March 21, 2023

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Budget hearing to prepare voting members for assembly votes

In preparation for the 2023 Synod Assembly on April 28 - 29, a Zoom call presentation on the budget resolutions -- adjustment of the 2023 budget and proposal of the 2024 budget -- will be offered for all voting members to the assembly. Treasurer Ty Inglis and Bishop Ann Svennungsen will host the presentation.

Thursday, April 13; 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.

Zoom

The proposed budget resolutions (and all resolutions to go before the assembly are available on the synod website's Synod Assembly page. (Scroll down beneath the "featured speakers" section.)

ASL and Spanish interpretation for the budget hearing will be available upon request. The deadline to request interpretation is April 6.

Please register if you are planning to attend. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Reclaim to gather in Minneapolis in September

Young adults to "Gather" for worship and fun this Sunday

Reclaim is a curated gathering for Lutheran people of African Descent of all ages and gender identities. The African Descent community thrives most when gathered.

Save the Date!

September 14 - 17

Central Lutheran and

Redeemer Lutheran



Early Bird Registration: $350

Standard Registration: $400

Late Registration $450

Young Adult Track: $300

Grounded in scripture, this gathering seeks to help participants feel embodied, emboldened, and liberated in their identities. Over the four-day gathering, participants will engage in workshops, shared meals, and praise and worship designed to build and strengthen community, teach new skills, share resources, and rejuvenate weary souls.

Now that there is a little more evening sun, traveling to the upcoming young adult Gather event on Sunday, March 26, will mostly happen in the daylight! Come gather at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church for contemplative worship at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. This event is for people roughly between the ages of 19-35, but that is meant to clarify, never exclude.

Sunday, March 26, 5:30 p.m.

St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church

2323 Como Park Avenue, St. Paul

Musician Andy Pokel will be offering original music for this Lenten service, so come for a deep breath and time for rest, renewal, and community. Shobi's Table will be catering our simple meal of vegetarian soup, salad, homemade bread, and cookies.

You can RSVP at the Gather Twin Cities Facebook page, or simply show up that evening! This is a ministry supported by the Minneapolis Area Synod's Ministry Imagination Grants.

Bishop Eaton addresses bills targeting transgender persons

On Monday, March 20, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton released a letter of pastoral concern addressing legislation in multiple states that targets transgender persons. An excerpt follows:

"As bishop of this church, I am concerned that the rights of transgender and nonbinary Americans have been targeted all over this nation. Nearly 400 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills were introduced across the United States in 2022, most of them targeting trans youth. That is twice the number from 2021 and almost eight times the total from 2020. The language in many of these bills attacks the humanity of trans and nonbinary people, often erasing the dignity that should be afforded to everyone."

To read the entire letter

Congregations across the metro welcome

'student preachers' for Lutheran Campus Ministry Sunday

Lutheran Campus Ministry -- Twin Cities (LCM) bears witness to the love and mercy of Christ in the midst of 55,000 young adults at the University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities. Leaders often talk about young adults as the "future" of the church, and fail to understand the ways they are shaping it now, in the present. As we move into a new chapter of life together after the last few years of disruption, we recognize how deeply this time of uncertainty has shaped all of us. Young adults are no exception. Whether bearing witness to the Uprising, entrenched polarization, or the deepening climate crisis, young adults seem to realize that uncertainty will be a part of their world for some time.  

And still, or maybe because of this uncertainty, students are actively engaged with their faith. They are hungry, and they show up to pray, to serve, to learn, and to worship together. More than anything, they show up to connect, and to center down in the love of God. At LCM, we see first-hand the incredible work of the Holy Spirit, who animates these young adults and our ministry among them.  

Eleven students will be preaching across the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods for LCM Sunday, proclaiming the Gospel, and sharing stories about their life as a young adult. These congregations are welcoming students this year: 

• All Saints Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove
• Arlington Hills Lutheran Church, St. Paul
• Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
• Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, St. Paul
• Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, New Hope
• House of Hope Lutheran Church, New Hope
• Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Edina
• St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, St. Paul
• University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis
• Faith Lutheran, Waconia

If your congregation is interested in hosting a student preacher in 2024, please contact Pastor Kate Reuer Welton for more information.  

Tool Kit resources on website

Did you have to miss the Tool Kit on February 11? Do you wish you could have attended all of workshops?

Well, you are in luck. You can find the resources (handouts and slideshows) from most of the Tool Kit workshops on the Tool Kit web page (scroll to the bottom of the page and open February 2023 Resources). Check them out now and share them with other leaders from your churches. While you’re there, you might also find resources from a previous year that you find helpful!

Thanks again to everyone who was able to make it and to our wonderful presenters! 

First Third leaders and health

What does well-being look like for First Third leaders? How do calling, identity and relationships influence well-being? What are some best practices to foster well-being?

Presenter Matt Bloom, PhD, the director of WorkWell, will help you understand how prioritizing your well-being is a key to effective ministry.

Thursday, March 23; 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Westwood Lutheran

9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park

This event is free, but please register for hospitality purposes. 

