Gift Giving from the Heart

Here is a really great article from our friends at Share Save Spend. Timely and sage advice we think. Share with your congregation!

From http://www.sharesavespend.com/newsletter.aspx

Can you name one holiday gift you received last year?

If you are like most, it might stump you for a while. Often times the gifts we do remember are those that are something special; gifts someone made for us or gave in our honor, like a charitable donation. It’s really quite amazing when you think about it. We scramble from the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) to some time in late December to purchase a bunch of stuff for people who may not even remember what we gave them. I don’t want to be a downer, but that’s a lot of stress, money and running-around for a forgotten memory.

My point in raising the issue is not to discourage you from buying gifts this holiday season. Rather it’s to step-back and think about the things you do buy (or make) for people and how your values and their interests are reflected in those decisions. Gift-giving should be joyful not obligatory, but that’s often what happens because we don’t plan ahead and really think it through.

My friend Shelly takes great joy in buying gifts for people. Whether it’s a close family member or a friend, she is extremely thoughtful about the whole process. She starts early in the year by planning ahead and making note of the following: who she is buying for, what their interests are, how the gift might add joy to their life and where she might buy the gift (she loves antique shows and thrift-stores because it fits with her reuse and recycle mentality). She also sets a strict not-to-exceed budget and never, ever goes into debt to buy gifts. And unlike most of us, she completes her gift purchasing well ahead of the holidays. Suffice it to say last-minute impulse shopping is not in her vocabulary.

Best of all, Shelly derives great joy from giving gifts to others. I know because I’ve seen her in action. She’s as excited about the person opening the gift as the person who’s actually opening the gift. It’s really quite amazing. But as I watch her in action it reminds me how truly joyful gift-giving can be. And let me tell you, people remember Shelly’s gifts.

A wise person once said, “Bad habits are developed when times are good and good habits are developed when times are bad.” Given all that is happening in the economy these days, it’s a great time for all of us to rethink our gift-giving habits to see if they pass the “Shelly test.”

One Share Save Spend Idea:

In my lifetime I have never experienced the economic challenges that we facing right now. At Share Save Spend, our goal is to help youth and adults ‘think about, talk about and do money’ in ways that honor their values. To help you in this effort, we are offering a first-ever 15% discount on all of our Share Save Spend tools and resources through the end of 2008. It is our way of saying thank you for supporting our work. To receive the discount, type in Holiday08 in the coupon code during the check out.

Money Talks: One question for teaching about money

How can you infuse Shelly’s joy and intentionality for gift-giving into your holiday routine?

Gotta Have It Now WOW!

In 2007, American individuals and families gave more than $220 billion to charitable causes around the world.

