You say you’ve never heard of the Planting Hope campaign? That can happen in a synod as busy as ours. There are many initiatives in congregations and many pressures on daily life.

In February 2020, the synod announced a plan to raise $2.75 million through a multi-year campaign. Though the planning work had begun 18 months earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic soon pinched and modified the rollout of the campaign. If your congregation is not yet involved, you can read (or view on video) all the basics at https://spas-elca.org/planting-hope/. If you are ready to get involved and desire more information, you can contact the synod office at 651-224-4313 or plantinghope@spas-elca.org. It’s not too late to join this effort with the other congregations and mission starts in the synod.

We are pleased to introduce Rachel Holsten as the Saint Paul Area Synod's new front office administrator and event planner. Rachel brings experience from her work as an executive assistant at St. Thomas University and an administrative assistant at the University of Jamestown. She has also served in children, youth and family ministry in several congregations. She is a graduate of Wartburg College and Luther Seminary. Rachel will begin her work for the synod on Aug. 8.

Three years ago, it was exciting to be at the Churchwide Assembly when the new Policy for Inter-Religious Affairs was adopted. I had served on the drafting team and knew how important such a document would be in our ever changing world. I am even more excited to share with you these Guidelines for Ministry in a Multi-Religious World, a project which offers concrete guidance for how we live out our identity as ELCA Lutherans in this world of many religions and cultures. I am grateful for all those who worked to create this pastoral resources. Click here to access the guidelines.

- Bishop Lull

Children's ministry staff and key volunteers and invited to talk about "The New Look of Kids' Ministry!" Join Rachelle Gill (Easter, Eagan) and Julie Vagle (Trinity, Long Lake) to discuss the changes in children's ministry that have worked and the new ideas you are trying this fall. Bring your marketing ideas and graphics so we can share screens and spark some great conversations! Questions? Contact Rachelle at rgill@easter.org.

Children's ministry gatherings are offered regularly as a partnership of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods. Notes from previous gatherings may be found in the “files” section of the Twin Cities CYF ELCA Facebook group.

This gathering is for those who work in communications (newsletters, websites, social media, etc.) in the synod's congregations. Do you find yourself running out of storage space for physical and/or digital files? Is chaos overtaking your filing systems? Photos, video clips, printed pieces and other types of files get saved to our computers and then sit...taking up valuable storage space. Paul Daniels, ELCA Region 3 Archivist, has great hints to help you decide what's important to save and what's not. He'll also share about services that the Region 3 Archives offers for congregations. Come ready to share the digital filing systems and purging processes that help you stay organized! Register here. Questions? Contact Mary Smith at 651-224-4313 or communications@spas-elca.org.

Join the work! The ELCA is beginning a coordinated effort to research Lutheran involvement in Indian boarding and day schools dating back to the 1820s. We are seeking both clergy and lay people who want to be part of this initiative. All are welcome, with a particular need for people with skills in research, data collection, organizing and education. The goal is for our church members to know the history of church-sponsored Indian boarding schools and their devastating impacts on Native communities, and to participate in an ongoing truth and healing process. Learn more.

Sunday, Sept. 11, is this year's ELCA special day of service, "God's work. Our hands." Sunday. If your congregation is debating what type of activity to do, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota can help! Click here to view some service opportunities that help us to explore one of our most basic convictions are Lutherans: that all of life in Christ - every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life - flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God's grace. The LSS website lets you see activities right her in our synod! Don't forget that the ELCA website also offers all sorts of resources for congregations for this day of service, from t-shirts and baseball caps to worship materials, from postcards and posters to social media images.

Through the ELCAdvantage Program, the ELCA churchwide organization develops agreements with participating providers who offer products and services at competitive prices. Using the program enables collective, volume purchasing of essential products and services. Designed for use by ELCA congregations and other affiliates as a stewardship effort, some agreements may also be used by individual congregational members and staff employed by ELCA affiliates. Learn more.

ELCA Coaching offers a weekly online gathering for ministry leaders. On July 27, the topic is harnessing the energy of groups to do the work of the kingdom. Whether you are a coach or a leader in your community, you often find yourself challenged to bring disparate and divided rooms into social coherence. Come explore models of thought and practice that help make this daunting task possible. Presenter Nathan Swenson-Reinhold is a professional certified coach, a coach trainer and coach training content designer. His ministry is currently channeled through Summit Coaching and GSB Fundraising where he works with faith organizations on strategic planning, stewardship processes, annual appeals and capital campaigns. Learn more.

The Center of Addiction and Faith is presenting a one-hour free webinar. Rabbi Mark Borovitz and Harriet Rossetto will share their story of love and transformation as we gain insight into a Jewish perspective of addiction and recovery and learn how their work with Beit T'Shuvah has saved thousands of lives. Following the presentation is a Q&A. Register here.

Enjoy the music of The Dwayne Tannahill Quartet at this free outdoor jazz concert! Bring lawns chairs and blankets starting at 6:30 p.m. for treats and beverages from Mik Mart and activities from the South Washington County Skoolie Bus. Donations support Habitat for Humanity. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors. Learn more.

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