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Gleaning From The Harvest Grant:
Drawn to the River
Early this year, the synod created a Gleaning From the Harvest grant program for exploration and experimentation in the following areas: evangelism, racial justice, "we never did that before" and worship training & technology. Grants totaling $113,000 were awarded to 19 ministries. Glenda Schnirring provided this summary from grant recipient St. Philip's Lutheran Church in Hastings:
As January 2022 began, the ministry committees of St. Philip's, Hastings, were alerted to a grant opportunity from the Saint Paul Area Synod. It was like a spring breeze in the dead of winter. What a time to have a grant opportunity! Reading through the ideas we spotted "public art" and "diversity." It fit the very issues we were living in. We knew we could give rise and awareness to the value of public art and couple it with the city's history and a very current need that had emerged through a contentious school board election that had given life to the issue of living in a diverse community.
The people of St. Philip's knew professional artist Paul Oman, who had done a live painting at its worship service. A grant idea had been born! By the next day Paul Oman was contacted. The title of the grant would be "Drawn to the River." The original painting would happen on the shores of the mighty Mississippi under the canopy of the city's beautiful riverside pavilion in a Minnesota river town known as Hastings. The painting would be 5' x 6', focusing on the city's history, some landmarks, and its story about cultures living on its shores before Hastings' founding.
Read St. Philip's full grant summary.
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Bishop's Theological Conference
Oct. 16-18 | Cragun's Resort, Brainerd
For all rostered ministers in our synod.
Registration deadline extended to Sept. 23! Over the past two and a half years, we have learned how important it is to share time with others, especially the value that comes from being together in person. At this year’s Theological Conference, our guest presenter, Dr. Martha (Marty) Stortz, will help us understand why hope is rooted in community and relationships. A Lutheran scholar, teacher and writer, Marty will draw on the experience of her husband’s death, her own journey into grief, and her continuing work to understand resurrection, as a resilient human being. She likes to say, “Hope is a plural thing – a we.”
Check-in begins on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 4 p.m. and the conference concludes before lunch on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The cost is $375 per person, which includes a private room, meals, programming and materials. Register here.
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A Deeper Dive: Leadership Conversations for Congregation Presidents & VPs
Thursday, Sept. 29 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online
For presidents and vice presidents of congregations in our synod.
Are you curious about best practices around how a church council can function effectively? Do you have questions about the particular roles and responsibilities of a president or vice president of a congregation? Are you looking for knowledge and wisdom from others who have been in this role recently or are currently in this role?
Join Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer (assistant to the bishop for lay leadership) and Dr. Dave Webb (retired school superintendent and council president at Shepherd of the Hills) for a series of discussions about these and other questions. We're registering now for the first session on Sept. 29; additional sessions will be Oct. 27, Dec. 1, Jan. 26, March 30 and Feb. 25 as part of the synod's Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders. Register here!
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Tools For The Church
Vitality 101: Where Is God Calling You Now?
Saturday, Oct. 1 - 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Gustavus Adolphus, St. Paul
Why is no one coming to church? We really do good things here, why doesn’t anyone want to be part of it? I am not sure where we are going… Our neighborhood has changed, how do we engage our neighbors? What is God up to here?
If your congregation has asked these or similar questions, the synod's Vitality Team has an opportunity for your team to wrestle together with other congregational leaders about what it means to be vital today. This interactive day features inspiring speakers, worship, activities and an opportunity to create your plan for implementing what you've learned into your own congregational setting. Based on the foundation of "vitality" and an urgent need to rediscover your "why," the mission/vision/values exercises included in the day will inspire you to get to work. In addition to some basic teaching around vitality, you will be invited to learn about having one-on-one conversations in your community and lining up what you hear with the mission you are called to live out. Join us...it will be fun! The cost is $10 per person and includes lunch. Register here.
