August 2, 2022
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff members are splitting time between in-office and remote work; the office remains closed to public meetings. This protocol will be evaluated periodically to reflect the CDC guidelines for vaccinated persons.
Churchwide Assembly August 8 - 12
The 2022 triennial ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be held in Columbus, Ohio, August 8 - 12. The Minneapolis Area Synod will send 34 voting members to the assembly, where they will worship, discern, celebrate, share, listen, and vote. Keep our voting members, as well as those from across the ELCA, in your thoughts and prayers during this important time.

The event will be open for visitors to view via livestream. If you are interested, some synod staff members will be following the livestream from the conference room in the synod office. You are welcome to join us if you'd like company for your viewing pleasure. (There are even rumors of popcorn for those who attend.) A schedule of the assembly sessions is available online.
Diagnosis: FOMO
“I have a six-year-old sister, Camille. She is the youngest of nine siblings, so she is the cutest, the whiniest, and the most picked-on (which makes her the toughest, too). She also has the biggest case of FOMO of all of us. FOMO is the “fear of missing out” and the youngest of my parent’s children lives in this state constantly. At mealtimes, she frequently requests whatever condiment others are using, even if she has never had it and has no idea if she likes it.”
Opportunities from United Theological Seminary
ConNext Summit 2022: In the Ways of Jesus: Gracious Idleness, Scrappy Transformation, Radical Belonging is an opportunity for congregational leaders -- clergy, staff, or volunteer -- to process the last few years with comedy improv troupe Danger Boat Productions; strengthen collegial community led by musician Sara Thomsen; rest and renew at Christ the King retreat center; and get inspired by ministry innovations created by neighboring communities. Offered by United Theological Seminary, early bird registration available through August only!
Experiences of division, isolation, and despair are overwhelming. BELONGING offers connection, encouragement, and hope.
The Ministry Lab invites clergy, faith formation, worship, and other congregational leaders to join our Blue Whirl Webinar Series: Belonging: Welcome Wellbeing, a lineup running from September 13 to November 8.
What does ministry with children look like now?
Children’s ministry staff and key volunteers are invited to talk about “The New Look of Kids’ Ministry!” Join Rachelle Gill (Easter, Eagan) and Julie Vagle (Trinity, Long Lake) to discuss the changes in children’s ministry that have worked and the new ideas you are trying this fall. Bring your marketing ideas and graphics so we can share screens and spark some great conversations! If you have questions, contact Rachelle Gill.

Monday, August 8; 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Children’s ministry gatherings are offered regularly as a partnership of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods. Notes from previous gatherings may be found in the “files” section of the Twin Cities CYF ELCA Facebook group.
Live the tag line in 2022
Join hundreds of ELCA congregations across the nation on Sunday, September 11 for the year's ELCA special day of service, "God's work. Our hands." Sunday. If your congregation is trying to decide a way to do ministry together on this day, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota can help identify local service opportunities that helps the exploration of a basic Lutheran conviction: that all of life in Christ -- every act of service, in every daily calling and in every corner of life -- flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God's grace. 

Lutheran World Federation offers global ecological resource
Seasons of Creation
As followers of Christ from around the globe, Lutherans share a common call to care for creation, to be co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Humanity's wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth.

This year, the theme for the season is Listen to the Voice of Creation. This resource guide will help you learn about the season and plan to celebrate it. More resources, including webinars and prayer services, a Facebook page, and photos, are available online.

Visit www.SeasonOfCreation.org to access all the materials.

Does your congregation support affordable housing for your neighbors?
“Housing: A Practical Guide for Learning, Advocating and Building” is a new ELCA World Hunger resource for congregations who want to learn about and take action to address the housing crisis in their communities.
For congregations new to this work, this resource will provide step-by-step guidance on how to build awareness and capacity around the root causes of homelessness, how to become an advocate for affordable housing and people experiencing homelessness, and, finally, how to build affordable housing.
For congregations already involved in this work, the resources in this guide can help with congregation and community education, training new volunteers, and refining your current project.
Youth ministry gathering this week
Join youth leaders from across the Twin Cities to discuss fall programming plans and how they are connecting with the youth and families that are showing up. During the online meeting, participants will also brainstorm how to minister to those who are not!

This discussion over Zoom will be facilitated by youth leaders in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods.

Thursday, August 4; 10:00 a.m.
Zoom meeting: glcav.us/zoom
Meeting ID: 416 478 3219
password: grace
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be participating in VBS on the Farm with Cristo Obrero, Chaska, from now through Friday, August 5.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be leading a Ministry Site Profile conversation at Transfiguration Lutheran, Bloomington, on Sunday, August 7.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching and presiding at St. John’s Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, August 7.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Jonathan Rundman at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran, Prior Lake, on Sunday, August 14. He will serve as pastor at that congregation.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Sara Jensen at Holy Trinity Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, August 14. She will serve as pastor of Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer, Minneapolis.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be preaching and presiding at Crown of Glory Lutheran, Chaska, on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14.
  • Mr. Jack Hurbanis will be preaching at St. James Lutheran, Crystal, on Sunday, August 14.
  • Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at Cross of Peace Lutheran, Shakopee, on Sunday, August 14.
  • Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at Family of God Lutheran, Brooklyn Park, on Sunday, August 21.
  • Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at Glen Cary Lutheran, Ham Lake, on Sunday, August 28.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org