Today is the first day of the new fiscal year for 2017. We know many congregations have been holding annual meetings during the month of January. If your congregation has held its annual meeting, there’s important information that needs to be completed for the Synod. See information below.

Complete Your Annual Reporting

• Statement of Intent for Mission Support – This form is used to to tell us your congregation’s plan for supporting ministries in South Dakota and the churchwide organization for 2017.
• Congregational Leadership Form – This form is used to update contact information on leaders in your congregation.

Ministers of Word and Service Update

Appeal Update

Seminary Debt Restructuring Program

Rostered Ministers in a congregational call who are interested in setting up appointments for the Seminary Debt Restructuring Program can contact Jessie Hall or Sara Ramirez at LSS. For more details, click here. LSS looks forward to working with pastors in the South Dakota Synod.

Lutheran Planned Giving Update

KURT OSBORNE RESIGNS AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF LUTHERAN PLANNED GIVING

The South Dakota Synod, ELCA and Lutheran Planned Giving announces today that Kurt Osborne has resigned from his position as Assistant Director of Lutheran Planned Giving effective April 15, 2017.

In his statement, Osborne explained that working with Lutheran Planned Giving, the South Dakota Synod, the ELCA Foundation, along with partners in ministry and the many exceptional donors and supporters, has been a privilege and honor to serve during his career with LPG.

“Stepping away from this work of the church will not be easy, however a private business opportunity has presented itself for me”, noted Osborne.

Osborne is currently in his eleventh year of service, and in that time has gone above and beyond the call to serve this church and its ministries.

The South Dakota Synod is actively pursuing to fill the need for Lutheran Planned Giving. Updates on transition and timeline will be released as they are received.

Companion Synod Updates

Call for Missionary Support

On behalf of the Companion Synod Committee I am asking for you help us with our appeal to support for Sergio, our missionary in the Iglesia Lutherana Fe y Esperanza in Nicaragua. Sergio stands ready to welcome and support visitors to Nicaragua who get a first hand look at the outreach and ministry of our sister church.

We have put aside money to support Sergio through April of 2017. We hope to bring him to our Synod Assembly so that he can travel through South Dakota and you can meet him this June. Please make your contributions to Companion Synod Committee with Sergio Support in the memo line of the check.

Thank you, Rev. Charlie Bunk
Companion Synod Coordinator

Call for Reformation Day in Nicaragua

This is a call to all Rostered Ministers in South Dakota. We have a standing invitation to send one of our own leaders to celebrate Reformation Festival with the Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope in Nicaragua. We are looking for a leader to volunteer to preach at the Reformation Sunday Celebration in Managua on Sunday, October 29

, then lead a Bible Study with leaders on Monday and Tuesday October 30 and 31. You could travel back to be present at the big celebration of the 500th Anniversary in Sioux Falls on November 1. Sergio is willing to interpret your Sermon and your Bible Study in Spanish should you wish. Please talk to Pastor Charlie Bunk companion-synod@sdsynod.org if you are willing to say: “Here am I, send me!”

Chrism Mass Services in February

• February 26 – Atonement Lutheran, Rapid City – 5 PM
• February 27 – Zion Lutheran, Aberdeen – 6:30 PM
• February 28 – St. John American Lutheran, Sioux Falls – 6:30 PM

A Chrism Mass is for the blessing of Baptismal Oils and for the renewal of our commissioning, consecration, and ordination vows.

We will also be offering a blessing to newly elected council presidents as they serve this church. Please be sure to extend this invitation to them as well.

Conference Assemblies

The following conferences have scheduled their Conference Assemblies in March:

• Southeastern: March 5, 2 PM at Scandia Lutheran in Centerville
• Prairie Coteau: March 5, 3 PM at NeSoDak
• Bear Butte: March 12, 3 PM at Piedmont Valley Lutheran Church
• Medary: March 12, 3 PM at Trinity, Arlington
• Northern Plains: March 19, 4 PM at St Paul Lutheran in Bowdle
• Prairie Rivers: March 19, 2 PM at First Lutheran, Mitchell
• Crossroads: March 26, 2 PM at Our Savior’s, Sioux Falls

Resolutions Deadline

The deadline to submit resolutions is March 31st. Please submit resolutions in an email with the resolution attached to Crystal McCormick in the Synod Office at cmccormick@sdsynod.org.

Spring Theological Conference – April 18-20

Please join us on April 18 – April 20, 2017 for our Spring Theological Conference to be held in downtown Sioux Falls. All Worship and Academic Sessions held at First Lutheran Church. Click here for more details.

Crossroads Men in Mission Prayer Breakfast

This year’s Men in Mission Prayer Breakfast will be on Saturday, April 22 at Brandon Lutheran.

Registration begins at 8:30 AM with breakfast starting at 9 AM.

Program this year is Rebel Hurd, Mission Developer of Church on the Street in Sioux Falls.

RSVP by April 18 to Brandon Lutheran by calling 605-582-3401 or email blc@alliancecom.net.

Synod Assembly

Save the date for Synod Assembly, June 2-3, at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Sioux Falls.