SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Event Spotlight: LSS Gala
Lutheran Social Service 's 2019 Celebration for Changing Lives Gala will be held at Marriott City Center, Minneapolis, on Saturday, September 21.  Learn more
Change (Almost) Everything
Rozella Haydee White and Brian McLaren will be the featured speakers at a Church Anew conference titled "Change (almost) Everything," a conference for those interested in building skills for leadership in the church that is becoming. Pastors, priests, deacons, lay ministers, youth directors, church administrators, children's ministry professionals, and lay leaders will all benefit from learning through inspiring lectures, practical workshops, and enriching conversation.

The early bird registration deadline is September 13; groups of three or more receive an additional savings.

November 18-19
13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie
Baptisms from Jordan to Minnehaha Creek
"As Jim Rice, my friend visiting from Washington D.C., and I crossed the parking lot at Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center, seeking the path down to the rocks that mark the source of the Mississippi River, we were welcomed with flies that seemed angry about the coming weather change even though this day the sun was beating down hard. We decided to seek shelter in the welcome center of Itasca State Park, and soon we were reading about the controversy over who 'discovered' the headwaters, as well as learning that Mary Gibbs, at 24 years of age, was appointed the first female park superintendent of a state park in the nation."
Addiction and Faith Conference
Friday, September 20--Sunday, September 22
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis

The U.S. is facing one of its biggest health crises. Addiction rates are high and the faith community could be more deeply engaged with those who are experiencing addiction. This conference will equip caregivers, bringing practitioners, rostered leaders, parish nurses, and others together in one place.

Recognizing that some people, especially clergy, may not be able to attend seissions on Sunday, conference leaders have made some single-day tickets available. Learn more
Allies and Friends Workshop
Muslims and Christians will gather together for a day of conversation, learning, and relationship building. The event is sponsored by the synod's Lutheran-Muslim Relations Task Force. The cost is $17 for adults and $10 for students.

Saturday, November 2
8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
8600 Fremont Avenue South, Bloomington
Dear Church St. Paul Party
Dear Church is the title of a love letter written by Pastor Lenny Duncan to the ELCA. It is also a book that challenges the realities of this denomination, as can be assumed from the subtitle: A Love Letter From a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination . The author will come to Minnesota for a reading from the book, including an opportunity for Pr. Duncan to answer questions. Luther Seminary is hosting the signing; the cost for the event is $10.

Thursday, September 19
7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108
Storytelling Workshop
Storytelling is sacred. Storytelling engenders empathy and understanding. Storytelling has the power to build community in divisive times. You are invited you to one, two, or all of the workshops in this series of Storytelling Workshops with master storyteller Mark Yaconelli. 

October 3-6
2730 East 31st Street, Minneapolis
Led by Grace: I Am Who I Am
The Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association is organizing it's 2019 fall retreat under the theme "Lead by Grace: I Am Who I Am." Tammy Devine serves as a coach, retreat facilitator, and consultant, collaborating with thought leaders to facilitate personal and communal growth toward living and leading well. Tammy is a strategic and systemic whole-person promoter of well-being, through education and inspiration. She is a registered nurse, has a Master’s degree in leadership from Luther Seminary, is an ELCA deacon, and has completed the Grace Institute for Spiritual Formation and Coach training through Auburn Theological Seminary. Devine is ICF certified and serves as a coach for health, healing, and wholeness.
Thursday, September 26--Friday, September 27
8231 County Road 11 NE, Alexandria, Minnesota
Keeping Faith: Empowering the Faith Community to Recognize and Respond to Child Abuse
This course empowers faith communities to recognize and respond to cases of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Included are discussions detailing the impact of child abuse on a victim's sense of spirituality and offering concrete suggestions for working with medical and mental health professionals to assist a child in coping with maltreatment. 

8:30 a.m., Monday October 7 – 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 8
2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Suite 360, Minneapolis
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Pr. John Hulden will be preaching at the Rum River Conference worship service and meeting at Lord of Life Lutheran, Ramsey, on Thursday, September 19.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Tim Schroeder at University Lutheran Church of Hope, on Friday, September 20. Tim will serve as pastor at Peace Lutheran, Coon Rapids.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at the opening worship of Bishop's Theological Conference at Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota.
  • Pr. Deb Stehlin will be preaching at the closing worship of Christ English Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Saturday, September 28. (Christ English and River of Life Lutheran, Minneapolis, are forming Christ the River of Life Lutheran.)
  • Pr. Craig Pederson will be installing Pr. Ryan Fletcher at Christ Memorial Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, September 29.
  • Pr. Deb Stehlin will be attending the farewell of Pr. Foy Christopherson at Central Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 29.
  • Pr. John Hulden will be installing Pr. Amy Chalupnik at Trinity Lutheran, Monticello, on Sunday, September 29.
  • Pr. Deb Stehlin will be installing Pr. Rebecca Gamble at Normandale Lutheran, Edina, on Sunday, October 13.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org