All congregation members from the Northeastern Iowa Synod are invited to attend the synod’s first “Creative Collaborative Congregations (C3) Ministry Fair” Saturday, June 1, at Wartburg College, Waverly.
This new event is an opportunity for lay people, pastors and deacons from across the synod to gather in fellowship, learn together, share ideas and get inspired with skills to strengthen their congregational ministries. This year’s Ministry Fair replaces the Synod Assembly, which will take place every other year and will meet again in 2025.
MINISTRY FAIR
June 1, 2024
Wartburg College, Waverly
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
The ministry fair will feature 30 workshops, round table discussions and a variety of displays to support congregations in their ministries and administrative activities. Everyone will be able to attend two workshops in the morning beginning at 9 a.m. and two in the afternoon, concluding at 3:45 p.m. Check-in for the fair will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Here is a look at some of the workshop topics:
- Overview of the call process
- Role of mutual ministries
- Action plans for strategic ministry
- Faith formation and volunteer recruitment
- Mission trip to serve the homeless
- Planning a congregational legacy
- Responding to those with addiction issues
- Repurposing a church sanctuary
- Campus ministry impact and trends
- First-hand account of a mission trip to Ukraine
- Outdoors as a spiritual playground
- Communication tips for congregations
- Parents and grandparents keeping children safe
- Youth ministry ideas for leaders & parents
- Lay ministry training
- Planned giving as a personal legacy
- Art as spiritual practice
- Care for creation ideas
- Racial disparities in incarceration
- LSI’s expanded services for immigrants and refugees
- Mosaic services for people with complex needs
- Spiritual care in the hospital & hospice
- Ministry to parents
- Rest and renewal
- Hungarian Lutheran Siblings in Christ
- Divina moments to listen for God
- Starting a food ministry
- Coaching as a creative process for ministry
- Intro to Stephen’s Ministry
JOIN THE WORSHIP BAND!
Anyone who plays a musical instrument is invited to sign up to be part of the worship band led by Pastor Dave Efflandt who serves St. Paul’s Church & School in Waverly and has a music education degree.
The band will play at the 11:30 a.m. worship service. Band members will receive the sheet music ahead of time and will have an opportunity to rehearse prior to the worship service. Efflandt says the music won’t require much practicing ahead of time, so he encourages people of all abilities to join. Bishop Kevin Jones plans to bring his tuba, so plan to join the fun!
Sign up for the band when registering for the ministry fair.
Pastor Dave Efflandt
Join Bishop Kevin Jones and his tuba in the worship band!
SERVICE PROJECT FOR FOOD PANTRIES
The Hunger Network invites congregations to bring birthday cake kits and packages of sanitary products to be distributed to food pantry ministries in this synod.
The birthday cake kits contain items needed to celebrate a birthday or special day, including a cake mix, candles, canned frosting, a can of soda (to replace oil and eggs), and a birthday card in a foil cake pan. Additional items can also be added, such as paper plates, sprinkles and other cake decorations, streamers, and party hats.
People are also encouraged to bring a variety of sanitary products (tampons, pads, panty liners, etc.) in their original packages. The kits and supplies can be brought to the Neumann Auditorium lobby from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bring Birthday Cake Kits to the fair to distribute to area food pantries!
WORSHIP OFFERING
This year’s worship offering will support the Synod Companion – Hungary Fund. The synod’s Global Mission Network is organizing a group trip to Hungary June 21-28, 2024, led by Bishop Kevin Jones. The group will meet with Bishop Tamás Fabiny of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary and present a gift from the Northeastern Iowa Synod to support their ministries.
Read more about the Hungary trip …
REGISTER BY MAY 24
The cost to attend is $50 per person, which includes access to workshops, a box lunch and a welcome packet. Online registration is due by Friday, May 24.
READ MORE about the C3 Ministry Fair in the March/April Star newsletter …