Staff Blogs

By Pastor John Hulden

Palm Sunday 2000 years ago. A busy city. A donkey provided. A parade. A rabble-rouser/humble teacher-healer/prophetic Grand Marshall on a palm-strewn path to the heart of the Roman empire. Crowds waving branches. Shouts of Hosanna! Save us! Salvation is here!

Palm Sunday 2026. A busy Twin Cities. Minnesotan Christians leave their houses of worship. A parade with palm branches to the epicenter of governmental power. From church aisles to the Capitol steps. Shouts of Hosanna! Love God, Love Neighbor!

When I joined thousands of other Christians in the parade and worship on Palm Sunday afternoon, was I “preaching politics” with my feet? The parade organizers framed it this way: “On March 29, 2026, Christians across the country took public action to reclaim a faith rooted in love, compassion, and justice.”

Thousands of Christians waving palms at the Minnesota capitol on Palm Sunday

Many of us 1) don’t share our faith in public, nor 2) share our politics in church. (My definition of politics is whenever two or more people work in public to get something done or undone.) If I move into the public square to make our community a better place because of the command of Jesus to love my neighbor, then in my book, I’m being political. And if I encourage other Christians to do the same, I suppose I’m preaching politics.

While many of us might be shy about being “political,” it might seem we are equally shy about sharing our faith. But don’t we go public with our faith every day? We show kindness to a stranger. We deliver groceries to our immigrant neighbor too frightened to venture out. We forgive. We accept the forgiveness of another. We wear a cross.

Likewise, our faith might give us courage to be political. We might find the confidence to talk to a family member about how our faith shapes the way we see events happening in, around, and to us and others. We show up at a community meeting. We might contact our legislator to influence laws that will better reflect love of neighbor. And then there is voting. I hope all of us vote with our deeply held beliefs in mind. Voting is both faithful and political.

I’ve come to believe that our deeply held beliefs—our own theology—will usually win out when we face a tough decision. Theology—faith seeking understanding—can be the foundation for the way we live out our lives, but we need to pay attention to it. Weekly worship helps gird my theological foundation—even if I don’t agree with every word I hear in the sermon or don’t like that one hymn. At the same time, occasionally my theological foundation can shift a bit under my feet: when I hear a challenging and prophetic sermon; after a conversation with a neighbor whose life experience does not mirror mine; grieving the unexpected death of a loved one; being quiet long enough to let the Holy Spirit blow through my anxious head and heart and gut.

Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey (public domain)

Jesus is our guide when we “do” theology. We can mimic the way Jesus showed up where he’s not expected, listened to the voices of those neglected by society, got away to pray, grilled some fish on the shore (he said, “Come and have breakfast!”), and Jesus even took a nap when the storms of life were swirling.

As we enter this holiest of weeks, check in with your theology—faith seeking understanding—and don’t ignore the political narrative in the Holy Week Bible stories.

Let the ancient liturgies lead us from a parade in the public square, to foot washing, to supper, to betrayal, to arrest and detainment, to a conviction, to a death sentence, nailed to the executioner’s cross, to a Saturday of waiting and remembering, to the surprise of a resurrection that was most likely seen as illegal in the eyes of the Roman authorities. Take notice that Jesus was followed by both the shadow and the heavy hand of the empire every step of the way.

I pray as you show up for worship in these next several days, may your faith not only be enlivened but animated. If the passion story of Jesus has rich meaning for you, I challenge you: boldly share your spiritual wonderings and discoveries with a friend… and…  step out in public with neighbors to get something done for the common good.

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 and read more below so you can get ideas for next year and dream about future partnerships!

East Union Lutheran, Carver
Who doesn’t love a parade?
Well, they certainly did in Carver, Minnesota on September 7, where the East Union Lutheran Church float (bedecked in flowers to remind the crowd of our famous spring plant sale) and its attendants greeted the crowd with a sampling of smiles, candy and the bundled seed packets that have become a tradition of East Union’s participation in the annual Steamboat Days parade.
What a perfect opportunity for evangelism in the local community for East Union Lutheran Church!

