In ThIs Issue

After seven years of a schedule that included three worship services every weekend, Pastor Arnold Flater of Holy Trinity, Dubuque, was ready for a break. Flater took a 13-week sabbatical earlier this year—his first in 18 years of ministry—and discov-ered that he had been working too much and could use some self care.

“The sabbatical reminded me how clergy probably don’t take good care of ourselves in the big picture,” Flater says. “It’s dangerous to work all the time.”

Sabbaticals give rostered leaders extended time away from their ministry responsibilities to focus on professional growth, personal renewal, and rest. Well planned sab-baticals allow pastors to bring new ideas and challenges, enthusiasm, and direction to their ministries, which can enrich and invigorate their congregations. In addition, sabbaticals can help prevent “clergy burn out” and strengthen the long-term relationship between a rostered leader and parish.

According to Pastor Darrel Ger-rietts, assistant to the Bishop, a good sabbatical should have three purposes: rest, study, and spiri-tual renewal. “The sabbatical plan should not be so goal driven that it’s not a proper break from the ordinary routine,” Gerrietts says. “Some workaholic pastors cannot

turn the key off on the job, so it is im-portant they have a physical barrier to do that.”

Flater devoted his sabbatical to rest, self care, vocation and family. He planned an active agenda, which included travel to a workshop in Florida, to his children in New York and Denver, Col., and to several churches to learn about small group ministry and audiovisual technology. He also allowed plenty of free time to read, exercise and rest. Flater made a daily run part of his routine, developed a new web page for his church, and connected with his family, including a standing after-noon tea date with his 96-year-old mother.

“Pastor Gerrietts said that the first thing to plan on is discovering how tired you are,” Flater says. “I had some of the best sleep I’ve had in 20 years, but it took awhile to get there.”

Sabbaticals for ELCA rostered leaders typically last about three months, not including vacation or continuing education time. Guide-lines from the Northeastern Iowa

Synod recommend that congrega-tions include the sabbatical leave option in their letters of call and budget ahead for the costs of an

november 2012 • volume 25, Issue 10NortheasterN Iowa

Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaStar

>> Continued on page 2

1 Sabbaticals enrich ministries and congregations

3 Building a New Model

5 Look at money from God’s perspective

6 Gifts can be doubled through Wartburg Malaria Initiative

7 Events, Congregations

8 Prayer Calendar

strengthening Leaders

sabbaticals enrich ministries and congregations

by Marcia hahn

Pastor Arnold Flater’s 2012 sabbatical included a trip to Florida to attend a “Head of Staff” seminar and a visit to Delray Beach with his wife, Julie.

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interim pastor. Rostered leaders should serve in their present call for at least five years to be eligible for a sabbatical, and then serve for at least one year after they return.

Rostered leaders plan their own sabbaticals and present them to their church councils to review the goals for the sabbatical, how the congregation will be served in the pastor’s absence, and how the pastor will transition back into ministry. The approved plan is then submitted to the synod office and added to the pastor’s record as part of his or her vocational journey.

Pastor John Sorenson of Lord of Life, Dubuque, has benefited from three sabbaticals, each com-pletely different with experiences that enriched his ministry and the congregations he has served. His first sabbatical was in 1997 after 16 years at the same congregation. Sorenson traveled to Guyana for a third world experience and then to the Disney Institute in Florida where he learned about quality service.

“I came back and taught adult

classes related to quality, and that helped with everything we did as far as welcoming visitors to the congregation and assimilating them into the life of the congregation,” Sorenson says.

Sorenson’s second sabbatical, five years later, took him on a journey to Norway to trace his family roots and to sites in Germany where Martin Luther had lived and worked. Closer to home, Sorenson studied the role of the pastor as coach and spent a couple weeks helping his son coach a high school baseball team. “I learned how to work with people and motivate people, whether it is in general member-ship or committees or with staff, all things a head person does are part of leadership,” he says.

Sorenson’s most recent sabbatical found him relaxing on the links in England and Scotland where golf originated. His studies included a workshop on “Finishing Strong” in the last years of ministry and a survey of how pastors prepare for retirement. At age 63, Sorenson says he’s not ready to retire, but he compiled ideas and suggestions that will be beneficial for both him and the congregation when that day comes.

