Enews: Those spring walks are holy; a truck driver's story; Ascension Day; and more

April 23, 2024

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

New position open with Minneapolis Area Synod

Thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, the Director of Family Faith will convene parents and caretakers from the Minneapolis Area Synod’s New and Strategic Ministries to learn and develop practices for faith formation in the home. Family Faith: Deepening Roots, Strengthening Families seeks to equip parents from culturally specific, ethnically specific, and multicultural congregations to share their faith and cultural traditions with their children, to create opportunities for families to connect with one another, and to develop faith formation resources in the cultural context and language of the congregations. With input from the leaders of the Synod’s New and Strategic Ministries, the Director of Family Faith will develop curriculum, convene and coordinate learning cohorts, plan retreats and large group gatherings, and work with partners to develop faith formation resources.

For full job description

Synod staff this week

All synod staff are in the office during their normal hours through Synod Assembly. Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Wondimu Sonessa, who successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on Tuesday, April 16. (Is there a Dr. in the house? Yep.)

Ambient neighboring

“Last week, as the temperature climbed into the 50s and the sun shone down across Northeast Minneapolis, a familiar thing happened. Neighbors up and down Pierce Street began poking their heads out their front doors, opening windows, and making their way outside to soak up the first fruits of the spring air. My wife and I were among this collection of Nordeasters stirring from our winter hibernation and the warmth of our old home. We waved at neighbors we hadn’t seen in months, being sure to mention how beautiful the weather was.”

Read Nick's blog

"Real presence" of church together -- for the sake of the world

It all started with a semi full of yellow squash.

After a long trip from Texas, the driver was about to drop the load when the recipient denied having ordered it. The driver, a member of a Texas congregation, became concerned about food wasted in a hungry world. So, he called his pastor who suggested the Texas bishop be contacted.

Then the Texas bishop called the Minneapolis Area Synod bishop. That's when the miracle happened.

View this remarkable story

Lutheran Nurses group to "navigate compassion"

While neither hospice nor palliative care are new concepts, there remains a great deal of confusion about the distinction between the two. How are they the same, how are they different? Which option is right for your patient, and at what time in their serious illness journey should you consider a referral? These questions, as well as how to talk to both patients and referral partners (physicians, discharge planners, etc.) about serious illness care options will be the focus of this engaging session.

Thursday, May 9: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Virtual

The presenter will be Rory Farrand, MA, MS, MSN, APRN-BC. She is Vice President of Palliative and Advanced Care for NHPCO. The title of the presentation is "Navigating the Compassionate Crossroads: Palliative Care vs. Hospice."

For more information

National Lutheran Choir spring concert

The National Lutheran Choir spring concert, "New Day," will feature the Midwest premiere of Minnesota Composer Jocelyn Hagen's acclaimed work, "Here I Am," performed with chamber orchestra, members of the nationally recognized Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs -- Treble Singers under the direction of Philip Brown, and the Grammy Award-winning soprano soloist, Sarah Brailey.

Sunday, April 28; 4:00 p.m.

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church

900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi

For tickets

Former youth ministry Ascension Day Breakfast relaunched as Gratitude and Blessings Breakfast

Children, Youth, and Family leaders are invited for a morning event to receive gratitude for the work they do, to enjoy a meal, and to worship together, and to receive a summer blessing.

Thursday, May 16; 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (registration, 8:30 a.m.)

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

4100 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis

There will be a raffle for a free registration to the 2025 ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza. The cost is $10 per person and can be paid in advance or at the door by cash or check.

Worship music will be led by Anni Coyle, and Pastor Natalia Terfa will preach.

Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?

Mr. Johan Baumeister will be leading an adult forum at Mount Olive Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, April 28.
Pastor John Hulden will be offering the children's sermon and attending the farewell service for Pastor Christine Chiles at Maple Grove Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Sunday, April 28.
Mr. Johan Baumeister will be leading an adult forum at Atonement Lutheran, Bloomington, on Sunday, May 5.
Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Mollie Hamre at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran, Prior Lake, on Saturday, May 11.
Pastor Craig Pederson will be installing then-Pastor Mollie Hamre at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran, Prior Lake, on Sunday, May 12.
Mr. Manny Lewis will be leading an adult forum at Trinity Lutheran Congregation, Minneapolis, on Sunday, May 12.
Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell worship service for Pastor Karl Jacobson at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Edina, on Sunday, May 19.
Mr. Manny Lewis will be leading an adult forum at Trinity Lutheran Congregation, Minneapolis, on Sunday, May 19.
Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Korla Masters and preaching at House of Prayer Lutheran, Richfield, on Sunday, June 2.

Upcoming Events

Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
Addiction and the Choose Freedom Program, April 24
Minneapolis Area Synod Budget Hearing, April 25
Hans Nielsen Hauge Lecture, April 27
Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly, May 2 - 4
Songs to Remember, May 4
United Days, May 9
Navigating the Compassionate Crossroads: Palliative Care vs. Hospice, May 9
Gratitude and Blessing Breakfast, May 16
Enneagram Workshop, May 18
Confluence at Augsburg University, June 23-28
Synod Boundaries Workshop, November 21

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