December 14, 2021
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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Discerning a Call to Public Ministry |
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Be a servant companion at ELCA Youth Gathering |
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During God calls everyone to do God's work in the world. How is God calling you? Explore that quesiton in a series of Zoom conversations.
Session One: "Public Ministry in the ELCA"
Learn about discernment resoucres.
Thursday, January 20; 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Session Two: "How Do I Get There?"
Learn about the ELCA candidacy process and hear from seminary partners about various programs.
Thursday, January 27; 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Attending both sessions is enouraged, but you are welcome to attend just one.
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Young adults (19-30 at the time of the ELCA Youth Gathering) are now encouraged to apply to serve as a Servant Companion for the 2022 Gathering! Servant Companions will accompany congregational groups as they encounter and serve the people of Minneapolis during their Service Learning day.
Applicants should be comfortable leading a group, thinking on their feet, and speaking about their faith. Applications are open until January 22, 2022.
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LSS Metro Homeless Youth Services invites you to assist in brightening the lives of youth and children by participating in its annual Youth Holiday Gifts program. Individuals, families, and church groups may participate to bring hope and community connection!
Complete the sign-up form by November 20 to indicate how many youth you wish to support. You will receive your youth wish list(s) with labeling and drop-off instructions. Then shop for the gifts on the list(s), spending $75-$100 per youth or child. Gifts (clearly labeled and unwrapped) must be dropped off by Decrmber 10. Opportunities are also available to provide fill-in gifts for youth who enter programs after wish lists are sent.
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The Magnifcat Turns the World Upside Down |
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"It's the most wonderful time of the year" to make a real difference in people's lives. The ELCA Good Gifts Catalog gives you the opportunity to share your commitment to justice, as well as your abundance, with communities that are sliving on the margins.
You choose the gift you'd like to share with a community and experience making a real difference in the communal life. You can share a goat, bees, a cookstove, or more.
Check out the Good Gifts Catalog (and you might even still be able to send a card)!
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The ELCA Wittenberg Center is offering a three-part webinar entitled “The Magnificat: Turning the World Upside Down.” This webinar series is a collaborative effort across the Service and Justice unit of the ELCA led by the Europe Desk through the ELCA Wittenberg Center. Each of the featured speakers will bring a unique perspective to both the biblical text and Luther’s commentary.
Wednesday, December 15
“My Soul Magnifies the Lord: The Gift of Mary’s Voice”
Rev. Dr. Wanda Deifelt (Luther College) and Rev. Heidi Neumark (Trinity Lutheran, Manhattan) will explore the biblical text from Luke, as well as its interpretation and use over the centuries.
Thursday, December 16
“Brought Down the Mighty from Their Thrones: The Strength of Mary’s Voice”
Rev. Dr. Mary Lowe (Augsburg University) and Rev. Angela Trejos Hagger (Lutheran Augsburg Seminary in Mexico) will explore Luther’s Commentary on the Magnificat and the response with the church to Mary’s song.
Friday December 17
“From Generation to Generation: The Future of Mary’s Voice”
Rev. Dr. Guy Erwin (United Lutheran Seminary) and Rev. Dr. Mercedes Garcia Bachman (Institute for Contextual Pastoral Studies of the Evangelical United Lutheran Church in Argentina and Uruguay) will explore the implication of the texts for the future of humanity and all creation.
All sessions will be held from Noon to 1:00 p.m., Central Time.
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Support our companion synod's dream to start a university
UPDATE: We are almost 60% of the way to the goal!
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As Bishop Ann announced in her blog titled "In the legacy of Luther," the Minneapolis Area Synod is taking an audacious step by raising half-a-million dollars to bring to fruition the dream of a Lutheran University in Nigeria. This institution has been a dream of the leadership of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (with 2.5-million members). The Minneapolis Area Synod (MAS) is the LCCN's only companion synod.
MAS staff has produced resources for congregations and individuals to use as they prayerfully consider this synod-wide effort to raise $500,000 by December 31, and as of today we have raised $263,000. (The Nigerian government wisely requires that sum to be in a bank account before granting approval of a new university, simply to prove viability over the long haul.)
