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February 13, 2024
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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2024 legislative session opened yesterday | |
As the Minnesota legislature reconvenes this week, keep those people whose vocation it is to serve the public good as legislators, aides, capitol employees, and public servants in your prayers for wisdom, clarity, and safety. May they bring open hearts and open minds as they strive to serve the common good.
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Faith nurses address epidemic of lonliness | |
A presentation entitled "How Loneliness Influences Health and What Nurses Can Do to Help" will include information about loneliness as a unique health stressor. Participants will delve into the relationship between belonging and loneliness, with information on how unmet need to belong and experience of loneliness can lead to poor psychological, behavioral, physical, and social health outcomes. A description of LISTEN as an intervention for loneliness along with other potential interventions will be discussed.
Thursday, March 14
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Zoom
While the primary audience for this event is nurses, everyone would benefit from the presentation. We all know lonely people in our lives and in our worship communities.
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Cherish All Children Winter Walk now open | |
Beginning Super Bowl Sunday, you can "kick-off" your commitment to protect children and youth! Ask a friend to join you on a walk anytime February 11-29 and talk about how you are supporting the safety of young people and engaging with Cherish All Children.
Receive a Cherish All Children beanie or baseball cap with your donation of $25 or greater. Donate now so your beanie(s) or cap(s) can be sent to you today!
To learn more about its work or to schedule a youth or adult presentation, contact Joy McElroy. A new focus is preventing sextortion, a significantly increasing online crime against children. Everyone can make a difference in keeping kids safe.
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Could AI impact congregational communications? | |
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You hear about people using AI to create graphics and content in all kinds of communications work these days. Is there benefit to using it in our church communications?
Join the conversation with other church staff, volunteers, and pastors who work with communications at the second annual Communicators Retreat. The day will include community building, networking, and the AI presentation and conversation. Presenters will be Sue Megrund from InterServe Ministries and Tyler LeClear Vachta from Augsburg University.
Registration is required.
Thursday, March 7
9:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.
Mount Olivet Retreat Center, Farmington
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Video series lays out Faithful Innovation framework | |
Beginning February 19, Faith+Lead's four-day video series event will share ministry insights gleaned from thousands of ministry leaders and learners within the Faith+Lead ecosystem. In the series of videos, Dr. Alicia Granholm will cover topics like understanding cultural shifts away from the voluntary association model for churches, essential theological commitments, five core tasks for recognizing the difference Jesus makes, and four pivots for the church to follow God into a faithful future.
This video series seeds important conversations between called or volunteer leaders in a multitude of ministry contexts. Registered participants will be notified when each video is released.
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ELCA youth gathering info session on February 29 | |
Whether you’re registered or still deciding where to head this summer, join your synod champions, Kelsey Young (Saint Paul) and John Hulden (Minneapolis), for a Gathering 2024 Information Session on
Thursday, February 29
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Area Synod Office
122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 600
We’ll go over details of what to expect for each day of the Gathering, share ideas for ways to spend your free time, answer your questions about logistics, show off our synod t-shirt design, and give away some swag! There will be time to network and share great ideas with other trip leaders, and a chance to try out the Goose Chase scavenger hunt app that will be used during the Gathering this summer. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to prepare for your trip to New Orleans and register to join us today!
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Winter Celebration concert to support CES | |
New York-based philanthropic organization Music for Food is sponsoring a concert to raise funds for Community Emergency Services (CES) of Minneapolis. The Winter Celebration will include "Isles Ensemble" guest cellist, Kathe Jarka, along with Emily Switzer and Natalia Moiseeva on violin; Kenneth Freed on viola; Ivan Konev on piano; and Tom Rosenberg, Kathe Jarka, and Laura Sewell on cello. They will perform Beethoven's "Trio for Three Cellos," Mozart's "Piano Trio 'Kegelstatt,'" and Schumann Piano Quartet, Op. 47.
Sunday, February 25; 2:00 p.m.
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church
2020 West Lake of the Isles Parkway, Minneapolis
CES is a nonprofit in the Phillips community focused on alleviating hunger. Its mission is to transform lives and be a place where people come hungry and leave hopeful. CES also shares its building with Augustana Lutheran Church.
Each contribution up to $10,000 will be matched. Learn more
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Free downloadable music from Lutheran Summer Music | |
Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is introducing two FREE compositions from LSM. One is Holy Manna by Anne Krentz Organ, for solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment. The other is Be Thankful, for SATB chorus, descant, keyboard accompaniment, with options for assembly, handbells.
