January 18, 2022
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Through the month of January synod staff will be working remotely to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The office remains closed to public meetings. This protocol will be evaluated periodically. 
EcoFaith Forum on Inclusive Financing
We need your voice! Minneapolis is on the verge of championing a groundbreaking climate-scaled tool called “inclusive financing" for energy efficiency after years of grassroots engagement. On Thursday, January 27th from 4-5:15pm, join EcoFaith for a Learning + Action Forum to hear about the pilot program being put forward by the City of Minneapolis and CenterPoint Energy, and how you can take a simple action step to help make this climate solution a reality.
Greater than a Superpower
“Those of us who hear from the Revised Common Lectionary each week heard this familiar passage on Sunday. While it was far from my first time hearing these words, all I could think about this time around was how well this message fit in with my household’s current obsession: Disney’s new film, Encanto.” 
Available Now: Bishop Ann Svennungsen's Annual Report
Despite a second year of life and ministry during a global pandemic, as a synod we have taken bold, new steps in serving God and neighbor. Looking back we realized that we have experienced many firsts in 2021 and Bishop Ann Svennungsen’s Annual Report to congregations shares many of these new things that God is doing among us. Access the report below.
Annual Tool Kit Workshop Session Highlights
We are looking forward to offering 12 virtual Tool Kit workshops on several Tuesday and Thursday evenings in March. The schedule, list of all workshops, and registration will be available soon. See the link below to stay up to date and for more information. For the next several weeks, we will be highlighting 2 workshops in our e-news so you can learn more about what will be available.

Virtual Church - 3 Ways, Panel of Chance Amundson, Brenda Blackhawk, Eric Hoffer, and Doug Mork
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten the health of our families and communities, church leadership has been forced to get creative with how to be church in a virtual and/or hybrid setting. Many churches are still trying to figure out the most cost-effective way to do this well. This workshop will look at three congregations with very different budgets and how they’ve made it work well.

Practicing Community Engagement, Nicholas Tangen
Thriving congregations have authentic and meaningful relationships with their surrounding communities, but often we are unsure about how to begin building those connections. Join Nick Tangen, the Director of Faith Practices & Neighboring Practices, to discuss some of the essential practices for building relationships in your context. We'll discuss one-to-ones, storytelling, and seeing our neighborhoods as networks of gifts and come away with some tangible next steps for your congregation.
How Your Church Can Become a Center of Long Life Learning & Faith Formation Webinar
John Roberto, Founder of LifeLong Associates, presents approaches, examples, and resources for addressing the spiritual and religious needs of adults 60 and over in congregations. Discover how to engage this age group in meaningful, faith forming experiences that are easy to access and designed in multiple formats.

Can’t make it? You never have to miss out. Check out the ALOA webinar archive for recordings and additional resources.
40 Days of Giving - Lent Resources
For nearly two years, as the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we have seen the number of hungry people around the world rise, watched as food pantries and soup kitchens expanded to serve an ever-growing number of guests, and longed for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more … and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 7:16).
 
Thank you for all you are doing in your congregation and community to continue God’s work and to share the grace and love of Christ. ELCA World Hunger invites you to continue your work by connecting your congregation to the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2.
Looking for Bob?
Bob Hulteen is officially on sabbatical! He will be out until April 1st 2022. Reach out to Kayla Zopfi or Jeni Huff if you need anything related to Communications, Public Voice, or any of the many other things that Bob helps you with in the meantime!
Lunch & Learn: Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth

January is Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. On January 27th at 12pm, hear from a panel of six Lutheran Social Service leaders from across MN, sharing the work being done to support youth and prevent exploitation and trafficking.

This panel will help you learn how you can be apart of building safer communities for young people to thrive!
Tree of Life Releases Original Worship Service
Tree of Life Lutheran has released it's original vespers worship service: Brightness and Shadows Evening Prayer for Time after Epiphany.

Visit the Tree of Life online store to download the service. Congregations in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods can download all the materials for free by using the code "SYNOD". (There are two bundles: one for a standard vespers service and the other for a service with communion.)

To preview the service intro, check out this YouTube clip.
Courageous Leadership Series for January 2022
ELCA Coaching is mixing things up in 2022. Starting in January, weekly sessions on the theme of courageous leadership will be held. These session will highlight different leaders and ministries from across the Church each week. There will also be time for small groups in breakout rooms so that leaders across the church can continue to learn from each other and leave each gathering with at least one action step.
 
For January 2022:
Week One (January 5) - Coaching - Choose Your Own Adventure (Topic)
Week Two (January 12) - Young Adults - TBD
Week Three (January 19) - African Decent Ministries - Preparing for Newness
Week Four (January 26) - Tentative - Homelessness and Justice / Economic Diversity
 

Recordings from prior gatherings can be found here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media/series/courageous-leadership
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Zion Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 23.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be installing Pastor Gretchen Rode at House of Hope, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 23.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Jerod Freeburg at St. James Lutheran Church, Crystal on January 30.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at St. Paul/San Pablo, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 30.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Spirit of Joy, Buffalo on Sunday, February 13.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at St. Andrew, East Bethel on Sunday, February 20.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org