Christ Lutheran, Blaine
Christ Lutheran in Blaine partnered with many local organizations on God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday!

• Volunteers decorated bags to bring a little cheer to the meals delivered by Meal on Wheels
• Volunteers helped sort out pens and pencils into bunches to prepare for packing School kits. A total of 47 School Kits were packed and dropped off to Lutheran World Relief
• Fleece was cut and tied to make tie blankets for our baby bundle kits. Once the blanket is tied, baby items (bottles, pacifiers, toy, diapers, wipes, onesies, sleepers, bibs, and a receiving blanket) are placed on the blanket and made into a bundle by wrapping the blanket around the items and tying it with a ribbon. These bundles are then donated throughout the year to various places such as: Hope 4 Youth, Southern Anoka County Assistance (SACA), Spring Lake Park School District, and Anoka Hennepin School District
• Volunteers made laundry kits with 2 detergent pods and 2 dryer sheets in Ziploc bags to give to Hope 4 Youth
• CLC (Christ Lutheran Church) quilters prepared quilts for volunteers to tie together. These quilts will then be finished by the CLC Quilters and donated to local nursing homes in their area

Christ Church Lutheran, Minneapolis
Christ Church Lutheran put together laundry kits for Our Saviour’s Community Services.

Thank you to all those mentioned and not mentioned that show the love of Jesus by serving and loving your communities every day!

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 disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

(Mark 4:37-41)

For many of us right now, life might feel like driving through a winter storm in the middle of the night with our kids in the back seat. We’re unsure how long it’s going to last. It’s difficult to see the road ahead, or the road in general. And it’s even more difficult to know what the best choice is to keep our family safe. Regardless, we might feel like we need to keep moving forward, stay calm, and pretend that we have everything under control.

Frustration builds quickly in times like this. Do we slow down? Do we pull over? Or do we keep moving? Should I say something? Or should I stay quiet? Thoughts race and there doesn’t seem to be a perfect answer. All the tension from wishing we had more control over the situation leaves us feeling discouraged and exhausted. Most of us don’t have the energy we feel we need right now.

In a storm, we don’t suddenly become better drivers. Instead, we watch the few feet of road we can see ahead of us, we turn the radio down, we remove distractions and focus on what’s most important: keeping ourselves and our families safe. What’s important to remember for parents who feel the need to “handle this well” is this: Give yourself grace, stay connected, and keep being present.

It’s tempting to keep pretending that everything is fine and calling that hope, but hope doesn’t promise nothing bad will happen. It means we continue showing up in whatever way we can until we make it through the storm.

When our kids sense the storm, and they almost always do, they don’t need an explanation as much as they need reassurance. Jesus is already in the boat before the storm begins. He calms the storm, but in doing so he reminds his disciples to ground themselves in the trust that comes from God when fear and uncertainty feel overwhelming. It’s ok for us to admit that we don’t have all the answers without handing our fear to our children. In times like this, it’s helpful to remind them of what is most important. That they are loved, they are not alone, and that we are here with them.

We don’t know how long the storm will last, but Jesus reminds us that it will not get the final word, even when all we have left is a shred of hope. If all you have energy for is keeping your hands on the wheel and keeping your eyes on the road, that is enough. If all you can offer your children right now is your presence, your love, and your care, that is faithful. Keep showing up. Show up afraid, heartbroken, frustrated, or exhausted if you have to, but keep showing up and it will be enough.

Holding on to hope doesn’t mean the storm will pass quickly. It means that we are committed to accompanying one another through it. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do for our children is to keep going. Slowly, together, and trusting that even if it’s hard to see the road ahead, we can see just enough to take one more step.

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Our Minneapolis Area Synod Welcome Fund stands with our immigrant neighbors who are navigating uncertainty, seeking welcome, and longing for safety and community. By giving to the Welcome Fund, you help ensure that families are not facing life’s storms alone. Give to the Welcome Fund and support immigrant families as they move forward with dignity and hope.

