February 01, 2022
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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ELCA Introduces “Now Is the Time” Study Guide |
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America introduces "Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent" to help congregations wrestle with the meaning of the declaration, adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, and its accompanying explanation.
In the declaration, the ELCA "apologizes to people of African descent for its historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally. We lament the white church's failure to work for the abolition of slavery and the perpetuation of racism in this church."
"Now Is the Time" stresses realism, self-examination, and accountability as the church acknowledges and apologizes for the history and impact of slavery and systemic racism. The study guide focuses on deepening our understanding of this history as participants engage in often-difficult conversation and reflection to move the church toward racial healing and justice.
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Life Together: Synod Assembly 2022 |
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There are few in our communities who haven't come to know the nimbleness and patience it takes to safely gather these days. Nevertheless, we move forward—thoughtfully, with alert to public health recommendations, and centering care for community above all else.
Synod Assembly 2022 will be held on Saturday, April 30th at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. We are excited to be planning for an in-person event, with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 48 hours as requirement for attendance. The assembly will be live streamed, but online voting will not be an option.
Stay tuned for more details, including registration, which will be coming soon.
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#TalksAtTheDesk is an African Descent Ministries Project for Black History Month
Join the ELCA African Descent Ministries each Wednesday in February at 7:30pm for story telling.
Ways you can participate:
2. Every Wednesday at 7:30pm CT host a watch party with your community or congregation.
3. Like and Share posts and stories of our African Descent leaders and lay folk every day.
4. Use your financial resources to give back and support the various missions and ministries that we feature as well as African Descent businesses and nonprofits in your local community.
5. Use this as an opportunity to equip your congregations to receive and affirm diverse leadership so when more Lutheran leaders are ready for call- they are welcomed and supported by your congregation.
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Message from the ELCA Youth Gathering Team |
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Official Statement from the ELCA Youth Gathering Team on the 2022 Youth Gathering:
"After much prayer, conversation and tears, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2022 Gathering, MYLE and the tAble due to the ongoing pandemic, the recent COVID-19 surge and public health considerations.
We know there are thousands of young people who will not get to experience the Gathering, and our hearts break for them. This was not an easy decision, and we ask for your prayers and your grace. We understand the impact this decision will have on our youth, volunteers and planning teams, and we hope to return
to Minneapolis for a future Gathering
Registered congregations can visit their registration accounts starting Monday, Feb. 7, to select their desired refund option. For more information and FAQs, please visit elca.org/Gathering.
With God’s power at work in and through us, we can do far more than we dare ask or imagine! The ELCA is fully committed to supporting the young people of our church and to seeing that the ministry of the Gathering, MYLE and the tAble continue for years to come. With that assurance, we are turning our attention toward 2024 for the next Gathering. Stay tuned to Gathering communications for a location announcement this summer.
Grace and peace."
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The ELCA's online system for Forms A & C is now open! Please complete the forms online by March 1, 2022.
Go to the ELCA site and type in your Congregation ID number and password (found on the top right corner of Form A that was mailed to you).
This is an important ministry that provides congregations, synods, the churchwide organization, assemblies, agencies, and institutions with valuable information for evaluating and planning the mission of this church. Your careful attention to accuracy helps to increase the usefulness of statistical analysis.
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Lenten EcoFaith Series on Plastics |
Calling all congregations in Hennepin County to participate in a Lenten EcoFaith Series on Plastics.
Have you ever tried giving up plastic for Lent? Or wonder how you would even try? With support and partnership from Hennepin County we’re hosting a series of Tuesday evening learning opportunities to make environmental action on plastics a part of your Lenten discipline. We’ll focus on easy and repeatable steps to reduce personal plastic use and will reflect on how our environmental practices shape us as people of faith.
Participating congregation members can join live on Zoom Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm or receive a packet of materials to do as individuals, pods, or groups on their own. We’ll have short video clips and worship resources available to incorporate into midweek services as well!
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Annual Tool Kit Workshop Session Highlights |
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We are looking forward to offering 11 virtual Tool Kit workshops on several Tuesday and Thursday evenings in March. The schedule, list of all workshops, and registration can be found on the synod website linked below. 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.
Congregations & Community Care: Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Reintegration led by Rev. Aaron Fuller
This workshop focuses on helping congregations see their role in preventing, intervening, and reintegrating persons who are experiencing the reality of suicide. Our time will include discussing stigma and barriers to care, strategies for congregations and their leaders, and resources for further exploration. Aaron Fuller is serving as pastor at Our Father's Lutheran, Rockford and as a Navy Reserve Chaplain with extensive training and experience in community-based approaches to addressing suicide.
Navigating Wilderness Whitewater in the Winter: Future-ready Leadership Skills led by Deacon Stephanie Luedtke
These pandemic times have been described in so many ways. They are a time of wilderness, when we all are wandering through uncharted lands. These times have been described as navigating whitewater, where the rapids and currents are the norm, and everything is changing. Finally, we’ve been given a meteorological metaphor—we began by thinking our time of covid was a blizzard, then a winter, but in reality, we’ve moved into an ice age—an entirely new way of understanding how to do life and ministry. In this session, I will share the characteristics of a leader who is prepared for an uncertain future, help you recognize which of these characteristics you best embody and which you can further develop, and we will consider how we can take these leadership qualities front and center in a time when what we do is far less important than how we do it.
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Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts |
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Early bird registration is now open for the Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts. The CWTA brings together clergy, worship musicians, and lay leaders from around the country. Participants are offered a variety of seminars, sessions, and plenaries, as well as time for networking and spiritual reflection.
The 2022 conference will take place July 25-28 at St. Olaf, with a virtual oping being offered. This year's theme is Scatter the Imagination of Our Hearts, based on Mary’s proclamation in the Magnificat that the proud will be scattered in the imagination of their hearts. The conference will invite participants to explore how the power of imagination can challenge, change, and inspire, especially as churches respond to the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism.
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? |
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will offer a greeting at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis on Sunday, February 13.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordinating and installing Kristen Dybdal at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Plymout, on Sunday, February, 13.
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Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Spirit of Joy Lutheran, Buffalo on Sunday, February 13.
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Meghan Olsen Biebighauser will be sharing about economic justice organizing with the Theology on Tap small group at Shephard of the Lake Lutheran, Prior Lake on Wednesday, February 16.
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Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at St. Andrew Lutheran, East Bethel on Sunday, February 20.
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Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at Cross of Glory Lutheran, Brooklyn Center on Sunday, February 27.
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