Three resolutions were passed by the assembly, calling members and congregations to specific actions. The first issued a called for study and engagement with matters related to reducing gun violence. The second affirmed the synod’s readiness to protect refugees and undocumented persons, urged increased participation in the AMMPARO network with undocumented migrants, and instructed the Office of the Bishop to advocate with the state legislature and local government leaders on behalf of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The third resolution called on all congregations to boldly speak about systems that oppress and harm communities of color, make use of available resource materials for addressing racism, engage in anti-racism training, and to report their annual efforts as a congregation. The full details of each resolution can be found at www.spas-elca.org/events/synod-assembly.

As part of the “With All Our Heart” theme, based on Psalm 111, winners of the year-long hymn contest were announced. They include William Brueggemann, honorable mention; Paul Damico-Carper, grand prize winner, and Cathy Skogen-Soldner, grand prize winner. Click here to listen to their original compositions. Dr. Diane and Paul Jacobson, esteemed teacher-theologian-musicians in the synod, introduced Psalm 111. Click here for their resources for studying the Psalms.

The budget video above as well as all of the videos shown at the 2020 Synod Assembly can be viewed on the synod website at www.spas-elca.org/synod-assembly. Congregations are invited to share them in meetings, worship and on social media; they are available for download from Vimeo. Questions? Contact Director of Communications Mary Smith at communications@spas-elca.org.

Annually, the ELCA sponsors a Youth Leadership Summit, drawing youth from around the country into a several day discernment of their strengths and God’s mission in our world. This year the Nov. 6-7 event will be held virtually. Chosen to represent the Saint Paul Area Synod are Eliana Bly and Henry Reiley, both high school seniors, and their adult advisor, Alex Theship-Rosales. The team is from Pilgrim Lutheran in St. Paul.

We are grateful for the enthusiastic support with which congregations have responded to the synod's Food Shelf Challenge. We've surpassed the $160,000 mark and contributions continue to add up in support for local food shelves and food banks. Learn more at www.spas-elca.org/a-food-shelf-challenge.

The updated salary and compensation guidelines for 2021 are now available. The document provides a point of reference for congregations to determine compensation for pastors, deacons and other staff in our synod. Click here for the document or find it on the synod website at www.spas-elca.org/resources/forms-reports/.

This past spring, ELCA World Hunger rapidly responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by launching Daily Bread Matching Grants. These grants provided 200 congregations with tools to raise funds online for their feeding ministries, along with a $500 grant to drive generosity. In 14 days, the 200 congregations raised well over $200,000, and the energy and impact of the ministry fueled by those funds has been felt widely across the church.

We know that in times of need, this church gets to work and gives abundantly. Thanks to the generous response to the COVID-19 Appeal, ELCA World Hunger will be offering 300+ additional Daily Bread Matching Grants this fall. 

Details for applying via ELCA GrantMaker can be found on elca.org/dailybread and ELCA World Hunger’s social media. Approved participants will be notified shortly before the two-week fundraising period, which will take place Nov. 8-22. Until then, interested congregations should email hunger@elca.org and follow ELCA World Hunger on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for updates.

Eligibility: ELCA congregations with feeding ministries are invited to participate. Grant information will be available in Spanish and English through elca.org/dailybread. Ethnic-specific, multi-cultural and vulnerable congregations will receive priority. ELCA World Hunger staff will coordinate with DEMs to ensure that these congregations receive the support to successfully participate. Congregations that received a Daily Bread Matching Grant already this year are not eligible, but are encouraged to coach and support congregations participating in this round. Congregations without a feeding ministry can get involved by partnering with a congregation that does, multiplying their impact.

The Christian Education Network of the ELCA (CENetwork) is dedicated to supporting lifelong faith formation in the home and congregation. Now more than ever, church leaders need to network and share their experience, resources and insights as we all navigate this new world created by the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognition of the importance of sharing resources, the CENetwork is providing access to all of the online resources it has created and curated over the last three years through its "The Christian Education Network Presents" initiatives. This past year, the focus was on "Learning Strategies for Intergenerational Ministry through the Seasons." However, the organization pivoted to also provide resources for families to use at home and for dealing with the pandemic.

For 2021, the "Christian Education Networks Presents" will be in support of the Life of Faith initiative (https://lifeoffaith.info). This ELCA grassroots effort seeks to equip all God's people for ministry in their daily lives. People see how they serve God and their neighbor through their roles in their job, as spouse/parent/caregiver/friend rather than just in their service at church. In the face of a pandemic which keeps us apart as a gathered community in so many ways, this initiative could not be timelier. CENetwork realizes money is tight, but a donation to support its ministry is always appreciated. Visit the website.

ELCA World Hunger offers a variety of downloadable resources for the upcoming season of Advent, which is a great time to raise awareness for issues surrounding hunger and poverty. These resources include Advent calendars and weekly study guides, resources for newsletters and bulletins, and action guides for congregations. Unlike years past, ELCA World Hunger will not be sending a full sample packet of Advent resources this year. Instead, you may check them out online at https://elca.org/hunger/resources.

