Last week, the Saint Paul Area Synod hosted a Zoom call for congregational lay leaders and rostered ministers on how to hold an online annual meeting in light of continued limitations to in-person meetings due to COVID-19. As a follow-up to that conversation with Synod Attorney Sarah Crippen, the synod created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that covers constitutional requirements, notification of congregation members, logistical concerns, how to vote and other questions. Please read the FAQ document and contact the synod office if there are further questions.

The theme for the November issue of Living Lutheran was “Together at the Table.” In keeping with this theme, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shared her favorite food and faith story, which originally appeared in her September 2017 column.

A lot has gone on in our family and in the world these past decades. Marriages, children, moves, deaths, war, recession, elections, the ’60s. We are a lively bunch and none of us lacks an opinion or the ability to express it. Conversations were spirited and sometimes heated. My father and my uncle served in the army during World War II. My older brother and older male cousins didn’t support the Vietnam War. We belong to different political parties. We are Lutheran and Catholic and members of the Unification Church and unchurched. We are liberal and conservative. But no matter what, when my mother or my aunt announced, “Supper’s ready,” we all came to the table together. We were family, we shared our lives, we loved each other.

Read the full column in English or Spanish.

You are invited to a series of free conversations with the Moments of Arising Videos, sponsored by the EcoFaith Network and Together Here Ministries of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod, and the Saint Paul Area Synod's Care of Creation Work Group.  

Applications are now being accepted for the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program for the 2021-2022 program year. If you're a young adult ages 21 to 29, you can apply for an international service year that will shape your faith, career, identity and understanding of how you fit into God's work in the world.

Through YAGM, you'll learn what it means to serve in a spirit of accompaniment as you walk alongside global church companions. You'll immerse yourself in new community and form deep relationships with the people you meet. And you'll confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, gender privilege, economic disparity and globalization, all through the lens of faith. Learn more and apply on the ELCA website. Application deadline: Jan. 15, 2021.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota invites you to consider helping to brighten the lives of young people through its Sponsor A Youth holiday gift program. Individuals, families or groups are invited to participate. Just complete the sponsor form by Nov. 20 and you'll receive a wish list with instructions. Then shop for the gifts, spending $75-$100 per youth. Gifts can be dropped off at an LSS site on designated days and times between Dec. 4-11. Fill-in gifts are also welcome - visit the sponsor form link above and look under "Additional Information" at the bottom of the page.

In 1910, L.O. Fossum began a trek to one of the wildest frontiers of the Middle East. Traveling by ship, train and horseback, his goal was to found a mission in the remote heart of Kurdistan. That mission is today's Lutheran Mideast Development, which is marking 110 years of uninterrupted Lutheran service to the Kurds.

Pastor John Snider from St. Stephen's in West St. Paul, where LMD is headquarted, has shared with us a write-up and photos about the life of L.O. Fossum. Learn more.

Last Wednesday we emailed a survey to rostered ministers serving in congregations to request information about practices and plans during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have not yet completed the survey, we ask that one person per congregation do so as soon as possible. Thank you!

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 are invited to a weekly gathering of topical presentations designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders. On Nov. 18, the topic is "Growing Young: Keychain Leadership." When we entrust leadership opportunities to others – particularly to young people – we are handing them a deeper sense of belonging and contribution to the realm of God. We will explore what it means to give away the keys to the church. Who gets to lead in your congregation or ministry? Is it only experienced leaders, or flawless leaders, or those of a certain age? Research from Fuller Youth Institute has shown that people ages 15-29 are looking for a role to play right now in the church, and they want to learn alongside other leaders who can show them the way. Those leaders are taking keys off their own keychains and handing them over to young people – keys of responsibility, authority, influence and access. Young adults Kendyll Ward and Kash Campbell will share with us who has given them the keys to leadership with the church. In preparation, please read John 21:15-19 and begin to think about your ministry context and whether young people are being given shared responsibility in the life of your ministry. Recordings of past sessions are available at www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media. Upcoming topics and presenters may be found at www.elcacoaching.org/.

or by phone: +1 312 626 6799

Shobi's Table, the food truck ministry supported by the Saint Paul Area Synod, believes in sharing delicious and nutritious meals to everybody who needs them. Currently serving twice a week in St. Paul, the pay-as-you-can café is seeking to expand even further. Your donation this week will help them meet their $10,000 goal!

Join the Shobi's Table crew online this Sunday (Facebook and YouTube) for an hour-long program with Emcee Paul Damico-Carper (assistant music director/worship production at Gloria Dei), and musical performances from Rhoda Anderson Habedank (singer/songwriter) and Nate Hogue (singer/songwriter and bread baker), as well as a cooking demonstration from Beth Dooley (author of In Winter’s Kitchen and co-author of The Sioux Chef). Just visit https://shobistable.org/from-scratch/ for the links! The donation portal is already open!

www.spas-elca.org | 651.224.4313