There is still time to donate to VEAP's March Food & Fund Drive through April 6!

VEAP is working to reach its goal of raising $300,000 and 100,000 lbs of food in the annual Minnesota FoodShare Campaign, the largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state. This spring drive brings together various community organizations, businesses, and faith communities to help stock nearly 300 food shelves statewide, including VEAP.

Now through April 6, every $1 donated will be doubled up to $75,000! Item donations can still be dropped off at the church welcome desk. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and for supporting our community!

Spring cleaning? Our Saviour's Housing has a wish list...

Our Saviour's Housing, the emergency shelter in Minneapolis, is looking for new or gently-used items below:

• twin bed sheets
• window curtains 
• lamps 
• table fans
• scrubs (adult size, any gender)   
• t-shirts 
• pots and pans 
• small trash cans 
• laundry baskets 

You may drop off donations at the church behind the welcome desk. Thank you! Contact Julie Magnus if you have questions. 

Reducing Barriers with Innovative On-site Mental Health Care

In early 2024, Our Saviour's Housing launched a 12-month pilot mental health initiative that provides guests at the shelter with access to on-site mental health services.

Read more on the Our Saviour's blog about why they are piloting mental health services now, and how it will impact long-term wellbeing for shelter guests. 

2024 JRLC Multi-faith Day of Prayer and Action

• Thursday, April 18, 2024
• 8:00am to 11:15am
• Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, St. Paul

JRLC invites faith community leaders to a day of prayer and coming together in action at the legislature. JRLC defines “faith leaders” as clergy, community organizers, faith organization leadership, actively engaged congregants, and congregational leadership and staff. Does that sound like you?

Listen to Be the Bridge podcast, episode 288: "Starting with Welcome & Holding Compassionate Conversations around Immigration"

Immigration is one of the most heated and complicated issues of our day. Women of Welcome Director, Bri Stensrud, brings knowledge and insight into this conversation while elevating the God given dignity of every person. Latasha Morrison and Bri talk about the Women of Welcome proximity trips to the southern border, how the Bible talks about immigrants and refugees, and how we can be people who start with welcome.

“To the servant of God … every place is the right place,

and every time is the right time”

(Catherine of Siena, theologian, 1347-1380)

Holy Spirit, we pray for wisdom —

to see every moment of every day as an opportunity to honor God

through loving, serving and honoring our neighbors in need.

Holy Spirit, we pray for generosity —

to nurture our unwavering concern for the well-being of our neighbor,

to share what we have and foster concerned communities.

Holy Spirit, we pray for transformation —

to transform our prejudice into compassion, kindness, empathy and respect,

to strengthen our relationships with each other.

Amen.

Adapted from ELCA Prayer Ventures 2024

St. Stephen is committed to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of building a beloved community where "all people can share in the wealth of the earth." Through advocacy, education, and action, St. Stephen strives for a world where "love and trust will triumph..."

St. Stephen Lutheran Church

8400 France Ave. S.

Bloomington, MN 55431

office@ststephen.net

www.ststephen.net