February 28, 2023

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Augsburg Youth Theology Institute presents "The Confluence"

Youth who have completed 9th - 12th grade are invited to apply for this year's Augsburg Youth Theology Institute (AYTI), "The Confluence." AYTI is a weeklong on-campus experience for high school students at Augsburg University with daily exploration in the neighborhood and the city.

Together in community, high school participants learn how to practice vocational discernment through a variety of experiences including:

• intentional community building with small groups led by college mentors
• daily spiritual practices of prayer, journaling, first word, and worship
• learning how spiritual gifts and strengths inventories can deepen our understanding of the gifts God gives to us
• reading books and articles that invite academic inquiry as a way of understanding theology and vocation; and
• community based learning in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood and the greater Twin Cities

Augsburg's hope is that by the end of the CONFLUENCE, each participant will have gained a deeper insight into who they are and the life they want to lead as children of God.

Empathy Lenten Lunch Series

The Empathy Film Series is an opportunity for you to gather with other servant leaders interested in boosting empathy in our society. Watch documentaries about bridge-building stories. Reflect on what you’ve experienced and its applications. Minnesota Council of Churches Respectful Conversations staff will be present for consultation on opportunities for empathy or conflict depolarization in your community. Learn more about the films, including a 2023 Academy Award nominee, and register here.

Influence of Feminist Theology over 60 Years at United

As United Theological Seminary celebrates its sixtieth year, it is taking time to reflect on how feminist theology has influenced United’s development as a seminary. For this event, President Molly T. Marshall will moderate a discussion with retired and current faculty members.



Join in for a lively and informative conversation!

Discerning the next move toward racial justice

"George Floyd Woke Me Up. Now What?" will be a grace-based training program to equip leaders with tools and resources to facilitate transformative action in interculturality and anti-racism. In this engaging workshop, Joe Davis and David Scherer provide embodied practices that help people get unstuck from the paralysis of fear and shame to take the next faithful move toward God's beloved community.

Sunday, March 12; 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake

Joe Davis and David Scherer are artists and educators with more than 30 years of shared experience in helping individuals and organizations create a more just and equitable world.

National Lutheran Choir announces regional tour

This eclectic and optimistic program 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 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 24th, 2023

Rochester, Minnesota

7:00 p.m.; Bethel Lutheran Church

Saturday, March 25th, 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 26th, 2023

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

3:00 p.m.; First Lutheran Church

Ten years of "God's Work. Our Hands"

This year marks the 10th anniversary of "God's work. Our hands." Sunday!

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday began in 2013 in connection with the ELCA's 25th anniversary. It continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

ELCA congregations participate in acts of service every day. This day of service is an extension of the work you already do to make your community a better place.

Save the Date: Sunday, September 10

Consider expanding your day of service this year by inviting a friend, partnering with a neighbor congregation, or serving in collaboration with a local community group or event.

Synod office update

Most synod staff members continue to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. On Fridays the office is closed to the public, so meeting space will not be available and general inquiries may not receive a response until the following week. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we will adhere to the Minnesota Church Center building protocols and messaging on the sixth floor: “Masks are not required. However, masking is strongly recommended for those with symptoms or exposure. Masks available upon request.” 

• Pastor John Hulden will be preaching and installing Pastor Nick Ralston at St. John Lutheran, Zimmerman, on Sunday, March 5.
• Mr. Jack Hurbanis will be leading a conversation about electric cooperatives at St. John Lutheran, Zimmerman, on Sunday, March 5.
• Pastor Craig Pederson will be installing Pastor Elise Pokel at Transfiguration Lutheran, Bloomington, on Sunday, March 5.
• Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at Advent Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Sunday March 12.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Kyle Soderberg at Nativity Lutheran, St. Anthony, on Sunday, March 19. Kyle will continue serving Nativity after ordination.
• Pastor John Hulden will be presiding at the opening worship of the ELCA Assistants to the Bishops gathering at the Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis, on Monday, March 20.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at the opening worship of the ELCA Assistants to the Bishops gathering at the Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis, on Monday, March 20.
• 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.

• Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
• Conference Assemblies, Various dates in February
• Hearing, Helping, Healing our Neighbors with Mental Health Challenges, March 7
• "George Floyd Woke Me Up. Now What?," with David Scherer and Joe Davis, March 12
• Youth Ministry Gathering, March 14
• Spring Ministerium, March 23
• Growing Through Grief, March 25
• Gathering of Retired Rostered Ministers, March 28
• Youth Ministry Gathering, April 11
• 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