Last month I read Annette Gordon-Reed’s latest book, On Juneteenth. I chose her Pulitzer Prize-winning book because I recognized how little I knew about this annual celebration within the African American community.…

How we tell the stories of our own families and community matters. What we leave out of the narratives is as important as the heroic threads we lift up. A question to wrestle with on The Road Toward Racial Justice is not simply “What don’t I know?” but the more provocative question, “Why don’t I know what I don’t know?”

It’s that sense of belonging. Of knowing your worth and your value. Knowing that you matter to the church, the body of Christ, and to Jesus himself. It’s a kind of “knowing” that leads to something more. Something deeper. Something richer. A knowing that leads to a life steeped in one’s baptismal identity and a wild sense of abundance. A faith that can’t help but give and give again. A sense of belonging that leads to generosity.

It’s the kind of life that says, “You know, I do feel different. I can’t put words to it, but my baptism has changed me.”

The ELCA has released a new collection of stories written by women pastors! This collection commemorates the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women, the 40th anniversary of the ordination of women of color and the 10th anniversary of the ELCA's decision to officially ordain people in same-gender committed relationships.

Contributors from our own roster include these pastors: Amanda Applehans, Marilyn Breckenridge, Joann Conroy, Nancy Lee Gauche, Betsy Hoium, Emily Meyer, Bonnie Nash, Lee Ann M. Pomrenke and Megan Torgerson. Thank you to all who shared stories! Click here to download your copy of "Proclaiming, Reforming, Celebrating: Stories of 50/40/10."

We know there are mixed feelings about the Fair this year. But whether you can't wait to walk through the entrance gates or you're staying far away, we think you'll love to read about some of the people in our synod who will be part of this year's Great Minnesota Get Together.

Watch our Facebook and Instagram starting this coming Sunday for daily features! We look forward to introducing you to a State Fair Foundation board member, an award-winning crafter, a food critic, a dairy princess and more! We'll tell you where to find them at the Fair, where they see God at the Fair and where they find their favorite Fair food.

In her August column in Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes about planting a garden during the pandemic and the inevitable run-ins with rabbits and squirrels.

Legend has it that Martin Luther once said: “If I knew that the world were to come to an end tomorrow I would plant an apple tree today.” This is a powerful statement of faith in the God who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the confidence that, when “he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end” (Nicene Creed), God will restore all of creation and this will be a good end.

This is the faith which declares that through pandemics, droughts, floods, famines, deadly bigotry, war, all the death-dealing things in nature and the human heart, life—the abundant life that Jesus promises—will prevail.

Read Bishop Eaton's full message in English or Spanish.

The synod office has been informed that the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program now includes

religious workers. (They were previously excluded.) So rostered ministers and other church employees with federal student loans who otherwise qualify may now be eligible for forgiveness. Click here for more information. Please note that if religious workers are applying for forgiveness, they need to get the form completed by their employer. If you serve a congregation or a chaplaincy, your employer is the congregation or the institution where you serve, not the synod.

Our congregational vitality survey will be open for one more week — please share your thoughts if you haven't already done so! After four years of successful Year of Renewal cohorts, the synod's Renewal Team wants to know how else our synod can walk with you as you live more fully into the vision to which God calls you. We welcome responses from all who are interested in providing input from our congregations with this four-question survey.

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. This five-part, online series is being offered by ELCA Advocacy in collaboration with ELCA Peace Not Walls. The first session on Aug. 11 painted a picture of advocacy and explored how it is shaped by a faith foundation, especially in members and affiliates of the ELCA. Upcoming sessions will cover ways to carry out advocacy work and specific policy issues where the Lutheran community can make an impact. Join one session or all and learn how we can lift our voices together to advance the common good.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota invites congregations in our synod to participate in its Circle of Welcome program, which connects community groups directly with refugee families. This is an opportunity to walk with a refugee family as friends, supporters and advocates to help them become established more quickly. There are three models for participation, all including a six-month volunteer commitment and a financial contribution. Activities might include setting up an apartment, assisting with job seeking, practicing English and running errands or simply providing financial support for basic needs. Training and support is provided by LSS. View the information sheet or reach out to LSS Program Supervisor Cate Duin at 612-428-0058 or cate.duin@lssmn.org.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), in partnership with AmeriCorps Seniors, is seeking volunteers for its Foster Grandparent service to offer guidance and encouragement to children and youth in the community. These volunteers are older adults who traditionally offer one-to-one mentoring in the classroom and other settings to children and youth who may be experiencing academic or social challenges. Their presence and reassurance can help children and youth improve self-esteem, social and emotional development and literacy and math skills.

