August 31, 2021
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff are celebrating the fact that Minnesota is officially at a 70% vaccination rate. Although the staff is now splitting time between in-office and remote work, the office will remain closed to public meetings. This protocol will be evaluated periodically to reflect the CDC guidelines for vaccinated persons. 
Synod Hunger Program Gathering
Increasing wealth disparities means vulnerable people experience hunger more often and for longer periods. If your congregation works to ensure that we live in a world where all are fed, you are invited to join with other congregational leaders to compare and share ideas.
 
Monday, September 13
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Zoom
 
Petra Rickertsen, the Networks Manager for ELCA World Hunger Domestic Unit, will join us virtually to share exciting collaborations in other synods and creative ways that we can deepen connections between the various congregational ministries within the synod.

If your congregation doesn't currently have a hunger project but would like to, come to hear what other church leaders are doing. We'd love to have you.

The Zoom link will be sent out three days before the event.
Putting it into practice
“Meeting with Lilly-funded project directors and leaders wrestling with questions about community engagement and Christian practice has reminded me again of the great diversity of our communities’ experiences, and the existing giftedness within each and every faith community. It is clear in conversation with other grantees that congregations across the country, while facing some very similar challenges, are facing them with their own unique flavor and are increasingly discovering the strength and wisdom present in their experience.” 
Going back to summer school ...
and learning advocacy for the sake of the world
Through advocacy, the ELCA community can create lasting, systemic change. If you want to get involved in faith-based advocacy but aren’t sure where to begin, sign up for Advocacy Summer School. The five-part, online series is being offered by ELCA Advocacy in collaboration with ELCA Peace Not Walls. Future sessions will cover ways to carry out advocacy work and specific policy issues where the Lutheran community can make an impact.

Wednesdays, August 11 through September 8
1-1:45 p.m., Central Time
Online

Join one session or all five, and learn how to lift our voices together to advance the common good.

  • September 1 -- Let's Talk: About the Holy Land
  • September 8 -- Let's Talk: About Immigration
The Stewardship Corner
Occasionally,
congregational leaders who are engaged in stewardship activities within the synod will be asked to share their unique perspective on generosity and gratitude. The first such reflection is offered by Ian Heseltine, a recent Augsburg University graduate. Ian shares an experience of participating in the campus ministry programs at Augsburg.
Bell ringing on September 11
City of Bells has been invited to participate in the official State of Minnesota 9/11 Ceremony on Saturday, September 11. Congregations with bells are invited to join the community in bell ringing according to the follwing schedule:

  • 7:46 a.m.-7:47 a.m. (Flight 11);
  • 8:03 a.m.- 8:04 a.m. (Flight 175);
  • 8:37 a.m.-8:38 a.m. (Flight 77); and
  • 9:03 a.m.-9:04 a.m. (Flight 93)

The goal of City of Bells is to surround the metro community and beyond in bell ringing at the times listed below in coordination with the bell ringing by The Liberty Bell and a bell from the Minnesota Military Museum on the steps of the State Capitol.
Lutheran Disaster Response responds to wildfires
The 2021 wildfire season is devastating the western United States. A prolonged drought and extreme heat waves are causing wildfires to spread rapidly, which makes them difficult to contain. California is currently the hardest-hit state — the Dixie Fire, in Northern California, is already the second largest wildfire in the state’s history, having burned over 505,000 acres. Tens of thousands of people are under evacuation orders, and hundreds of buildings have been destroyed.

The fires are not limited to California; more than 100 wildfires are now burning throughout 15 states. Smoke from these fires is carried across the country, a sign of the far-reaching effects of worsening wildfires.
Lutheran Disaster Response is working with synods and social ministry organizations in California and other western states to develop a coordinated response to the wildfires. We anticipate that immediate needs will include food and other necessities. Long-term recovery will likely take years. Because emotional and spiritual care is a key aspect of disaster response, the Sierra Pacific Synod is developing a Lutheran Chaplaincy Corps, training rostered leaders and laypeople to offer such care to first responders and survivors after a disaster.
"God's Work Our Hands" is only a few weeks away
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is Sunday, September 12, 2021. This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

Service activities offer an opportunity for all church members 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.

If you take photos of your congregation's activities on "God's Work. Our Hands" Sunday, please send copies to Kayla Zopfi. The synod would love to share the photos via social media. (Please make sure that you have permision to share the photographs.)
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen and Pastor Norma Malfatti will be attending a "back to school" event with Cristo Obrero Church, Chaska, at Riverview Terrace Mobile Home Parks on Wednesday, September 1.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell for Pastor Kari Bahe at St. John Lutheran, Zimmerman, on Sunday, September 5.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Minnesota Swahili Congregation, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 5.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen and Pastor Norma Malfatti will be attending the "holy closure" final worship service at Bethany Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 12.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at Family of God Lutheran, Brooklyn Park, for its 50th anniversary celebration on Sunday, September 19.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be overseeing a Ministry Site Profile at Mount Olivet Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, September 26.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org