10 at Ewalu Camp and Retreat Center, Strawberry Point.

Presented by Lutheran Men in Mission in partnership with the Northeastern Iowa Synod and Camp Ewalu, this 45-hour spiritual boot camp gives men an opportunity to band together to reexamine their life and priorities, make decisions for their future, and discover how God has equipped them to live.

The weekend starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday and concludes at 3 p.m. Sunday. The cost to attend is $150 if registered by Friday, Oct. 25; $175 after that date. The fee includes two nights lodging, five meals and retreat materials.

To learn more, download the brochure/registration form at www.neiasynod.org/ministries/mens-ministry or call Jim Rathe at 319-231-5749

PRAYER CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 2019SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

H. George Anderson Fund for Leaders

St. Paul, Marble Rock

1

Our Saviour’s, Mason City

2

Rev. Robert A. Scheurer, Rockford

3St. James, Mason City

4

Betty J. Urlaub, Garnavillo

5

Amy B. Wrightsman, Decorah

6Edna Kamper, Algona

7

St. Paul, Mason City

8

Rev. O. Paul Hougen, Decorah

9

Rev. Selmer G. Hernes, Forest City

10Trinity, Mason City

11St. Paul, Maynard

12First, McGregor

13St. Paul, Monona

14

Rev. Nathan H. Clements, La Porte City

Rev. James E. Klosterboer, McGregor

15St. John, Nashua

16

Middle East Peace Rev. James J. Carstensen,

Raymond, Miss.Rev. Joshua L. Schunk,

Oelwein

17Alice M. Martin, Asbury

18

Rev. Hillary E. Burns-Kite, GarnavilloRev. David R. Nelson,

Decorah

19Trinity, New Hampton

20

St. Luke, Nora Springs

21

First, Northwood

22Silver Lake, Northwood

23

Rev. Erika J. Kielstrup, Monona

24St. Peter, Oran

25

Rev. Paul C. Nelson, Waverly

Rev. Dawn L. Pederson, Denver

26

Rev. Megan E. Graves, Cedar Falls

27

Rev. Vincent C. Fricke, Waverly

Deacon Susan A. Garbes, Nashua

28

Zion, Oelwein

29

Rev. Michael G. Ashman, La Porte City

Rev. James H. Carpenter, Waverly

Rev. Kathryn H. Wicks, Dubuque

30

OBITUARYPastor Chuck Ager died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at the age of 81. He was ordained on June 8, 1969. He served as associate pastor at Trinity, New Hampton; pastor at St. John, Dundee/St. Peter, Lamont; First/Clayton County Lutheran Area Ministry, McGregor; St. Paul, Wellsburg, all in Iowa; St. Paul (Cave Creek), Fredericks-burg; Martin Luther, Giddings; and Bethlehem, Quihi, all in Texas. He retired on Oct. 1, 1999.

The memorial service took place Aug. 31 at Emanuel Lutheran, Strawberry Point. A full obituary is posted at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Pastor Ager is survived by his wife, Beverly, and two children. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Beverly Ager, 277 Cedar Wood Hills, Strawberry Point, IA 52076.

their whole congregation involved in ongoing projects such asmaking quilts & blankets or putting together LWR kits. Othersorganize a church or community clean up. Bake sales orfreewill dinners, with the profits going toward a cause, isanother popular choice. Even if your congregation has notorganized an event, you can do your own stewardship. Go visitthat person you haven’t seen in church. Buy some LWR kitsupplies. Attend another church’s fundraiser or donate to acharity. We steward in some way each day.

Stewardship shows that we care about the people aroundus, about animals and plants, and all the other resources thathave been given to us by God. Stewardship is the way weshare our God-given talents with others. When we cometogether and share talents, we accomplish many things thatare not possible alone. Submitted by Deb Jacobsen.NB: LWR is especially in need of school kits this year.

Discipleship CommitteeSome of you may remember that just a year ago we spent twodays learning about and sharing in the ministries of LWR,Global Health Ministries, and Mary’s Place in the Twin Cities. Ithink everybody agreed it was a heartening, enjoyable, andworthwhile trip which encouraged our own endeavors inministry, and taught us a lot. We have another adventure available this year, sponsoredby the SE Iowa Synod, and open to all three synods. The Tri-Synodical Fall Retreat will be held October 4 & 5 in Ames. Aregistration form is available at neiasynod.org/women-of-the-elca. Diane Wills is arranging transport from the west end ofthe synod for people who are interested. Contact her [email protected]. Hope to see you in October!Submitted by Jan Harbaugh

Justice CommitteeI recently watched the movie Instant Family. The plot involvesa successful couple who decide to adopt a child. They gothrough the foster parent training and then meet children andexpress interest in a teenager. The couple then finds out she ispart of a sibling group of three. The movie shows some of theups and downs and adjustments everyone goes through.There comes a time when it looks like the children will bereturned to their biological parent, but in the end the parentdoesn’t follow through, so the children are adopted by thecouple. It reminds me of all the children that I haveencountered as part of my job. Most do stay with their parents;however, these families do have needs that most of us havenever experienced. There are things we can do to help them.Most of us do what we can to donate to our local communityservices.

