June 2, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
The synod office will continue to remain closed, as per the social distancing guidelines request, through mid-June. Staff are working remotely and can still be reached by email or phone.
Summer small groups for incoming first-year college students
Lutheran Campus Ministry--Twin Cities is offering an online space for connecting with other incoming college students (attending any school) as you wait to see how college/university life will take shape this fall!

You will gather in small groups twice a week on Zoom for meaningful conversations, prayer, and developing connections with other incoming first-year college students. Your small group will be led by a current college student and will meet for three weeks starting June 14.

Register today below and email
pastorkate@umnlutheran.org  with any questions!
No neutral ground
" Three officers looked on. They looked on for eight minutes and 43 seconds. They looked on as their fellow officer killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck.

How could this happen? How could they simply watch? And, then, in the midst of our questioning, we hear the distant voice of the prophet, Nathan, calling our names, just as he spoke to David, 'You are the ones who stood by. You are the ones who looked on, saying nothing, doing nothing.'"

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 17 people who live in the city, suburbs, and rural areas. We are somewhat racially diverse and have the synod staff with the most young employees in the country. We hope you get to know us better through these fun interviews! This week's featured staff member is Jeni Huff, events and website coordinator.
Jeni Huff

What has been the best or most surprising part about the staying at home?
  • I’ve been working out way more – both surprising and best!
Do you have any pets or wish you did?
  • We just got a new hamster named Lightning McQueen and we’re saving up for an alpaca farm!
What book are you currently reading or show are you binge-watching?
  • I’m currently reading the Sunrise series by Karen Kingsbury and watching Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
What is your favorite restaurant to order take-out from?
  • Frankie’s in New Hope
What summer activity are you most looking forward to?
  • I’m looking forward to playing in the water and sandbox with my kiddos!
What is giving you hope right now?
  • I love watching my kids play and explore outside without a care in the world. I’ve also been spending a lot of time in Scripture.
Opportunities to donate to communities affected by social unrest
Many grocery stores have closed as a result of the social unrest in the Minneapolis area. This has left communities in dire need of food and other resources that they depend on to provide for themselves and their families.

Churches and organizations of all faiths are stepping up to meet the immediate needs of these affected communities. They are accepting donations of items like food, diapers, laundry detergent, and so much more. The Minneapolis Area Synod is compiling a list of these locations and items that they need to provide to their communities.

If you know of an ELCA church that is helping their community in this way, email Jeni Huff at huff.jsg@gmail.com. The information we gather will be updated daily on the synod's Facebook and Twitter accounts. We will also reference other resources that have compiled broader lists of organizations that are accepting donations.
Ministry Imagination Grants for COVID-19 Related Purposes
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the synod is offering another means of supporting congregations. The Ministry Imagination Grant program has been adapted to allow a timely source of funding to address the challenges and opportunities that remote worship and other ministry efforts are presenting for congregations. 
 
Funds are still available for projects directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant requests are being accepted through a  simplified application process  for amounts up to $2,000. Applications for these specific grants will be considered until June 15 or until the designated funds are distributed. Priority will be given to congregations with limited resources available at this time, as well as proposals that are designed to engage communities of color impacted by the crisis.  
 
(If a proposal involves technology, and if assistance is needed to implement the proposal, please describe that need in the application. If the proposal will be implemented by a knowledgeable individual or a partner congregation, please describe qualifications of the individual and/or background of the partnership.)
 
To date, grants have been made for worship technology start-ups and upgrades; startup technology for an inner city after school program; outreach to Latino children and families in a mobile home park; and culturally specific resources for trauma and mental health.
 
The Resurrection Fund Advisory Committee (RFAC) will review each request as it is received and will respond to the request as soon as possible.
 
If you have questions, please contact Pastor Craig Pederson, Assistant to the Bishop, at  c.pederson@mpls-synod.org  or (612) 703-1586.  
 
NOTE: The next scheduled deadlines for regular Ministry Imagination Grant proposals are June 15, 2020, and October 15, 2020. Prayers for the journey ahead.
Sermon from Bishop Eaton will address George Floyd
Due to recent social unrest in Minnesota and across America, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be re-recording a sermon which congregations and synods can include in their worship services on Holy Trinity Sunday, June 7. This sermon will address the death of George Floyd and the ensuing protests. The video will be available to view and download at  YouTube.com/ELCA  and  Vimeo.com/ELCA . Bishop Eaton will read the gospel appointed for this day prior to the sermon. Local decisions can be made to use the reading on the video or invite another person to read the gospel instead.
 
ELCA Worship will provide a resource that includes texts for a Service of the Word, appointed readings, prayers and laments relevant to current events, and hymn and song suggestions. Congregations may adapt and use this resource to produce online worship offerings to surround Bishop Eaton’s sermon. This material will be available later this week.
 
ELCA Worship will continue to provide “Worship in the Home” via the ELCA Worship blog ( blogs.ELCA.org/Worship ) for those who make use of these resources for individual/family home devotions each week. On June 7, “Worship in the Home” will include a link to watch Bishop Eaton’s sermon as part of these home devotions.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org