August 3, 2020
Synod Assembly Registration Closes Next Week!
Has your congregation registered yet for Synod Assembly? Registration closes next week on Aug. 11! This year's Synod Assembly will be held online Sept. 25-26 and your staff is hard at work coordinating all of the unique planning for this unusual year.

Due to the online nature of this year's assembly, voting members must have access to:
  • a computer, tablet or smartphone
  • reliable internet access
  • a unique email address
Watch for more information in the coming weeks about this important meeting in our synod! Learn more and register.
A Food Shelf Challenge
by Bishop Patricia Lull

During these recent months of disruption, some of the greatest impact has been on those persons and households without access to sufficient healthy food. During early June we witnessed this at the emergency food distribution that arose at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Midway. Thousands of households received groceries, diapers, and household supplies thanks to your spontaneous generosity in dropping off goods, contributing through online accounts, or volunteering in person. I thank you for that extraordinary willingness to help.

As the emergency distribution efforts in the Midway were winding down, I had a conversation with Mary McKeown, CEO of Keystone Community Services. I asked her what the Lutheran community could do to be most helpful. She indicated that all local food shelves will face heightened demand in the late summer months. She told me, “You can make a difference.”

Second Harvest, the food bank within this synod’s borders, estimates just such a surge in the demand in the remaining weeks of summer and early fall. I am so cheered by the recent announcement from Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Peggy Flanagan that $11 million dollars will be donated from CARES funding to the 300 food shelves and seven food banks in Minnesota. What an appropriate use of public funding that is to reduce the number of children and elders and families who are hungry at the end of the day.

At the same time, I want to invite you into this larger challenge. Even before the governor’s announcement, I had been praying about the difference the congregations of this synod could make to address hunger in our local communities. What if we Lutherans rallied to raise $50,000 to address this need this summer?

I Was Hungry
by Vernita Kennen

I Was Hungry: Cultivating Common Ground to End an American Crisis as the title of a new book appears as if it were a mistake in printing, but that’s the way the cover of the book looks. Might it help you understand the author’s hope to end hunger? It certainly succeeded in drawing my attention.

This book has many stories of people who cope with hunger – families, students, older citizens and others. It shows how caring people in any of the states in the U.S. could have the success that the Texas Hunger Initiative has had. It is the story of trials and errors, but of persistence as communities, government programs and companies work together to end hunger all across Texas.

Am I Called? A Discernment Conversation for High School Students
Wednesdays, Aug. 5 & Aug. 12 - 11 a.m. | Online
God calls everyone to do God's work in the world...How is God calling YOU? One session in the three-part series was held last week, but two more are still to come:
  • Aug. 5 - Public Ministry in the ELCA - Pastors, Deacons & More! Hear from pastors, deacons and other church professionals about their life in public ministry.
  • Aug. 12 - So, How Do I Get There? College, Seminary and Other Things You Need to Know. Representatives from ELCA seminary and college partners will share about programs that can equip you to follow God's call in your life.

These conversations are brought to you by Region 3 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), located in Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. Download a PDF.
Worship on the Farm
Wednesday, Aug. 12 - 6:30 p.m. | Online
For the past several years, Bruentrup Heritage Farm in Maplewood has been the site of Wednesday Night Summer Worship led by six Saint Paul Area Synod churches. COVID-19 restrictions and the desire to keep everyone safe has moved this summer's services online.
 
Worship on the Farm's third gathering of the summer will be Aug. 12 on Zoom. Register to receive the link and join in at 6:30 p.m. for fellowship and worship, hosted by Christ the King in White Bear Lake, House of Prayer in Oakdale, Lakeview in Maplewood, Our Redeemer in St. Paul, Redeemer in White Bear Lake and St. Mark's in North St. Paul. Learn more and register.
Beyond Relief: A Glocal Conversation with Pastor Kirsten Fryer
Tuesday, Aug. 18 - 7-8 p.m. | Online
Pastor Kirsten Fryer had been just nine months into her new call at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Midway when the neighborhood that she serves was upended in the days following the death of George Floyd. Almost overnight her church building became a pop-up aid distribution center filled with hundreds of volunteers, thousands of pounds of food and supplies and tens of thousands of donations. The relief that came was immediate and temporary.

