The Healing Waters Parish council met virtually and in the face of the still widening outbreak of COVID-19 and the numerous guidelines we have decided to keep our worship services online until June 30th. We will be meeting with each church's council to come up with a reopening plan. Please be patient during this time of creating a plan to safely reopen. We will be putting a lot of thought and effort into making our in-person return as safe as possible. Please see our recommendations/guidelines in the documents below:

Countryside Public Health Worship Guidance 

ELCA - Considerations to Returning to In-person Worship

Church Mutual - Recommendations to a Safe Return of Worship

Church Mutual - Safely Returning to Worship

Vicar Raphaela Mueller's letter of information

Weekly Update Video 5/24/2020

Tutorial of Updated Website Navigation

Welcome!

Healing Waters Parish is a three-congregation partnership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. The three churches in Healing Waters are Augustana Lutheran of Clarkfield, Bergen Lutheran of rural Granite Falls, and St. Lucas Lutheran of rural Cottonwood.

My name is Raphaela Mueller; I am excited to serve alongside all of you as vicar/pastor-in-training this coming year! Born and raised in Germany I first came to the U.S. (southeastern Indiana) for a high school exchange year, stayed for college in central Indiana, and then for graduate school in Boston (I just graduated with my Master of Divinity in May). In my free time I very much enjoy reading, listening to all kinds of music, singing in choirs, volunteering, and spending time with pets (I love cats, but also like dogs, horses, bunnies, and most other animals) as well as my family. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing in God's love and ministry together!

Our Mission

God calls us to mission and ministry in our rural prairie communities and to the world. Gathered in faith and nurtured by Word and Sacrament, we commit ourselves to share a hope for the future, to use our resources and talents guided by the Holy Spirit, and to work together to expand our ministry to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Our Name

The name "Healing Waters Parish" was chosen because each church is in Yellow Medicine County. "Yellow medicine" plants, which grow by the flowing waters of the Yellow Medicine River, were used by the Dakota for their healing powers. In the waters of baptism we are nourished, healed, and restored; we invite and encourage you to join our healing parish.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Living Lutheran, daily conversation on what it means to "Live Lutheran"

Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA

From Luther Seminary