Our 2020 Synod Assembly this Friday and Saturday will be unique for many reasons, including the fact that it's our first-ever online assembly. We will observe the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women by celebrating the ordained women of our synod, we'll showcase the winning entries in our hymn contest and we'll hear from Paul and Dr. Diane Jacobson about a Bible discussion they've created based on our assembly theme. We'll receive reports from synod committees and officers, approve the 2021 budget and, of course, hold an election for bishop.

Around 400 participants will join us on Zoom for the official proceedings. Election credentials and the Zoom link were emailed to voting members last Tuesday, Sept. 15. Others are invited to observe the proceedings on the synod's Facebook page, which you'll be able to access through the assembly webpage, where you can also find other assembly details, including the proposed agenda.

Assembly registrants are strongly encouraged to attend one of our digital orientation sessions. These will give you practice joining Zoom and being admitted to a meeting, voting on different types of ballots, "getting in line" to speak and using Zoom functionality. (The content is identical; attend only one.)

If you need any special assistance with Synod Assembly, contact the synod office right away at 651-224-4313 or info@spas-elca.org. For technology questions during the digital orientation sessions or assembly, visit www.spas-elca.org/synod-assembly for the Tech Help Desk contact information.

We are grateful for the enthusiastic support with which congregations have responded to the synod's Food Shelf Challenge. We've well surpassed the $100,000 mark and contributions continue to add up in support for local food shelves and food banks. Learn more at www.spas-elca.org/a-food-shelf-challenge.

St. Timothy in St. Paul says, "Lines are long at food shelves…we keep getting calls for help. People at church are generously seeking to help others in need and support BIPOC community leaders." Their donations have gone to Hallie Q Brown, Keystone and NorthPoint.

Fish Lake in Harris has generously given fresh produce from the Church Community Garden and individual members' gardens for years during the summer months. They also donate monthly both financially and through non-perishable food items and hats, mittens, other items needed for cold Minnesota winters throughout the year. They say, "Being a part of the community means you help support all of its members. The strong relationship Fish Lake Lutheran has with Family Pathways Food Shelter in both Cambridge and North Branch and the Shalom Thrift Shop in Cambridge allows its members to offer support to our surrounding communities in many ways."

This past spring, ELCA World Hunger rapidly responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by launching Daily Bread Matching Grants. These grants provided 200 congregations with tools to raise funds online for their feeding ministries, along with a $500 grant to drive generosity. In 14 days, the 200 congregations raised well over $200,000, and the energy and impact of the ministry fueled by those funds has been felt widely across the church.

We know that in times of need, this church gets to work and gives abundantly. Thanks to the generous response to the COVID-19 Appeal, ELCA World Hunger will be offering 300+ additional Daily Bread Matching Grants this fall. 

Details for applying via ELCA GrantMaker will be advertised on elca.org/dailybread and ELCA World Hunger’s social media on Sept. 29. Approved participants will be notified shortly before the two-week fundraising period, which will take place Nov. 8-22. Until then, interested congregations should email hunger@elca.org and follow ELCA World Hunger on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for updates.

Eligibility: ELCA congregations with feeding ministries are invited to participate. Grant information will be available in Spanish and English through elca.org/dailybread. Ethnic-specific, multi-cultural and vulnerable congregations will receive priority. ELCA World Hunger staff will coordinate with DEMs to ensure that these congregations receive the support to successfully participate. Congregations that received a Daily Bread Matching Grant already this year are not eligible, but are encouraged to coach and support congregations participating in this round. Congregations without a feeding ministry can get involved by partnering with a congregation that does, multiplying their impact.

In her September column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the uncertain times that we find ourselves in during the pandemic. But she believes we are on the brink of a “new thing that God is bringing about.” Are we ready to answer God’s call?

Luther lived in uncertain times. It’s unlikely that Luther could see with certainty in 1527 how his work would turn out. The Reformation wasn’t a glorious march of unbroken progress. It was messy. The “Reformers” argued with each other. It was violent. It had its share of hateful and divisive rhetoric. Anathemas were levied by all sides against each other. Even at the end of his life, Luther wondered if he had been right, if he had been faithful to the word.

Read the full column in English or Spanish.

Join Cherish All Children in our vision of raising healthy generations free from sexual exploitation. With children and youth spending more time online, our work to prevent exploitation and to promote safe and healthy relationships is needed now more than ever. Predators have quickly adjusted to the pandemic, and we CAN keep children and youth safe through education and prevention measures.

Reach out and let us know what works in your current setting, such as:

Visit the Cherish All Children website to find out more, and contact Joy McElroy at joy.mcelroy@cherishallchildren.org to get started!

The annual ELCA Youth Leadership Summit will occur over the weekend of Nov. 6-7 with all sessions occurring online during this pandemic season. The Summit brings together two youth and an adult leader from each synod for conversations about the life of the church. The theme verse this year is Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.

Bishop Lull will be naming the youth, who will represent the Saint Paul Area Synod. Pairs of youth along with an adult leader can submit a 40-word essay by Oct. 1, 2020, to Bishop Lull (patricia.lull@spas-elca.org) on why they would make the best team to represent this synod in 2020. The team selected to participate in the 2020 Youth Leadership Summit will be announced by Oct. 8. The synod will take care of registration and there is no cost for those chosen to participate. Questions? Please contact Bishop Lull.

