January 9, 2024

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
 
 

Luther Sem to host discernment retreat

Are you experiencing a call to be a Deacon or a Pastor? Do you know someone who might be? All are invited for a three-day retreat to explore God’s call.


February 28 – March 1, 2024

Arrowwood Resort

Alexandria, Minnesota


The cost of the retreat including two nights lodging, two breakfasts, three lunches, and one dinner will be $125 for double occupancy or $250 for single.


Registration will be open until mid-January.


For more information

Synod staff this week

All synod staff persons will be working their normal hours this week.

In need of ecological conversion

“Duke professor Ellen Davis shares a story about a neighbor’s conversation with his young grandson. The boy says, ‘Grandpa, the two biggest fears I have are that I won’t make the baseball team and that climate change will ruin my life.’ The child’s question haunts me. And challenges me. Am I doing all I can to protect my grandchildren – and all children – from the effects of climate change?” 
Read Bishop Ann's blog

ELCA Churchwide offers learning opportunites to expand understandings about financial empowerment

ELCA Churchwide invites congregation members to register for great courses to grow stewardship and cultivate large gifts with your local church.


Here are the three opportunities:

  1. Financial Empowerment for Missional Leaders, a monthly webinar, tailored to you, starting again January 24, 2024. The cost for eight monthly sessions for one pastoral and one lay leader is only $200 total. Register today at https://forms.gle/SetAeLvw5sc5yZgx9
  2. Cultivating the Craft of Asking is a series of webinars of five sessions over 10 weeks. Participants will be equipped to develop a donor base and large donations. Register today at http://www.myteministries.org/webinars. (More series will be offered in the near future.)
  3. African Descent and African National Financial Empowerment in Our Contexts is an online course offered Saturday, February 17; 9:00 a.m. (Central Time). For more information: https://forms.gle/bLofos8MUqa9fZ3z6

 

The courses are directed by Bonnie Ives Marden, author of “Church Finances for Missional Leaders: Best Practices for Faithful Stewardship,” in partnership with the ELCA New Ministry Development and Evangelism Team.

 

Recently an ELCA mission developer in these courses raised $52,000 in a couple months, and increased $530 in monthly giving. Both of these webinars are fun, encouraging and positive. Join in!
Flyer: Financial Empowerment
Flyer: Cultivating the Craft of Asking

Augsburg Fortress offers devotional for Lent

Gathered into One provides daily devotions for each day from Ash Wednesday to the Resurrection of Our Lord/Vigil of Easter (traditionally known as Holy Saturday). Devotions begin with an evocative image and a brief passage from First Corinthians. The writers then bring their diverse voices and pastoral wisdom to the texts with quotations to ponder, reflections, and prayers.


The apostle Paul writes this letter to the church in Corinth after hearing of quarreling and divisions among the people. He teaches the Corinthians that each person has a unique set of gifts from the Holy Spirit, given for the common good, and reminds them that the church is the body of Christ, joined together with one bread, one cup, one baptism, one God, and one Spirit. This theme of unity amid diversity is as timely now as it was when Paul wrote to the Corinthians.


Also available in Large Print and eBook versions. You can purchase from a variety of booksellers, but quantity discounts are only available at augsburgfortress.org.

  • 1-24: $3.50
  • 25-99: $2.75
  • 100+: $2.25
Order now

Learn how to be an effective advocate

Advocacy is one of the most powerful tools that Lutherans can leverage to bring more resources and opportunities to our communities and create positive change. Community members are invited to attend a training about the legislative process.


Thursday, January 25;

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Edina Community Lutheran

4113 West 54th Street, Edina


Attendees will hear from experts and leave with the skills and confidence they need to successfully advocate on the issues they care about. This training will be led by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota’s advocacy team, Erin Sutton and Lily Sacay. Co-hosted by Edina Community Lutheran Church (Edina), Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (Minneapolis), and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (Edina).


RSVP requested. If you have questions, contact advocacy@lssmn.org. 
RSVP

Learn to Live 2024 Webinars from Portico 

Take 30 minutes to boost your mental well-being by joining a live webinar led by the Learn to Live Clinical Team.


January topics include making effective habit change, mindful eating, and creating a positive mindset by avoiding negative thinking traps. View the webinar schedule, as well as their library of previous topics, and use the access PORTICO to register. 

