We are seeing heartbreaking images from communities hit by Hurricane Ian. Other natural disasters including earthquakes, floods and typhoons have also made recent headlines across the world. As you are able, please consider a gift to Lutheran Disaster Response, which shows up for our neighbors near and far. Join us in prayer and partnership to support all those who are impacted. | |
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Fall Joint Ministerium
Thursday, Oct. 27 - 9 a.m.-12 noon | Luther Seminary, St. Paul
For rostered ministers in the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods
The past few years have taken their toll on our Twin Cities. Especially during the pandemic, we’ve sensed the fraying of bonds that hold us together. Some rural and suburban people question the livability of the core cities. People in the core cities express frustration at losing businesses to the suburbs.
Social media amplifies the disconnect and distrust. Judgment abounds. Some agendas even benefit from a sense of suspicion and division amongst us. And yet, we are tied together economically, politically, socially, and spiritually. Our current public discourse often neglects that reality. What can pastors and deacons do as mediating leaders within communities to counter a narrative of fear and suspicion? How can we begin to heal the breach?
Our Joint Ministerium will focus on these very issues. We will be joined by key regional leaders for conversation about how we might work together for the health of our region. Luther was clear that government is intended to be one of God’s instruments – working for the good of all. We look forward to this conversation with our governmental leaders – and the chance to explore how we can work together to foster just and healthy neighborhoods throughout our entire region.
Panelists include: Lori Sturdevant, Star Tribune columnist (moderator); Irene Fernando, Hennepin County Commissioner, District 2; Jim McDonough, Ramsey County Commissioner, District 6 (retiring);
Laurie Halvorson, Dakota County Commissioner, District 3; and Reva Chamblis, Metropolitan Council, District 2. Click here to register.
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CYF Welcome Event
Thursday, Oct. 6 - 9-11 a.m. | Pilgrim, St. Paul
All Children, Youth and Family staff new(er) to the Minneapolis or Saint Paul Area Synods are invited to attend to make some new connections. We are grateful you are part of the synod and want to welcome you! Enjoy light snacks and fellowship and discover information/networks where you can find support. There's no cost to attend, but please register so we know how many to plan for. Register here.
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Children's Ministry Gathering
Monday, Oct. 10 - 2 p.m. | St. Stephen, Bloomington
Join us in person to talk about what your ministry will look like for Advent/Christmas. Bring your thoughts and examples to share for take-home kits, during-worship ideas, separate pageants, gatherings and more! Questions? Email rgill@easter.org or juliev@trinitylonglake.org. These gatherings are sponsored jointly by the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods for staff and key volunteers who work in children's ministry. Notes from previous gatherings may be accessed in the files area of the Twin Cities CYF Facebook group.
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A Deeper Dive: Leadership Conversations for Congregation Presidents & VPs
Thursday, Oct. 27 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online
For congregation presidents and vice presidents
Last week, around 20 congregation presidents and vice presidents enjoyed a robust discussion in the first in a monthly series of leadership conversations. The Zoom gatherings are hosted by Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer (assistant to the bishop for lay leadership) and Dr. Dave Webb (retired school superintendent and council president at Shepherd of the Hills). The next meeting will be Oct. 27, with additional sessions scheduled for Dec. 1, Jan. 26, March 30 and on Feb. 25 as part of the synod's Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders. Register here!
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Addressing Hunger:
A New Logo for Bread for the World
by Vernita Kennen
Bread for the World (BFW) President/CEO Reverend Eugene Cho has just announced a new logo as a way of “refreshing our brand.” A new BFW website is also up and running. (Good news to me since I often was frustrated finding my way on the former site. Here is an explanation of the new logo:
- The table asks us not only who has room at the table but also those we invite to join in being at the tables of power and influence with lawmakers making decisions impacting people who live with hunger.
- The table reminds us of how often Jesus ate at table, shared at table, gathered with others at table, and invited us to his table.
- The bowl might be seen as half empty or half full. If it is “our” bowl, what are we doing to make sure that no one in God’s world goes to bed hungry?
- The bowl could also be seen as symbolic of the baptismal font and our adoption into God’s family.
- And some people have even suggested that if you look at the logo sideways, it says “DC” where Bread for the World calls us to work with our legislators to bring about needed change for those who live with hunger.
