February 2, 2021
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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Synod Tool Kit scheduled for Saturday, March 13 |
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Hop on a video call with your church council, leaders from around the synod, and Bishop Ann Svennungsen to gain valuable tools to help your church in times like these. There will be workshops on preventing burnout, young adult ministry, racial justice, budgets, and more.
Saturday, March 13
9:00 a.m. – Time with Bishop Ann
10:00 a.m. – Workshops I
11:00 a.m. – Workshops II
Spotlight of two of the workshops:
Why Church?
Are members of your congregation able to discern and describe how God is at work in their lives and in the context of your ministry? Is your congregation seen as relevant by your neighbors, working with them for a just and healthy community? Do your members feel compelled and confident to graciously invite friends and family to church?
Standing with Immigrants: From resolution to action
In 2019, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed a memorial to become a Sanctuary Denomination. In 2020, the Synod Council passed "A Resolution to Stand with Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers." Through these public statements, ELCA Lutherans are declaring themselves to be people who want to welcome and walk alongside immigrants and refugees as a matter of faith. But memorials and resolutions must be put into action to be truly impactful. This workshop will delve deeper into the content of these declarations -- the nation-wide memorial and the synodical resolution -- and will provide attendees with resources and tools for educating and equipping their congregations to put the words of these statements into action.
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Will you be someone's special "valentine"? |
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Are you ready to share a smile with someone special -- who you don't even know -- this Valentine’s Day?
Give honeybees ($20), a fruit-tree seedling ($10) or a piglet ($30) in honor of your valentine and help someone around the world overcome hunger and poverty. Each gift provides a sustainable source of food, income or both to help a family in need. This Valentine’s Day, you can share the love of Christ far and wide!
Donate now and print or email one of the limited-edition cards to let your valentine know about your sweet gift. Card options are available after checkout.
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Linda Post Bushkofksy wrote this for a Women of the ELCA blog in 2010:
"February 2 is Candlemas Day. Falling midway between the winter solstice and the spring spring equinox, Candlemas historically was a day to bring candles to church to be blessed, drawing upon Simeon’s statement that Jesus is a “light to reveal” God to the nations. In some traditions a great bonfire was made with Christmas trees on this day, signaling the end of the Christmas season. As a sign of new beginnings, many commit to new goals on Candlemas." ...
"So today you could be focusing on Phil’s forecast, wondering how much more winter you will see. You could be focusing on the returning light and blessing some candles. You could be welcoming spring and making new commitments. You could be joining in Simeon’s song. As for me, I’ll be baking some groundhog cookies."
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Upcoming Trainings for
Addiction Team Ministry
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Addiction issues of every kind are at an all-time high during this pandemic. Addiction takes many forms, not just substance abuse, but unhealthy behaviors that hurt individuals and whole families. Your congregation can create a ministry to help those who suffer.
The Center of Addiction & Faith is offering this Addiction Ministry Training to help address this problem. As we come out of this pandemic, your congregation can be preparing to understand these issues and how they can be addressed in healthy healing ways.
Thursday, February 4;
Tuesday, February 9
6:00-9:00 p.m.
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Living Well, Leading Well |
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A monthly series of virtual workshops sponsored by Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center promoting wholeness, wellbeing, and renewal in our personal and professional lives. Each workshop will be taught by specialists in the areas of counseling, biblical studies, peace-making, and pastoral ministry. See below for details on our next two topics in this series.
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Cultivating Wisdom
Thursday February 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. | $20
Every day brings a new flood of information. It’s difficult to take it all in, much less to discern what bits are trustworthy, significant, and true. Perhaps what’s missing is not information so much as wisdom. In this workshop, participants will explore what the Bible’s wisdom tradition has to offer Christians facing the peculiar challenges of life today. Rev. Dr. Carol M. Bechtel, professor of Old Testament at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, will lead this timely and interactive online event.
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Pursuing Justice
Thursday March 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. | $20
Join Rev. Chris Dorsey to learn about the call to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). Dorsey is president of Higher Education & Leadership Ministries and has worked as a university chaplain and professor of preaching. Dorsey has significant leadership experience in racial justice and equity in churches and seminaries.
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? |
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be offering a farewell greeting to Pastor Deb Bergstrand at St. John's Lutheran, Mound, on Sunday, February 7.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be installing Pastor Miriam Samuelson-Roberts at Christ Church Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, February 14.
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Pastor John Hulden will be offering a farewell greeting to Pastor Sarah Anderson at Christ Lutheran, Blaine, on Sunday, February 14.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be conducting a Mission Site Profile at Grace University Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, February 14.
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Pastor John Hulden will be offering a farewell greeting to Deacon Glenndy Ose at Our Saviour’s Lutheran, East Bethel, on Sunday, February 28.
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