Cuando No Podemos Ver El Camino: Carta abierta a los padres 

Se desató una tormenta furiosa y las olas rompieron sobre el barco, casi inundado. Jesús estaba en la popa, durmiendo sobre un cojín. Los discípulos le despertaron y le dijeron: “Maestro, ¿no te importa si nos ahogamos?” 

Se levantó, reprendió al viento y dijo a las olas: “¡Silencio! ¡Quietos!” Luego el viento se calmó y todo quedó completamente tranquilo. 

Dijo a sus discípulos: “¿Por qué tienen tanto miedo? ¿Siguen sin fe?” 

Estaban aterrorizados y se preguntaron entre ellos: “¿Quién es este? ¡Incluso el viento y las olas le obedecen!”

(Marcos 4:37-41)

Para muchos de nosotros ahora mismo, la vida puede parecer conducir a través de una tormenta invernal en mitad de la noche con nuestros hijos en el asiento trasero. No sabemos cuánto tiempo va a durar. Es difícil ver la carretera delante, o la carretera en general. Y es aún más difícil saber cuál es la mejor opción para mantener a nuestra familia segura. En cualquier caso, puede que sintamos que tenemos que seguir adelante, mantener la calma y fingir que tenemos todo bajo control. 

La frustración crece rápidamente en momentos como este. ¿Reducimos la velocidad? ¿Paramos el coche? ¿O seguimos avanzando? ¿Debería decir algo? ¿O debería quedarme callado? Los pensamientos van a toda velocidad y no parece haber una respuesta perfecta. Toda la tensión de desear tener más control sobre la situación nos deja desanimados y agotados. La mayoría de nosotros no tenemos la energía que sentimos que necesitamos ahora mismo. 

En una tormenta no nos convertimos de repente en mejores conductores. En cambio, observamos los pocos metros de carretera que podemos ver delante, bajamos el volumen de la radio, eliminamos las distracciones y nos centramos en lo más importante: mantenernos a salvo a nosotros mismos y a nuestras familias. Lo importante que hay que recordar para los padres que sienten la necesidad de “manejar esto bien” es esto. Ten compasión de ti mismo, mantente conectado, sigue presente. 

Es tentador el pretender que todo está bien y llamarlo esperanza, pero la esperanza no garantiza que no vaya a pasar nada malo. Significa que seguimos presentándonos de cualquier forma posible hasta que superemos la tormenta. 

Cuando nuestros hijos perciben la tormenta, y casi siempre lo hacen, no necesitan una explicación tanto como aseguranza. Jesús ya está en el barco antes de que empiece la tormenta. Calma la tormenta, pero al hacerlo recuerda a sus discípulos que deben anclarse en la confianza que proviene de Dios cuando el miedo y la incertidumbre se sienten abrumadores. Está bien admitir que no tenemos todas las respuestas sin transmitir nuestro miedo a nuestros hijos. En momentos como este es útil recordarles lo que es más importante. Que son amados, que no están solos y que estamos aquí con ellos. 

No sabemos cuánto durará la tormenta, pero Jesús nos recuerda que no tendrá la última palabra, incluso cuando todo lo que nos queda es un atisbo de esperanza. Si lo único para lo que tienes energía es mantener las manos en el volante y la vista en la carretera, eso es suficiente. Si todo lo que puedes ofrecer a tus hijos ahora mismo es tu presencia, tu amor y tu cuidado, eso es fiel. Sigue estando presente. Llega asustado, con el corazón roto, frustrado o agotado si es necesario, pero sigue estando presente y será suficiente. 

Aferrarse a la esperanza no significa que la tormenta pase rápido. Significa que estamos comprometidos a acompañarnos mutuamente a través de ella. A veces, lo más fiel que podemos hacer por nuestros hijos es seguir adelante. Poco a poco, juntos, y confiando en que, aunque sea difícil ver el camino que tenemos por delante, podemos ver lo suficiente para dar un paso más. 

