Registrants should watch their inbox tomorrow for an email with final details such as instructions for downloading the Guidebook app. If you don't receive the email by Wednesday morning, call the synod office at 651-224-4313 or email michael.gold@spas-elca.org.

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Anna Marsh, currently the executive assistant to the bishop and program director for the synod’s Lilly Grant, has accepted an offer to teach at Luther Seminary as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Old Testament, beginning this coming academic year. She will complete her work at the synod office in June. Watch for more details in coming announcements. Anna received her PhD in Hebrew Bible and Its Interpretation from Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City this spring.

Nearly half of all people in the U.S. will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their lives. That means you probably know someone in your congregation or community who is living with a mental health condition. Check out these resources from M Health Fairview Interfaith Health Collaborative:

In addition, M Health Fairview Community Advancement is offering a free virtual class called "Psychological First Aid," designed to help you assist others in healthy recovery following a traumatic event, natural disaster or public health emergency. There's a session on Tuesday, May 10 and another on Wednesday, June 5, both at 1-3 p.m.

Don't forget that our synod still has funds available for mental health grants designed to help rostered ministers and congregations keep current with lay education about mental health. A number of congregations have written summaries of how they used these grants for things like helping with the hurt, navigating COVID times together, creating healthy safe spaces and learning about ambiguous loss. To learn more about the synod's mental health grants, click here.

In a video message for Mental Health Awareness Month, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that caring for our mental health is not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of courage, faithfulness and hope. Watch here.

Millions of people are suffering the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine. As devastation sweeps the region and millions are forced to flee their homes, we are beginning to see the long-term consequences the war will have for food security in Ukraine and around the globe. Join Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger and the ELCA on Facebook Live as Dr. Ryan Cumming and the Rev. Daniel Rift of ELCA World Hunger join the Rev. Rachel Eskesen live from Poland for a discussion of conflict, hunger and the ELCA’s response. Learn more.

Read Vernita's full "Addressing Hunger" message.

This week marks the return of Shobi's Table to Christ on Capitol Hill on Tuesdays! That's right, the big blue truck will now be back to serving lunch three days per week:

This pay-as-you-can food truck ministry serves people's bodies and souls. Follow them on Facebook for a heads up on each week's menu!

How can we balance gun rights with the call to live safely with each other? Dr. Matthew Filner, Professor of Constitutional Law at Metro State, will guide our ENGAGE-FOCUS conversation as we engage this faith-life-value question. Hosted by ENGAGE: Lutherans for Gun Violence Prevention, a work group of the Saint Paul Area Synod. Click here to register to receive the Zoom link. Questions? Contact the Rev. Dr. Ron Letnes at letnesron@gmail.com.

Join with Cherish All Children to learn about its Safe & Healthy Relationships Youth Guide, and how YOU can make a difference in keeping children and youth safe.

Co-authors Deacon Erica Larson, director of faith formation at Lake Nokomis Lutheran, and Joy McElroy, executive director of Cherish All Children, will walk through the four-session guide, engaging you in activities that help youth understand healthy relationships, signs of unhealthy or unsafe relationships, and how to keep themselves safe in online spaces. Youth leaders, pastors, church leaders and other supportive adults are encouraged to learn about this timely resource before your 2022-23 planning sessions begin!

https://lssmn-org.zoom.us/j/87069374034

Download the Youth and Leader’s Guides, or contact joy.mcelroy@cherishallchildren.org by May 13 to have a hard copy sent to you. The Cherish All Children Ministry Team is one of the synod's public witness work groups.

Children, youth and family leaders of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods, you have been doing so much to offer God's care and courage to the people you serve the last two years. The MAS/SPAS CYF Leadership Team wants to offer you a time to come together to rest and enjoy at the Ascension Day Breakfast. Come eat, connect, be supported and worship. Your bishops will be there, Rev. Jenny Sung will preach, and worship music will be led by Christian Ankrum from The Table. There will also be a raffle for free registration to the 2023 ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza! The cost is $10 per person. Register here.

