December 6, 2022

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
 
 

Employee Retention Credit may work for some churches

Several congregations within the Minneapolis Area Synod have explored their eligibility for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and found that it is a viable program for them to consider. If you would like to explore your eligibility or have questions about the ERC, one available resource is Clergy Financial Services. Pastor Craig Pederson may also be able to answer some of your questions.

More information
Synod office update

Most synod staff members continue to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Starting December 2022, the synod office will be closed to the public on Fridays. Full-time staff work on Fridays, but the office is closed to the public, so the front desk phone and info email address will not be answered, meeting space will not be available, and general inquiries should not be expected to have a response until the following week. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we will adhere to the Minnesota Church Center building protocols and messaging on the sixth floor: “Masks are not required. However, masking is strongly recommended for those with symptoms or exposure. Masks available upon request.” 

Straight paths aren't always the best paths

“Over the decades, it has been the province of Mainline Protestants and Catholics to curate the Advent journey. Occasionally the broader culture would come along for the ride. Evangelicals and Pentecostals didn’t resonate so much with it, however, so they went right to the manger. The Mainline Protestant term was popularized in the 1920s when these large Protestant denominations affiliated with the newly formed National Council of Churches as they were theologically wrestling with fundamentalists. For the past hundred years, it has been used as a catch-all phrase to describe the growth in numbers and political influence – and then the decline – of these large national denominations.” 
Read Pastor Craig's blog

Congregational communicators invited to retreat

Those who do church communications (staff or volunteer) are invited to join other communicators at the synod’s first ever Communicators Retreat! We are looking forward to gathering for the day on Thursday, January 12, at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center in Farmington. Our agenda will include a presentation about website and social media analytics and time for socializing, resting, and sharing ideas. The cost of the retreat is $43, but discounts are available for those who register early! Register now, find more details, or contact Jeni Huff with questions.

Annual workshops for congregational leaders

Join us for the Tool Kit on the morning of Saturday, February 11, 2023! Congregational leaders (lay and rostered) will be gathering at First Lutheran in Columbia Heights to get practical tools to bring back to their congregations. Workshops include topics like church council 101, how to connect with Deaf and/or hard of hearing neighbors, greening your church, and more! Watch the e-news for the next several weeks to see descriptions of the workshops. Registration will open in January.

More details will be added to the Tool Kit web page.


Saturday, February 11, 2023

8:30 a.m., Check in

9:00 a.m., Event begins

First Lutheran Church of

Columbia Heights

Rekindle the gift within you

LSS Metro Homeless Youth Services invites you to assist in brightening the lives of youth and children by participating in its annual Youth Holiday Gifts. 


Gifts received during the holidays allow youth to celebrate, be recognized, and feel loved at a time when they may be disconnected from their families. It means the world to know there are folks in the community who want to support them in their journey. 


You may participate as an individual, a family, or as a church group in purchasing gifts. Please notify LSS of your participation by November 20 by visiting Youth Holiday Gifts and completing the sign-up form. Gift drop-off dates will be December 9 and 10.


Question: MetroHomelessYouth@lssmn.org

What is Discipleship in the Information Age?

Certain core principles of faithful discipleship remain constant — such as telling the truth (1 John 2:24) — but the way disciples practice them in the 21st century may look different from how it looked in the 1st. Faith is a main driver of human behavior and so those who teach it bear additional power and responsibility.


Monday, December 12; 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Minnesota Church Center

122 West Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis


Join a clergy convening organized by Minnesota Council of Churches and the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy to share what faithful discipleship in the information age means to you.

Evening vespers on longest night of the year

On the longest night, many yearn for a presence stronger than ourselves to carry our load. Come hold your thoughts, struggles, and prayers with us, and throw your burdens into the fire. This is worship for all, so invite any of your loved ones who you think would benefit from this shared space. Tree of Life Lutheran’s Sophia Spiegel and other musicians will be leading us in sung worship and a burning burdens ceremony within the service.


Wednesday, December 21; 6:30 p.m.

Grace NE Lutheran Church

1500 6th Street NE, Minneapolis


This service is brought to you by the Good Shepherd Foundation.

In-person services for those struggling with loss during Christmas Season

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church will offer two in-person services of remembrance, one at each ot its campuses, this Advent Season. This service features a time of healing and reflection with peaceful harp music, a vocal soloist, and a time to light a candle in memory of your loved one.


Tuesday, December 6; 6:30 p.m.

Mount Olivet West Campus

Tuesday, December 13; 6:30 p.m.

Minneapolis Campus


If you would like the first and last name of your loved one read during the service, register here or contact Julie Goodman at (612) 767-2208 or julieg@mtolivet.org. The service on December 13 will be livestreamed.

Registration opens for Rostered Leaders Gathering in July

Registration for the Rostered Ministers Gathering is now open so that those of you who have continuing education dollars available from 2022 budgets may use them for this event, with the hope of using 2023 dollars for transportation.

Gathering highlights:

  • 90 workshops offered over four workshop blocks
  • Inspiring and educational speakers and Bible study leaders
  • An interaction center with more than 30 exhibits
  • A celebration banquet for all attendees
  • Space to reconnect with colleagues from across the ELCA


Featured guests and speakers include:

  • Jeff Chu, co-author of Wholehearted Faith
  • The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA
  • The Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis, chair in biblical preaching at Luther Seminary
  • Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first female elected bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
  • Deacon Dr. Mindy Makant, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • Carmelo Santos, director for Theological Diversity and Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement for the ELCA
  • Bishop Kevin Strickland, bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA


Early registration (December 1 - March 31) is $245. Booking travel and hotel is participant's responsibility. Once you register, you will be provided with links to the three gathering hotels, with room rates of $153 per night plus tax. A limited number of scholarships are available.

To register
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Pastor John Hulden will be leading a Ministry Site Profile conversation at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Edina, on Sunday, December 11.
  • Pastor Norma Malfatti will be preaching and leading an adult forum at St. John's Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, December 11.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be preaching and installing Pastor Nikoli Falenschek at Redeemer Lutheran, Henderson, on Sunday, December 11.
  • Pastor Craig Pederson will be preaching and installing Pastor Arthur Murray at Lake Nokomis Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, December 18.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be at Advent Lutheran, Anoka, for a farewell service for Pastor Bob Linstrand, on Sunday, December 18.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be installing Senior Pastor Sarah Moat at Christ Lutheran, Blaine, on Sunday, January 1, 2023.
  • Pastor John Hulden will be installing Senior Pastor Eric Luedtke at House of Prayer Lutheran, Richfield, on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
Upcoming Events
 
 
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