By Bishop Ann Svennungsen What joy I felt to see the Star Tribune’s picture of the Somali family reunited last Thursday. Peeking behind a teddy bear as big as she, a four-year-old girl stands embraced by her sisters and mother – together after more than three years of separation. Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota (LSS) [...]
By Rev. John Hulden, Assistant to the Bishop How is your congregation doing at lifting up leaders and sending them out to serve the Church? Can you name someone from your congregation who felt the call to leadership in the church and now is a children, youth, and family director? How about someone who is [...]
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen In times like these, the social teachings of the ELCA are a significant gift as we in the church discern how to act in fresh, faithful, and wise ways in response to the issues of our day. I commend the social statements, along with the catechism, as good reading in this [...]
Recently I participated in the installations of two new pastors who were called to serve churches set in very different contexts. One was a thriving congregation in an affluent suburb, the other was a new mission start in an eclectic urban neighborhood. Both of these installation services were distinct and wonderful. Still, each shared a [...]
By Rev. Craig Pederson, Assistant to the Bishop During this time of year, we see an endless stream of “Best of” and “Top Ten” lists that review practically every aspect of our lives – the best doctor, dentist, burger, beer, car, microwave, movie, musical, etc. Some of these lists are data-driven, some are the opinions [...]
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen We’re not always good at waiting. Stopped at a red light or standing behind several others in the checkout line, we become antsy, impatient. So, when Advent calls us into the spiritual practice of waiting – prayerful, expectant waiting – we’re not sure we like the invitation. Last year, however, I [...]
By Rev. Deb Stehlin, Director for Evangelical Mission As I’ve been out and about lately, I’ve noticed people wearing safety pins. It’s something that first started after the Brexit vote in Europe, as a sign that the person wearing the pin is “safe.” A person wearing a safety pin has decided to help if someone [...]
By Rev. John Hulden, Assistant to the Bishop I took piano lessons from my dear, dear Mother. Besides being the church organist/soloist/choir director in many of my dad’s parishes, my Mom also had many piano students. I’m sure I was her worst student. I never practiced. Ever. My guess … by the time she got [...]
As I opened the over-sized cardboard box, I first noticed an ancient-looking coloring book page with pastel markings of a bunny and an egg. But the next level of excavation in this container my aunt had dutifully kept for decades yielded an advertisement carefully cut out of a magazine when I was likely still in [...]
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen What happens after an election -- especially one as divisive as this? What is the role of the church? The synod? The congregation? As in all elections, there are winners and losers. Most of us learned as children about the appropriate responses to such events. After losing the state basketball championship [...]
