South Dakota Synod News Blog

Service Opportunity for Cameroon

Cathy Larson, Companion Synod Coordinator, asked that we pass along to you the following mission opportunity for Cameroon:

Global Health Ministries needs help packing the container for Cameroon on Saturday, March 6, 2010.  Volunteers can travel to Fridley (Twin Cities), MN and plan to be at the GHM warehouse early on Saturday to carry boxes, make shipping lists and provide support for others.  Items shipped support the medical ministry of the Lutheran Church of Cameroon.  Call Pastor Charlie Bunk, Langford, 605/493-6538 for more information.

And as always, visit the Companion Synod page to see updates on our Companion Synods Cameroon and Nicaragua and to learn of new opportunities for mission and ministry with them.

Joys and Concerns

Margie Hershey, TEEM asked that we pass along to you the following prayer request for her husband, Brooke:

"I would appreciate any prayers for Brooke.  Monday he had a tumor removed from his spine that appears to be cancerous.  We are waiting for the pathology report."

Please join us in prayer for Brooke, and the entire Hershey family during this difficult and stressful time.

URGENT: Save Money By Completing the Health Assessment

As of January 2010, 23.8% eligible ELCA-primary plan member employees and spouses in the South Dakota Synod have taken the Board of Pensions/Mayo Clinic Health Assessment. Together we need to reach 65% to receive a 2% discount on qualifying organizations’ ELCA health-plan contributions.  So we have a ways to go!

On average, each congregation in the ELCA health-plan will save $1,200 per rostered leader or lay staff member.  For the South Dakota Synod, the estimated savings is $55,000.  If we reach the 65% mark by April 30, we (the synod and congregations of the synod in the ELCA health-plan) will receive the discount for all of 2010, retroactive to January 1.

If that isn’t enough, the Board of Pensions offers you, personally, a financial incentive to take the assessment: $150 into your personal wellness account.  That's up $50 from last year!  On top of that you have the opportunity to earcn $300 more by completing follow-up activities.

Completing the Assessment takes only a few minutes, so please fill it out soon! And Bishop Dave points out that you don't need to have all of your "numbers" at hand in order to complete the Assessment! So even if you don't know, say, your blood pressure numbers offhand, you can still complete the Assessment.

If you've already taken the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment...thank you! Be sure to encourage other plan members to do so as well.

Fore more information on the Health Assessment visit the Board of Pensions website.  To get started on the Assessment, click the "Take It Now" button below or click here!

Joys and Concerns

Pastor Brad Peterson, Mitchell passed away last night

We are grieved to inform you that Pastor Brad Peterson, Mitchell, passed away at home last night February 16, 2010 after a battle with brain cancer.  A prayer service is scheduled for Friday, February 19 at 7:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran in Mitchell.  The funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 20 also at Trinity Lutheran.

Please join us in prayer for Joan Peterson; her son Aaron and wife Lindsey; and the whole Peterson family during this difficult time.

Pastor Kathy Hibbert's brother, Jim Stoneall, passed away yesterday

We recieved word last night that Pastor Kathy Hibbert's youngest brother and last sibling, Jim Stoneall of Harrisburg, passed away unexpectedly yesterday February 16, 2010 at the age of 64.

Please join us in prayer for Pastor Kathy and the rest of her family during this difficult time.

Templates For Possible Resolutions at 2010 Synod Assembly

ELCA Bishops have received requests to produce possible resolutions for Synod Assemblies regarding the Social Statement and Ministry Policies passed at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.  You may download five templates for possible resolutions from the synod website and use as desired.  The resolution templates in the document are:

• Memorial to Rescind [amend] Action on Ministry Policies

• Memorial to Encourage Full Implementation of Actions on Ministry Policies

• Resolution [Memorial] to Remove [Revise] Social Statement

• Memorial to Encourage Full Implementation of the Social Statement

• Memorial Regarding Calls to Rostered Ministry

We hope that these resolutions prove helpful as you prepare for your Conference Assemblies and for the Synod Assembly in Rapid City June 11-12, 2010.

CANCELLED: Faith Builders Class on the New Testament March 6-7

Due to decreased mission support and the elimination of the Faith Builders Director position, the Faith Builders Class on the New Testament scheduled for March 6-7, 2010 has been cancelled. We are grieved by the loss of this class and the Faith Builders Ministry.  If you have questions please call the synod office at 605-274-4011.

World Day Of Prayer For Cameroon

This year's World Day of Prayer for Cameroon will be Friday, March 5, 2010.  For more information visit the World Day of Prayer website.

Satou Marthe, newly retired leader of Women for Christ of the Lutheran Church in Cameroon, said:

"I was on the team that prepared the program of Cameroon for the World day of prayer for this year 2010 We always  celebrate the World day of prayer each year and we are happy this year as the whole World will read our program and pray for women in Cameroon."

Join with people across the nation in prayer for our sisters and brothers in Cameroon.

Thank You On Behalf Of Cameroon

In November 2009, Bishop Dave and nine others traveled to Cameroon.  If you would like to see pictures and stories from their trip, please visit the Companion Synod Page.

Most importantly we would like to thank you for your continued support of our brothers and sisters in Cameroon through your prayers and financial gifts that supported travel expenseses, the raising of four church roofs, and the uprade of the electrical system at the hospital in Ngaoundere.

We are blessed to have continued relationships with our companion synods of Cameroon and Nicaragua and look forward to our mission and ministry together.  God's work.  Our hands. 

Changes to Synod Staff Due to Decreased Mission Support

We regret to inform you that due to a dramatic decrease in mission support for 2010, difficult decisions needed to be made. Jodi Hanson's position as Faith Builders Director has been eliminated effective February 15.  Suzanne Hansen's position as Director of Youth and Family has been reduced to 1/4 time.  Suzanne's time will focus on Youth and Family Ministry networking in the South Dakota Synod and with the churchwide organization

Please join us in thanking Jodi Hanson, AIM for her service to the South Dakota Synod. We will be hosting an open house in the Haugo Room at the Synod Office, February 18, 2010, 3-5 PM. We hope you can come to personally thank Jodi for her years of service to the synod. If you are unable to come, greetings may be sent to Jodi in care of the Synod office. (2001 S Summit Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57197 or jhanson@augie.edu)

Joys and Concerns

We have been informed by Pastor Gary Westgard that retired Pastor Sam Hatlestad was taken to the hospital with chest pains on Sunday morning in Watertown.  They found a blood clot in his lung and later found another blood clot in his leg.  Pastor Gary reports that this morning Pastor Sam is no longer in critical care and is doing well at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown.

Please join us in prayers for healing and a speedy recovery for Pastor Sam.