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October 15, 2024
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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Lutheran Disaster Response supports hurricane victims | |
Hurricane Helene hit the coast of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on September 26 and has ravaged communities in the southeast from Florida to Virginia. Hurricane Milton destroyed many sites in Florida. Even as the floodwaters have been receding, the extreme devastation — especially in North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee — has become clearer. Your response is needed to aid those affected by these disastrous storms.
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Prayers for the protection of poll workers | |
Aware of how rancorous this election season has been, the Colorado Council of Churches has created a template for a “Blessing of Election Workers” service. The Colorado Council is asking churches to consider using this service on Sunday, November 3, but it can be used at any time.
Churches may do the whole service or the appropriate portions of it. The idea is to provide a template that can be tailored as one sees fit. Please include language like “Courtesy of (or Adapted from) the Colorado Council of Churches," so that the Council can track the reach of this service.
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Social statements as resource for election year | |
For Lutherans, faith informs day-to-day aspects of our lives. Lutherans recognize that “faith is active in love [and] love calls for justice in relationships and structures of society” (ELCA, Social Statement on Church in Society, 1991). The church is called to be a community that prays, deliberates, and acts together when it comes to complex social issues.
Tuesday, October 22
Online; Cost: $20
Next week, Dr. Richard Perry, emeritus faculty at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will present "Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture," to see what ELCA Social Statements might mean for the current context. Learn tips for leading discussions in your own community. To join
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WELCA plans to make a "World of Difference" | |
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All women in the synod are invited to a day of connection, learning, and worshiping together at the annual WELCA Gathering under the theme of "Women's Gathering: World of Difference." Come to:
- visit Explore Stations related to social justice and spiritual growth
- enjoy coffee, breakfast, and lunch, as well as complimentary massage therapy
- shop at the fair trade global market
- hear music from Rachel Kurtz
- choose from interactive sessions to inspire faithful living
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be inspired by keynote speaker Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, author of Love Without Limits
Saturday, November 2; 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Diamond Lake Lutheran Church
5760 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis
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Pacific Lutheran to offer discernment opportunity | |
Are you wondering whether seminary education could be right for you? Visit Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) for "Signs Along the Way," an in-person visit and discernment weekend for folks at any stage in their discernment. If you are wondering about a Master of Divinity or MA in Spirituality and Social Change degree, or want to learn more about Lutheran year studies, this is a great event for you!
Friday, November 8 -
Sunday, November 10
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
2000 Center Street, Berkley, California
You will have the opportunity to connect with current seminarians, faculty, and staff, learn more about seminary and online learning, and engage in intentional discernment and reflection.
Lodging and most meals are covered by PLTS; some travel assistance available if needed. Contact admissions@plts.edu to see if this might be the right next step.
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2024 Synod EcoFaith Summit upcoming | |
The EcoFaith Network of the Minneapolis Area Synod invites you to join its "2024 EcoFaith Summit: A Spirit of Power, Together." (2 Timothy 1:7)
Join together with others for a day of worship, community, and action at University Lutheran Church of Hope. Workshops and the keynote include opportunities to learn how to improve energy efficiency at your church or home, bring faith practices into your life that center creation and climate justice, and take action using your own powerful stories to inspire change.
Saturday, November 16, 2024
University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Avenue SE, Minneapolis
Registration is $25 and helps to cover food and other event costs. If registration cost is a barrier for you, a scholarship will be provided.
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New Minnesota Council of Churches CEO to be installed | |
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Elder Suzanne Kelly will be installed as CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC). The Minneapolis Area Synod, like all ELCA synods within Minnesota, is a member denomination of the MCC. Bishop Jen Nagel serves as a member of the MCC board, and will be involved in the installation service.
October 22; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Shiloh Temple International Ministries
1201 West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis
All are invited; an RSVP is requested.
Join other ELCA leaders at the installation of Minnesota's top ecumenical leader.
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Deacons and deacon candidates from the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area synods are invited for a Twin Cities gathering of Ministers of Word and Service! The deacons will have structured conversation to share the joy of memories and ministry, and maybe even a bit of the struggles that walk alongside as well.
Thursday, October 24; 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Edina Community Lutheran Church
4113 West 54th Street, Edina
Come to celebrate life together as deacons and deacon candidates in the ELCA. Participate in the fellowship and leave with new ideas for your context. Coffee and desserts will be served.
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Can your congregation find some sacred space? | |
Clergy and faith community leaders are invited to see and learn how creating a community of support for the chronically homeless is transforming lives and transforming Prince of Peace in Roseville.
