Staff Blogs

By Pastor Wondimu Sonessa

In December of 2023, leaders of our Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities and our Strategic Ministry congregations gathered for their quarterly meeting with the chair of the synod’s Mission Table, Pastor Deanna Kim Bassett, and the Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM) – me. Tapestry Ministry, a bi-lingual ministry in Richfield, hosted the meeting. Our conversation focused on the importance of local congregational partnership.

Pastor Catrina Ciccone of Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran Church led this conversation in which we all saw (from the list on the white board) that our New and Strategic ministries could use more congregational partnerships. We became aware that some ministries have many partnerships, while others have few.

“2024 has been designated by the Mission Table as the ‘Year of Partnership.’”

The office of the DEM together with the Mission Table team have been praying and working on how to approach the need for congregational partnerships. This resulted in designating FY2024 as the “Year of Partnership.” With this designation in mind, we plan to engage in creative and strategic methods that will be helpful to connect our New Ministries and Strategic Ministries with congregations interested in building relationships. This includes reflecting on our understanding of partnership and expectations of these congregational connections.

SOME OF OUR MINISTRIES have experiences of partnership connections that didn’t last longer or lead to the expected outcome. For this reason, we have been exploring the real need at each ministry site with their respective pastors.

At a quarterly meeting hosted by Minnesota Swahili Christian Congregation on March 7, we shared this vision with all ministries leaders and invited each pastoral leader to respond to the following three questions:

• What does your congregation/ministry bring to the ministry of the partner congregations?
• What does your congregation/ministry expect from your partnership congregation?
• What is your priority in ministry?

We received highly encouraging and insightful feedback from our pastors.

“Some of our ministries have experiences of partnership connections that didn’t last longer or lead to the expected outcome.”

In the coming months, we will share with you these responses through our synod enews. In highlighting one or two ministries every few weeks, we invite your congregation to hear their story as a voice calling for partnership. This is a call to mutual appreciation and enriching relationship for the sake of the gospel.

Making this happen may require your willingness to share the spiritual gifts and resources that the Lord has entrusted to your congregation. No matter how big or small your congregation is, your fellowship is needed more than ever.

If you allow me to borrow the apostle Paul’s words to the Ephesians, “I … beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). May the love and peace of Christ guide our response to this call for partnership.

By Mercy Zou Taithul

In remembrance of the death of India’s highest recognized civilian, Ratan Naval Tata, who passed away on October 9, 2024, I would like to share one of his beautiful stories called “Four Stages of Happiness.”

A little bit about Ratanji (Ratan’s nickname): He was an Indian industrialist and philanthropist, serving as the chairman of Tata Group and Tata Son. He received the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honor in India. He also received the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honor in 2000.

Ratanji Tata said:

 I have gone through four stages of happiness in life, and I finally understood the meaning of true happiness. The first stage was to accumulate wealth and resources. But at this stage, I didn’t get the happiness I wanted. Then came the second stage of collecting valuables and items. But I realized that the effect of these things is also temporary and the luster of precious things does not last long.

Then came the third phase of getting a big project. That was when I had 95% of the diesel supply in India and Africa. I was also the owner of the largest steel factory in India and Asia. But even here I did not get the happiness that I had imagined.

The fourth step was when a friend of mine asked me to buy a wheelchair for some disabled children — about 200 children. At the behest of a friend, I immediately bought a wheelchair. But the friend insisted that I go with him and hand over the wheelchairs to the children. I got ready and went with him. There I gave these children this wheelchair with my own hands. I saw a strange glow of happiness on the faces of these children. I saw them all sitting in wheelchairs, moving and having fun. It was as if they had reached a picnic spot, where they were sharing a winning gift. I felt real happiness inside me. 

When I decided to leave, one of the kids grabbed my leg. I tried to slowly release my legs, but the child looked at my face and held my legs tight. I leaned over and asked the child, “Do you need anything else?” The answer this kid gave me not only shocked me but also completely changed my outlook towards like. This child said, “I want to remember your face so that when I meet you in heaven, I can recognize you and thank you again.”

IN LIFE WE TEND TO focus on goals that bring temporary happiness, such as fame, attention, power, money, and the like. Professor Mark Tranvik, formerly of Augsburg University and Luther Seminary, calls these false satisfactions “small gods” that we create within ourselves.

Just as Ratanji mentioned in the fourth phase, however, I find happiness when I share what I have – my gifts, love, caring – with my neighbors. It just feels right.

This comes down to a question: Who is your neighbor? Everyone has their own way of defining who their “neighbors” are. But to me, everyone is our neighbor because we are all the children of God; we are encouraged to love one another as Jesus loves us.

“Everyone has their own way of defining who their “neighbors” are.”

In Matthew’s Gospel, it says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depends all the Law and the Prophets.”

I often ask myself “In what ways do I want to be remembered after my death?” I normally answer, “I would love to be remembered for my kindness, love, and positivity that I share with others.”

So, I invite you to reflect on these two questions: What does happiness mean to you? How do you want to be remembered?

I encourage you to give yourself some time to think about these questions as it might help you to view happiness and life differently.

By Pastor John Hulden

Fair Hills, Cragun’s, Madden’s, Grand View Lodge, Heartwood, Arrowwood.

If you have driven to the lakes country north of the Twin Cities, some of these names might be familiar. This is a list of the resorts that have hosted Bishop’s Theological Conferences for the three Minnesota synods where I’ve served.

