Northeastern Minnesota Synod Women of the ELCA - 2017 Lynda Lochner, President

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, greetings from our NE MN Synod Women’s Organization.

It is with praise and thanksgiving that solar power to Phebe Hospital and School of Nursing has been accomplished. On December 6th, 2017, eleven people returned to Minnesota from a trip to Liberia for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony. Awesome! Now “PV for Phebe” has turned into “Current for Curran.” Curran is a 125 – bed hospital about 30 minutes from the Guinea border. The requested solar panels have been donated by a solar company and the grid that is being installed is larger than is needed for the hospital. The extra electricity can be sold, generating more revenue for the hospital. We are trying to raise $750,000 to complete the project. We would greatly appreciate your prayers, gifts and support for Curran. Please send checks payable to NE MN Synod, ELCA with “Current for Curran” in the memo and mail them to Northeastern Minnesota Synod, 1105 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802. Credit card donations can be made by visiting www.SkipTheGrid.org.Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our sisters and brothers across the globe.

Each congregation should be receiving our Northeastern Lights newsletter. Ask your church secretary where it is in your church. This is a great resource to gather all the information about what is going on in our Northeastern Minnesota Synod, including contact information for all our Women of the ELCA Synod Board Members and Conference Coordinators.

Our 31st Annual Convention/Gathering will be held at Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Resort near Grand Rapids. The Keynote Speaker will be Tracy Schreifels, who will be addressing the trauma associated with mental health issues. Our theme is “God’s Amazing Grace.” Our theme color is purple. There will be many opportunities for worship, workshops, hands-on activities, music and wonderful “sister-ship”. Our In-Kind focus this year are “Newborn Kits.” Information on registration and more are in the Northeastern Lights and on our Website at www.nemnsynodwomen.org.

Other great resources are; our Women of the ELCA Gather magazine www.gathermagazine.org, Interchange is a quarterly newsletter of the Women of the ELCA and Bold Connections is a free monthly e-newsletter; You can subscribe to these at www.womenoftheelca.org. Café is an award – winning web-based magazine for young adult women www.boldcafe.org. Stay connected through www.womenofhteelca.org, https://www.facebook.com/WomenofhteELCA https://twitter.com/WomenoftheELCA, https://www.pinterest.com/womenoftheelca, https://instagram.com/somenoftheelca.

Our Mission Statement is “To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.” Our Purpose Statement is “As a community of women Created in the image of God, Called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, We commit ourselves to Grow in Faith, Affirm our gifts, Support one another in our callings, Engage in ministry and action, and Promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and in the world.”

We invite you to stop at our table, see the “Current for Curran” display, other information and just visit a bit.

In His grip, Lynda Lochner President, NE MN Synod Women’s Organization

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ELCA Region 3 Archives Report to 2018 Synod Assemblies Paul A. Daniels

Introduction This year marks the 30th year of the ELCA Region 3 Archives. I continue in the archivist position half-time for the 9 synods of Region 3 and half-time for Luther Seminary. This shared position works well, with Luther providing space and access to the student worker pool and Region 3 providing the seminary a large and useful research collection. We also benefit from the much-needed help of 9 regular volunteers, (part of the seminary “friends” group) and technical support from the school’s IT office.

Use of the Region 3 Archives Our website (www.luthersem.edu/archives) has greatly increased use of both collections and services. Luther Seminary hosts the website and provides technical support for it. The site is regularly updated with new training materials for congregational audiences as well as listings of the actual archival holdings. The website remains our “front door”, attracting a growing number of users from within, as well as beyond, the ELCA. In addition to the internet, researchers reach us via phone calls, mailed letters and personal visits.

• The Archives assisted a total of 855reference patrons in the past year with arange of research interests. The majority(67%) are congregational committeesworking on scanning projects, anniversarycelebration planning, history writing andrelated questions. Other significant usergroups include synod offices and churchwide offices as well as individualresearchers.

• Daniels worked on-site with all 9 synodoffices, gathering permanently valuableoffice records and assisting with retentionplans for each office. He visited each officeat least 5 times during the year. Thesevisits were coordinated with 26 on-site

congregational visits throughout the 3 states of Region 3.

