February 6, 2024

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
 
 

Good Gifts and Valentine's Day

ELCA World Hunger Good Gifts is a great way to expand members of your congregations experience of what love means in the real world. You are able to give the gift of hope and sustainability to those living on the margins, and to do so in the name of someone you love!


With themes like "Bee My Valentine" and "Hogs and Kisses," you can download a Valentine's Day card to send to your loved one that let's them know of the gift you have given -- for them and for others.


The Saint Paul Area Synod's Vernita Kennen recently wrote a blog about her commitment to Valentine's Day gifts that offer nutrition for children in other parts of the world. Read her blog for ideas.


And give a great Valentine's Day gift through the ELCA World Hunger program. (Unlike some other food-related programs, ELCA World Hunger is committed to accompaniment so that gifts are appropriate and helpful to communities.)

Synod staff this week

All synod staff persons are in the office during their regular hours Tuesday through Thursday this week, and most are working remotely on Friday. (Monday is an optional in-office or remote work day.)

Grace and belonging

“It’s not easy or simple to be a congregation. Our unity is in Christ; in other ways we are quite diverse. I recall a story that Riverside Church’s Rev. James Forbes liked to tell. Shaking his hand after services, a woman announced, ‘I really didn’t like the hymns today.’ After a moment, Forbes replied, ‘That’s sort of how it is. We’re a community of diverse people. I’d say if you liked the hymns 30 percent of the time, you’re doing great.’”
Read Bishop Ann's blog

Night Songs: The stunning projections of the night sky

An evening of music and poetry features the choirs of University Lutheran Church of Hope, Grace University Lutheran, First Congregational Church of Minnesota, University Baptist Church, Vocal U, and other metro area singers and instrumentalists. Come listen to beautiful music under stunning projections of the night sky!


Friday, February 9; 7:30 p.m.

University Lutheran Church of Hope 

601 13th Avenue SE, Minneapolis



The event is free and open to the public.
More information

You hear about people using AI to create graphics and content in all kinds of communications work these days. Is there benefit to using it in our church communications?


Join the conversation with other church staff, volunteers, and pastors who work with communications at the second annual Communicators Retreat. The day will include community building, networking, and the AI presentation and conversation. Presenters will be Sue Megrund from InterServe Ministries and Tyler LeClear Vachta from Augsburg University. Registration is required.

 

Thursday, March 7

9:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.

Mount Olivet Retreat Center, Farmington
To register

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and congregational communicators

A time sensitive offer for youth gathering registration

Have you not registered for the ELCA Youth Gathering yet? We’ve got some good news for you! The first five congregations to reply to Pastor John Hulden will receive the priority pricing rate of $375 for anyone they register from their congregation before February 15!

Here's the fine print: Only new registering congregations are eligible for this incentive. It does not apply to congregations who have already registered and are adding more participants. If you receive this incentive, you must register your congregation by February 14 at 11:59 p.m. Anyone who registers after that date/time will need to pay the current registration rate.

ELCA youth gathering info session on February 29

Whether you’re registered or still deciding where to head this summer, join your synod champions, Kelsey Young (Saint Paul) and John Hulden (Minneapolis), for a Gathering 2024 Information Session on


Thursday, February 29

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Minneapolis Area Synod Office

122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 600


We’ll go over details of what to expect for each day of the Gathering, share ideas for ways to spend your free time, answer your questions about logistics, show off our synod t-shirt design, and give away some swag! There will be time to network and share great ideas with other trip leaders, and a chance to try out the Goose Chase scavenger hunt app that will be used during the Gathering this summer. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to prepare for your trip to New Orleans and register to join us today!

Free downloadable music from Lutheran Summer Music

Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is introducing two FREE compositions from LSM. One is Holy Manna by Anne Krentz Organ, for solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment. The other is Be Thankful, for SATB chorus, descant, keyboard accompaniment, with options for assembly, handbells.


Here is the free sheet music download: https://www.lsmacademy.org/resources 

Urban Servant Corps now accepting applications

Urban Servant Corps is a faith-based, intentional community of full-time volunteers who seek to live simply while serving and accompanying those most in need at nonprofit partner agencies in the heart of Denver, Colorado. USC volunteers are committed to social justice, racial justice, and accompanying vulnerable populations.


Food, housing, health insurance, a monthly stipend, student loan debt reduction (up to $7,000), and an annual "growth and development" allotment are provided. Participants also receive spiritual direction, alumni mentorship, and professional development opportunities.


The priority application deadline is March 1. Learn more.