You can help in a variety of ways:
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Read the case statement for a Lutheran university and the commitment of the LCCN to bring it into being.
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Check the synod's web page for resources, including a video about the effort by our synod to raise $500,000 with and for our companion synod (more information below).
- Consider your capacity to make a special thank offering for Archbishop Musa Filibus and the leadership of the LCCN and the university.
- Give in these ways:
- Text "LUN" to 44-321
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Visit the website for online donation options
- Send a check to the synod office:
- 122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 600, Minneapolis, MN 55404
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- Pray for the fundraising effort and for the leadership of the Lutheran University Nigeria, including Archbishop Musa Filibus, who is also the President of Lutheran World Federation.
Thank you for any and all support you are able to offer in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the building of a university in our companion synod.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen reflects on the founding of St. Olaf College (with her grandfather in the tenth graduating class) and the pride graduates of all Lutheran institutions now feel. She invites us to imagine the sense of pride that future Lutheran University Nigeria graduates will feel in their alma mater. The Minneapolis Area Synod is the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria's only companion synod. We are in a unique position to financially support efforts to bring that dream into reality. |
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Handel's The Messiah
available for holiday enjoyment
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Being Here Podcast –
New Episodes
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The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra hopes to fill your holidays with good cheer by sharing George Frideric Handel's The Messiah with the Twin Cities community. You can experience this performance, which includes The Singers vocal ensemble, an all-star roster of vocal soloists, and conductor Jeanette Sorrell, by watching at these times:
Twin Cities PBS Television Broadcast
Saturday, December 25; 7:00 p.m.
On-Demand Streaming
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Being Here, a podcast that explores real world issues and topics important to professionals in the faith community, has added three new episodes. Join host the Rev. Melissa Pohlman, as she welcomes three new guests to share their experiences and points of view on navigating retirement; Christian conversations about racial justice; and creative approaches to innovative ministry. Being Here invites us to learn together, listen to each other, grow together, and move forward together — stronger, more resilient as a unique community. |
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ELCA Coaching: Different generations, same mission? |
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The Courageous Leadership Series, offered by ELCA Coaching, will host a conversation between two faith leaders with more than 60 years difference between them. You are invited to join this lively conversation.
Wednesday, December 15,
1:00 p.m., Central Time
Zoom
Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Passcode: 648160
Rev. Arne Jessen is a retired ELCA pastor, a retired Navy Chaplain, and a member of the inactive retired reserve corps. Since his retirement, he has served as Interim Pastor for twelve congregations, as a clergy coach, and as pulpit supply. Arne was raised on a Nebraska cattle feeding farm with eleven siblings where they all spoke Danish at home. He married the love of his life in 1956 and was ordained in 1959. Arne earned both his MDiv and MTh in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Luther Seminary, then he earned his PhD in Religious Education from NYU, followed by post-graduate studies in Leadership and Change. Arne and Meryl have four children, eleven grandchildren, and are expecting their first great grandchild.
Baird Linke is a second-year candidate for Word and Sacrament ministry through the Montana Synod and studying at Wartburg Theological Seminary. His ministry work has taken him from the mountains of northwest Montana to Buenos Aires, Argentina; from South Minneapolis back home again to Helena, Montana, where he works for Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church and ELCA Coaching’s Congregations Lead Initiative. Baird is passionate about environmental and economic justice and pastoral care. He is an outdoor nut and when he isn’t doing homework he is outside running, mountain biking, rock climbing, and backpacking with his dog Kintla. Both Baird and Kintla welcome your prayers as they prepare to receive their internship assignment this spring
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? |
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be attending Pastor Dale Peterson's retirement celebration at Faith Lutheran Church, Waconia, on Sunday, December 19.
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Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Faith Lutheran Church, Isanti, on Sunday, December 19.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell worship service for Pastor Jerod Freeberg at St. John’s Lutheran, Shakopee, on Sunday, December 19.
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Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Our Redeemer Oromo Evangelical Church, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 9.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be conducting a Ministry Site Profile at Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 9.
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Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Trinity Lutheran Congregation, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 16.
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Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Zion Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 23.
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Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at St. Paul/San Pablo, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 30.
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