Pastor Gary Heidt-Johnson of Zion Evangelical, Waterloo, talked to his congregation for a year about sabbaticals, gave presentations, and presented his extended leave plan prior to taking his sabbatical during the summer of 2008. Heidt-John-son and his wife traveled to Europe for eight weeks, visiting sites in Germany related to Martin Luther’s life, the Czech Republic where Heidt-Johnson’s great grandfather

was born, and historical and reli-gious sites in France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. Four weeks of rest, recuperation, reflection and writing rounded out his 12 weeks away from Zion.

Sabbatical plans should ensure that congregations have appropriate coverage for pastoral care needs, generally through an interim pastor and additional staffing responsibilities. In Heidt-Johnson’s absence, Associate Pastor Melissa Waterman expanded her role to fill

in, along with pastoral support from colleagues from the Cedar River Conference. A few congregational members were trained to respond to some congregational needs and to contact pastors when additional coverage was needed. That planning reassured staff

Sabbaticals enrich ministries and congregations << Continued from page 1

>> Continued on page 8

Pastor John Sorenson visits the “home of golf” at the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, during his 2011 sabbatical.

During his 2008 sabbatical, Pastor Gary Heidt- Johnson visits the Castle Church at Wittenberg, Germany, where Luther posted his 95 Theses.

3november 2012

I believe that we are at a moment in history when we can build a new model. The church’s ministry of proclaiming the Gospel and administering the sacraments will be unchanged. However, 20 percent of Americans don’t receive that Good News because they self-identify as “nones,” those who have no religious affiliation at all.

Protestants in our country are no longer a majority. We can fight this existing reality or we can build a new model.

Our synod has adopted a structure that encourages those new models. Throughout the fall and into the spring we will be traveling the road to Emmaus with Jesus and the disciples, to

listen anew and then create anew ways of sharing the grace and forgiveness of God with those who are not yet a part of our Christian communities. We will seek to link effective ministries among our congregations, consider the creation of new emergent faith communities, find new ways of immersing

ourselves in the study of scripture, and build on the new models for youth ministry that are already developing.

This is an exciting time to be on the journey together. God is, once again, making all things new.

− Steven L. Ullestad Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod

Building a new Model

BIshop

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To

change something, build a new model that makes the existing

model obsolete.”

Walking Together A Northeastern Iowa Synod Conversation

Join bishop steven ullestad for a “Walking Together” conversation. Four meetings are scheduled for this fall, 2-4 p.m. on sundays: Nov. 4 at Trinity, New Hampton; Nov. 11 at St. Paul, Monona; Nov. 18 at Bethlehem, Cedar Falls.

The meetings will resume in February, with five scheduled through April 14. rostered leaders, congregational councils, Women of the elCA leadership, youth groups leadership, and all interested lay members of northeastern Iowa synod congregations are invited to participate in one of the nine conversations. no registration is required.

For the complete schedule, visit www.neiasynod.org/synod_resources/Walking_Together.htm.

Join a synod trip to eastern europemembers of the northeastern Iowa synod are invited to join bishop steven ullestad and a group from Wartburg College for a trip to eastern europe to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the elCA and to strengthen the synod’s companion relationship with the evangelical lutheran Church in Hungary.

The 11-day trip, set for may 11-21, 2013, joins a Wartburg College may Term course led by the rev. Dr. Kit Kleinhans, professor of religion at Wartburg College, midway through its three-week travels through Germany and eastern europe. The eastern europe leg of the trip begins in the Czech re-public city of Prague, sometimes considered the birthplace of the reforma-tion where Jan Hus was an active reformer 100 years before martin luther.

The group continues on to slovakia, Hungary and romania, where they will meet with lutherans who continue the work of reformation in the aftermath of communism. lunch and a visit to a lutheran school in bratislava, slova-kia, is planned before heading to budapest, Hungary, for a guided tour of the city and a meeting with lutheran bishop Tamas Fabiny, who visited the northeastern Iowa synod with his wife in 2011. The group will then head to rural Hungary to the city of sarospatak, traditionally identified as the birth-place of saint elizabeth. The final days of the trip will travel to the cities of Cluj and sibiu in romania for visits to historical churches and museums.

Arrangements for the trip are through Christian Tours europe. To learn more, visit www.neiasynod.org/events or contact Kleinhans at Kathryn.klein-hans@wartburg.edu or 319-352-8283.

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norTheasTern IoWa synod

Tri-state ForumThursday, Nov. 15, 2012 Wartburg Seminary, DubuquePreaching Advent Texts in Year C Dr. mark Allen Powell, professor of new Testament at Trinity lutheran seminary and biblical scholar, will guide partici-pants through readings from luke as part of the celebration of Christ’s coming.

