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December 20, 2022
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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Annual Tool Kit workshops for congregational leaders
Join us for the Tool Kit on the morning of Saturday, February 11, 2023! Congregational leaders (lay and rostered) will be gathering at First Lutheran in Columbia Heights to get practical tools to bring back to their congregations. Workshops include topics like church council 101, how to connect with Deaf and/or hard of hearing neighbors, greening your church, and more! Watch the e-news for the next several weeks to see descriptions of the workshops. Registration will open in January.
Saturday, February 11, 2023
8:30 a.m., Check in
9:00 a.m., Event begins
First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights
Two of the workshops are (new this week):
Yikes! I’m on Church Council!, presented by Pastor John Hulden
Learn with others about church council responsibilities. (Find that constitution!) And, get tips on how to run effective meetings (with no more three-hour marathons).
Growing Young: Helping young people discover and love your church, presented by Kris Bjorke
For generations denominations in the United States, including the ELCA, have sent missionaries to the far reaches of the globe. Ironically, the US is now home to the largest population of un-churched and spiritually disconnected people in the world. All US denominations have seen a steady stream of people leaving, often citing spiritual restlessness, apathy, hypocrisy, or more. Perhaps these trends sound familiar. Demographers believe the decline in overall church attendance is linked with young people’s religious practices, or lack thereof. But what if this is not the whole story? There are bright spots, congregations that are growing and engaging new younger people. These congregations are flourishing – spiritually, emotionally, missionally, and sometimes numerically. This toolkit workshop will explore an overview of what Growing Young is, its research, and six core commitments. Come and imagine what this implies for your setting so that our world may experience the difference God’s grace and love in Christ for all people and creation.
Tool Kit web page
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Synod to hire congregational organizer for racial justice | |
The Minneapolis Area Synod's Congregational Organizer for Racial Justice position draws on the tradition of professional community organizing methodology, facilitated through the institution of the Lutheran church. It is centered on building a network of relationships among congregational leaders that can be organized for effective and strategic change on issues of structural racism.
The organizer will be stepping into the role to carry out issue-based organizing that has been developed over the past four years, with an established network of leaders within the congregations of the synod. The organizer will continue to build and maintain this strong base of leaders to take on issues of structural racism that can be addressed through community-based organizing.
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Parish Nurse Association to become Faith Community Nurse Association | |
The Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association (LFCNA), formerly the Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association (ELPNA), is in the process of implementing a name change to be consistent with the more current title of “Faith Community Nurse” (FCN). LFCNA is considered an Independent Lutheran organization recognized by churchwide in its annual yearbook.
LFCNA seeks to connect with FCNs in the synod in order to share information about its mission, resources, and peer support. It has prepared two brochures to help congregations consider community nursing.
"How to Call a Parish Nurse" brochure offers scriptural support for faith community nursing as wellas what roles nurses could play in a congregation. The second borchures, "Benefits of Membership," offers information about joining the association.
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Congregational communicators invited to retreat | |
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Those who do church communications (staff or volunteer) are invited to join other communicators at the synod’s first ever Communicators Retreat! We are looking forward to gathering for the day on Thursday, January 12, at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center in Farmington. Our agenda will include a presentation about website and social media analytics and time for socializing, resting, and sharing ideas. The cost of the retreat is $43, but discounts are available for those who register early! Register now, find more details, or contact Jeni Huff with questions.
Registration closes on Wednesday, December 21.
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Evening vespers on longest night of the year | |
On the longest night, many yearn for a presence stronger than ourselves to carry our load. Come hold your thoughts, struggles, and prayers with us, and throw your burdens into the fire. This is worship for all, so invite any of your loved ones who you think would benefit from this shared space. Tree of Life Lutheran’s Sophia Spiegel and other musicians will be leading us in sung worship and a burning burdens ceremony within the service.
Wednesday, December 21; 6:30 p.m.
Grace NE Lutheran Church
1500 6th Street NE, Minneapolis
This service is brought to you by the Good Shepherd Foundation.
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Employee Retention Credit may work for some churches | |
Several congregations within the Minneapolis Area Synod have explored their eligibility for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and found that it is a viable program for them to consider. If you would like to explore your eligibility or have questions about the ERC, one available resource is Clergy Financial Services. Pastor Craig Pederson may also be able to answer some of your questions.
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? | |
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Pastor John Hulden will be installing Senior Pastor Sarah Moat at Christ Lutheran, Blaine, on Sunday, January 1, 2023.
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Pastor John Hulden will be installing Senior Pastor Eric Luedtke at House of Prayer Lutheran, Richfield, on Sunday, January 8.
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Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching and leading an adult forum at Advent Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Sunday, January 8.
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Ms. Emilie Bouvier will be leading an adult forum at Elim Lutheran, Robbinsdale, on Sunday, January 8.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be installing Pastor Bryant Bakkum at East Union Lutheran, Carver, on Sunday, January 8.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Andrea Onneville DeNaples at Braham Lutheran, Braham, on Sunday, January 15.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Per Halaas at Christ the King Lutheran, Bloomington, on Saturday, January 28.
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Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
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An Evening Vespers Service for the Winter Solstice, December 21
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Youth Ministry Gathering, January 10, 2023
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Communicators Retreat, January 12
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Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders, February 11
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Youth Ministry Gathering, February 14
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Youth Ministry Gathering, March 14
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Youth Ministry Gathering, April 11
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2023 Synod Assembly, April 28-29
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Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 17-20
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Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24-26
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