April 26, 2022
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff members are splitting time between in-office and remote work; the office remains closed to public meetings. This protocol will be evaluated periodically to reflect the CDC guidelines for vaccinated persons. 
Synod Office Closed May 2
The Minneapolis Area Synod office will be closed on Monday, May 2. Synod staff will be taking Monday as a compensation day following Synod Assembly.
A Simple Invitation
“This summer, the Faith Practices & Neighboring Practices learning community is embarking on a summer of neighborhood listening. Each of the 13 participating congregations is planning its own listening work in its context; the Faith Practices & Neighboring Practices team will provide accompaniment, coaching, and resources along the way. This is an exciting time for our project, and the eagerness from our congregations to get out there and hear more about how God is at work in their community
is incredibly energizing.”
Last Call: Submit Forms A&C by May 3
The online system for filing Forms A & C will be closed on Tuesday, May 3. To submit yours go to the ELCA site and type in your Congregation ID number and password (found on the top right corner of Form A that was mailed to you).

This is an important ministry that provides congregations, synods, the churchwide organization, assemblies, agencies, and institutions with valuable information for evaluating and planning the mission of this church. Your careful attention to accuracy helps to increase the usefulness of statistical analysis. Contact Jeni Huff if you have any questions.
Free Download: Fun Gratitude Song and Participatory Ritual
Through April, get a free download of a song of gratitude and participatory ritual written by Bret Hesla on commission for Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.

Use it after sharing communion, as an offertory song, or in other creative ways!
Tune Up Worship Band Gathering
Tune in for a virtual TUNE UP gathering on May 6 - 7. The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians will gather on Zoom for training, collaboration, and networking. This gathering is for everyone: instrumentalists, vocalists, worship leaders, pastors, and audio/video techs. The event will be held virtually over 3 two-hour sessions on Friday night, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon. The cost is $25 per person.
Augsburg Youth Theology Institute
Registrations are due by May 1 for the 2022 Augsburg Youth Theology Institute (AYTI), a summer program for high school students (grades 9 - 12) focused on theological reflection and vocational discernment connected to an annual theme. It is a collaborative effort sponsored by Augsburg University’s Christensen Center for Vocation and supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc.

With year's theme of "God's People [re]connect!," participants will ground themselves in biblical stories of connection and disconnection, and stories of theologians throughout time who can teach us about connection.
ELCA Seminaries Joint Discernment Event
The ELCA seminaries are excited to offer a collaborative virtual discernment event! If you or someone you know is discerning a call to ministry and might like to hear from all the ELCA seminaries in one space, join the ELCA seminaries on:

Saturday, May 7,
10 a.m. — 3 p.m. CST

The event will include time for reflection and conversation around discernment, a session facilitated by seminary faculty, opportunity to connect with current students from all seven ELCA seminaries and hear from their experiences, informational sessions about practical questions like financial aid, contextual education, academic programs, and more!
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org