South Dakota Synod News Blog tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1750541 2010-03-17T10:46:42-05:00 News, information, events, announcements, and more from the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. TypePad SouthDakotaSynodNewsBloghttp://feedburner.google.com Mission Opportunities for St. Dysmas and a Thank You tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b0120a949143d970b 2010-03-17T10:46:42-05:00 2010-03-17T10:48:20-05:00 NOTES FROM ST. DYSMAS by Pastor Marlin Wangsness, Pastor at St. Dysmas, Sioux Falls From the Prison Shops 1. Thank you to all (especially the women) who have supplied yarn for the knitters!!! Largely because of your efforts 8-12 men... Kevin Stillson
NOTES FROM ST. DYSMAS
by Pastor Marlin Wangsness, Pastor at St. Dysmas, Sioux Falls

From the Prison Shops

1. Thank you to all (especially the women) who have supplied yarn for the knitters!!! Largely because of your efforts 8-12 men have been kept employed, with the added benefit of several thousand caps being distributed to the needy. The need for yarn is continuing and, as before, it may be dropped off at the St. Dysmas office at East Side Lutheran, 1300 E. 10th St., Sioux Falls.

2. Some of you may know that toys are made in the prison (like the stocking caps) are distributed at Christmas to people who otherwise may not get a toy. Because of cut-backs, the prison is in need of wood to make the toys. This wood needs to be only 6 inches long and anything 2x4 and bigger. Think of all the waste from construction sites! Please pass this on to people you think can help. Call the St. Dysmas office (338-1735) for instructions with wood that is donated to the prison.

3. I am available for supply this summer (dates are open for July, August). All proceeds go to St. Dysmas. Again, call the St. Dysmas office (338-1735).

4. Thank you for all the support and opportunities you have given to St. Dysmas. Since starting this position (18 months) I have had the pleasure of being in about 45 parishes! It has been good for St. Dysmas and I have enjoyed seeing how other pastors “do” church! Thanks!
Joys and Concerns tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b01310f8f7251970c 2010-03-11T16:17:38-06:00 2010-03-11T16:17:38-06:00 Pastor Chris Matson shared with us yesterday that Dr. Paul Larson, Watertown, is still in recovery after surgery on a brain tumor in October. You may follow Dr. Larson's progress at his CaringBridge website and leave a note for him... Kevin Stillson
Pastor Chris Matson shared with us yesterday that Dr. Paul Larson, Watertown, is still in recovery after surgery on a brain tumor in October.  You may follow Dr. Larson's progress at his CaringBridge website and leave a note for him and his family. 

Please join us in prayer for Dr. Larson's continued recovery, his wife Connie, and all their family and friends.
 Joys and Concerns tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b0120a9228160970b 2010-03-10T16:00:42-06:00 2010-03-10T16:00:42-06:00 We recently received word that Pastor Susan Wolf has been in and out of the hospital for various surgeries and complications. She reports that she is home in Sioux Falls and slowly recovering. Please join us in prayer for healing... Kevin Stillson
We recently received word that Pastor Susan Wolf has been in and out of the hospital for various surgeries and complications.  She reports that she is home in Sioux Falls and slowly recovering.

Please join us in prayer for healing and a speedy recovery for Pastor Susan.
 2010 Spring Pastors Conference Information and Registration tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b01310f81ff6f970c 2010-03-09T13:13:18-06:00 2010-03-09T13:40:00-06:00 The 2010 Spring Pastors Conference will be held April 11-14, 2010 in Sioux Falls at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and Augustana College. Please download the informational brochure and registration information here as no hard copies will be mailed. The Pastors... Kevin Stillson
The 2010 Spring Pastors Conference will be held April 11-14, 2010 in Sioux Falls at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and Augustana College.  Please download the informational brochure and registration information here as no hard copies will be mailed.  The Pastors Conference is April 11-12 and continues with the Akeda Conference at Augustana College April 13-14.  You are encouraged to attend as much of the conference as your schedule allows.

The banquet at the Ramada Inn on Monday, April 12 will feature entertainment from a cappella group, Summit Harmony.  You may remember them from the 2008 Synod Assembly.  Summit Harmony is a group of young men, all graduates of Augustana College now with full-time jobs, who come together to sing praises to Him.

Rev. Sandy Rothschiller, representative from ELCA Board of Pensions, will be in attendance at the conference and will available for individual appointments on Monday, April 12.