• Daniels spoke at 22 adult forums and studygroups in congregations throughout theRegion. The main focus of thesepresentations is the use of memory in thecongregation and Region 3 Archivesservices.

Collection Growth • The Archives received 460 linear feet of

synod office records from the 9 offices.These included legal, financial, personneland program files.

• Gathered an additional 205 congregationalhistories – collection now totals 6,788histories.

• Received 552 biographical pieces for fileson clergy and lay leadership – collectionnow totals 7,652 files.

• Additional 18 congregations filmed theirvaluable church records through theongoing scanning program.

• Processed the Metro Lutheran newspaperfor permanent retention of all 29 years ofnewspaper history, as well as continuing tosupport its website presence.

Outreach and Education • Daniels led workshops on congregational

archives at 4 Region 3 synod assemblies in2017. He also presented Archives servicesinformation at 3 fall theologicalconferences

• Daniels recently completed meeting with all9 synod councils in the Region during thepast year to acquaint and update this keyleadership group with the services andactivities of the Region 3 Archives

• Distributed over 485 copies of “MemoryWork: A Guide for CongregationalArchives and History” to congregations andindividuals. It is also accessed frequentlyvia the Region 3 Archives website.

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• Continues off-site storage program for allRegion 3 synods for professional andpermanent care of sensitive files, includingcandidacy, camping staff, and financialrecords using Iron Mountain Co.

• Promotes and manages a large recordsscanning service for congregations toreplace the long-running microfilmingprogram. This new service of digitizingvital church records began in April 2013.

Professional Development • Daniels is an active member of several

professional archival organizations,including the Society of AmericanArchivists, the Midwest ArchivesConference and the Twin Cities ArchivesRoundtable.

• Daniels renewed his professionalcertification in the Academy of CertifiedArchivists.

• Daniels continues active participation in theLutheran Historical Conference, a pan-Lutheran group of historians, archivists andlibrarians.

Respectfully submitted, Paul A. Daniels, ELCA Region 3 Archivist and Luther Seminary Archivist, 3.15.2018

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The Mission Investment Fund (MIF) is the lending ministry of the ELCA. MIF makes low-interest loans to ELCA congregations and ELCA-related ministries for building and renovation projects. With MIF loans, congregations and ministries can purchase property, construct new buildings, and expand or renovate existing facilities.

MIF loans expand the capacity for ministry. MIF loans help create expanded worship spaces, updated space for education and youth ministry, new kitchens for community meals and soup kitchens, affordable housing units for the community and much more.

At year-end 2017, MIF had 888 loans outstanding, totaling $539.1 million.

To fund these loans, MIF offers a portfolio of investments for congregations, their members, synods and ELCA-related ministries to purchase. At year-end 2017, MIF investments totaled $506 million.

MIF is a financially strong and stable organization, with a record of steady, controlled growth. With total assets of $715.7 million and net assets of $203.9 million at year-end 2017, MIF maintains a capital ratio of 28.5 percent—positioning MIF in the top tier of well-capitalized church extension funds. For more information, visit mif.elca.org.

MIF loans and investments in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod (as of December 31, 2017):

• 12 Mission Investment Fund loans, with a balance of $6,458,441

• $7,006,517 in Mission Investment Fund investments

MIF representative: LuAnn Ferguson, Regional Manager, Tel: (651) 900-3575; email: luann.ferguson@elca.org

Mission Investment Fund | 8765 West Higgins Road | Chicago, Illinois 60631 | Tel: 877-886-3522 | Web: mif.elca.org

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Spring 2018

We are church together. This call from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton is at the core of Portico’s identity: We serve those who serve the church, so they can serve others. Ecclesiastes 4:12 reads, “a three-fold cord is not easily broken.” Imagine, then, the resilience that comes from a community more than 50,000 strong that includes:

• Active and retired rostered ministers, lay employees, and family members• Congregations, synodical and churchwide ministries, and social ministry organizations• The dedicated and talented staff at Portico Benefit Services

Together, we pool our resources and carefully steward our gifts, leveraging our collective strength to provide the care our members need. Together, we walk the path toward financial, emotional, and physical well-being, so all might experience God’s abundant life. Together, we are church.

