Last week we told you about our synod dedicating 225 days as a period of remembrance, repentance and resolve to live in equitable partnership with neighbors of Native identity. This period from Oct. 1 to the end of our Synod Assembly on May 14, 2022, commemorates the American Indian children who were sent away to boarding schools and died there without being returned to their families.

Information about this observance is available on the synod website, as is a variety of worship resources. An addition to those resources this week is a new video of the prayer service that was written by Kelly Sherman-Conroy. This 17-minute video is another option besides the service outline PDF that was already available as a worship resource. The video may be downloaded to share in worship, on social media or other places.

We invite your congregation to join us in "Remembering the Children!" Please send us a photo of your congregation's display...the photo above comes from Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul.

Fall is here! Let’s check in with each other – What does children’s ministry look like on a Sunday morning at your church? Then we will jump right into Christmas ideas. Bring your ideas, materials and let’s do ministry TOGETHER! Questions? Contact Rachelle Gill at rgill@easter.org or Julie Vagle at juliev@trinitylonglake.org.

The Saint Paul Area Synodical Women's Organization is gathering for a in-person soup luncheon and panel discussion. Members of the Advocates for Racial Equity (ARE) work group will help facilitate ways for the group and our congregations to engage in the critical task of becoming more anti-racist. Click here to download the flyer. A freewill offering will support the efforts of ARE. Register by emailing tricia.niesche@gmail.com.

For rostered ministers in the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods. Near the end of 2020, Martin Luther’s words on how to respond to a pandemic as a person of faith went viral. His “Whether One May Flee From a Deadly Plague” didn’t feel nearly 500 years old. Just as he spoke to his community during an outbreak of the bubonic plague in Wittenburg in 1527, his writing hits close to home today as we attempt to serve the church faithfully during this COVID-19 pandemic.

While much uncertainty still colors our daily lives and our comings and goings, we are grateful for the gifts of vaccination and public health guidance that provide opportunities for us to come together for a ministerium this fall, to learn more deeply about what our tradition and its founder have to offer us as leaders. We will gather for worship and learning. The Rev. Dr. Anthony Bateza, a theologian with a deep knowledge of Martin Luther and Associate Professor of Religion at St. Olaf College, will be our guide.

Are you looking for a Bible resource to help you better understand Scripture and learn more about the people, places and times of the Bible? Luther Seminary has relaunched its Enter the Bible website with podcasts, blogs, videos, maps, timelines, a glossary and more. You can explore by passage, topic, person or author and there are self-paced courses offered on every book of the Bible. It's everything you wanted to know about the Bible but were afraid to ask! Just create a free user log-in to access the materials. Check it out at www.enterthebible.org!

The newly released 2022 Salary and Compensation Guidelines for our synod were sent via email last week to congregational treasurers, presidents and rostered ministers. This document provides guidance related to compensation for pastors, deacons, lay program and lay support staff. If you have questions, please contact the synod's Financial Administrator, David Roinas, at 651-224-4313 or david.roinas@spas-elca.org.

We love sharing stories of the synod! Send a brief description and any photos to communications@spas-elca.org!

Four alumni from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will share their diverse experiences working on eco-theology and equity:

Marvin Wickware Jr., assistant professor of church and society and ethics, will serve as moderator. Barbara Rossing, professor of New Testament will be the respondent to the panel discussion. You may join via Zoom by registering here or watch it streamed live on LSTC's YouTube channel.

Join the conversations about public-private partnerships in global health and the role of faith-based organizations. Hear how the pandemic has opened opportunities for non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations and ministries of health to work together for stronger and more effective health systems. The symposium is free, but you must register to receive the link. Remaining topics and presenters include:

Global Health Ministries (GHM) is a Minnesota faith-based NGO that partners in 13 low-resource countries to improve health. Our Lutheran health partners serve all people, regardless of faith. Learn more.

