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January 10, 2023
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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Annual Tool Kit workshops for congregational leaders
Join us for the Tool Kit on the morning of Saturday, February 11, 2023! Congregational leaders (lay and rostered) will be gathering at First Lutheran in Columbia Heights to get practical tools to bring back to their congregations. Workshops include topics like church council 101, how to connect with Deaf and/or hard of hearing neighbors, greening your church, and more! Watch the e-news for the next several weeks to see descriptions of the workshops. Registration will open soon.
Saturday, February 11, 2023
8:30 a.m., Check in
9:00 a.m., Event begins
First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights
One of the workshops for Tool Kit (new this week):
Forming Connections in the Deaf Community, presented by leaders from Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran Church
Whether you are aware or not, it is likely you have deaf participants in your communities and churches. Are you serving them accurately and attuned to their needs and culture?
Check out the Tool Kit web page for updates.
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Synod to hire congregational organizer for racial justice | |
The Minneapolis Area Synod's Congregational Organizer for Racial Justice position draws on the tradition of professional community organizing methodology, facilitated through the institution of the Lutheran church. It is centered on building a network of relationships among congregational leaders that can be organized for effective and strategic change on issues of structural racism.
Review of applications will begin on January 17.
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Creating safe online
environments for youth
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Join Cherish All Children on Saturday, January 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., for its sixth annual family learning event, “Supporting Youth Safety & Healthy Choices in the Virtual Playground” online or at the Lutheran Social Service, 2485 Como Ave, Saint Paul.
Director Alison Feigh from the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, a program of the Zero Abuse Project, and Director Joy Elroy from Cherish All Children will cover topics such as cyberbullying, texting, screen time, and toxic images.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can support youth develop healthy self-esteem and how to keep them away from online exploitation, you can find more information and register here.
If you have any questions, email info@cherishallchildren.org or contact Joy Elroy at (651) 207-3357.
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Commission etablished to re-evaluate the structure of the ELCA | |
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The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly directed “the Church Council to establish a Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church comprised of leaders of diverse representation from all three expressions that, working in consultation with the Conference of Bishops and the Church Council, shall reconsider the statements of purpose for each of the expressions of this church, the principles of its organizational structure, and all matters pertaining thereunto, being particularly attentive to our shared commitment to dismantle racism, and will present its findings and recommendations to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in preparation for a possible reconstituting convention to be called under the rules for a special meeting of the Churchwide Assembly.” At its November 2022 meeting, the Church Council authorized the establishment of a Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) to consist of no more than 35 voting members. It directed the Executive Committee of the Church Council to initiate the process of forming the commission.
The commission will be composed of three voting members from each region of this church, for a total of 27, and up to eight at-large voting members. The member's role will be to represent the interests of this whole church while also bringing the perspective of the member’s geographical area and being mindful of other considerations.
The open nomination process allows for self-nomination or the nomination of others. The deadline for nominations is March 9.
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Ministry with older adults | |
How do you go about starting or expanding a ministry for seniors? Join Rev. Mark Shultz and Deacon Tom Perry from Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission, Shawnee, Kansas, as they discuss their experiences in creating and enhancing ministry for, as well as with, the older adults in their congregation. They will share about the philosophy of their Older Adult Ministry and give specific ideas for starting and enhancing ministry in any congregation.
Thursday, January 26
11:00 a.m.
Online
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Children's Ministry Gathering for February | |
February 14; 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Utepils Brewing
225 Thomas Ave N #700
Minneapolis
Meet other youth ministry folks to share ideas, learn from one another, and be supported. Part-time, full-time, pastors, and volunteers are all welcome to join this month's discussion on "Let's Talk about Sex!"
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Faith community response to addiction and substance abuse | |
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Addiction is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Faith communities are critical to the care and prevention of substance use disorders. In response, the Mental Health and Addiction Team at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, is offering “Making All Things New!,” a hope-filled seminar that explores the ways in which your faith community can make a difference in the lives of those living with substance use disorder, and those who love them.
Saturday, January 21
9:00 - 11:30 a.m., Central Time
Presenters include Dr. Carla Dahl, professor emeritus of congregational and community care at Luther Seminary, and Lexi Reed Holtum, co-founder of the Steve Rummler Hope Network and director of the Minnesota Opioid Response Program.
If you can't attend in person, you can watch the live stream on YouTube
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? | |
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Andrea Bonneville DeNaples at Braham Lutheran, Braham, on Sunday, January 15.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading an adult forum at Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 22.
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Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at Our Saviour's Lutheran, East Bethel, on Sunday, January 22.
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Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching and attending the farewell for Pastor Wondimu Sonessa at Our Redeemer Oromo Evangelical, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 22.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Per Halaas at Christ the King Lutheran, Bloomington, on Saturday, January 28.
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Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
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Youth Ministry Gathering, January 10
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Communicators Retreat, January 12
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Caring for Gen Z in a Post Pandemic World, January 12
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Living the Legacy, January 14
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Making All Things New: Addiction and Recovery Seminar, January 21
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Supporting Youth Safety and Healthy Choices in the Virtual Playground, January 21
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Conference Assemblies, Various dates in February
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Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders, February 11
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A Story of Hope from the Holy Land, February 11
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Youth Ministry Gathering, February 14
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Youth Ministry Gathering, March 14
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Youth Ministry Gathering, April 11
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2023 Synod Assembly, April 28-29
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Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 17-20
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Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24-26
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