In 2017, our community’s size and scope allowed Portico to: Deliver personalized support that helps our members live well.

• Skillful Portico Care Coordinators by Quantum Health helped more than 70% of members with ELCA-Primary health coverage navigate the complex world of health care.

• More than 400 members enrolled in Livongo’s innovative diabetes management program to make livingwith diabetes easier and more cost-effective.

• 35% of our sponsored members used Portico’s Retirement Planning Tool to get a comprehensive pictureof how much they’re saving, and how it might last in retirement.

• 3,500+ members gained a better understanding of their financial picture after talking with our new in-house team of credentialed Portico Financial Planners.

Exceed our goals for practicing good financial stewardship. • Over and above a record-breaking year for the markets, the expertise of our investment management team

demonstrated our commitment to a long-term, diversified approach to investing.• For the second year in a row, administrative efficiencies and innovative plan adjustments allowed us to

hold our baseline increase for ELCA-Primary health benefits to 5% — below the national trend of 6.5%.• Benefiting from the run of growth in the markets and strategic fund management, we announced a 4.0%

increase in the ELCA Participating Annuity payments for 2018, the sixth consecutive annual increase.

Speak with one voice on behalf of those who serve the church. • As part of the Church Alliance, Portico joined with 37 other denominations to advocate for legislation to

protect 403(b)(9) plans designed to help churchworkers save for retirement.• On behalf of ELCA investors, our shareholder advocacy team championed a history-making climate-

change resolution at a major energy-producing company.

The church is a shining example of what happens when we come together to care for one another. Lives are changed, hearts are touched, hurts are healed, hope is shared. We are grateful to lead the ELCA in the good work of wellness, and thankful for your partnership that makes this possible.

We are church together — and together, in Jesus’ name, we are creating abundant life for those who serve.

In Christ,

The Rev. Jeffrey D. Thiemann President and CEO 109

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

—Romans 12:2

There are two significant pieces of data that shine a light on the changing church in which we all find ourselves.

• Within the next couple of years, between the rate ofretirements in the ELCA and the trends in seminaryenrollment, there will be 1,000 congregations who couldotherwise afford a full-time pastor who will not have one.

• The ELCA seminary system does not have the number ofstudents needed to respond to those vacancies.

At the same time, we see a world that needs more than ever the honesty, integrity and unconditional welcome embodied in the gospel message. We see ministry erupting in the most surprising places and forms. Our students are so clearly called to serve in the name of the gospel, inspiring us all to do our very best.

From within our circle of influence, Luther Seminary has been addressing these realities and leveraging these assets. Our mission is to educate leaders for Christian communities, called and sent by the Holy Spirit, to witness to salvation in Jesus Christ, and to serve in God’s world. We need to be innovating in a rapidly changing world

Over the last year, we have embraced the hallmarks of adaptive change: adjusting to and understanding the rapid change

occurring in the church and authentically undertaking the gradual but meaningful process of change.

Our staff and faculty spent the latter half of the year imagining a new future for Luther Seminary, a future that will be more suited to the context in which we and our students minister. In addition,

• our budget was reduced by $1 million so we could focusour core operations;

• the proceeds from the land sale are earmarked forstrategic reinvestment, not to fund operations; and

• 112 new leaders were launched to lead across the globe,43 percent of them without any educational debt.

We are eager to engage in new kinds of listening and learning to pay attention to where God’s Holy Spirit is stirring. The results of this last fiscal year have positioned us well to invest in new arenas and to experiment with new pathways of leadership formation, to deeply engage and listen to places where innovation is happening.

Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for mentoring people for leadership in the church and inviting us to accompany them in their preparation and discernment. Thank you for your financial support which makes it possible for us to engage in this adaptive work.

Robin Steinke President

2017 Annual Report

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MeetHope was one of 526

students enrolled at

Luther Seminary during the

2016-17 academic year.

Of those, 55 percent

were women.

Master of Arts

students like Hope made

up 14 percent of

enrolled students.

ELCA members

accounted for 69 percent

of the student body.

Forty-one

denominations

made up the remaining 31

percent of students.

