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October 3, 2023
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
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Presiding Bishop Eaton to offer info on God's Love Made Real | |
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Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton will join congregations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota on October 17 for a regional conversation on God’s Love Made Real. Western North Dakota Synod Bishop Craig Schweitzer will host the online conversation.
God’s Love Made Real is a movement encouraging the ELCA to create a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ makes for all people and creation. Learn more about God’s Love Made Real.
Through this discussion the presiding bishop seeks to inspire and motivate ELCA members to share the love of Jesus in their communities so that more people might discover community, justice, and love.
Tuesday, October 17; Noon - 12:30 p.m., Central Time
Zoom
“The Spirit is calling us to move together as one church to share the grace and love we experience every day,” said Eaton. More conversations about God’s Love Made Real will be scheduled with regional groups in the future.
Join the discussion!
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Connect for worship and fellowship with other Twin Cities area young adults | |
Gather Twin Cities is an ELCA ministry for those who are hungry for community and connection with other young adults in the metro area. Regardless of who you are or what you bring into this space, we are setting the table for you to create authentic relationships and to experience community with other young adults. We hope to get young adults connected with one another and with ministries in the Twin Cities, as well as offer a place of rest and rejuvenation in the whirlwind of life.
Sunday, October 8: 5:30 p.m.
University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Avenue SE, Minneapolis
Local musician Andy Pokel will offer original music for the service, which will be an opportunity for rest, renewal, and community. RSVP not required.
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Lutheran Campus Ministry invites supporters to fundraiser in October | |
Join Lutheran Campus Ministry – Twin Cities for its Second Annual Fall Gathering and Fundraiser at the beautiful Campus Club Terrace overlooking the city. We’ll gather around hearty appetizers, a cash bar, and good music to hear inspirational stories from students and alumni.
This gathering will be a chance to connect with each other and to raise money for the transformational work happening at Lutheran Campus Ministry – Twin Cities!
Thursday, October 5
Campus Club at the U of M
300 Washington Avenue SE, Mpls
5:00 p.m. Cocktails and appetizers
6:00 p.m. Program
7:00 p.m. Jam session and singing around the fire (bring your instruments!)
Tickets: $30
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Gathering for communication and administration congregational staff to offer information about the 2024 Bishop election process | |
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Communication about the Bishop Election process will be critical over the next eight months. Congregational staff's knowledge of the process will be important to inform members of synod churches. Be among the first to hear about what the Bishop's Election Committee is planning at the quarterly Communicators Gathering.
October 5, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Diamond Lake Lutheran Church
5760 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Rev. Hierald Osorto is chairperson of the Bishop Election Committee for the bishop election in 2024. He is also the senior pastor at St. Paul's/San Pablo Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis. Rev. Osorto will talk about the timeline and process of the election and answer questions that you may have. Join us for this informative conversation so you can bring details back to your congregation.
For more information about the process
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All Nations Indian Church Information Opportunity | |
Do you want ot learn about Indigenous ministries? Are you interested in Twin Cities Urban Indian communities? Are you looking to do justice work led by Indigenous leaders? Is your congregation considering support for All Nations Indian Church or the Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM)?
During this upcoming information session at All Nations, participants will experience a worship circle, listen to All Nation's members tell stories, discuss histories and resources, go on a neighborhood tour, and learn specific action steps.
Thursday, October 12
9:00 a.m. - Noon
All Nations Indian Church
1515 East 23rd Street, Minneapolis
To sign up, send congregation name with names and emails of participants to Pastor Mimi Goodwin.
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Jubilee Auction provides support for Holden Village | |
Holden Village, a year-round retreat center rooted in the Lutheran tradition, is sponsoring its fourth annual Julbilee Auction from October 4 to 8. Holden VIllage welcomes all people into the North Cascade Mountains, above Lake Chelan, Washington. It relies on donations from its auction to help cover costs of daily operations and programs not covered by guest fees, which are kept lower to try to make visits more affordable. It's mission is to "welcome all people into the wilderness to form and renew their realtionships with God, the earth, and each other."
October 4 - 8
Online
During the Jubilee Auction, you can bid on a variety of items and experiences, such as sessions with expert teaching faculty, art supplies, compensation for Holden staff, ingredients for meals, worship supplies, vehicle maintenance, and more. Learn more.
