Spirit in the Desert presents a leaders' retreat to learn & apply the basic concepts in real-life family, church and work settings. Sunday, April 24, 2022 - Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
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Ken Carder learned that when people with dementia are isolated from their community, their condition worsens. He recognized that people with dementia weren’t at the center of his own pastoral care efforts.
Seeking to change the status quo and demonstrate how congregations can join in ministry with people who have dementia, Carder created a class at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C., where he serves as guest professor, called “Dementia Through a Pastoral Theological Lens.”
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For many, taking time to rest—whether it’s an extended retreat or simply a pause in a busy workday—can be a challenge.
“So many of our society’s dominant narratives mitigate against rest,” said Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, a professor of theological and social ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif. “I really think that the capacity to hear the Spirit and to [flourish] as a person are built partly by having rest.”
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Allen Nohre facilitates Spirited Book Club's discussion of his book of personal essays on family, fate and life titled A Soul from Minnesota. Presented online by Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center.
Click either date for more info and registration: Thursday, 9/9/2021, 2–3 pm MST/PDT or Thursday, 9/23/2021, 2–3 pm MST/PDT.
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This year will mark the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001. That day holds great significance for people in different ways including the families of those who died in the attacks and in rescue efforts; those killed because of the resulting military conflicts; and those who are/were subsequently targeted because of their religious or cultural identity.
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Elizabeth W. Corrie’s Youth Ministry As Peace Education: Overcoming Silence, Transforming Violence (Fortress Press, 2021) is a rare work, especially in the field of youth ministry (or, in keeping with the book’s message, “ministry with youth”). Incorporating pop culture as well as theological and historical images, Corrie’s approach is both theoretical, stimulating the mind, and eminently practical, offering ideas that can be implemented immediately.
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In the desire to raise up courageous, resilient, and faithful leaders, the Rocky Mountain Synod has created a leadership initiative called Excellence in Leadership. It is a two-year investment, with classes meeting 1-2 times per month, that will provide tools and resources to last a lifetime.
They are beginning a new cohort this September. Find out more information and register on the Rocky Mountain Synod site.
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As design thinking is utilized to solve big-problems and ultimately redesign systems, the process of design thinking itself must be examined closely to mitigate the causes of inequity. Design thinking as a field often refuses to acknowledge power imbalance or the exclusive nature of many design processes. That is where equity design comes in.
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From Forbes, we share this article. Members of the clergy and other student loan borrowers engaged in religious-oriented work may now qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program after being excluded for over a decade.
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In a culture that says bigger is better, it is subversive to take tiny, lasting steps toward learning and growth. Ellie Roscher, author of 12 Tiny Things, will guide you through curating and cultivating your own tiny things practice. Friday, 1/28/2022 - Sunday, 1/30/2022 at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center.
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Each year the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA) publishes a Devotional Guide. View/download as PDF here.
The weekly devotions follow the lectionary beginning in August. The devotions are for professional educators, pastors, and ALL who work with children and youth and their families in any capacity.
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Anita Fete Crews, Director of Blessed Tomorrow, shares this letter, which includes recently released action sheets.
The Spirited Book Club discusses Kurt Struckmeyer's radical 'way' of Jesus in A Conspiracy of Love: Following Jesus in a Postmodern World. Thursday, 8/19/2021, 2 pm. Register at the bottom of our calendar listing.
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All Creation Sings includes several short songs that can be taught “paperlessly,” that is, singing together without printed or projected words or music for worship.
This kind of singing is often ideal for small retreats or outdoor settings in addition to weekly worship. This post guides you to several audio-video resources.
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At our assembly in June, Pastors Karn Carroll and Jacqui Pagel led the assembly in break-out sessions. In this post, we’ve compiled attendee’s answers to three questions posed:
Think for a moment about someone who might be new, young, or diverse to your congregation, then share with your breakout group, one new idea you could do to welcome them.
Discuss with your group about one new relevant issue your congregation should address and how?
Name one thing that we might connect with: school, business, community.
Every year, churches incur significant losses due to vandalism. Vandals often act impulsively. In other cases, vandals are seeking an easy target for their mischief, such as a building often empty at night. Read the article from Church Pension Group.
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Through advocacy, the ELCA community can create lasting, systemic change. If you want to get involved in faith-based advocacy, but aren’t sure where to begin, sign up for Advocacy Summer School.
The first session will take place on August 11, 2021. Sign up for one session or all five. Each virtual session will include a 30-minute virtual presentation followed by an optional question & answer session for 15 minutes.
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From time to time, restricted gift purposes cannot be fulfilled as expected. When this occurs, charitable organizations should take all proper steps to repurpose or amend restricted gifts. View this PDF from ELCA.
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Your worship center is an invaluable property, monetarily and spiritually, and its protection and upkeep are an important obligation. View this PDF from Church Mutual for more info.
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Would you like to learn more about reaching people through your website? Tithe.ly will host a webinar on the subject on July 27 at 11am MST/PDT. Register here.
Tithe.ly, an ELCA preferred vendor, offers a family of digital tools—including easy-to-use websites—to help increase giving, manage congregational membership data and engage members, with special pricing for ELCA congregations.
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