The cost of Hope’s

tuition last year

was $16,500.

When accounting for

additional off-campus living

expenses, a year of study

cost approximately $36,890.

Hope and Eric

Hope Dieringer, who is pursuing a M.A. degree in Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, hopes to become a deacon and serve at the intersection of church and the world by helping to nourish intergenerational relationships as well as affirming the gifts of women.

111

Eric Miller, who is pursuing his M.Div. degree in Systematic Theology, is interested in being a pastor at an urban congregation and advancing social justice issues within the context of Christian ministry.

Financial aid covered

approximately 51 percent

of the cost of tuition and fees

for students like Eric.

As a scholarship recipient,

Eric received part of the

$2.1 million awarded

during the 2016-17

academic year. On average,

students receive

$6,910 in scholarships and

grants from Luther.

Eric was among the

55 percent of Luther

students who pursued an

M.Div. degree in 2016-17.

Eric received one of

387 scholarships

awarded in 2016-17.

Luther Seminary had 49 international students enrolled from 20 countries.

Luther Seminary had 112 students graduate on May 21, 2017.

43 percent of students graduated without seminary debt. For the others, median debt was $43,483.

Donor support made up 55 percent of Luther Seminary’s operating revenue when combining outright gifts and endowment income.

During the 2016-17 fiscal year:

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@LutherSeminary @lutherseminary/LutherSeminaryFind us online!

Luther Seminary’s Annual Report numbers are also available at www.luthersem.edu/annualreport.

Learn more about giving to support future church leaders at www.luthersem.edu/giving.

Unrestricted Operating Expenses

Student Instruction $5,183,260 Institutional Support 5,534,022 Auxiliary Enterprises 721,747 Physical Plant and

Maintenance 2,657,471 Student Services 1,244,448 Academic Support 1,183,250

Total Expenses $16,524,198

Unrestricted Operating Income

Donor Support $7,115,959 Tuition and Fees 3,022,056 Endowment Draw 3,986,667 Auxiliary Enterprises 1,094,695 Churchwide and

Synod Support 1,711,176

Total Unrestricted Operating Income $16,930,553

EndowmentTotal Market Value (as of 6/30/17)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $95.9 million

Investment Returns 1-year 12.9%3-year 4.9%5-year 8.3%

7%

42%

23%

10%

18%

16%

31%

8%

34%

7%

4%

Luther Seminary and Foundation consolidated balance sheets, June 30, 2017 and 2016

Assets 2017 2016Current Assets Cash & Cash Equivalents $14,535,878 $6,893,726Other Current Assets 158,551 171,706Total Current Assets $14,694,429 $7,065,432

Non-Current Assets Other Assets 1,443,591 1,660,689 Investments 97,429,803 89,882,718Student Notes Receivable, Net 2,794,820 2,782,721 Land, Buildings & Equipment, Net 11,528,664 12,069,286

Total Other Assets $113,196,878 $106,395,414

Total Assets $127,891,307 $113,460,846

Liabilities and Net Assets Current Liabilities Other Current Liabilities $2,442,375 $2,487,381 Notes Payable & Line of Credit, Current Portion 2,513,729 308,869

Total Current Liabilities $4,956,104 $2,796,250

Long-Term Liabilities Other Long Term Liabilities 7,691,030 7,891,010 Notes Payable, Net of Current Portion 5,040,678 5,154,408

Total Long-Term Liabilities $12,731,708 $13,045,418

Total Liabilities $17,687,812 $15,841,668

Net Assets Unrestricted 6,664,963 1,460,867 Temporarily Restricted 19,482,913 14,163,218 Permanently Restricted 84,055,619 81,995,093

Total Net Assets $110,203,495 $97,619,178

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $127,891,807 $113,460,846

Finances 2016-2017

* Includes $714,000 invested by the endowment intoLuther Seminary

www.luthersem.edu

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Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Update Jodi Harpstead

CEO, LSS of Minnesota

Surrounded by much debate about the future of social services, LSS is strong and stable! We have new commitments to causing greater racial equity in Minnesota, especially in collaboration with the Minneapolis Area Synod of our church.

