As Lutheran Christians, we come from a reformation heritage that affirms that God works through good government for the well-being of all. We also affirm that addressing one another with civility and respect matter. These matter so much that the ELCA has produced a social message on discipleship within a democracy. You can read that message here. There is even a study guide for small group discussion in your congregation or around your family table.

2020 has been a strange year for every congregation, as well as the Saint Paul Area Synod. Congregational leaders are invited to an evening of conversation with Bishop Lull and one another to discuss what we are all learning about gratitude and generosity in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and to hear about the mission impact that contributions to mission support are having across the synod. Come to share what your congregation is doing to support members and neighbors and learn more about our collective initiatives going into 2021!

The content will be identical for both offerings so plan to attend just one. No advance registration is necessary. If you are a congregation president, treasurer or rostered minister serving a congregation, watch your email for your personal invitation and the link to the Zoom call. If you've not received an email by Wednesday, please call the synod office at 651-224-4313.

In the midst of a pandemic when staying safe means that congregations cannot gather in familiar in-person ways, it takes some imagination to know how to host an Annual Meeting.

Join Sarah Crippen, Synod Attorney, and Bishop Patricia Lull for a tutorial on how to host and run an online congregational meeting. This one-hour Zoom call is designed for congregational presidents and other elected leaders. Rostered ministers serving in congregations are also welcome. Topics to be covered include passing a Continuing Resolution to allow an electronic meeting, participation by internet or phone connection, rules for discussion and legitimate ways to vote. There will be time for questions, as well.

No advance registration is necessary. If you are a congregation president or rostered minister serving in a congregation, watch your email for your personal invitation and link to the Zoom call. If you've not received an email by Wednesday, please call the synod office at 651-224-4313.

The synod's Advocates for Racial Equity (ARE) work group invites you to an evening of conversation about faith and politics in the spirit of Martin Luther's Table Talks. This free event includes two options — register for one or both! As a pre-requisite, please read Living Lutheran's article, "Discipleship in a Democracy: How should Lutherans be involved in politics?"

Session 1 (6:30-7 p.m.)

It is a political season. As Christians, we are drawn to aspects of politics; we are repulsed by aspects of politics. The Living Lutheran article asks, “How should Lutherans be involved in politics?” One statistic from that article: The percentage of U.S. citizens who trust the federal government to do what is right fell steadily from 77% in 1964 to 17% in 2019.

Maybe you remember some time in your life when people of different views, who loved each other, had challenging conversations together. That is the “table” we’d like to create this evening, a conversation about politics. What are the questions that you wish you could bring to the table for deeper discussion?

In the article, Michael Cooper-White writes one question that dominates all others as we consider our politics: “Is the neighbor being served?” Who is the neighbor you are most committed to serving in this season? What do you need to be able to bring your thoughts to speech and your political values to the table?

Session 2 (7:15-7:45 p.m.)

The ARE group seeks to learn more about what we can do together to dismantle racist policy. First, we need to be in conversations and forming relationships that help us all uncover racist policies, then we work together to elect anti-racist leaders and to make new policy. In this session we hope to deepen our conversation and commitments that create an anti-racist world, knowing that this won’t be the last time we come to the table.

What are the policies that are most important to dismantle in this season (before and after the election)? What is the work that is most important in your mind? What are you most fearful and hopeful about in this season? What are the small steps that you and your congregation are taking to deepen your anti-racist education and action?

The Minneapolis Area Synod has planned this year's Fall Ministerium. Please join your colleagues to celebrate the Jubilee Anniversary of our church's decision to ordain women. A panel of pastors will reflect on their experiences and hopes: Pastors Babette Chatman (Augsburg University), Liz Eide (Lutheran Church of Peace), Marlene Helgemo (All Nations Church), Jen Nagel (University Lutheran Church of Hope) and Megan Torgerson (Easter Lutheran Church). We'll send a reminder email this week with the registration link!

You are invited to a series of free conversations with the Moments of Arising Videos, sponsored by the EcoFaith Network and Together Here Ministries of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod, and the Saint Paul Area Synod's Care of Creation Work Group.  

In this year of pandemic, "Companions in Christ, Together & Apart" is an apt theme for an online Bega Kwa Bega Fall Festival. We will gather for fellowship, learning and prayer on Zoom! The morning includes large group and break-out learning sessions, as well as video greetings from Tanzania. Watch for a set of videas and educational materials that can be used for worship and/or children and youth programming on or following Nov. 15.

The ELCA General Counsel reminds us that the Boy Scouts of America have filed for bankruptcy, primarily due to the flood of sexual abuse lawsuits. There are many questions about what this may mean for congregations that are (or were) chartering organizations for Boy Scout troops. In particular, congregations that chartered Boy Scout troops should consider whether to file a proof of claim in the bankruptcy to protect their interests.

The ELCA has prepared a resource on the BSA Bankruptcy, which is now available on the ELCA resource page under the sexual misconduct tab: www.elca.org/Resources/Legal#Sexual OR click here for the direct link. Please alert Bishop Lull if your congregation has a concern about this or additional questions.

The Saint Paul Area Synod serves as one of four member synods on the Augsburg University Corporation. Each September there is a Corporation Meeting to which we send eight representatives plus the Bishop. We are looking for a number of individuals, both laity and clergy, to fill vacancies in our delegation. Alums of Augsburg might find this a pleasing way to connect with this ELCA related institution. Persons interested in being considered can send their name to michael.gold@spas-elca.org.

Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul invites you to take on a completely COVID-safe, critically important piece of work: become an online literacy tutor through its “Opportunity Saint Paul” program. This is a terribly challenging year for students in so many ways! We’ve all heard of “summer slip – now we’re in danger of “all year slip.” One of the ways to make the most difference is through high-impact literacy tutoring, which has the critical added benefit of providing one more caring adult in the student’s life. Opportunity Saint Paul works with Reading Partners, East Side Learning Center, and others to provide training and support to our volunteers. Click here to sign up to volunteer or contact Sarah Peterka at speterka@interfaithaction.org.

