September 7, 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. 
Does your congregation have
a food / anti-hunger ministry?
Increasing wealth disparities means vulnerable people experience hunger more often and for longer periods. If your congregation works to ensure that we live in a world where all are fed, you are invited to join with other congregational leaders to compare and share ideas.
 
Monday, September 13
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Zoom
 
Petra Rickertsen, the Networks Manager for ELCA World Hunger Domestic Unit, will join us virtually to share exciting collaborations in other synods and creative ways that we can deepen connections between the various congregational ministries within the synod.

If your congregation doesn't currently have a hunger project but would like to, come listen to what other church leaders are doing. We'd love to have you.

The Zoom link will be sent out three days before the event.
Grab your
duct tape
“Growing up at St. Luke’s Lutheran, my friends and I always knew which adults were ‘in our corner.’ Alice who laughed at our silly antics. Dave who listened to our stories, our hurt feelings, our questions. Even more, I suppose, we knew which adults weren’t so enamored with the way we behaved. I sometimes wonder if a question churches might use for self-assessment could read: “How many adults in your church would kids say are ‘in their corner’?” 
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.

Questions regarding this invitation and event should be directed to MCC CEO, the Rev. Dr. Curtiss DeYoung at curtiss.deyoung@mnchurches.org.
"God's Work Our Hands" this Sunday
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is Sunday, September 12. 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.

If you take photos of your congregation's activities on "God's Work. Our Hands" Sunday, please send copies to Kayla Zopfi. The synod would love to share the photos via social media. (Please make sure that you have permision to share the photographs.)
Bell ringing on September 11
City of Bells has been invited to participate in the official State of Minnesota 9/11 Ceremony on Saturday, September 11. Congregations with bells are invited to join the community in bell ringing according to the follwing schedule:

  • 7:46 a.m.-7:47 a.m. (Flight 11);
  • 8:03 a.m.- 8:04 a.m. (Flight 175);
  • 8:37 a.m.-8:38 a.m. (Flight 77); and
  • 9:03 a.m.-9:04 a.m. (Flight 93)

The goal of City of Bells is to surround the metro community and beyond in bell ringing at the times listed below in coordination with the bell ringing by The Liberty Bell and a bell from the Minnesota Military Museum on the steps of the State Capitol.

To have your congregation listed in the program of organizations ringing bells, call (952) 221-3400.
Lutheran Disaster Response responds to global challenges
Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to the many natural and climate disasters across the globe right now.

  • Wildfires in the West
  • Hurricane recovery in the Gulf Coast
  • Earthquake recovery in Haiti
  • Flooding on the East Coast

Lutheran Disaster Response brings hope, healing, and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters near and far. Yet as attention shifts to other headlines, LDR stays to provide ongoing assistance, recognizing that every response needs to be rooted in the community. It partners with companion churches and other Lutheran or ecumenical relief agencies to make sure local needs are addressed and met. Now is an especially important time to support this highly regarded Lutheran ministry that ministers in many and varied ways with those people suffering through disasters.




Gun violence and mental health
Learning advocacy
for the sake of the world
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.
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 final session of this five-part, online series is titled "Let's Talk ABout Immigration." ELCA Advocacy, in collaboration with ELCA Peace Not Walls, will help participants discern how to carry out advocacy work and address specific policy issues where the Lutheran community can make an impact.

Wednesday, September 8
1-1:45 p.m., Central Time
Online
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen and Pastor Norma Malfatti will be attending the "holy closure" final worship service at Bethany Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, September 12.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at Family of God Lutheran, Brooklyn Park, for its 50th anniversary celebration on Sunday, September 19.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be overseeing a Ministry Site Profile at Mount Olivet Lutheran, Plymouth, 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.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org