 |
|
Interim Pastor Cohort
The Interim Pastor Cohort from the Saint Paul Area Synod meets each month to learn, support one another, connect and go deeper. In December, the interim pastors met at Easter by the Lake in Eagan to learn about decision making and strategic governance from Dr. Dave Webb. Dave is the former superintendent of South St. Paul Public Schools and the current president of the council at Shepherd of the Hills in Shoreview. He is also the author of Homerun Leadership: Your Guide to Better, Faster Team Decisions.
After the meeting, Interim Pastor Mike Peterson said, “Congregational leaders are sometimes reluctant to ask for help even when they know their present system is not working. Dave was called at the last minute to lead our council retreat ( few months ago). We didn’t know what to expect. But by the end of the retreat the council was committed to Dave’s Homerun Leadership system. Now they use the IROD process to help them make decisions and they are more excited about their future. Dave has taken the best of leadership science and boiled it down to steps that make sense and are applicable to congregational settings in our ever changing world. Continued blessings to every congregational leader who needs to make tough decisions.”
Dave and Assistant to the Bishop Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer lead an online series for presidents and vice presidents of congregations each month called “Deeper Dive” to help these lay leaders learn, connect, and go deeper into their calling to serve. We are so grateful for Dr. Dave Webb and his service across the synod!
| |
|
Hunger Legislation in 2023
by Vernita Kennen, Incarnation, Shoreview
As we move into 2023, we also move into new legislative and congressional sessions, both here in Minnesota (Jan. 3) and in Washington, D.C. (also Jan. 3). Important decisions will be made in the coming months, many of them by newly elected individuals who will bring new ideas, new input and, hopefully, more willingness to work together across the aisles.…Many of those decisions will impact people who live with hunger, both here in the United States and in countries around the world.
Read Vernita's full Addressing Hunger blog post.
| |
|
Epiphany Service with Presiding Bishop Eaton
Friday, Jan. 6 - 7 p.m. | Gloria Dei,
St. Paul
I am excited that many members of the Conference of Bishops will be attending a meeting in the Twin Cities in early January. You are invited to join members of the Conference of Bishops and others for a Celebration of the Epiphany on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will preach at this special service of candlelight and Holy Communion. The service will be live streamed at www.gloriadeistpaul.org, then click on “Join Online Worship." A reception will follow the service.
Bishop Lull
| |
|
Registration is open!
Innovative Practice, Design Thinking & Experimentation
Saturday, January 21 - 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Gustavus Adolphus, St. Paul
Have you ever felt stuck in your ministry? Does it feel that you are running into roadblocks as you try to proclaim the Gospel to your community? Do you have the pressure of the past haunting you as you live into this present reality as church? Are you ready to try something new?
The synod’s Vitality Team is offering its next Tools for the Church event to address these questions and more. We will explore design thinking and spend time together dreaming and thinking of the innovative places God is calling your congregation specifically in this time. After some conversation and work together around risk taking and failure, you and your team will be given tools to plan some experiments for your setting. The cost is $10 per person and includes lunch and snacks. Register here.
| |
|
Annual Report Covers
For those congregations that are starting to look at annual reports...
The ELCA has its 2022 annual report cover available for download. It includes a cover page, a message from Presiding Bishop Eaton and an opening litany with a hymn. This document is available as individual pages or two-page spreads. Click here to download the PDF.
NOTE: The synod typically provides its annual report from the Bishop right after New Year's. We'll send it off in an email to congregations, rostered ministers and communicators when it's ready.
| |
|
Synodical Women's Organization Newsletter
Our synodical women's organization affiliated with the ELCA has a new digital newsletter! The Bridges winter edition out last week highlights the 2023 convention in April, cluster meeting highlights, reflections on social justice, discipleship and stewardship and more. Click here to read it online. To receive future editions in your inbox, email kathyafrost@gmail.com.
| |
|
Internship Program Coordinator
We are still accepting applications for the coordinator of a new program of summer internships to take place for four years beginning in 2023. The program coordinator will work to recruit placement sites, design and implement an application process, and oversee the placement process for up to 10 summer internships each year. We hope to have someone in place in early January to prepare for internships beginning in June 2023. The position and the internship program are largely funded by the synod’s Planting Hope capital campaign.
The primary aim of the program is to raise up a new generation of leaders in the church by providing opportunities for vocational exploration. The project will include a learning component for the cohort of interns, for which the program coordinator will provide organizational support. Flexible hours and remote work make it an easy complement to existing employment. This contract position works closely with a senior member of the synod staff and reports to the Bishop. Download the job description. Interested persons may send a cover letter and resume to rachel.holsten@spas-elca.org. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
| |
|
ELCA Disability Ministry Grants
Applications are being accepting for grants through ELCA's Disability Ministry for congregations, synods or other ELCA organizations that are committed to inclusion and accessibility. Eligible projects and proposals must reflect at least two of the three commitments of ELCA Disability Ministry:
- Preparing leaders for serving people with disabilities, raising up people with disabilities for leadership positions, and encouraging the participation of those with disabilities in the wider church.
- Equipping our synods, congregations and members with relevant and practical information that enables them to welcome and support individuals with disabilities so that they might participate fully in the life of the congregation and that, together, all might experience being the body of Christ.
- Gathering and connecting those with disabilities and various groups within the church so that they might help us become an inclusive, supportive and whole community of faith.
The first 30 grant applications received through the GrantMaker application process will be considered. Of those 30 received, the review team will approve up to five grants of up to $10,000. Learn more.
| |
PAYING BY CHECK: If you are giving to the synod via check for support to our ministries (such as our partnerships in Tanzania and Guatemala), please write your check payable to the Saint Paul Area Synod and then in the memo line indicate the detail of where your gift should go. Our bank may start returning checks if they aren't made out to the synod. | |
|
Courageous Leadership Series
Wednesdays - 1 p.m. | Online
ELCA Coaching offers a weekly online gathering for ministry leaders. Each week this series features a new topic and presenters. On Dec. 21, you are invited to join online for a quick wave, hang out for a few minutes or join your favorite folks for the full hour of festive frivolity. If you wish to add to the fun, you are invited to dress up for the holidays, have your pets/children/grandchildren with you, and/or bring something meaningful to you for show and tell (or not!). Recordings of these conversations are posted by the next day. Learn more.
| |
|
The Saint Paul Area Synod, which includes 107 congregations and new mission starts,
is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
| |
|
If you no longer wish to receive News & Events, please email communications@spas-elca.org to be removed from the list.
If you click unsubscribe below, we will no longer be able to send you any future synod communications.
| | | | |