What you may not realize is that social organizations also

From the PresidentWhile I was making other plans….. the Spiritmoved you!!!Have you ever played the game “Around this room I drawthe magic circle, when the spirit moves you, get up andleave the room?” It was a game we played at camp in theearly 90s. The how of the game is not as important as thethought of the spirit moving you to action. I am remindedof all the times I was making plans and God had otherideas and redirected me. Like when I arrived at collegeand said, I don’t need to attend worship weekly andSunday morning I felt like I was the only one up andremembered reading about when and where to go toworship. It was my first experience of a contemporaryworship service. I really liked it and decided I couldhandle that kind of service at 11 a.m. Have you felt thespirit move you? Please share your stories.

I am truly honored by your trust, faith and confidencein my leadership. I request you continue praying for yourSynodical Women’s Organization board, all Women ofthe ELCA, the ministries we participate in, and the futureof the organization. I look forward to serving with theawesome and amazing women you have selected asyour board. I can’t wait to meet those of you in the synodI haven’t met yet and get to know more of you.

I hope you all are willing to be open to ideas. Somemay be new to you. Others may be old news, tried andtrue for your group. Please be sure to share your ideas,suggestions or concerns with us(https://www.facebook.com/NEIASWO, your clusterleadership, cluster shepherdess, or any of the boardmembers).

I’d like to thank everyone for attending the conventionin June and for voting for me as your president. Anotherthing about me personally. I am a very honest and open-minded person willing and able to take suggestions tomake us a better organization. I welcome anyone andyou can talk to me anytime. Your President, Anna J.

Stewardship CommitteeThe definition of stewardship on Wikipedia is; “the job ofsupervising or taking care of something.” When Godcreated the world, He chose us as stewards over all Hiscreation.

One of the largest days of organized stewardshipwithin the ELCA takes place this year on Sunday,September 8th. “God’s work. Our Hands” Sunday is anELCA day of service. Congregations do a wide range ofservice projects on this day. Many take this day to get

As a community of women created in the image of God, called todiscipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, wecommit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one anotherin our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing andwholeness in the church, the society, and the world.

September2019

Volume 32Number 8Good News

CALENDARSep. 6 & 7 Ecumenical Conference, Bethany, KensettSep. 28 Upper Iowa Cluster D Fall Gathering, St.

John’s LC, WaukonOct. 4–5 Tri-Synod Fall Retreat, Bethesda LC, AmesOct. 19 Living Waters Cluster G Fall Gathering, 8:30–

11:30, St. Paul, Mason CityNov. 1 Deadline for Triennial Gathering Scholarship

applicationsNov. 9 LWR Ingathering, St. Peter LC, DenverNov. 11 LWR Ingathering, South Port Mall (old Sears

area) 9–11

NE IA Women of the ELCA Executive Board

Anna Jetson, President952-240-9569 [email protected]

Jan Harbaugh, Vice President563-412-8906 [email protected]

, Secretary

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. April 1for May issue). Please put WELCA in your subject line. (You can also send papercopies 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

Department of Human Services.Family: I live near my Mom on the “other farm” my parentsbought after I graduated from high school. I have threebrothers and one sister, 4 in-laws, 2 nieces (twins), 2nephews, 2 great nephews. For all of you who have seen myaddress or license plate, yes, I am from Minnesota, but I cansee Iowa from my living room.

Here is my inheritance from my Dad, being a story teller.Here is the story of how I arrived here with you all. I hadrecently returned to my home town and was living in myparents’ basement. One day in the mail, my mother receivedthe brochure for the Triennial Gathering that was going to be inSalt Lake City, Utah. A friend of mine had said if you ever geta chance to go to Utah, be sure to check out the nationalparks. So, I asked my mom if she wanted to go with me. Shesaid no. Then I asked if she thought any of the ladies fromchurch might go with. She didn’t know but suggested I askthem. So, I asked at the next meeting. No one wanted to go,but then the fall cluster meeting happened and someonebrought me back a scholarship application. I submitted it andreceived the scholarship. For my birthday, my parents gaveme money for the train ticket. (That was the year the trainflooded out in southern Iowa, so about two weeks before thetrip, they refunded my ticket. I was able to get an airplaneticket and ended up going out a couple days earlier and hadmy cousin show me around the area.) I knew one name andsaw one other person I knew before I came to Salt Lake City. Idid attend the brunch the NE IA group had organized and metmy pastor’s cousin and a bunch of other ladies from NE IA.

