Bright Spot: Olive Branch at Gray Duck
Remember Olive Branch? This ‘church that likes change’ emerged about the same time the pandemic began in 2020 and has spent most of their first year online – hosting Zoom gatherings and making video litanies to share.

Now, this creative little branch is setting some roots in the local Rochester community as they seek to be ‘church’ in adventurous ways. This last summer, Olive Branch met at Little Thistle Brewery under their patio pergola. While it was good to be outdoors, it was sometimes tough to hear and a bit distracting. It was a season of learning about what it feels like to worship in public!

Olive Branch Church now meets regularly at Gray Duck Theater and Coffeehouse in Rochester, a locally-owned super-creative business with a foundational commitment to celebrating LGBTQIA+ folx, just like Olive Branch...
2021 Hein-Fry Book of Faith Challenge Announced
The annual Hein-Fry Book of Faith Challenge is an endowed theological lecture series that seeks to enliven the biblical engagement of the whole church by encouraging the development of faithful, innovative, and effective ways to teach and learn Scripture. The event is sponsored by the seven ELCA seminaries, the Hein-Fry planning team, and the ELCA Book of Faith Initiative.

Every year, one student from each seminary is invited to develop and present a class or series for people both familiar and unfamiliar with biblical texts. The students are then invited to report their findings. (Read the full ELCA news release here.)

Visit the Book of Faith website for details and registration information.
Let Lutheran World Relief Help You This Advent
Lutheran World Relief has created FREE, easy-to-use resources based on the RCL

Advent texts from the Gospel of Luke, all available at lwr.org/advent:  
  • 4 weeks of new sermon illustrations (complete with photos and video)  
  • 4 powerful videos to highlight your congregation’s love in action around the world  
  • 4-week small group Bible study guide  
  • Candle lighting litany 

Invite your congregation to experience A Season of Hope this Advent.
Important Dates...

Prayer Calendar: October 17
  • North Prairie Lutheran Church, Lanesboro
  • Spring Garden Lutheran Church, Cannon Falls
  • Msamaria Mwema Getwanasi Lutheran Church, Tanzania
  • Yiiw Lutheran Parish, South Sudan
  • Venezuelan Ministry, Colombia