March 3, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Event Spotlight: Spring Ministerium
Each spring the rostered ministers of the synod are called together for a Ministerium. The 2020 Ministerium will celebrate strides made in expanding "the welcome table" to a more diverse leadership. Learn more  
Blessed are the Peacemakers
We live in a time of increasing division and expression of hate. How do we respond? How do we "love our enemies"? This free community event is sponsored by the Addison family in memory of the Rev. Dr. Duane Addison and features founders of Serve 2 Unite, Pardeep Singh Kaleka and Arno Michaelis. They are authors of "The Gift of Our Wounds." Come and hear the way their stories inter-connect.

Firday, March 20-Saturday, March 21
3312 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony, Minnesota

Early registration (before May 20) is $245.
Organizing 101
“ Looking back, I can point to the moment I first demonstrated that I’m a community organizer at heart – and a church organizer at that.
I was in first grade. I was a pastor’s kid in a small town church in rural Nebraska. As most pastor’s kids can relate, I spent a lot of time at the church, and was mostly the quiet, contemplative sort. I listened closely and felt a sense of spiritual connectedness even from that young age. So naturally, one Sunday when I watched the congregation gather for communion, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. ”
ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants
ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants accompany congregations and their partners throughout the United States and Caribbean as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, clean water, housing, job readiness, human rights, policy change, leadership development, and more. Together, these ministries are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger — for good — by addressing the root causes of hunger.

Proposals that are transformative, holistic, and integrated are especially encouraged.  

Registrations open March 18. Applications will be received April 1-May 22. Awards will be announced in November.
Rekindle the Gift Within You
Registration is now open for the ELCA's Rostered Ministers Gathering this summer. This event includes more than 100 workshops, an exhibit center, beer and hymns, a banquet celebrating women's ordination, and more. Featured speakers include the Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church; Krish Vignarajah, CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service; and the Rev. Karoline Lewis, chair in biblical preaching at Luther Seminary.

Monday, July 20-Thursday, July 23
Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix, Arizona

Early registration (before May 20) is $245.
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Ms. Emilie Bouvier will be offering an adult forum at Zion Lutheran, Anoka, on Sunday, March 8.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile conversation at Christ Church Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, March 15.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Sherri Lawrence at St. James Lutheran, Burnsville, on Sunday, March 15. Sherri has been called to Shepherd of the Hills, Edina.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile conversation at Faith Lutheran, Isanti, on Sunday, March 22.
  • Ms. Brenda Blackhawk will be offering an adult forum at Prairie Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, March 22.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at the Spring Ministerium at Advent Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Thursday, March 26.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at St. Timothy Lutheran, Columbia Heights, on Sunday, March 29.
  • Pr. John Hulden will be installing soon-to-be-Pastor Sherri Lawrence at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Edina, on Sunday, March 29.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org