You may register by filling out the form in the brochure linked above and mailing it to:

Crossroads Conference
c/o Pastor Jeff Eisele
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church
2208 W Laquinta Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57108

Or e-mail your registration information to jeffeisele@spiritofjoy.net.
 Joys and Concerns tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b01310f68733b970c 2010-03-05T09:26:39-06:00 2010-03-05T09:26:39-06:00 We received word this morning that retired Pastor Dwane Shay has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and is under hospice care at his home in Mesa, Arizona. Pastor Shay served parishes at Woonsocket/Artesian, Clear Lake, Hartford, Arlington, and a number... Kevin Stillson
We received word this morning that retired Pastor Dwane Shay has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and is under hospice care at his home in Mesa, Arizona.  Pastor Shay served parishes at Woonsocket/Artesian, Clear Lake, Hartford, Arlington, and a number of interim assignments in the South Dakota Synod.
 
Pastor Dwane and Lila Shay are presently at 6233 E Adobe, Mesa, AZ 85205 if you wish to send them a message.  You may also e-mail them at ShayRaLa2@aol.com.

Please join us in prayer for Pastor Dwane, his wife Lila, and the entire Shay family during this difficult time.
 ELCA Disaster Response in Chile tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b01310f68428c970c 2010-03-05T08:53:23-06:00 2010-03-05T08:53:23-06:00 The following comes to us from ELCA Disaster Response: Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, You have seen images of the widespread damage after one of the most powerful earthquakes in history struck Chile on Saturday morning. Today, the death... Kevin Stillson
The following comes to us from ELCA Disaster Response:

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

You have seen images of the widespread damage after one of the most powerful earthquakes in history struck Chile on Saturday morning. Today, the death toll in Chile is more than 800 and it is estimated that 2 million people have been displaced.

Blocked roads, collapsed bridges, and fallen electricity wires and phone lines have made it difficult for humanitarian aid to reach those with the greatest need.

This church is uniquely positioned to respond. Unlike other aid organizations, ELCA Disaster Response works through long-standing partnerships on the ground that are prepared and able to reach the most affected communities. One such partner, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile, reports that church buildings are already being used to shelter the homeless.

Our partners are in need of water, water filters, food, shelter and personal hygiene items to distribute to affected communities.

Your donations are needed to bring these life-saving supplies to those in need. Will you help today?
Thanks to your regular Sunday morning offerings and gifts to ELCA Vision for Mission,
100 percent of your gifts designated for Chile Earthquake Relief will be used for this response effort.

Give today online (www.elca.org/chiledonate) or call 800-638-3522.

Thank you for your prayers, your gifts and your partnership.

Sincerely,

sig

The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal

 P.S. Please help me get the word out. Download a bulletin insert to share with your congregation this Sunday or next.
 Online Town Hall Forum with Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b01310f629b28970c 2010-03-04T13:55:54-06:00 2010-03-04T13:55:54-06:00 You're invited to attend a one-hour live webcast Sunday, March 7, at 5 p.m. EST with Bishop Hanson and ELCA members from across the country. Visit www.elca.org/townhall at 5 p.m. EST to join the conversation. Here's how you can participate:... Kevin Stillson
You're invited to attend a one-hour live webcast Sunday, March 7, at 5 p.m. EST with Bishop Hanson and ELCA members from across the country.



Visit www.elca.org/townhall at 5 p.m. EST to join the conversation.

Here's how you can participate:

  • Watch the online event live from 5 - 6 p.m. EST
  • Log in to ask a question
  • Post comments about the forum using Facebook Connect
  • Tweet about the event using hashtags #ELCA and #BishopHanson
  • Gather members of your congregation for a viewing party
  • View open captioning in English and Spanish

NOTE: Questions will not be accepted in advance; no questions can be asked by phone or e-mail, and questions cannot be asked anonymously.

Due to the potential volume of questions, the presiding bishop may not be able to address every question that is submitted.
Joys and Concerns tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b0120a8fb3dab970b 2010-03-04T11:51:28-06:00 2010-03-04T11:58:21-06:00 We received word this morning that retired Pastor Art Johnshoy has acute leukemia and is receiving hospice care in his home at Waterford in Sioux Falls. For more information and to leave a note for Pastor Johnshoy and his family,... Kevin Stillson
We received word this morning that retired Pastor Art Johnshoy has acute leukemia and is receiving hospice care in his home at Waterford in Sioux Falls.  For more information and to leave a note for Pastor Johnshoy and his family, please visit his CaringBridge site.

Please join us in prayer for Pastor Johnshoy and the entire Johnshoy family during this difficult and stressful time.
 Service Opportunity for Cameroon tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b0120a8d8b732970b 2010-02-26T12:26:54-06:00 2010-02-26T12:26:54-06:00 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),... Kevin Stillson
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 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a01053564137f970b01310f3f586a970c 2010-02-26T12:03:10-06:00 2010-02-26T12:03:10-06:00 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... Kevin Stillson
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.