July 28, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
|
|
Join us over the next few months as we highlight different members of our staff. The Minneapolis Area Synod staff is comprised of 15 people who live in the city, suburbs, and rural areas. We are fairly racially and age diverse for an ELCA office. We hope you get to know us better through these fun interviews! This week's featured staff member is Karen Ohm, director of roster and call process.
|
Karen Ohm
What has been the best or most surprising part about the staying at home?
- Being home and being able to have the windows open and listening to the birds and wind chimes -- it's just beautiful.
Do you have any pets or wish you did?
What book are you currently reading or show are you binge-watching?
- I'm reading Dead Certainties (Unwarranted Speculations) by Simon Schama.
- I'm watching every episode of Midsomer Murders on PBS.
What is your favorite restaurant to order take-out from?
What summer activity are you most looking forward to?
- Going hiking at a state park or reading a book on the porch
What is giving you hope right now?
- My faith that God is with us and going to get us through this one way or another.
|
|
|
 |
God's Work Our Hands Sunday on September 13
|
In 2020, “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is September 13. This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. The ELCA has prepared resources to guide a congregation’s planning, promotion, and more.
|
|
|
|
Addiction ministry
training
|
The pandemic and social unrest has heightened the need for addiction and recovery ministry. Liquor sales have sky rocketed. Isolation, anxiety, and increased symptoms of depression and other mental health illnesses are prevalent for many.
Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Bloomington and the Center of Addiction & Faith are offering a two-part Zoom meeting training for congregational leaders to develop a congregational addiction team ministry. The trainings will provide an overview of this effective model and the opportunity to gain tools and strategies to build congregational support for lay ministry teams of two to four leaders, including staff, pastor, and laypersons.
Wednesday, July 29; 6:00-9:00 p.m.
and
Wednesday, August 5; 6:00-9:00 p.m.
The Leadership Training fee is $125 per congregation. For more information or to register, contact Drew Brooks at
drewbrooks@faith-partners.org
.
|
|
|
|
Turn in your college students!
|
|
Lutheran Campus Ministries
is asking for help in identifying students heading to campus this fall. There is always considerable challenge in connecting with students new to campus, and that will only be amplified this semester – just as students' need for connection could be greater. Refer students using
this link
or
email
a spreadsheet of graduates with their colleges to Lutheran Campus Ministry--Twin Cities.
|
|
|
The Church of St. Francis Cabrini in Minneapolis is hosting an online discussion between Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Bishop Ann Svennungsen on the top of "Will We Welcome the Stranger?," based on their joint statement in the
Star Tribune
in December 2019. This conversation is a Tegeder Talk, honoring the legacy of former Cabrini pastor, Fr. Mike Tegeder.
Monday, August 31
7:00-8:30 p..m.
Registration is required for this free event.
|
|
|
|
Being church together during pandemic
|
ELCA Coaching invites church leaders to a weekly online gathering during the age of pandemic. Together, participants will struggle with questions about how we have been church together, how we are being church, and how we are called to be church. Sister Kelly Marciales, ELCA community organizing program director for the Organizing for Mission Network will present.
Wednesday, July 29; 1:00 p.m. Central
Zoom link below
Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: 648160
|
|
|
|
Answering the Call: Leading with Love
|
Community building is challenging during a pandemic. Churches thrive when people are gathered together and, for the past four months, religious leaders have had to figure out how to thrive when people are gathered through computer screens, phone calls, or parking lots. In response to these obstacles, the Minneapolis Area Synod has reimagined the adult forum.
|
|
|
|
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
|
|
- Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Sherri Lawrence at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Edina, on Thursday, August 20.
- Bishop Ann Svennungsen will address the topic of "Welcoming Refugees and Immigrants" with Archbishop Bernard Hebda in a Tegeder Talk sponsored by St. Francis Cabrini, Minneapolis, on August 31.
|
|
- Addiction Ministry Training, July 29
- Addication Ministry Training, August 5
- Being Church Today, August 17
- Church Anew: Master Class in Communication, POSTPONED, August 17-19
- An Evening with Rob Bell and Peter Rollins, POSTPONED, August 17
- Bishop's Theological Conference, ADJUSTED, September 27-29
- Welcoming Refugees and Immigrants, August 31
- Joint Fall Ministerium, October 29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
