Last week, the ELCA gathered in Columbus, Ohio, for the 2022 Churchwide Assembly. We are always grateful for those who invest time to serve as voting members on behalf of the Saint Paul Area Synod. This year, those voting members were: Delia Bingea, Penny Catlin, Toya Dragseth, Pastor Mollie Dvorak, Pastor Tanner Howard, Pastor Sarah Kerkes, Laurie Krachmer, Pastor Kim Kyllo, David Laden, Jason Langworthy, Mark Lichtenberger, Deacon Krista Lind, Bishop Patricia Lull, Barbara Moon, Ann Morgan, Jenny Norris Peterson, Deacon Jennifer Schneider, Gail Seaver, Pastor Patrick Shebeck, Pastor Jenny Sung and Melissa Taphorn. Thank you to all!

Rachel Holsten began working at the synod last week as our front office administrator and event planner. She and her husband, Lucas, recently moved from Jamestown, N.D., where Lucas completed his first call as an ELCA pastor. (He is now rostered in the Northwest Wisconsin Synod.) Rachel has done previous work in administration both at University of St. Thomas and the University of Jamestown. She received her master’s in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry from Luther Seminary and was a youth director at United Presbyterian Church in Jamestown and Diamond Lake Lutheran in South Minneapolis. Rachel also has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Wartburg College.

As a part of the synod staff, she will be working with scheduling and planning events, assisting the synod with work in mobility, candidacy, church vitality, and other tasks. Rachel is excited to meet with new people and get to know how we help serve and grow in faith with one another. You can reach Rachel at 651-224-4313 or rachel.holsten@spas-elca.org.

This gathering is for those who work in communications (newsletters, websites, social media, etc.) in the synod's congregations. Rostered ministers are welcome, too!

Do you find yourself running out of storage space for physical and/or digital files? Is chaos overtaking your filing systems? Photos, video clips, printed pieces and other types of files get saved to our computers and then sit...taking up valuable storage space. Ben McDonald Coltvet will discuss the technology side of file storage and share his experience with it as associate director of digital content at Luther Seminary. Previously, he served as digital media manager for the ELCA churchwide organization and as director of communications at the Greater Milwaukee Synod. Ben joins Paul Daniels, ELCA Region 3 Archivist, who will share some great hints on what's important to save and what's not! He'll also share about services that the Region 3 Archives offers for congregations. Come ready to share your own helpful hints and to ask questions! Register here. Questions? Contact Mary Smith at 651-224-4313 or communications@spas-elca.org.

"It's our time, people!" says Pastor Ana Becerra, mission developer at Cristo Rey, as she reflects on the synod's Planting Hope Campaign. It's time to use our hands and our gifts to keep planting hope in the Saint Paul Area Synod! Listen to her brief message here:

Ana has served as a mission developer for almost seven years with Cristo Rey, a synod authorized worshiping community which ministers out of Christ the King, New Brighton. It was a joyous celebration when Ana was ordained yesterday into word and sacrament ministry!

The Guatemala Committee of the Saint Paul Area Synod invites you to its 2022 Guatemala Gala to support the education ministries of our companion synod, the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (Lutheran Church of Guatemala). We are delighted that Pastor Karen Castillo and Diego Gil from the ILAG will be with us to share how your gala gifts will bring hope!

Individual tickets are $50 per person and "Super Supporter" table sponsorships for 10 guests are $1,000. Learn more and register.

Rostered ministers in our synod are invited and encouraged to attend the Bishop's Theological Conference to reflect, learn, worship and collaborate with colleagues. This year's featured speaker is Martha (Marty) Stortz, a teacher, writer, and theologian. She taught historical theology and ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif., before becoming the Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation at Augsburg University in Minneapolis from 2010-2020. She is the author of several books, (A World According to God, Blessed to Follow, Called to Follow), as well as numerous articles. Watch for more conference details soon!

