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Innovative Practice, Design Thinking & Experimentation
Saturday, January 21 - 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Gustavus Adolphus, St. Paul
Have you ever felt stuck in your ministry? Does it feel that you are running into roadblocks as you try to proclaim the Gospel to your community? Do you have the pressure of the past haunting you as you live into this present reality as church? Are you ready to try something new?
The synod’s Vitality Team is offering its next Tools for the Church event to address these questions and more. We will explore design thinking and spend time together dreaming and thinking of the innovative places God is calling your congregation specifically in this time. After some conversation and work together around risk taking and failure, you and your team will be given tools to plan some experiments for your setting. The cost is $10 per person and includes lunch and snacks. Register here.
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Registration is Open!
Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders & Conference Assemblies
Saturday, Feb. 25 - Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley
This annual event brings together lay leaders, ministry volunteers and church staff from all of the congregations in the synod for learning and networking! It's a wonderful opportunity to hear from experts in a variety of areas related to congregational life and to hear experiences and perspectives from people in other congregations.
This year's Tool Kit features 10 workshops that cover a variety of areas related to congregational life: understanding implicit bias, children in worship, hybrid ministry, faith-based advocacy, peer ministry skills and creating a culture of calling. There are even special sessions for congregational presidents/vice presidents and treasurers. The registration fee is $20 per person. Tool Kit will be held in conjunction with conference assemblies, when the synod's six conferences meet separately for pre-synod assembly business which may include elections, proposed resolutions or other matters. Learn more.
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WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT:
No More 'Next Time': Effectively Interrupting Harm & Negativity in the Moment
This session will provide concrete tools to support all bystanders in speaking up or responding immediately and effectively when microaggressions, bias, or other negative and uncomfortable moments occur in personal or professional spaces. We will use research, personal stories, videos, and participant participation in the important work of providing an inclusive environment where people feel equipped to recognize and respond. Concepts such as bias, microaggressions, allyship, color blindness, and intent vs impact will be discussed. Participants will leave feeling prepared to recognize and speak up in the moment, instead of waiting for the next time, or until it's too late.
Seema Pothini is the director of ally management at Humanize My Hoodie. Seema is an educator who is passionate about racial equity and creating inclusive learning environments.
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Addressing Hunger:
It's For the Birds!
A recent women’s bible study reminded us that humans are mammals and only one part of God’s enormous and wonderful creation. As discussion continued and we talked and sang about animals, our table of six women talked about birds.
Many in the group had favorites and talked about their characteristics, habits and beauty. Others talked of their songs. We talked about migration and birds we are seeing now in the winter months that we don’t see in the summer and vice versa.
That brought us to talking about who among us feeds the birds. Many of us do and in varied ways. Some of us leave garden plants and flowers for birds to eat seeds during the snowy season. Others feed birds in a variety of feeders, protecting them and their menu from other critters.
One of our women had a story and lesson for us all. She loves to feed — and watch — the birds in all seasons of the year. She realizes that there are many humans in our world who are as hungry as the birds in her yard. She has committed to donate an equivalent amount to an organization which feeds people whenever she purchases a large bag of seeds for her feathered friends!
We were all challenged, and hope others might find this a way to help those who live with hunger every day, be they birds on the wing or two-legged children of God in our own neighborhoods or around the world.
Vernita Kennen
Incarnation, Shoreview
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Green Blades Rising
Green Blades Rising is a monthly EcoTheology publication produced by the EcoFaith Network NE-MN Synod with the Saint Paul Area Synod's Care of Creation work group. It contains an EcoFaith preaching roundtable, highlights of congregational creation care initiatives, creation advocacy opportunities, and more. To receive the newsletter directly in your inbox, subscribe here.
The January edition features an article on Christ the King, New Brighton's solar panel project. Other content includes a pollinator pilot project update, reflections on the ecological implications of the lectionary for the Sundays of January, book reviews, green tips and more. Read the January edition.
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BKB Program Coordinator Applications
The Saint Paul Area Synod is accepting applications for a two-year volunteer position based in Iringa, Tanzania, to support our Bega Kwa Bega partnership. This position provides support in four key areas: administration, relationship building, hospitality and project monitoring. This is an entry-level volunteer position for a globally aware, mission-minded individual (or couple) interested in a hands-on, immersive experience in a cross-cultural setting. A living allowance and in-kind support are provided. Click here for the full job description. Applicants may send a cover letter and resume to BKB Director Kirsten Levorson at kirsten.levorson@spas-elca.org. Please share this opportunity with anyone you know who might be interested!
