January 25, 2022
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Through the month of January synod staff will be working remotely to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The office remains closed to public meetings. This protocol will be evaluated periodically. 
EcoFaith Forum on Inclusive Financing
We need your voice! Minneapolis is on the verge of championing a groundbreaking climate-scaled tool called “inclusive financing" for energy efficiency after years of grassroots engagement. On Thursday, January 27th from 4-5:15pm, join EcoFaith for a Learning + Action Forum to hear about the pilot program being put forward by the City of Minneapolis and CenterPoint Energy, and how you can take a simple action step to help make this climate solution a reality.
Plastics and practices
“Everyone has their favorite household chores. I’m transported back to sitting cross-legged on the kitchen floor in front of my family’s “recycling drawer,” neatly sorting the contents into their respective bags to bring to the recycling center. This was my favorite chore, probably because it was slow and methodical and far less frustrating than vacuuming the stairs (my least favorite chore to this day). But mostly, this ritual-like practice directed my attention to what we discard and fostered in me a responsibility to steward these materials.” 
ELCA Introduces “Now Is the Time” Study Guide
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America introduces "Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent" to help congregations wrestle with the meaning of the declaration, adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, and its accompanying explanation.

In the declaration, the ELCA "apologizes to people of African descent for its historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally. We lament the white church's failure to work for the abolition of slavery and the perpetuation of racism in this church."

"Now Is the Time" stresses realism, self-examination, and accountability as the church acknowledges and apologizes for the history and impact of slavery and systemic racism. The study guide focuses on deepening our understanding of this history as participants engage in often-difficult conversation and reflection to move the church toward racial healing and justice.
2022 Conference Assemblies, Jan. 31 - Feb. 15
The 12 conferences of our synod will meet to nominate and elect people for synod positions. Resolutions and memorials for Synod Assembly are also discussed at these Conference Assembly gatherings. Synod Assembly and Churchwide Assembly voting members are especially encouraged to attend, but all are invited! Check with your conference dean to learn the date, time, and whether your assembly will be on Zoom or in person. Please feel free to reach Eric Howard, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, for general questions.
Annual Tool Kit Workshop Session Highlights
We are looking forward to offering 11 virtual Tool Kit workshops on several Tuesday and Thursday evenings in March. The schedule, list of all workshops, and registration can be found here: https://mpls-synod.org/for-congregations/tool-kit/ . See the link below to stay up to date and for more information. For the next several weeks, we will be highlighting 2 workshops in our e-news so you can learn more about what will be available.

Cultivating Generosity led by Rev. Norma Malfatti
Financial stewardship isn't simply about sustaining your congregation and, quite honestly, typical church budgets do not inspire radical generosity. Rather, we as individual children of God, and as communities of faith, are called to be generous people to help our neighbors experience the transformative power of the Gospel. This workshop will focus on sharing tangible ways you can help inspire and grow generosity in yourself and your congregation.

Raising Funds from Outside of Your Congregation led by Joy Skjegstad
Looking for new sources of funding for ministry programs? Learn how to search for funding outside your congregation and which kinds of programs would be eligible for these funds. The session will offer an overview of foundation grants, businesses, other congregations and civic groups. Participants will receive tips on approaching each kind of funder.
How Your Church Can Become a Center of Long Life Learning & Faith Formation Webinar
On January 27th at 12pm, John Roberto, Founder of LifeLong Associates, presents approaches, examples, and resources for addressing the spiritual and religious needs of adults 60 and over in congregations. Discover how to engage this age group in meaningful, faith forming experiences that are easy to access and designed in multiple formats.

Can’t make it? You never have to miss out. Check out the ALOA webinar archive for recordings and additional resources.
40 Days of Giving - Lent Resources
For nearly two years, as the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we have seen the number of hungry people around the world rise, watched as food pantries and soup kitchens expanded to serve an ever-growing number of guests, and longed for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more … and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 7:16).
 
Thank you for all you are doing in your congregation and community to continue God’s work and to share the grace and love of Christ. ELCA World Hunger invites you to continue your work by connecting your congregation to the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2.
Forms A & C
The ELCA's online system for Forms A & C is now open!
Please complete the forms online by March 1, 2022.

Go to the ELCA site and type in your Congregation ID number and password (found on the top right corner of Form A that was mailed to you).

This is an important ministry that provides congregations, synods, the churchwide organization, assemblies, agencies, and institutions with valuable information for evaluating and planning the mission of this church. Your careful attention to accuracy helps to increase the usefulness of statistical analysis. 

Contact Jeni Huff if you have any questions.
Lenten EcoFaith Series on Plastics
Calling all congregations in Hennepin County to participate in a Lenten EcoFaith Series on Plastics.

Have you ever tried giving up plastic for Lent? Or wonder how you would even try? With support and partnership from Hennepin County we’re hosting a series of Tuesday evening learning opportunities to make environmental action on plastics a part of your Lenten discipline. We’ll focus on easy and repeatable steps to reduce personal plastic use and will reflect on how our environmental practices shape us as people of faith.
Participating congregation members can join live on Zoom Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm or receive a packet of materials to do as individuals, pods, or groups on their own. We’ll have short video clips and worship resources available to incorporate into midweek services as well!
#TalksAtTheDesk
#TalksAtTheDesk is an African Descent Ministries Project for Black History Month

Join the ELCA African Descent Ministries each Wednesday in February at 7:30pm for story telling.

Ways you can participate:
1. Use the hashtag #TalksAtTheDesk to grow the conversation.
2. Every Wednesday at 7:30pm CT host a watch party with your community or congregation.
3. Like and Share posts and stories of our African Descent leaders and lay folk every day.
4. Use your financial resources to give back and support the various missions and ministries that we feature as well as African Descent businesses and nonprofits in your local community.
5. Use this as an opportunity to equip your congregations to receive and affirm diverse leadership so when more Lutheran leaders are ready for call- they are welcomed and supported by your congregation.
Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts
Early bird registration is open for the Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts. The CWTA brings together clergy, worship musicians, and lay leaders from around the country. Participants are offered a variety of seminars, sessions, and plenaries applicable to those involved in congregational ministry. In addition to professional development, the conference offers networking and time for spiritual reflection.
 
The 2022 conference will take place July 25-28 at St. Olaf. We are also offering a virtual conference track for the first time this year! The conference theme is Scatter the Imagination of Our Hearts, based on Mary’s proclamation in the Magnificat that the proud will be scattered in the imagination of their hearts. The conference will invite participants to explore how the power of imagination can challenge, change, and inspire, especially as churches respond to the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism. The 2022 conference will feature Rev. Dr. Willie James Jennings and Rev. Dr. Eunjoo Mary Kim, both of whom have produced books and research focused around race, multiculturalism, and the church. The conference will also feature musicians Tesfa Wondemagegnehu and Anton Armstrong (choir) and Jill Mahr (handbells) and sessions led by Joe Davis, Deanna Thompson, Kelly Sherman-Conroy, and more. 
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Jerod Freeburg at St. James Lutheran Church, Crystal on January 30.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at St. Paul/San Pablo, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 30.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will offer a greeting at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis on Sunday, February 13.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordinating and installation Kristen Dybdal at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Plymouth, on Sunday, February, 13.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Spirit of Joy, Buffalo on Sunday, February 13.
  • Meghan Olsen Biebighauser will be sharing about economic justice organizing with the Theology on Tap small group at Shephard of the Lake, Prior Lake on Wednesday, February 16.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at St. Andrew, East Bethel on Sunday, February 20.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org