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Telling the story of care for God's creation | |
Storytelling is an ancient art that has defined humanity for our entire history. Digital tools — like the smartphones so many of us carry every day — can give our stories new reach or help us to frame them in new ways. Stories root us in the power that we have, in the power that we share, and in the power that we build together. Which is why the EcoFaith Network of the Minneapolis Area Synod is hosting Storying EcoFaith on:
Saturday, November 11; 8:30 a.m. -- 3:00 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie
This workshop, led by Professor Mary Hess of Luther Seminary, will equip you to voice, craft, and digitize your stories. With skilled technical coaching available to any who need it, participants only need a story and a smartphone (or tablet, laptop, etc.) and a willingness to learn. Your story — if you choose — will also provide a valuable contribution to Mary’s sabbatical research project on storytelling about Earth and creation care.
You can expect a day of storytelling exercises, time to record the audio portion of your story, the opportunity to play with putting meaningful images in sequence with your audio story, a place to publish your digital story online if and when you choose to do so, and more.
Fellowship, worship, refreshments, and lunch will also be a part of your workshop experience.
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WELCA to gather under theme of "just love" | |
Under the theme of "Just Love," Women of the ELCA in the Minneapolis Area Synod is inviting congregational leaders to "gather your gals" and come to an incredible opportunity to connect, inspire, and create a better world – one act of love at a time!
Inspire: Bible study • Worship • Connection • Music • Friendship
Ignite: Explore mental health and loneliness, social justice and women’s imprisonment
Refresh: Coffee and Lunch • Childcare • Chair massage • Yoga
Serve: On-site impact projects • Global market
Saturday, November 4; 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights
1555 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights
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Help Align Minneapolis to address homelessness | |
You are invited to support the work of Align, an interfaith collaboration of 17 Minneapolis churches, synagogues, and mosques, as well as people with lived experiences working together to address homelessness and poverty. Align Minnesota focuses on shifting from an immediate needs approach to long-term solutions through a combination of education, advocacy, and action. The group is committed to engage the community to address homelessness.
Sunday, October 8; 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (open house)
The Dignity Center
425 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis
The Dignity Center is hosted in The Mansion, on the campus of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. It was at one time the parsonage of that church, with an interesting architectural and community history. Tours of The Mansion will be available.
Tickets: $15 for individual, $40 for family
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Are you concerned about the creep of Christian Nationalism in congregations? | |
Nativity Lutheran Church is offering a three-part educational series on confronting Christian Nationalism within congregations. A mix of local clergy and lay leaders are encouraging participation to gather, learn, and envision opportunities for collective action.
Sunday, October 8, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Learn what Christian Nationalism is and how it’s being used to promote a national ideology that has nothing to do with Jesus’ teachings about love. Breakout groups will facilitate discussion during the presentation. Light refreshments will be served.
Sunday, October 15, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Listen to the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, speak about her concern and her thoughts on ecumenical advocacy against Christian Nationalism. Fellowship and a light meal will begin at 11:30 am. Bishop Eaton’s presentation, followed by a Q&A session, will begin at 12:00 pm.
Sunday, October 22, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Come together to discuss how we, as one body of Christ from the ELCA and beyond, will show up and take loving, collective action. We’ll share ways we can offer and demonstrate a true-to-scripture, Jesus-based narrative to counter Christian Nationalism.
You can attend in person or via Zoom. Registration is required if attending in person in order to ensure sufficient seating. For more information, contact Deacon Kyle Soderberg.
To register for in-person participation
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Lutheran Volunteer Corps begins recruitment process | |
Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) is a full-time service and leadership program operating in many cities across the United States. LVC Fellowships are full-time positions at social justice organizations for one year, or for full- or half-year terms for virtual positions.
Fellows serving a year live together in intentional community with other fellows and practice living simply and sustainably while exploring spirituality together. Fellows in virtual positions can serve virtually from home or live in community with other fellows. Most positions are year-long; virtual positions are limited and based on placement partner availability.
Recruitment is beginning now for LVC Fellows for 2024-2025.
