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May 11, 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 working in office and remotely, the office will remain closed to public meetings. This re-entry plan will be evaluated after Memorial Day. 
‘How can I keep from singing?’
In her May column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton notes that music, like God’s love, is at the same time deeply personal, sounding deep within an individual’s soul, and universal, ringing out to an entire community. Read Presiding Bishop Eaton's column in English or Spanish.
Between then and now
“This Thursday we mark Jesus’ ascension. (You may remember Jesus tells Mary in the garden, “Don’t hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to Abba God.” John 20:17, The Inclusive Bible: the first egalitarian translation.) This day is a turning point in the life of the early church. Unlike his death and resurrection three days later, this time Jesus really will be gone. No longer will the apostles have their friend, rabbi, and Lord with them to answer all their questions.”
ELCA World Hunger offers guide for "River of Life" VBS program
ELCA World Hunger has produced an At-Home Vacation Bible Shcool Program Guide to help congregations prepare for another summer of pandemic summer programming. The guide adapts the new "River of Life" VBS program for use during times of physical distancing.

This year's VBS highlights how ELCAS World Hunger partners with the neighbors around the world in clean water projects, and it features activities, games, crafts, and even snack ideas.
Mental Health Resources
The need for mental health support within our community increased steadily in the years leading up to Covid-19. This demand will likely continue past our return to a post-pandemic ‘normal.’ Developing healthy habits in support of emotional health is critical to our collective well-being. Accordingly, Portico has prioritized the expansion of access to mental health resources, in a variety of mediums, to meet individual learning styles and preferences.

In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Portico is sharing the following resources, courtesy of its health and wellness vendor partnerships:
  • Mental Health Support resources from Learn2Live
  • Mental Health Matters podcast from Being Academy (top right option on landing page)
  • In late May, we’ll introduce Being Here, a Portico-specific podcast series, will be introduced in late May via email to all ELCA-Primary health benefit members. Inaugural episodes will include "Beating Burnout 2.0," "Grief & Compassion Fatigue," and "Financial Literacy."

Items to encourage member awareness of and engagement with benefits and live events in May:
Remembering
the Emmanuel 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.
ELCA Missionaries: Where are they now?
When the COVID-19 pandemic first swept the world, the ELCA asked its mission personnel to come back to the United States for a period. Since then, almost all missionaries have been able to return to their countries of service. A year later, many ELCA members have asked, “Are missionaries still serving internationally?” The answer is: “Yes!” The ELCA continues to send missionaries into the world to serve alongside our companions and partners in ministry, based on their needs and requests. 
2021 "Ordinary Season" Preaching Workshop with Teresa L. Fry Brown
The Southeastern Synod, ELCA, invites pastors to attend a preaching workshop by the Rev. Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown, the Bandy Professor of Preaching of Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Monday, May 17
8:00-11:00 a.m., Central

“Not so Ordinary—Ordinary Time: From Holy Trinity Sunday through June” will address these Sundays in the preaching cycle:

  • May 30 - John 3:1-17
  • June 6 - Mark 2:23-3:6
  • June 13 - Mark 3:20-35
  • June 20 - Mark 4:26-34
  • June 27 - Mark 4:35-41

All are welcome and there is no cost. You can offer a donation here, designating "formation."
Mental Health Connect plans Breakfast of Hope
Learn how to live your life intentionally with nationally known speakers Kelli Nielsen and Joe Davis. Join in Mental Health Connect’s 3rd Annual Virtual Breakfast of Hope! 

Thursday, May 20
8:30-9:30 a.m.
 
Kelli Nielsen, "The Grief Guru," will speak about “Advancing Through Adversity.” Joe Davis, artist and educator, will speak about “The Healing Community and Vulnerability.” Joe employs poetry, music, theater, and dance to shape culture.

Funds raised from this event support the mission of Mental Health Connect, providing community-based resources, support, and education to improve access to mental health services and to connect individuals and families with the services they need.
Open Doors grant application open
As ELCA congregations begin to assess the possibility of returning to in-person worship, following CDC guidelines, they can apply for grant funding with a specific and actionable idea for how its ministry might enable members to meet new people while regathering in community as COVID-19 considerations allow.
As churches resume in-person gatherings, congregants are not simply reclaiming their physical worship space. They are being reclaimed by God and one another in the Spirit as they return to physical community. As people freed by the gift of God’s love and grace, how might we share that gift with others who might need it, too?

Congregations are encouraged to consider:

  • how they can meet new people, especially those who crave community after a time of unprecedented isolation
  • how they stay connected with people who have joined them online
  • how they can create new ideas to meet the changing needs of their communities
Open doors invite us in to gather, and open doors send us out to meet our neighbors. 

If you have questions about these grants, email grants@elca.org. To view an FAQ about this grant campaign, visit ELCA.org/OpenDoors.
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!") and Southeastern Minnesota ("Everlasting Faithfulness"). Please pray for those synods whose assemblies are yet to come:

  • Saint Paul Area Synod ("Waiting in Hope"), May 14-15
  • Northwestern Minnesota Synod ("Wholly Devoted"), May 22
  • Western North Dakota ("Love God and People"), June 4
  • South Dakota Synod ("Journeying Together in Christ"), June 4-5
  • 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?
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be leading a forum at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Wednesday, May 12.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be conducting a Mission Site Profile at St. John's Lutheran, Mound, on Thursday, May 13.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be offering a farewell blessing for Pastors Mary Halvorson and Dan Garnass at Grace University Lutheran, Minneapolis, on May 16.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be preaching at Atonement Lutheran, Bloomington, on Sunday, May 23.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at the First Call Theological Education event on Monday, June 7.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org