Enews: Creativity and community in tension and relief; youth gathering volunteer applications; and more

August 15, 2023

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Synod to offer boundary training in early November

Rostered ministers in the Minneapolis Area Synod are required to attend a Boundaries Training once every three to five years. The synod's next training is now scheduled.

Thursday, November 2

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: TBA

This workshop will be led by LeaderWise and will include time with Bishop Ann Svennungsen. It’s open to rostered ministers and anyone who has a desk at a church! The cost is $60 and includes materials, snacks, and lunch. You must attend the entire training to get credit for your participation.

Synod staff this week

Mercy Zou Taithul, the new assistant for administration and communication for the Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices program, started work this week. Rev. John Hulden and Peg Ihinger are on vacation this week.

Creative edges

“Practicing art in community can be powerful. Creating and sharing art is rarely an isolated experience – even if one’s practice is mostly individual, like mine – as an art piece made and shared opens a space for connection and participation with others. Art shares through impressions and expression in shape, pattern, texture, and colors. It’s hard with such a medium to tell others exactly what to think or feel — yet these images and imprints open space for another to reflect and journey there.”

Read Emilie's blog

ELCA Youth Gathering Volunteer Applications Open

Would you like to volunteer at the Gathering and help our young people grow in faith and encounter Christ? Serving the youth of this church is a vocational calling that requires careful discernment.

There are five volunteer categories: the Gathering Volunteer Corps (GVC), servant companions, local volunteers, MYLE and the tAble volunteers, and Young Adult Gathering volunteers. Responsibilities and commitments vary by category, but every volunteer must agree to a volunteer code of conduct and submit to a background check run by the ELCA.

Applications are open now!

Learn more about volunteering

Learn more about the Gathering

Lutheran Disaster Response coordinates wildfire recovery

The significant loss of life and damage caused by the wildfires in Hawaii have turned prayers and attention to mourning those lost, supporting the survivors, and how Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) can assist with recovery.

Exacerbated by strong winds, wildfires on Maui have claimed dozens of lives and have destroyed homes, businesses, and lines of communication. The Big Island of Hawaii has also been impacted by wildfires, and more islands remain vulnerable to additional fires this season.

LDR is coordinating with the Pacifica Synod and other partners to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires, and to provide for immediate needs and long-term recovery amid the widespread destruction.

Support LDR's work on Maui

Immigration Resource Fair

Tapestry Church (Richfield), St. Stephen Lutheran Church (Bloomington), the City of Bloomington, and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota are partnering to host an Immigration Resource Fair on August 19. People from all over the metro are invited to attend.

Saturday, August 19

1:00 - 4:30 p.m.

St. Stephen Lutheran , Bloomington

Download the flyer in English and Spanish

Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling

The ELCA is leading a coordinated effort to research Lutheran involvement in Indian boarding and day schools dating back to the 1820s. Leaders are seeking both clergy and lay volunteers who want to be part of this initiative. All are welcome, with particular need for people with skills in research, data collection, organizing, and education.

The goals are to find and gather information in order to share it with impacted Indigenous individuals, families, and communities; for ELCA church members to know our history of church-sponsored Indian boarding schools and their devastating impacts on Native communities; all as part of an ongoing truth and healing process.

This project started in 2022 with 15 synods across four states. In May 2023 it expanded to 27 synods across ten states (all of ELCA Regions 3, 5, and 6). Your participation would be welcomed!

For more information or to apply to participate

Synod website posts job opportunities and events

Did you know that there are several job opportunities posted on the synod website? Currently there are a lot of job postings on our website as churches prepare for fall. Check them out if you're looking!

Or, if you are an organization that has a partnership or affiliation with the Minneapolis Area Synod, feel free to post an opening that you may have.

Check out our jobs page

Churches and organizations can also post events to be shared on our community calendar. Check out the page to see if your event is a good fit.

Visit our Website

Addiction and Faith Conference announced for Twin Cities

The 2023 Addiction and Faith Conference is open to all who have been touched by addiction, with a special focus on leaders who provide spiritual care. Presenters in the fields of mental health, addiction, faith, science, justice, compassion, and more will share their expertise. The in-person package includes worship, a keynote and plenary sessions, breakout sessions, meals, 12-step meetings, Narcan training, exhibits, and opportunities to connect.

October 5 - 7

Hilton Hotel, Bloomington, and Online

Early bird registration through August 31 is $325; after that date, the cost is $375 per person.

Pre-Conference Retreat for Clergy: Prior to the conference, a 12-step pre-conference retreat is offered just for clergy. Registration for the October 3 - 5 retreat is open with a free-will offering.

Information about the conference

Information about the pre-conference

Continuing the legacy of the March on Washington

On the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, a community choir will offer a commemorative procession and concert, curated by G. Phillip Shoultz, III, associate artistic director of VocalEssence and music director at Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park. The theme of the event will be "Let Freedom Ring."

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a 1963 march to Washington, D.C., organized by A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin and a coalition of civil rights, religious, and labor organizations. It was at this event that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., offered his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Monday, August 28

5:30 p.m., procession

6:30 - 8:00 p.m., concert

Northrup Auditorium, University of Minnesota

A coalition of choirs will join Jovonta Patton, Joe Davis and the Poetic Diaspora, Threads Dance Project, Thomasina Petrus, and rising local spoken word artist Eshay Brantley, as we remember the past, ground ourselves in the present, and look to the future.

Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?

Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Christine Belfrey-Johnson at Redeemer Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Saturday, August 19.
Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the retirement celebration of Pastor Loren Davis at Good Shepherd Lutheran, Wayzata, on Sunday, August 20.
Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at Springhouse Ministry Center, Minneapolis, on Sunday, August 20.
Pastor Craig Pederson will be leading a forum at Calvary Lutheran, Edina, on Sunday, August 27.
Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Trinity Lutheran, Monticello, on Sunday, September 3.
Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Spirit of Joy Lutheran, Buffalo, on Sunday, September 17

Upcoming Events

Courageous Leadership Webinars , Wednesdays
Weekly Community Cookout, Wednesdays
Documentation and Legal Aspects of Faith Community Nurse Practice, August 17
Hearts * Hands * Voices, August 19
"Join or Die" film screening, August 22
Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association series, September 11, 18, and 25
Reclaim Gathering, September 14 - 17
Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24 - 26
Compassion in Self Care, a Pre-Conference Retreat for Clergy, October 3 - 5
Faith and Addiction Conference, October 5 - 7
Fall Joint Ministerium, October 26
Boundaries Training, November 2
JUST LOVE (Fall Women's Gathering), November 4
Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly, May 2 - 4, 2024

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