August 10, 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 re-entry plan will be evaluated periodically to reflect the CDC guidelines for vaccinated persons. 
Plan now for God's Work
Our Hands
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is Sunday, September 12, 2021. This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

Service activities offer an opportunity for all church members to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
Rummaging through the narthex  
“Last summer, I wrote in awe and gratitude how ‘being church’ in Calvary’s narthex looked different than it ever had before in the wake of the uprising following the murder of George Floyd. It was lovely seeing that space usually staged with lemonade and coffeecake then overflowing with an emergency supply of personal care items and an abundance of treats to share at the Community Table set up on the sidewalk to greet and support visitors to George Floyd Square. In kind of an odd (or perhaps just ordinary) way, it seems the narthex has been an indicator of sorts, reflecting our congregation’s faithful efforts to show up as good neighbors in the struggle.” 
Loan Forgiveness Program expands to include 'religious workers'
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program now includes religious workers. Church workers were excluded for the last decade, but a federal court ruled that this decision was a potential violation of the establishment clause of the US Constitution. So rostered ministers and other church employees with federal student loans who otherwise qualify may now be eligible for forgiveness. (Eligibility depends on 120 months of continuous repayment.)

If religious workers do apply for forgiveness, they need to get the required form completed by their employer -- their congregation, if they are a congregational employee. Synods should not complete forms for congregational staff.
Church Anew offers virtual preaching conference
In a short-form, intentionally crafted gathering, distinct voices, speaking from their own communities, will be enfleshing witness for this moment of challenge and creativity in the church and in the world. Between these witnesses, you will encounter liturgical experiments and collaborations to help digest the call of the divine.

Church Anew is inviting preachers, storytellers, activists, and community leaders of color to perhaps hear some of their own stories in the pieces shared. White leaders are welcome but expected to participate with a posture of overhearing the witness rather than expecting it is for you.

Enfleshing Witness
Thursday, August 26
11:00 a.m.

The event is free to attend virtually and we invite support from congregations and institutions to form in-person viewing gatherings for conversation and creative response. Mutuality groups for people of color interested in connecting and continuing the conversation will be provided immediately following the event for those who wish to participate.
Churchwide Office offers resource for church leaders
Administration Matters is a bimonthly electronic newsletter for ELCA church leaders. It addresses common, practical issues including finance, governance, risk management, and tax and legal concerns, as well as other topics of interest about day-to-day operations and management in church settings.

If you wish to subscribe to the Administration Matters e-newsletter, you can do so by logging in to https://blogs.elca.org/adminmatters/. (See the left side of page.)

Subscription is free, your name won’t be added to any other mailing lists and you may unsubscribe at any time if you decide to opt out.
Addressing hunger means looking at its many impacts
Hunger at the Crossroads is an opportunity for congregants to engage in learning and conversation about the intersections of root causes of hunger and the ways we can be part of God’s promise of a just world where all are fed.

Thursday, August 12
6:00 p.m., Central Time
 
Pastors Heidi Neumark and Joe Larson will lead the first conversation in this series. This session is titled "Sexuality, Gender Identity, and Hunger."

Consider inviting young adult ministries, congregations, hunger ministry leaders, volunteers and supporters, campus and camping ministries — everyone is welcome — to the sessions:
  • “Sexuality, Gender Identity, and Hunger” – August 12, 2021
  • “Climate Change and Hunger” – October 2021
  • “Hunger and Poverty by the Numbers: Where Are We at Now?” – November 2021

These webinar sessions are sponsored by ELCA World Hunger.
Going back to summer school ...
and learning advocacy for the sake of the world
Through advocacy, the ELCA community can create lasting, systemic change. If you want to get involved in faith-based advocacy but aren’t sure where to begin, sign up for Advocacy Summer School. The five-part, online series is being offered by ELCA Advocacy in collaboration with ELCA Peace Not Walls. The first session on Aug. 11 will paint a picture of advocacy and explore how it is shaped by a faith foundation, especially in members and affiliates of the ELCA. Future sessions will cover ways to carry out advocacy work and specific policy issues where the Lutheran community can make an impact.

Wednesdays, August 11 through September 8
1-1:45 p.m., Central Time
Online

Join one session or all five, and learn how to lift our voices together to advance the common good.
 
  • August 11 -- What is Faith-Based Advocacy?
  • August 18 -- How Do I Approach Policy Makers?
  • August 25 -- How Do I Use Media for Impact?
  • September 1 -- Let's Talk: About the Holy Land
  • September 8 -- Let's Talk: About Immigration
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be attending Pastor Laurie Eaton's retirement service at Our Saviour's Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, August 15.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell for Pastor Gary Guptill at Glen Cary Lutheran, Ham Lake, on Sunday, August 22.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at St. Andrew Lutheran, East Bethel, on Sunday, August 22.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell for Pastor Anna Brit Aasland at Mindekirken, Minneapolis, on Sunday, August 29.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Zion Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, August 29.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be attending a "back to school" event with Cristo Obrero Church, at Riverview Terrace Mobile Home Parks, Chaska, on Wednesday, September 1.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Minnesota Swahili Congregation, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 5.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be attending the "holy closure" final worship service at Bethany Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 12.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org