To register or for more information, call 563-589-0302, email lifelonglearners@wartburgseminary.edu, or visit www.wartburgseminary.edu.

Bishop Rev. Dr. Steven L. Ullestad – ullestads@neiasynod.org Assistants to the Bishop Rev. Mark A. Anderson – andersonm@neiasynod.org Rev. Darrel W. Gerrietts – gerriettsd@neiasynod.org Linda J. Hudgins – hudginsl@neiasynod.org ELCA Director for Evangelical Mission Rev. Nancy J. Larson – nancy.larson@elca.org Star Editor Marcia Hahn – hahnm@neiasynod.org

The Star is published 11 times a year by the Northeastern Iowa Synod, 201 20th Street SW, PO Box 804, Waverly, IA 50677-0804; www.neiasynod.org, phone 319-352-1414, FAX 319-352-1416.

Send news for the December issue to Marcia Hahn by Nov. 5. We welcome story ideas related to the 2012 theme, “Strengthening Leaders.”

Articles in this newsletter may be duplicated for use in synod congregations and organizations, with credit to the Star newsletter.

Please notify the synod office with name and address changes.

www.neiasynod.org

smiles tear down walls at Lock-In

These smiles of youth worker Alison northrop, left, and two youth from st. John, Arlington, were typical of the excitement that brimmed over at the Junior High/middle school lock-in at the university of northern Iowa Wellness Center in october.

some 383 middle school students from 38 parishes and 78 leaders attended the annual event, which is co-sponsored by the lutheran student Center at unI and the synod lutheran Youth organization. This year’s theme focused on “Jesus the destroyer of walls,” with a look at how living as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ breaks down the walls that enable bullying.

“The lock-in gives middle schoolers a glimpse of the larger church and helps them realize that they are not alone—there are a lot of other middle school lutherans,” says Pastor mark Anderson, assistant to the bishop.

Life-Long Learning eventsLutherans and the Bible Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, 7-9 p.m. Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa

The rev. Dr. mark Allen Powell’s discussion for lay members will cover what lutherans say about the bible. Cost is $10 per person or $25 for three or more.

Worship Windows to the World Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, 9 a.m.-12 noon Bergen Lutheran, Roland, Iowa

Dr. mons Teig, professor emeritus of worship at luther seminary, will lead this look at the connection between what people do on sunday and during the rest of their lives. This program will be especially helpful for clergy, lay worship leaders, worship planners, and worship committees.

Cost to attend is $15 per person or $10 for groups of five or more. registration is due Thursday, nov. 15. A sack lunch will be included. To learn more about either event, contact susan Friedrich, 563-422-6242 or friedrichsusan@gmail.com or visit www.neiasynod.org/events.

5November 2012

“It’s God’s money, all of it.” I remember hearing that statement as a teenager when I attended a Nazarene church with a good friend. I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but it is true. This pushes me to try to think about money in a different way—from God’s perspective. To begin to shift our thinking about money is a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth by a renewing of the mind. Financial decisions can truly be an effective means of drawing closer to God by more fully trusting God.

I’d like to share a brief story:

I have been the treasurer at Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond since January of 2011. When I took over my duties, we were already in the hole for the year and had an $18,000 loan. We struggled every month to meet monthly bills and were always behind on benevolence. There were several discussions throughout the year about catching up.

Our council decided to hold a FUN Day to bring the congregation closer together and to start working on a project to pay off some of our debt. The day was a great success and things started to turn around.

During this same time, a discussion about how much Mission Support we were paying was brought up at a council meeting. Some felt that because of our monthly amount, we were never going to get caught up. Our Stewardship committee met and it was decided that we would start paying 10% of the offerings every month for Mission Support.

Starting February 2012, I send a check by the 5th of every month for 10% of our giving into the Synod. It is the first bill I pay. I am pleased to announce that we now only have a $2,000 loan and all bills are paid as soon as they are received. I am a firm believer that because Trinity Lutheran has decided to give God his portion first, we have been blessed and will continue to be so into the future.

Marilyn Janssen, Treasurer, Trinity Lutheran Church, Belmond, Iowa

Look at money from God’s perspectiveBy pastor nancy LarsonELCA Director for Evangelical Mission

The Lord’s Prayer addresses the priorities of our relationship with God. Jesus leads us to trust in and depend upon God for basic needs such as daily bread. Just as young children naturally stay close to their parents because of their basic needs, we too can draw close to God by recognizing that we are fully dependent on God.

