June 15, 2021
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff are celebrating the fact that the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming more accessible. Although the staff is now splitting time between in-office and remote work, the office will remain closed to public meetings. This re-entry plan will be evaluated in the next weeks. 
ELCA Hunger Avocacy
internship position open
Do you (or does someone you know) have the drive to help build ELCA World Hunger capacity to end hunger by deepening and expanding Lutheran advocacy efforts in synods, coalitions, and networks? ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellowships are a great opportunity! Apply yourself and/or share widely.

Start date for the 12-month position is September 2021. Placements available with state public policy offices in Arizona, Minnesota, and Texas; and with a communications focus in Washington, D.C, alongside federal advocacy staff.
A matter of character(s)
“During my drive out to the funeral of a family friend who was quite the character, I listened to a Radiolab podcast about the career and death of another man of character – or rather, characters: Mel Blanc. If you don’t know him by name, you would likely know his voice – actually, many voices. Blanc was the vocal talent and creative energy behind some of the most popular animated figures of the 20th century: Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, Barney Rubble on the Flintstones, just to name a few.”
Mosaics available for congregational display
The panel “Feed the World” is our call to end world hunger. The images reflect the Three Sisters that native peoples planted together: corn, beans and squash. It is a planting that naturally calls to cooperation. As in nature, we are all one; we are all in this world together.
 
The panel “Love the Earth” shows native flowers of Minnesota, which attract pollinators needed for life: butterflies, bees, hummingbirds. Under the earth, you can see a different kind of pollinator: bugs and animals that help create the soil that nourishes all of us.
 
The middle panel was done by attendees of the 2019 synod assembly, under the direction of Pr. Luisa Cabello Hansel, artistic director of Semilla and co-pastor at St. Paul’s. It shows the unity of the church with our Creator, the creation, and one another.
 
They were created by the Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts at St. Paul’s Lutheran in south Minneapolis. Semilla means seed in Spanish, and the center works to plant seeds of hope by teaching and creating public art that can help make the community healthier, safer and more beautiful.

If you are interested in displaying the mosaics, please contact Brenda Blackhawk at b.blackhawk@mpls-synod.org or (612) 230-3305.
Volunteer for the 2022 Youth Gathering in Minneapolis
The ELCA Youth Gathering could not happen without the support of volunteers. Applications are now open to join the Gathering Volunteer Corps. Local applications are open until capacity is reached. Details about the list of responsiblities are available.
As part of the preparation, join Youth Gathering hosts for a kickoff celebration via Gathering social media on July 25. Learn more about Gathering partnrs and hear from local Minneapolis leaders about how "Boundless" God is.
Free Post-COVID re-gathering resource for congregations
If you're looking for a resource to encourage, inspire, and challenge your members and get them in the right frame of mind for your post-Covid journey ahead, consider Thriving Beyond Covid, a scripture-based small- and large-group study. The days ahead will be challenging but they can be managed with faith and a plan.

This two-minute video offers more information so you can decide if this resource is something your congregation might want to use. The resource has also been advertised in Seeds Monthly, and has been downloaded by 163 leaders in 33 states and four countries.

A leader guide, small and large group participant guides, and videos, are available for free download at www.ThrivingBeyondCovid.org.
Gethsemane Lutheran cuts ribbon on new Northside food shelf
"Some parts of the Twin Cities, especially those places with below average incomes, do not have any grocery options within easy commute for residents. Those neighborhoods are often referred to as food deserts. The North Minneapolis neighborhood of Camden has long been un underserved community. In response to the need for greater access to groceries, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, received funding to expand the food shelf it has been running for 12 years."
Lutheran summer camp jobs
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) is currently hiring camp staff for many Lutheran summer camps for the summer of 2021.

To make this easier, LOM has a new resource for interested persons to find a summer camp. The Camp MatchUp app allows users to receive quick and easy access to information about camps. Camp MatchUp is a touch tool for camps to connect with interested applicants and to assist applicants in their camp discernment process.

Camp MatchUp is available for download from the Apple Store (IOS) of from Google Play (Android).

