June 8, 2021
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff are celebrating the fact that the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming more accessible. 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 in the next weeks. 
"Urgent Request" emails requesting money are a hoax
Some of you recently received an email that appeared to be from Bishop Ann Svennungsen, making an "urgent request" that you help her out with emergency finances for some unanticipated event. Many come in Bishop Ann's name, as influential religious leaders are often targets of such phishing scams.

Bishop Ann wants to assure you that she would not send an email requesting money for an emergency. Such communications, if there were urgent needs, would come from official synod email addresses; not an email directly from her.

A good way to confirm phishing is to look at the email address (not just the name that pops up). If you see that the email uses someone else's name (and often a "hotmail" or "aol" address), it is simply spam.
Thor's hammer and David's heart
“One of my New Testament professors in seminary regularly assigned an integrative project for the end of the semester. This project required that students create some practical application of using Scripture, beyond writing a sermon, of course. One friend of mine wrote a graphic novel, and another classmate connected a piece of classic artwork to a Gospel story. One of my projects involved creating a youth group series called “Paul at the Movies.” Now, I am almost always see the themes of Biblical stories pop up at the movies.”
Remembering the Emanuel 9
At the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine — the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South
Carolina. A collection of resources is available to help synods and congregations mark this commemoration.

These resources can be adapted for virtual worship, online conversation, or
individual reflection and devotion. Synods and congregations are encouraged to mark this commermoration locally. Refreshed worshipo resources for the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine are available in PDF and Word formats, including scripture suggestions for a commemoration service. Additional resources for marking this commemoration in synods and congregations can be found at ELCA.org/EmanuelNine.

If your synod or congregation is planning a dedicated, online commemoration service that you wish to share with others, email worship@elca.org.
Volunteer for the 2022 Youth Gathering in Minneapolis
The ELCA Youth Gathering could not happen without the support of volunteers. Applications are now open to join the Gathering Volunteer Corps. Local applications are open until capacity is reached. Details about the list of responsiblities are available.
As part of the preparation, join Youth Gathering hosts for a kickoff celebration via Gathering social media on July 25. Learn more about Gathering partnrs and hear from local Minneapolis leaders about how "Boundless" God is.
ELCA Hunger Avocacy internship position open
Do you (or does someone you know) have the drive to help build ELCA World Hunger capacity to end hunger by deepening and expanding Lutheran advocacy efforts in synods, coalitions, and networks? ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellowships are a great opportunity! Apply yourself and/or share widely.

Start date for the 12-month position is September 2021. Placements available with state public policy offices in Arizona, Minnesota, and Texas; and with a communications focus in Washington, D.C, alongside federal advocacy staff.
Free Post-COVID re-gathering resource for congregations
If you're looking for a resource to encourage, inspire, and challenge your members and get them in the right frame of mind for your post-Covid journey ahead, consider Thriving Beyond Covid, a scripture-based small- and large-group study. The days ahead will be challenging but they can be managed with faith and a plan.

This two-minute video offers more information so you can decide if this resource is something your congregation might want to use. The resource has also been advertised in Seeds Monthly, and has been downloaded by 163 leaders in 33 states and four countries.

A leader guide, small and large group participant guides, and videos, are available for free download at www.ThrivingBeyondCovid.org.
Lutheran summer camp jobs
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) is currently hiring camp staff for many Lutheran summer camps for the summer of 2021.

To make this easier, LOM has a new resource for interested persons to find a summer camp. The Camp MatchUp app allows users to receive quick and easy access to information about camps. Camp MatchUp is a touch tool for camps to connect with interested applicants and to assist applicants in their camp discernment process.

Camp MatchUp is available for download from the Apple Store (IOS) of from Google Play (Android).

LOM camps equip and empower people, especially young adults, in many ways: developing compassionate leadership skills, learning how to listen and adapt, practicing effective communication skills, engaging in an intentional community, exploring the outdoors, being creative, growing in faith, and building resume skills.
Minnesota Multifaith Network to host conference in June
The Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN) is hosting a two-hour conference on June 17 under the theme of "Discerning Our Moral Commitments Together." As our society continues to grapple with the pandemic and with racial oppression, this groups of leaders from a dozen faith traditions is offering an opportunity for deep conversation on how we are discerning and acting on our shared moral commitments in a time such as this.

Thursday, June 17
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The cost for participation for MnMN members is $5; general admission is $10. Purchase tickets by June 15.
Mosaics available for congregational display
The panel “Feed the World” is our call to end world hunger. The images reflect the Three Sisters that native peoples planted together: corn, beans and squash. It is a planting that naturally calls to cooperation. As in nature, we are all one; we are all in this world together.
 
The panel “Love the Earth” shows native flowers of Minnesota, which attract pollinators needed for life: butterflies, bees, hummingbirds. Under the earth, you can see a different kind of pollinator: bugs and animals that help create the soil that nourishes all of us.
 
The middle panel was done by attendees of the 2019 synod assembly, under the direction of Pr. Luisa Cabello Hansel, artistic director of Semilla and co-pastor at St. Paul’s. It shows the unity of the church with our Creator, the creation, and one another.
 
They were created by the Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts at St. Paul’s Lutheran in south Minneapolis. Semilla means seed in Spanish, and the center works to plant seeds of hope by teaching and creating public art that can help make the community healthier, safer and more beautiful.

If you are interested in displaying the mosaics, please contact Brenda Blackhawk at b.blackhawk@mpls-synod.org or (612) 230-3305.
Praying for other Region 3 synod assembly gatherings
Just as the Minneapolis Area Synod ("Jubilee Reclaimed: Opening the Door") has finished its 2021 synod assembly, so too have our Region 3 sibling synods from Northeastern Minnesota ("Love Ignites Us!"), Southeastern Minnesota ("Everlasting Faithfulness"), Saint Paul Area Synod ("Waiting in Hope"), Northwestern Minnesota Synod ("Wholly Devoted"), Western North Dakota ("Love God adn People"), and South Dakota Synod ("Journeying Together in Christ"). Please pray for those synods whose assemblies are yet to come:

  • Southwestern Minnesota Synod ("God of Peace will be with You"), June 6, 11, and 12 (bishop election)
  • Eastern North Dakota Synod ("Living Well"), August 14-15
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Mr. Nick Tangen will be speaking virtually at the Interim Pastors Gathering on Thursday, June 10.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile at House of Hope Lutheran, New Hope, on Sunday, June 13.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be offering a greeting at the Celebration Service at Prairie Lutheran, Eden Prairie, on Sunday, June 13.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Tree of Life Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, June 13.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile at Faith Lutheran, Waconia, on Monday, June 14.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile at St. James Lutheran, Crystal, on Wednesday, June 16.
  • Ms. Madeline Troyer will be leading an adult forum at Vista Lutheran, St. Louis Park, on Wednesday, June 16.
  • Mr. Nick Tangen will be presenting on Faith Practices and Neighborhood Practices at Gustavus Adolphus Church, Minneapolis, on Thursday, June 17.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Tapestry, Richfield, on Sunday, June 20.
  • Ms. Brenda Blackhawk will be leading an online forum for the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice on Tuesday, June 22.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be offering a farewell greeting for Pastor Joel Quie at Prairie Lutheran, Eden Prairie, on Sunday, June 27.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org