September 1, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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Join us over the next few months as we highlight different members of our staff. The Minneapolis Area Synod staff is comprised of 15 people who live in the city, suburbs, and rural areas. We are fairly racially and age diverse for an ELCA office. We hope you get to know us better through these fun interviews! This week's featured staff member is Pastor Kelly Chatman, special advisor to the bishop. |
Kelly Chatman
Do you have any pets or wish you did?
- I do not have a pet and would love to have a dog, but I know I would not invest the time it would require to be a good pet parent.
What book are you currently reading or show are you binge-watching?
- Now that the Twins are playing, I don't have much time for movies. My favorite book right now is My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem.
What is your favorite restaurant to order take-out from?
- I do not have a favorite take-out restaurant in the Twin Cities. If I did, it would be Jamaican.
What summer activity are you most looking forward to?
- I enjoy gardening and find this tends to be more enjoyable in the summer than our Minnesota winters.
What is giving you hope right now?
- Following the tragic and unjust death of George Floyd, I have experienced many White people who identify as white have been interested in having honest and vulnerable conversations about race. This openness gives me renewed hope.
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For the sake of our neighbors |
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A Ministry Imagination Grant story
"One of the more challenging questions for churches in the 21st century, even more so now amid a global pandemic, is how to engage meaningfully with their surrounding communities. Churches are located in neighborhoods and cities with particular needs and experiences, and as the church seeks to share the gospel and serve the neighbor, questions about how best to do so naturally arise."
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God's Work Our Hands Sunday on September 13 |
In 2020, “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is September 13. This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. The ELCA has prepared resources to guide a congregation’s planning, promotion, and more. |
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Cherish All Children is available
to partner with congregations
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Cherish All Children invites congregations into its vision of raising healthy generations free from sexual exploitation. With children and youth spending more time online, the work to prevent exploitation and to promote safe and healthy relationships is needed now more than ever. Predators have quickly adjusted to the pandemic, but children and youth can be kept safe through education and prevention measures.
Contact Joy McElroy to line up activities such as those listed here:
- Zoom gatherings after worship to learn about and engage in protecting children and youth
- Virtual gatherings and trainings with confirmation classes or youth groups about healthy relationships and online safety
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Pre-recorded conversations or trainings to play in weekly worship, such as this recent session with St. John’s Lutheran in Shakopee
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The Director of Evangelical Mission position for the
Minneapolis Area Synod is open once again
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The Director of Evangelical Mission position represents the Domestic Mission (DM) unit in the territory of the Minneapolis Area Synod, and is responsible for engaging synodical leaders, structures, and strategies in the formation and development of congregational vitality: “Communities of Jesus that nurture life-changing relationships with God, one another, and the world,” and reflects the purposes, principles, and commitments of the synod, DM, and the ELCA as a whole.
This position will coordinate and staff the education of all evangelical mission, mission support, and stewardship ministries in the synod through the formation and coordination of three synodical initiatives: mission support and/or stewardship, congregational vitality, and alignment with "Future Directions 2025."
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? |
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Pastor John Hulden will be attending the decommissioning of the sanctuary for Bethany Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 13.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Ben Cherland at Christ Church Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Saturday, September 19.
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Ms. Meghan Olsen Biebighauser will be preaching at Christ Lutheran, Blaine, on Sunday, September 20.
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Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Maria Markman as associate pastor at Grace Lutheran, Andover, on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27.
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Synod candidates to be ordained elsewhere |
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