The Way It Looks from Here
An occasional e-letter from Peter Rogness

Dear Partners in Ministry,

Electronic communication is up and running!
Finally, the arduous task of switching servers, internet service providers, email database (and probably a host of other things I’m not smart enough to be able to name!) is finished…and this broadcast email letter is proof!! Now that the basics are in place, we will move in coming months to make improvements in the way we communicate electronically with you. In upcoming months, we'll be launching a new listserver and sending you online newsletters on a regular basis in order to communicate with you more effectively and more often. I look forward to that.

If you wish to respond to this e-letter, hit reply, and I'll receive your response. If you're having trouble viewing the e-letter in your browser, please contact Beth Helgen at beth.helgen@spas-elca.org. We're still learning how to use the new software, and we anticipate that we will need to fine tune our efforts...possibly more than one time! 

Taking the temperature of our life together
I enjoyed the six conversations I had with pastors and lay staff leaders in the six conferences this fall. We talked both about the Orlando Churchwide Assembly and about the importance of support for the ministry we do together as a church. I trust many of you have now had those similar conversations around your own church council tables.

In early November, the staffs of the synods in Region 3 (Minnesota and the Dakotas) met in Alexandria. Rollie Martinson gave several presentations, drawing on the research of the Exemplary Youth Ministry Study (see Dec. 1 announcement). As he began, however, he made some comments about his sense of the life of the church since the Churchwide Assembly. He stated that in his view, since August the ELCA is different. I was caught off guard, since on the most difficult issues we had not implemented any changes. But in what he went on to say, he shared some significant thoughts. His observations are insightful, I think, because Rollie travels widely around the church, his work and his interaction with folks have little to do with sexuality or other volatile issues, and he sees a broad cross section of the church from which to draw his conclusions. Here’s what he said (my notes, not his writing or verbatim!): 

I think he’s right.

I am full of thanksgiving for all of you!
I remember as a kid listing to Perry Como sing “When I’m worried, and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep….” I do that, too. 

I am normally blessed with the ability to sleep soundly no matter where I am. But occasionally that’s not the case (pizza will do it, among other things!), so I lie in bed hoping sleep comes. For some time I’ve used those dark, quiet moments to mentally begin with the northern edge of the synod, praying for each congregation and pastor, and meandering all through the synod until I get to the southern edge. (Often, of course, I would be asleep by the time I’m somewhere in the metro!) When I first arrived in this synod, I would often become more agitated instead of more sleepy as I knew I was missing some. Lately it’s been a nice feeling to know I can do the whole synod. 

But more than simply a technique for falling asleep, I find it a wonderful exercise in being thankful. This is my “parish,” and you my parishioners. I have the privilege of moving among you, sharing both joys and struggles, and often admiring the rich diversity of your gifts and your ministries. I trust it’s not the sin of pride to feel proud of what you are doing. 

I hope a time of giving thanks isn’t an annual occurrence, but a many-times-daily occurrence. For my family, my home, my community, my state and country, for knowing brothers and sisters around the world, for the underserved blessings of a loving God, I am full of  thanksgiving this Thanksgiving. And every day of the year. 

I will continue to give thanks for you in prayer and if, because for whatever reason I can’t get out of the habit of starting up north and working south, I find myself praying more often for First Lutheran in Rush City than for St. Mark’s in Randolph, well, I trust both you and God will indulge me

I am thankful for you all.

Peter Rogness

Looking Ahead

Spirit of Youth Ministry
Dec. 1, 8:50 a.m.-12:00 noon, University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. A conference for pastors, youth ministry professionals, evangelism coordinators, church council presidents, and volunteers focusing on the the Exemplary Youth Ministry Study, a four-year research project to study congregations across the United States that consistently establish faith as a vital factor in the lives of young people and discover what accounts for their affective approach to ministry with youth. Join Dr. Roland Martinson and the Rev. Hal Weldin from Luther Seminary as they lead participants through the preliminary findings from the study and help you discern what this research might mean for ministry in your context. Register>

All-Cluster Gathering
Dec. 8, 6:45-9:00 p.m., Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran, St. Paul. The advocacy sub-group of the Ending Poverty initiative will launch its 2006 strategy. Julia Dinsmore, poet, singer, songwriter, humorist, and lifelong activist and educator, returns to talk about what it is like to live in poverty.

Joint Ministerium
Jan. 26, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Gloria Dei Lutheran, St. Paul. Worship and discussion of just war/just peace principles led by Charles Lutz and Dr. Mary Solberg. If you wish to stay for lunch and visit with rostered leaders from both synods, please call the synod office by Jan. 15 to order a $10 box lunch.

Spring Ministerium
Mar. 16, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Redeemer Lutheran, White Bear Lake. Worship and a presentation on the Renewing Worship resources led by Martin Seltz, Augsburg Fortress, and the Rev. Michael Burk, director for worship of the ELCA. 

Training Event for Congregational Officers
Mar. 11, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., St. Mark's, North St. Paul. An event for church council officers featuring an extended conversation with Peter Rogness and workshops geared to specific areas of leadership.

Church Pews for Sale
King of Kings Lutheran, Woodbury, has 32 quality oak pews ranging in size from 9’6” to 22’6” in length with upholstered seats, wood backs, and bookracks. Contact Ben at 651.436.5335 if interested.  

Tempered Glass to Give Away
We removed a large piece of ¼” tempered glass in the synod office, approximately 3’ x 7’3”. If you have a use for it, call the synod office at 651.224.4313.