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Synod Assembly Featured Speaker
The Rev. Dr. Barb Rossing will be the keynote speaker for our 2023 Synod Assembly on Saturday, May 13. In line with the assembly theme of "Living in Hope," she will remind us of reasons to live in hope even in the face of climate change.
Dr. Rossing is professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, where she has taught since 1994. She loves to teach and preach about the Bible, including the Bible’s role in public life. An avid environmentalist, Dr. Rossing is involved with environmental initiatives at the seminary. She received a B.A. degree from Carleton College, a master of divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School and a doctor of theology degree from Harvard University.
She served as pastor of a congregation in Minnesota, director for Global Mission Interpretation for the American Lutheran Church, pastor at Holden Village Retreat Center in Chelan, Wash., and chaplain at Harvard University Divinity School. Dr. Rossing has lectured and preached widely, including synod assemblies and global mission events for the ELCA as well as ecumenical theological conferences. She has served on the executive committee and council of the Lutheran World Federation (2003-2010), and chaired the Lutheran World Federation’s theology and studies committee. As a public theologian, her media appearances have included CBS' Sixty Minutes as well as The History Channel, National Geographic, Living the Questions, and numerous print and radio interviews. Learn more about Dr. Rossing.
Synod Assembly will be held May 12-13 at St. Andrew's in Mahtomedi. On Friday evening, May 12, we will hold a mission fair and synod-wide worship service; the synod's business meeting will be Saturday, May 13. Advance registration opens this Friday! Pre-registration through April 28 is $55 per person; at-the-door registration is $65.
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Therapeutic Preschool Update
We are grateful for the many congregations that have already supported and continue to advance the synod's Planting Hope Campaign. At this time, we have a particular urgency related to the initiative around the Families Together Therapeutic Preschool on the East Side of St. Paul. In order for the preschool to open in the fall of 2024, the synod must raise $1 million by May of 2023.
We invite you to watch the video below, which describes the important services the therapeutic preschool offers young children and their families. The video also provides a vision for the new facility when renovation is complete.
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The synod's three-year Planting Hope Campaign includes four activity areas:
- Inviting neighbors into life in Christ;
- Renewing the congregations of the synod'
- Raising up the next generations of leaders;
- Investing in a transformative project on the East Side of St. Paul
Learn more about Planting Hope.
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Tool Kit for & Conference Assemblies
We had more than 150 registrants for our event on Saturday for lay leaders and rostered ministers! We were gratified to see participants worshiping, learning, sharing, laughing, connecting and supporting each other. Thank you to our fantastic Tool Kit workshop presenters and to Shepherd of the Valley in Apple Valley for hosting us so wonderfully. Click here to view the photo album from the day.
Most of our speakers will make their presentations/handouts available for us to post on the synod website; we'll let you know when a link to the presentations is available. If you attended on Saturday, watch your inbox this week for a brief event survey. We'd love to have some feedback for our future planning!
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Conference Elections
The synod's six conferences met separately on Saturday to hold elections, discuss proposed resolutions, hear updates and take care of other matters pertinent to the upcoming Synod Assembly in May. Election results are as follows:
North Conference
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Synod Council: George Michaelson (second term) - Zion, Chisago City
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Nominating Committee: Linda Born - Trinity, North Branch
North Central Conference
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Synod Council: Rev. Peter Christ - Prince of Peace, Roseville
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Nominating Committee: Rev. Marty Wyatt - Roseville, Roseville
City Conference
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Synod Council: Rev. Caroline Harthun-Wooldridge (second term) - Faith, St. Paul
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Dean: Rev. Kirsten Fryer - Bethlehem in the Midway, St. Paul
Southeast Conference
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Synod Council: Rev. Tim Maybee - Amazing Grace, Inver Grove Heights
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Dean: Rev. Patrick Joiner - Luther Memorial, South St. Paul
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Nominating Committee: Marybeth Stoltz - Augustana, West St. Paul
South Conference
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Synod Council: Melissa Taphorn (second term) - Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley
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Nominating Committee: Birdie Larson - St. James, Burnsville
There were no elections for the East Central Conference. All of these positions are three-year terms. Thank you to all for your willingness to serve the synod!