When the fall leadership happened that year, I was askedto share one thing about the Triennial. I had so many things Ihad learned. Bless Cecil Maureen, who asked me to sharelast. As all the other participants shared things, I eliminatedsome of the many things I had been thinking about. In the endI shared about the people and all the connections they hadwith each other—sisters, friends, couples, etc. It was only acouple of minutes. The next June I arrived at the SWOgathering and was greeted by some of those many womenfrom NE IA. One said, “The last time I saw you, you werewalking off alone to your hotel room and I have beenwondering if you made it. I am glad you did and glad to seeyou here.”

Now I’m hooked. What’s your story? Do you share how yougot here? Do you share why you participate? What do you getout of coming to gatherings and doing the work you do? Feelfree to share with all of us on Facebook. If you are not aFacebook user, perhaps you would be willing to write a letteror email and send it with a picture or two to Jan Harbaugh, ournewsletter editor, and she could share it with us on Facebook.

need us to advocate for them by contacting your staterepresentatives and representatives in Congress, in DesMoines and Washington D.C., to ensure that lawscontinue to protect and provide the services these childrenneed to ensure they are safe and cared for. If you want toknow more, there is Lutheran Day on The Hill in DesMoines when Lutheran Services in Iowa and the threeIowa Synods of the ELCA gather together to meet withstate representatives, more details can be found atlsiowa.org.

You can also pray for families in need, the Departmentof Human Services and the other social organizations thatdo what they can to help the families deal with addiction,domestic violence, sexual abuse, homelessness andmany other issues. You can also contact the local socialorganization and volunteer your skills. They have a varietyof needs. Sometimes they need hands-on assistance, andsometimes it is the little extras you can help with, likeschool supplies, or Christmas presents for children whomight not receive any, or their very own quilt to take withthem as they move from place to place, or maybe it isclothes that fit after a growth spurt, or loss of everythingthey owned in a fire, or because they had to leaveeverything behind when they were removed from anunsafe environment. Submitted by Anna Jetson

Around the SynodDetails about your newly elected President:Name: Anna Marie JetsonMember of Highland Lutheran Church, Decorah, Iowa,Upper Iowa River Cluster.Employment: Lutheran Services in Iowa, Family, Safety,Risk and Permanency in the Decorah location. (However,I must say, I spend more time in my 4 wheeled office, thenthe actual office) It may sound confusing, but a simpleexplanation is I am an in home worker for the Iowa

Living Faith @

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Dear Faith Shapers,

The month of September indicates it is

Autumn. One of the four temperate

seasons and, also known as fall, au-

tumn marks the transition from summer

to winter. The season of leaves chang-

ing colors from green to gold and red

& eventually falling off the trees. The

season of classes starting. The time for

fall events at school to begin. The no-

ticeably shorter duration of daylight

and the cooler temperatures can lead

to less outdoor time. Homework, sports

practices, and evening studies can

take away from family time unless

care is taken to schedule family time

together. There are suggestions on the

next page to assist you with ideas of

activities. As you plan your time to-

gether, take time for your children

and make a plan for when they get

home for the evening or for the week-

end. Find out about their day, their

highs & lows.

Sue Cira,

Student Pastor TEEM

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 re-

sources will appear in your newsfeed. Our page

is Northeastern Iowa Synod Home Life Network ELCA

In celebration of the beginning

of classes, an important event to

share the importance of stu-

dents, teachers, and other

school employees within the

congregation community can

be a blessing of the backpacks.

The blessing includes how God is

being served through their vo-

cation. This recognition of gifts

allows support, encouragement,

and prayer for all involved.

FUN ACTIVITIES FOR FALL There are many activities that parents, grandparents, or other rela-

tives can do with children —- either on weekends or during the af-

ternoon or evening after school. Scheduling time for any of these

activities allows the child special time with an adult.

Purchase and carve or paint designs on pumpkins.

Go camping or sleep outside in a tent in the backyard.

Visit a corn maze - then have a picnic lunch with hot cocoa.

Play indoor games or put puzzles together on a rainy day.

Go on a hayride - followed by campfire songs & s’mores.

Rake together a large pile of leaves then jump in it.

Bob for apples - or make caramel apples or apple pie.

Go out and enjoy a movie night - with popcorn!

Attend a fall festival & play games & paint your face.

Enjoy a sunset then stay out and watch the stars

FAMILY

SUNSET

CAMPFIRE APPLES