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Rostered Ministers: Watch for an email this afternoon
about completing your 2023 Annual Ministry Report!
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Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders & Conference Assemblies
Saturday, Feb. 25 - Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley
Has your congregation registered yet? This annual event brings together lay leaders, ministry volunteers and church staff from all of the congregations in the synod for learning and networking! It's a wonderful opportunity to hear from experts in a variety of areas related to congregational life and to hear experiences and perspectives from people in other congregations.
This year's Tool Kit features 10 workshops that cover a variety of areas related to congregational life: bystander training, implicit bias, faith-based advocacy, creating a culture of calling, peer ministry skills and worship with children. There are even special sessions for congregational presidents/vice presidents and treasurers. The registration fee is $20 per person. Tool Kit will be held in conjunction with conference assemblies, when the synod's six conferences meet separately for pre-synod assembly business which may include elections, proposed resolutions or other matters. Learn more.
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TOOL KIT WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT:
Hybrid Ministry: What Is It & Why Do It?
Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood recently called a part-time pastor of hybrid ministry. As we tell people about that call many ask: What is hybrid ministry? And why call a pastor to that ministry? This workshop will describe the what and why of hybrid ministry from one congregation's perspective. Participants will learn how experiments during COVID opened imagination, why to invest in this emerging ministry, and what is at the core of this ministry.
Terri Elton is the dean of academic affairs and professor of leadership at Luther Seminary. She is also the pastor of hybrid ministry at Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood. Terri has served at the Saint Paul Area Synod and at Prince of Peace in Burnsville.
Click below to hear Pastor Terri preview her Tool Kit workshop:
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Talks at the Desk
African Descent Ministries of the ELCA celebrates Black History Month with Talks at the Desk, a four-part video series that explores diverse expressions of the church. This marks the series' second season, which began last week. In Episode 1, you'll meet engaging and inspiring Black leaders from Milwaukee, Wis. Learn how Milwaukee Water Commons is working to build anti-racist community and reimagine the way people engage with water and the environment. Hear from leaders at Cross Lutheran Church and Hephatha Lutheran Church who are active in their community both through direct service and advocacy. And, meet Hephatha member Deanna Branch and her two sons, Jaidyn and Aidan, who are working to fight lead poisoning in homes. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 7:30 p.m. Watch the episodes here or visit elca.org/ADM.
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Addressing Hunger:
Our Rural Neighbors
by Vernita Kennen
As discussions begin in the U.S. Congress on the renewal of the farm bill, one has to wonder about that title. Is the farm bill designed primarily to help farmers? If so, how? What exactly does the farm bill fund?…
You may be surprised to learn that the largest source of farm bill funding for rural areas is not financial support for farms, but for SNAP. Recent information from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Bread for the World reminds us that three-fourths of the bill’s funding goes to nutrition programs, primarily the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). More than 40 million people benefited from SNAP in 2021.
Rural areas in our country have higher participation rates in SNAP than our urban areas. USDA reports show that SNAP benefits on local employment had a greater impact that other government payments combined. SNAP contributed more to reducing rural unemployment than any other federal poverty program.
Read Vernita's full Addressing Hunger blog post.
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Green Blades Rising
Green Blades Rising is a monthly EcoTheology publication produced by the EcoFaith Network NE-MN Synod with the Saint Paul Area Synod's Care of Creation work group. It contains an EcoFaith preaching roundtable, highlights of congregational creation care initiatives, creation advocacy opportunities, and more. To receive the newsletter directly in your inbox, subscribe here.
The February edition features a reflection by Pastor Melinda Quivik on creation connections in the seasons of Lent and Easter. Other content includes the 2023 EcoFaith Summit on April 15, book reviews and more. Read the February edition.
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Children's Ministry Gathering
Monday, Feb. 13 - 1 p.m. | St. Stephen, Bloomington
This month, the children's ministry gathering is in person! Children's ministry staff and key volunteers are invited join the conversation about milestones. Let's share new ideas and new ways to incorporate milestones in worship. Please bring examples for all to see! Questions? Email Rachelle Gill from Easter at rgill@easter.org.
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ENGAGE: Save our Veterans
Wednesday, Feb. 22 - 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Online
Each year more than 6,000 veterans die by suicide in the United States at a rate 1.5 times that of the general public. The lethal means most commonly used is a firearm. There is no single cause of suicide and it is often the result of a complex interaction of risk and protective factors at the individual, interpersonal, community and societal levels.
ENGAGE, the synod's gun violence prevention work group, is committed to addressing and lessening suicide by firearm for veterans. Andrea Perry of the Minneapolis VA Suicide Prevention Team will lead a conversation on S.A.V.E. (Signs, Ask, Validate and Encourage/Expedite) and share some general knowledge and data about suicide in the U.S. and specifically in the veteran population. This conversation will give you tools to identify someone who is thinking of suicide and show you what you can do to keep them safe and get immediate help. Learn more and register.
