News & Events: Earthquake Relief

February 13, 2023

Earthquake Relief

The devastation and loss of life from the recent earthquakes impacting Turkey and Syria are difficult to imagine. The death toll has climbed to more than 34,000 people. Urgent relief efforts are needed to assist our neighbors impacted by these earthquakes. While there are numerous organizations poised to offer assistance to those impacted by this tragedy, we remind you of the good work of two organizations connected to our greater church:

Your donation will help reach people with the care they need, such as temporary shelter and critically needed care and supplies. God bless you for your generosity.

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, hybrid ministry, 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.

TOOL KIT WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT:

Understanding Implicit Bias

All of us are inundated with information to help our brain make faster and safer decisions. However, those gut reactions can cause us to make judgements about others that aren't accurate. Come learn what implicit bias is, how we can spot it in ourselves, and what it looks like to work through it. This will be a hands-on experience focused on equipping all with skills to use moving forward…not a guilt session!

As the director of strategic partnerships with Faith and Prejudice, Anna Stamborski supports the creation of strategic relationships in order to build strong coalitions across the country. Anna is a certified restorative justice educator, mediator, licensed public teacher, and qualitative researcher of congregations. She holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and degrees in Education and Spanish (BS) from the University of Wisconsin.

Click below for Anna's preview of her Tool Kit workshop:

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. In Episode 2 which aired last week, we traveled to the Virgin Islands to visit several of the oldest Lutheran churches in the Western hemisphere. The episode explores the history and impact of colonialism, both past and present. Watch Episode 2, Redemption Song, here. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 7:30 p.m. Learn more at elca.org/ADM.

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.

Annual Ministry Reports

Rostered ministers: Don't forget about completing your Annual Ministry Report! You can find the version of the report that's appropriate for your situation on the synod website. Completed forms may be emailed directly to Bishop Lull.

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.

EVENTS OF INTEREST

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. 15, presenters Pastor Vicky Lovell (award winning author, reiki practitioner, educator, Moth storytelling grand slam winner and cofounder of Angel Whispers Ministries) and Danielle Groth (reiki master teacher, clinical EFT practitioner, Vibrational Sound Therapy practitioner and meditation teacher) return to focus on Matthew 22:37-39. "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Learn more.

Cherish All Children Winter Walk

Through 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.

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.

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.

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.

Festival of Homiletics

May 15-18 | Central Lutheran & Westminister Presbyterian, Minneapolis & Online

Early bird discounts end Feb. 15 for this year's Festival of Homiletics, which has been called "summer camp for preachers." With the theme, "Preaching Hope for a Weary World," the gathering brings together a variety of speakers to address, "What is our call to preach? Hope." The in-person registration fee increases from $345 to $395 after Wednesday and digital access jumps from $95 to $150. Learn more.

Other Event Reminders:

Trauma and Its Healing - Feb. 21 | Online
Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders & Conference Assemblies - Feb. 25 | Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley
2023 Synod Assembly - May 12-13 | St. Andrew's, Mahtomedi
Festival of Homiletics - May 15-19 | Central Lutheran & Westminster Presbyterian, Minneapolis