Background

The Resurrection Fund of the Minneapolis Area Synod was established by the Synod Council in 2017. The Fund will steward proceeds from the sale of property donated to the synod by congregations that have concluded their own ministries.  The initial gift to the Fund was about $1.2 million.  This and subsequent gifts will be used for six purposes:

  • Small grants, to be called Ministry Imagination Grants – using 25% of the total fund

  • ELCA or partner ministries outside the synod – 10%

  • Ministry in the synod that continues a unique gift of the closed congregation – 10%

  • A project or projects within the synod designed to have a major impact – 20%

  • New mission starts within the synod – 25%

  • Synod-initiated programs/projects, Telling the stories of all these projects; administration – 10%

The Synod Council is responsible for the distribution of all funds. It has established a Resurrection Fund Advisory Committee (RFAC) to make recommendations for Ministry Imagination Grants, subject to review by the Synod Council or its Executive Committee.

Purpose and Eligibility

Grant application rounds are open periodically and information about deadlines and eligibility will be shared publicly. For more information, please contact the synod office, info@mpls-synod.org or 612-870-3610.

Resurrection Fund Advisory Committee members

  • Sandra Anderson – Bethlehem Twin Cities, Minneapolis

  • Rev. Matt Flom  – St Philip’s, Fridley

  • Rev. Peter Johnson – St. Andrew, Eden Prairie

  • Rev. Stan Olson (Retired Bishop of SW MN Synod) – Grace University, Minneapolis

  • Rev. Kristin Dybal, Mount Olivet, Plymouth

  • Emma Kasiga, Minnesota Swahili Christian Congregation, Minneapolis

  • Rev. Hierald Osorto, St. Paul’s/San Pablo, Minneapolis

  • Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy, Nativity Lutheran, St. Anthony

Recipients of Resurrection Fund Grants

Alter Guild Podcast – Four pastors (Meta Carlson of Bethlehem Twin Cities–Minnetonka Campus, Matthew Fleming of St. Andrew Eden Prairie, Miriam Samuelson Roberts of Westwood St. Louis Park, and Derek Tronsgard of Good Shepherd Wayzata) will expand their podcast series with topics  encouraging connections, curiosity and empathy from a faith perspective.

Augustana Lutheran, Minneapolis and Messiah Lutheran, Minneapolis – Joint confirmation ministry with the diverse youth of these congregations and their neighborhoods.

Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran and Bethel Lutheran, South Minneapolis – A year-long program to grow relationships between two congregations and build bridges between deaf and hearing individuals within and outside the church.  The program will also educate members and the broader community about deaf culture, teach American Sign Language, and develop congregational capacity to do outreach.

Diamond Lake Lutheran, Minneapolis – Artistic ministry initiative intended to bring religious seekers to Diamond Lake through an alternative weekly worship service using the performing arts to spread the Word of God in its many forms.

First Lutheran, Columbia Heights – “Love God and Love Our Neighborhood” weekly gatherings, focusing on intentional invitation to the diverse immediate neighborhood around the church with food, art, storytelling, games, and other activities.

Gustavus Adolphus, Minneapolis – “Viewpoints and Values” facilitated discussion events on challenging topics, with congregation members and intentionally identified groups of community members.

Holy Trinity Lutheran, New Prague – Car repair ministry for low income neighbors who cannot afford maintenance and repairs to sustain basic transportation for employment.  The ministry will be housed in a newly constructed multi-purpose garage on the church property that will also serve as a workshop for congregational projects.

Mental Health Connect (Bethlehem Twin Cities) – Collaborative ministry with several congregation and organization partners, the grant will help to expand mental health services to three additional congregations, provide volunteer training, and develop “navigator” model of assistance for those struggling with mental health concerns.

Mount Olive Lutheran, Minneapolis – Living Table Lending, an a collaborative partnership intended to provide options to financially vulnerable persons who are often caught in the web of payday lending.

Mount Olivet Lutheran, Plymouth – Development of a prayer wall, labyrinth, benches and signage on the church grounds immediately adjacent to a pedestrian entrance to French Regional Park, providing public witness and welcome.  The project is being developed in coordination with the park and other local organizations.

Nativity Lutheran, St. Anthony Village – Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) assessment and follow up for church leadership (pastors, staff, church council members), intended to be a first phase of IDI assessment that would expand to other ministry teams and groups.

