July 21, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
The synod office will continue to remain closed, with limited staff presence, through July 31. Staff have prepared a plan for slow re-entry to the office by September 30. Staff continue to work remotely and can still be reached by email or phone.
A discernment conversation
for high school students
God calls everyone to do God's work in the world. How is God calling you? Explore that question with a series of Zoom conversations. Attending all sessions is encouraged, but you may attend one or two! The Zoom link will be emailed to you after submitting the online registration.

Vocation: I am Called?
Wednesday, July 29; 11:00 a.m.-Noon

Public Ministry in the ELCA: Pastors, Deacons & More! Wednesday, August 5; 11:00 a.m.-Noon

So, How Do I Get There?: College, Seminary and other Things You Need to Know.
Wednesday, August 12; 11:00 a.m.-Noon
From awakening into newness 
“ I was driving through a small town north of Tucson, Arizona, headed back to my college dorm room. I was making a turn in when I saw the police lights against the night’s sky. Call me naive, but I didn’t know where to pull over safely, so I drove into a neighborhood where it felt okay to stop. I rolled down the window; the rest was a blur. ” 
Synod Staff Features
Join us over the next few months as we highlight different members of our staff. The Minneapolis Area Synod staff is comprised of 16 people who live in the city, suburbs, and rural areas. We are fairly racially and age diverse for an ELCA office. We hope you get to know us better through these fun interviews! This week's featured staff member is John Mai, communications and administrative associate. It's John's last week in that position, though he will provide oversight of the Domestic Hunger Grants application process under a separate contract through the end of August.
John Mai

What has been the best or most surprising part about the staying at home?
  • I've appreciated the chance to develop my own passions and enjoy time to myself -- keeping up with people remotely, exploring my neighborhood, and reading more. This has been an opportunity to make myself a more well-rounded person.
Do you have any pets or wish you did?
  • If I wasn't in the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, I would probably be fostering a dog right now.
What book are you currently reading or show are you binge-watching?
  • I'm currently reading Catch-22 by Joseph Heller and finishing Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber.
  • I'm watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
What is your favorite restaurant to order take-out from?
  • The Naughty Greek
What summer activity are you most looking forward to?
  • Bike riding
What is giving you hope right now?
  • I'm hopeful about the recent warm weather. I'm also encouraged by seeing people continue to care about others -- people making deliberate choices in the best interest of others during the midst of this pandemic.
God's Work Our Hands Sunday on September 13
In 2020, “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is September 13. This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Service activities offer an opportunity for us 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. The ELCA has prepared resources to guide a congregation’s planning, promotion, and more.
Addiction ministry training
The pandemic and social unrest has heightened the need for addiction and recovery ministry. Liquor sales have sky rocketed. Isolation, anxiety, and increased symptoms of depression and other mental health illnesses are prevalent for many.
 
Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Bloomington and the Center of Addiction & Faith are offering a two-part Zoom meeting training for congregational leaders to develop a congregational addiction team ministry. The trainings will provide an overview of this effective model and the opportunity to gain tools and strategies to build congregational support for lay ministry teams of two to four leaders, including staff, pastor, and laypersons.

Wednesday, July 29; 6:00-9:00 p.m.
and
Wednesday, August 5; 6:00-9:00 p.m.

The Leadership Training fee is $125 per congregation. For more information or to register, contact Drew Brooks at drewbrooks@faith-partners.org .
Turn in your college students!
Lutheran Campus Ministries is asking for help in identifying students heading to campus this fall. There is always considerable challenge in connecting with students new to campus, and that will only be amplified this semester – just as students' need for connection could be greater. Refer students using this link or email a spreadsheet of graduates with their colleges to Lutheran Campus Ministry--Twin Cities.
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org