January 2, 2024

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
 
 

ELCA annual report covers now available

Does your congregation print annual reports for members' preparation for the congregation's annual meeting? The ELCA has made its 2023 annual report cover available for download. It includes a cover page, a message from Presiding Bishop Eaton, and an opening litany with a hymn. 


The Minneapolis Area Synod typically provides its annual report from the Bishop shortly after New Year's Day. It will be sent in an email to congregational communicators, administrators, and rostered ministers when it's ready.
Download Annual Report Cover

Synod staff this week

All synod staff persons will be working their normal hours this week.

The rungs on the ladder

“Saturday is Epiphany – January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas fulfilled. I don’t know about you, but for me it has usually been the day when the tree comes down and the decorations are put away (at least in theory). Epiphany is the celebration of light. While it has always been an important church festival for me, in an age with white supremacy on the rise, the dialectic of the language of light and darkness becomes a problematic point of celebration.” 
Read Bob's blog

ELCA Churchwide offers learning opportunites to expand understandings about financial empowerment

ELCA Churchwide invites congregation members to register for a great courses to grow stewardship and cultivate large gifts with your local church.


Here are the three opportunities:

  1. Financial Empowerment for Missional Leaders, a monthly webinar, tailored to you, starting again January 24, 2024. The cost for eight monthly sessions for one pastoral and one lay leader is only $200 total. Register today at https://forms.gle/SetAeLvw5sc5yZgx9
  2. Cultivating the Craft of Asking is a series of webinars of five sessions over 10 weeks. Participants will be equipped to develop a donor base and large donations. Register today at http://www.myteministries.org/webinars. (More series will be offered in the near future.)
  3. African Descent and African National Financial Empowerment in Our Contexts is an online course offered Saturday, February 17; 9:00 a.m. (Central Time). For more information: https://forms.gle/bLofos8MUqa9fZ3z6

 

The courses are directed by Bonnie Ives Marden, author of “Church Finances for Missional Leaders: Best Practices for Faithful Stewardship,” in partnership with the ELCA New Ministry Development and Evangelism Team.

 

Recently an ELCA mission developer in these courses raised $52,000 in a couple months, and increased $530 in monthly giving. Both of these webinars are fun, encouraging and positive. Join in!
Flyer: Financial Empowerment
Flyer: Cultivating the Craft of Asking

National Lutheran Choir to host choral "tune up"

On Saturday, January 20, church choristers and choral music aficionados from throughout the Twin Cities will come together for the National Lutheran Choir (NLC) 2024 Tuneup!


Spend the morning

  • Connecting with NLC and local singers,
  • Learning new music,
  • Singing under the direction of Dr. Jennaya Robison, and
  • Meet three of the four composers whose work we'll learn!


Saturday, January 20; 9:00 a.m. - Noon

Roseville Lutheran Church

1215 Roselawn Ave W, Roseville


During the event, Director Robison will teach participants repertoire and vocal techniques through work on four musical pieces:

  • A New Heart by Melissa Dunphy
  • Christ is Living! He is Risen! by John Helgen
  • Sim Shalom by Jennaya Robison
  • A New Jerusalem Arise by Kyle Pederson


Register by January 4.

Nominate students for Lutheran Summer Music

Each year, the primary way that music students find their way to Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is through the encouragement of their church musician! LSM offers opportunities for musicians of all kinds: brass, winds, strings, percussion, piano, organ, voice, harp, guitar, handbells, and more! Students receive advanced musical instruction through large ensembles (festival choir, band, and orchestra), chamber music, private lessons with collegiate-level faculty, and elective classes.


In the evenings, students attend recitals, Evening Prayer services, and social events with their friends. LSM 2024 takes place at Valparaiso University in Indiana from June 30 - July 28 (full session) or June 30 - July 14 (half session) and is open to students who have completed grades 8 - 12.


Know a musical young person who would thrive at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate. 

Reading of new poetry book about Uprising

Retired Pastor Patrick Cabello Hansel will be offering a reading of his newest book of poetry, "Breathing in Minneapolis." This book chronicles the challenging events of 2020-2022 in Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd.


Thursday, February 1, 7:00 p.m.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

2730 East 31st Street, Minneapolis


Poets Joyce Sutphen, Walter Cannon, and Dralandra Larkins will join Pastor Patrick. Chilean group Ina Yukka will provide music. Books will be available.