Oak Grove Lutheran, Richfield – “First Responders to First Responders”, developing a ministry of outreach and support for First Responders in Richfield, utilizing both volunteer teams and pastors.

Our Father’s Lutheran, Rockford – Enhancements and upgrades to the kitchen facility that will increase capacity for expanding food ministries in the community.

River of Life Lutheran, Minneapolis – Enhanced outreach initiative to the surrounding neighborhood through marketing, signage, contact management software, and other supplies.

St. James Lutheran, Crystal – Crystal Community Connects, a new outreach initiative focusing on welcome, worship and faith formation, utilizing volunteers and a part-time seminary intern.

Transfiguration Lutheran, Bloomington – Grant will support the first “Addiction and Faith Conference” in the fall of 2018.  The conference will provide resources and support for addiction and recovery for faith leaders and their families.  The hope is that this will become an annual conference.

University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis; Holy Trinity Lutheran, Minneapolis; Mt. Olive Lutheran, Minneapolis; House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Richfield – Development of training videos to teach faith-based community organizing to congregational groups, providing resources for listening and storytelling to connect church and community.

Zion Lutheran, Anoka – Experimental Sunday night worship service targeting nontraditional worshipers and those who can’t attend Sunday mornings.  The grant will support additional musicians, staff time and marketing.

Cross of Peace Lutheran, Shakopee — Space modifications and worship considerations to create a sensory friendly worship experience, to welcome and connect into community those who are often marginalized by developmental challenges.

Grace Lutheran, Minneapolis — Queer Grace Community has a mission of outreach to and spiritual care for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking connection or re-connection with a loving God, a sustaining faith, and a spiritual community.

Grace University Lutheran, Minneapolis — “Gather” will seek to set the table for fellowship, meal,and prayer (Acts 42); a place for those who are hungry for community and faithful connection with other young adults in the Twin Cities. Specifically, our vision includes quarterly Prayer Around the Cross either preceded or followed by a feast that feels abundant (possibly prepared by our returned Holden Village volunteers, who are uniquely equipped to help set the table).

Holy Trinity Lutheran, Minneapolis — Composition and coordination of an inclusive, expansive language liturgy that can be widely shared and utilized across the Lutheran church and beyond.

Minnehaha Communion Lutheran, Minneapolis — “Healing Hub,” “Sensory Library,” and “Songs of My Life” are interwoven efforts to provide safe and welcoming initiatives for people who have experienced trauma in their personal histories and have felt alienated from community.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran, East Bethel — We envision permanent-structured outdoor games, outdoor sports structures, handicap and special needs accessible playground equipment, and a picnic area with a shelter.  This area for children, youth and families will help us to reach out to our neighbors and provide a place of hope and welcome. A refuge from the busyness and stress of life; a place to play, to be safe and set their worries aside for a moment, to build relationships with one another and with God.

Peace Lutheran, Plymouth — “Confirmation Reformation” grounds God’s children in their baptismal identity as the Spirit knits them into the Body of Christ and equips them for life-long growth in faith, hope and love.

St. Paul’s Lutheran, Minneapolis — “Música Para Todos—Music 4 All” seeks to expand the music ministry of St. Paul’s, both in our worship as a multi-cultural, bilingual congregation, and in our outreach to the community. Music is an integral part of celebrating and transmitting culture—it touches the very heart strings of people who gather together. “Música Para Todos—Music 4 All” will enable us to be at the center of cultural expression in our community

Zion Lutheran, Minneapolis — Expansion of Lyndale Community Dinners to provide opportunities for interaction between folks at dinner, participate in other activities with the group and have the space to learn, find needed resources, and worship. Folks come straight from work, from transitional housing, neighbors come as families, Zion members, singles who come so they don’t have to eat alone, senior citizens who like the chance for a good meal without cooking, and others.

Alleluia, St. Michael – American Sign Language interpreter for worship, 2 times per month

Calvary, Edina – PT Minister of Community Engagement

Christ the King, Bloomington –“King’s Game Hall” would host a Community Game Night on Sundays in the Fellowship Hall (remade into “King’s Hall”).

Crown of Glory, Chaska – A ministry program primarily to the retired and senior segment of its congregation as well as non-members and guests.

Holy Trinity, Minneapolis – Transforming Institutional Racism by hiring a consultant and training church members. 

