February 4, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Event Spotlight: Conference Assembly
The Minneapolis Area Synod will hold Conferenece Assemblies on Saturday, February 22, at Saint Andrew Lutheran, Eden Prairie. Voting members will be prepared for the April 24-25 Synod Assembly. Learn more  
Workshop descriptions one by one
The Minneapolis Area Synod offers an annual Tool Kit for congregational leaders. It's a great opportunity for teams of church leaders to come together and expand skills and knowledge about congregational leadership. Each week we are introducing one of the workshops to pique your interest. This week:

Title:   HR Responsibilities for Church Councils
Presenters:  Janet Thompson
Brief Description:   Among the fiduciary responsibilities for church councils are several relating to Human Resources. These include hiring and performance review; development and implementation of an employee handbook outlining expectations and policies; oversight of compliance with federal and state employment laws; and maintaining personnel records. Come to this workshop to learn about best practices for church councils. Bring your questions and examples of good or poor practices in your congregation.
Our legacies are complicated, but God's is not
“A week has passed since the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others who were on their way to a youth basketball game. As the tributes and memorials continue to accumulate in the media and online, it’s hard to put into perspective the global impact of Kobe’s high-profile life and premature death. For me, Kobe’s legacy is complicated. As a basketball player, he was one of the greatest of all time. Period. ... On the other hand, in 2003 Kobe was charged with criminal sexual assault against a hotel worker in Colorado.  ”
Power Up Your Environmental Efforts
– This Saturday! –
Exciting Update : Ruth Ivory-Moore , the ELCA’s Director of Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility, will be joining us as the keynote speaker for the Power Up. She will share how the ELCA is working in partnership to create a more sustainable world.



Saturday, February 8
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
1701 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington

Join the EcoFaith Network as leaders gather for a few powerful hours to discuss and dream about how the Minneapolis Area Synod can impact wider systems change for environmental sustainability and justice as we care for God's creation.
Videos for Treasurers and Administrators
Looking to learn about Portico Benefit Services and the practicalities of managing the benefits for pastors and church employees? Your congregation must have at least one registered EmployerLink user to pay your bill and manage sponsored employees’ benefits.

Note: it’s important for the people who play a part in managing your employees’ benefits to be registered on EmployerLink, and for those no longer involved to have their accounts deactivated.

Invite your treasurer or financial administrator to view these educational videos:

Managing Benefits 101 (may be seen without signing in to EmployerLink)
The Art and Craft of
Personal Storytelling
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.
Synod Vice President Recognized
Felecia Boone, Minneapolis Area Synod Vice President, is being honored with the Graven Award by her alma mater Wartburg College on Friday, February 14. The Graven Award honors one “whose life is nurtured and guided by a strong sense of Christian calling and who is making a significant contribution to community, church, and society.” It is named for Judge Henry N. and Helen T. Graven. Boone is a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.
Resolution Writing for the Synod Assembly
The Reference and Counsel Committee of the Minneapolis Area Synod provides oversight of business activities for each assembly. Its responsibilities include working with authors on proposed resolutions that will go before the assembly on April 25.

Committee members are offering to meet with resolution authors prior to the February 22 conference assemblies, where resolutions can be considered by voting members to the synod assembly. Authors of resolutions can receive immediate feedback from committee members during this time. Please RSVP.

4:00-6:00 p.m.; Thursday, February 6
Minneapolis Area Synod office
122 West Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis
Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network
LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) for an 11-month program of nonprofit volunteer service and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2020 to the end of July 2021, LEVN members will be provided housing, utilities, health coverage, spiritual direction, and a $535/month living stipend.

The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based nonprofits, secular nonprofits, congregations, outdoor ministry, and the campus ministry at the University of California-Davis. These service sites address issues of homelessness, food insecurity, unemployment, children and youth ministries, and other important social justice issues facing communities.

Contact Casey Dunsworth , program director, at (530) 756-1550 with questions.
Lutheran Volunteer Corps
The Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) is a community of faith uniting people to work for peace with justice.

LVC's values are:
  • Living simply and sustainably 
  • Living in intentional community 
  • Exploring spirituality in community
  • Confronting racism and oppression through intentional and often uncomfortable personal and institutional transformation
  • Working for social justice and a peaceful world where basic human rights are met
 
Spend a year or semester living or exploring intentional community, serving at a social justice nonprofit, and practicing simple and sustainable living.
Adult Camp from The Naming Project
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. 

Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org