Newsletters

Star

February 2021

The monthly Star newsletter features ministries and congregations of the Northeastern Iowa Synod, Bishop’s message, stewardship message, prayer calendar, call process updates, and information on upcoming events.

A printed copy is mailed to rostered leaders of the Northeastern Iowa Synod, Women of the ELCA synod leaders, congregational leaders, and synod council members. Electronic versions of the newsletter are available online and by signing up for email delivery.

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Star Newsletters

2021

February	kkk	New online groups help ministry leaders stay connected

2020

January	kkk	Ecumenical activities can rejuvenate rural congregations
February		Encourage youth to explore their ministry gifts
March		Candidacy affirms and guides the call to rostered ministry
April		First call ministers and congregations learn together
May		Creative ministries bring people together
June		Scholarships help people answer the call to ministry
July/August		Bishop moves into retirement surprised and grateful
September		Interim bishop begins serving the synod Sept. 1
October		Conferences help ministers and congregations stay connected
November		Electronic giving can boost a congregation’s bottom line
December/January2021		New streamlined process helps candidates find their first call

2019

January	kkk	Katherine von Bora Luther — Faith in the Home
February		Shared ideas bring faith practices home
March		A life of faith begins at home
April		Families have the tools to nurture resilience
May		Families have fun growing in faith at family Bible camp
June		Proposed social statement seeks an abundant life for all
JulyAugust		Family customs can grow a life rooted in faith
September		Teaching faith can mean finding the answers together
October		Little Free Pantries help neighborhoods fight hunger
November		Community meals serve and build community
December		Lutheran Services in Iowa helps families stay together

2018

January	kkk	Philip Melanchthon — Education
February		Women of the ELCA
March		New VBS is a ‘Good Gift’ to congregations
April		ELCA colleges share a calling in faith and learning
May		Faith-based education shapes children’s well-being
June		Educational programs strengthen ministries
July/August		Education drives congregational renewal
September		Congregations build on community to transform confirmation
October		Candidates embrace non-traditional paths to ministry
November		Support and education strengthen new calls to ministry
December		Sunday schools reach out to the broader community

2017

January	kkk	Martin Luther — The Gospel
February		Small Group Bible studies are going places
March		Luther’s preaching advice still applies today
April		Vacation Bible school opens doors to the gospel
May		St. Paul’s Lutheran School nurtures baptismal promises
June		Rural congregations find new ways to grow
July/August		Confirmation classes offer hands-on learning
September		Campus ministries make the Gospel part of student life
October		Partnerships bring new beginnings in ministry
November		Communion brings Gods grace ‘for you’
December		Visual arts bring a fresh view of the gospel

2016

January	kkk	St. Elizabeth of Hungary — Service
February		Compassionate Service at LSI
March		ELCA colleges link service, learning with faith
April		Lutherans grow together as servant leaders
May		Lutherans invited to gather in New Orleans
June		Mission teaches seminarians real-life lessons
July/August		Social media and church are a good fit
September		Young Adults in Global Mission
October		Vocations carry out God’s work through service
November		Generations of women together make a difference
December		Home Life Network helps families pass on the faith

2015

December		Good intentions turn into service ministries
November		Congregations show thanks for their own
October		Young adults begin a new year of service in Hungary
September		Youth, leaders share about the 2015 Youth Gathering
July/August		Grateful Giving and Love of Stewardship
June		Leaders find spiritual renewal close to nature
May		Bold ministries help spread the word
April		Synod ministries offer leadership opportunities
March		Ethical choices can create bold leaders
February		Darrel Gerrietts Retires/Collegial Ministries
January	kkk	A Legacy of Bold Leaders
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2014

December		Grateful Thanks from LSI
November		Ministries serve local communities
October		Busy hands do God’s work
September		Young Adults in Global Mission
July/August		Lay members drive synod ministries
June		Candidacy & First Call
May		Mission Project, Synod Assembly
April		World Malaria Day, Outdoor Ministries
March	kkk	Parish Nurses & Health Ministries
February		Congregations Reach Out with Gifts
January		Lutheran Relief Programs
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2013

December	kkk	Family Christmas Activities
November		God’s Land is in Good Hands
October		Congregations Fight Hunger
September		Congregations Grow Stewardship
July/August		Synod Trip to Hungary
June		Active Teens in the Church
May		Assembly to Celebrate ELCA 25 Years
April		Colleague Groups
March		Disaster Planning
February		Networks Connect Parishes
January		St. Peter Member Sews for Others

2012

December	kkk	Encourage Call Toward Ministry
November		Sabbaticals Enrich Ministries
October		Prepare for Youth Gathering in Detroit
September		Congregations ‘Walking Together’
July/August		Stewardship from the Heart
June		Fair Compensation
May		First Call Ministries
April		Candidacy Partnerships
March		Outdoor Ministries
February		Broader church experiences
January		Fall Conference

2011

December	kkk	Christmas Missions
November		Synod Networks
October		Communities fight hunger
September		Congregations serve local communities
JulyAugust		ELCA Colleges & student service
June		Prep for 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering
May		Synod Assembly 2011
April		Chaplains serve troops
March		LSI changes lives
February		Global Ministries
January		Synodical Women’s Organization

2010

December	kkk	Sunday schools thrive
November		Lutheran colleges share music
October		Churches’ fellowship, hospitality
September		Campus ministry ready at UNI
July/August		Ecumenical partnerships
June		Youth and family ministries
May		Confirmation festival
April		Churches open doors in inviting ways
March		A Call to Service
February		Planning the Worship and Sacrament
January		Preaching and Hearing the Word