The bottom line is that we are not owners of anything material; we are stewards. God’s message to us about money is… that it’s not our money; it’s God’s! We can be released from the tyranny of money once and for all as we draw closer to God and deny money from having power over us.

To download this article or for more stewardship and mission support resources, visit www.neiasynod.org/synod_resources/Stewardship-MissionSupport.asp.

The bottom line is that we are not owners of anything material;

we are stewards.

oBITuaryPastor robert Wiederaenders died oct. 22, 2012. He was ordained on may 25, 1952. He served as pastor at our savior’s, oak lawn; American, Kankakee; and Grace, st. Anne, all in Illinois. He then served as Archivist for the AlC and region 5 at Wartburg Theological seminary in Dubuque until he retired on sept. 7, 1988.

A memorial service took place oct. 27 at Holy Trinity lutheran Church, Dubuque. Pastor Wiederaenders is survived by his wife, Wauneta, and four children. expres-sions of sympathy may be sent to Wauneta Wieder-aenders, 1255 n. booth st., Dubuque IA 52001-6115.

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Gifts can be doubled through Wartburg Malaria Initiative Donations to the ELCA Malaria Campaign can now be doubled when given through the Wartburg Malaria Initiative. The ELCA Malaria Campaign awarded Wartburg College a Sorenson Grant, which matches 100 percent of the money raised through campus-wide fund-raising initiatives that benefit the malaria campaign.

“This is a great opportunity to donate,” says coordinator Kelsey Nulph, a third-year Wartburg student.

The Wartburg Malaria Initiative began this fall to educate the community about malaria and to raise $35,000 to support the ELCA Malaria Campaign. The initiative has spread across the Wartburg campus with a number of organizations and departments partnering on the project. Two international students are using the initiative for a class field project to involve international students and host families in the malaria campaign. The Wartburg Peace and Justice organization will host a jazz concert Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m., to raise funds and educate about malaria.

“They caught on to the passion and will use their gifts to help,” Nulph says.

Wartburg students have decorated and sold some 100 malaria piggy bank jars and placed them in more than 20 Waverly businesses where customers can donate their spare change for the malaria campaign. The decorated jars are also available to purchase for gifts or to use as a family giving project. Prices are $8 for a large jar and $5 for a small.

The Wartburg Malaria Initiative also features educational opportunities for area congregations. A number of Wartburg students have been trained to lead Sunday school classes or youth groups in a Bible study about malaria. The curriculum includes a video, conversation, and an activity to decorate malaria jars.

A benefit concert set for March 16, 2013, will cap off the initiative before it ends in May. The concert will feature Wartburg students and alumni who will share their musical gifts and talents. The event is part of Wartburg’s annual Youth Day in which middle school youth can explore the campus and learn about malaria during the day, and then stay for the evening concert.

So far, the initiative has raised $9,000 in funds that will be matched. “Some people say $35,000 is a steep goal, but it has been proven that Wartburg can do it,” Nulph says.

Area congregations can contact Nulph to schedule a malaria Bible study or to request a free malaria jar to display or to collect funds. In addition, congregations can channel funds raised through their own malaria fund-raising projects to the Wartburg Malaria Initiative so that the gift can be doubled through the 100 percent match.

To ensure the matching gift, checks must have “Wartburg Malaria Initiative” written in the memo. Checks can be sent to the Northeastern Iowa Synod, and the checks will be forwarded

to Wartburg Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry, if the Wartburg Malaria Initiative is indicated on the check. All gifts through the Wartburg Malaria Initiative are credited toward the synod’s goal to raise $250,000 for the ELCA Malaria Campaign.

To schedule a malaria Bible study, request a jar, or learn more about the Wartburg Malaria Initiative, contact Nulph at Kelsey.nulph@wartburg.edu, visit www.wartburg.edu/malaria, or call the synod office at 319-352-1414. As of Oct. 25, 2012, the Northeastern Iowa Synod has received $231,214.04 for the malaria campaign, which is 92 percent of the synod’s goal to raise $250,000 by June 2014.

Kelsey Nulph, coordinator of the Wartburg Malaria Initiative, displays some of the decorated jars used to collect funds for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. The initiative’s goal is to raise $35,000 which will be matched through an ELCA grant.