By Pastor Ryan Fletcher

How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts!

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest
where she may lay her young, by the side of your altars,
O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

                                                                                        Psalm 84: 1, 3

In early December, I sat with Pastor Nhiabee Vang in a very full and vibrant fellowship hall for a New Year Celebration at Amazing Grace Hmong Lutheran (one of the three MAS New Ministries). The jingle of thousands of silver coins stitched to vests, blouses, and belts transformed communal energy into audible sound. The bright colors and intricate designs were reminiscent of a field of wildflowers in bloom against the backdrop of the celebration’s theme, Golden Harvest. Children danced. Traditional music was shared. Pastor Nhiabee welcomed community members and invited faith in the abundance of God for the year ahead.

Pastor Nhiabee Vang

Returning to our table, I leaned closer to Pastor Nhiabee, as he generously explained the significance of New Year in Hmong culture. In a word, he said Hmong New Year is about “homecoming.” It is rooted in the traditional belief that a soul that wanders from home needs to return at least once per year. The golden harvest is a spiritual harvest. It is the ingathering of our wandering spiritual selves that need to be reconnected with family members both living and dead.

In practice, Hmong New Year also gave dispersed people opportunity to share news, to find life partners, and simply enjoy the gifts of community. In symbolic games and dances, these rich traditions live on. And as Pastor Nhiabee explains, beneath these festivities lives a cornerstone of Hmong culture expressed now in Christian faith: the community calls our wandering souls back home.

Listening to Pastor Nhiabee speak of a living thing expressed in sights and sounds and smells all around me, I felt the ancient truth that he so clearly proclaimed. The Bible is filled with stories of wandering souls called back home. It is the story of Abraham and Sarah. It is the story of Joseph and his brothers. It is the story of Moses and the whole people of God. It is the story of every prophet. It is the story of Naomi and Ruth. It is the story of Jesus and his disciples. As the psalmist proclaims, “even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest.”

At Amazing Grace, Hmong New Year is an ingathering where weary souls find a home by the altars of the LORD. Members remain faithful to this homecoming despite the disruptions that have forced them to rebuild nearly eight thousand miles away from the place their ancestors called home. As Pastor Nhiabee proclaims, the golden harvest of New Year is abundant. In our connection to community, God provides all that we need for the year ahead.

I am deeply thankful for the witness and wisdom of Amazing Grace Hmong Lutheran, and I invite you to receive the good news that Christ proclaims in and through their community. Our wandering souls must return. In the LORD, even the sparrow has found a home!

By Pastor Jen Collins

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. (Isaiah 40:1)

What’s your word right now? Mine is OVERWHELMED.

As I spend time with people in various communities, the number one word that I’ve heard over these last couple of weeks is “OVERWHELMED.” A close second was the word, “TIRED.”  Marriam-Webster Dictionary defines Overwhelmed (Adj.) as “completely overcome or overpowered by thought or feeling.” I imagine people everywhere are striving to navigate all the ways we want transformation from the current place we are in and move beyond it. We’ve wanted to endure a world that feels more connected, safer, and not as hostile or lonely. I don’t know if we have found it, yet.

We are coming to a close on Advent – a season that is intended for us to find solace and calm. A time for awaiting the celebration of Jesus’ birth. However, in my experience, it has been anything but silent nights.

As I listen to seminary students, pastoral and organizational leaders, and everyday folks in grocery stores, mechanic shops, assembly lines, and postal services – people are feeling overwhelmed.

I can recount those moments when it truly feels like we are drowning – like we are trying to get out of the pits we are in only to have more heaped upon us. I can just feel the tension in the space between my shoulder blades pulling tighter, the aches in my temples, and the desire to crawl under the sheets into darkness. I also have experienced the nauseated feeling, reminding me that I haven’t eaten or slept enough.

