February 11, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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How can people of faith work together to bring about the will of God on earth? How can
we help ourselves and others break through misunderstanding and mistrust and find
common holy ground? The Allies and Friends workshop creates a sacred space for
Christians and Muslims to come together to hear stories, have conversations, ask God’s
blessing and link arms as we walk together toward peace.
Saturday, February 29
8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
8600 Fremont Avenue South, Bloomington
Cost: $17 for adults, $10 for students; scholarships available upon request.
The day will include breakout sessions tailored for rookies and for those with previous
experience. Christian and Muslim speakers will share about the challenging and
rewarding work of building understanding and relationships. Meet and network with others on this journey. A lunch will be catered by Soma Grill & Deli, and interfaith bingo will keep the day lively.
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Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders
and Conference Assemblies
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Join us for a morning of learning and connection! Choose two out of more than a dozen workshop offerings to get practical tips to bring back to your congregation.
Saturday, February 22
9:00 a.m.-Noon, workshops
8:30 a.m., registration and check in
13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie
This event is especially helpful for new church council members and other congregational leaders!
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The 12 conferences of our synod will meet to nominate and elect people for synod positions. Resolutions and memorials for Synod Assembly are also discussed at these Conference Assembly gatherings.
Saturday, February 22
12:15 p.m.-conclusion
13600 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie
Synod Assembly voting members are especially encouraged to attend, but all are invited!
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"I am concerned that our branch of the Lutheran movement can become watered down to the point of Christian Moralistic Therapeutic Deism—a concept developed by Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton in their 2005 study of common beliefs of American youth. To paraphrase very roughly the results of their study: God exists, God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, the central goal in life is to be happy and feel good about oneself, God does not need to be particularly in one’s life except when God is needed to solve a problem, and good people go to heaven when they die."
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Ministry Imagination Grants offer congregations
the change to risk a creative venture
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The Ministry Imagination Grants are intended to offer support for new, enhanced, or expanded ministry initiatives that uniquely further the gospel, encourage growth in faith, and/or strengthen Christian service. Any congregation of the Minneapolis Area Synod may develop a proposal, either independently, in partnership with two or more synod congregations, or in partnership with other ministries or service entities. Below are stories about the creative work of two recipients of funds. The next deadline for Ministry Imagination Grants is March 14.
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“Mount Olivet Lutheran spent more than a year of deep listening to people in the community and to the still, small voice of God. Members discerned a calling to be attuned to the community around the church. That’s when they came up with the theme
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be open.
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Realizing that God called the community to be open, they noticed that the church sat at a pedestrian entrance to French Regional Park. Church members could see people walking past the congregation and into the park.
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One of the questions that we've been asking, as we noticed people and bikes and families taking advantage of that access, is how could we open our grounds up more to the community to provide a place for sacred space,
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said Pastor Beth.
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“On Sunday mornings at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Pastor Ingrid Rasmussen often shakes the hands of congregants as they leave the sanctuary and takes a moment to talk with individual members. Regularly these conversations include discussion of the worship service itself, and it was in these conversations that Pastor Ingrid began to hear a consistent theme emerging.
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I would hear from congregants that they had particular responses to pieces of settings that we were using, or they expressed a desire for a wider set of images or metaphors in worship,
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said Pastor Ingrid.”
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Adult Camp from The Naming Project
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The Naming Project, a leading LGBTQ youth and faith-based organization, has announced its first-ever summer camp for adults taking place June 12-15 at Bay Lake Camp in Deerwood, Minnesota. After 15 successful summers providing a place for LGBTQ youth to explore their identities and religion, The Naming Project will expand to serve adults over 21.
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If you have ELCA-Primary health benefits, a suite of new online offerings provides convenient access to care at your fingertips, whether on the go, in your office, or and in the privacy of your own home. Find support to strengthen your emotional resilience, learn new skills, and save on costs:
- Being is a holistic, faith-based, educational platform offering expert-led videos on a wide range of well-being skills — such as longevity, purpose, resiliency, and more.
- Learn to Live is a self-directed online mental health support program designed to help participants manage stress, depression, social anxiety, insomnia, and substance use.
- Text-Based Primary Care is available through a convenient app. 98point6 connects you 24/7 with U.S.-based, board-certified doctors. Receive on-demand consultation, diagnosis, and a treatment plan for $5 or less. Doctors can also prescribe medication (except controlled substances) and order lab tests.
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The Art and Craft of
Personal Storytelling
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At this all-day training, learn how to excavate, craft, and share stories from your own life. Veteran storyteller
Mark Yaconelli
will walk participants through presentation, contemplative exercises, and a variety of narrative practices so they will learn the power of personal storytelling for speaking, teaching, community-building, preaching, and personal growth.
Mark Yaconelli
Saturday, February 22
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
The Trading Floor at Fueled Collective,
400 South 4th Street, Suite 401
Minneapolis
This is a great introduction in the art of storytelling for nonprofit leaders, business professionals, students, pastors, community-builders, and anyone who wants to improve their skills in crafting and sharing stories.
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
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- Pastor Craig Pederson will be preaching at West Union Lutheran, Cologne, on Sunday, February 16.
- Pastor Deb Stehlin will be preaching at Minnesota Swahili Congregation, Minneapolis, on Sunday, February 16.
- Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be presenting at the synod's Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders and Conference Assemblies at Saint Andrew Lutheran, Eden Prairie, on Saturday, February 22.
- Ms. Grace Corbin and Ms. Mariah Norell will be leading an adult forum on creation care at Prairie Lutheran, Eden Prairie, on February 23.
- Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at Redeemer Lutheran , Minneapolis, on Sunday, February 23.
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- Night Songs, February 13
- The Challenge of Leadership: Ministering in an election year, February 20
- Tool Kit and Conference Assemblies, February 22
- Allies and Friends, February 29
- Older Adult Ministry Forum: Compassionate Caregiving, March 5
- Racial Justice Liaison Gathering: "Strategy Toward Authentic Diversity," March 16
- Spring Ministerium, March 26
- Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly, April 24-25
- Church Anew: A Master Class in Communication, May 11-12
- Bishop's Theological Conference, September 27-29
- Joint Fall Ministerium, October 29
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