May 2021

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“Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:9
 
On June 14, 2003, Pastor Jon V. Anderson was elected to serve as the bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. For the past 18 years, Bishop Jon has faithfully served as pastor to leaders and congregations, led synod governance, and flourished as a teacher of theology and Scripture. He has served on the boards of numerous church organizations and institutions of higher learning, as well as leading initiatives of the ELCA and the Conference of Bishops. During the last year, Bp. Jon guided us through the pandemic. His leadership over these 18 yrs. will have a lasting impact!
 
You can honor Bp. Jon’s legacy by making a special gift in support of a ministry he cares about deeply: Gifts of Grace – Toward Financial Well-being.
 
Gifts of Grace has been creating a culture of generosity and transforming leaders and congregations since 2016. In partnership with Lilly Endowment, Inc., Gifts of Grace has had an impact by:
 
Increasing generosity and stewardship in our congregations through trainings, such as Stewardship for All Seasons, Cultivating Generous Congregations, and the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising.

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“This made me a better pastor. I am able to model personal stewardship. I am more intentional in speaking about the joy that it brings. I am braver in being willing to give.” – Rev. Kathleen Ulland-Klinkner - Our Savior’s Lutheran, New Ulm
 
“Our language has changed; we point out the abundance in our midst. We are sharing stories during worship, pointing out the lives that are impacted by our ministry. We have become a more vibrant and vital congregation. Even in the midst of a pandemic we are able to continue living out how we understand our mission.”
– Pr. Mark Astrup - Peace Lutheran, Cold Spring
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Freeing pastors to lead their congregations in generosity by relieving their own anxiety about stifling educational loans, unexpected medical bills, and retirement insecurity. In 2020, we were able to give 84 grants like this to rostered ministers, freeing them to better serve.
 
“My seminary debts have been a huge weight on me, but I felt they were a necessary evil to complete the requirements needed to follow my call to serve the church. Receiving financial assistance from that same church body helps relieve some of that stress while also being a strong affirmation of the call. It is a huge show of support by the synod I'm serving and it energizes me in this ministry in a big way! Thank you!” – Anonymous


Your contributions can assure that stories like these continue to grow through Gifts of Grace and reflect Bishop Jon’s commitment to vibrant and vital congregational ministry. Not only that, your gift has double the impact, as all gifts will be doubled through the generosity of the Lilly Endowment grant. Click here to give an online gift.


Our goal for Gifts of Grace: Gratitude for 18 Years of Leadership is $70,000. This would amount to $140,000 with the match by Lilly Endowment, Inc. We ask you to consider prayerfully how you and your congregation have been blessed in these past 18 years. We invite you to express your gratitude for Bishop Jon’s leadership legacy by responding generously to this Appeal.
 
So imagine with us, sharing individually, as a congregation, from a congregational Endowment Fund, or as a Conference:
$400 for each year of Bishop Jon’s leadership – or $7,200
$200 for each year of Bishop Jon’s leadership – or $3,600
$100 for each year of Bishop Jon’s leadership – or $1,800
$70 for each year of Bishop Jon’s leadership – or $1,260
$40 for each year of Bishop Jon’s leadership – or $720
$18 for each year of Bishop Jon’s leadership – or $324
$8 for each year of Bishop Jon’s leadership – or $144
$4 for each year of Bishop Jon’s leadership – or $72
$2 for each year of Bishop Jon’s leadership – or $36
$10 for each year of your ordained ministry - or ??. What a beautiful gesture of gratitude!
 
You might also share non-cash gifts, such as gifts of securities or real estate. Please contact Pr. Keith Pearson, Regional Gift Planner – keith.pearson@elca.org – to make gifts of non-cash assets.
 
Please share this invitation with your congregation’s leadership and members. Maybe you would like to offer a challenge gift to another congregation in your Conference, so your generosity will inspire others. We would love to receive gifts or commitments by June 1 so the total can be announced as we honor Bishop Jon at the opening of the 2021 Synod Assembly on June 6. Even after that announcement, we are confident that additional gifts of gratitude will be shared.
 
Thank you for your partnership as part of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. As our synod Mission Statement says, “By God’s grace, together we have what we need.” Your generosity close to home and around the globe is blessing others with the love of Jesus Christ. We are better as the church because we walk together.
 
If you have questions about this special Appeal, please be in touch with one of us. We look forward to seeing the legacy of Gifts of Grace blessing leaders and congregations for generations to come.