The synod office has some additional office furniture to part with. If you are interested in either of these types of chairs, please email alicia.rodriguez@spas-elca.org and let her know which ones you're interested in and when someone might be able to pick them up.

The synod office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. A limited number of staff are on-site each day. You may continue to reach all staff members by phone (651-224-4313) or by email.

Rostered and lay leaders alike are invited to a weekly gathering of topical presentations designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders. On Oct. 28, the Rev. Bridget Jones (Bethel, Superior, Wisc.) will help navigate how to assess some of the risks of preaching, along with strategies to manage and mitigate them so that we can live out our calling in authentic, transformative ways. This is an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation. Recordings of past sessions with supporting documents are available at www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media. You may find upcoming topics and presenters at www.elcacoaching.org/.

or by phone: +1 312 626 6799

The second of a two-part anti-racism workshop with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Paul is tonight! Facilitator Donte Curtis, CEO of Catch Your Dream Consulting, will lead "Lessons from Jesus on Our Justice Journey." Register. Questions? Contact Deacon Jennifer at schneider1650@gmail.com.

The National Lutheran Choir is offering a free concert with music of remembrance, perseverance and hope for all who have experienced loss in this difficult year. With the very breath of so many being silenced by illness and injustice, NLC commissioned artist in residence Paul Rudoi to compose a new setting of the hymn text “Breathe on me, Breath of God.” This work—and the undying yearning to be comforted and changed by the breath of God—forms a through-line for the program. Also featured are powerful African American spirituals by composer Moses Hogan and arrangers Marques Garrett and William Dawson. These works have much to teach us about God’s love through hardship and loss. Music by John Tavener and Heinrich Schütz round out this newly curated, virtual program that will feature new performances by NLC singers in physically-distanced settings. Watch the concert at www.nlca.com.

Centering Prayers is a receptive, deep method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of the experience of God's presence within us. Presenters Rev. John Keller and Rev. Luna Gebbengreen invite you to learn how Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him. Each session includes a 20-minute Centering Prayer session. Participants are encouraged to read Thomas Keating's book, Open Mind, Open Heart, between sessions. Learn more.

Ambiguous losses are perhaps the most challenging kind of loss. When someone or something is physically absent yet psychologically present, or physically present yet psychologically absent, it’s hard to find clarity, it’s hard to make decisions, and it’s hard to grieve. The physical, emotional, economic, and relational uncertainty resulting from the current pandemic further complicates ambiguous losses. In this workshop hosted by Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center, we’ll discuss the nature of ambiguous loss and ways to deepen our resilience in these uncertain times. The presenter is Carla Dahl, Professor of Congregational and Community Care at Luther Seminary. Learn more and register.

Get inspired to work to overcome racism where you live, work and play! This year's theme is “Taking Back 'We the People'" What does it mean to be “We the People” through an antiracist lens, in these times? How do we address the rise of right wing populism worldwide? The keynote speaker is Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, noted Scholar on African American Culture & James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor. Other speakers and presenters include: Chanda Smith Baker, Senior Vice President, The Minneapolis Foundation with May Lee-Yang of FAWK; Michael McDowell of Black Lives Matter, Minneapolis; Jim Bear Jacobs of the Minnesota Council of Churches and Judith Marquz Duran of COPAL-MN. The conference is presented by the Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC); the Saint Paul Area Synod is one of the sponsors. The cost is $125 to attend both days or $65 per day; student tickets and limited scholarships are available. Learn more and register.

This virtual retreat will create sacred space in a unique way. We invite you to pause and experience what it means to embody your faith at the intersection of yoga and faith. The retreat will prepare participants to enter the season of advent, to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, the Incarnation. Emmanuel, God is with us. Included in this virtual retreat are four different yoga classes (Restorative, Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin), worship with communion, self-healing touch session and a way to be community in a time of physical distancing. The keynote speaker is Father Tom Ryan, author of Prayer of the Heart and Body. Learn more.

In a time of global pandemic, unprecedented civic unrest, and political polarization, where can we find spiritual ground? The answer, of course, is the most simple: Jesus Christ. Celebrating Christmas 2020 and the birth of Jesus will be full of all sorts of grief. We are grieving lost routines and lost traditions. We are grieving the loss of loved ones and the loss of civil discourse. Jesus was born in such a time as this and is born for such a time as this. Featuring provocative, imaginative, engaging and short talks from both world-renowned speakers and emerging voices, Church Anew's online event, "Christ | Christmas | Covid," will provide space to grieve and lament, while reclaiming the prophetic hope of this season. This event is free for ministry leaders and faithful people - invite your whole congregation and friends! (Optional on-demand access is available for $30 - individuals and $149 - groups.) Learn more.

At Shobi’s Table we believe in sharing from scratch, delicious and nutritious meals with anyone who comes and everybody who needs it. We’ve been doing this through our pay-as-you-can mobile café throughout almost all of the craziness of 2020 has thrown at us, going from serving twice a month to serving twice a week. We want to keep up the good work, and plan to expand. To do that we need your help!

Your support can provide the ingredients for this From Scratch effort to continue into the future. Come join us for our online fundraiser. We’ll be broadcasting live with Emcee Paul Damico-Carper and special guests Rhoda Habedank, Nate Houge and Beth Dooley! There will be music, cooking demonstrations and ways for you to support the ministry of Shobi’s Table into the future. Watch for more details soon. Together we can gather the ingredients to continue making From Scratch meals available to everyone!

www.spas-elca.org | 651.224.4313