For more information

Luther Sem to host discernment retreat

LSS Servant of Christ Award: Nominate a Remarkable Congregation

Are you experiencing a call to be a Deacon or a Pastor? Do you know someone who might be? All are invited for a three-day retreat to explore God’s call.


February 28 – March 1, 2024

Arrowwood Resort

Alexandria, Minnesota


The cost of the retreat including two nights lodging, two breakfasts, three lunches, and one dinner will be $125 for double occupancy or $250 for single.


Registration will be open until mid-January.

For more information

In the long history of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), faith communities have been some of its most important partners. Congregations have hosted office space, provided meals, sewn quilts, welcomed refugees, and contributed in so many unseen ways to their communities.

 

Each year, LSS recognizes partnering congregations that lead the movement to change lives in their community. Which faith community has been invaluable in your work? Nominate a single congregation – or congregations in partnership – that demonstrate leadership in love and service to our neighbors.


To nominate a congregation

Faith Community Nurse Network Symposium Series

How much do you know about trauma and its impact on a person’s spiritual and emotional well-being? Did you know that persons who experience many traumas in their lives are more vulnerable to illness and shorter life spans? This four-part series is designed for faith community nurses, faith community leaders, RNs, and other professionals who want to learn more about trauma, trauma-informed care, and mental health.


Thursdays, January 18, March 14, June 13, and October 10; 9:15 a.m.-1 p.m.

Online or Hybrid


The 2024 topics include:

  • January 18 -- "Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care: The Basics"
  • March 14 -- "Trauma-Informed Care: Why and How"
  • June 13 -- "Mental Health and Trauma in Children and Youth"
  • October 10 -- "Trauma - Help and Hope"


Learn more

Young adults: Brightness and Shadows Worship

Young adults (roughly ages 19-35) from around the Twin Cities are invited to a contemplative worship and potluck dinner. Pastor Amy Mihelich Smith will be preaching and Nate Crary and Sophia Spiegel will lead music.


Sunday, January 7; 5:30 p.m.

St. Anthony Park Lutheran

2323 Como Avenue, Saint Paul


Brightness and Shadows is a service of evening prayer for Epiphany with music composed by Nate and Sophia in collaboration with young adults from Tree of Life Lutheran. Themes of home, loneliness, anxiety, faraway family and friends, illness, protection, and lots of prayer run throughout the service. Bring an item to share.
More information

Children's ministry staff to discuss kids and sadness

Children's ministry staff and key volunteers are invited to gather on Zoom for a discussion on how to talk about sadness with kids. Bring resources to share about how to talk about sickness or death.


Monday, January 1; 1:00 p.m.

Zoom


Hosts for the event are Rachelle Gill (Easter, Eagan) and Julie Vagle (Trinity, Long Lake). 
Join the Zoom call

Professor Levine to deliver 2024 Fretheim Lecture

Renowned biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine will deliver the 2024 Fretheim Lecture in Biblical Theology. She is the Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace as well as the University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita and the Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt University. The annual public lecture honors the legacy of the late Professor Terry Fretheim in making biblical-theological scholarship available to Luther Seminary students and surrounding communities.


Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Chapel of the Incarnation, Olson Campus Center

Luther Seminary, St. Paul

 

Professor Levine will offer a free workshop at 3:30 p.m., for area clergy and seminary students that discusses why anti-Jewish preaching and teaching continue, details the popular misconceptions about the Jewish context of Jesus and Paul found in sermons and church-based curricula, and offers alternatives for reading the texts on which they are based.


During the public lecture at 7:00 p.m., Professor Levine will present “The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Why Knowledge of Jewish History Matters for Christian Preaching and Teaching.” Both events are free; no registration is required. The lecture will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. 
For more information
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile review at Messiah Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 7.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Augustana Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 14.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be participating in the Holy Closure service of Peace Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, January 14.
  • Pastor John Hulden and Ms. Kris Bjorke will be representing the synod at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Continuing Education Extravaganza and the SYMBOL (Synodical Youth Ministry Band of Leaders) meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 18-22.
  • Pastor Wondimu Sonessa will be preaching and leading an adult forum at Holy Cross Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, January 28.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be installing Pastor Trevor Skorburg at Zion Lutheran, Buffalo, on Sunday, January 28.
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a Ministry Site Profile review at Alleluia Lutheran, St. Michael, on Sunday, January 28.
Upcoming Events
 
 
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