LOM camps equip and empower people, especially young adults, in many ways: developing compassionate leadership skills, learning how to listen and adapt, practicing effective communication skills, engaging in an intentional community, exploring the outdoors, being creative, growing in faith, and building resume skills.
Minnesota Multifaith Network to host conference in June
The Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN) is hosting a two-hour conference on June 17 under the theme of "Discerning Our Moral Commitments Together." As our society continues to grapple with the pandemic and with racial oppression, this groups of leaders from a dozen faith traditions is offering an opportunity for deep conversation on how we are discerning and acting on our shared moral commitments in a time such as this.

Thursday, June 17
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The cost for participation for MnMN members is $5; general admission is $10. Purchase tickets by June 15.
Remembering the Emanuel 9
At the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine — the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South
Carolina. A collection of resources is available to help synods and congregations mark this commemoration.

These resources can be adapted for virtual worship, online conversation, or
individual reflection and devotion. Synods and congregations are encouraged to mark this commermoration locally. Refreshed worshipo resources for the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine are available in PDF and Word formats, including scripture suggestions for a commemoration service. Additional resources for marking this commemoration in synods and congregations can be found at ELCA.org/EmanuelNine.

If your synod or congregation is planning a dedicated, online commemoration service that you wish to share with others, email worship@elca.org.
Help find students for
Lutheran Campus Ministry
Beginning in early July, Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) will embark on an intensive listening project as they anticipate returning to in-person ministry on campus. Because they don't have a directory of students on campus, LCM needs your help to connect with students.

Members of LCM will be listening to what the Spirit has been up to in their lives over the last 18 months particularly, and how that is shaping what the Spirit might be up to in their individual lives, and in our shared life together as a Christian community. Then, they’ll use what they hear, from the lives of these young adults, to give shape and form to our ministry on campus.

Your referrals don't necessarily have to want to be involved in LCM (so if they're involved somewhere else, or taking a church break, it's fine), because the leaders of LCM want a broad snapshot of the campus.

If you know of any current U of M students (rising freshmen included), fill out this form with their information so LCM can reach out to them.
Family friendly outdoor
activity celebrating watersheds
The Ecumenical Water Initiative is hosting a family-friendly, community event to share stories about water and watersheds in our lives. Join us on July 11 at 3:00 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis, or on Facebook Live at MN Ecumenical Water Initiative as we celebrate and are refreshed by the water we all share.

Sunday, July 11, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Redeemer Lutheran Church
1800 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis 

If you do come to Redeemer, we ask that you wear a mask at this event and bring your own chair if possible. Questions can be directed to Madeline Troyer.
A deeply spiritual act
In her June/July column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on what we’ve learned from the Apostle Paul about the deeply spiritual act of stewardship. It's an important message as we head into the summer months that are filled with travel and other activities that might make church attendance a little less regular.


Guidance for safe worship practices
Since the early days of the pandemic, the ELCA has been a partner in the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments, publishing general and seasonal guidance for safe worship practices.

Over the past two months, the consultation approved a comprehensive update to the guidance originally published in the summer of 2020, incorporating the latest CDC guidance and other interim guidance previously issued by the consultation.

The consultation included an ecumenical group of theologians, scientists, physicians, pastors, bishops, and practitioners from at least seven church bodies. Updates beyond the resource available below can be found on the consultation's Facebook page.
Can your congregation
host a vaccine clinic?
The #Faiths4Vaccines campaign is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop resources that will aid in the vaccine distribution and will address vaccine hesitancy and access issues. With June designated as "Faith in Vaccines" month, congregations are asked to consider becoming hosts of vaccination clinics.

THis campaign was established to encourage the moral conversations take place over distribution both in the U.S. and around the world. The ELCA is part of of this interfaith coalition.
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile at St. James Lutheran, Crystal, on Wednesday, June 16.
  • Ms. Madeline Troyer will be leading an adult forum at Vista Lutheran, St. Louis Park, on Wednesday, June 16.
  • Mr. Nick Tangen will be presenting on Faith Practices and Neighborhood Practices at Gustavus Adolphus Church, Minneapolis, on Thursday, June 17.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Tapestry, Richfield, on Sunday, June 20.
  • Ms. Meghan Olsen Biebighauser and Ms. Emilie Bouvier will be leading a hybrid online/in-person organizing training from Monday, June 21, to Friday, June 25, at various sites.
  • Ms. Brenda Blackhawk will be leading an online forum for the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice on Tuesday, June 22.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be offering a farewell greeting for Pastor Joel Quie at Prairie Lutheran, Eden Prairie, on Sunday, June 27.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org