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February 14, 2023
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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Native American Spirituality Course | |
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The Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community at St. Olaf College is sponsoring a community education course on Native American Spirituality led by Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy. This course will explore Indigenous perspectives on spirituality, language, voice, history, interpretation, and values.
Classes will be held 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. on Zoom on Thursdays between February 23 and April 27; the April 13 class will be in person at St. Olaf. Registration for the greater community is open, and all are invited to participate!
Learn more and register here
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Help earthquake victims
in Syria and Turkey
| Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying our neighbors impacted by the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey. One hundred percent of your gifts to "Middle East Crisis" go to supporting earthquake survivors and other people affected by disasters in the region. The two quakes have devastated Turkey and Syria, collapsing thousands of buildings and damaging infrastructure. More than 2,000 people have been killed and thousands more have been injured. Please remember our sisters and brothers in this region in your prayers, and consider making a gift to Lutheran Disaster Response today. | |
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Children's Ministry
Gathering for February
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February 14; 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Utepils Brewing
225 Thomas Avenue North, #700
Minneapolis
Meet other youth ministry folks to share ideas, learn from one another, and be supported. Part-time, full-time, pastors, and volunteers are all welcome to join this month's discussion on "Let's Talk about Sex!"
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WELCA plans discussion of Howard Thurman book | |
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The Minneapolis Area Synod Synodical Women's Organization (WELCA) is hosting a book discussion on Jesus and the Disinherited, a popular book by the Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman
Participants will meet five times beginning Wednesday March 21, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Jesus and the Disinherited was first published in 1949 but is still relevant today. With discussions of poverty, racism, and spiritual disengagement, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used this book to shape the civil rights movement and change the nation's history forever. It has been said that King carried this book with him all the time. Historian Vincent Harding has said, "So Thurman must be taken very seriously when he still offers this work for those who need profound succor and strength to enable them to live in the present with dignity and creativity." This book is 122 pages but packed with lots of challenging thoughts, and potential actions.
To join, please contact womenoftheelca.mas@gmail.com.
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40 Days of Giving for World Hunger begins February 22 | |
Lent is a season to reflect and remember, to look forward and ahead. During these 40 days, we journey with the Hebrew people in the exodus, through the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness, and to the foot of the cross on Good Friday. We remember our dependence on God and one another and reflect on the many ways we have fallen short of what God calls us to be.
These are not easy times for many of us. We know the challenges our world faces. Yet the season of Lent reminds us that God is not yet through with us or our world. Amid our own dependence on God, we know by faith that God is even now at work, drawing us toward the resurrection and restoration of the world. ELCA World Hunger's 40 Days of Giving invites us to be part of that work and to bear witness to it with partners, companions, friends, and neighbors.
Visit the 40 Days of Giving landing page to access and order resources, subscribe to the email series and give online.
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Augsburg announces
2023 Fosdick Lecture theme and presenters
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The 2023 Fosdick Lecture on Preaching will be held under the title "Hearing. Helping. Healing our Neighbors with Mental Health Challenges: Addressing Mental Health Concerns in Religious Communities."
Tuesday, March 7; 10:00 - 11:50 a.m.
Hoversten Chapel, Foss Hall
625 22nd Avenue South, Minneapolis
One in three people have a family member struggling with mental health, yet we as churches, as a community, as a society have much to improve on how we relate to them.
Mindy Greiling and Senator John Marty will share their personal and legislative experience in addressing mental health concerns.
Following the lecture, Pastor Aaron Fuller will preach during a 20 minute worship service.
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Service opportunity for young adults | |
Service! Intentional Community! Simplicity! Spirituality! If these values are important to you, consider joining the Urban Servant Corps (USC) community in Denver, Colorado.
