August 18, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff members continue to work remotely for the foreseeable future. Contact them using their email or cell phone. Watch this space for information about the reopening of the office.
Welcoming the stranger:
What is holding us back?
The Church of St. Frances Cabrini in Minneapolis is hosting an online discussion between Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Bishop Ann Svennungsen on the topic of "Will We Welcome the Stranger?," based on their joint statement in the Star Tribune in December 2019. This conversation is a Tegeder Talk, honoring the legacy of former Cabrini pastor, Fr. Mike Tegeder.

Monday, August 31
7:00-8:30 p..m.

Please invite congregation members and friends who might be interested in this discussion. Registration is required for this free event.
The gift of
daily bread 
“As much as I feel anxiety about COVID-19, I also feel anxious about the unknowns. I want so much to do what’s right, to take every precaution – even as ‘what’s right’ seems to always be changing.

Indeed, I sometimes wonder if the wilderness grumbling of the Israelites was as much about coping with unknowns as it was about physical hardships. Yes, food was scarce; so was water. But, it was also hard to wander year after year without a clue about what was ahead.” 
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 15 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 Pr. Craig Pederson, assistant to the bishop for congregational vitality.
Craig Pederson

What has been the best or most surprising part about the staying at home?
  • We as a family all enjoy being around each other for extended periods of time – and we rarely spent that much time together before
Do you have any pets or wish you did?
  • Yes, we have a wonderful dog named Lainey, a seven-year-old rescue hound-lab mix.
What podcast are you currently listening to?
  • Ted Radio Hour
  • How I Built This
  • Conversations with Chanda
What is your favorite restaurant to order take-out from?
  • Giordano's
What summer activity are you most looking forward to?
  • Boating
What is giving you hope right now?
  • The weather is warm again.
  • God's people still long to worship together and are making it happen.
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.
Offerings from Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center
As many communities of faith and nonprofits are adjusting their outreach in different ways due to the pandemic, the Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center is also thinking creatively about how to continue to foster and encourage individuals and groups to retreat. In addition to welcoming pastors and small church and nonprofit groups once again for in-person retreats, the center is also offering online workshops, classes, and retreats.

The Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center is hosting virtual offerings on a number of topics in the near future. In addition, congregations may be interested in the complimentary retreat offerings for pastors or faith communities that are engaging in racial equity and justice work.
A Safe Way to Support Youth Experiencing Homelessness
In times of crisis and instability youth need support more than ever. Year round Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) is committed to supporting youth to gain stability through early intervention and prevention services, supportive shelters and housing options, and services to restore and strengthen families.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, LSS’s Metro Homeless Youth program has created an online registry that allows backers to view the current needs of our youth and support with things like groceries, hygiene products, clothes, and other needed items. Use the links below to view specific items these youth programs are asking for. If supporters don’t want to buy from the seller that is linked to the item, they can make purchases from another store and send them along to the address provided.

Questions can be addressed to Ev Pugh at metrohomelessyouth@lssmn.org or call (651) 470-8801.

Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Sherri Lawrence at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Edina, on Thursday, August 20.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Maria Markman at Luther Seminary on Saturday, August 22. Maria has been called to Grace Lutheran, Andover.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Kyle Hanson at St. James Lutheran, Crystal, on August 22. Kyle has been called to St. James.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Ian Coen-Frei at Faith Lutheran, Isanti, on Saturday, August 29.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will address the topic of "Welcoming Refugees and Immigrants" with Archbishop Bernard Hebda in a Tegeder Talk sponsored by St. Francis Cabrini, Minneapolis, on August 31.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Ben Cherland at Christ Church Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Saturday, September 19.
Synod candidates to be ordained elsewhere
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org