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August 3, 2021
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff are celebrating the fact that Minnesota is officially at a 70% vaccination rate. 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 periodically to reflect the CDC guidelines for vaccinated persons. 
Plan now for God's Work Our Hands
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is Sunday, September 12, 2021. This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

Service activities offer an opportunity for all church members to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
Looking for our prayer partner 
“Parker Palmer calls himself a ‘contemplative by catastrophe,’ writing ‘I’m most likely to go deep only when I slam into a wall or fall off a cliff. I might speak about myself in a similar way. You might as well. For me, the practices of prayer and meditation have received uneven attention throughout my life.” 
Addressing hunger means looking at its many impacts
Hunger at the Crossroads is an opportunity for congregants to engage in learning and conversation about the intersections of root causes of hunger and the ways we can be part of God’s promise of a just world where all are fed.

Thursday, August 12
6:00 p.m., Central Time
 
Pastors Heidi Neumark and Joe Larson will lead the first conversation in this series. This session is titled "Sexuality, Gender Identity, and Hunger."

Consider inviting young adult ministries, congregations, hunger ministry leaders, volunteers and supporters, campus and camping ministries — everyone is welcome — to the sessions:
  • “Sexuality, Gender Identity, and Hunger” – August 12, 2021
  • “Climate Change and Hunger” – October 2021
  • “Hunger and Poverty by the Numbers: Where Are We at Now?” – November 2021

These webinar sessions are sponsored by ELCA World Hunger.
ELCA Evangelism
Video and Resources
A free video and discussion guide entitled “Unleashed: Evangelism in the Digital Mission Field” is now available for individual and congregational use. Fill out this form for a link to the materials and opportunity to join a growing evangelism network.

You can find additional resources to equip disciples in their call to invite others to know God’s love in Jesus at the new evangelism website: www.elca.org/evangelism.
Are you a courageous leader?
ELCA Coaching encourages congregational leaders to learn some possibly surprising, and some definitely humorous, things about "Courageous Leadership," a series it is offering in July and AUgust. A special guest will present on two of these dates, . All are encouraged to bring a spirit of curiosity and childlike play to discerning how and where Spirit might be calling them forward as a leader in their life, work, ministry, community, and world.

Small groups in breakout rooms will offer leaders across the church to learn from each other and to leave each gathering with at least one action step.

Courageous Leadership Series
1:00 PM Central Time
Wednesday, August 4
Wednesday, August 18

Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Passcode: 648160
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at House of Prayer Lutheran, Richfield, on Sunday, August 8.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell for Pastor Gary Guptill at Glen Cary Lutheran, Ham Lake, on Sunday, August 22.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at St. Andrew Lutheran, East Bethel, on Sunday, August 22.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Zion Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, August 29.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Minnesota Swahili Congregation, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 5.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org