September 21, 2021
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff are celebrating the fact that Minnesota is officially at a 70% vaccination rate. Although the staff is now splitting time between in-office and remote work, the office will remain closed to public meetings. This protocol will be evaluated periodically to reflect the CDC guidelines for vaccinated persons. 
ELCA provides more COVID-19 resources for congregations
Reflecting on the early church, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes: “They were one body. We are one body. We are the body of Christ.” Despite cultural and political differences, she reminds us that we can’t dissolve this bond.

Read her September column for Living Lutheran in English and in Spanish. 
What does it mean to ‘give to the max’?
“As I write this blog, I am preparing to walk out the door for an in-person, outdoors gathering of the synod’s communicators. We are going to talk about the annual Give to the Max event, and how congregations might engage with such a fundraising effort. Likely your neighborhood school or your college or your community organization reminds you in advance to be prepared for this annual day of giving before the Black Friday rush. As an organization, Give to the Max offers space to promote your organization or event to people who are looking to give. Is your congregation using Give to the Max?” 
The Minnesota Council of Churches reparations discussion
to hold first truth-telling event in September
Last year, the leadership of the Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC) announed a ten-year effort of truth-telling, education, and reparations in order to take extraordinary steps toward repairing harms to African-American and Native American communities in Minnesota.

In response to these steps, the MCC is launching our first truth-telling event, "Minnesota’s Racial Legacy: Finally Telling the Truth," on September 24-25, 2021, at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis. This event will be hybrid with both in-person and online streaming. Friday’s event begins with registration from 6:30-7:00 p.m., and programming running 7:00-9:00 p.m. On Saturday, registration is from 8:30-9:00 a.m., and programming running from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

The keynote speaker for Friday is Christine Diindiisi McCleave, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, and the Saturday keynote speaker is Dr. Yohuru Williams, Distinguished University Chair and Professor of History and Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas. Saturday’s event will culminate with a panel discussion with distinguished Native American and African American community members, followed by an announcement of next steps in our work.

As members of the MCC Board, we have reserved 2 tickets for you and your guests. Registration is open soon, so please have your guests identify their invitation from you so that they will be recognized in the confirmation process. The link to register is http://mnchurches.org/what-we-do/minnesotas-racial-legacy.
Walk to end hunger on World Food Day
The 2021 National CROP Hunger Walk will take place on World Food Day, October 16. Join this effort to end hunger in the U.S. and around the world!

Walk on your treadmill, in your neighborhood, in a park with friends – you choose the location and the experience. Walk one day -- 3.7 miles (the average distance a woman walks for water) -- or take the Weekend Challenge and walk 11.1 miles (3.7 miles for 3 days).

Every step you take, every dollar you raise makes the walk shorter for neighbors in need by providing clean water, emergency food as well as livelihoods and access to education. Sign-up and start raising funds today at www.crophungerwalk.org/usa.
ELCA World Hunger
to host online benefit
Join Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and noted travel TV host Rick Steves in a World Food Day celebration on Thursday, October 14. They will highlight people on the ground doing the dynamic work of fighting hunger around the world.

Special guests will include the Rev. David Beckmann, the Rev. Rebel Hurd, Willie and Anne Langdji, and the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla. Special music will be offered by Rachel Kurtz, Peter Mayer, and the St. Olaf Choir.

Thursday, October 14
7:30 p.m., Central Time
Zoom webinar

The ELCA ramins focused on supporting neighbors near and far as the pandemic continues to disrupt and impact lives. Find out how ELCA World Hunger is responding, as the church continues to address both immediate needs and the root causes of hunger.

If you have questions, contact Jennifer Kenyeri, Magaer of Development Events for the ELCA.
One backpack at a time:
Cristo Obrero sends students back to school 
“Early in September, Cristo Obrero, a mission development congregation accompanying Latino families in Chaska and Shakopee, held its third annual Back to School Party with a free ice cream truck, inflatable bouncy houses, a raffle for new school shoes, and backpacks and school supplies for youth and families.
 
The event, which was held in the Riverview Terrace Mobile Home Park in Chaska, is the biggest event of the year for Cristo Obrero, and often sees success, according to Pastor Jorge Espinoza. At the event, Pastor Jorge noted how much fun the children were having running around and eating ice cream with their neighbors and friends, even during this pandemic-affected time.” 
ENGAGE to host a seminar on
gun violence and mental health
An online gala
that will change lives
Studies indicate that 3-5% of firearm homicides are the result of mental illness. In Minnesota, 79% of gun deaths are suicide by gun. A typical mass murderer is described as isolated, lacking in social support, bears a grudge, is angry and externalizes blame. Yet the vast majority of people diagnosed with psychiatric disorders do not commit violent acts. How are we to understand the relationship between mental health and gun violence that can help us create a more gun-safe environment?

Thursday, October 7
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Zoom
Presenters:
  • Thomas E. Kottke, MD, MSPH, is the Medical Director for Well-Being at Health Partners of Medicine at the University of Minnesota
  • Caleb Schultz, MD, M.P.H. practices anesthesiology at Hennepin County Medical Center.

This event is sponsored by ENGAGE: Lutherans for Gun Violence Prevention.
The 2021 Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Gala will once more be a virtual fundraiser due to the pandemic. By giving generously, serving faithfully, loving boldly, you can help LSS provide opportunities for neighbors to help neighbors. For 156 years, LSS has served the most vulnerable people in the state, and the results have been undeniably positive.

Join with your neighbors by giving a gift to support services that inspire hope, change lives, and build community throughout the state of Minnesota.
Does your congregation have service projects for youth?
Every three years approximately 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders from across the ELCA gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. The Gathering, originally to be held in 2021, was postponed until July 24-28, 2022, due to the pandemic. Minneapolis is the host city. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live out their faith in their daily lives.
 
For Service Learning opportunities, the Youth Gathering partners with local agencies, nonprofits, and congregations in the work they are doing and therefore the work God is already doing in the Twin Cities! This is where your congregation comes in.

Is there something you need volunteers to provide at your congregation but haven’t had enough people to provide the labor? Maybe you’ve wanted to create a rain garden but didn’t know where to start; maybe you need assistance canvassing the neighborhood for a new ministry coming up; or perhaps you simply need a fresh coat of paint in the hallway? The Gathering is offering a way for you to request a group of volunteers to serve on site during the days of service learning. 

The projects are in three categories with ideas in each category. They are: 

  • Physically Inside the Building
  • Physically Outside the Building
  • Community Connections Inside and Outside the Building

There are some extra spaces to add “other” input if you think of something not listed. Such projects will definitely be considered. 
 
If you are interested in having your congregation receive volunteers during the youth gathering please fill out The Church Project Interest Form by October 1. 
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be overseeing a Ministry Site Profile at Mount Olivet Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, September 26.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Gunnar Kristiansen at Mindekirken, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 26.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell service for Deacon Sue Arens at Minnehaha Communion Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 26.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile conversation at Minnehaha Communion Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 3.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending a farewell service for Rev. Mark Orvick at Diamond Lake Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 3.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Alleluia Lutheran, St. Michael, on Sunday, October 10.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti is preaching at St. Timothy Lutheran, Columbia Heights, on Sunday, October 10.
  • Ms. Emilie Bouvier will be leading an adult forum at Hope Lutheran, Jordan, on Sunday, October 17.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Maple Grove Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Sunday, October 24.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Lake Nokomis Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 24.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Peace Lutheran, Coon Rapids, on Sunday, October 31.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org