Tuesday, October 22; 3:00 p.m.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
2561 Victoria Street North, Roseville
Hear the story, see the spaces, and wonder how this might just be a way for God to transform paralysis into possibility. Pastor Peter Christ will be the host.
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Resources for Advent and Lent | |
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ELCA World Hunger has new resources to enrich the life of your congregation in the upcoming Advent and Lent seasons with the theme, "Humming With the World." Hear where God is active in the stories of others and consider where your own stories intersect with God's story.
- Action guide for congregations to engage members in the work of ending hunger
- Weekly Advent study that can be used in groups or individually
- Advent calendar
- ELCA Good Gifts poster, gifts-grams, and catalog
- Devotional Lent calendar
- Five-session Lent study
Click here to order or download these resources:
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Portico encourages you to support your mental health | |
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The St. Croix Valley Opera, based in Stillwater, Minnesota, will offer a “Glad Jul” Christmas Concert, this holiday season. The “Glad Jul” Christmas Concert is a celebration of Scandinavian and American holiday traditions, offering a unique musical experience that blends the rich harmonies of Norwegian Christmas hymns with the joyful sounds of American festive music.
Saturday, December 21
3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
115 4th Street North, Stillwater
This event will feature both internationally acclaimed artists and local talent coming together for the first time in Minnesota to celebrate the universal spirit of Christmas.
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The demands of everyday life can often cause us to overlook or lose touch with our emotional health. Wisdom, perspective, and practical tools from Learn to Live’s clinical team can help. Invest 15-30 minutes this month by joining a live or recorded webinar that can boost your mental well-being.
Webinar topics include:
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What is Anxiety and What Can I Do About It? (October 15)
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Raising Future Ready Kids 2: Anxiety and Depression (October 23)
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Getting Unstuck: The Science of Moving Forward (October 29)
Learn more and register here by using the access code PORTICO.
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National Lutheran Choir's All Saints concerts | |
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The National Lutheran Choir will present its first program of the 2024-2025 Season, "Healing: Our Legacy." At the center of this annual All Saints program is Alex Berko’s Sacred Place, a new piece for choir, soloists, violin, cello, and piano. Works by Johannes Brahms, F. Melius Christiansen, Elaine Hagenberg, and Caroline Shaw will connect love and grief through the lens of nature. In this program, the choir will examine how faith and music intersect the legacy we leave for generations to come.
Saturday, November 2, 7:00 p.m.; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Shoreview
Sunday, November 3, 4:00 p.m.; Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina
A livestream will also be available on November 3.
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? | |
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Bishop Jen Nagel will be offering a greeting at St. Olaf Lutheran, Minneapolis, at its 150th anniversary celebration on Sunday, October 20.
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Bishop Jen Nagel will be participating in the installation of Elder Suzanne Kelly as CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, Minneapolis, on Tuesday, October 22.
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Bishop Jen Nagel will be installing Pastor Jenny Sung at Calvary Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 27.
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Mr. Nick Tangen will be attending the farewell for Pastor Brian Mundt at Richfield Lutheran, Richfield, on Sunday, October 27.
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Pastor Wondimu Sonessa will be preaching and presiding at Bethel Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 27.
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Bishop Jen Nagel will be representing the synod at the Episcopal ordination of the Rev. Kevin Thomas Kenney as the Titular Bishop of Cunavia and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint Paul, on Monday, October 28.
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Bishop Jen Nagel will be preaching at Minnesota Swahili Christian Congregation, Minneapolis, on Sunday, November 3.
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Bishop Jen Nagel will be attending a farewell for Pastor Chad Brekke at Prince of Peace Lutheran, Brooklyn Park, on Sunday, November 3.
- Bishop Jen Nagel will be participating in the installation of Chris Johnson, the new President and CEO of Portico Benefit Services.
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Pastor Wondimu Sonessa will be preaching at St. Paul's-San Pablo Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, November 17.
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Inspired Life: Music Heals Symposium, October 15
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Addiction, Trauma, and the Power of Healing, October 17-19
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Fall Joint Ministerium for Rostered Leaders, October 31
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World of Difference: Women's Gathering, November 2
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Inspired Life: Alison Young, November 12
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2024 Ecofaith Summit: A Spirit of Power, Together, November 16
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Synod Boundaries Workshop, November 21
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Inspired Life: Erinn Frees, December 3
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Walking Together for Hope and Healing, January 22-February 6, 2025
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Serenity on the Sea: A Spiritual Pilgrimage, February 3-7, 2025
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