March 14, 2023

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Get support reducing waste

at your congregation

Waste Wise works with Minnesota businesses, nonprofits, and faith communities to provide free consultations on strategies to reduce waste and improve recycling. Our Sustainability Specialists assist properties in applying for grant funding to support waste reduction changes and make a positive difference. Email wastewise@mnchamber.com or call (651) 292-4650 and ask for Waste Wise.

Executive Assistant position description now available

The position description for the "Executive Assistant to the Minneapolis Area Synod Bishop" is now available. The person who fills this 25-to-28-hour-per-week position will offer logistical assistance to the bishop, oversee human resources, and work with synod governance and financial accountability. For a more in-depth view of the areas of responsibility and the expectations, read the complete job description.

‘Oh, The Places

You’ll Go!’

“Even having grown up at St. John’s Lutheran in south Minneapolis, if you had asked me how many churches were in the Minneapolis Area Synod or who the bishop was, my response would have been, ‘I thought bishops had to be Catholic.’ My church knowledge didn’t extend past the few in my neighborhood, the Episcopal church my maternal grandparents attended in Edina, and Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran in Riverside, Illinois, where I was baptized and my paternal grandparents worshiped. So when Emilie Bouvier asked if I wanted to tag along to a Northern Conference meeting at Salem Evangelical in Dalbo, I had to open up Google Maps.”

Read Jack's blog

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!

Vine youth conference for faith formation

set for April

The Vine Conference is for young people searching for ways to stay connected to their faith after high school. The mission of Vine is to help people find their way to ministry in their area. Vine serves kids, youth, young adults, and adults as they grow in faith for a lifetime.

At this conference, high school juniors and seniors, and young adults will have a chance to meet other young people, connect with young adult ministries from across the country, and celebrate God’s presence in worship.

Sunday, April 16; 3:15 - 8:30 p.m.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

13801 Fairview Drive

Burnsville

The cost is $10 per student, participant, and adult volunteer. Vine is a partnership of Prince of Peace, Shepherd of the Lake, Shepherd of the Valley, and Easter Lutheran churches.

To register

"The Confluence" is theme of Augsburg youth institute

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

Learn more

National Lutheran Choir announces regional tour

The eclectic and optimistic program of the National Lutheran Choir's regional tour 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.

Stories for Power Training

At the 2019 Minneapolis Areas Synod Assembly, voting members overwhelmingly supported RC2019-01, A Resolution on Paid Leaves: Parental and Care of Family Due to Illness. This resolution required that Synod Guidelines for church staff call for 12 weeks of parental leave after the birth of a child or the illness of a family member.

Similar legislation is now being proposed in the Minnesota legislator. Those people who believe that the synod's suggested policy would be rightfully helpful to all Minnesotans are invited to a training about how to tell stories to move elected officials on paid family leave and sick/safe time for employees.

Saturday, March 25; 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Brookdale Library

6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center

Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?

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.
Pastor John Hulden will be preaching and installing Pastor Melissa Maltman at Servant of Christ Lutheran, Champlin, on Sunday, March 26.
Mr. Jack Hurbanis will be leading an adult forum at Alleluia Lutheran, St. Michael, on Sunday, March 26.
Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Braham Lutheran, Braham, on Sunday, April 16.
Pastor John Hulden will be preaching and installing Pastor Kari Bahe as senior pastor at Zion Lutheran, Buffalo, on Sunday, April 30.
Mr. Jack Hurbanis will be leading an adult forum at Lord of Life Lutheran, Ramsey, on Sunday, April 30.

Upcoming Events

Courageous Leadership Webinars , Wednesdays
Youth Ministry Gathering, March 14
Thoughts on Nature and Environment from a Naturalist Writer's Lens, March 14
Spring Ministerium, March 23
Wellness Gathering for First Third Leaders, March 23
Growing Through Grief, March 25
Gathering of Retired Rostered Ministers, March 28
Easter Eggstravaganza, April 8
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

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org