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ENGAGE: Election 2022 and Gun Violence Prevention
Thursday, Sept. 29 - 7 p.m. | Online
In 2021, 571 Minnesotans died of gun violence: 176 by homicide and 391 by suicide. ENGAGE is inviting politicians and persons connected with various GVP organizations to talk gun safety legislation that makes a life-saving difference. We will urge support of candidates of all parties who will commit to passing gun safety laws. Register here for the Zoom link and join the synod's ENGAGE Gun Violence Prevention work group in conversation!
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Guatemala Gala
Sunday, Oct. 2 - 4 p.m. | Southview Country Club, West St. Paul
The Guatemala Committee of the Saint Paul Area Synod invites you to its 2022 Guatemala Gala to support the education ministries of our companion synod, the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (Lutheran Church of Guatemala). We are delighted that Pastor Karen Castillo and Diego Gil from the ILAG will be with us to share how your gala gifts will bring hope!
- 4:00 p.m. - Social Hour with cash bar, music, Guatemalan goods for sale, raffle (check or cash only).
- 5:15 p.m. - Buffet Dinner with an authentic Guatemalan menu planned by Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard
- 6:00 p.m. - Program featuring presentations by Pastor Karen Castillo and Diego Gil, fund-a-need, live auction and more!
Individual tickets are $50 per person and "Super Supporter" table sponsorships for 10 guests are $1,000. Learn more and register.
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ELCA Youth Leadership Summit
There will be a Youth Leadership Summit Nov. 3-6 at Carol Joy Holling Camp near Omaha, Neb. As a synod, we are invited to send two high schoolers and one adult to participate. All expenses for travel, lodging, meals and program are paid by the ELCA and the synod. Interested?
Pairs of high schoolers (grades 9-12) with an adult leader are invited to apply by Sept. 30 to represent the Saint Paul Area Synod. Applications need to include a 60-word essay on “Why We Are The Best Team to Send” along with the three names, email contact, and congregation’s name to Bishop Lull at patricia.lull@spas-elca.org. This year’s theme is “Beloved – No Matter What,” based on Colossians 3:12. The event will include training in peer ministry.
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CYF Welcome Event
Thursday, Oct. 6 - 1-11 a.m. | Pilgrim, St. Paul
All Children, Youth and Family staff new(er) to the Minneapolis or Saint Paul Area Synods are invited to attend to make some new connections. We are grateful you are part of the synod and want to welcome you! Enjoy light snacks and fellowship and discover information/networks where you can find support. There's no cost to attend, but please register so we know how many to plan for. Register here.
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Children's Ministry Gathering
Monday, Oct. 10 - 2 p.m. | St. Stephen's, Bloomington
Join us in person to talk about what your ministry will look like for Advent/Christmas. Bring your thoughts and examples to share for take-home kits, during-worship ideas, separate pageants, gatherings and more! Questions? Rachelle Gill at rgill@easter.org or Julie Vagle at juliev@trinitylonglake.org.
These gatherings are sponsored jointly by the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods for staff and key volunteers who work in children's ministry. Notes from previous gatherings may be accessed in the files area of the Twin Cities CYF Facebook group.
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DON'T FORGET!
A variety of congregational resources are available
for The Planting Hope Campaign: three videos of varying lengths, bulletin inserts, text for newsletters and bulletins, flyers, PowerPoint slides
and more! Download them at:
https://spas-elca.org/planting-hope-collateral/
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World Food Day Celebration
Sunday, Oct. 16 - 4 p.m. | Online
Join ELCA World Hunger for a celebration of World Food Day, hosted by Rick Steves and special guest Mark Jansen, CEO of Blue Diamond Almonds. This special event will be streamed online so you can celebrate with ELCA World Hunger wherever you are. You may view it on the ELCA Facebook page or YouTube channel. A recording will be available on both mediums for those not able to watch it live.
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Courageous Leadership Series
Wednesdays - 1 p.m. | Online
ELCA Coaching offers a weekly online gathering for ministry leaders. Each week features a new topic and presenters. The sessions often include time for small group break-out rooms so that leaders across the church can learn from one another and leave each gathering with at least one action step. Recordings are posted by the next day. Learn more.