You are invited to observe World Food Day by participating in an ELCA World Hunger benefit featuring Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and guidebook author/travel TV host Rick Steves. Special guests include the Rev. David Beckmann, who is being honored for his lifelong service to end hunger; the Rev. Rebel Hurd; Willie and Anne Langdji; and the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla. There will also be performances by Rachel Kurtz, Peter Mayer and the St. Olaf Choir. As a church, we remain focused on supporting our neighbors near and far as the pandemic continues disrupting and impacting lives. At this event, you will learn about the ways ELCA World Hunger is responding. Register today.

Global Minnesota is sponsoring a free World Food Day virtual symposium to look at the future of food and what "building back better" means amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The day will include presentations from leading international, national, and local experts on the impacts of climate change, global conflict, and COVID-19 on the world’s agri-food system and the transformation needed to create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food future for the world.” Learn more and register.

Recovery Café Frogtown Grand Opening

Recovery Café is a healing community for those traumatized by addiction, homelessness and mental health challenges. You are invited to gather in the parking lot at Faith Lutheran Church to celebrate the cafe's grand opening with free food, music and giveaways. Activities include a keynote by Deryl Glaze, a performance by poet/educator/cultural architect Joe Davis, and music by the Rhythm Pups and Marcus Montana. Learn more.

The Frogtown Recovery Café currently offers recovery meetings three days a week at Faith Lutheran. During its Thursday meetings, there are free meals from Shobi's Table, free clothing and food shelf items from Frogtown Mission of Faith, free frozen meals from the Ramsey County Sheriff's office and free bread and pastries from Patricia James Outreach. The Frogtown Café is part of the Recovery Café Network, which is dedicated to these core commitments:

Are you concerned about persons impacted by homelessness, the high cost of rent and the scarcity of affordable or supportive housing? Do you want to understand these issues from a variety of perspectives and make a difference? Then attend one or more of the monthly Housing Webinar Series offered by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC):

Download the flyer. For more information contact Joan Miltenberger at jmiltenberger@jrlc.org or 612-230-3232. Register here for the program and small group discussion.

To commemorate All Saints Day this year, the National Lutheran Choir is offering both live performances and virtual programming. Live concerts, "All Saints: We Remember," will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 at Central Lutheran, Minneapolis, and at 4 p.m. on Nov. 7 at St. Andrew's, Mahtomedi. These performances offer a space to mourn and heal as we emerge from such an uncertain time. Names of loved ones no longer with us may be submitted for reading during the performance.The virtual program, "Requiem Aeternam," features recordings with added visual art to deepen the impact of All Saints at such a crucial time of remembrance, patience and hope. It will be available Nov. 6-8. Learn more.

Registration closes on Oct. 15! Iringa Hope, an affiliate of our Bega Kwa Bega partnership with the Iringa Diocese in Tanzania, seeks to improve the local economy and living conditions for families in Tanzania, Africa. We gather to celebrate that its Microfinance Institute has provided training and support for 10+ years to improve the lives of smallholder farmers and business owners! Social time begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6:15 and a program at 7:30. The program includes a performance by the Minnesota Swahili Christian Congregation Choir. Tickets are $40 per person or $320 for a table of eight. Learn more and register.

Stephen Ministries St. Louis is now training ministry leaders through a live, interactive online training experience. The Bridge Leader's Training Course (BLTC) fully trains pastors, staff and volunteers to lead Stephen Ministry in their own congregations. The training is delivered on Zoom to cohorts of 20 people, led by two instructors. Each session uses a variety of teaching methods (presentation, small- and whole-group discussions, skill practice, videos, etc.). The course consists of 10 sessions held twice weekly for five weeks or once weekly for 10 weeks.

Since the initial cohort in July of 2020, more than 1,000 individuals have completed the training from the convenience of their home or office and are now serving as Stephen Leaders. Stephen Ministry is a lay caring ministry used by thousands of congregations in more than 30 countries. Stephen Ministers are matched with hurting people in the congregation and community, providing one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people experiencing a wide range of life difficulties. Learn more.

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