The synod office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. A limited number of staff are on-site each day. You may continue to reach all staff members by phone (651-224-4313) or by email.

Rostered and lay leaders alike are invited to a weekly gathering of topical presentations designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders. This is an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation. Recordings of past sessions with supporting documents are available at www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media. You may find upcoming topics and presenters at www.elcacoaching.org/.

or by phone: +1 312 626 6799

We've all been living in the COVID world for several months now. This online course will examine how

pandemics have impacted humankind over time, paying particular attention to how human spirituality can both hinder and facilitate our ability to cope and find meaning, specifically with respect to COVID-19. The course is taught by the Rev. Karen Cherwien, BCC. Topics include:

The cost is $5 per session or $20 for all six sessions. Learn more and register.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Paul invites you to attend its free two-part anti-racism workshop:

Facilitator Donte Curtis is the CEO of Catch Your Dream Consulting where he keynotes, consults, and trains individuals, teams, and organizations nationwide on leadership development and racial equity, and supports them to create practical change. Donte currently serves on the board of directors at Social Enterprise Alliance Twin Cities and Youthprise, where he is a co-chair of the program investment committee. With over 12 years of facilitation and speaking experience, Donte is adept at fostering the collective wisdom in the room and engaging audiences in multiple ways. Register for one or both sessions. (Participants who attend both sessions will have their names put in a raffle to win a $100 Cub Foods Gift Card!) Questions? Contact Deacon Jennifer at schneider1650@gmail.com.

The National Lutheran Choir is offering a free concert with music of remembrance, perseverance and hope for all who have experienced loss in this difficult year. With the very breath of so many being silenced by illness and injustice, NLC commissioned artist in residence Paul Rudoi to compose a new setting of the hymn text “Breathe on me, Breath of God.” This work—and the undying yearning to be comforted and changed by the breath of God—forms a through-line for the program. Also featured are powerful African American spirituals by composer Moses Hogan and arrangers Marques Garrett and William Dawson. These works have much to teach us about God’s love through hardship and loss. Music by John Tavener and Heinrich Schütz round out this newly curated, virtual program that will feature new performances by NLC singers in physically-distanced settings. Watch the concert at www.nlca.com.

The choir invites you to share the name of a loved one who has died in the past year, or of those whose death continues to weigh heavily upon your heart. Names submitted online by Oct. 15 will be included in the All Saints virtual program on Nov. 1. Click here to add memorial names. Listeners will be able to share names during the virtual program in the comments section.

Centering Prayers is a receptive, deep method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of the experience of God's presence within us. Presenters Rev. John Keller and Rev. Luna Gebbengreen invite you to learn how Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him. Each session includes a 20-minute Centering Prayer session. Participants are encouraged to read Thomas Keating's book, Open Mind, Open Heart, between sessions. Learn more.

Get inspired to work to overcome racism where you live, work and play! This year's theme is “Taking Back 'We the People'" What does it mean to be “We the People” through an antiracist lens, in these times? How do we address the rise of right wing populism worldwide? The keynote speaker is Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, noted Scholar on African American Culture & James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor. Other speakers and presenters include: Chanda Smith Baker, Senior Vice President, The Minneapolis Foundation with May Lee-Yang of FAWK; Michael McDowell of Black Lives Matter, Minneapolis; Jim Bear Jacobs of the Minnesota Council of Churches and Judith Marquz Duran of COPAL-MN. The conference is presented by the Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC); the Saint Paul Area Synod is one of the sponsors. The cost is $125 to attend both days or $65 per day; student tickets and limited scholarships are available. Learn more and register.

In a time of global pandemic, unprecedented civic unrest, and political polarization, where can we find spiritual ground? The answer, of course, is the most simple: Jesus Christ. Celebrating Christmas 2020 and the birth of Jesus will be full of all sorts of grief. We are grieving lost routines and lost traditions. We are grieving the loss of loved ones and the loss of civil discourse. Jesus was born in such a time as this and is born for such a time as this. Featuring provocative, imaginative, engaging and short talks from both world-renowned speakers and emerging voices, Church Anew's online event, "Christ | Christmas | Covid," will provide space to grieve and lament, while reclaiming the prophetic hope of this season. This event is free for ministry leaders and faithful people - invite your whole congregation and friends! (Optional on-demand access is available for $30 - individuals and $149 - groups.) Learn more.

At Shobi’s Table we believe in sharing from scratch, delicious and nutritious meals with anyone who comes and everybody who needs it. We’ve been doing this through our pay-as-you-can mobile café throughout almost all of the craziness of 2020 has thrown at us, going from serving twice a month to serving twice a week. We want to keep up the good work, and plan to expand. To do that we need your help!

Your support can provide the ingredients for this From Scratch effort to continue into the future. Come join us for our online fundraiser. We’ll be broadcasting live with Emcee Paul Damico-Carper and special guests Rhoda Habedank, Nate Houge and Beth Dooley! There will be music, cooking demonstrations and ways for you to support the ministry of Shobi’s Table into the future. Watch for more details soon. Together we can gather the ingredients to continue making From Scratch meals available to everyone!

www.spas-elca.org | 651.224.4313