Area churches plan to come together to raise money to offer scholarships and debt relief for new pastors, at a Hog Roast and Concert Vespers benefit, “Freed from Debt for Vocation,” set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. July 19 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Mountain Iron.
Sponsored by the Lutheran churches of the Laurentian Conference in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the benefit aims to bring people from many congregations and communities together for a mid-summer evening of sharing food, live music, and worship.
The hog roast, from 5 to 6:15, will feature live music from locals, the Hutter Bunch, and the Praise Band from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Hibbing.
Dinner will highlight the hog-roasting talents of Scooby and Pastor Liz Cheney of Cook, with the hog slowly cooking all day on site.
The pork will be complimented by sides of fruit and locally-brewed root beer from Pastor Andy Berry of Littlefork.
A $15 donation is suggested for dinner.
The Concert Vespers from 6:30 to 7:30 will feature a mass choir, directed by Patti Stoddard of Tower. The choir is composed of vocalists and musicians from across the Iron Range and from many of the 27 congregations of the Laurentian Conference, stretching from Hibbing to Ely and from Toivola to International Falls. The evening will also feature special music selections from soloists and small group ensembles.
Offering from the worship service will be designated towards “Seminarian Debt Relief.” The benefit will support “Seminarian Debt Relief” as part of the Renewing the Promise appeal of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA.
Local congregations are experiencing a clergy shortage. As baby-boomer pastors retire, seminaries are graduating too few students to fill the open pulpits. Those students who do accept calls, especially in rural communities like those on the Iron Range, face the weight of crippling debt accrued in eight years of higher education. Debt can limit the effectiveness and availability of many first call clergy, particularly in underserved areas of the church.
By supporting this cause, the community and congregations assist local clergy to be Freed from Debt for Vocation, many who are faithfully serving in the Laurentian Conference and other places in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod, as well as future pastors yet to come.
All are welcome to attend the event.