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Urban Servant Corps
Are you a young adult dedicated to social justice and a simpler way of life? Are you someone who hopes to explore or deepen your faith? Are you seeking experience in the non-profit/ministry field? Urban Servant Corps, a social ministry of the Rocky Mountain Synod, is seeking full-time volunteers to live in an intentional community house in downtown Denver, Colo. with others who are committed to social justice, racial justice and accompanying vulnerable populations. Food, housing, health insurance, a monthly stipend and an annual "growth and development" allotment are provided. Additionally, spiritual direction, alumni mentorship, and professional development opportunities are offered as part of this experience. The priority application deadline is March 1. Learn more.
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Courageous Leadership Series
Wednesdays - 1 p.m. | Online
ELCA Coaching offers a weekly online gathering for ministry leaders. Each week this series features a new topic and presenters. On Feb. 8, the discussion focuses on conflict and resolution: how does a person balance the importance of a relationship and the importance of an issue in conflict? The presenter is the Rev. James Henricks, director for evangelical mission in the South Carolina Synod. Learn more.
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Cherish All Children Winter Walk
Sunday, Feb. 12-March 31 | Your Own Winter Activities
Beginning Super Bowl Sunday, let’s kick-off our commitment to protect children and youth from exploitation. Get out for a walk or your own favorite winter activity anytime February – March while sporting a new Cherish All Children beanie or baseball cap. Donate now so we can send your beanie(s) or cap(s) today!
Caritas Vocal Ensemble Concert - Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 12 - 3 p.m. as Caritas performs songs to highlight our care for each other and our world. The concert, We Rise Together, will be held at Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. A freewill offering will benefit Cherish All Children. Contact joy.mcelroy@cherishallchildren.org with any questions.
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Addiction & Lent: A Conversation With Author Timothy McMahan King
Thursday, Feb. 9 - 11 a.m.-12 noon | Online
Lent is a time we feel the pain of loss and the promise of new life to come. It is a season that calls us to reflect on many of the same themes we see in stories of addiction and recovery. Churches and pastors across the country have found Lent a helpful time to engage their congregations and communities in reflection on the challenges of addiction in our society and the hope the Church can bring for healing. Join CAF board member and author Timothy McMahan King to talk about how you can engage your church around addiction issues this upcoming Lenten season. He will provide insights from his book, Addiction Nation: What the Opioid Crisis Reveals About Us and an accompanying six-part study guide. Participants will receive a free study guide and have the opportunity to sign up for the author to join your book group for a virtual Q&A for free. Learn more and register.
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Native American Spirituality Course
Thursdays, Feb. 23-April 27 | Online & One In-Person Gathering
The Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community at St. Olaf College is sponsoring a community education course on Native American Spirituality led by Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy. This course will explore Indigenous perspectives on spirituality, language, voice, history, interpretation, and values. The course is held on Thursdays, Feb. 23-April 27 with no meeting on March 30 and April 6 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. on Zoom. One in-person gathering will be held on April 13 with Dr. Gwen Westerman. The cost is $10 for students; $25 for staff/faculty, alumni and parents; and $50 for community members Registration for the greater community opens today and all are invited to participate! Learn more and register.
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Fosdick Lecture on Preaching
Tuesday, March 7 - 10 a.m. | Hoversten Chapel/Foss Hall, Minneapolis & Online
Augsburg Campus Ministry invites you to the sixth annual Fosdick Lecture on Preaching, which addresses mental health concerns in religious communities. One in three people have a family member struggling with mental health, yet we as churches, as a community, as a society have much to improve on how we relate to them. Mindy Greiling and Senator John Marty will share their personal and legislative experience in addressing mental health concerns. Following the lecture, Pastor Aaron Fuller will preach during a 20-minute worship service. Register here to attend in person. If you cannot attend in person, register to attend via Zoom.
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Spring Moonlight Madness
Friday, April 21 | Multiple Locations
Congregations around the Twin Cities are invited to sign up their youth groups for this all night lock-in for grades 6-9. Activities include a youth rally led by Rachel Kurtz with singing, dancing, faith sharing and humor; swimming, gym and ice skating at the Chaska Community Center; movies; bowling, laser tag and arcade at Bowler and more. The cost is $43 per person including adult leaders (covers all fees except extra snacks). Sign up your youth group by contacting Pastor Dave Wrightsman at revw2@msn.com or 612-599-6911.
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SYNOD STAFF IN CONGREGATIONS | |
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Bishop Patricia Lull
- Feb. 12 - Gustavus Adolphus, St. Paul (preaching)
- Feb. 19 - St. Mark's, Randolph
Pastor Justin Grimm
- Feb. 19 - Eternal Flame, Vadnais Heights (preaching)
Deacon Krista Lind
- Feb. 12 - St. Mark's, North St. Paul (preaching and installing Pastor David Bjorklund)
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The Saint Paul Area Synod, which includes 107 congregations and new mission starts,
is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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