January 12, 2021
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff members continue to work remotely for the foreseeable future. Contact them using their email or cell phone.
MLK Day worship service offered
Following a year of significant uprising in our communities and within ourselves, Church Anew has planned a virtual worship service that can be used to celebrate the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Sunday, January 17. The service will be available for download on Tuesday, January 12, at the Church Anew website.

Participants in the service include:
  • Sermon by Rev. Paul Slack, Social Justice Advocate with LSS of Minnesota
  • Music by Alyssa Schwitzer and the Redeemer Lutheran Church band
  • Original spoken word poetry by Joe Davis
  • Prayer, readings, and liturgy by Rev. Kelly Chatman, Rev. Babette Chatman, and more

For more information, contact Pastor Matthew Fleming. Church Anew is an ecumenical ministry of St. Andrew Lutheran, Eden Prairie.
Epiphany unveiled
“Epiphany 2021 is forever marked as the day our Capitol was breached by an angry and violent mob; the day our country was betrayed by threats to human life and the institutions of democracy. 
 
No one could close their eyes to the horror. And, from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, leaders across the political spectrum spoke to condemn what they saw.”
Reminder about remote annual meetings
Many congregation leaders are asking how they can take advantage of technology to continue to hold necessary meetings to conduct the business of the congregation. Below is an FAQ of the questions being asked most often. Even in the current pandemic crisis, the rules have not all gone out the window, and state law, as well as your constitution, bylaws, and continuing resolutions, must still be respected.

Minnesota statutes, Chapter 317A.431 deals with the annual meetings of members of a nonprofit organization and states:

Subd. 3.Time; place.   An annual meeting of members must be held at the time and place stated in or fixed in accordance with the articles or bylaws. If a place is not stated or if a demand for a meeting is made under subdivision 2, the meeting must be held in the county where the corporation's registered office is located. To the extent authorized in articles or bylaws, the board of directors may determine that an annual meeting of the members shall be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with section 317A.450, subdivision 2.
Addiction and Advocacy: The Role of the Church
The U.S. criminal justice system mostly treats those struggling with addiction as criminals. People of faith can raise questions about whether treating people struggling with substance abuse issues as criminals is morally wrong. Or, would it be more consistent to respond with compassion and understanding, as well as to pursue avenues of treatment rather than punishment.

This webinar will show how churches can "break their silence" on drug use and addiction and the moral imperative to do so.

Thursday, January 21
11:00 a.m.-Noon; Central Time

This is a one-hour free webinar on Zoom.
Identity fraud alert from ELCA human resources
Apparently, there has been an uptick in identity theft recently. The ELCA Information Team sent out this message:

"If you are the unfortunate victim of Unemployment Insurance Fraud or other forms of Identify Theft, please contact your local law enforcement to file a police report and receive guidance. If your incident involves ELCA data and devices, please immediately contact ELCA IT Help Desk or Human Resources to report the security incident."
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Eric Nelson and installing him (now Pastor Eric Nelson) at St. Philip's Lutheran, Fridley, on Saturday, January 23.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Kathryn Ostlie and installing her (now Pastor Kathryn Ostlie) at Gloria Dei Lutheran, St. Paul, on Saturday, January 23.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be installing Pastor Heather Roth Johnson at Bethlehem Lutheran--Twin Cities, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 24.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be offering a virtual farewell to Pastor Julie Ebbesen at St. Peder's Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 31. Pastor Julie is retiring.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be offering a virtual farewell to Pastor Mark Vinge at House of Hope Lutheran, New Hope, on Sunday, January 31. Pastor Mark is retiring.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be offering a virtual farewell to Pastor Sarah Anderson at Christ Lutheran, Blaine, on Sunday, February 14.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org