Central District Past Events
Leadership Conference, Sept. 17, 2007
at Oak Hill LBC, Bloomington, MN
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Some of the materials used at the Leadership Training Conference
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- THIS EVENT WAS "Snowed Out" last winter...but for the 35+ of us who attended this fall...it was worth the wait!
- We met on September 15, 2007 at Oak Hill Lutheran Brethren Church, Bloomington, MN for a full productive day from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- THEME: "Come, Now is the time for: Living Your Faith, Loving the Lost, Learning to Serve"
- THEME
VERSE: I Corinthians 15:58: "...always give yourselves fully to the
work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not
in vain."
- WE ENJOYED the wonderful music leadership of Aimee Nordlund
- WE HEARD EXCELLENT SEMINARS by well-prepared presenters
- Increasing Missions Awareness by Alyssa McIvor
- Identifying Your Spiritual Gifts by Alyssa McIvor
- Developing Women for Leadership by Ruth Vallevik
- Equipping Women with God's Word by Janet Spencer
- Creating a Climate of Peace by Ruth Vallevik
- WE
WENT HOME with a notebook of conference materials, a personal spiritual
gifts assessment, lots of ideas to help us personally, and to help our
local women's Ministries. Plus, we were well-satisfied by lunch and
plenty of coffee and treats provided by generous Oak Hill women!
- WE HOPE we can do it again...and bring more women with us!
July 14, 2007 Summer Fellowship Day and Central District Annual Meeting
at Word of Life LBC, LeSueur, Minnesota
Summer Fellowship Day
- WHERE: Word of Life Church, LeSueur, Minnesota
- WHEN: Saturday, July 14, 2007
- TIME: 10:00-3:00
- SPEAKER: Janet Kilde, wife of Professor John Kilde - on the subject, "Dear Lord, you know..."
- The day included a salad luncheon, speaker, updates on the National Convention, District Annual Meeting with elections, and good fellowship.
- Welcome to new Treasurer, Margaret Seland of Fergus, Falls, MN and new South Vice-President, Andrea Berge of Eau Claire, WI
- Thanks to outgoing Treasurer Rhonda Erickson, Clearbrook, MN and North Vice-President, Cheryl Olsen, Fergus Falls, MN
October 20-21, 2006 Central District Retreat
at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center
Listen and Follow..."The Everyday Woman"
- Mt. Olivet Retreat Center, Farmington, Minnesota
It was a delightful fall getaway at the Mt. Olivet Retreat
Center, just south of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Several church groups did, indeed, bring a carload of friends!
We
were ministered to by our speaker: Casey Baardson, wife of Pastor Vern
Baardson, Triumph West, West Fargo, ND. She talked about "The Everyday
Woman" and listening and following God in the everyday, ordinary stuff
of life, not just in the exciting good times, or the depressing bad
times. The "everyday" sometimes is getting us ready for those dramatic
times.
Casey also challenged us to the possibility of sponsoring a child through World Vision!
Our
hearts were touched by Mission speaker Rachel Venberg, missionary to
Chad, and wife of Missionary Dan Venberg. She very honestly shared
about her life in a village reached only by oxcart and a leaky boat.
But God is using her and her family to reach out to the nomadic people
group who only recently have become sedentary. We enjoyed seeing her
powerpoint presentation, as well as a photo book printed by Shutterfly.
Let's pray for Rachel and her family during this year of home
assignment, as well as their safe return to Chad.
Special musical entertainment by "The Pointless Sisters" kept us laughing and singing all weekend.
A retreat committee was formed at the end of the weekend to plan the next Mt. Olivet Retreat in 2008. Join us!
July 29, 2006 Summer Fellowship Day
at Ebenezer LB, Minneapolis, MN
"Listen and Follow in Prayer"
- Tess Soholt, new Secretary of the Central District welcomed us to Minneapolison on a beautiful summer Saturday afternoon
- Tess and Mary Olsen, visitor from 59th St. LB church in Brooklyn, NY led the women in music, including our theme song for the year: "Listen and Follow"
- Betty (Osmundson) Jacobsen, former missionary to Japan, and wife of Morris Jacobsen gave us much food for thought as she turned our attention to the prayers of Jesus, in "Listen and Follow in Prayer"
- Women from Clearbrook, MN, Faribault,
MN, Fergus Falls, MN and Bloomington MN were hosted by the Minneapolis,
MN women of Ebenezer LB church - we enjoyed their delicious buffet of desserts
- Enjoy photos from this event - check out the Central District photo album
April 22, 2006 Central District Annual Meeting
at Inspiration Point
Central District Women's Annual Meeting!