American Christians have always struggled with the relationship between church and state. But in recent years the alignment between right-wing politics and Christianity has taken on a new intensity in a movement called “Christian Nationalism.” This power grab co-opts the language and symbols of Christianity, deceiving many and harming both our faith and democracy. (Christian nationalism strongly influenced the Jan. 6, 2021, riot in Washington, D.C.). How do we as Lutherans understand this movement and respond to it?

Pastor Rolf Olson and Dr. Nancy Koester have developed a two-part primer to alert congregations to this dangerous development. Session 1 explains what Christian Nationalism is and why it matters; Session 2 explores who’s involved in Christian nationalism, what are its components and ways we can respond. The presenters are willing to come to metro ELCA churches; consider them for fall and winter adult education opportunities! Email rolson@rosevillelutheran.org or nancykstr@gmail.com.

This alternative to the cancelled ELCA Youth gathering is hosted by Humble Walk Lutheran Church in St. Paul and Pastor Jodi Houge. This program for young people in grades 8-12 includes worship, group activities, service projects, art, music, a field trip to Valleyfair and more. Special guests include Rachel Kurtz, Joe Davis, Austen Hartke, Osheta Moore and Jenny Sung. Registrants are asked to stay on-site at the host hotel, the Holiday Inn Express. The estimated cost is $200, not including lodging. Learn more.

Another group affected by the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering cancellation this summer is The Drawer, a Twin Cities based nonprofit that provides new socks and underwear. The Drawer was meant to be the featured nonprofit organization for The Gathering and has received several requests from out-of-state groups still coming to town to host a bundling session as a service project opportunity for their youth groups. They are now planning to have one large bundling session for youth groups to give them the opportunity to meet and serve together despite the gathering as a whole not happening. If your youth group would be interested in attending, email glindquist@thedrawer.org! The time is still TBD but this will most likely be in the afternoon.

Congregations and other organizations are invited to host a sock/underwear and/or financial collection for The Drawer! You can receive promotional materials and other items for your drive. Email glindquist@thedrawer.org for more details.

Singer-songwriters Jonathan Rundman, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan and Cathy Pino will share the stage with members of the Twin Cities Glocal Collective. Friends and collaborators for over 20 years, these musicians each bring a unique style of musicality, passion, humor, and heart to their work on stage and in life as teachers, theologians, and voices for peace and justice. Admission is free, with the opportunity to contribute to a freewill offering in support of the Glocal Collective’s work at Holden Village this summer. Coffee and snacks will be provided by Thrivent. Come on out and enjoy this afternoon of music and fellowship! Learn more.

The upward climb of the past year has presented many challenges for young people. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) has come together to help youth build resilience and perseverance to reach the summit of their aspirations. This benefit is available via livestream. Registered guests will receive an email with instructions for joining the virtual gathering. Learn more.

BeLoved Teen Group (BLTG) is a newly formed, metro-wide youth group, hosted by Grace Lutheran Church of NE Mpls and Queer Grace Community. It is created to be an affirming space for LGBTQIA+ youth to talk about God, where they can know that they are fully seen, known, and loved by God and by others. BLTG's first summer social event invites teens and their families to an afternoon of crafts! Make a button, bracelets, a Pride wreath, or just draw and paint together. Supplies and food provided. Learn more here or find @bltg.mpls on Facebook or Instagram.

Join Debbie Selsavage, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, for a brief overview and discussion of the characteristics of dementia. She’ll share tips and techniques she’s used to train churches on how to support members and families dealing with dementia and how to become "dementia friendly." This event from Adult Lutherans Organized for Action (ALOA) is free and lasts about an hour. Register here.

What's next in faith formation? Leaders, clergy, and volunteers in ministry with all ages are enthusiastically invited to join the ConNext Summit 2022. This year's theme is "In the Ways of Jesus - Gracious Idleness, Scrappy Transformation, Radical Belonging." This ecumencial gathering of progressive leaders offers opportunities to network, share inspiration and rest. Workshop topics include worship with children, outdoor ministries, milestone ministries, radical belonging, praying with children and youth, plus more. Learn more.

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