7november 2012

ConGreGaTIonsevenTs

noveMBer evenTs 1 Event, New to Synod, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 3 Meeting, Synodical Women’s Organization, 9 a.m. 4 Event, Walking Together Conversation, Trinity New Hampton, 2-4 p.m. 8 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 8 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Trinity, Mason City, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 8 Meeting, Deans and Chaplains, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 9-10 Event, Life-Long Learning for Lutherans, “Living the Good Life: Connecting with Faith in the Real World,” Camp Ewalu, Strawberry Point 11 Event, Walking Together Conversation, St. Paul, Monona, 2-4 p.m.13 Meeting, Fall Conference Planning Committee, 2-4 p.m. (Telephone)17 Event, Life-Long Learning for Lutherans, “Worship Windows to the World,” Bergen Lutheran, Roland, Iowa, 9 a.m.-12 noon 17 Meeting, LYO Team, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 18 Event, Walking Together Conversation, Bethlehem, Cedar Falls, 2-4 p.m. 22-23 Office Closed, Thanksgiving Observance 30-Dec. 1 Meeting, Candidacy Committee

deCeMBer evenTs 6 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, Wellsburg/Iowa Falls, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.7-8 (Snow Date) Meeting, Candidacy Committee8 Meeting, LYO Team, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.13 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.24-25 Office Closed, Christmas Observance

January evenTs 1 Office Closed, New Year’s Day3 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 10 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.12 Meeting, LYO Team, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.19 Meeting, Synodical Women’s Organization and Cluster Chairs, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.21 Office Closed, Martin Luther King Jr. Day24 Conference Call, First Call Theological Education Executives, 10 a.m.-12 noon24-28 Event, ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza, Anaheim, Calif.26 (Snow Date) Meeting, SWO from Jan. 19

FeBruary evenTs 2 Meeting, Compensation, 10-12 noon (Telephone) 3 Event, Walking Together Conversation, St. Peter, Dubuque, 2-4 p.m. 7 Meeting, Youth Ministry Network, St. John, Cedar Falls, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.8-9 Event, Candidacy Retreat, American Martyrs, Cedar Falls10 Meeting, Prairie Grace Conference, St. Peter, Denver, 2-4 p.m.

12 Meeting, Assembly Planning Committee, Luther College, Decorah, 2-4 p.m. 14 Meeting, Interim Ministry Colleague Group, 9:30-11:30 a.m.15-16 (Snow Date) Event, Candidacy Retreat from Feb. 8-916 Event, Lutheran Youth Organization High School Event

prayer CaLendar

and Zion members that pastoral coverage would be in place during Heidt-Johnson’s absence and while Waterman was on a mission trip to Guatemala.

“It was a difficult time because that’s when we had rain and flooding that was extra stress and burden for the associate pastor,” Heidt-Johnson says. “Just knowing that we had colleagues available and responsive to the needs of the congregation was a big help.”

Pastors are to be disengaged from every aspect of their ministries during sabbatical, so having good interim coverage can make for a smooth transition when the pastor returns to ministry after sabbatical. Sorenson’s secretary maintained a diary, which helped him catch up quickly when he returned to Lord of Life. Flater’s interim was a retired

pastor and member of Holy Trinity who was already familiar with the congregation. A map displayed in the church narthex helped Zion members maintain a connection to Heidt-Johnson and his travels during sabbatical.

Congregations often discover new strengths while pastors are away on sabbatical, according to Gerrietts. “Some congregations become aware of what a major role their pastor plays in their ministry because they have had to address who covers what while the pastor is gone. Some congregations have started new programming, such as training and scheduling acolytes, because the pastor always did that. The congre-gation steps up.”

Sabbaticals can help both pastors and congregations get out of deep habits and even ruts. Flater has

learned to take more time for himself and has embraced healthy living as part of his life—he even ran a half marathon in June. “It was a luxury to have all that time and reflection,” Flater says. “The sabbatical really helped me focus on what my call is in relation to my place and time in life.”

Heidt-Johnson says that his extended travels to different parts of the world affected not only his work, but also his life. “Coming back I had a deeper sense of the worldwide Christian community, a deeper sense of the body of Christ around the world,” Sorenson says. “It was a mind-opening and heart-opening experience.”

And when it comes to planning a sabbatical, Sorenson’s best advice to other pastors, “Don’t put it off. That’s the easiest thing to do.”

Sabbaticals enrich ministries and congregations << Continued from page 2