March 7, 2023

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Synod Assembly registration is open!

Voting members from all of the synod's congregations will be gathering under the theme “Restored to Life Anew,” focusing on Psalm 30. A public worship service will take place on Friday, April 28, at St. Andrew Lutheran, Eden Prairie. Then, the business of the synod will be conducted on Saturday, April 29, at Lord of Life, Ramsey.

The ever challenging and inspiring Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III will be the keynote speaker for Saturday. You won’t want to miss it. Sign up now!

Early-bird registration ends March 20 (less than two weeks from now), so be sure to reserve your space right away!

Augsburg Youth Theology Institute presents "The Confluence"

Youth who have completed 9th - 12th grade are invited to apply for this year's Augsburg Youth Theology Institute (AYTI), "The Confluence." AYTI is a weeklong on-campus experience for high school students at Augsburg University with daily exploration in the neighborhood and the city.

Together in community, high school participants learn how to practice vocational discernment through a variety of experiences including:

• intentional community building with small groups led by college mentors
• daily spiritual practices of prayer, journaling, first word, and worship
• learning how spiritual gifts and strengths inventories can deepen our understanding of the gifts God gives to us
• reading books and articles that invite academic inquiry as a way of understanding theology and vocation
• community-based learning in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood and the greater Twin Cities

Augsburg's hope is that by the end of the CONFLUENCE, each participant will have gained a deeper insight into who they are and the life they want to lead as children of God.

National Lutheran Choir announces regional tour

This eclectic and optimistic program will share sacred choral music that speaks to the cycles of our days and the cycle of faith in our lives. Throughout the program, the NLC’s performance will be punctuated by opportunities for all to share hymns that are sung together. People of faith as well as people who love great music will all find a place in this journey with the NLC.

Come to hear works by Bach, Fauré, Paulus, Olaf Christiansen, Moses Hogan, André Thomas, David Cherwien, and many others. The choir will present both a cappella and organ favorites, including a new work by celebrated composer and conductor Dr. Marques Garrett: Don't Leave Me Lord.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Rochester, Minnesota

7:00 p.m.; Bethel Lutheran Church

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Lincoln, Nebraska

7:00 p.m.; First-Plymouth Congregational Church

(This concert will be live streamed!

Visit www.abendmusik.org/livestream

at 7:00 p.m. Central Time to watch.)

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

3:00 p.m.; First Lutheran Church

The Pollinator Plot: Cross+Pollination in a Time of Ecological Crisis

In a moment of deep ecological crisis, this year’s EcoFaith Summit calls us to become part of the Holy Spirit’s subversive plot to pollinate an alternative way of being human for the sake of life. In this great plot, faith communities of every size and place can be demonstration plots, pollinating alternative ways of living. We all steward plots of land, even tiny ones, which can become pollinator habitat.

In this critical and decisive time, a Kairos moment, what we do with our specific plots wherever we are, matters. How we live the Gospel paradox that God’s power is shown in weakness can engage us in active hope amid the growing crisis we face. This event is co-presented by The EcoFaith Network NE-MN Synod, the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Creation Care, and the Saint Paul Area Synod Care of Creation with keynote speaker Margot Monson, entomologist and beekeeper.

Saturday, April 15; 9:30am – 3:30pm

Online or in person at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Duluth

Through worship, a keynote presentation, firsthand stories, conversations, and engagement sessions, together we will be empowered to be participants in this unfolding plot.

Partners include Minneapolis Area Synod EcoFaith Network, Luther Seminary, Northwestern Minnesota Synod ~ Creation Care Affinity Group, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Lutherans Restoring Creation, The Pollinator Friendly Alliance, Lutheran Advocacy - Minnesota, and Duluth Monarch Buddies.

Join in the celebration

of ten years of

"God's Work. Our Hands"

Lutheran Advocacy--Minnesota invites legislative letterwriting

This year marks the 10th anniversary of "God's work. Our hands." Sunday!

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday began in 2013 in connection with the ELCA's 25th anniversary. It continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

ELCA congregations participate in acts of service every day. This day of service is an extension of the work you already do to make your community a better place.

Save the Date: Sunday, September 10

Consider expanding your day of service this year by inviting a friend, partnering with a neighbor congregation, or serving in collaboration with a local community group or event.

The Lutheran Advocacy -Minnesota Policy Council invites participation in the Lutheran Lenten Letter Challenge. Members of ELCA congregations across the state are invited to write their congressional representatives regarding the advocacy emphases for Lutheran Advocacy - Minnesota in this legislative session.

In case you are new at contacting legislators, all the information Lutheran Advocacy - Minnesota Policy Council believes you will need to write an effective letter is included in this handout. 

• Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at Advent Lutheran, Maple Grove, on Sunday March 12.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Kyle Soderberg at Nativity Lutheran, St. Anthony, on Sunday, March 19. Kyle will continue serving Nativity after ordination.
• Pastor John Hulden will be presiding at the opening worship of the ELCA Assistants to the Bishops gathering at the Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis, on Monday, March 20.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at the opening worship of the ELCA Assistants to the Bishops gathering at the Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis, on Monday, March 20.
• Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be preaching at the Minneapolis Area Synod Spring Ministerium at Normandale Lutheran, on Thursday, March 23.
• Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching at Christ Memorial Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, March 26.
• Pastor Craig Pederson will be attending the farewell service for Rev. Dr. Gary Kinkel at St. John's Lutheran, Shakopee, on Sunday, March 26.

• Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
• Hearing, Helping, Healing our Neighbors with Mental Health Challenges, March 7
• "George Floyd Woke Me Up. Now What?," with David Scherer and Joe Davis, March 12
• Children's Ministry Zoom, March 13
• Youth Ministry Gathering, March 14
• Thoughts on Nature and the Environment from a Naturalist Writer's Lens, March 14
• Spring Ministerium, March 23
• Growing Through Grief, March 25
• Gathering of Retired Rostered Ministers, March 28
• Youth Ministry Gathering, April 11
• Moonlight Madness Grades 6-9 "Lock-Out," April 21-22
• 2023 Synod Assembly, April 28-29
• Communicators Gathering, May 11
• Festival of Homiletics 2023, May 15-18
• Western States Youth Gathering, July 4-6
• Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 17-20
• The Naming Project Summer Camp for LGBTQ youth, July 23-28
• Reclaim Gathering, September 14-17
• Bishop's Theological Conference, September 24-26