Why do we do it? How do we escape the grind?  Why do we afflict one another and ourselves? This is certainly not good. Not for me and not for those I am to care for.

Through practice in therapy, spiritual direction, and a cohort of women leaders, I have been able to understand that “self-care is community care.” I often cling to this wisdom, especially during times where things feel so overwhelming. I use this guiding wisdom that brings me comfort amidst anxiety, busyness, and overwhelming moments.

One technique that I learned from the book, “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies,” by Resmaa Menakem (Central Recovery Press) involves releasing trauma from the body. This body-based meditation exercise called “the body scan” helps to lessen feelings of overwhelm in the body. The practice involves sitting down and focusing on what your body reveals about emotions and interactions with others – it’s about paying attention and listening to your body. We have millions of interactions daily, and our bodies speak to us – we just might not be listening. We must remember that we are embodied beings who live not just with our spirit and mind, but with our bodies as well.

I have found that this “Body Scan” practice helps build my capacity for awareness, understanding, and compassion for others. Over time, I believe we can learn to tell when we are open or closed off from ourselves and each other. This can be a healing tool as we encounter overwhelming things. It takes time to learn how to lean into the world of being human together – of being beloved together.

The writer of Isaiah begins with this word: COMFORT. The comfort the Prophet shares is the reassurance that God does not leave God’s people. God is with us. God affirms that we are not garbage, we all are worthy. God with us, Emmanuel, Christ reminds us that we serve a God who brings COMFORT, a God who desires for us to care for ourselves and one another. Redemption began with a baby, love came to be with us, now and always.

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A Christmas Devotional

Prayer:

God hear our prayer, when we are overwhelmed, help us pause, breathe, and reflect. When it feels too much to carry, may we lean more on you. When darkness seems to have blurred our path, may your light guide our next step. God, we are so grateful to know you never leave and we are not alone. May we be reminded of your love for us all. Bring us peace. Bring us hope. Amen.

Discussion questions to journal or talk through with family or friends:

1. Can you think of a time someone extended care for you? What did they do and how did it make you feel?
2. Think about a time you needed help but didn’t ask for it. What do you wish you could have changed about that experience?
3. How do you care for yourself? Do you reach out for help and support to heal (mentally, physically, or spiritually)?
4. What type of practices help you find comfort and peace? (i.e. The Body Scan meditation)

By Pastor John Hulden

Our synod’s annual Power and Boundaries Workshops have just concluded. This year they were led by my colleague from the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, Pastor Emily Carson. Karen Alexander, our synod’s Administrator for Roster and Call Process, made sure there were invitations/reminders/gracious demands sent to deacons and pastors who have not attended these workshops in the last three to five years. All rostered leaders, in their letter of call, are required to attend to their professional and personal boundaries. So, every year we host these workshops. Lo and behold, Karen let me know that I was on the list of “need to attend again.” I guess all these years I’ve been hosting and attending these workshops, I failed to register. : )

Teaching 7^th graders the Ten Commandments always reminds me of a mini workshop on power and boundaries. I would advise those young people that when you work at following these ten rules, you’ll have a good life, deep friendships, and you’ll only miss out on a few parties. If you think about it, the two tablets of stone given to Moses are the OG of lessons in Power and Boundaries.

With all the legislation flying around many states ordering the public display of the 10 Commandments, rarely is it acknowledged that we Lutherans number them differently than many other denominations. Also, in our church art, we only put the first three commandments on one tablet (our relationship with God) and the last seven on the second tablet (our relationship with each other).

I would remind those 7^th Graders that our God isn’t stupid. The second tablet of rules aligns with our lives as we grow older. #4 commandment: honor the first people you meet, your parents.  #5 might be about the next people you meet: don’t kill your siblings, remembering Cain and Abel. #6: As you get older, you may be attracted to someone else, if so, have an honorable relationship. #7: Should I get a job or just steal stuff? #8: Should I gossip in the break room at work or speak well of others? #9 & 10: Be happy with the gifts given you—don’t covet other people’s stuff or other people’s relationships.