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MYLE, tAble, young adult Youth Gathering preparations underway | |
Registration has opened for the 2024 Gathering, MYLE, The tAble, and Young Adult Gathering in New Orleans! Openings for the events still exist, but you should make plans soon.
How can you prepare?
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ELCA World Hunger offers new seasonal resources | |
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New resources are now available from ELCA World Hunger to enrich the life of your congregation in Advent 2023 and Lent 2024. The theme for the new seasonal materials is "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed." Where and how do you encounter God? Through the prophet Isaiah, God urges us to take comfort, trusting that "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" (Isaiah 40:5).
Check these resources out and download free versions, including an action guide for congregations, a weekly Advent study, an Advent calendar, the new ELCA Good Gifts poster, and a daily devotional Lent calendar.
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Youth art exhibit calls for ending youth prisons | |
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The Black Youth Healing Arts Center in St. Paul is hosting an immersive art exhibition that speaks to issues around youth imprisonment. If you visit the exhibit, you will travel through multiple rooms and experience informaiton through art, data, storytelling, and interactive stations. You'll learn about the harms of youth incarceration, monetary incentives, and alternatives to imprisonment, which include care and support, instead of punishment and trauma.
Now through October 8
Black Youth Healing Arts Center
643 Virginia Street, St. Paul
Wednesday, October 4; Noon - 5:00 p.m.
October 5, 6, 7, and 8; Noon - 7:00 p.m.
The event is fee and open to all. Tickets are not required. Masks are encouraged.
Trigger warning: This exhibit does simulate incarceration at points and shares visuals and descriptions of the trauma of incarceration and poverty.
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Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks? | |
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Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be leading an adult forum at St. Stephen's Lutheran, Bloomington, on Wednesday, October 4.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Deacon David Larson-Martinez as a Minister of Word and Sacrament at Holy Trinity Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Saturday, October 7.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Amy Koopman as a Minister of Word and Sacrament at Redeemer Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 8.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be installing Pastor Ian Coen-Frei at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran, Northeast Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 8.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Lydia Svenulski as a Minister of Word and Sacrament at Christus Victor Lutheran, Apple Valley, on Saturday, October 14.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be installing Pastor Amber Bergeson at Nokomis Heights Lutheran, South Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 15.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Sarah Johannson at Good Shepherd Lutheran, Wayzata, on Sunday, October 15.
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Pastor John Hulden will be preaching at Maple Grove Lutheran, Maple Grove, at its 40th anniversary celebration on Sunday, October 15.
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Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching and leading an adult forum at Grace University Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 15.
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Pastor John Hulden will be leading a Ministry Site Profile at Augustana Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Sunday, October 22.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be installing Pastor Matt Cordes at Hope Lutheran Church, Jordan, on Sunday, November 5.
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Pastor Craig Pederson will be installing Pastor Stephanie Luedtke at St. Barbabas Lutheran, Plymouth, on Sunday, November 12.
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Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be ordaining Esther Sianipar at Our Saviour's Lutheran, Minneapolis, on Saturday, November 18. Then-Pastor Esther will serve as associate pastor at Our Saviour's.
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Mr. Nicholas Tangen will be preaching at University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis, on Sunday, November 19.
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Courageous Leadership Webinars, Wednesdays
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Black Excellence: A film by youth, October 3
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MAS Communicators Gathering, October 5
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Refresher Course for Faith Community Nurses, October 5
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Faith and Addiction Conference, October 5 - 7
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Anti-Christian Nationalism Work on the Parish Level, October 8
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Align Minneapolis' Fall FUNdraiser, October 8
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Children's Ministry Gathering, October 9
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From Wedding Rings to Nose Rings -- Generational DIfferences in the Pews, October 10
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CYF Welcome Event, October 12
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All Nations Indian Church Information Opportunity, October 12
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Building Power Together, POSTPONED, October 12-14
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Anti-Christian Nationalism Work on the Parish Level, October 15
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Anti-Christian Nationalism Work on the Parish Level, October 22
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Fall Joint Ministerium, October 26
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Boundaries Training, November 2
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Equipping Congregations to Respond to Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults, November 2
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JUST LOVE (Fall Women's Gathering), November 4
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Refresher Course for Faith Community Nurses, November 9
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Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly, May 2 - 4, 2024
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