Nativity, St. Anthony Village – Beloved Community – ministry of social justice and advocacy for children, youth and families. There are four components to this program: Advocacy and Witness, Education, Direct Service, and Reflection and Documentation.

Wildfire Congregations in Robbinsdale School District – Temporary staff person as organizer to explore vision for collaboration in ministry to congregations and community. This person will help us, as pastors, activate our membership and keep us, as pastors, accountable to this bigger mission.

Alleluia Lutheran Church, St. Michael — “Knight Packs” – Provide access to food 4x a year over extended holiday breaks for 40 identified families within the STMA school district during the 2019/2020 school year through a supplemental Knights Pack food backpack.  

Cross of Peace Lutheran Church, Shakopee — A summer worship experiment called “Take Out Church” where on the last day of Sunday School, every family would receive a take-out Chinese container with worship supplies, including grape juice and wafers that would be consecrated during worship at Cross of Peace.

Christ Memorial, Plymouth — Materials, plants and signage to rehabilitate a highly visible outdoor chapel area on the church grounds that can be utilized for worship and community gatherings.

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church & Redeemer Lutheran Church, North Minneapolis — “The Word” is a spoken word worship service featuring a meal, live music, an open mic, and a service project (usually a drive of some kind) which is open to the public.  This will address neighborhood issues of food insecurity, artistic gifts, relationship building, and celebration of neighborhood assets.

Tapestry, Richfield — Teatro Tapestry will help youth from diverse backgrounds to develop meaningful relationships through creative engagement with personal and cultural identity in the context of a diverse community of faith.

Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park & Redeemer, Minneapolis — Joint racial justice and equity training for pastors, key staff and congregational leaders building on initial efforts.  Accomplished through speakers, preachers, trainers and a joint trip.

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church & Public Safety Ministries — Create and collect resources of faith-based practices that facilitate spiritual care and growth for law enforcement and public safety personnel.

Holy Trinity, New Prague – Digital Tools for livestreaming

Tapestry, Richfield – Culturally specific trauma and mental health resources

St Olaf, Minneapolis – Preparation of computers for afterschool tutoring

St Paul’s, Minneapolis – Financial assistance to immigrant families for rent, food and healthcare

Salem English, Minneapolis – Technology to upgrade online worship now and after the stay at home restrictions are lifted

Cristo Obrero, Shakopee/Chaska – Sunday School in a shoebox for 12 families; Dia de los Ninos-150 soccer balls for each of two trailer parks

Cross of Peace, Shakopee – Technology to upgrade online worship and other programming. Support for continuing “Take Out Church” program

Our Father’s, Rockford, and Nourishing Hope Technology  – Licensing for online worship now and VBS this summer

Long Lake, Isanti  – Technology and licensing for online worship now and beyond

Christ, Blaine – Video system equipment for live-streaming

Tree of Life, Minneapolis – Updated Tech, music staff, and license for online worship