The Saint Paul Area Synod is pleased to announce its new and improved online giving page, which makes it easier than ever to make one-time gifts or set up recurring donations. The look of the page has changed, but you can still adjust existing donations, set up new gifts and update your personal information at www.spas-elca.org/give. If you previously had a Vanco account, you can log in with the same user name and password. Please note that you still do not need to create an account, unless you wish to set up recurring automatic payments or use ACH funds.

We now have a mobile app for synod donations, too! Download the "Vanco Mobile Faith Engagement" free app at the App Store or Google Play, then search for "Saint Paul Area Synod." You'll be able to select the fund (mission support, Planting Hope, BKB, etc.) and donation frequency. You have the option of covering the donation processing fees to help your gift go further in the synod. It's easy and quick - check it out! Questions? Contact the synod office at 651-224-4313.

ELCA Coaching offers a weekly online gathering for ministry leaders. For the rest of August, sessions will focus on the basics of one of a number of coaching skills. On Wednesday, August 17, we will focus on the skill of listening and NOT fixing. How are you present in each moment, with yourself and with others? What do you notice? What are you feeling? How well are you listening? Where and how do you believe God is calling you to be in community?This time will be followed by small breakout rooms to practice this skill with each other on real and relevant topics that you bring with the goal of leaving the time together feeling empowered, valued and prepared for your next most faithful step. Learn more.

Congregational ministry is often designed as ministry to older adults. The new demographic of early old age is hungering for an experience of ministry with….where there is a challenge to participate in rather than the singular option of chaplaincy care to receive. Rev. Carl Greene will share practical approaches that congregations can undertake to engage early old age adults (those 65-80), leading to congregational flourishing and missional living. Congregations truly have great ministry opportunities with early old age adults...if we are intentional. This free webinar is offered through Adult Lutherans Organized for Action. Register here. ALOA has more than 20 webinars on spirituality, aging, health and wellness or ideas for congregational ministry. Click here to access them any time.

Experiences of division, isolation, and despair are overwhelming. BELONGING offers connection, encouragement, and hope. The Ministry Lab invites clergy, faith formation, worship, and other congregational leaders to join its seven-part webinar series, "Belonging: Welcome Well-being." Grow with coaches toward greater personal wellness; learn from therapists tools to foster intergenerational mutuality; rest with a contemplative in belonging to God; and be inspired by artists to deepen and broaden communal belonging - all leading toward greater well-being for

individuals and communities. Each week has a different focus related to belonging to, in and among self, family, elders, God, relationship, etc. Learn more.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota's gala brings together neighbors helping neighbors to celebrate its mission of inspiring hope, changing lives and building community. Gifts and sponsorships support life-changing services that impact one in every 65 Minnesotans. Learn more.

This conference is open to all who have been touched by addiction, with a special focus on leaders who provide spiritual care. Presenters are experts in the fields of mental health, addiction, faith, science, justice, trauma and more. Early bird pricing of $325 per person ends Aug. 31. Regular pricing is $375 per person. Group and seminary discounts are available, as well as partial scholarships. Learn more.

A pre-conference retreat for clergy will be held Oct. 4-6 at the Airport Hilton and the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge. This gathering will include time in 12-Step meetings reflecting on Steps 1, 10 and 11. Space will be given for quiet reflection, spiritual direction and fellowship. A freewill offering will be accepted (suggested at $50) and the retreat is free for seminarians. Learn more.

This conference creates a space to inspire Progressive Christian faith formation leaders as they reflect together, form networks, and cultivate innovative and sustainable ministries with children, youth, families and adults. Both newer and more seasoned leaders create a community in which to connect and grow! Under the theme, "In the Ways of Jesus: Gracious Idleness, Scrappy Transformation, Radical Belonging," participants will process the last few years with comedy improv troupe Danger Boat Productions; strengthen collegial community led by musician Sara Thomsen; rest and renew in the beautiful retreat center; and get inspired by ministry innovations created by neighboring communities. Early bird registration is available through August! Learn more.

www.spas-elca.org | 651-224-4313