In ThIs Issue

From the live music performances and big stage speakers to the small group Bible studies and service projects, the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans brought together more than 33,000 youths and adults and sent them home with a renewed sense of how to express their faith as members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. More than just a five-day event to reflect on and cherish, the Youth Gathering in July actually kicked off a new three-year cycle of service to others, learning opportu-nities, and preparation for the next group of youth to take their turn at the 2015 Gathering in Detroit.

“While the excitement of the 2012 Gathering is fresh in our minds, it’s

time for Northeastern Iowa Synod congregations to get busy carrying out what we learned and building a foundation so that the upcoming classes of high school youth can attend in 2015,” says Pastor Mark Anderson, assistant to the Bishop and synod youth coordinator.

Northeastern Iowa Synod youth will get a feel for the Gathering experi-ence and an introduction to some of the lessons and themes highlighted at the 2012 Youth Gathering when they attend the Junior High/Middle School Lock-In set for Oct. 12-13 in Cedar Falls. The Lock-In theme, “Jesus the Destroyer… of Walls,” reflects the 2012 Gathering’s theme based on Ephesians 2:14-20, in which Jesus’ life and death on the

cross broke down the dividing walls so that people are no longer strang-ers and outsiders, but are citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

Youth will learn about the seven faith practices—pray, study, worship, invite, encourage, serve, give—which were part of the Gathering’s discipleship day. The Lock-In will also feature a local worship band, Bible study, lessons on anti-bullying, and an exercise to break down walls. According to Deb Bachman, youth and family ministries coordinator at St. John, Cedar Falls, the Lock-In is the first overnight gathering for many of the

october 2012 • Volume 25, Issue 9NortheasterN Iowa

Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaStar

>> Continued on page 2

1 The journey to Detroit begins now

3 How much is enough?

5 Blessed is the ordinary

6 Campers give to ELCA Malaria Campaign

7 Events, Congregations

8 Prayer Calendar

strengthening Leaders

The journey to Detroit begins now

by Marcia hahn

synod programs pave the way toward the 2015 eLCA Youth Gathering in Detroit

Nearly 700 youth and adults from the Northeastern Iowa Synod gather for Discipleship Day at the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans.

2 NortheasterN Iowa syNod | www.neiasynod.org

younger students and serves as a good forerunner for the ELCA Youth Gathering.

“The middle school kids are the ones who will go to the next youth Gathering, so this is an im-portant way to connect the youth and prepare them,” Bachman says. “They can see that there is more beyond their own church and they can get excited about learning and worshipping together with other Lutherans.”

The seven faith practices will form the core of a series of learning events for parents and youth leaders in the coming year. Adult leaders will have an opportunity to delve into the faith practices more deeply and learn how to incorporate these practices into their daily lives and the lives of the youth and congrega-tion members.

The Gathering spirit continues when three of the most dynamic performers from the 2012 Gath-ering come to Luther College in Decorah Saturday, Oct. 27. AGAPE, Rachel Kurtz, and Lost and Found will perform a live concert at 7 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life as part of the “100 Wells Tour,” which is scheduled to visit 18 cities around the country. The tour intends to keep up the energy of the ELCA Youth Gathering and inspire support for water projects of ELCA World Hunger.

AGAPE (Dave Scherer) brings a high energy “Hip Hop Outreach” relational ministry that combines rapping, dancing, and storytelling to connect with his listeners. Rachel Kurtz is a Minnesota-based singer/songwriter whose distinctive voice reveals a blend of folk, pop and soul

as she sings about faith, life, love and the freedom that all have in Jesus. Michael Bridges and George Baum, who have been playing together as the band Lost and Found for more than 10 years, are known for their interactive styles with the audience and their catchy tunes with lyrics that comment on life, faith, travel, friends and rela-tionships.

“This concert is perfect both for those who attended the Gathering and want to hear their favorite per-formers again and for those who did not attend, but would like a small taste of what the evenings in the Dome in New Orleans were like,” Anderson says.

Proceeds from the Oct. 27 concert will support the 100 Wells Chal-lenge and the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Tickets are $15 per person or $12 each for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be ordered at 563-387-1271 or www.luther.edu/cyf/100wells.

Pay it Forward For many congregations, the road to the 2015 Gathering in Detroit begins with fund-raising to help

cover the $800 or so cost per person for registration, travel, lodging and meals. Youth who attended this year’s Gathering can pay it forward by sharing their experiences and helping with fund-raising projects for the next group of youth to attend. Middle school students can learn from the experiences of the high school students and get a head start building funds and excite-ment for when it’s their turn to attend the Gathering in 2015.