We are working with health systems to learn how to blend social services with healthcare for older adults and people with disabilities in order to support the whole person. We are learning how better health allows people with disabilities to keep good jobs and good jobs help people stay healthy, for example. We are learning how social connections help seniors remain healthy in their own homes better than almost any other intervention.

After opening the Center for Changing Lives in Duluth, we are leading an effort to end homelessness for youth in Duluth, gathering

a large group of committed community stakeholders to work with us toward that vision – exciting work! And – we are always looking for host family homes for youth. Let us know if you might be interested.

Our Brainerd office has been a leader for several years now in helping young people escape and recover from sex trafficking, and we participated in an enormous effective effort to say “Not in our State!” during this year’s Super Bowl.

We are exploring ideas to give our congregations new ways to serve their neighbors so that we can be a blessing to our churches as well as our neighbors – stay tuned for news of supporting elders together and co-sponsoring refugee families!

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2024 West Third Street – P.O. Box 16360 – Duluth, Minnesota U.S.A. 55816 218-727-5897 218-343-8801 seafarersduluth@yahoo.com www.theseafarerscenter.org

The first salt water vessel for the 2017 shipping season arrived on April 2nd. Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers took part in a “First Ship Ceremony” to welcome the captain and crew of that ship to the western most tip of Lake Superior. The shipping season ended just before Christmas with visits to all 61 ships that entered the Duluth/Superior Harbor.

Throughout the nine months of the shipping season, Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers extended hospitality to more than one thousand crew members. Ship visitors from the ministry brought telephones, telephone cards, SIM Cards, and Wifi hotspots to the vessels making it possible for crew members to contact family members while in port. The ministry was also able to transport crew members to the Seafarers Center to use the free Wifi, receive donated clothing, and simply relax for a bit. Shopping for food provisions and other items was offered along with the opportunity to attend worship.

Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers is personal, individual, real, and concrete. It is about taking an excited Croatian crew member to the mall to shop for Christmas gifts for his wife and two children. It is about bringing cold Philippine crew members to the Seafarers Center to pick up donated winter coats to warm them. It is about transporting a Russian crew member to urgent care for an x-ray on his injured lower back. It is about going on a laker to sit with crew members whose cook died on route to the Twin Ports.

I am deeply grateful to the Northeastern Minnesota Synod for the generous support over this past year. In addition to the synodical support I am thankful to congregations and individuals who have continued to extend hospitality through financial gifts; knitted hats and scarves; ditty bags filled with toiletries and other items; donations of clothing, books, and magazines; and volunteers who pack Christmas boxes at the Seafarers Center. In November and December 300 Christmas Boxes were delivered to crew members.

As we are all aware, there is tension, mistrust, and warfare in our world. There is so much that tries to divide us rather than unite us. The Seafarers Ministry you help make possible provides an opportunity to extend an open welcome, a chance to see the faces of crew members as they talk with spouses and children on skype, to hear the softness of their voices as they speak with loved ones on the phone, to know the touch of a hand on the forehead of a seafarer requesting a blessing.

Thank you for the many ways you help to extend hospitality. Together we make a huge impact on the lives of seafarers from all parts of the world.

Your servant in Christ,

Doug Paulson, Director Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers

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Luther Crest Bible Camp8231 County Road 11 NE Alexandria, MN 56308

(320) 846-2431 Fax (320) 846-0201 lcbc@luthercrest.org www.luthercrest.orgExecutive Director : David R Holtz 320-292-9241 daveh@luthercrest.org

Called and committed to Christ-centered ministry through creation and community.A ministry for all people in all seasons!

Report to the Luther Crest Bible Camp Association for 2017

Greetings and peace from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! On behalf of all the Luther Crest Bible Camp Association Churches, the Board of Directors, Staff and friends, 2017 was another year of incredible growth in ministry and service to our Lord Jesus Christ! Each congregation’s prayerful support and commitment to Christ’s work in this world gives us an opportunity to share the light of Christ.

The 2017 Summer Theme was "Living Water!" and the Bible verse was John 7:37-38. As we walked with our staff and campers this past summer, we learned that God’s Living Water washes, quenches and heals us in mind and spirit. Over 2000 guests participated in our programs in 2017.