MAS Weekly News 9/17/08

September 16, 2008
Minneapolis Area Synod Weekly E-newsletter 2009 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly Mark your calendar now! Dates: May 29-30, 2009 Location: Augsburg College, Minneapolis Theme: Gods Work. Our Hands. Keynote Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Rolf Jacobson, Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary Bible Study Leader: Bishop Craig Johnson Look for more information in the months ahead. ELCA Board of Pensions Continues Wellness Plan Again in 2009, the ELCA Board of Pensions will offer plan members the opportunity to earn wellness dollars to apply to their medical costs when they take the Mayo Clinic Health Risk Assessment (HRA). Plan members may earn additional dollars by follow-up health improvement activities, including lifestyle coaching programs. Read full press release>> Messiah Lutheran Church to Celebrate 100 Years September 28, Messiah Lutheran Church, 2504 Columbus Ave S, Minneapolis The day’s festivities will begin with a 9:30 a.m. processional walk from the congregation’s parent church, Augustana Lutheran (located at 11th Avenue South and 7th Street) and conclude at the location of the congregation’s present home. Messiah’s Centennial Day celebration will include a festive worship service at 11:00 a.m. featuring a special message from former Messiah Senior Pastor, Dr. Marbury Anderson, who preached at the congregation’s 50th anniversary. A Centennial luncheon will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the church basement. Events in Messiah’s Centennial observance will continue through November 30 when the congregation launches the next century with a special worship service as it moves to the new Center for Changing Lives at 2400 Park Avenue. For more information, call the church office at 612-871-8831. Peace with Justice Forum September 21, 12:15-2 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis Topic: “Colombian Human Rights Defenders.” Lunch is available for $7. This forum is sponsored by the ELCA Minneapolis and St. Paul Area Synods’ Peace with Justice Committee. For more information call Dick Hilden at 612-825-1581. Sign Up Now for the 2008 Celebration of Confirmation “There’s No Place Like Home” A Partnership of Hope for Homeless Youth November 5 Minneapolis Convention Center We will hear from some of the strongest voices in the state on youth homelessness. We will learn and worship together, and celebrate the discipleship of our young people as they explore what it means to affirm their faith as members of the ELCA. We will experience music, celebration, performing arts, and powerful speakers. The event is like no other in the state; is the largest event our synods undertake together; and is intentionally kept affordable at only $7 per person. Help young people from your congregation (no matter what the size) experience what it means to be part of the larger church as they together powerfully impact youth homelessness in Minnesota! Go to our Web site for information on pre-events, curriculum options and registration materials. Sign up by October 29.	In This Issue 2009 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly ELCA Board of Pensions continues Wellness Plan Messiah Lutheran Celebrates 100 years Peace with Justice Forum 2008 Celebration of Confirmation September Issue of InterActs The Parish Paper Synod Facebook Group Download the September issue of InterActs The Parish Paper Ideas and Insights for Active Congregations. Download these issues: October 2008 November 2008 Are you on Facebook? If so, join the Minneapolis Area Synod group! This is another place where you can get synod news and share information with others interested in what is going on in this synod. If you don’t have a Facebook account, no worries. It’s free and only takes a minute to sign up.

MAS News 8/26/2008

August 26, 2008
Minneapolis Area Synod Weekly E-newsletter 2008 Theological Conference – Igniting Biblical Imagination September 28-30, Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center, Alexandria Rostered leaders from the Saint Paul Area and Minneapolis Area Synods are invited to this year’s theological conference at Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria. Dr. David Lose, associate professor in Biblical preaching at Luther Seminary, is the keynote speaker. Participants will explore the world through biblical narrative; identify the core biblical stories in their own lives; engage the stories of others; and learn to ignite a biblical imagination in the congregation. Worship, an afternoon of relaxation, and fellowship are part of this annual event. All rostered leaders are encouraged to attend. More information>> Sign up online>> Download Brochure>> You Faith, Your Vote – ELCA’s Civic Engagement Tour Thursday, August 28, 11:30 a.m. Woodlake Lutheran Church, 7525 Oliver Ave, Richfield (lunch will be served) Friday, August 29, 11:30 a.m. Cross of Hope Lutheran Church, 5730 179th Ln NW, Ramsey (lunch will be served) Sunday, August 31, 10:45 a.m. Central Lutheran Church, 333 S 12th St, Minneapolis (refreshments will be served) Chances are good that you are overwhelmed with televised debates, opinion poll analyses and feature stories tracking the presidential candidates. It’s easy to become sidetracked by the political mudslinging and partisan bickering, until we consider how our faith can inform our civic engagement. Our goal is to equip Lutherans to understand what nonpartisan political activities we can engage in as a church, and to encourage others to get involved. Now is the time to register to vote, think critically about our civic responsibility, and prayerfully and thoughtfully evaluate political issues, as we keep the promise for a faithful democracy. More information>> These events are free and open to all. Persistent Pedaling to Promote Prevention Seventeen members of “Team Cherish Our Children” will be biking 30 miles in the St. Paul Classic Bike Tour on September 7. As they bike the roads of St. Paul, they will share information to promote prevention of sexual exploitation and raise money for the organization. If you live nearby, come watch the Tour to cheer on the people wearing Cherish Our Children t-shirts and decorations on their helmets! If you would like to make a financial pledge per mile for one or more riders, click here to download a pledge form. Give Your Opinion and Be Eligible to Win! Augsburg Fortress is a non-profit provider of Christian resources including books and music, curricula for all ages, clergy apparel and supplies for churches, seminaries and other religious organizations. We are requesting your participation in a brief survey to gather information on how our Web site, www.augsburgfortress.org, can best support your needs. The survey will only take five minutes to complete. At the conclusion of the survey, you are invited to enter our drawing to win one of 10 prizes! If you win, you may select either a Visa gift card valued at $25 or a $25 donation to your congregation. Take the survey now>> Once we have gathered the responses, we will use the feedback to upgrade our Web site to serve you better! Watch for our new Web site launch in the 4th quarter of 2008. Thanks in advance for your participation. 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering Informational Meeting August 26, 7:00 p.m., St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1701 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington All are welcome to find out more about next year’s Gathering. Contact J.C. Lippold, Minneapolis Area Synod Gathering Coordinator to RSVP and/or with questions at 763-425-4243, ext. 27.	In This Issue 2008 Theological Conference Your Faith, Your Vote Support Cherish Our Children Give Your Opinion September Issue of InterActs Synod Facebook Group Download the September issue of InterActs The Parish Paper Ideas and Insights for Active Congregations. Download these issues: September 2008 October 2008 Take the Health Risk Assessment ELCA-primary plan members can earn $100 and save their congregation even more. Check out the percentage of plan member employees and spouses in each synod or ELCA organization who have taken the HRA as of July. The Minneapolis Area Synod is at 56.7%! We need 121 more people to take the HRA to reach 75%. Are you on Facebook? If so, join the Minneapolis Area Synod group! This is another place where you can get synod news and share information with others interested in what is going on in this synod. If you don’t have a Facebook account, no worries. It’s free and only takes a minute to sign up.
Sara Masters Director of Communications Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA 612-230-3302 s.masters@mpls-synod.org www.mpls-synod.org