USC operates out of the premise that service is transformational; it creates the opportunity for shared humanity and to faithfully respond to one another's needs. It also believes that in community, people are able to live more faithful, simple lives that are in service to one another. USC full-time volunteers live in an intentional community house in downtown Denver with others who are committed to social justice, racial justice, and accompanying vulnerable populations. Food, housing, health insurance, a monthly stipend, and an annual "growth and development" allotment are provided. Additionally, spiritual direction, alumni mentorship, and professional development opportunities are offered as part of this experience.
If you are a young adult dedicated to social justice and a simpler way of life, someone who hopes to explore or deepen your faith, or are someone seeking experience in the non-profit/ministry field, you are invited to consider service through USC.
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Expanding ministry through stewardship | |
Just think of the lives your congregation could impact if your members grew their giving by 10% - 15% next year! This is exactly the goal of Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS), a two-year, comprehensive process. SAS congregations embrace an impactful annual appeal and move into other vital realms of a culture of generosity: Communications and Story-Telling, Strategic Planning, Endowments, Special Appeals, Volunteer Recruitment, and Donor Cultivation. A two-minute video introduces the SAS process.
The Minneapolis Area Synod invites you to an in-person informational session to meet Rev. Pete Reuss, the SAS facilitator, and learn more about the process on Monday, March 6, at 1:00 p.m., at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Saint Paul. The process will begin in May.
Contact Norma Malfatti with questions or to receive the Zoom link.
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Two events to help to keep children safe | |
Cherish All Children Winter Walk
Beginning Super Bowl Sunday, supporters can kick off a commitment to protect children and youth from exploitation. Participants can walk or do another favorite winter activity sporting a new Cherish All Children beanie or baseball cap. Donate now to receive a beanie(s) or a cap(s) today!
Caritas Vocal Ensemble Concert
This season Caritas performs a selection of songs named We Rise Together to highlight Cherish All Children's care for each other and our world. A free-will offering benefitting Cherish All Children will be received.
Sunday, March 12; 3:00 p.m.
Valley of Peace Lutheran
4735 Bassett Creek Drive
Golden Valley
Contact Joy McElroy with questions.
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Lutherans elected to the U.S. Congress | |
Living Lutheran recently published a story listing the members of the U.S. Senate and House who identify publicly as Lutherans. The article does not distringuish between which Lutheran body is declared. The only Minnesota representative on the list is Rep. Angie Craig.
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Most synod staff members continue to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. On Fridays the office is closed to the public, so meeting space will not be available and general inquiries may not receive a response until the following week. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we will adhere to the Minnesota Church Center building protocols and messaging on the sixth floor: “Masks are not required. However, masking is strongly recommended for those with symptoms or exposure. Masks available upon request.” | |
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? | |
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining and installing Savannah Olaphson into the Ministry of Word and Service at Immanuel Lutheran, Eden Prairie, on Sunday, February 19.
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Pastor Norma Malfatti will be leading an adult forum at Zion Lutheran, Anoka, on Sunday, February 19.
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Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Maple Grove Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Sunday, February 19.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell for Pastor Erik Sevig at Community of the Cross Lutheran, Bloomington, on Sunday, February 19.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be installing Pastor Jay Carlson at Holy Cross Lutheran, on Sunday, February 19.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile review at Bethlehem Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Monday, February 20.
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Pastor John Hulden will be leading a Ministry Site Profile review at Our Saviour's Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, March 5.
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Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
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Conference Assemblies, Various dates in February
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Youth Ministry Gathering, February 14
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A Day Lenten Journey, February 21
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Trauma and Its Healing, February 21
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Hearing, Helping, Healing our Neighobrs with Mental Health Challenges, March 7
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"George Floyd Woke Me Up. Now What?," with David Scherer and Joe Davis, March 12
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Youth Ministry Gathering, March 14
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Spring Ministerium, March 23
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Growing Through Grief, March 25
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Youth Ministry Gathering, April 11
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Moonlight Madness Grades 6-9 "Lock-Out," April 21-22
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2023 Synod Assembly, April 28-29
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Festival of Homiletics 2023, May 15-18
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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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Reclaim Gathering, September 14-17
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Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24-26
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