Summer 2018 is now in full swing. Registration is open! Please note that the First Early Bird Date is February 14, with $175 off your registration cost! Register early for great savings and a life changing experience! Please come and join us this summer and offer this incredible opportunity to the youth in your church today! Plus there are many opportunities for families during Women’s Week, Family Camp, and NEW for 2018, Family Weekend and Grandparent Weekend!

Special Events for 2018 • 3-6 grade Youth Retreat: Foundation Formation! - February 9-11

• Spring Creative Retreat - March 16-18

• 6-9 grade Youth Retreat: Foundation Formation! - February 24-26

Fund Raising Events for 2018

• Luther Crest Golf Scramble - Monday, August 6 at Miltona Golf Club

• LCBC at the Grape Stomp - September 14-16 at the Carlos Creek Winery• Luther Crest Annual Meeting - Saturday, October 6

• Luther Crest Extravaganza - Saturday, October 20 at the Apple Fest, Carlos Creek Winery

• Luther Crest Holiday Bake Sale – Begins November 1, Orders by Nov 30 and Pick up Dec 7&8

Volunteer Club: You and your congregation are invited to come and be a part of our wonderful volunteer ministry called Scattered to Serve. Built on the philosophy of Christian hospitality and grounded in the idea that many volunteers can make a huge difference and build great things, please contact camp today to see what opportunities are available now! 320-846-2431

One final note: Executive Director, Dave Holtz is on a well-earned sabbatical until February and we are excited to have him back soon. But are also very blessed to have a wonderful staff and board to keep things in full swing until he returns. God’s blessings Dave!

In Peace and Joy,

Jody Johnson, Site Director/Acting Executive Director Greg Tvrdik, Board President

PS – Prepare the Way and Prepare the Way 2.0 have been a huge success! 10 Cabins were built with over 100 new beds for year-round use! Plus an expanded dining hall and a newly, renovated chapel! Plus a newly paved parking lot and driveway! The next phase of Prepare the Way: The Final Call is under way. Your help is needed to finish the final payments on the construction loan! Contact us for more information about our plans for keeping Luther Crest facilities and programs meeting your future needs! Exciting Times Ahead!

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Camper Registrations

Faith is mentored when a child or family spends time in the camp community. Your support of the programs and projects of Camp Hiawatha and Camp Vermilion have a great impact on our ability to offer this life changing experience. This year, VLM changed how we do “Early Bird” registration for summer camp. We added an “Early, Early Bird” camper registration on February 15th and that has had an impressive impact on early registrations and our spring cash flow. Most importantly, camper families are now starting to plan their summer activities around their week of camp instead of having to squeeze camp in later.

Faith (noun): belief and trust in God Men-tor (noun): a trusted counselor or guide

F A I T H I S F O R M E D T H R O U G H Y O U R H A N D S April 2018, Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry

“...we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8b

0

500

1,000

20182017201620152014201320122011201020092008

Ca

mp

ers

Participation2008-2018

Non-Member Campers

Member Campers

Canoe Country

2017/18

Camper Journeys

Pottery

Canoeing

Survival

Campfire Cooking

Pie Making

Yoga

Weaving

Photography

Song Writing

Water Colors

2017 “Renewed” Psalm 23

VLM welcomed over 1100 campers and canoers last year as we looked at how we are renewed through baptism. During the summer of 2017, we introduced “Journeys” to our camper experience. This new opportunity allows campers to focus on one particular skill or experience throughout their week of camp. Led by both staff and experts-in-residence, “Journeys” included everything from music to baking to pottery.

2018 “Go and Do Likewise” Luke 10: 25-37

Jesus teaches us to live life a little differently. This summer we will be exploring how we are called to love God and love neighbor. Together we will look at God’s rules a little differently while celebrating that God rules! Weeks are already filling up. Campers should contact the camp office or visit our website soon.

Register today at www.vlmcamps.org/summer-schedule

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W E G E T T O S H A R E T H I S G O D S T U F F !

www.VLMcamps.org • vlm@VLMcamps.org • 800-331-5148 • 218-666-5465

Camp Hiawatha, 36944 Camp Hiawatha Road, Deer River, MN

...in God’s Great Northwoods!

