Last month we announced the news that Dr. Anna Marsh has accepted a position at Luther Seminary as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Old Testament. She has been serving as the executive assistant to the bishop and program director for the synod's Lilly Grant. Her last day with the synod will be June 24.

We invite you to join us in sending Anna off with our gratitude for her years of service to the synod and our well wishes for her new endeavors. A reception will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Christ on Capitol Hill, 105 University Ave. W., St. Paul. No registration is required.

The Saint Paul Area Synod is seeking applicants for a front office administrator & event planner. This full-time employee will maintain synod records; schedule repairs and maintenance for the office; oversee logistics for a variety of events; and assist other staff with mobility, candidacy, vitality and leadership development tasks. View the full job description. To apply, send a cover letter and resume, along with three references including emails and phone numbers to anna.marsh@spas-elca.org. Review of applications will begin on June 9 and continue until the position is filled.

"We NEED young people. and young people also need us," says Marcus Pope, one of the featured speakers at our recent synod assembly. Applause erupted throughout his presentation as he spoke about young people's desire to be heard and to contribute. "They want adults to listen, act and authentically embrace them as participants and leaders in solving our community's most urgent challenges."

Pope is the president of Youthprise, whose mission is to increase equity with and for Minnesota's indigenous, low-income and racially diverse youth and its vision is a Minnesota where outcomes for youth are no longer predictable by race, geography or socioeconomic status. We invite you to take 18 minutes to listen to Pope's address, available here on video. His presentation was called "Eight Things About Young People in the East Metro."

Lutheran Campus Ministry-Twin Cities (LCM) and campus ministries across the country are preparing to welcome new high school graduates this fall and to walk alongside them as they grow in faith through college. But they need help to do this work in getting them connected!

There are a couple of ways you can refer your students to their local campus ministries:

LCM is so grateful for the ways you've cared for and nurtured these students thus far, and they are excited to partner with you in that work as they move through this next season of life. If you have any questions, reach out to the Program + Outreach Coordinator at dana@umnlutheran.org.

A current University of Minnesota study is looking at “food swamps” in North Minneapolis, places where food options abound but usually with unhealthy food. Convenient and cheap food is easy to come by but is filled with empty calories. It is not difficult to see (and already well documented) that food swamps are predictors of poor health and disease. Perhaps you, too, have noticed how fast-food outlets tend to cluster in one area of a city or town. Seldom are there opportunities for healthier food choices in that same area. Studies have shown that, regardless of the level of food inequality, this food swamp effect persists; food swamps are not located only in low-income areas.

In 2022, Cherish All Children educated hundreds of youth, families and community members using their new Safe & Healthy Relationships Youth Guide. Through this resource, youth learn how to keep themselves safe from exploitation and adults learn how they can best support them in their growth into healthy relationships. YOU can help keep this work going!

For this Virtual 5K, you can head out solo or with friends and family to run or walk at a location you choose, enlisting others to sponsor your 5K. Learn more and sign up for this free event at cherishallchildren.org/race. Participants receive a Cherish All Children 5K race t-shirt as an important member of the fundraising team. If you’re unable to participate and would like to make a gift to support this work, visit donate.lssmn.org/Cherish5K. Questions? Email joy.mcelroy@cherishallchildren.org.

Join women from around our synod for a day of worship, bible study and workshops. The featured speaker is The Rev. Babette Chatman, who serves as a campus pastor at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. Other speakers include Bishop Patricia Lull, Pastor Lois Pallmeyer of Gloria Dei, St. Paul; and Laura Krueger, churchwide representative.

The convention also includes the business meeting of our synod's Women's Organization...electing officers and board members, approving the budget and setting direction for the future. This year, it's an opportunity to gather in person to renew friendships and make new ones. We'll be inspired and renewed, leaving revitalized in our faith. Voting member registrations are due June 18; visitor registrations are due July 1. Click here to register.

Start getting your group of 20 or more together for Lutheran Night at the Twins...congregations, youth groups, Bible study groups, etc. You'll receive group discounted tickets seated together, a welcome message on the scoreboard and the opportunity to participate in the national anthem choir. Ticket prices range from $17 to $37 in a variety of seating areas including the Deck, Field Box and Home Run Porch View. To reserve group tickets, contact Ryan Thomson at 612-659-3582 or ryanthomson@twinsbaseball.com. Payment isn't due until three weeks before the game. Learn more.

On Sunday, Sept. 11, congregations of the ELCA will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, our dedicated day of service. As you explore opportunities to participate, visit elca.org/dayofservice for planning resources including a tool kit, worship material, videos, posters, social media graphics and a special hymn for the day. As we continue our tradition of service to our neighbor, we remember the words of Martin Luther: “Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing.”

Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) is not just for new graduates! Any adult aged 21 or older who is interested in a year of service can check out the full-time service and leadership program opportunities in many cities across the U.S. Volunteers serving a year live together in intentional community with other volunteers, practice living simply and sustainability, while exploring spirituality together. Flex semesters are a new option and allow volunteers to serve virtually from home or living in community with other volunteers; or serve a half year starting in August. Learn more.

The ELCA Youth Gathering is planned almost exclusively by volunteers. As planning for the 2024 Gathering in New Orleans gets ramped up, applications are now accepted for one of the 10 planning teams. Consider applying to serve the young people of our church! Applications will be accepted until June 24. Learn more.

The 2024 Gathering is also looking to hire a Coordinator for Event Logistics & Administration for its small but mighty staff. This person will be responsible for working with hotel and venue staff, coordinating registration and more. Read the job description.

ELCA Coaching offers a weekly online gathering for ministry leaders. Each week features a new topic and presenters. Recent topics included leading in a multi-systems world (and staying healthy), human skills we need in an unpredictable world, and the big four ministries (Sunday School, camp, The Gathering and campus ministry). The sessions often include time for small group break-out rooms so that leaders across the church can learn from one another and leave each gathering with at least one action step. Recordings are posted by the next day. Learn more.

A panel of ministry leaders share their expertise on engaging older adults in ministry to each other, their families, their church and in their community. Sue Lennartson, director of adult ministry at St. Andrew’s, Mahtomedi, will lead the discussion. She’ll be joined by Pastor Roland Martinson, professor emeritus at Luther Seminary and author of Elder Rising; Pastor Chris Olson Binga, senior pastor of First, St. Paul; and Pastor Kelly Chatman, a national teacher for the church in multicultural leadership, community engagement and congregational revitalization. They will share their experiences and explore the potential that older adults bring to the congregation as life long learners. This free webinar is offered through Adult Lutherans Organized for Action. Register here.

This two-day retreat is for anyone personally experiencing trauma or caring for others with traumatic experiences (or both). Leader Carla Dahl, professor emerita of congregational and community care at Luther Seminary, will discuss physiological and spiritual aspects of trauma, the importance of self-compassion and practices and rituals that help re-establish connection with ourselves and others. A variety of overnight accommodations are available in addition to an option for commuters. Learn more.

www.spas-elca.org | 651-224-4313