ELCA Annual Congregation Report Process for 2024
The ELCA Office of the Secretary would like to share several updates regarding the Annual Congregation Report process for 2024:…
Read More
Who We Are
People focused
We value connection.
Grace filled
We cherish this gift from God in Jesus.
Welcome all
We welcome all people.
Connected across the mitten
From St. Joe to Alpena.
Synod Shoutout
- Winter Connection Day
If you were anywhere in West Michigan during our Synod Winter Connection Days, you know exactly what we were up against. Bitter cold temperatures and truly difficult road conditions which prompted about half of our participants to cancel.
As the event unfolded, our schedule shifted more than once. Plans to the Muskegon Sports Park were cancelled due to the cold temperature. The Muskegon Museum of Art was also closed due to the weather. It wasn’t the event we originally envisioned, but it still became something meaningful.
Despite the changes in our schedule, we gathered for a lovely time of worship, grounding our days in prayer and gratitude and the reminder that God meets us wherever we are. The spirit carried through the rest of our time together, including a fun and laughter-filled trivia night that brought out both our competitive sides and our joy in simply being together.
North/West Lower Michigan Synod at a Glance
25,000+
Baptized members
100
Congregations and Ministry Sites
181
Rostered leaders
7
Conferences
Wandering and Wondering with Bishop Julie Schneider-Thomas
- From Above
On Sunday, we heard this in the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus: Jesus answered [Nicodemus], “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above.” Hopefully at some point you have heard your pastor talk about how that phrase can be translated “born from above” or “born again.” If you haven’t and you would like to know more, please ask your pastor. I’m going to go off in a different direction from here.
- Dove of the Holy Ghost
This is an art piece in the Tirolean Museum of Folk Art in Innsbruck, Austria. It is entitled “Dove of the Holy Ghost” and is from the first half of the 19th Century. To me this looks less like a holy dove and more like a crazy chicken.
- The Muck
The phrase has been in my head since I heard Pr. Sherry McGuffin use it in her Around the Mitten reflection for Ash Wednesday. Pr. Sherry was talking about the messiness of the ashes on Ash Wednesday reflecting the messiness of our lives. The Muck. As we look at what happens when humans try to stand in the place of God — when human sin, selfishness, and greed control our decisions and choices, we see the ugliness of it all: poverty, starvation, violence, illness, separation.
I appreciate the breadth of the confession we use on Ash Wednesday. We confess everything from failing to put God first, to taking more than we need, to ignoring human suffering, to ruining God’s good creation. We have not just failed in one way. We have failed spectacularly! The Muck.
News
New Resources from Augsburg Fortress
As part of a new program, Augsburg Fortress is sharing curated boxes of books and resources with Synod Offices! View an…
Read More
Director of Evangelical Mission
On November 2, our synod celebrated the ministry of Pastor David Sprang, bid him farewell, and asked God to bless…
Read More
ELCA Fund For Leaders Scholarships
Each year the Fund for Leaders awards approximately 30 full-tuition scholarships to future ELCA pastors and deacons who are planning…
Read More
Publicly Engaged Church Grants
Each year the North/West Lower Michigan Synod’s Publicly Engaged Church Table makes available funds to encourage and support ministries serving local…
Read More
Voting and Civic Engagement Resources
As the US prepares for Election Day, we encourage you to create your voting plan and vote! Information on voter…
Read More
Job Posting: Handbell Choir Director, Greenville, MI
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Greenville, Michigan is seeking a Director of an experienced Handbell Choir. Responsibilities include leading and…
Read More
Fall Updates from Portico
Ready for Annual Enrollment? Watch for an email from Portico when your Annual Enrollment window is open. This is your…
Read More
One Year Anniversary of the War in the Middle East
October 7, 2024 marks the one year anniversary of the Hamas attacks in southern Israel and the start of the…
Read More
Rostered Minister Appreciation Month
October is Pastor (Rostered Minister) Appreciation Month. One definition of appreciate is “understand (a situation) fully; recognize the full implications of.” I…
Read More