Possible creation-centered Lenten discipline for 2024

#NoPlasticsforLent is back for its fourth year! This year, this organizing effort is partnering with ELCA Advocacy and Lutherans Restoring Creation to offer a Lenten series that focuses on advocacy in care for creation and what we as Christians can do. You can sign up to be emailed directly once the small group details and resources become available. If you are outside the age range of 18-35 or want to organize your own small groups, you are encouraged you to use this Lenten resource for yourself and your community!
No Plastics for Lent interest form

Bethel Lutheran to host community education classes in spring

Bethel Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis is launching the Bethel Community Education Pilot Program from February to April this year. These community education classes will include such courses as "Intro to Deaf Culture and Beginner ASL," "Mandala Rock Painting," "Balanced Spirituality for Christians: Introduction to Ho'oponopono," "Cookbook Club," and more. The courses range from one to four weeks on Monday evenings.


Bethel Community Education activities are supported with funds from the Fairview Interfaith Health Collaborative.

For a list of courses and times

Rick Lindroth to offer 2024 Rutlen Lecture at Luther Seminary

Margaret Feinberg to be next Faith and Life Lecturer

Ecologist and lay theologian Rick Lindroth will deliver Luther Seminary's 2024 Rutlen Lecture on Faith and Creation, speaking on “Science, Truth, and Christian Faith in a Time of Eco-Crisis.” 


Tuesday, February 27; 7:00 p.m.

Chapel of the Incarnation, Luther Seminary

1490 Fulham Street, St. Paul


The ecological polycrisis confronting the world today is unparalleled in human history and threatens to unravel, within decades, the very fabric of civilization. Long battered by the “dominion” theology of Christianity, the global environment has suffered further in recent decades because of entrapment in a vortex of science denialism, political polarization, and cultural tribalism.


Rick Lindroth argues for a re-wilding of the Christian ethic of creation care — one that promotes enchantment, connection, reciprocity, and justice — for the betterment of humanity and flourishing of the living world.


This event is free and open to the public, with no registration required.


The lecture will be livestreamed via YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
More information

St. Philip the Deacon's Faith & Life Lecture Series will feature author, podcaster, and Bible teacher Margaret Feinberg for its next event. Her presentation, Faith & Food: Butchers, Bakers and Fresh Food Makers, will explore the spirituality and enrichment of a Christian life.


Thursday, February 8: 7:00 p.m.

St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church

17205 County Road 6, Plymouth


Host of the popular podcast, The Joycast, Feinberg is also creator of best-selling coloring and creative books for grown ups. Her books, including Scouting the Divine; Fight Back With Joy; Taste and See: Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers and Fresh Food Makers; and their corresponding Bible studies, have sold more than one million copies and received critical acclaim and extensive national media coverage.


She was recently named one of 50 women most shaping culture and the church today by Christianity Today.

More information

Intergenerational gathering of Lutheran musicians in July

The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) will hold a music and worship conference in conjunction with Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) 2024 at Valparaiso University. The conference, overlapping with LSM week 4, will bring together hundreds of church musicians from across the country for several days of learning, fellowship, and shared musical experiences.


July 22-25

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana



This year’s ALCM conference theme, “From Generation to Generation: Ponder Anew,” highlights this unique occasion for LSM students to learn and perform alongside seasoned church musicians and for conference attendees to connect with the next generation of musicians. This promises to be a wonderful experience for everyone involved, and we hope you can join us for this inspiring collaboration.
More information

Statewide ecofaith leaders

to gather in Duluth in April

The EcoFaith Network of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod is hosting its 2024 Summit for faith community members concerned about environmental stewardship. The theme for this year's summit is "Cross Currents in the Flood: Building Arcs Together for a Livable Planet."


Saturday, April 6

First Lutheran Church

1100 East Superior Street, Duluth


The climate crisis is no longer a future we are trying to avert: it is upon us like a flood, because we have become a flood. At the same time, we are being carried forward on Spirit-led cross currents toward new possibilities and new life. As we build arcs of relationship connecting generations, crossing boundaries, and healing divisions, we become the Ark necessary for a shared future, for a livable planet.


Noted Christian environmental ethicist Larry Rasmussen will be the kenynote speaker. His book, The Planet You Inherit: Letters to My Grandchildren When Uncertainty's a Sure Thing, won the 2023 Nautilus Gold Prize for books in Ecology and Environment.


Save the date. More information will soon follow.

St. Olaf College offers conference on worship, theology, and the arts

Under the theme "Nourishing Vocation," St. Olaf College is offering its 2024 Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts (CWTA). This year's conference will combine signature CWTA musical experiences with innovative and imaginative work being done by both the Nourishing Vocation Project and the Nourishing Vocation with Children, under the leadership of Rove. Dr. Char Rachuy Cox.


July 29 - July 31

St. Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota


What to expect:

  • Inspiring worship ~ A pick-up choir under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong
  • Networking 
  • Music Reading Sessions
  • Arts Encounters 
  • Daily plenaries
  • Theology-in practice through child-attentive, arts-enriched, user-ready ministry ideas for you to take home and implement
  • Nourishing conversations
More information
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
Upcoming Events
 
 
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