It’s always a pleasant surprise when scientific studies back up what we teach. Thanks to a recent blog  from Leaderwise.org, I read about the study of two playgrounds:

The project was simple: Ask a couple teachers to bring their classes to two specific playgrounds and watch what happens. Both playgrounds had similar attractions, and both were in safe places; the main difference was that one of them had a fence around the park. [The researcher] noted that on the playground with no fence, “the children remained huddled around their teacher, fearful of leaving out of her sight.” In contrast, the space with a clear and distinct boundary “exhibited drastically different results, with the children feeling free to explore within the given boundaries.”

by Laura Beth Buchleiter https://www.leaderwise.org/blog/boundaries-hold-us-free

Boundaries Training with Rev. Emily Carson on November 14, 2025

How about that? Fences and boundaries are good and help us flourish.

For years I’ve been explaining my weird pastor job serving this synod by saying I get invited by congregational leaders to parties and problems. A party, for example, can come in the form of a spirit-filled call process that crescendos towards the installation of a new pastor or deacon. A problem? Every season there seems to be one that I haven’t seen before. Yes, problems seem novel on the surface, but many stem from a boundary crossing or an abuse of power.

So, hey church workers, keep showing up every three years to those workshops. It’ll do you good. It’ll do the whole church good. And you’ll only miss a few parties.

By Pastor Jen Collins

Since God chose you to be the holy people God loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.By P

(Colossians 3: 12-15, New Living Translation)

In October and November, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in many 1:1 conversations, building relationships in a variety of ways, from congregants to churchwide staff leaders, to local leaders and folks along the way. This is part of my role as a pastor and as a Synod staff member. The deep investment in relationships allows me to continue to find support, to learn and grow, and to uplift our value of being Church Together. These conversations with our Minneapolis communities and beyond show me that I need the support, continued learning, and growth so that I can too support, teach, and grow with others! In the prophetic and truth telling words of Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better, do better.”

In a specific 1:1 conversation recently, scaffolding was used as a metaphor to speak about the continued support, learning, and growth for us as people. Scaffolding by definition is defined as a temporary structure used while building, repairing, or cleaning a building. I really appreciate this imagery as I think of our faith formation journeys and commitments to building a sense of community and collective work for common good.

Pastor Jen Collins at the ELCA Churchwide Synod Racial Justice Leaders Gathering in October

I attended the first ELCA Churchwide Synod Racial Justice Leader Gathering the last weekend of October. Racial Justice work in the Minneapolis Area Synod is a part of the portfolio I hold as Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Vitality. At the gathering, we centered our time on relationships, rest, and reforming! The tagline for the weekend was: “Braver conversations, bolder witness…for such a time as THIS!” This time spent was so valuable. It was scaffolding for me.

This time at the gathering provided support to help one another learn new skills and be renewed and empowered for this lifetime journey. I acknowledged that we’d gradually be removing the supports, heading home, and coming back from Chicago to our home synods in order to walk with our communities, to be Church Together, and to flourish as we practice entering braver conversations and becoming bolder witnesses. I give thanks to all our leaders that weekend: ELCA Director of Racial Justice in the office of Presiding Bishop, Jennifer De Leon, and Racial Justice Manager Rev. Christina Montgomery (ELCA Racial Justice Ministries). Our keynote speakers were Robert Smith and Aja Martinez (authors of The Origins of Critical Race Theory: The people and ideas that created a movement), Kyle Williams and Kamal Carter (A Long Talk), and Rev. Lucille “CeCee” Mills (the newly-elected Secretary of the ELCA).