The Mission Investment Fund (MIF) of the ELCA offers an easy way for congregations to build their savings for the ELCA Youth Gath-ering and have immediate access to the funds when needed before, during or after the Gathering. The demand investment youth ministry account can be opened with a minimum initial deposit of $100, with free checks provided and no service fees. During the Gather-ing, youth leaders may cash checks drawn on the account at the on-site MIF service center, so there is no need to search for ATMs or banks to cash out-of-town checks. In 2012, the service center completed close to 1,000 transactions at the Gather-ing, and the MIF made a $100,000 grant to help nearly 150 teens and adults who needed financial assis-tance to attend.

“These churchwide Gatherings—and especially the Bible study and group building that precede them—strengthen our congregations’ youth ministries and bring opportunities for youth to grow in their faith,” Anderson says.

The journey to Detroit begins now << Continued from page 1

3october 2012

“’Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free, ‘tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, and when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘twill be in the valley of love and delight.”

—Elder Joseph Brackett

Our son found this on the wall of a fast food restaurant...a rather peculiar place to find a prophetic word for our culture...unless one recognizes that “the words of the prophet are written on the subway walls and tenement halls” and, now, maybe on the walls of sandwich stores.

How much is enough? The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, only a little while.

The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.

The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you out. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then?”

The American laughed and said that’s the best part. “When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions?” asked the fisherman, “Then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evening, sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos!”

I am coming off of a sabbatical time. I am grateful for a time of study, rest and reflection. I am pretty sure that I will not be encouraging the parable of the

Mexican lifestyle for myself or others. However, there is still an important message in this story for each of us.

For most of us, our way of life challenges the values and priorities of most of the world and the generations that have preceded us. Much of the world knows and previous generations knew not only the discipline of hard work but also periods of rest. I recently listened to a person lament the change when grocery stores and other places of merchandise decided to be open on Sunday. He talked about what it meant for a community to spend Sundays being neighbors with one another and letting the world spin without work for one day each week. He celebrated when the commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy,” was honored.

Quite probably, we will not know those days again. That does not mean that the human spirit and body does not require Sabbath. I encourage you to find a way that fits you and your world to stop, take time to listen to God, and rest. If God could rest on the seventh day of creation, you, too, can find some of that same time.

The words of the prophets are also “whispered in the sounds of silence.”

− Steven L. Ullestad Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod

how much is enough?

BIshoP

4 NortheasterN Iowa syNod | www.neiasynod.org

Bishop Rev. Dr. Steven L. Ullestad – ullestads@neiasynod.org Assistants to the Bishop Rev. Mark A. Anderson – andersonm@neiasynod.org Rev. Darrel W. Gerrietts – gerriettsd@neiasynod.org Linda J. Hudgins – hudginsl@neiasynod.org ELCA Director for Evangelical Mission Rev. Nancy J. Larson – nancy.larson@elca.org Star Editor Marcia Hahn – hahnm@neiasynod.org

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 November issue to Marcia Hahn by Oct. 5. We welcome story ideas related to the 2012 theme, “Strengthening Leaders.”

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.

norTheAsTern IowA sYnoD

Ministry networks kick off new goals for 2013

new lay campus minister joins Lutheran student Center

Pastor Nancy larson, Director for evangelical mission, and Pastor Gary Hedding of bethlehem, cedar Falls, install A. J. Houseman, right, as the new lay campus minister at the lutheran student center in cedar Falls. the installation was part of a welcome back fiesta and worship for students starting a new school year at the university of Northern Iowa. Houseman works with the organization and administration of the center. Hedding and Pastor Dave Kebschull of st. John, cedar Falls, provide pastoral oversight and care.

It was a homecoming of sorts for more than 70 lay and rostered members who gathered in September for the Northeastern Iowa Synod’s second annual Fall Leadership Event. After a year of meeting by phone or computer, members of the synod’s 10 ministry networks, two committees, and two sustaining ministries gathered for camaraderie and fellowship to review accomplishments and plan a new year of goals.

“People were very excited to meet as a large group,” says Pastor Mark Anderson, assistant to the Bishop. “It’s a different feeling being in a big room full of committees, interacting and talking. It felt like a mini assembly with people working together to get ministry accomplished.”

The joy and excitement carried over to the follow-up Synod Council meeting where liaison members reported on each group’s accomplishments.

“This is one of the best events we have all year, with so many people coming together with a goal to make Christ known by sharing our gifts with the world,” says Bishop Steven Ullestad.

To learn more about the ministry networks and their goals, visit www.neiasynod.org/synod_resources.

Norbert Strasser leads a breakout session with the Hunger Network during the Northeastern Iowa Synod’s Fall Leadership event at Redeemer, Waverly.