The Pollinator Plot: Cross+Pollination in a Time of Ecological Crisis

In a moment of deep ecological crisis, this year’s EcoFaith Summit calls us to become part of the Holy Spirit’s subversive plot to pollinate an alternative way of being human for the sake of life. In this great plot, faith communities of every size and place can be demonstration plots, pollinating alternative ways of living. We all steward plots of land, even tiny ones, which can become pollinator habitat.

In this critical and decisive time, a Kairos moment, what we do with our specific plots wherever we are, matters. How we live the Gospel paradox that God’s power is shown in weakness can engage us in active hope amid the growing crisis we face. This event is co-presented by The EcoFaith Network NE-MN Synod, the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Creation Care, and the Saint Paul Area Synod Care of Creation with keynote speaker Margot Monson, entomologist and beekeeper.

Saturday, April 15; 9:30am – 3:30pm

Online or in person at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Duluth

Through worship, a keynote presentation, firsthand stories, conversations, and engagement sessions, together we will be empowered to be participants in this unfolding plot.

Partners include Minneapolis Area Synod EcoFaith Network, Luther Seminary, Northwestern Minnesota Synod ~ Creation Care Affinity Group, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Lutherans Restoring Creation, The Pollinator Friendly Alliance, Lutheran Advocacy - Minnesota, and Duluth Monarch Buddies.

National Lutheran Choir announces regional tour

The eclectic and optimistic program of the National Lutheran Choir's regional tour will share sacred choral music that speaks to the cycles of our days and the cycle of faith in our lives. Throughout the program, the NLC’s performance will be punctuated by opportunities for all to share hymns that are sung together. People of faith as well as people who love great music will all find a place in this journey with the NLC.

Come to hear works by Bach, Fauré, Paulus, Olaf Christiansen, Moses Hogan, André Thomas, David Cherwien, and many others. The choir will present both a cappella and organ favorites, including a new work by celebrated composer and conductor Dr. Marques Garrett: Don't Leave Me Lord.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Rochester, Minnesota

7:00 p.m.; Bethel Lutheran Church

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Lincoln, Nebraska

7:00 p.m.; First-Plymouth Congregational Church

(This concert will be live streamed!

Visit www.abendmusik.org/livestream

at 7:00 p.m. Central Time to watch.)

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

3:00 p.m.; First Lutheran Church

Midwest summer youth gathering to Kansas camp

Fees waived for early registrants for Myle, the tAble

Camp Tomah Shinga and Bethany College are partnering again to offer No Coast, a regional high school youth gathering. The camp will host high school youth groups for time in community and service with one another. Registration is now open!

No Coast Regional Youth Gathering

Sunday, July 23, 2023; 11:30 a.m. -

Thursday, July 27, 2023; 12:30 p.m.

7821 East Lyon Creek Road

Junction City, Kansas

Registration fee: $50

Early bird full-price: $475

Deadline to register: June 23

To register

The leadership of the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering recently announced that, for the 2024 cycle, the Gathering will waive registration fees for the first 1,000 registrants for the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the first 200 registrants for the tAble.

"As crucial parts of the ministry of the Gathering, we are thrilled to be able to support MYLE and the tAble in this way," eplained Deacon Tammy Jones West, 2024 gathering director. "Our hope is that more young people will get to experience these important ministries, which we know creates a lifelong impact. We're thankful to a generous donor that makes this opportunity possible for the young people of this church."

For more information about the event

• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at the Minneapolis Area Synod Spring Ministerium at Normandale Lutheran, on Thursday, March 23.
• Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Christ Memorial Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, March 26.
• Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell service for Rev. Dr. Gary Kinkel at St. John's Lutheran, Shakopee, on Sunday, March 26.
• Pastor John Hulden will be preaching and installing Pastor Melissa Maltman at Servant of Christ Lutheran, Champlin, on Sunday, March 26.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be presenting to the Retired Rostered Ministers Gathering at the Minnesota Church Center on Tuesday, March 29.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Deacon Raul Garcia as a Minister of Word and Sacrament (then Pastor) at St. John's Lutheran, Mound, on Sunday, April 16.
• Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Braham Lutheran, Braham, on Sunday, April 16.
• Mr. Jack Hurbanis will be leading an adult forum at Alleluia Lutheran, St. Michael, on Sunday, April 23.
• Pastor John Hulden will be preaching and installing Pastor Kari Bahe as senior pastor at Zion Lutheran, Buffalo, on Sunday, April 30.
• Mr. Jack Hurbanis will be leading an adult forum at Lord of Life Lutheran, Ramsey, on Sunday, April 30.

• Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
• Spring Ministerium, March 23
• Wellness Gathering for First Third Leaders, March 23
• Growing Through Grief, March 25
• Gathering of Retired Rostered Ministers, March 28
• Addiction and Women, March 30
• Easter Eggstravaganza, April 8
• Youth Ministry Gathering, April 11
• Children's Ministry Gathering, April 17
• Moonlight Madness Grades 6-9 "Lock-Out," April 21-22
• 2023 Synod Assembly, April 28-29
• Communicators Gathering, May 11
• Festival of Homiletics 2023, May 15-18
• Western States Youth Gathering, July 4-6
• Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 17-20
• The Naming Project Summer Camp for LGBTQ youth, July 23-28
• Reclaim Gathering, September 14-17
• Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24-26