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Leadership Center for Social Justice Launch
Thursday, Sept. 22 - 6 p.m. | United Theological Seminary, St. Paul
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is launching its Leadership Center for Social Justice. Supporters will gather to celebrate the launch and to connect with each other over appetizers and drinks. You may hear reflections from teaching fellows and meeting the members of the inaugural cohort for the Leadership Center for Social Justice program. Learn more.
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Eco-Savvy Stewards Community Event
Sept. 24 | Lebanon Hills, Eagan
Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley, invites you to participate in a community event around "Helping the Land." Join them for native prairies grass and wildflower planting to further restoration efforts in the park. Volunteers are welcome at this public event on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-12 noon, at Lebanon Hills. Register here.
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Healthy Leaders: Bowen Family Systems Group
Monthly, Sept. 29-May 25 | St. Stephen, Bloomington, or Online
Pastors and interns with an interest with Bowen Systems theory are invited to join the 2022-23 systems series. Meetings are 1-3 p.m. on the fourth Thursdays of the month (third for November and December) starting Sept. 29. The monthly agenda is one hour of teaching and one hour of a shared case study using theory and each of the core concepts. Dates include Sept. 29, Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Dec. 15, Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 23, April 27, May 25.
Presenters are the Rev. Wendy Vie Trittin, who is rostered in the ELCA and has a private coaching and counseling practice, and the Rev. Dr. Jules Erickson, a parish pastor, coach and adjunct faculty member at Luther Seminary. Jules will be on sabbatical the first months of the fall and will step in upon her return. Along with the Rev. Tom Olson from St. Stephen, the three have each spent more than 25 years studying and applying Systems Theory and the work of Dr. Brene Brown to life and ministry. The cost is $30 per session or $250 for all nine sessions. More registration information will be provided at the first session on Sept. 29. If you prefer to join virtually, email tolson@ststephen.net for the link. Learn more about Bowen Theory.
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Discerning Whiteness: The Unacknowledged Barrier
Thursdays, Oct. 13 & Oct. 27 - 9 a.m.-Noon | Online
Are you a clergy member looking for a way to fulfill requirements for six hours of continuing education in anti-racism? The Leadership Center for Social Justice invites you to participate in "Discerning Whiteness: The Unacknowledged Barrier." These two clergy-specific workshops will be led by the Anti-Racism Study Dialogue Circles (ASDIC). The cost is $90 per person. Learn more.
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Lutheran Campus Ministry Fall Gathering & Fundraiser
Thursday, Oct. 13 - 5-8 p.m. | Campus Club, Minneapolis
Join us for a fun in-person gathering at the beautiful Campus Club Terrace overlooking the city. We’ll gather around hearty appetizers, a cash bar, good music, inspirational stories from students and alumni, and a chance to raise some money for the transformational work happening at Lutheran Campus Ministry – Twin Cities! Tickets are $25 per person. Learn more.
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ConNext Summit
Sunday, Oct. 16-Tuesday, Oct. 18 | Christ the King Retreat Center, Buffalo
Let’s get together to process what has been and move forward In the Ways of Jesus. Join colleagues at ConNext Summit 2022 for Gracious Idleness that’ll prepare you for Scrappy Transformation that will lead your congregation into Radical Belonging. Refresh your soul with scenic beauty and spacious time, reimagine a more sustainable and life-giving ministry, and depart ready to renew your community. Scrumptious happy hours; community-building music; and laughter will be balm for your soul. Find details and registration here; workshop overviews and bios are here. Registration closes September 25!
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Support in the Aging Process Series
Oct. 24, Nov. 17 | Shepherd of the Hills, Shoreview
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Oct. 24 | 10 a.m. - Attorney Melissa Bayne (Larkin Hoffman) will discuss legal options for safeguarding assets, longterm care planning, powers of attorney and other legal matters.
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Nov. 17 | 10 a.m. - Annual Medicare Update! Learn about recent changes and how they affect you, including reviewing Medicare Part D coverage during the open enrollment period, making health insurance comparisons and more.
The sessions are free but registration is required.
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The Saint Paul Area Synod, which includes 110 congregations and new mission starts,
is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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