St Andrew, Eden Prairie – Tech for online worship

Trinity, Watertown – Tech for online worship

Mt Carmel, Minneapolis – Technology for streaming

Peace, Plymouth – Technology & license for streaming

Amazing Grace Ministry – Technology & support with youth trained to do set up

Calvary, Minneapolis – Technology (hot spots) to assist tech challenged members

  • Augustana, Minneapolis –  As the host site for Community Emergency Services, which serves as a vital hub to meet the food insecurities of the neighborhood, Augustan will enhance the experience of neighbors by providing reusable tote/grocery bags, welcome signs, and S.W.A.G.—doled out over time—as reminders that Augustana has been serving this neighborhood for 155 years. Items will be “on message”—Augustana is a church for all people and cares for the physical needs of our neighbors without exception. Such reminders are important, because, though most of neighbors do not worship or identify with Augustana formally [yet], they likely still think of it as “their church.” That identification is precious. And it is an opportunity to move into deeper relationships.
  • Bethel, Minneapolis – “The Loneliness Project” will engage members and the community in addressing the major cultural/spiritual issue of loneliness.  Utilizing Bethel’s large physical footprint in its neighborhood, education and training resources, along with programming and communications resources, will be developed.  The project will enhance use and stewardship of the grounds in order to create livable and healthy places for people to flourish both in their personal lives and in relationship to one another.
  • Bethlehem, Minneapolis –  “Mental Health Connect” is a collaborative ministry started at Bethlehem.  Now, in partnership with over 20 faith communities, MHC will be kicking off the new Let’s Connect, a virtual community where people can connect about mental  health. These connections will be online via Zoom, last for approximately 45 minutes and allow anyone to  join (anonymously or openly) to discuss fears, nervousness, their day or week, and things that may be  troubling them. These are not counseling or therapy session, but open conversation and sharing about  concerns, resources and ideas. MHC wants people to know they’re not alone and that we offer a safe place to share and explore these thoughts.
  • Diamond Lake, Minneapolis – Digital equipment and resources to produce short videos (2x/month) that will connect members with each other and the community.  Original short video segments might be devotional, humorous, soothing, uplifting, reflective, and/or educational, but they will collectively serve as an opportunity to further enhance our lives as Christian disciples.  Videos will be produced by writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and others from within the congregation who will contribute to the content in order to provide a dynamic and reverential online gathering.
  • Faith, Coon Rapids – Utilize enhanced communications technology to offer live and recorded worship services, instructional presentations, and faith-focused programs that will increase community outreach and grow the Christian faith.  The technology upgrades will enable creative congregational members to share stories in new, engaging ways.
  • Our Redeemer Oromo Evangelical Church, Minneapolis – Transform Youth and Children Ministry into one that impacts the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of our children.  Renovate Sunday School classrooms, refurnish them and make them attractive, child-friendly, clean and safe. Purchase age appropriate games and supplies, including bibles and other spiritual books, for each class level.  Train volunteers on how to teach the Word of God to youth and children, especially through the pandemic.  Improve English-speaking worship programs for children and youth.
  • Our Saviour’s, Minneapolis –  “Growing a Community Urban Farm” goals will be: Co-create an inviting, accessible space for diverse neighbors to gather, grow food and medicine, and enjoy beauty; nurture Christian discipleship by connecting permaculture design principles with biblical teachings about land stewardship, and by understanding permaculture as a faithful response to climate change; grow our congregation’s relationships with native/indigenous organizations in our neighborhood; gain and share skills that might, in the future, become economic opportunities for our neighbors; share our learnings with other churches in the synod as we together seek to co-create ‘just and healthy neighborhoods.’
  • Spirit of Joy, Buffalo – Technology upgrades to sound, video, web site, and hearing assist devices that will enable the congregation to meet the changing communication needs of its membership and community.  The goals include: improving event and worship clarity; offering technology to benefit the hearing impaired; enhancing music ministry, which is a major identity of our faith life; encouraging musical participation by more members of our congregation and our community by inviting groups to join our worship and use our sanctuary for concerts; increasing our praise to God, and increasing our understanding of scripture through musical association.
  • Transfiguration, Bloomington – Offer Minneapolis Area Synod congregations a high quality, year-long process of education and training to help faith leaders and congregations understand the challenges of addiction  and learn practical, effective, and meaningful ministry to those who suffer. This process would help call and create newly inspired leadership in congregations which in turn can spur congregational vitalization.
  • Westwood, St. Louis Park –Develop an excellent affordable childcare center in conjunction with a new construction Common Bond Communities affordable housing development. Drawing on over 50 years of experience and expertise developed at Westwood Early Childcare Center, Westwood is excited to launch a second center serving 62 children.  Westwood Lutheran believes that linking affordable housing with excellent on-site child care is a way to contribute to the health and vitality of the community.

Strategic and New Start Ministries

  • Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • Cristo Obrero, Chaska
  • Lao Evangelical Lutheran Church, Robbinsdale
  • MN Swahili Christian Congregation, Minneapolis
  • Oak Knoll Lutheran Church, Minnetonka
  • Our Redeemer Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • St. Paul/San Pablo Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • Tapestry, Richfield
  • Trinity Lutheran Congregation, Minneapolis

2023

  • Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • Christ Church Lutheran, Minneapolis
  • Christ the River of Life, Minneapolis
  • Cristo Obrero, Chaska
  • Cross of Hope Lutheran Church, Ramsey
  • Cross of Peace Lutheran Church, Shakopee
  • Edina Community Lutheran Church, Edina
  • Grace Lutheran Church
  • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
  • Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • Lutheran Campus Ministry, Minneapolis
  • MN Swahili Christian Congregation, Minneapolis
  • Our Father’s Lutheran Church, Rockford
  • Our Redeemer Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • Redeemer Lutheran Church
  • Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • St. Paul/San Pablo Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
  • Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Bloomington
  • Trinity Lutheran Congregation, Minneapolis

2023