Thank you to all who participated in our 2022 Synod Assembly, held May 14-15 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. We are blessed with rostered ministers and congregational representatives who are engaged not only in the work of this synod, but also of the wider church! This work at assembly included:

Thank you to everyone who gave generously to our synod assembly offering, which was designated for Lutheran Disaster Response: Eastern Europe Crisis. Additional gifts are welcome! More information about the assembly is available on the synod website. You may also click any of the boxes below for links to specific activities and summaries.

In her May column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that we can “remain isolated and reactive, or we can live as the new creation in Christ and be a witness to the world of the reconciliation we have received from God.”

After two years of pandemic precautions, the effects of isolation, chronic anxiety, loss and grief have taken their toll. Research shows that we are angrier, more depressed and less patient. We are all experiencing unprecedented and extended trauma. Frayed relationships take effort and time to mend. There is no quick fix. Care must be taken now so that actions and decisions aren’t born solely or mostly out of reactivity. How we deal with real and critical issues now will have consequences in the future.

Read Bishop Eaton's full message in English or Spanish.

What is important to you when you think about government? What about how the church and the state relate to each other? At the request from the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, a task force is at work on a new social statement about civics and faith. Two listening sessions are offered this week to gather input from ELCA members about their priorities and perspectives. The sessions will explain more about what social statements are and how they're developed. Participants will have an opportunity for discussion in break-out groups. Register here.

To learn more about the social statement process, visit elca.org/civicsandfaith. For more on our preexisting social statements and study materials, including a new study guide on Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action, visit elca.org/socialstatements.

Children, youth and family leaders of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods, you have been doing so much to offer God's care and courage to the people you serve the last two years. The MAS/SPAS CYF Leadership Team wants to offer you a time to come together to rest and enjoy at the Ascension Day Breakfast. Come eat, connect, be supported and worship. Your bishops will be there, Rev. Jenny Sung will preach, and worship music will be led by Christian Ankrum from The Table. There will also be a raffle for free registration to the 2023 ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza! The cost is $10 per person. Register here.

Join women from around our synod for a day of worship, bible study and workshops. The featured speaker is The Rev. Babette Chatman, who serves as a campus pastor at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. Others presenters include Bishop Patricial Lull, Pastor Lois Pallmeyer of Gloria Dei, St. Paul; and Laura Krueger, churchwide representative.

The convention also includes the business meeting of our synod's Women's Organization...electing officers and board members, approving the budget and setting direction for the future. This year, it's an opportunity to gather in person to renew friendships and make new ones. We'll be inspired and renewed, leaving revitalized in our faith. Voting member registrations are due June 18; visitor registrations are due July 1. Click here to register.

Start getting your group of 20 or more together for Lutheran Night at the Twins...congregations, youth groups, Bible study groups, etc. You'll receive group discounted tickets seated together, a welcome message on the scoreboard and the opportunity to participate in the national anthem choir. Ticket prices range from $17 to $37 in a variety of seating areas including the Deck, Field Box and Home Run Porch View. To reserve group tickets, contact Ryan Thomson at 612-659-3582 or ryanthomson@twinsbaseball.com. Payment isn't due until three weeks before the game. Learn more.

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities invites congregational pastors to participate in its inaugural Leadership for Social Justice program. Led by a team of teachers, leaders, mentors and grassroots community organizers, this hybrid, tuition-free, nine-month program will equip pastors to reflectively engage in a broad range of social issues - including struggles for economic, racial, gender, sexual and ecological justice - in contextual, practical and faithful ways. The first cohort of 16 pastors will meet twice a month on Friday mornings from September 2022 through May 2023. Participants earn a Certificate in Leadership for Social Justice and may also be eligible to receive up to eight credits toward a Doctor of Ministry degree. Applications are accepted here by July 1. Applicants must also provide a letter of support from congregational leadership.

Wondering what social media you can be tapping into to help "unmute" your congregation and share the Gospel message? Our friends at the Southeast Synod are inviting congregations everywhere to join them for a course on the basics of social media. The session will cover the when, how and why of social media use for your congregation. The presenter is Pastor Colleen Montgomery, director for digital ministries, Virginia Synod. Register here.

Attention, congregations with bell installations! City of Bells invites you to join in community bell ringing on Monday, May 30, at 9 a.m. as we remember and honor the men and women who died in service to our country. The Liberty Bell in St. Paul will be rung at 9 a.m. for 10 minutes as part of a program on the grounds of the State Capitol; the program begins at 8:45 a.m.

New Website: You are invited to check out the City of Bells' new website which features a "Bell Locator" to find bell installations around the Twin Cities. Updates on bells may be emailed to rebecca@jorgensonsundquist.com.

Day of Music: A statewide celebration of bells is planned for Saturday, July 16, by City of Bells and the Minnesota Orchestra. They are partnering on the Day of Music to focus on bells, tours and demonstrations. Activities begin at noon with showcase events on three stages at Orchestra Hall as well as tours and demonstrations at bell locations. The day culminates with an outdoor evening concert at 8:30 p.m. If you'd like to participate with tours and other bell events at your location, contact Rebecca at 952-221-3400 to be added to the list of participating locations.

InterFaith Action of Greater Saint Paul invites you to join them to reflect on their work over the past year, conduct their annual business meeting and discuss timely issues. Featured will be a conversation with Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Anne K. McKeig and Elder Elona Street-Stewart, synod executive for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Presbyterian Church (USA). They will focus on the relationship between the church and the American Indian community and on ways people of faith can promote healing and reconciliation. Register here by May 23.

The stress and anxiety of the past two years have taken a toll. Grief and isolation because of COVID, dismay related to the murder of George Floyd, and other life realities have affected us in untold ways. Many are in need of healing. This day-long retreat will provide time and space to renew and restore. Led by Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dudley and Dr. Jennifer Kilps, using the beautiful classic Labyrinth at Bethel Lutheran Church, participants will spend the day using the labyrinth for meditation, prayer, reflection, learning creative expression and renewal. All are welcome to share this time together in their own faith, spiritual tradition or practice. We simply ask that you bring an open heart and mind, and respect for the differences of others. Click here to download a PDF poster. Registration is $40 and includes a boxed lunch. Register here.

A panel of ministry leaders share their expertise on engaging older adults in ministry to each other, their families, their church and in their community. Sue Lennartson, director of adult ministry at St. Andrew’s, Mahtomedi, will lead the discussion. She’ll be joined by Pastor Roland Martinson, professor emeritus at Luther Seminary and author of Elder Rising; Pastor Chris Olson Binga, senior pastor of First, St. Paul; and Pastor Kelly Chatman, a national teacher for the church in multicultural leadership, community engagement and congregational revitalization. They will share their experiences and explore the potential that older adults bring to the congregation as life long learners. This free webinar is offered through Adult Lutherans Organized for Action. Register here.

Registrations are being accepted for the 2022 ConNext Summit. Plenary time will be fueled by Sara Thompsen's amazing musical leadership and Danger Boat Production's facilitation of Improv Café Conversations. Workshops are diverse and

interactive. There will be plenty of time for rest, contemplative practices, nature, and socializing. Learn more.

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