- We met at Inspiration Point Bible Camp in conjunction with the Central District Meeting
- A new revised Constitution and bylaws were adopted
- We thank JoAnn Levang for four years of faithful service as Central District Secretary
- We welcome Tess Soholt, Ebenezer, LBC, Minneapolis, MN as our new Secretary
- We thank Sherry Hjelle as she begins a second term as President
- We
remember Gracia Rinden's words of wisdom as she talked about bringing
Christ into the workplace; and how to deal with conflict, even among
Christians
- We are
inspired to begin plans to have another Pastors' Wives Retreat for our
District in the future - we'll need to raise some funds!
September 23-24, 2005 Fall Retreat
at Inspiration Point Bible Camp (IPBC)
The Central District Fall Retreat at was a cozy gathering at the Maple
Ridge facility of Inspiration Point, Friday night and Saturday,
September 23-24, 2005. Women from Clearbrook, MN, Fergus Falls, MN,
LeSueur, MN and Westby, WI shared singing, laughter, heartfelt sharing
from Liz Barton and the spiritual teaching of Betty Swanson. We were
wishing we had more time together by the time Saturday afternoon
arrived. Here's how it impressed one young attendee:
Through the dark of the brisk night, a fire shone brightly. Side by side women of all ages, churches, and places in life surrounded the brilliant burning flames. A unique group was in the process of bonding together through a common purpose: following Christ as women. My heart was touched during the Women’s Fall Retreat 2005. Betty Swanson, our speaker, faithfully brought God’s Word to us during three sessions that weekend.
On Friday night Betty presented the theme “Lead me O Lord in Your Righteousness” And what a prayer that is! We were challenged to give up our control and follow our leader, Christ, for life. That night Betty shared with us times in her life where her circumstances seemed uncontrollable. How could God use this hurt or pain? Yet we can experience comfort and confidence when we realize God’s sovereignty over situations we can’t yet comprehend. As humans we don’t always understand God’s purposes, but as Christians we can take refuge in His complete sovereignty. I was touched by this perspective. I often want to understand and grasp every experience in my life, and yet, in reality, that’s not possible. God has plans that I can’t always understand and now I’m learning to trust Him and His sovereignty.
On Saturday afternoon Betty provided a “personal revival checklist” for each of the women. She encouraged us to read through each statement and prayerfully let the Lord convict us in areas He needs to cleanse and revive. My heart broke for the places God needed to revive in me. But now I know where I’m weak, and Christ can slowly start to refine me.
As we stood freezing cold that dark night, there was something besides the fire warming my heart: the presence of the Lord. Tears welled up in my eyes as the mighty hymn, “Great is thy Faithfulness” resounded from our lips. His faithfulness is truly great! It was clearly evident that night as we confessed with our mouths the times God’s faithfulness stood strong. I look forward to seeing His continued faithfulness as I let Him lead me in His righteousness.
-Rachel Olsen, Fergus Falls, MN
Sept. 24-25, 2004 Fall Retreat
at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center
At Mt. Olivet Retreat Center, several miles south of the bustling cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, large windows reveal a panoramic view of gently rolling hills stretched out below the Center. Walking down the wooded trails, crossing a floating bridge to an island, and reveling in the beginnings of God’s colorful fall foliage were all opportunities that some of the 30+ women enjoyed September 24-25. Others swam in the indoor pool, played games, or marveled at the stars while keeping warm around a campfire.
For all, it was a time of camaraderie and fun with other Central District women from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, while being encouraged to “Come and See” what God has done, and continues to do. Mary Pierce, Bethesda LBC, Eau Claire, WI, speaker and author of When Did I Stop Being Barbie, and Become Mrs. Potato Head? entertained us with colorful stories we could all relate to, as she illustrated the truths of God’s Word.
Mary took us through God's promises using Psalm 139. Using personal illustrations of His process of testing and His provision concentrating on his miracles in our daily lives and His endless supply, Mary had us laughing and crying with her. She challenged us with the words of Joni Eareckson Tada, "I would rather be here and now in this situation, than another without Jesus. Mary reminded us that only one thing is needed: TIME WITH JESUS. She said, "He will take care of my list of needs. Time with the Lord changes everything.”
-Sherry Hjelle, Clearbrook, MN and Cheryl Olsen, Fergus Falls, MN