So what's next? Join a live conversation with Pastor Kirsten as she discusses:
  1. how her experience serving as an ELCA missionary in Cairo informs her leadership in Minnesota
  2. the ways in which she uses the values of accompaniment to strengthen local relationships
  3. the opportunities and challenges that await as immediate crises recede and congregational responses shift from relief into something new

Participants will be asked to reflect with one another on their own responses to the clear and present needs of the day in the context of COVID-19 impacts on global relationships, record numbers facing hunger and public reckonings about systemic racism. Please register by noon on Aug. 18 to receive log-in instructions. Learn more and register.
Stewardship Sharing (Zoom Gathering)
Wednesday, Aug. 26 - 1 p.m. | Online
There is so much uncertainty about what the Fall will look like for our congregations. Will we be together for worship or continuing to meet virtually? Will there be any Sunday School or Confirmation or other education opportunities? Many of our churches also use the Fall season as a time to carry out stewardship campaigns and education. During this pandemic we have an opportunity to try new ways of reaching people and continuing to teach and preach generosity.

The Saint Paul Area Synod Stewardship Committee invites pastors and deacons to join a discussion about stewardship leadership and practices during this pandemic. This discussion will be a time of sharing and listening. If you have great ideas of how to reach people with a message of sharing during COVID-19, please share them with the group. If you are not yet sure what approach to take to stewardship this Fall, you are invited to come and listen, ask questions, and learn. We are all a part of God’s church, and right now we need each other. We need to share creativity, we need to listen and help one another through the isolation, and we need to continue to remind our people of the deep connection between faith and generosity.

This Zoom call is not a lecture or a sales pitch, it is a time for church leaders to gather, share, discuss,
offer ideas, provide hope, and lift one another up as we look toward what stewardship campaigns
and education will look like in the coming months. This discussion will also move us further down the
road of offering great stewardship practices in our congregations during these unusual
circumstances. Your voice is needed and valued!

Join this Zoom meeting via computer or call +1 312 626 6799.
Meeting ID: 868 5755 0428
Passcode: 487066
Advocates for Racial Equity
Wednesday, Aug. 26 - 6 & 7 p.m. | Online
Join the action; get informed! The Advocates for Racial Equity (ARE) work group is hosting TWO Zoom opportunities on Aug. 26 for individuals, congregations and communities:
  • 6:00 p.m. - general informational meeting centering around EDUCATION
  • 7:00 p.m. - general informational meeting centering around ADVOCACY

Attend one or both! Please register by noon on Aug. 26 to receive the Zoom link and further details.
The synod office is open this summer from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. A limited number of staff will be on-site each day. You may continue to reach all staff members by phone (651-224-4313) or by email .
EVENTS OF INTEREST
"Being Church" Online Gatherings for ELCA Leaders
Wednesdays at 1 p.m. | Online
Rostered and lay leaders alike are invited to a weekly gathering of topical presentations designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders. This is an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation. On Aug. 5, the topic is "Naming Our Laments and Recognizing Our Resiliency." Rev. Robin McCullough-Bade is the executive director of the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge and co-author of Our Mission: Discovering God's Call to Us as well as two ELCA online lectionary Bible studies. Rev. Brenda K. Smith is Program Director for Faith Practices in the ELCA and co-coordinates the Book of Faith ministry of the ELCA.

These "Being Church" sessions (without the break-out discussions) are now being recorded and with supporting documents are are available at www.elcacoaching.org/

Join the Zoom Meeting:
or by phone: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: 648160
Faith Formation Renewal Retreats
Aug. 9-11, 12-14, 16-18 | Green Lake Bible Camp, Spicer
Faith Formation Renewal Retreats through Green Lake Lutheran Ministries are meant for congregations' staff and volunteers who have a hand in faith formation. They may attend alone or with other team members for a time of renewal before entering fall ministry. The first 24 hours of this retreat will be silent, providing time to simply stop and enjoy God’s creation. There will be opportunities for hiking, swimming, kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding, as well as crafts or you can read, sleep, or do whatever you need to feel refreshed. The hope is that you'll hear God's voice as you are able to slow down and be quiet.

After these 24 hours, there will be group devotions and a time of sharing: What does ministry look like for you right now? What has worked really well? What can we learn from each other? Could there be some helpful collaboration to make your planning feel lighter? On the final morning, there's time to develop action steps for what is next for you and your ministry so you can return feeling both renewed and prepared for the fall. The cost is $40 per person. Learn more.
Mount Olivet Retreat Center Offerings
Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center in Farmington is offering complimentary retreat offerings for persons leading communities of faith and non-profits whose mission focuses on dismantling racism and other forms of systemic injustice. It's also offering free meeting space and use of all amenities for daytime retreats for churches that identify as black, brown, indigenous, or immigrant and for other communities of faith and non-profit organizations whose mission centers on racial equity, justice, and reconciliation.  Learn more.

