Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
21st Century Parables
By Andrew Peterson Synod Executive Committee Member Family of God Lutheran, Brooklyn Park “This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor [...]
Moving Across Borders: Young Adult Journey with Minneapolis Area Synod and Leipzig, Germany
By Pastor Jen Collins “Where you go, I will go.” – Ruth 1:16 Every generation faces pivotal moments—times when crossing boundaries and forging new relationships are essential for hope and renewed vision. In August 2026, [...]
Eyes of Compassion – An Invitation to Practice
Nancy Jenkins is a member at Grace Lutheran Church in Andover. One of her pastors, Joanna Mitchell, is the dean of the Rum River Conference and asked her to write this month's deans blog. She [...]
Costly Solidarity—Close to home and in the Middle East
By Bishop Jen Nagel The January morning when Renee Good was killed, I was at the airport, headed for Palestine and Israel for an ELCA accompaniment visit that included the consecration of Bishop Imad Haddad [...]
Blessed are the Young Adults
By Samantha Johnson Gather Twin Cities Early in the month of January, young adult participants of Gather Twin Cities, Gather Detroit Lakes, Gather Lakes Area (Alexandria), Gather of the Red River Valley (Moorhead), Gather Twin [...]
Renewal, Education, and Connection
By Sarah Maslowski My weekend started at the smallest national park in the United States. Up 630 feet in the air, I leaned forward and peered through one of the small windows in the [...]
Making a Joyful Noise, Together
This post is one of the monthly posts blog posts written by the deans of the conferences of the Minneapolis Area Synod. By Pastor Joseph Schattauer Paillé Community of the Cross Lutheran, Bloomington Dean of [...]
God’s Work, Their Hands
Back in September, worshipping communities all around the country loved their neighbors on the ELCA's day of service, God's Work, Our Hands. We collected pictures and stories from some of those communities. Watch the video [...]
Learning to Rest, Learning to Rise: What Young Adults Are Teaching Me Right Now
By Pastor Kate Reuer Welton Campus Pastor, Lutheran Campus Ministry Twin Cities, University of Minnesota It is, perhaps, no secret that it is a hard time to be a young adult right now. Chaos, cruelty, and [...]
When We Can’t See The Road Ahead: An Open Letter to Parents
Version en Español abajo By Juan Gonzalez A furious storm came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The [...]