January 24, 2023

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Spots now open for cogregations to engage

new faith and neighboring practices cohort

Over the past two years, 13 congregations in the Minneapolis Area Synod have been learning and experimenting with the small simple practices that sustain our relationship with God and neighbor as part of the Faith Practices & Neighboring Practices learning community. This initiative, funded by the Lilly Endowment, is committed to the idea that congregational vitality emerges from these relationships and the awareness of God’s activity in the places where we live and worship. Each month, learning cohorts meet to experiment with spiritual and community-based practices, to discuss where and how God is at work in the community, and to imagine what’s possible in our congregations and neighborhoods.

If your congregation is curious about what God is up to in your community and looking for a community of practice to learn alongside, consider applying for the second round of the Faith Practices & Neighboring Practices learning community. Together, we’ll learn to listen deeply to God and neighbor, to discern our own call as congregations, and to build authentic and creative relationships with our neighbors.

If you would like to apply, please complete this form. The Faith Practices & Neighboring Practices team will reach out to schedule a follow up conversation to determine if your congregation would be a good candidate for this learning community. If you have any questions, contact Nick Tangen.

Reclaim to gather in Minneapolis

Reclaim is a curated gathering for Lutheran people of African Descent of all ages and gender identities. The African Descent community thrives most when gathered.

Save the Date!

September 14 - 17

Central Lutheran and

Redeemer Lutheran



Early Bird Registration: $350

Standard Registration: $400

Late Registration $450

Young Adult Track: $300

Grounded in scripture, this gathering seeks to help participants feel Embodied, emboldened, and liberated in their identities. Over the four-day gathering, participants will engage in workshops, shared meals, and praise and worship designed to build and strengthen community, teach new skills, share resources, and rejuvenate weary souls.

Thursday workshop series on Bowen System Theory

Rostered ministers and interns with an interest in Bowen Systems Theory are invited to join the learning and conversation. In January, the topic is "Family Projection Process."

Thursday, January 26

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

St. Stephen, Bloomington

or Online

Cost: $30

This group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The agenda includes one hour of teaching and one hour of a shared case study. The leaders are the Rev. Wendy Vie Trittin and the Rev. Dr. Jules Erickson. Contact Pastor Tom Olson with questions.

Portico support for filing taxes early

Servant of Christ annual award: Nominations now open

Getting started on your taxes early? The Richard R. Hammar Clergy Tax Guide and the Federal Reporting Guide for Churches are both available on myPortico at no cost to you.

Each year, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota recognizes the many contributions of partnering congregations through the Servant of Christ Award. This award celebrates faith communities that are leaders in social ministry and social justice, have a connection to LSS services, and faithfully provide financial support for the service ministry of LSS. Nominate a single congregation – or congregations in partnership – that are working alongside LSS in service of their neighbors by Friday, January 27. 

Latinx Ministry Competence Workshop

Is there a growing Latinx community in your area? How is your church preparing itself to be involved in cross-cultural ministry among Latinx people?

Join a group of learners and practitioners desiring to enhance their cultural competence to help start or strengthen their ministry with and among the Latinx communities. This workshop will explore socio-cultural and historical foundations that undergird the uniqueness and diversity within the Latinx comunities.

Thursday, January 26 and Friday, January 27; 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 28; 9:00 a.m. - Noon

Online only

Cost: $250 for individual; $600 for congregation

The Rev. Dr. Ruben Duran will be the primary presenter.

This initiative is part of an ELCA Churchwide effort to "activate ourselves so that more people may know the way of Jesus and experience community, justice, and love." It is hosted by Wartburg Theological Seminary and Centro Teologico Lutherano Multicultural.

Commission etablished to re-evaluate the structure of the ELCA

The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly directed “the Church Council to establish a Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church comprised of leaders of diverse representation from all three expressions that, working in consultation with the Conference of Bishops and the Church Council, shall reconsider the statements of purpose for each of the expressions of this church, the principles of its organizational structure, and all matters pertaining thereunto, being particularly attentive to our shared commitment to dismantle racism, and will present its findings and recommendations to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in preparation for a possible reconstituting convention to be called under the rules for a special meeting of the Churchwide Assembly.” At its November 2022 meeting, the Church Council authorized the establishment of a Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) to consist of no more than 35 voting members. It directed the Executive Committee of the Church Council to initiate the process of forming the commission. 

The commission will be composed of three voting members from each region of this church, for a total of 27, and up to eight at-large voting members. The member's role will be to represent the interests of this whole church while also bringing the perspective of the member’s geographical area and being mindful of other considerations.

The open nomination process allows for self-nomination or the nomination of others. The deadline for nominations is March 9.

Minneapolis to host the 2023 Festival of Homiletics

“Preaching Hope for a Weary World” is the Festival of Homiletics’ response to the hardships and heaviness that have been our reality the last few years. 

Monday, May 15 - Wednesday, May 18

Minneapolis (Central Lutheran and Westminster Presbyterian)

From a pandemic, to protests, to politics, and polarization; from wars, to gun violence, and climate change catastrophes, what is our call to preach? 

Hope. 

Surprisingly, in looking back over Festival themes there has never been a focus on hope. Yet, who better to name hope into our world than preachers? 

We believe in a hope that defies all odds. A hope that speaks of new life amid death. A hope that reaches for justice amid inequity. A hope that knows the promise of God’s righteousness amid fear and despair. 

The Festival of Homiletics 2023 will inspire us to a renewed sense of our radical calling. 

Our weary world needs us, preachers. Hope wins.

Come renew, refresh, and recharge your spirit!

• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Per Halaas at Christ the King Lutheran, Bloomington, on Saturday, January 28.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be presiding at the Service of Holy Closure at St. Andrew Lutheran, East Bethel, on Sunday, January 29.
• Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at St. Andrew Lutheran, East Bethel, on Sunday, January 29.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a forum at Tree of Life Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Tuesday, January 31.
• Ms. Emilie Bouvier will be leading an adult forum at Advent Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Wednesday, February 1.
• Pastor Craig Pederson will be leading a church council training session at Christ Lutheran, Blaine, on Saturday, February 4.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile review at Servant of Christ Lutheran, Champlin, on Sunday, February 5.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading an adult forum at Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, February 12.
• Pastor John Hulden will be leading a Ministry Site Profile review at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, February 12.
• Pastor Craig Pederson will be installing Pastor Jason Van Hunnik as senior pastor at Westwood Lutheran, St. Louis Park, on Sunday, February 12.
• Pastor Norma Malfatti will be attending Pastor Elise Pokel's farewell at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis, on Sunday, February 12.
• Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching and leading an adult forum at Zion Lutheran, Anoka, on Sunday, February 19.
• Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Maple Grove Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Sunday, February 19.
• Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell for Pastor Erik Sevig at Community of Christ Lutheran, Bloomington, on Sunday, February 19.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be installing Pastor Jay Carlson at Holy Cross Lutheran, on Sunday, February 19.

• Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
• Conference Assemblies, Various dates in February
• EcoFaith Summit, February 4
• Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders, February 11
• A Story of Hope from the Holy Land, February 11
• Youth Ministry Gathering, February 14
• Trauma and Its Healing, February 21
• "George Floyd Woke Me Up. Now What?," with David Scherer and Joe Davis, March 12
• Youth Ministry Gathering, March 14
• Spring Ministerium, March 23
• Youth Ministry Gathering, April 11
• 2023 Synod Assembly, April 28-29
• Western States Youth Gathering, July 4-6
• Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 17-20
• Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24-26