February 17, 2021 Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Synod office update Synod staff members continue to work remotely for the foreseeable future. Contact them using their email or cell phone. Discerning a Call: A Region 3 Event God calls everyone to do God’s work in the world. How is God calling you? Explore that question with a series of Zoom conversations. Session One: Public Ministry in the ELCA Tuesday, March 9, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Learn about discernment resources and explore the call to public ministry as you hear call stories from pastors and deacons. Session Two: So, How Do I Get There? – Seminary and Other Things You Need to Know. Tuesday, March 16, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Learn about the ELCA candidacy process and hear from seminary partners who will share about programs that can equip you to follow God’s call in your life. Attending both sessions is encouraged, but you are welcome to attend just one! The Zoom link will be emailed to you after submitting the online registration. For further questions please contact Deacon Krista Anderson, ELCA Region 3 Candidacy and Leadership Manager and Program Director for the Support of Ministers of Word and Service. Register for discernment event Retreating forward “I am happiest at work when I am working with colleagues on a shared project that will make a real difference in the real lives of real people. I don’t mind long hours; I even love them when we are engaged in a tough campaign against entrenched forces that marginalize people. I think it is my spiritual gift, in fact. Well, COVID-19 has really messed that up. You probably are experiencing that as well.” Bob's blog

Synod Tool Kit scheduled for Saturday, March 13

Hop on a video call with your church council, leaders from around the synod, and Bishop Ann Svennungsen to gain valuable tools to help your church in times like these. There will be workshops on preventing burnout, young adult ministry, racial justice, budgets, and more. Saturday, March 13 9:00 a.m. – Time with Bishop Ann 10:00 a.m. – Workshops I 11:00 a.m. – Workshops II Spotlight of two of the workshops: Generosity Now: Tools and Conversation for Mission Has it been a while since your congregation has thought about its generosity ministry? Are you looking for a new way to invite people into the abundance of God and living generously? This workshop will provide an opportunity for leaders to share their congregation’s best practices and send you home with tools you can start using that day, and in the future, to enliven your congregation’s invitation to generous and abundant living. Jubilee: Finding courage to enter the path The Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC) is leading communities of faith in Minnesota into a conversation about truth telling and reparations, a conversation that will surely challenge and discomfort, but that is essential for the future of the church and the world. How can members of historically white denominations engage with Indigenous and Historic Black Churches? Can “we” get beyond the fragility and begin the long walk to greater equity? How will the MCC help our congregations on this path?

More information on Tool Kit workshops

Leading with Love: Here in the Wilderness We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace … And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it. Amanda Gorman’s words rung out on January 20, putting image and word to the challenges weathered and hopeful anticipation surrounding a new set of elected leaders on the national stage. Justice-seeking people of faith can't be partisan, but can be political. What does it look like in a new dawn to hold our elected leaders accountable? What do we do when we are still “in the wilderness” – with a pandemic raging and injustice laid bare? To do our work, we have much to learn from the ancient community of faith whose tradition we carry. After all, they too were balancing the hope of a new future with the challenges of the long haul to arrive there. Thursday, March 4 2:00-3:00 p.m. Zoom Join a panel conversation with faith leaders to ground ourselves in this current moment, the work of accountability, and the journey ahead. Register for Leading with Love Remembering that "Hope Lives" The National Lutheran Choir will host a hymn festival on Sunday, March 14, during its Winter Virtual Program. This free program blends songs, images, hymns, and poetry around the theme “Hope Lives.” Sunday, March 14 4:00 p.m. Online The choirs will sing well-known hymns that highlight the joy of an ever-growing hope, and new hymns that speak to this very time, inviting all people to sing in joy together “… as all the world in wonder echoes shalom.” Join singers of the National Lutheran Choir and guest artists, the Keith Hampton Singers & Friends. Join this hymn festival

Living Well, Leading Well

Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center is promoting wholeness, wellbeing, and renewal in the personal and professional lives of church leaders.

Pursuing Justice Thursday March 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. | $20 Join Rev. Chris Dorsey to learn about the call to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). Dorsey is president of Higher Education & Leadership Ministries and has worked as a university chaplain and professor of preaching. Dorsey has significant leadership experience in racial justice and equity in churches and seminaries.

Register for Pursuing Justice

Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?

Ms. Emilie Bouvier will be speaking for a Lenten series on peacemaking at Atonement Lutheran, Bloomington, on Wednesday, February 24. Ms. Emilie Bouvier and Ms. Madeline Troyer will be leading an adult forum on EcoFaith energy conservation at All Saints Lutheran, Norwood Young America, on Thursday, February 25. Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be conducting a Ministry Site Profile at Cross of Hope Lutheran, Ramsey, on Sunday, February 28. Pastor John Hulden will be offering a farewell greeting to Deacon Glenndy Ose at Our Saviour’s Lutheran, East Bethel, on Sunday, February 28. Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be offering the opening presentation for the 2021 Annual Tool Kit for Congregations via Zoom on Saturday, March 13. Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be conducting a Ministry Site Profile at Grace University Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, March 14.

Upcoming Events

Cherish All Children Winter Walk, February 9-28 Minneapolis Area Synod Conference Assemblies, February 8-19 Second Chance Coalition Day on the Hill, February 23 Workshop about Sex Offenders, February 23 Workshop about Sex Offenders, February 25 Addiction and Harm Reduction, February 25 Information Session: Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices, February 25 Information Session: Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices, February 28 Workshop about Sex Offenders, March 2 Workshop about Sex Offenders, March 3 Child Abuse--Mandatory Reporting Training, March 9 Region 3 Discernment Event, March 9 and 16 Child Abuse--Mandatory Reporting Training, March 11 Congregational Addiction Ministry Training, March 11 Pursuing Justice Retreat, March 11 One Year Changed: Faith in Pandemic, March 11 Make Justice Your Aim: JRLC Virtual Day on the Hill, March 11 Lenten Retreat, March 11 Minneapolis Area Synod Tool Kit, March 13 National Lutheran Choir Hope Lives Hymn Festival, March 14 Child Abuse--Mandatory Reporting Training, March 16 Child Abuse--Mandatory Reporting Training, March 18 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly, April 23-24

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