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Spring Ministerium - Thursday, March 30 | St. Paul-Reformation, St. Paul
Rostered ministers, reserve the morning; details coming soon!
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Stewardship for All Seasons
Just think of the lives your congregation could impact if your members grew their giving by 10%-15%
next year! This is exactly the goal of Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS), a two-year, comprehensive process. SAS congregations embrace an impactful annual appeal and move into other vital realms of a
culture of generosity: communications and story-telling, strategic planning, endowments, special
appeals, volunteer recruitment, and donor cultivation. This is a remarkable process. The cost is $2,900 for
the year.
The Saint Paul Area Synod invites you to an in-person informational session to meet Rev. Pete Reuss,
the SAS facilitators, and learn more about the process on Monday, March 6, at 1 p.m. at Gustavus
Adolphus Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Contact Justin Grimm at justin.grimm@elca.org if you plan to attend. The process will begin in May.
Click here to watch a video invitation from Pastor Pete Reuss.
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The Vine Conference
Sunday, April 16 - 3:15-8:30 p.m. | Prince of Peace, Burnsville
High school juniors and seniors and young adults are invited to this event to meet others, connect with young adult ministries from across the country and to celebrate God's presence in worship. The day includes a ministry fair for Lutheran Outdoor ministries, Lutheran Campus Ministries, Camp Wapo, ELCA Young Adults, Augsburg, regional young adult ministries and more. There will be a sing-along with Rachel Kurtz, Russ Parrish and the Message Community Band. Download the event flyer. Congregations are invited to promote the event. Click here for complete details in the event FAQ.
The cost is $10 per student, participant or adult volunteer. Register here. Pass the word to the young people in your life who are searching for ways to stay connected to their faith after high school!
The Vine is a congregational partnership of Prince of Peace, Shepherd of the Valley, Shepherd of the Lake and Easter Lutheran churches. Vine gathers the faith formation resources and activities of these congregations, then shares them in a seasonal catalog and social media channel. Vine receives financial support from a Saint Paul Area Synod ministry grant and the churchwide organization. Learn more about Vine.
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Talks at the Desk
African Descent Ministries of the ELCA celebrates Black History Month with Talks at the Desk, a four-part video series that explores diverse expressions of the church. Episode 4 took us to Ghana to hear from students attending the All Africa Youth Congress, hear what enslaved ancestors endured, and hear from three legends of Black Lutheran theology. Watch Episode 4, This Far By Faith, here.
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Courageous Leadership Series
Wednesdays - 1 p.m. | Online
ELCA Coaching offers a weekly online gathering for ministry leaders. Each week this series features a new topic and presenters. Learn more.
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Cherish All Children Winter Walk
Through March 31 | Your Own Winter Activities
Beginning Super Bowl Sunday, let’s kick-off our commitment to protect children and youth from exploitation. Get out for a walk or your own favorite winter activity anytime February – March while sporting a new Cherish All Children beanie or baseball cap. Donate now so we can send your beanie(s) or cap(s) today!
Caritas Vocal Ensemble Concert - Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 12 - 3 p.m. as Caritas performs songs to highlight our care for each other and our world. The concert, We Rise Together, will be held at Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. A freewill offering will benefit Cherish All Children. Contact joy.mcelroy@cherishallchildren.org with any questions.
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City of Bells Zoom
Thursday, March 2 - 10 a.m. | Online
City of Bells, which promotes and celebrates the bronze bells in the Twin Cities, is hosting a 30-minute program about the organization and its planned Day of Music with the Minnesota Orchestra on July 15. Learn about upcoming bell ringing events and meet other bell lovers. Join the Zoom. If your congregation has a bell, please note that the next public bell ringing is scheduled for Memorial Day, May 29. Learn more about City of Bells.