Camp Vermilion, 2555 Vermilion Camp Road, Cook, MN

Updates from God’s great northwoods...

VLM received a $25,000 challenge match in 2017 from the Thrivent Foundation in response to our successful Camper2Campers challenge to connect with new campers.

Our Savior’s Lutheran in Hibbing has given a gift of nearly $10,000 to help pay down debt from the new Vo-yageur Lodge at Camp Vermilion. VLM is putting forth a 5-year, debt elimination plan.

$25,000 in matches are available to establish a “Facility Fund” for both camps. The challenge is put forth by Dennis and Betty Anderson of Deer River, MN.

Bluegrass Festival “Church Basket Challenge” winner will be announced at the festival on July 28th at Camp Vermilion. Congratulations to last year’s challenge winner who won a free retreat, Concordia Lutheran in Duluth.

2018 Upcoming Events

Apr. 27 Camp Hiawatha Family Overnight

Apr. 28 Camp Hiawatha Work Day

May 13 Camp Vermilion Mother’s Day Brunch

May 18 Camp Vermilion Family Overnight

May 19 Camp Vermilion Work Day

Jun 22 VLM Golf Scramble—Cook, MN

Jul 7 Camp Hiawatha 60th Anniversary

Jul 28 Camp Vermilion Bluegrass Festival

Oct 5-6 Camp Vermilion Practicing Resurrection

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

Retreat Guests 66006215517155844425381831003012245613898499161154162210041021131812061196

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Camp Hiawatha and Camp Vermilion Retreats

Retreat participation has steadily increased over the last several years. New groups such as the Northern Lights Chamber Music Institute, the Vermilion Lake Association, and the Northeast Range School Prom are showing how connections outside our member churches are getting people to camp. In addition, our churches are using their camps more and more for both day and overnight use. In 2017, member retreat use was 6X what it was in 2016. VLM projects retreat numbers to increase more in 2018 as we continue to market our new spaces in different ways.

VLM Congregational Membership 83 Churches NEMN Synod 77 Saint Paul Area Synod 2 Minneapolis Area Synod 1 Non-ELCA Lutheran 3

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Dear Friend in Christ,

I’m thankful for the opportunity to write to our neighboring synods and to reflect on the past year at Carthage College. It is a chance to step out of the fast lane of activities on campus and slow down to examine the work we have been doing at the Center for Faith and Spirituality. It was a good year that included celebrating our Lutheran heritage and our growing diversity.

Lutheran Heritage Last fall, we put on several events to conclude our celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Highlights included:

• A trip to Carthage, Illinois, with the Wind Orchestra, new Carthage president John Swallow, andhis wife, Cameron. I was invited to preach at Trinity Lutheran Church as part of its Reformationcelebration.

• A concert/hymn sing titled, “From Chants to Hymns: Singing our Faith.” It was a wonderfulevent featuring the voices of the Carthage Choir and organist Christopher Berry.

• The world premiere of “From Heaven Above to Earth You Come,” a piece commissionedspecifically for the annual Christmas Festival based on Luther’s hymn of the same name.

Growing Diversity This spring has a strong focus on religious diversity. Highlights include:

• A visit by Bishop Emeritus Munib Younan from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the HolyLand and Jordan, who spoke to us about religion’s role in creating peace in Israel and Palestine.

• Presentations and workshops led by Kenosha Interfaith Scholar in Residence William Cavanaugh,Ph.D., who spoke about “The Myth of Religion and Violence.”

• An amazing Faith Dialogue Dinner we hosted as part of our Better Together Week, celebratingour religious diversity.

Finally, great things continue to happen around campus. Carthage continues to grow and change to meet the demands of an evolving world, while keeping a liberal arts education at the core.

• Carthage was named a top producer of U.S. Fulbright Students for the third year in a row. Thisyear’s Fulbrighters are in South Korea, Thailand, the Czech Republic, and Taiwan.

• A new residence hall informally nicknamed “the Tower” will open in fall, promising improvedcommunity spaces.

