Shepherd of the Hills Conference

Mission Statement:
God, through and in Christ, has called us to be God's people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and sent to bear witness to God's creative, redeeming, and sanctifying work in our lives.

To participate in God's mission, the conference shall:
1.  Proclaim God's saving grace through faith, and preserve and transmit the Gospel faithfully to present and future generations.
2.  Commit ourselves to worship, study, and service in order to be renewed in faith and spirituality.
3.  Encourage members in their daily lives to reach out to all people within the community and beyond with the good news of God's love through Christ.
4.  As a conference of the Northeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we intend to cooperate and pool resources of the Lutheran congregations of Conference Nine, the Shepherd of the Hills Conference, to be more effective in areas of worship, education, evangelism, social ministry, stewardship, youth, etc.  By sharing our gifts with one another, and by calling upon available resources, such as synod staff, regional staff, college and seminary staff, and others, the congregations within the conference for cooperative ministry will be free to seek assistance in whatever areas they feel are necessary and appropriate.

CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE
The Shepherd of the Hills Conference shall consist of all of the congregations within Conference Nine.  There is a Conference Board of Directors selected by the Conference Assembly, which meets bi-monthly to conduct necessary business on behalf of the Conference Assembly.

THE CONFERENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. The Conference Assembly will elect as Conference Board of Directors officers: a Conference President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and chairpersons of the standing committees.
2.  The Conference Board of Directors will be composed of elected officers: the Conference Coordinator (the paid staff person), the Conference Representative to the Synod Council, and the elected chairpersons of each standing committee.

STANDING COMMITTEES
1.  A Committee on Youth will encourage youth activities and inter-congregation cooperation, and promote education and fellowship within the conference centered on word, sacrament, and Biblical learning experiences.
2.  A Committee on Worship will seek to enhance the worship life of member congregations, and promote and coordinate joint worship events within the conference.
3.  A Committee on Education will seek to promote the use of the Resource Center and coordinate and plan activities and learning events related to adult education and parish education.
4.  A Committee on Property will seek to oversee the needs and upkeep of all property and grounds used by the conference ministry.

The Shepherd of the Hills Conference maintains this center for mission in St. Olaf, IA

 +THE CLOTHING CENTER has been in operation since 1985.  An average of 30 families are served per month with free clothing and household items.  Clothing is available free of charge with a referral and to others for a small charge.

+THE RESOURCE CENTER offers program material, videos, books, and sample material for classes of all ages.

 +THE CRISIS FUND was established in 1987.  Contributions have been received  from congregations, individuals, WELCA groups, area businesses and grants.  Over 70 families with referrals are helped with housing, utility or fuel bills each year.

 + "Back to school for kids" provides new school supplies to children from families unable to purchase them. Supplies are donated by area churches and organizations and given by referrals.

 +The annual "Holiday shop" has grown yearly.  Thanks to donations of new toys, clothing, and household items each family referred "shops" for their Christmas gifts. The donations are displayed like a retail store and a parent chooses gifts for their family; each parent has a volunteer to help them find their presents.

 +LIFELINE services are provided to persons needing the peace of mind and security required to enable them to continue to live independently.
 

Shepherd of the Hills Conference Report

Events:

Conference Assembly:  Sunday, February 17, 2008, 1:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia
 

This cooperative ministry would not be possible without the support of individuals and congregations.