5october 2012

Most of us live ordinary lives. We go to work, we eat breakfast, we walk our dogs, we pay our bills, and we do a whole lot of other ordinary stuff that fills our ordinary days. If we think ordinary is mundane or boring, our expectations may lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction.

Yet, how blessed are we in the lives that we live? We have home and family, food and clothing, daily work and all that we really need from day to day. We are blessed. We are kept warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We have many means of transportation in order to get from here to there. We have corrective lenses to help us see more clearly and devices to assist our hearing. We have access to health care professionals and medications to help us deal with our illnesses and injuries. There is entertainment and activity to suit just about every taste. Is all this ordinary? To us perhaps, but certainly it would not be considered ordinary for the vast majority of people around the world.

We have come to assume that we deserve all that we have, that we have a right to all these blessings and hence we lose sight of the fact that they are blessings and not automatic givens for us. We become immune

Blessed is the ordinaryBy Pastor nancy LarsonELCA Director for Evangelical Mission

to recognizing God’s gifts and begin to believe that these things are ours, that we have earned them, they are our due!

Oh, how good is God! God gave God’s own son that we might have life and have it abundantly. Forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation are granted to us all. Think how ordinary is water, bread and wine, and yet when God’s word is proclaimed, these ordinary elements become the means of God’s grace for us, in us and through us. The ordinary and the sacred collide, and we are blessed and changed. We are changed for the sake of something so much bigger than any of us can even imagine. Yes, we may live rather ordinary lives and yet we also become extraordinary as God’s grace inhabits our hearts, and the sacrifice of Jesus is made real to the world in our living day to day.

To download this article or for more stewardship and mission support resources, visit www.neiasynod.org/synod_resources/Stewardship-MissionSupport.asp.

The ordinary and the sacred collide, and we are blessed and changed.

Life-Long Learning eventsLiving the Good Life: Connecting with Faith in the Real World Nov. 9-10, 2012 Camp Ewalu, Strawberry Point, Iowa

led by the rev. Dr. Norma cook everist of Wartburg theological seminary, Dubuque, this family retreat offers activities for all ages to explore the basics of the christian faith together. Family accommodations will be at the newly renovated Walnut lodge. register no later than monday, oct. 15.

Worship Windows to the World Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, 9 a.m.-12 noon Bergen Lutheran, Roland, Iowa

Dr. mons teig, professor emeritus of worship at luther seminary, will lead this look at the connection between what people do on sunday and the rest of their lives. teig will point out how different forms of worship help people see life in a contemporary, creative and life-altering way

co-sponsored by the riverside conference and bergen’s restoring

our Future campaign, this event will be especially helpful for clergy, lay worship leaders, worship planners, and worship committees. cost to attend is $15 per person or $10 for groups of five or more. registration is due thursday, Nov. 15. A sack lunch will be included.

to learn more about either event, contact susan Friedrich, 563-422-6242 or friedrichsusan@gmail.com. registration forms can be downloaded at www.neiasynod.org/events.

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Campers give to eLCA Malaria Campaign

Tri-state Forum

Oct. 18, 2012Spiritual Resiliency and Aging Dr. Janet ramsey, professor emeritus at luther seminary in st. Paul, will focus on the dynamic intersection of spiritual strength in older adults with the challenges of aging congregations. using case studies from her own research and clinical experiences, ramsey will draw out ways in which congre-gational leaders might recognize and encourage spiritual resiliency in older members. Practical topics of preaching, home visitation, and counseling will be included, with themes of community, hope, and creativity.

Nov. 15, 2012 Preaching Advent Texts in Year C presented by Dr. mark Allen Powell

Jan. 24, 2013 Preaching Lent in Year C presented by Dr. Karoline lewis

April 18, 2013 Preaching and Stewardship presented by Dr. craig satterlee

to register or for more information, call 563-589-0302, email lifelonglearners@wartburgseminary.edu, or visit www.wartburgseminary.edu.

Fewer mosquitoes may have been around Iowa this summer due to the dry weather, but they were still a topic of conversation at two Northeastern Iowa bible camps.

counselors at riverside lutheran bible camp and camp ewalu presented weekly talks to their summer campers about the devastation caused by mosquitoes when they spread malaria to families in Africa and other developing countries. the counselors invited the youth to help fight malaria with a donation to the elcA malaria campaign. by the end of camping season, the two outdoor ministries had raised more than $5,000 for the campaign—$539.34 from riverside and $4,890.77 from camp ewalu.