Register Now: Stewardship Select Online Class

An invitation for you from our friends and partners in ministry at churchwide. Please consider this opportunity!

 

 

Hello Stewardship Leaders,

 

The Stewardship Select online class is being featured on the ELCA Home page! Please spread the word to the congregations in your synod. There are three classes available so feel free to recruit. It would be great to have a group of people (stewardship team or council)  from your congregation or synod take it together… This is an opportunity to build relationships and grow in faith!

 

http://www.elca.org/

 

Blessings,

 

Andrea L. Arey
Director for Stewardship Marketing and  Resources
Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit
(773) 380-2756

YOU are invited: A gathering and celebration of Minneapolis Area Synod Vice Presidents and leaders!

Greetings and Blessings to you – Minneapolis Area Synod Vice Presidents and Leaders!

This has been an amazing (program) year in ministry together. In November 2007 and February of this year we gathered leaders such as you to talk about ministry in your congregation, in the Minneapolis Area Synod, and across the whole ELCA. We learned how when we work together as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we are doing God’s work in ways that no individual or none of the 10,549 congregations can do alone. By sharing our time, talents, and possessions generously, God’s Spirit inspires others to give generously! We hope that by now some of you have had the opportunity to share a story of what your Mission Support offering is doing across the synod and the whole ELCA?

Are you still looking for ideas on ‘how to’? Click here for ideas and resources.

On May 13, 2008 we will have our final gathering of the program year. (Our next gathering is planned tentatively for November 2008.)

You are invited to join us as we celebrate our first year in ministry together.

At this gathering we will focus on finding more ways to help you look for and share stories of what God is doing in your own congregation, in the Minneapolis Area Synod and across the whole ELCA. We know from experience that sharing inspiring stories of people of faith doing work in Jesus’ name helps members feel more connected to the mission of God in our midst, and allows them to give of their time talent and treasure more generously!

Who:      All Minneapolis Area Synod Vice Presidents and Leaders

What:     A gathering and celebration of Minneapolis Area Synod Vice Presidents and leaders

Where: The Minnesota Church Center

122 West Franklin Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55404

Assembly Room 1 (click here for the link to google maps)

When:    Tuesday, May 13, 2008

4:00 – 5:30 PM (new time!)

Our last two gatherings were such a success; we really hope you can join us either again – or for the first time!

Please RSVP your acceptance or regrets to Rachel Swan at 612-230-3311 or email her at r.swan@mpls-synod.org by Friday, May 9, 2008.  For questions or more information feel free to call Rachel or visit http://makingchristknown.wordpress.com, the Minneapolis Area Synod’s website for Stewardship and Mission Support Storytellers and Resources.