June 6, 2023

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Consultation to aid with fall stewardship appeals

Is your congregation looking for a way to give your financial stewardship ministry a boost? Has it been a while since you’ve led an intentional ask for a financial commitment to God’s ministry happening in your congregation? Beginning a Culture of Generosity may be the place for you and your congregation to start. This four-month, six-session online series helps congregations build a foundation for a generous future, is grounded in Biblical stewardship principles, and helps to stabilize, and even grow, financial giving. (Most congregations experience a growth of 3-5% in giving.) 

The cost for Beginning a Culture of Generosity is $600 and congregations across the ELCA have used Thrivent Action Grants ($250) to help pay for that cost. If you have questions, contact Lynda Nordholm.

Redeemer Center for Life to host community cookouts

Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Redeemer Center for Life will once again be hosting weekly community cookouts on Wednesdays from June 7 to August 2. In addition to food cooked on the spot, different community engagement opportunities will be available each week.

Wednesday, June 7 - August 2

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Redeemer Lutheran Church

1800 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis

Also, save the date for the Redeemer Block Party on Saturday, August 12, from Noon to 6:00 p.m.

Cristo Obero plans community event, fundraiser for camp

You are invited to join the fun at the Gran Kermes Mexicana or Great Mexican Fair! This event is being sponsored by Cristo Obrero, a synodically-authorized worshipping community under the direction of Pastor Jorge Espinoza.

Saturday, June 10; Noon - 5:00 p.m.

Cross of Peace Lutheran Church

1506 Wood Duck Trail, Shakopee

There will be food vendors, bingo, games, raffles, and more! Funds are for families from Cristo Obrero to attend a church camp in South Dakota.

June as an intercultural month of learning truths

Over the next months, ELCA Churchwide will provide opportunities to learn the history and current realities of Indigenous people. This increased awareness carries the possibility of healing for both Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people. Some of these opportunities will be calls to individual action, and some will be activities that congregations and small groups can coordinate and participate in together.

• Consider reading a book written by a Native author and then hosting a discussion
• June 7 -- "Native Nations: Standing Together for Civil Rights" (one-hour documentary)
• June 21 -- Panel presentation with the National Indian Lutheran Board
• June 23 -- Intro to the "Truth and Healing Movement," by Vance Blackfox

Participants in any of these activities are encouraged to post in social media, using the hashtags #TruthAndHealing and #ELCA.

For more information

• Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Karen Wight Hoogheem and Pastor LisaMarie Doermann at Lord of Life Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Sunday, June 11.
• Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell worship for Nikoli Falenschek at Redeemer Lutheran, Henderson, on Sunday, June 25.
• Ms. Emilie Bouvier will be preaching at Christ Memorial Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, July 16.
• Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Maria Anderson-Lippert into a full-time call at University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis, on Sunday, July 30.

• Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
• Weekly Community Cookout, Wednesdays
• Cherish All Children Hybrid 5K, June 9-11
• Conversations With Friends, June 10
• Minneapolis Synod Senior Band, June 15
• Western States Youth Gathering, July 4-6
• Spirit of Water: A Celebration of the Mississippi River, July 15
• Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 17-20
• The Naming Project Summer Camp for LGBTQ youth, July 23-28
• Redeemer Block Party, August 12
• Hearts * Hands * Voices, August 19
• Reclaim Gathering, September 14-17
• Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24-26
• Fall Joint Ministerium, October 26