“the counselors invested in it first,” says lynette matter, camp ewalu summer program director. the counselors decided to set an example by having a weekly amount deducted from their paychecks to support the campaign. the counselors then took their message to the youth with a challenge for them to give toward a weekly goal, based on the number of campers.

the youth were encouraged to donate when they stopped at the canteen to buy treats. For incentive, some of the camp ewalu counselors offered to dye their hair or shave their heads if the weekly goal was met. one “camp grandpa” dyed his hair rainbow color and another counselor from Africa dyed his hair blond. He also shared stories about his

own experience of having had malaria while growing up.

riverside counselors developed a PowerPoint presentation about malaria and presented it to the campers during their tuesday lunch. their message encouraged the youth to give a portion of their camp store money toward the elcA malaria campaign. In addition, they asked campers to keep those affected by malaria in their prayers.

“this was a ministry opportunity and a giving opportunity,” says chris Dahl, riverside associate program coordinator.

both camps typically designate summer offerings toward special projects. Dahl and matter say that the malaria campaign was a good project because many of the youth were already familiar with it through fundraising efforts in their home churches.

As of Aug. 23, 2012, the Northeastern Iowa Synod has received $215,018.76 in cash and pledges for the malaria campaign, which is 86 percent of its goal to raise $250,000 by June 2014.

7october 2012

ConGreGATIonsevenTs

oCToBer evenTs4 Committee, First Call Theological Education, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 4 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Zion St. John, Sheffield, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.7 Event, Safeguarding God’s Children, St. James, Mason City, 2-5 p.m.11 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 12-13 Event, Jr. High Lock-In, UNI Wellness Center, Cedar Falls13 Event, Safeguarding God’s Children Trainers, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.14-16 Event, Fall Conference, Midway Best Western, Dubuque15 Event, Candidacy Training, Luther Seminary 16 Meeting, Fall Conference Planning, Midway Best Western, Dubuque, 12 noon21 Event, Walking Together Conversation, St. James, Mason City, 2-4 p.m.21 Event, Cedar River Conference Confirmation, Bremwood 27 Event, Citizen’s with the Saints Tour, Luther College, Decorah 28 Event, Safeguarding God’s Children, St. Ansgar, Waterloo, 2-5 p.m. 28-30 Event, Region 5 Hunger/Global/Companion/ Malaria Event, Madison, Wis.

noveMBer evenTs 1 Event, New to Synod, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 3 Meeting, Synodical Women’s Organization, 9 a.m. 4 Event, Walking Together Conversation, Trinity New Hampton, 2-4 p.m. 8 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 8 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Trinity, Mason City, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 8 Meeting, Deans and Chaplains, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 9-10 Event, Life-Long Learning for Lutherans, “Living the Good Life: Connecting with Faith in the Real World,” Camp Ewalu, Strawberry Point 10 Meeting, Synodical Women’s Organization, 9-11:30 a.m. 11 Event, Walking Together Conversation, St. Paul, Monona, 2-4 p.m.17 Meeting, LYO Team, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 18 Event, Walking Together Conversation, Bethlehem, Cedar Falls, 2-4 p.m. 22-23 Office Closed, Thanksgiving Observance 30-Dec. 1 Meeting, Candidacy Committee

DeCeMBer evenTs 6 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Wellsburg/Iowa Falls, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.7-8 (Snow Date) Meeting, Candidacy Committee

>>Events continued on page 8

8 Meeting, LYO Team, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.13 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

safeguarding God’s Childrentwo sessions of the “safeguarding God’s children” workshops will be offered in october:

PrAYer CALenDAr

Events <<continued from page 7

24-25 Office Closed, Christmas Observance

JAnuArY evenTs 1 Office Closed, New Year’s Day3 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 10 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.12 Meeting, LYO Team, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.19 Meeting, Synodical Women’s Organization and Cluster Chairs, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.21 Office Closed, Martin Lutheran King Jr. Day24-28 Event, ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza, Anaheim, Calif.26 Snow Date, SWO meeting from Jan. 19

walking Together A Northeastern Iowa Synod Conversation

the series of nine Walking together conversations with the bishop begins in october. rostered leaders, congregational councils, Women of the elcA leadership, youth groups leadership, and all interested lay members of Northeastern Iowa synod congregations are invited to participate in one of these conversations.

No registration is required. each congregation is asked to bring cookies or bars to share. the meetings will take place on sundays from 2-4 p.m. Four meetings are scheduled for this fall: Oct. 21 at St. James, Mason City; Nov. 4 at Trinity, New Hampton; Nov. 11 at St. Paul, Monona; Nov. 18 at Bethlehem, Cedar Falls.

Sunday, Oct. 7, 2-5 p.m. St. James, Mason City. Call 641-423-4702.

Sunday, Oct. 28, 2-5 p.m. St. Ansgar, Waterloo. Call 319-232-2733.