It seems to me that the new logo not only explains who Bread for the World is but challenges us to live out our calling as children of God and followers of Jesus to feed the hungry wherever they are. I like the logo a lot. While it will take me some time to get used to seeing it and not the “loaf” image I have so long remembered, I find it meaningful, updated, and inspiring. I hope you do, too.
Read more of Vernita's "Addressing Hunger" blog posts.
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Updated Model Constitution
One of the responsibilities of the Churchwide Assembly is to act on proposed updates to the model
constitution for ELCA congregations. The voting members did just that during the recent Churchwide Assembly in Columbus, Ohio. If your congregation is working on updating your constitution, please use this updated version, which provides all the required sections. Not sure what to do? The synod has a constitution review committee that can help you sort through the steps. Contact Leslie Ortiz at leslie.ortiz@spas-elca.org to start the conversation.
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A variety of congregational resources are available
for The Planting Hope Campaign: three videos of varying lengths, bulletin inserts, text for newsletters and bulletins, flyers, PowerPoint slides
and more! Download them at:
https://spas-elca.org/planting-hope-collateral/
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Estate Planning
Oct. 17-23 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. This may be the perfect time to reflect on your own plans. It can also be a great opportunity to raise the subject with your ministry’s donors. Learn more about estate planning concepts and tools by visiting foundation.elca.org and requesting a copy of the ELCA Foundation’s “Personal Estate Planning Lesson Book.” Our regional gift planner is Becky Palmgren and she's available to walk you through these resources and answer any questions you might have. She can be reached at rebecca.palmgren@elca.org or 763-757-9302.
Planning Your Legacy Webinar
Wednesday, Oct. 19 - 4 p.m. | Online
Hear about the current economic climate and get an overview of what you need for a solid estate plan. Learn how to leave a legacy to support ELCA ministries while also saving on taxes. Register here.
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October Portico Update
New Portico Regional Representative
After nearly a decade serving the ELCA as a Portico Regional Representative, Deacon Terri Endres put into practice much of what she’s been teaching and entered retirement. Starting Oct. 3, our synod’s new Regional Rep will be Pastor Tim Schroeder. Tim most recently served at Peace Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and as a senior admissions counselor at Luther Seminary. While the Portico Customer Care Center (800-352-2628) remains the primary point of contact for benefit questions and processes, Portico’s Regional Reps provide education, encouragement, and a personal connection. Tim can be reached at tschroeder@porticobenefits.org.
Prepare for 2023 Annual Enrollment
As you prepare to make selections in October, keep these things in mind:
- The ELCA recommends two ELCA-Primary health benefit options: (1) Gold+, or (2) Silver+ with a monthly employer contribution to the member’s health savings account (HSA). Sponsoring employers (congregations and organizations) will selection the option they will offer their employees Oct. 3-14. Your registered EmployerLink user can access the 2023 Decision Guide and their Custom Comparison Report to help determine 2023 costs and options. Note: any organization that does not make a selection will be assigned Silver+ (A) to offer their plan members the ability to choose the coverage that works best for them.
- Sponsored members, watch for an email from Portico with specific information about 2023 Annual Enrollment, including when your selection period will be open. Most – but not all – plan members will make their selection between Oct. 20-27.
Invest in Your Emotional Health
Boost your emotional health this fall by joining a 30-minute webinar led by Learn to Live’s clinical team. Upcoming sessions– focus on Managing Stress and Worry in Uncertain Times; Preserving Peace Throughout the School Year; and Building Stronger Social Connections. Learn more about the webinars and use the code PORTICO to register.
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Safe & Healthy Relationships Youth Guide
Cherish All Children’s Safe & Healthy Relationships Youth Guide resource is being used with Confirmation classes and HS Youth groups across the state, engaging youth in lively and important conversations to keep themselves safe.
New Family Follow-up Resources aid parents and caregivers in continuing these conversations at home, offering support for raising children into safe and healthy friendships and dating relationships. Youth and families will better understand:
- Healthy relationship qualities and how God intends for us to love one another
- Signs of unhealthy or unsafe relationships, whether in person or online
- How sharing of sexual photos can easily spread and where to go for support if needed
- How vulnerabilities can lead to exploitation and how youth’s strengths and a support network can help protect them
Youth leaders, pastors, church leaders, and other supportive adults – bring these important conversations into your faith community this education season! Reach out to joy.mcelroy@cherishallchildren.org with any questions.