This concept of scaffolding applies in so many areas of faith formation. It is my hope for you — in your places and space and as followers of Jesus — you are encouraged. Whether you are a person who needs the scaffolding or you are the one putting up the scaffolding in order to guide another. May we strive wholeheartedly to continuously be learners, teachers, and mentors, where we help one another develop resilience. This takes time…

I love the space to wonder about scaffolding in this upcoming season of Advent. We have time individually and collectively to imagine the work that needs to be built, repaired, or renewed. We can enter these new days as reformer — strong, bold, committed to building a sense of community, and an active a part of the collective work for common good. “God chose you to be the holy people God loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

I will end with this blessing for rest and renewal from Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley

Go in courage to lie down, in sacred defiance of a world that would rather own your body than protect it. May you say, “no” and “I’m leaving” and “I’m not saving this,” your boundaries never predicated on apology. In a time of frenzied activity, may you choose stillness, and this breath, and this silence… and sleep, that you might dream. Amen.

To learn more about Minneapolis Area Synod Racial Justice work, visit the Racial Justice page on our website. You will find information about the MAS Racial Justice Team, resources, and dates for upcoming gatherings.

By Nicholas Tangen

Last month, we received word that the Minneapolis Area Synod would receive a “scaling grant” from the Lilly Endowment to continue and expand the work of Faith & Neighboring Practices. We are so grateful for the possibilities that this grant affords us and are looking forward to growing our team and imagining new pathways for accompanying churches as they embed themselves in the places where God has called them.

Over the past months, I’ve been struck again and again by the power and necessity of connected communities – those networks of gifts, strengths, and capacities that build resilient neighborhoods. I’m curious and committed to discovering ways that our Synod can be part of supporting those networks in churches and neighborhoods across the region, learning from neighbors across the country and right next door.

In September, I attended the World Hunger Leaders Retreat in Columbus, Ohio, for a few days of community-building and learning alongside hunger leaders from across the country. We spent one of our days visiting ministry and hunger sites across the city, connecting with neighbors, church members, and clergy committed to the common good.

I was especially inspired by the Church for All People on the South Side of Columbus – a community grounded in Asset-Based Community Development and the power of relational transformation. We spent the afternoon with Deacon Katelin Hansen who introduced us to the South Side and talked about Church for All People’s core values — a divine economy of abundance, a front porch for all people, the glass is half full, hospitality is radical, start small but start, and grace is touchable.

Grounded in these commitments, Church for All People has created an incredible network of ministries and communities contributing to the common good in Columbus. Their church began with a free store, where neighbors can shop for clothing and household goods. They run the Fresh Market, one of the largest distributors of free food in the city. And through their community, housing development organizations have contributed to the creation of more than 350 units of affordable housing. I was blown away by the incredible reach of this one faith community in their neighborhood.

It was hard to not feel overwhelmed by the scale of Church for All People’s ministry – and at points I found myself thinking, “How does one community do all this?”. But Deacon Katelin reminded us that every single bit of their work started with small steps rooted in relationship. They didn’t just suddenly open a free store, but built relationships with neighbors, institutions, and organizations that over time made the free store a possibility. They didn’t just open Fresh Market, but tended relationships with neighbors, food shelves, and non-profits, and took advantage of a liquor store going out of business to invest in property that could serve a unique and needed purpose. And they didn’t open 350 affordable housing units at once but began with one property rehabbed by church members and neighbors. Start small, but start.

I was so grateful for the reminder that so much possibility exists in neighborhoods across our country – so much possibility exists in the neighborhoods across the Minneapolis Area Synod. And it’s easy for churches to feel like they need to launch massive initiatives from scratch to be successful. But Church for All People, and hundreds of ministries like them, remind us that it all begins by taking the relationships in our neighborhoods seriously and by taking the time to build deep and mutual connections with our neighbors, especially those who don’t often get invited to the table.

Faith & Neighboring Practices is one effort in the Minneapolis Area Synod to tend to these kinds of relationships. Our niche is accompanying congregations as they take those first faithful steps out into the community. The scaling grant from the Lilly Endowment will allow us to continue and expand this ministry in our Synod, and my prayer is that we can continue learning from partners and neighbors like Church for All People, — to start small, but to start – and to trust that God’s abundance is greater than the story of scarcity that so dominates our world. Imagine what might be possible!