• The Nursing Learning Laboratories opened as our first nursing majors entered the clinical phase.

• A Master of Science program in business design and innovation started last fall.

• Carthage was awarded a $1.2 million Noyce grant for scholarships and mentoring to help recruitmore STEM teachers. Participants commit to teach two to four years in a high-need school.

Thank you for your continued support of Carthage. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we strive to prepare students to use their gifts and skills for the greater good of all.

Peace,

Pastor Kara Baylor

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Since 1874, St. Olaf College has provided a distinctive education that, in the words of its recently-updated mission statement, challenges students to excel in the liberal arts, examine faith and values, and explore meaningful vocation in an inclusive, globally engaged community nourished by Lutheran tradition. Our Fall 2017 first-year class of 786 includes 15% who are international students; 20% who are domestic multicultural students; and 18% who are first-generation students. St. Olaf offers 41 majors in its Bachelor of Arts degree program, five majors in its Bachelor of Music degree program, and 21 interdisciplinary concentrations. All St. Olaf students complete courses in Biblical studies, Christian theology, and ethics, as well as in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences and mathematics. Three-quarters of St. Olaf students participate in one or more of the college’s 123 domestic and international off-campus study programs. With support from the Harry C. Piper Center for Vocation and Career and the Collaborative Undergraduate Research and Inquiry program, approximately 85% of Oles participate in an internship, research, practicum, long-term shadowing, or similar experiential learning opportunity. The college is home to seven choirs, two bands, and two orchestras, as well as jazz, handbell, early music, and student-led ensembles. More than 700 student-athletes participate in the college’s 27 varsity sports, and many more choose from among 54 other club sport and intramural programs. Other co-curricular opportunities are provided by 220 student organizations ranging from Amnesty International to Women in Science. St. Olaf continues to be among only a handful of U.S. colleges that meet the full demonstrated need of all admitted students. Its academic rigor, vibrant residential life and global reach are animated by Lutheran commitments to community, hospitality, love of neighbor, and public engagement.

Together with Lutheran colleges and congregations around the globe, St. Olaf commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation throughout the past year with a wide array of speakers, events, and exhibits. In Spring 2017, supported by a grant from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the college offered a series on Dissonance and Resolution: Musical and Moral Legacies of the Reformation, culminating in a Palm Sunday Vespers service performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion by the St. Olaf Cantorei and members of the St. Olaf Orchestra. Our Fall 2017 series Always Reforming: Nourished by the Past, Shaping the Future featured more than 25 speakers and events examining the ways in which organizations and traditions rooted in the Reformation are still reforming. In addition to talks by current St. Olaf faculty, staff, and students, we welcomed many guest speakers from the ELCA and its partner organizations, including Linda Hartke, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service; Bishop William Gafkjen ’79, Chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops; Kaleb Sutherland ’12, Coordinator of the International Leaders Program in the ELCA Global Mission division; Dan Ruth ’01, Executive Director of Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry; Mary Streufert, Director of ELCA Justice for Women; Bishop Steven Delzer, Southeastern Minnesota Synod; and Kathryn Lohre ’99, ELCA Executive Director for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations. Nearly all events are available in St. Olaf’s streaming archives; for links to each event, visit stolaf.edu/reformation-anniversary/.

Registration is now open for the St. Olaf Conference on Worship, Theology and the Arts, July 16-20, 2018 (stolaf.edu/cwta/), offering professional development, spiritual nourishment and networking opportunities for persons engaged in congregational ministry. This year’s conference theme, Living Breath of God, focuses on the creative, provoking, and empowering action of the Holy Spirit in worship and daily life. Guest faculty will include Donald Saliers, Theologian-in-Residence at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and Jer Swigert, Co-Founding Director of the Global Immersion Project.

We look forward to welcoming you to St. Olaf. Come to campus to join us at concerts, lectures, conferences, or summer camps, or participate virtually via the St. Olaf multimedia website (stolaf.edu/multimedia/). We encourage you to send students to St. Olaf, we thank you for your prayers and support, and we offer you ours as well.

David R. Anderson ’74, President

Report to the ELCA Synod Assemblies 2018

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