Week of August 10
Greetings from Swedlanda!
No, the church did not blow away while the pastor was gone, although we did lose a tree and some branches during a wind storm.
I have been away from Swedlanda for a while and was not here for services on the past three Sundays, so this will be the first blog posting since mid July.
My wife Nancy and I attended the ELCA Global Mission Event in LaCrosse, WI, which was held July 17-20. We had not been to one for several years and found it to be a wonderful experience. Each day there was great music with sing-a-longs and plenary sessions with speakers from all over the world. There was a Global Fest where you could see displays from many countries and nearly 100 workshops on many topics relating to mission. Needless to say, we were kept very busy. 
The Women of Hope, Mashiah Foundation from Nigeria displayed a huge quilt at least 20 feet square that they crafted in Nigeria and sent to the US. Several of the women, whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS, were present to tell their story. I attended a special track on “Growing Disciples” and Nancy went to one on World Hunger. We saw Gordon and Betty Olson from Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry there; Swedlanda and the story of our support for the kitchen in India was featured at their presentation. Nancy and I also saw Steve and Bethany Friberg, who have a ministry in Tanzania. It was a great get-together of people interested in the mission of the church. There won’t be another full GME until 2010, but there will be briefer 1½ day events planned for 2009. If you have an opportunity to go, be sure to take advantage of it. While I was at the GME, Bernice C. gave the Sunday message and Neil C. led the liturgy
During the week following the GME, I had classes at Luther Seminary as part of my Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Mission and Leadership program. 
It was an intense but rewarding week of long days and homework at night. The eleven pastors who make up our cohort are from all over the country—Oregon, New York, North Carolina, Minnesota, Canada, Illinois, and South Dakota. This seminar was on the Mission of the Church. While I had my week of Continuing Education, a senior seminary student came to do the worship service at Swedlanda. It’s always good for our congregation, but perhaps even better for students to have an experience of worshipping with a rural congregation.
I was back during the following week, but left again for a six-day mission work trip to Lee Valley Ranch near C
uster, SD. What a great place for spiritual renewal and community building! I am putting up a link to their website on the right-hand side of the Swedlanda Blog. While there, Jim R., Gary D. and I put up steel siding on Arnold’s Place, which is now known as Lars’s place. This is a big workshop and storage area for the camp. We also installed some double pane picture windows in the lodge. We left feeling a sense of accomplishment as well as being spiritually refreshed. Dick Borrud has us penciled in for the first week of August in 2009, so be sure to consider it in your planning. While we were worshipping at the Custer Lutheran Fellowship on Sunday, Wendy W. was giving a message and Swedlanda and Eileen R. was leading the liturgy. Wendy’s message is available through the sermon link on the right.
It was good to be back at Swedlanda for Sunday worship today, but it was also difficult. Many were already aware of my own health concerns, because my name has appeared on the Prayer List for the last two Sundays. Last Friday, I received a diagnosis of prostate cancer based on a biopsy taken two weeks ago. This week I will have a CAT scan and bone scan, then follow up appointments with a radiologist and surgeon to talk about treatment. God continues to be present with me and my family during this time and I have felt surrounded by the prayers of the Swedlanda congregation as well. Thank you. The Bible lessons for today seemed especially appropriate for the situation. My message is also available through the link on the right.
Have a blessed week.
Pastor Stewart
Announcements:
Mentor Works Too-Kinship is conducting a Back to School Supply Drive for students in Renville County. Please place your donations in the box located under the mailboxes in the entryway by August 18th. All items collected will be distributed to low income students in Renville County so they start school excited and ready to learn. If you would like to support the project with a financial donation please mail it to: MentorWorks Too-Kinship, P.O. Box 225, Renville, MN 56284 Memo: Back to School Supplies.
The Treasurer’s Report for August indicates a checking account balance of $1,191.46 in the general fund. The Building Maintenance Savings Account Balance is $19,104.01.
Today at Swedlanda Emily L. offered some wonderful special music in addition to accompanying the congregation’s singing. Gail & Gary D. offered refreshments for the fellowship following worship. Our thanks to those who made special contributions today.