In 2019, 273 Foster Grandparents supported children at 142 schools and other sites throughout Minnesota. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the service was provided virtually over the past year. While LSS hopes to resume in-person volunteering for the upcoming school year, there is still the opportunity to volunteer remotely with some partner sites.

Eligible volunteers are age 55 years or older and able to commit to at least 10 hours per week. The program provides an hourly stipend, a chance to stay connected and a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people. More than 15 hours of training is provided and there are a limited number of iPads to loan volunteers who don’t have access to technology for remote volunteering.

For more information, call 888.205.3770 or visit www.lssmn.org/fgvolunteer.

 “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is Sept. 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. Congregations all across the ELCA are invited to create service project opportunities that support their community, from food drives to letter writing, neighborhood clean-ups to inspirational lawn signs. Learn more at https://www.elca.org/dayofservice and find links to project and promotional resources. Check out this video that shows projects in action last year!

We love sharing stories of the synod! Send a brief description and any photos to communications@spas-elca.org!

Due to popular demand, this offering has exceeded capacity and registration is closed. However, organizers tell us it will be streamed on the Southwestern Texas Synod's Facebook page and posted to its website.

Forced to scramble to go online in just a few weeks during the COVID pandemic, the church has discovered the online world is far more than a replacement for the yellow pages. It is a place where genuine community and real ministry happens. This free, five-week series will provide an overview of several areas of congregational ministry and reflect on how to begin to move every aspect of church life to a dual platform – on the ground and online. This “hybrid” kind of ministry will be the new norm for the next season in many congregations' work. Becoming a hybrid church is one path forward to both strengthen the church and reach new people with the gospel in bold, creative new ways. This series is sponsored by the Southwestern Texas Synod, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod and Nebraska Synod. Click here for the flyer.

ELCA leaders are invited to explore the topic of courageous leadership. Bring a spirit of curiosity and childlike play as you discern how and where the Spirit might be calling you forward as a leader in your life, work, ministry, community and the world. The gatherings will include time for small groups in breakout rooms so that leaders across the church can continue to learn from each other. Learn more.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Midway (436 Roy St. N., St. Paul) invites members of the community into a Respectful Conversation that will focus not on changing minds, but on softening hearts while discussing our future together.

The conversations we have about the events of the past year sometimes feel like pick-a-side and fight-it-out discussions that leave us feeling worse about the people we disagree with, and sometimes worse about ourselves. There is a way to talk about it all that feels open and honest. You can actually be heard and learn about people with other perspectives. Thousands of Minnesotans have participated in Respectful Conversations since 2012. These facilitated, structured conversations are demonstrate how you can have a great conversation that builds empathy even over division. The event will be held outdoors; dinner will be provided by Shobi's Table. Register here.

The Respectful Conversations Project is a program of the Minnesota Council of Churches designed to strengthen civic life in Minnesota. Congregations have hosted conversations that explore issues through the lens of deeply held convictions while maintaining, even enhancing, relationships among those who disagree. Learn more.

You are invited to commemorate 20 years since the 9/11 attacks on the United States with a special liturgy of evening prayer. Bishop Patricia Lull will lead us as we commemorate that day with remembrance, lament and a renewed call to be peacemakers in our own day. Learn more.

EVICTED—Poverty and Profit in the American City Book Discussion

"Without a home, everything else falls apart." Our Redeemer is partnering with the Eastside Freedom Library, Arlington Hills Lutheran and other organizations for a discussion of the book Evicted—Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matt Desmond. This discussion and planning for future collaborative work will be held on Sept. 16, 23 and 30 at Our Redeemer (1390 Larpenteur Ave. E., St. Paul). A limited number of books are available for purchase ($10) from Deacon Jennifer (jennifer@orlcmn.org) or available as an audiobook or ebook on Amazon or The Libby App by Overdrive. Register.

There is growing concern ​over the devastation from all forms of addiction, including the ever-increasing opioid crisis, and now the added challenge of a worldwide pandemic. The Center of Addiction & Faith presents the Addiction and Faith Conference to raise awareness about the terrible addiction problem we face and how the church and people of faith can help to address it. "Studies show that faith is a positive factor in addiction prevention and recovery," said the Rev. Dr. Ed Treat, executive director of the Center of Addiction & Faith. "Faith communities are in an ideal position to make a difference in healing addiction, and yet their messages are either ineffective or nonexistent. We want to help teach them what they can do and why."

Featured speakers include:

The conference features break-out sessions in the areas of addiction and the family, addiction science, addiction and justice, equipping the church for addiction ministry and best practices. In-person registration is $350; the virtual option is $100. Learn more and register. 

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