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Public Comments on Social Message
on Climate Care
Last year, the ELCA Church Council authorized development of an ELCA social message on climate care. A draft message is now available for public feedback! Click here to review the social message draft, then complete the survey to share your input. ELCA social messages are teaching documents that address a focused social topic. This project was authorized in light of the grim contemporary situation affecting our global home and the need for fresh action on the part of this church. It draws its framing themes from several social statements, particularly Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice.
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Courageous Leadership Series
Wednesdays - 1 p.m. | Online
ELCA Coaching offers a weekly online gathering for ministry leaders. Each week features a new topic and presenters. The sessions often include time for small group break-out rooms so that leaders across the church can learn from one another and leave each gathering with at least one action step. Recordings are posted by the next day. Learn more.
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Listen • Understand • Connect
Oct. 4, Oct. 5 | Trinity, Stillwater
Trinity in Stillwater invites you to its education series with Vance Blackfox, citizen of the Cherokee Nation, founder and director of Other+Wise, and director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations of the ELCA. Thanks to a Gleaning From the Harvest grant from the synod, events are free but do require registration. The series was planned by Trinity’s Racial Justice Ministry Team.
- Tuesday, Oct. 4 | 6:30-8 p.m. – Indigenous Thought & Theology – Worship Center at Trinity (all ages)
- Wednesday, Oct. 5 | 6:30-8 p.m. – Indian 101 – Worship Center at Trinity (all ages)
Learn more and register.
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Why Treaties Matter Interactive Exhibit
In conjunction with the education series, Trinity is also hosting the traveling exhibit "Why Treaties Matter: Self Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations." This interactive exhibit emphasizes American Indian sovereignty as an ongoing continental reality. Learn from Dakota and Ojibwe Nations’ new and innovative ways to create community, build sustainable systems, and relate to one another. The exhibit is a collaboration of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Humanities Center, and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday, Oct. 4, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-Noon & 3:30-6:30 p.m. Learn more.
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Kids and Screen with Erin Walsh
Saturday, Oct. 8 - 9-11 a.m. | Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley
Parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children are invited to learn how to parent our youngest kids in a world dominated by screens. One-third of children under three years of age go online daily and 28% of children under two have TVs in their bedrooms. Does media boosts children's intelligence or should parents limit screen time in the early years? Erin Walsh, the co-founder of Spark & Stitch Institute, will identify ways to use technology and media to support children's learning and development. She promises no screen time guilt, only evidence and practical, positive strategies to help kids thrive. This event is co-hosted by Shepherd of the Valley and Easter Lutheran in Eagan. The cost is $10 per family, which includes continental breakfast and childcare. Financial support is available. Learn more and register.
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Minnesota Council of Churches 75th Anniversary Worship Service
Saturday, Oct. 15 - 1-3:30 p.m. | Shiloh Temple, Minneapolis
Join the Minnesota Council of Churches in celebrating its 75th anniversary of manifesting the unity of the body of Christ and building the common good in the world. The preacher will be Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches. A light reception will follow the service. If you plan to attend, please RSVP here.
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True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace
Saturday, Oct. 29 - 7 p.m. | St. Luke, Cottage Grove
Rev. Brandan Robertson is a noted author, national organizer and public theologian, working at the intersections of spirituality, sexuality and social renewal. He is the founder of Metanoia, a global digital faith community. He will also preach during the 9 a.m. worship service on Oct.. 30.
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The National Lutheran Choir's All Saints Concerts
Friday, Nov. 4 - St. Philip the Deacon, Plymouth | Sunday, Nov. 6 - St. Andrew's, Mahtomedi
Join us to honor those who have passed while recognizing our past, present and future journeys. This program will feature John Rutter’s Requiem along with hymns, candles, and the reading of names of our new saints. Visit NLCA.com to purchase tickets or learn about a virtual program option. Adult tickets are $33, youth and students are free.
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SYNOD STAFF IN CONGREGATIONS | |
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Bishop Patricia Lull
- Oct. 8 – Ordination of Terri Elton - Luther Seminary, St. Paul (10:30 a.m.)
- Oct. 9 – Immanuel, St. Paul
- Oct. 16 - Lord of Life, Lakeville (25th Anniversary)
The Rev. Justin Grimm
- Oct. 9 –Elim, Scandia (preaching/installation of Pastor Seth Perry)
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The Saint Paul Area Synod, which includes 110 congregations and new mission starts,
is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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