The retreat center, an affiliate ministry of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, also offers these online workshops, classes and retreats:
Angst Virtual Screening & Panel Discussion
Wednesday, Aug. 12 - 6:30 p.m. | Online
Angst is a film-based education program designed to raise awareness around anxiety, with an emphasis on youth and families. The 55-minute film includes interviews with kids, teens, experts, and parents and is appropriate for ages 10 and up. Its purpose is to help people identify and understand the symptoms of anxiety and encourage them to reach out for help. A panel discussion will be offered promptly after the film with access to further resources and materials. There is no registration fee. Learn more.
Simplifying Our Lives and Living Spaces
Thursday, Aug. 13 - 8-10 a.m. | Online
With all the time that we are spending at home in this pandemic, simplifying our lives and living spaces has real appeal. But how do we do this well and how does it relate to our life of faith? The answer is simple: focus on the aspects of life that matter most and intentionally remove everything else. In this online workshop, we will learn about Christian Minimalism and how it connects to Christian life. Jesus came so that we could live our lives abundantly (John 10:10) and it’s clear from reading the Gospels that the abundant life Jesus calls us to live is not about accumulating possessions, making a lot of money, or receiving worldly accolades or power. Join ELCA Pastor Becca Erhlich and author of the blog, “Christian Minimalism,” for this timely and interactive online event. The cost is $20. Learn more.
Courageous and Compassionate Conversations for Contentious Times
Thursdays, Sept. 10, 17, 24 & Oct. 1 - 7-8 p.m. | Online
How can we have meaningful, transformative dialogue across sociopolitical and ideological divides? How can we treat others with respect and uphold their humanity even when we vehemently disagree? How can we persist in advocating for social change especially racial equity and justice in our current context? In this four-part online course, participants will explore these questions and more from the perspective of compassionate (or, nonviolent) communication. This four-part series is facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini, Mount Olivet's executive director. The cost is $35 per person (maximum of $50 per family). Learn more.
Creating Dementia-Friendly Faith Communities 
Thursday, Aug. 13 - 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Online
Join the Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities for a symposium on “Creating Dementia-Friendly Faith Communities.” In the first part of the program, attendees will be led through a Dementia Friends training. The second half will include a presentation on providing effective spiritual support to people with dementia and addressing a congregation's attitudes toward dementia. Attendees will receive concrete resources to get started in becoming a dementia-friendly congregation. While this program is designed to meet the continuing education needs of faith community nurses, all are welcome. Presented by Ann Dunagan, BSN, RN, PHN, faith community nurse, TRUST Inc.; Annette Sandler, MA, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis; and Carolyn Klaver, RN, faith community nurse, Lyngblomsten. The cost is $25 for FCNs and $50 for others. Learn more.
Being Church Today
Monday, Aug. 17 - 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Online
The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody; clear disparities in healthcare that reveal ongoing inequities with COVID-19 deaths; political polarization that prevents real relationships, let alone legislative problem-solving; crippling unemployment numbers; impossible wealth disparity; pressing catastrophe from global climate change; the list could go on and on. God is calling the church into the public square, into the halls of power, and alongside the voices protesting on the streets. But how? And to what end?

Featured speakers include Dr. Diana Butler Bass, Dr. Joy Moore, Dr. Eric Barreto, Rev. Mihee Kim-Kort, Rozella Haydee White, Ulysses Burley III, Brian McLaren, Dr. Valerie Bridgeman, Rev. Emmy Kegler. These speakers will amplify the voices of local leaders from the Minneapolis area, who will share stories of how the church is leading in our own context, particularly in response to systemic racism in our communities. This event is offered by Church Anew and participation is free. Learn more.
Other Event Reminders:
SYNOD STAFF PREACHING SCHEDULE
Bishop Patricia Lull
  • Aug. 23 - Easter, Eagan

Rev. Justin Grimm
  • Aug. 16 - St. Mark, Circle Pines
  • Aug. 23 - Faith, Forest Lake
  • Aug. 30 - Minnesota Faith Chinese, Roseville
The Saint Paul Area Synod, which includes 110 congregations and new mission starts,
is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
www.spas-elca.org | 651.224.4313