Synod of Mid-America Newsletter Volume 15, Issue 5.  March 10, 2014. Is this email not displaying correctly?
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This issue’s featured blogger is Bill TeWinkle.  Bill is pastor of Hope Reformed Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and blogs at www.pastorbillfuturehope.blogspot.com.  Bill tries to put into words the one hope which guides us today and into our future.  Check out Bill’s blog, and if you are a blogger and are willing to share your blog with us, please contact Chad Schuitema.  

2nd Service Webinar
The Synod is providing opportunity to learn and design a second service strategy for next fall or 2015!   Three Monday 90 minute webinars March 17, April 28 and May 19 at 2 pm CST.   Together these webinars will cover discerning readiness, laying a foundation, identifying a target, launching strategies, biggest mistakes made, assimilation and much more.  If you’ve even wondered about starting a second service, you’ll gain insight and be helped.  The training features experienced pastors and is being coordinated through the synod by Ben Ingebretson.  There is no charge for these events.  Register by emailing Chad Schuitema.

News from Camp Manitoqua
Storm the base, Capture the flag, and Win the game! Camp Manitoqua and Retreat Center invites you out to one of the most epic days of paintball you will ever experience! For High School and older only, join us on April 5th for a one-day paintball event from 10am – 4pm.  Call the office for additional information, (815) 469.2319.
  
Come partner with other volunteers at Manitoqua Ministries Annual Camp Work Day.  Camp Manitoqua and King’s Camp work day is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2014   Lunch is provided. More information can be found on our web page, www.manitoqua.org/work-day.  Please RSVP by April 5 for Camp Manitoqua to (815) 469-2319 or for King’s Camp to (815) 645-8277.
  
Camp Manitoqua & Retreat Center is looking for Camp Counselors for the summer of 2014.  Check our web page at www.manitoqua.org to apply online or call our office at (815) 469-2319.
 
Spring Into Summer at Camp Manitoqua & Retreat Center with swimming, food, and activities for kids and adults alike, Saturday, May 31, 2014, as we kick off our 2014 camping season. Our annual 12,000’ Run, a family friendly obstacle course run, will be in the morning.  A complete list of the activities are available on our website: manitoqua.org/spring-into-summer.  Run does require registration prior or morning of.
Wayne is at the Christ at the Crosspoint Conference in Israel for the new few weeks.

Wayne’s Schedule:
March       6- 19:  Christ at the Crosspoint Conference/Isreal/Palestine
20:  Illiana-Florida Classis Meeting/American Reformed Church/DeMotte, IN
21:  Office
22:  Off
23:  Sunday Worship
24-27:  General Synod Council Meeting/Phoenix, AZ
27-29:   RSGL/Mid-America Ridder Church Renewal Event/Muskegon, MI
30:  Sunday Worship
31:  Transformed and Transforming Launch Team Meeting/Vancouver, Canada

Wayne’s contact information:
10088 Prairie Knoll Ct.
St. John, IN 46373
Mobile: (941) 302-1281
Email:  wregen@msyn.org
Here are some links to articles you may find helpful for ministry:
Learning to Say “No” Is Part of Success – from the Harvard Business Review, exploring why we don’t like to say no to opportunities, the anxiety behind it, and how to possibly train ourselves to be better at saying “no.”
My Church’s Website is My Favorite (Said no one ever!) – learn from the most popular websites on the internet what might be lacking in your church website.
Lessons on Abiding – one leader learned about abiding in Christ without having to go into the desert or spend copious amounts of time in solitude.  This post is about life rhythm, family, and leadership.

Chad’s Schedule:
March       10: Manitoqua Office
11: Wisconsin Classis
12: Lafayette Office
13: Lafayette Office
14: Lafayette Office
17: Lafayette Office
18: Illinois Classis
19: Lafayette Office
20: Illiana-Florida Classis
21: Lafayette Office

Chad’s Contact Information:
2533 Mar Ruth Drive
Lafayette, IN 47905
Office: (815) 464-9181
Mobile: (765) 237-7678
Email: chad@msyn.org

Stories of Celebration:

*Telling our stories is a way for us to encourage each other and to share what the Spirit is doing through the churches and people of our synod.  As you share yours, others may be empowered to do similar things or the Spirit may use it as a starting point for another idea to reach people for Christ.  We encourage you to share!

If you would like to share a story for a future issue, please emailchad@msyn.org

All stories are shared to give glory and honor to God.  We also hope this stories can inspire and encourage one another as we serve him.