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Minnesota Gun Safe Now
Tuesday, Jan. 17 - 7-8:30 p.m. | Online
Minnesotans are at a pivotal moment for advancing public safety, especially regarding gun violence. Towards this goal, leaders in gun violence prevention organizations will unite for an online Zoom conversation to strategize about engaging Minnesota legislators in passing laws that respect responsible gun ownership while strengthening safety and accountability. Participating organizations include groups such as Brady, Moms Demand Action, Protect Minnesota, Minnesota Gun Owners for Safety (Giffords), and ENGAGE: Lutherans for Gun Violence Prevention. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
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A Deeper Dive: Leadership Conversations for Congregation Presidents & VPs
Thursday, Jan. 26 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online
For congregation presidents and vice presidents
After a holiday break, we are back to our monthly series of leadership conversations for congregation presidents and vice presidents! The Zoom gatherings are hosted by Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer (assistant to the bishop for lay leadership) and Dr. Dave Webb (retired school superintendent and council president at Shepherd of the Hills). Additional sessions are scheduled for March 30 and on Feb. 25 as part of the synod's Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders. Register here for Jan. 26!
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Children's Ministry Gathering
Monday, Feb. 13 - 1 p.m. | St. Stephen, Bloomington
This month, the children's ministry gathering is in person! Children's ministry staff and key volunteers are invited join the conversation about milestones. Let's share new ideas and new ways to incorporate milestones in worship. Please bring examples for all to see! Questions? Email Rachelle Gill from Easter at rgill@easter.org.
P.S. - Did you know there's a children's ministry gathering today (Monday, Jan. 9) over Zoom? The group will be discussing ideas for Lent and Easter. Learn more.
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Correction: 2023 Mileage Rate
Last week's News & Events mistakenly listed an outdated mileage reimbursement rate. The correct mileage reimbursement rate by the IRS for 2023 is 65.5 cents per mile, which was effective Jan. 1, 2023. Our 2023 Compensation Guidelines document found on the forms and reports page of the synod website has been updated to reflect this correction. We apologize for the error.
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The synod office will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. | |
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Courageous Leadership Series
Wednesdays - 1 p.m. | Online
ELCA Coaching offers a weekly online gathering for ministry leaders. Each week this series features a new topic and presenters. On Jan. 11, the topic is storytelling. Each of us has a story of how we came to church and live into our faith. These stories are powerful and give us a chance to draw folks in our communities into deeper relationship. We have all seen how stories can connect us to each other and help us to explore more about ourselves and those around us. Join us as we share aspects of our own faith connections and learn about a way to gather personal faith stories through a simple podcast format. It will also be a time to learn more about our ELCA ministry of Mission Interpretation and ways to connect
with other stories across our greater church. Presenters include Karen Kretschmann, ELCA National Coordinator for Mission Interpretation; Nick Kiger, ELCA Director for Mission Support; and Victoria Flood, ELCA Senior Director for Mission Support. Learn more.
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From Pieces to Peace: Quilts That Tell the Story of Wholeness From Diversity
Sunday, Jan. 15 - 1-3 p.m. | St. Andrew's, Mahtomedi
Renowned quilter Joseph Mallard will display several intricate quilts and share thoughts of how faith inspires a dream of freedom for all people, using the metaphor of quilting as pieces that come together in a new wholeness. Mallard’s exquisite tapestry-quilts consist of thousands of tiny stitches and hand-tied knots. The large format quilts typically take four to five years to complete. He teaches in classrooms, community centers, homeless shelters, libraries, and universities. In 2022, he was artist in residence with the Children’s Defense Fund national youth program at the Freedom School in Minneapolis. Learn more.
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Supporting Youth Safety & Healthy Choices in the Virtual Playground
Saturday, Jan. 21 - 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Lutheran Social Service, St. Paul & Online
Cherish All Children invites you to its sixth annual community education event. Faith leaders, parents, grandparents, youth leaders, mentors – this event is for you! Cyberbullying, texting, screen time, toxic images – learn how you can support youth in developing a healthy sense of self and staying clear of online exploitation. Speakers include Alison Feigh, Director of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, a program of the Zero Abuse Project; and Joy McElroy, Director of Cherish All Children. Learn more and register. Questions? Email info@cherishallchildren.org or contact Joy McElroy at 651-207-3357.
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Making All Things New - Addiction Seminar
Saturday, Jan. 21 - 9-11:30 a.m. | Shepherd of the Lake, Prior Lake & Online
Addiction is one of the leading causes of death in the United States! Faith communities are critical to the care and prevention of substance use disorders. The Mental Health and Addiction Team at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, Minnesota, invites you to “Making All Things New!” – a hope-filled morning that explores the ways in which your faith community can make a difference in the lives of those living with substance use disorder, and those who love them. Presenters include Dr. Carla Dahl, professor emeritus of congregational and community care at Luther Seminary, and Lexi Reed Holtum, a person in long-term recovery, who will tell the story that brought her to service as the state opioid response director for a large state agency. If you can't attend in person, you can watch the live stream on YouTube. Learn more and register.
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SYNOD STAFF IN CONGREGATIONS | |
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Bishop Patricia Lull
- Jan. 15 - Lyngblomsten, St. Paul (Sunday service)
Pastor Justin Grimm
- Jan. 22 – Faith, Frogtown/St. Paul (preaching)
Deacon Krista Lind
- Jan. 22 - Christus Victor, Apple Valley (preaching)
Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer
- Jan. 15 – St. Mark, Circle Pines (preaching)
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The Saint Paul Area Synod, which includes 107 congregations and new mission starts,
is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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