In our staff devotions this week, Deacon Krista Lind used this story from I Kings 19 to invite us to consider all the ways that God attends to our weariness in tough and exhausting times. Many church leaders are feeling a sense of fatigue as we continue to face decisions about how to safely gather during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.…

The Saint Paul Area Synod's Renewal Team is curious how your congregation is doing in the area of congregational vitality. After four years of successful Year of Renewal cohorts, we want to know how else our synod can walk with you as you live more fully into the vision to which God calls you. We welcome responses from all who are interested in providing input from our congregations with this four-question survey. The survey was sent directly sent to rostered ministers and council presidents last Tuesday.

We can't wait to share with you some really great stories about folks in our synod who are involved with this year's State Fair! We'll tell you what they do at the Fair and where to find them. You'll enjoy hearing where they see God at the Fair and how they believe God uses them at the Fair.

We'll take names through Thursday, Aug. 12, for the synod's upcoming "Lutherans at the Fair" social media feature. If you have a name of someone who's involved in this year's State Fair (yourself or someone else), let us know at http://ow.ly/XUVl50FBO3W.

Stories will be shared starting the week before the Fair begins so that you can get to know them and take advantage of their best tips for a trip to the Fair.

Our synod is able to send two high schoolers and an adult advisor to the ELCA's Youth Leadership Summit, which is coming to the Marriott in downtown Minneapolis Nov. 4‐7. Youth will be challenged to take home what they learn and inspire others to action and teach others what they learned in their own synods and youth groups. All expenses are paid. The deadline to apply is Aug. 15 and all it takes is submitting names of the three-person team to Bishop Lull with a 40-word essay of why your team should represent our synod. Learn more.

Through advocacy, the ELCA community can create lasting, systemic change. If you want to get involved in faith-based advocacy but aren’t sure where to begin, sign up for Advocacy Summer School. This five-part, online series is being offered by ELCA Advocacy in collaboration with ELCA Peace Not Walls. The first session on Aug. 11 will paint a picture of advocacy and explore how it is shaped by a faith foundation, especially in members and affiliates of the ELCA. Future sessions will cover ways to carry out advocacy work and specific policy issues where the Lutheran community can make an impact. Join one session or all five, and learn how we can lift our voices together to advance the common good.

After a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program is getting ready to send young adult volunteers out into the world again! In the 2022-23 program year, YAGM participants will have the opportunity to serve in these country programs: Senegal, Rwanda, Madagascar, Cambodia, Central Europe, Argentina/Uruguay, Mexico, Jerusalem/West Bank, and the United Kingdom.

YAGM invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29 into a transformative, yearlong journey in international service. Applications will be open from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, 2022, for service starting the following August. Learn more.

Administration Matters Newsletter

Did you know the ELCA has a bimonthly electronic newsletter for ELCA church administrators? Administration Matters addresses common, practical topics like finance, governance, risk management, and tax and legal concerns, as well as other topics related to day-to-day operations and management in church settings. Click the button below to subscribe and see past issues. Subscription is free and your name won’t be added to any other mailing lists. You may unsubscribe at any time if you decide to opt out. Subscribe here.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota invites congregations in our synod to participate in its Circle of Welcome program, which connects community groups directly with refugee families. This is an opportunity to walk with a refugee family as friends, supporters and advocates to help them become established more quickly. There are three models for participation, all including a six-month volunteer commitment and a financial contribution. Activities might include setting up an apartment, assisting with job seeking, practicing English and running errands or simply providing financial support for basic needs. Training and support is provided by LSS. View the information sheet or reach out to LSS Program Supervisor Cate Duin at 612-428-0058 or cate.duin@lssmn.org.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), in partnership with AmeriCorps Seniors, is seeking volunteers for its Foster Grandparent service to offer guidance and encouragement to children and youth in the community. These volunteers are older adults who traditionally offer one-to-one mentoring in the classroom and other settings to children and youth who may be experiencing academic or social challenges. Their presence and reassurance can help children and youth improve self-esteem, social and emotional development and literacy and math skills.

In 2019, 273 Foster Grandparents supported children at 142 schools and other sites throughout Minnesota. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the service was provided virtually over the past year. While LSS hopes to resume in-person volunteering for the upcoming school year, there is still the opportunity to volunteer remotely with some partner sites.

Eligible volunteers are age 55 years or older and able to commit to at least 10 hours per week. The program provides an hourly stipend, a chance to stay connected and a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people. More than 15 hours of training is provided and there are a limited number of iPads to loan volunteers who don’t have access to technology for remote volunteering.

For more information, call 888.205.3770 or visit www.lssmn.org/fgvolunteer.

The first session is "Sexuality, Gender Identity and Hunger," led by the Rev. Heidi Neumark from Trinity Lutheran Church in New York and the Rev. Joe Larson from Fargo, N.D. Learn more and register.

 “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is Sept. 12! This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Congregations all across the ELCA are invited to create service project opportunities that support their community, from food drives to letter writing, neighborhood clean-ups to inspirational lawn signs. Learn more at https://www.elca.org/dayofservice and find links to project and promotional resources. Check out this video that shows projects in action last year!

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

Due to popular demand, this offering has exceeded capacity and registration is closed. However, organizers tell us it will be streamed on the Southwestern Texas Synod's Facebook page and posted to its website.

Forced to scramble to go online in just a few weeks during the COVID pandemic, the church has discovered the online world is far more than a replacement for the yellow pages. It is a place where genuine community and real ministry happens. This free, five-week series will provide an overview of several areas of congregational ministry and reflect on how to begin to move every aspect of church life to a dual platform – on the ground and online. This “hybrid” kind of ministry will be the new norm for the next season in many congregations' work. Becoming a hybrid church is one path forward to both strengthen the church and reach new people with the gospel in bold, creative new ways. This series is sponsored by the Southwestern Texas Synod, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod and Nebraska Synod. Click here for the flyer.

ELCA leaders are invited to explore the topic of courageous leadership. Bring a spirit of curiosity and childlike play as you discern how and where the Spirit might be calling you forward as a leader in your life, work, ministry, community and the world. The gatherings will include time for small groups in breakout rooms so that leaders across the church can continue to learn from each other. Learn more.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Midway (436 Roy St. North, St. Paul) invites members of the community to a community conversation. With the theme "Healing and Hope: Our Future Together," the event will be facilitated by Minnesota Council of Churches' Respectful Conversations. The event will be held outside. Dinner will be provided, catered by Shobi's Table. Register today.

You are invited to commemorate 20 years since the 9/11 attacks on the United States with a special liturgy of evening prayer. Bishop Patricia Lull will lead us as we commemorate that day with remembrance, lament and a renewed call to be peacemakers in our own day. Learn more.

There is growing concern ​over the devastation from all forms of addiction, including the ever-increasing opioid crisis, and now the added challenge of a worldwide pandemic. The Center of Addiction & Faith presents the Addiction and Faith Conference to raise awareness about the terrible addiction problem we face and how the church and people of faith can help to address it. "Studies show that faith is a positive factor in addiction prevention and recovery," said the Rev. Dr. Ed Treat, executive director of the Center of Addiction & Faith. "Faith communities are in an ideal position to make a difference in healing addiction, and yet their messages are either ineffective or nonexistent. We want to help teach them what they can do and why."

Featured speakers include:

The conference features break-out sessions in the areas of addiction and the family, addiction science, addiction and justice, equipping the church for addiction ministry and best practices. In-person registration is $350; the virtual option is $100. Learn more and register. 

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