Here is the free sheet music download: https://www.lsmacademy.org/resources
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Urban Servant Corps now accepting applications | |
Urban Servant Corps is a faith-based, intentional community of full-time volunteers who seek to live simply while serving and accompanying those most in need at nonprofit partner agencies in the heart of Denver, Colorado. USC volunteers are committed to social justice, racial justice, and accompanying vulnerable populations.
Food, housing, health insurance, a monthly stipend, student loan debt reduction (up to $7,000), and an annual "growth and development" allotment are provided. Participants also receive spiritual direction, alumni mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
The priority application deadline is March 1. Learn more.
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Possible creation-centered Lenten discipline for 2024 | |
#NoPlasticsforLent is back for its fourth year! This year, this organizing effort is partnering with ELCA Advocacy and Lutherans Restoring Creation to offer a Lenten series that focuses on advocacy in care for creation and what we as Christians can do. You can sign up to be emailed directly once the small group details and resources become available. If you are outside the age range of 18-35 or want to organize your own small groups, you are encouraged you to use this Lenten resource for yourself and your community!
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Rick Lindroth to offer Rutlen Lecture at Luther Seminary | |
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Statewide ecofaith leaders
to gather in Duluth in April
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Ecologist and lay theologian Rick Lindroth will deliver Luther Seminary's 2024 Rutlen Lecture on Faith and Creation, speaking on “Science, Truth, and Christian Faith in a Time of Eco-Crisis.”
Tuesday, February 27; 7:00 p.m.
Chapel of the Incarnation, Luther Seminary
1490 Fulham Street, St. Paul
Long battered by the “dominion” theology of Christianity, the global environment has suffered further in recent decades because of entrapment in a vortex of science denialism, political polarization, and cultural tribalism.
Rick Lindroth argues for a re-wilding of the Christian ethic of creation care — one that promotes enchantment, connection, reciprocity, and justice — for the betterment of humanity and flourishing of the living world.
This event is free and open to the public. The lecture will be livestreamed via YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
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The EcoFaith Network of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod is hosting its 2024 Summit for faith community members concerned about environmental stewardship. The theme for this year's summit is "Cross Currents in the Flood: Building Arcs Together for a Livable Planet."
Saturday, April 6
First Lutheran Church
1100 East Superior Street, Duluth
As we build arcs of relationship connecting generations, crossing boundaries, and healing divisions, we become the Ark necessary for a shared future, for a livable planet.
Noted Christian environmental ethicist Larry Rasmussen will be the kenynote speaker. His book, The Planet You Inherit: Letters to My Grandchildren When Uncertainty's a Sure Thing, won the 2023 Nautilus Gold Prize for books in Ecology and Environment.
Save the date.
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Young adults to "gather" at Broken Clock | |
Young adults from across the Twin Cities are invited to participate in a conversation about "holy disruption" and faith-based advocacy led by Kayla Zopfi. WGather leaders will be hanging at a table starting at 6:30 p.m., so feel free to come a little early!
Sunday, February 18; 7:00 p.m.
Broken Clock Brewing
1712 Marshall Street NE, Suite 100, Minneapolis
Gather is a place for young adults who are hungry for community and connection through worship, meals and monthly events. It's a place to deepen in faith as you discover your identity, uncover your vocation, and develop as leaders who do justice in the world.
Follow Gather on Facebook or Instagram at @gathertwincities.
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? | |
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Pastor John Hulden will be attending the retirement celevration for Pastor Brent Campbell at Zion Lutheran, Anoka, on Wednesday, February 28.
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Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Our Saviour's Lutheran, East Bethel, on Sunday, March 3.
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Pastor John Hulden will be installing the interim pastor and congregational council at Braham Lutheran, Braham, on Sunday, March 10.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be installing Pastor Chris Enstad at Bethlehem Lutheran (Minnetonka campus) on Sunday, March 10.
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Pastor Wondimu Sonessa will be preaching at Amazing Grace Ministry, Fridley, on Sunday, March 10.
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Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
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2024 Fosdick Lecture, February 29
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ELCA Youth Gathering Info Session, February 29
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Communicators Retreat, March 7
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Children's Ministry Zoom, March 11
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How Lonliness Influences Health and What Nurses Can Do to Help, March 14
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All Saints Easter Eggstravaganza, March 30
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Bishop Nominee Forum, April 7
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Bishop Nominee Forum, April 10
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Bishop Nominee Forum, April 13
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Bishop Nominee Forum, April 16
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Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly, May 2 - 4, 2024
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Ascension Day Breakfast, May 16
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