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Lenten Mental Health Campaign at Elim
Elim in Scandia has a special Lenten campaign to explore how faith communities and mental health issues intersect. Seth Perry, pastor of Elim, kicked off the series with a personal video about his experiences as a pastor with Bipolar disorder. His intention is to create a constructive and supportive dialogue about mental health and church life. Watch Seth's video. Elim is hosting two related events open to all who are interested:
In Our Own Voice | Saturday, March 4 - 10-11:30 a.m.
This free 90-minute presentation provides a personal perspective of mental health conditions. Leaders with lived experiences talk openly about what it's like to have a mental health condition.
Creating Caring Faith Communities | Sunday, March 26 - 12:30-2 p.m.
Learn about mental illnesses, the impact of negative attitudes and five things each of us can do to make Minnesota a better place for people who experience mental illness. We will discuss multiple ideas for beginning or enhancing a mental health ministry in your faith community.
Learn more on Elim's website. These events are funded with support from the synod's mental health mini-grants.
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Influence of Feminist Theology Over 60 Years at United
Monday, March 6 - 7:30-9 p.m. | United Theological Seminary & Online
As United celebrates its 60th year, we are taking time to reflect on how feminist theology has influenced United’s development as a seminary. President Molly T. Marshall will moderate a discussion with retired and current faculty members, including former Professor Mary Potter, as well as Professors Emeritae Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski, Rev. Dr. Barbara Anne Keely, and Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler. Current faculty members Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman and Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape will also participate. Join us for a lively and informative conversation as we explore what it was about United that drew in so many gifted feminist theologians, how they impacted our students’ educational experience, and how the field continues to evolve today. Learn more.
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Teen Mental Health & Church Culture
Tuesday, March 14 - 2-3:30 p.m. | Online
The last couple of years have been tough for church workers, kids, and families. When our resources are low, it can be hard to support others. The Ministry Lab invites youth ministry leaders, clergy and mentors who work with tweens, teens and their families to a conversation with Melissa Weinhandl, LMFT, MATh. Participants will process current struggles, reflect on and ask questions about supporting youth and families' mental health, and gain information and resources for mental health support for themselves and those they serve. Learn more.
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Spring Moonlight Madness
Friday, April 21 | Multiple Locations
Congregations around the Twin Cities are invited to sign up their youth groups for this all night lock-in for grades 6-9. Activities include a youth rally led by Rachel Kurtz with singing, dancing, faith sharing and humor; swimming, gym and ice skating at the Chaska Community Center; movies; bowling, laser tag and arcade at Bowler and more. The cost is $43 per person including adult leaders (covers all fees except extra snacks). Sign up your youth group by contacting Pastor Dave Wrightsman at revw2@msn.com or 612-599-6911.
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The Confluence
June 25-30 | Augsburg University, Minneapolis
Youth who complete grades 9th-12th this spring are invited to a weeklong on-campus experience. Participants will learn how to practice vocational discernment through a variety of experiences including intentional community building with small groups, daily spiritual practices, spiritual gifts and strengths inventories, reading books and articles as a way of understanding theology and vocation, and community based learning in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood and greater Twin Cities. The cost is $350 and faith communities are encouraged to cover part of the cost.
Augsburg has been offering this experience since 2005 as The Youth Theology Institute. This year, the name has changed to The Confluence. It remains an experience that empowers young people to be curious about how their personal story, the world's story and God's story flow together. Applications are due April 1; applicants will be notified of acceptance on April 15. Registration and payment is due May 1. Learn more.
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SYNOD STAFF IN CONGREGATIONS | |
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Bishop Patricia Lull
- March 12 - St. Anthony Park, St. Paul
Pastor Justin Grimm
- March 5 - Christ on Capitol Hill, St. Paul
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The Saint Paul Area Synod, which includes 107 congregations and new mission starts,
is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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