ENGAGE is a public witness work group of the Saint Paul Area Synod. Its mission is to meditate on, educate about, and advocate for gun violence prevention (GVP) in the nonviolent Spirit of Jesus Christ. In the past year, St. Paul has experienced a 100% increase in gun deaths. In Minnesota, gun deaths increased to 470 victims. Reports of domestic violence have increased and unintentional child shootings happen too often. Gun dealers report record sales. Meanwhile, two gun violence prevention bills, (Universal Background Checks and Extreme Risk Protection Orders) languish in the State Senate.

As you plan your annual education/advocacy calendar, ENGAGE offers the following options for congregations to address GVP:

For more information contact the Rev. Dr. Ron Letnes at ronletnes@hotmail.com.

Abide is a small group ministry hosted by ELCA Young Adults. Young adults (18-35) can register to be placed into a weekly, virtual small group led by a young adult Small Group Leader. Groups meet via video call for approximately an hour Oct. 4-Nov. 17 to reflect on the Abide video series that is released weekly. Registration is open for Fall Groups. Encourage young adults in your congregations to apply here. 

We are in a historic moment, facing a once-in-a-century pandemic and a global change in hunger unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes. Domestically and internationally, hunger is increasing at alarming rates. At this event, you will learn about the unique ways ELCA World Hunger is responding. Our hosts will also discuss the ongoing root causes of hunger and poverty addressed in Rick Steves’ recent special Hunger and Hope: Lessons From Ethiopia and Guatemala. And you will hear from ELCA World Hunger partners on the front lines of the current hunger crisis, who will tell you firsthand how your gifts make a difference. Register now. 

Portico’s Board of Trustees has approved health plan and benefit changes for 2021, featuring the continuing expansion of personalized and online programs for ELCA-Primary members, and a new hearing benefit for members with ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefits. You can read more at PorticoBenefits.org.

This month, Portico is inviting sponsoring organizations to visit the 2021 Enrollment Center on EmployerLink, where a Decision Guide and the Custom Comparison Report and Spreadsheet will be available to registered users. Once they’re available, please download these resources and share them with decision-makers in your organization. The Decision Guide was specifically created as a visual overview of the two ELCA-recommended options. These documents have been formatted to be easily shared during any online meetings as your congregation reviews your options. (Plan members will complete their individual Annual Enrollment after their sponsoring organizations have completed their selection process.)

For more information, contact the Portico Customer Care Center at 800-352-2876 or mail@porticobenefits.org.

A virtual subscription is a great way to get a front row seat for the National Lutheran Choir's 2020-21 season! No longer constrained by geography, the choir is forming a national community of people who value sacred choral music and believe it speaks to us more than ever in these days of separation. Subscribe to receive twice-monthly emails with musical content, reflections, interviews, devotions, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our artists, community, and national thought leaders. The cost is $10/month or $90 for the full season of monthly engagement (September-May). Pay now, or subscribe on a monthly basis via a credit card recurring transaction. Learn more.

The synod office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. A limited number of staff are on-site each day. You may continue to reach all staff members by phone (651-224-4313) or by email.

Rostered and lay leaders alike are invited to a weekly gathering of topical presentations designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders. On Sept. 23, the Rev. Dr. Richard N. Stewart and the Rev. Dr. Lawrence J. Clark, II will present The Untold Story: Black Lutheran History, Part 2. This is an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation. Recordings of past sessions with supporting documents are available at www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media. You may find upcoming topics and presenters at www.elcacoaching.org/.

or by phone: +1 312 626 6799

What does it mean to be a Christian public leader in a time such as this? In this odd and challenging year, you are invited to engage in the process of healthy leadership through a natural family systems lens. Join the Rev. Dr. Jules Erickson and the Rev. Tom Olson in life-giving conversation and rich learning through the lens of Bowen-Friedman Systems Theory and the work of Brené Brown (The Daring Way™). Sessions will be held every third Tuesday of the month through May. The cost is $20 per session or $120 for the series. Learn more.

The Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities is partnering with the Minnesota Department of Health to provide an opportunity for faith communities to hear the latest information and ask questions. Content will cover the state update on the coronavirus, guidance materials relevant to faith-based organizations, outbreak news and follow-up and more. Registration is free.

Addiction and drug policy in America are inextricably linked to race. In this free, one-hour seminar, we’ll dive into the dynamics of racial injustice, trauma and oppression that contribute to addiction rates. We’ll also look at the ongoing racial disparities in policing and incarceration that perpetuate inequality and fail to address the root causes of addiction and the potential negative consequences of drug use.

The featured presenters is Sam Simmons, Alcohol and Drug Counselor specializing in the areas of Anger Management, Chemical Dependency, and Pain Management and working with the African American community. Also participating will be Timothy McMahan King, author of Addiction Nation; and Ed Treat, executive director of The Center of Addiction & Faith. If you are working to lead your congregation or community through issues of racial justice, this webinar will be a valuable resource. Register.

All Saints Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove and the Myers-Thrivent Financial team are teaming up to host the Dwayne Tannahill Quarter for an online jazz concert and fundraiser for Friends in Need food shelf. You can watch the concert live on Facebook and YouTube or on cable TV: Comcast/Xfinty (channels 14 and 18) and CenturyLink/Prism (channels 8539 and 8542). When you register for this event, the Myers' team will donate $5 for each registrant and $2 for each "like" on the Myers Thrivent Facebook page. You may also donate directly to Friends in Need.

www.spas-elca.org | 651.224.4313