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May 23, 2023
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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'God's Work. Our Hands.' to celebrate tenth anniversary | |
On Sunday, September 10, congregations of the ELCA will join together for an annual day of service. “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday began in 2013 in connection with the ELCA’s 25th anniversary. It continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, ELCA.org/DayofService has the resources you need to plan and promote your day:
- Planning tool kit
- Worship resources
- [NEW] Slides for projection screens or online worship
- Posters, postcards, and social media graphics
- Spanish-language resources
- Promotional banners
- Videos
- Special hymn text, sheet music, and recording
Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is August 18.
Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you.
Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.
If your congregation cannot participate on September 10, you are welcome and encouraged to pick an alternate date that suits your schedule.
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is an extension of the work congregations do every day to make their communities a better place.
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Convergencia/Convergence at St. Paul-San Pablo Lutheran | |
Join the members of St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church for a community celebration and the big reveal of their exterior installation of community portraits from the series on “belonging” by photojournalist John Noltner. Over the past six months, congregants have been gathering portraits from members of our community and neighbors while asking: “Tell me about a time you felt a sense of belonging?” They have compiled 54 portraits and 13 will become 12-foot-high banners that will be installed on the exterior of the building facing 28th Street.
Sunday, June 4; 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church
There will be free pizza and s’mores from Northern Fires, live music by Alma Andina, and more! The members at St. Paul’s-San Pablo look forward to celebrating with you and others!
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Redeemer Center for Life to host community cookouts | |
Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Redeemer Center for Life will once again be hosting weekly community cookouts on Wednesdays from June 7 to August 2. In addition to food cooked on the spot, different community engagement opportunities will be available each week.
Wednesday, June 7 - August 2
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Redeemer Lutheran Church
1800 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis
Also, save the date for the Redeemer Block Party on Saturday, August 12, from Noon to 6:00 p.m.
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ELCA to launch domestic service program for young adults | |
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The ELCA is excited to announce a new program for Young Adults! The ELCA Young Adult Vocational Fellowship is an exciting program that offers young adults an amazing opportunity to discover their calling while gaining valuable professional experience. In partnership with new and existing year-long opportunities at ELCA affiliated ministries, participants are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to explore their faith and vocational aspirations, all while receiving support from a network of peers and experienced ELCA coaches. The program is designed to prepare communities and ministry organizations to welcome new, young, and diverse leaders, paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic future. Additionally, fellows receive competitive compensation and benefits, including access to mental health resources, relocation assistance, coaching, and a small group cohort.
The program has partnered with several sites for the 2023-2024 year, including The Dwelling, All Places Together, National Lutheran Communities & Services, Together Lab, Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, The Hunger Advocacy Fellow Program, Building Resilient Communities with the ELCA Churchwide Organization, Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center, the Minneapolis Area Synod, and Capital University. This program truly embodies the ELCA's commitment to empowering young adults and building a brighter tomorrow.
For more information about the program and these partner sites, please visit http://www.elca.org/Vocational-Fellowship.
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Shifting the Spotlight: Perspectives from
the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III
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Being a white ally means playing a supporting role as BIPOC people take center stage. During this historic shift, how can white Christians embrace roles where they cease to be the stars of the film but are instead cast as extras – people whose advancement of the plot is good but not essential to the future? And how can BIPOC people regain agency and become the leaders they are meant to be?
Thursday, May 25; 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Plymouth Congregational Church
1900 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis
On the third anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, the Minnesota Council of Churches invites people of faith to an evening with music from Sounds of Blackness and a prophetic word from the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III. Learn more and register here.
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Are your youth bound for New Orleans? | |
Are you planning to bring a group to the ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE, or the tAble next summer in New Orleans? Are you on the fence and want to hear more before making a decision? Are you new to ministry or have never heard of the Gathering?
Join your MAS and SPAS synod champions, John Hulden and Kelsey Young, for a zoom info session to learn about these amazing faith formation opportunities!
Thursday, May 25
2:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
Zoom
Register here to receive the zoom link by email.
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference
In partnership with the Presbyterian Foundation of the PCUSA, the ELCA Stewardship and Generosity Team will present a three-day conference dedicated to digging deeply into stewardship and generosity. The conference will utilize workshops and plenaries that highlight diverse and authoritative voices from across the PCUSA, ELCA, and partner church bodies.
Stewardship Kaleidoscope offers real tools for real ministry and is perfect for both rostered and lay leaders. The mission of the conference is to ignite generosity, give practical tools for cultivating congregational generosity, expand leadership capacity for stewardship leaders, and cultivate adaptive approaches for funding Christ’s mission throughout the world. Limited partial scholarships are available! Contact the Rev. Tim Brown, if interested.
For information and registration, go to Annual Conference - Stewardship Kaleidoscope.
September 25-27, 2023
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
$300 Individual Rate
$115 Virtual Rate
$159 for First Call and Seminarians
Group discounts available for those from the same congregation
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United Seminary program emphasizes social justice | |
The Leadership Center for Social Justice at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is inviting congregational pastors and ministers to apply for the second year of the program by July 1. The program, led by a team of experts, helps pastors develop and/or deepen sustainable, community-based, social justice ministries responsive to what God is doing in our world, congregations, and communities.
The cohort will meet twice monthly (Friday mornings) in a hybrid format from September 2023 through May 2024. Those who complete the program earn a Certificate in Leadership for Social Justice and may be eligible to earn up to eight credits toward a Doctor of Ministry degree.
Those who wish to apply to join the program must supply a congregational letter of support and complete an application by July 1, 2023. For more information, contact Stella Pearce.
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Cherish All Children Hybrid 5K | |
Join this fun event to support Cherish All Children’s mission to prevent child sexual exploitation. Walk or run at a time and location that works for you, or meet up with church and community partners Sunday, June 11, 11:30 a.m., at Victory Memorial Parkway (4499 Victory Memorial Drive, Minneapolis).
Friday- Sunday, June 9-11
Location of your choice,
or Victory Memorial Parkway
If you have questions, contact Joy McElroy.
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? | |
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Leif Johnson at Mount Olive Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Wednesday, March 24. Once ordained, Leif Johnson will be serving Bethany Lutheran, Howard, South Dakota.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell worship for Pastor Shawna Day at Minnehaha Communion Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, May 28.
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Pastor Norma Malfatti will be installing Pastor Foy Christopherson at Mt. Carmel Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, June 4.
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Pastor John Hulden will participate in the dedication of the remodeled sanctuary at Elk River Lutheran, Elk River, on Sunday, June 4.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be preaching and leading worship at Grace Lutheran, Bloomington, on Sunday, June 4.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be preaching and leading worship at Spirit of Christ Lutheran, St. Louis Park, on Sunday, June 4.
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Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Karen Wight Hoogheem and Pastor LisaMarie Doermann at Lord of Life Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Sunday, June 11.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewll worship for Nikoli Falenschek at Redeemer Lutheran, Henderson, on Sunday, June 25.
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Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
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Weekly Community Cookout, Wednesdays
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Convergencia/Convergence, June 4
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Cherish All Children Hybrid 5K, June 9-11
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Western States Youth Gathering, July 4-6
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Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 17-20
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The Naming Project Summer Camp for LGBTQ youth, July 23-28
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Redeemer Block Party, August 12
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Hearts * Hands * Voices, August 19
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Reclaim Gathering, September 14-17
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Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24-26
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