OCTOBER 22, 2019
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Event Spotlight: Racial Justice Liaisons
Synod VP Felecia Boone, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant for Hennepin County, will help synod communicators learn to balance their many priorities on Monday, November 4. Learn more
2020 Compensation Guideline
The leadership of the Minneapolis Area Synod is committed to healthy lay and pastoral leaders, including by providing a just and livable wage for staff members.

The synod provides the  MAS 2020 Compensation Guidelines   as a starting point for determining compensation for pastors and lay staff. As guidelines, they will not speak to every financial or personnel situation encountered by congregations and specialized ministries. If, after downloading the guidelines, you have additional questions, contact  Karen Ohm .
Faith seeking hope
" Interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding represent some of the most important work we do as a church. This was affirmed by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly with the passage of A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment.   This interfaith work can be both a rewarding and difficult journey. As we went around the table to share what gave us hope, we heard a story of support for a local mosque, and another story of a pastor who recently asked for help in how to take the “first step” in this process. "
Concordia honors Minneapolis bishop with achievement award
“ On October 11, 2019, Minneapolis Area Synod Bishop Ann Svennungsen was honored with Concordia College’s Alumni Achievement Award. She received the award during the college’s Homecoming Banquet in front of hundreds of alumni who returned to their alma mater. Amy Kelly, Concordia’s communications director, explained that “the Alumni Achievement Award is indeed the pinnacle award for recognizing Concordia graduates who have carried out the mission of the college in their careers and life.”  
Welcome to the synods for new CYF staff
if you are a Children, Youth, and Family ministry staffperson who is new to the Saint Paul Area or Minneapolis Area synods, you are invited to a free upcoming event to welcome you to the area and introduce you to some of your colleagues. A light breakfast will be included.

1935 St. Clair Avenue, St. Paul
Thursday, November 7
9:30-11:30 a.m.
The Johnson Symposium on Faith and Society: "The Spiritual Price of the Doctrine of Discovery"
The Minneapolis Area Synod has passed resolutions decrying the impacts of the Doctrine of Discovery, a 16th-century policy justifying the colonization of new societies, including the genocide of indigenous peoples; this doctrine has continued to have impact on U.S. law in recent decades. Mark Charles, a regular columnist for Native News Online , will address the implications of this doctrine at the 2019 Johnson Symposium on Faith and Society.
"The Spiritual Price of the Doctrine of Discovery"
with Mark Charles
November 16; 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Rethinking Consumption
Come her more ideas about ways to practice reducing, reusing, and recycling your waste. Organizations from across the metro area, including Dem-Con Waste and Recycling Management's mobile exhibit, will share.
If you have questions, contact Grace Corbin at g.corbin@mpls-synod.org or Mariah Norell at m.norell@mpls-synod.org.

Thursday, October 24; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
148 South Chestnut Street, Belle Plaine
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
GiveMN helps nonprofits
find funds
If you are considering participation in the GiveMN's annual fundraising day, the group has made it easier for you. Give to the Max Day is a giving event that is an opportunity to let people inside and outside your congregation know about contributions you are making in the community. And, now there are videos to review to aid you in developing a campaign.

Through the first decade of Give to the Max Day, donors have given nearly $170 million to more than 10,000 nonprofits and schools in just ten giving days! 

2019 Give to the Max Day is November 14.
It's Reformation Sunday
Martin Luther used the evening before All Saints Day (November 1) to nail the list of his desired reforms on the door of the Wittenburg Church. Thus, the ELCA celebrates the commemoration of the Reformation on the last Sunday of October. It's one of the few festival days when red is the liturgical color; feel free to join in the celebration of the Reformation by wearing red clothing to church on Sunday!
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.
November 18-19
13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie

Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Korla Masters at Holy Trinity Lutheran, Minneapolis on Sunday, October 27. Korla has been called to serve at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran, Prior Lake.
  • Pr. John Hulden will be installing Pr. Tim Schroeder at Peace Lutheran, Coon Rapids, on Sunday, October 27.
  • Pr. Craig Pederson will be installing Pr. Bryant Bakkum at Prairie Lutheran, on Sunday, October 27.
  • Pr. Craig Pederson will be preaching and leading an adult forum at Lake Nokomis Lutheran, Minneapolis, on November 3.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org