Enews: Dying to new life; CW rep to Synod Assembly named; synod budget hearing scheduled; and more

March 28, 2023

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Tool Kit resources on website

Did you have to miss the Tool Kit on February 11? Do you wish you could have attended all of workshops?

Well, you are in luck. You can find the resources (handouts and slideshows) from most of the Tool Kit workshops on the Tool Kit web page (scroll to the bottom of the page and open February 2023 Resources). Check them out now and share them with other leaders from your churches. While you’re there, you might also find resources from a previous year that you find helpful!

Thanks again to everyone who was able to make it and to our wonderful presenters!

Open position in synod office

The position description for the "Executive Assistant to the Minneapolis Area Synod Bishop" is now available. The person who fills this 25-to-28-hour-per-week position will offer logistical assistance to the bishop, oversee human resources, and work with synod governance and financial accountability. For a more in-depth view of the areas of responsibility and the expectations, read the complete job description.

'Pity the fool'

“One of my best friends was born on April 1. We were classmates for our entire K – 12th-grade experience and I went to all of his birthday parties. We still stay in touch today. His responses to his fateful date of birth evolved as we moved through those growing-up years. In elementary school, he was rather defensive – understandably so, because he took a lot of teasing for it.”

Read Pastor Craig's blog

Budget hearing to prepare voting members for assembly votes

In preparation for the 2023 Synod Assembly on April 28 - 29, a Zoom call presentation on the budget resolutions -- adjustment of the 2023 budget and proposal of the 2024 budget -- will be offered for all voting members to the assembly. Treasurer Ty Inglis and Bishop Ann Svennungsen will host the presentation.

Thursday, April 13; 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.

Zoom

The proposed budget resolutions (and all resolutions to go before the assembly) are available on the synod website's Synod Assembly page. (Scroll down beneath the "featured speakers" section.)

ASL and Spanish interpretation for the budget hearing will be available upon request. The deadline to request interpretation is April 6.

Please register if you are planning to attend. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Reclaim to gather

in Minneapolis in September

Fees waived for

early registrants for Myle and the tAble

Reclaim is a curated gathering for Lutheran people of African Descent of all ages and gender identities. The African Descent community thrives most when gathered.

Save the Date!

September 14 - 17

Central Lutheran and Redeemer Lutheran

Standard Registration: $400

Late Registration $450

Young Adult Track: $300

Grounded in scripture, this gathering seeks to help participants feel embodied, emboldened, and liberated in their identities. Over the four-day gathering, participants will engage in workshops, shared meals, and praise and worship designed to build and strengthen community, teach new skills, share resources, and rejuvenate weary souls.

The leadership of the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering recently announced that, for the 2024 cycle, the Gathering will waive registration fees for the first 1,000 registrants for the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the first 200 registrants for the tAble.

"As crucial parts of the ministry of the Gathering, we are thrilled to be able to support MYLE and the tAble in this way," explained Deacon Tammy Jones West, 2024 gathering director. "Our hope is that more young people will get to experience these important ministries, which we know creates a lifelong impact. We're thankful to a generous donor that makes this opportunity possible for the young people of this church."

For more information about the event

Glocal Youth Mission Trip registration is open!

The registration page for the Glocal Youth Mission Trip is now open! This unique mission experience is occurring in the days leading up to and during the Sudan Mission Centennial celebration, July 5-10, 2023. Youth are invited to gather in Minneapolis with youth from other companion synods around the country, as well as youth leaders from Cameroon and CAR, to participate in local and global service projects, worship, and fellowship.

For more information about Celebrate 2023

Children's Ministry leaders to gather to talk summer plans

Children's ministry staff and key volunteers from both Twin Cities synods are invited to gather on Zoom to discuss ideas for summer activities with children. The hosts will be Rachelle Gill (Easter Lutheran, Eagan) and Julie Vagle (Trinity Lutheran, Long Lake). If you questions, contact Julie Vagle.

Monday, April 17; 1:00 p.m.

Online

Meeting ID: 850 7612 9637

Passcode: 473439

To join the Zoom call

Addiction and women

When it comes to addiction and treatment, women often face a unique set of challenges, a history of trauma, and barriers to effective treatment. Caroline Beidler — author, recovery advocate, and founder of “Bright Story Shine” — will share her personal journey and lessons she’s learned along the way in creating space for women in recovery, and will share important principles when developing outreach and programming to support women. Caroline joins Pr. Ed Treat and Tim McMahan King for this webinar and the follow-up discussion.

Thursday, March 30; Noon – 1:00 p.m.

(with a follow-up, 30-minute discussion)

Zoom

This is a free one-hour webinar presented by The Center of Addiction & Faith.

Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?

Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be presenting to the Retired Rostered Ministers Gathering at the Minnesota Church Center on Tuesday, March 28.
Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Deacon Raul Garcia as a Minister of Word and Sacrament (then Pastor) at St. John's Lutheran, Mound, on Sunday, April 16.
Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching and leading a forum at Redeemer Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, April 16.
Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Braham Lutheran, Braham, on Sunday, April 16.
Mr. Jack Hurbanis will be leading an adult forum at Alleluia Lutheran, St. Michael, on Sunday, April 23.
Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be leading a Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices information session at Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer, Minneapolis, on Sunday, April 23.
Pastor John Hulden will be preaching and installing Pastor Kari Bahe as senior pastor at Zion Lutheran, Buffalo, on Sunday, April 30.
Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at Christ Lutheran, Blaine, on Sunday, April 30.
Mr. Jack Hurbanis will be leading an adult forum at Lord of Life Lutheran, Ramsey, on Sunday, April 30.

Upcoming Events

Courageous Leadership Webinars , Wednesdays
Gathering of Retired Rostered Ministers, March 28
Addiction and Women, March 30
Easter Eggstravaganza, April 8
Youth Ministry Gathering, April 11
Pre-Assembly Budget Hearing, April 13
Children's Ministry Gathering, April 17
Pre-Assembly Voter Orientation, April 19
Moonlight Madness Grades 6-9 "Lock-Out," April 21-22
2023 Synod Assembly, April 28-29
Communicators Gathering, May 11
Festival of Homiletics 2023, May 15-18
Western States Youth Gathering, July 4-6
Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 17-20
The Naming Project Summer Camp for LGBTQ youth, July 23-28
Reclaim Gathering, September 14-17
Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24-26

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org