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Synod Paid Internship Program
The Saint Paul Area Synod is launching a paid summer internship program for young adults focused on vocational discernment! Interns will serve at the placement sites four days a week mid-June through mid-August. Each week, they’ll also spend focused time together as a cohort for worship, learning and discussion. Interns will receive a $4,000 stipend, funded by the synod’s Planting Hope Campaign.
Ideal internship sites are congregations or nonprofit organizations that can provide a supportive, knowledgeable supervisor willing to oversee the intern’s work and mentor their vocational development. Interns can work in a variety of areas (administration, communications, ministry, social services, etc.). Potential sites are encouraged to consider any special summer projects or programs that would be a good learning opportunity for an intern. Again, the intern stipend is funded by the Planting Hope Campaign, not the internship sites!
More information will be forthcoming soon, but if you’re interested in applying to be a placement site or know a young adult who might be interested in the program, please contact Program Coordinator Pastor Bristol Reading, at pastorbristolreading@gmail.com.
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Spring Ministerium
Thursday, March 30 - 9 a.m. | St. Paul Reformation, St. Paul
Bishop Lull invites rostered ministers to join her for the synod's Spring Ministerium. The morning will include:
- time for fellowship
- a service of Blessing of Vocation
- a conversation led by Bishop Lull on the importance of and current challenges to in-person gatherings as the church
Bishop Lull writes: “This Lent I am reading Gordon Lathrop’s recent book, The Assembly. I invite you to order a copy and read it, too. On March 30, we will discuss what is happening with in-person experiences for worship and study following three years under pandemic realities.”
Rostered pastors and deacons, retired clergy, interns serving in the synod, and seminary candidates from the synod are all invited to attend. Lunch will be offered for those who sign up in advance at the cost of $20 per person. There is no charge to attend the ministerium unless you wish to stay for lunch, but please register either way so we know how many to plan for. Registration is open!
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Synod Assembly Registration
Registration is now open for our 2023 Synod Assembly, which will be May 12-13 at St. Andrew's in Mahtomedi.
Friday, May 12 - On the first day, activities are free and open to everyone in the synod. At 5 p.m., we'll hold a mission fair that features displays by a number of organizations related to the mission of the synod. At 7 p.m., we'll enjoy a hymn sing and a synod-wide worship service. All are welcome to stay for fellowship and a reception. There is no registration needed for Friday!
Saturday, May 13 - This day is all about the business meeting of the synod and is for voting members, retired ministers, advisors and guests, all of whom need to be registered and credentialed. The cost is $55 per person for advance registration through April 28; on-site registration is $65. Saturday's session will include a keynote address by the Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, as well as reports, elections, resolutions and more.
Learn more about synod assembly.
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Lutheran Lenten Letter Challenge
The Lutheran Advocacy Minnesota Policy Council asks you to participate in the Lutheran Lenten Letter Challenge. Members of the ELCA across the state are invited to write their state representatives regarding the advocacy emphases for Lutheran Advocacy MN in this legislative session:
- tiny home communities
- affordable housing and shelter
- clean, carbon-free energy
Click here for a document that explains these issues, provides talking points and hints for writing effective letters, and a link to find out who represents you. Thank you for embodying our shared faith through the work of advocacy!
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Forms A&C
The ELCA has extended the deadline so it's last call for congregations to complete Forms A and C! Please take care of submitting your information this week so Rachel in the synod office can stop sending you reminders!
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Green Blades Rising
Green Blades Rising is a monthly EcoTheology publication produced by the EcoFaith Network NE-MN Synod with the Saint Paul Area Synod's Care of Creation work group. It contains an EcoFaith preaching roundtable, highlights of congregational creation care initiatives, creation advocacy opportunities, and more. To receive the newsletter directly in your inbox, subscribe here.
The March edition features Diane Jacobson’s reflection on the Johnson Symposium with Winona LaDuke, a book review by Kris Grangaard, and again the Lent liturgical reflections by Melinda Quivik. It also includes information about this year's EcoFaith Summit on April 15...registration is open now! Read the March edition.
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Monday, March 6 - 1 p.m.
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. An in-person informational session about the program is happening today (Monday, March 6) at 1 p.m. at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Join us if you can! 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. The cost is $2,900 for the year. The process begins in May.
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A Deeper Dive: Leadership Conversations for Congregation Presidents & VPs
Thursday, March 30 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online
This is the final gathering for the series of leadership conversations for congregation presidents and vice presidents! The Zoom gatherings are hosted by Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer (assistant to the bishop for lay leadership) and Dr. Dave Webb (retired school superintendent and council president at Shepherd of the Hills). Register here.
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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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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. On March 8 the focus is on mental health. Therapist K.C. Davis will share her hard-won wisdom and helpful hints on how to get by when you feel like you've barely go it together. K.C. began her therapy journey at 16 when she entered treatment for drug addiction and mental health issues. After getting sober, she became a therapist advocate for mental health. She offers a compassionate and practical approach to self and home care for those dealing with mental health, physical illness and hard seasons. 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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The Greatest Story Ever Told With Maren Jo Schneider
Saturday, March 18 - 9-11 a.m. | Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley
The Gospels are works of art, masterful literature meant to engage our minds and hearts and to compel our response. We just need the eyes to see it. Join us to study Luke’s use of characterization and context in chapter 10, where we find 70 exuberant followers, a lawyer in need of a good tweak, and Martha who deserves so much more than she’s received. Come away with tools for reading the Bible like an English major, and find permission to be curious, ask questions, and engage your imagination. Maren Jo Schneider is a writer, speaker, podcaster and story fiend. She loves great stories and analyzing them. She has always been fascinated with the idea that we can live connected with a God who loves us and desires us to love others. The cost is $10 per person, which includes breakfast Register here; watch a video from Maren Jo here.
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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 a related events open to all who are interested:
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. This event is funded with support from the synod's mental health mini-grants.
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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
Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer
- March 19- Redeemer, White Bear Lake (preaching & installing Pastor Dan Streeper)
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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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