National Lutheran Choir to host choral "tune up"

On Saturday, January 20, church choristers and choral music aficionados from throughout the Twin Cities will come together for the National Lutheran Choir (NLC) 2024 Tuneup!


Spend the morning

  • Connecting with NLC and local singers,
  • Learning new music,
  • Singing under the direction of Dr. Jennaya Robison, and
  • Meet three of the four composers whose work we'll learn!


Saturday, January 20; 9:00 a.m. - Noon

Roseville Lutheran Church

1215 Roselawn Ave W, Roseville


During the event, Director Robison will teach participants repertoire and vocal techniques through work on four musical pieces:

  • A New Heart by Melissa Dunphy
  • Christ is Living! He is Risen! by John Helgen
  • Sim Shalom by Jennaya Robison
  • A New Jerusalem Arise by Kyle Pederson


Registration has been extended to January 11.

Nominate students for Lutheran Summer Music

Each year, the primary way that music students find their way to Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is through the encouragement of their church musician! LSM offers opportunities for musicians of all kinds: brass, winds, strings, percussion, piano, organ, voice, harp, guitar, handbells, and more! Students receive advanced musical instruction through large ensembles (festival choir, band, and orchestra), chamber music, private lessons with collegiate-level faculty, and elective classes.


In the evenings, students attend recitals, Evening Prayer services, and social events with their friends. LSM 2024 takes place at Valparaiso University in Indiana from June 30 - July 28 (full session) or June 30 - July 14 (half session) and is open to students who have completed grades 8 - 12.


Know a musical young person who would thrive at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate. 

Reading of new poetry book about Uprising

Retired Pastor Patrick Cabello Hansel will be offering a reading of his newest book of poetry, "Breathing in Minneapolis." This book chronicles the challenging events of 2020 - 2022 in Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd.


Thursday, February 1, 7:00 p.m.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

2730 East 31st Street, Minneapolis


Poets Joyce Sutphen, Walter Cannon, and Dralandra Larkins will join Pastor Patrick. Chilean group Ina Yukka will provide music. Books will be available.


For more information

YAGM priority deadline approaching next week

Protecting youth from

online sextortion

Do you know a young adult who is ready for a transformative journey of service and fellowship? The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! Do you know someone who would love this ministry opportunity? ?


If you do know such a young adult, aged 21-35, this is the time to reach out. Applications are now accepted on a rolling basis, year-round. Those who apply by February 1 will be considered for the service year beginning the following August. Priority will be given to those who apply by January 15.
For more information

Join Cherish All Children, part of Lutheran Social Service to learn about the national crisis of online sextortion, what you can do to keep children and youth safe, and resources to support them if needed. This event is for parents, grandparents, youth leaders, teachers, coaches, community members, and middle and high school youth.


Sunday, January 21; 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Virtual


Joy McElroy, director of Cherish All Children, will share information from the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, providing tools to support youth safety. 


If you have questions, contact Joy McElroy or call (651) 207-3357.
More info or register

A new year, a renewed commitment to work to end hunger

The time is right for a return to bi-synodical efforts to end hunger as 2024 begins and the ELCA World Hunger program celebrates 50 years of hunger work. Plans are beginning for an event for people in the Minneapolis Area Synod and the Saint Paul Area Synod to gather to talk about their congregational efforts to end hunger, about community efforts around the metro area, and how we can work together to multiply efforts. Educational events, hands-on possibilities, and ways to connect regionally, churchwide, and globally are all being considered. More information coming in the New Year.


Do you want to be a part of something renewed, challenging, and exciting? Is ending hunger one of your passions? Contact Justin Grimm (SPAS staff) or Bob Hulteen (MAS staff) and offer to join in the effort.
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Augustana Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 14.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be participating in the Holy Closure service of Peace Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, January 14.
  • Pastor John Hulden and Ms. Kris Bjorke will be representing the synod at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Continuing Education Extravaganza and the SYMBOL (Synodical Youth Ministry Band of Leaders) meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 18 - 22.
  • Pastor Wondimu Sonessa will be preaching and leading an adult forum at Holy Cross Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 28.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Trevor Skorburg at Zion Lutheran, Buffalo, on Sunday, January 28.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile review at Alleluia Lutheran, St. Michael, on Sunday, January 28.
Upcoming Events
 
 
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