What, you might ask, is a Bishop’s Theological Conference (BTC)? It’s the annual gathering of pastors and deacons, akin to a professional development event for other occupations, where we worship, network, learn, enjoy some free time, and, yes, socialize a bit, too. (I’m grateful to my Northwestern Minnesota Synod colleagues who welcomed all to Cabin 69 in the evenings at Fair Hills, as well as to Wayne and Bruce for hosting evening gatherings for the Minneapolis Area Synod BTC for decades!)

“We are all on the path moving from novice to expert in our callings – always on the journey of learning in a changing world with a faith seeking understanding.”

Joining a synod staff after 26 years in parish ministry, I find these gatherings to be my “congregation.” As a synod pastor, my church community are the lay leaders, church staff, and pastors and deacons of our 130+ congregations that stretch up north from Braham and Dalbo down to New Prague and Henderson. (Redeemer Lutheran in Henderson is the oldest congregation in our synod.) And we extend from our central city congregations out west to Monticello, Buffalo, and Watertown.

THESE PAST FEW DAYS, more than 120 deacons and pastors carved time out of their schedule and headed out after Sunday worship to the Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria for two overnights. What do pastors and deacons learn? This year we asked how does our Lutheran theology and tradition “root us in this moment and equip us for pastoral care, preaching, and engagement”?

Ask your pastor or deacon what was a takeaway from the presentations by our speakers: the Rev. Dr. DeWayne Davis (our neighbor to the synod office serving at Plymouth Congregational Church), our very own Pastor Aaron Fuller (zooming in from his ELCA Service and Justice work as a mission pastor at Bratislava International Church in Slovakia), along with a panel of our synod’s pastors.

To drop a few more names, past speakers at our BTC included Dr. Catherine Meeks, Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Bishop Yeheil Curry, Dr. Michael Chan, Pastor Heidi Neumark. You can view a list stretching back to 2013 here:  https://mpls-synod.org/pastors-deacons/bishops-theological-conference/

“The Bishop’s Theological Conference is an annual gathering of pastors and deacons, akin to a professional development event for other occupations, where we worship, network, learn, enjoy some free time, and, yes, socialize a bit, too.”

Continuing Education is expected of our deacons and pastors. Continuing Education should be expected of their leaders by our congregations. We are all on the path moving from novice to expert in our callings – always on the journey of learning in a changing world with a faith seeking understanding. Our letters of call to a congregation include an expectation to attend this annual event, and in addition, time and money for rostered leaders to step away for two weeks a year for learnings that benefit not only the pastor or deacon but also the congregation they serve.

BTC is neither vacation time nor should it be the only continuing ed opportunity. The cost of BTC should be built into the congregational budget.

Like a week away at one of our amazing Lutheran Bible Camps, where faith, fun, and friendships flourish, I look forward to next year’s BTC already. How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity (Psalm 133:1) … even for just a few days. I’m all in favor of resorting to learn.

By Nicholas Tangen

I discovered Centering Prayer almost a decade ago from a Spiritual Director who invited me to explore the contemplative dimensions of the Christian tradition and embrace meditation as a counterbalance to the busyness of full-time work and school. Centering Prayer is a practice that invites us to rest in God, to set an intention to be open, and to keep opening to God’s loving embrace. There are four (seemingly simple) steps:

1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. This sacred word represents your intention to sit with God, to remain open, and to let go of the many things racing across your consciousness during the sit.
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
3. When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word. This is where the rubber hits the road. Thoughts, in Centering Prayer, are not bad; they are inevitable and integral. Thoughts will come, but when they do during this practice, we return to the sacred word, reaffirming our intention to sit with God.
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.

“I discovered the value and rhythm of stillness in my daily life.”

I’ll admit, it took me a while to fall in love with this silent method of prayer. The first few times I sat for the practice my mind raced with anxiety and checklists and memories and a song I heard on the radio last week. I’d wonder, “What was that sound?” Or, “What am I supposed to be doing again?”

I would open my eyes, certain the prescribed 20 minutes was closing in, only to find I had been sitting for five. I wasn’t sure I could keep this practice up.

BUT SLOWLY, AS I continued to set the intention to rest in God daily and remain open to God’s presence and action within, I began to encounter the moments of peace, gratitude, and healing that are the fruits of the practice. During my day, as troubling or frustrating thoughts and experiences occurred, I found myself more and more able to let go of my emotional attachments to them, to let them pass by like the many other thoughts cruising down my stream of consciousness. I found a little more patience, a little more compassion, and a little more grace.

I also discovered the value and rhythm of stillness in my daily life. The culture we live in attaches so much value to things like busyness, speed, consumption, and accumulation that to stop, to rest, or to just be still can feel like death.

“Centering Prayer has been such a healing balm amid the destructive and toxic habits present in the cult of busyness.”

But in Centering Prayer I have learned to savor those spaces of quiet and stillness in between sprints of frenetic energy. I’ve learned the value of being present to the moment, to the presence of God, and to the presence of my neighbor. And I’ve learned to listen with the ear of my heart, as St. Benedict would say.

Centering Prayer has been such a blessing in my relationship with God, and such a healing balm amid the destructive and toxic habits present in the cult of busyness. I crave the deep breathes I can take when I sit with my sacred word for those 20 minutes, and I’m grateful to be held by the God who values me for who I am, not what I can produce.

What are the practices and postures that create space for rest, breath, and presence in your own life?

If you would like to learn more about Centering Prayer, visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org.

By Pastor Wondimu Sonessa

Last week, September 11 in particular, marks one year since I received the call to serve as an interim director of evangelical mission for the Minneapolis Area Synod. One privilege of being a DEM is that I am able to work closely with mission developers and pastors of strategic congregations. In the last year, I learned a lot from pastors’ creative approach to mission, their humble and courageous personality in the face of challenges, and their persistence and wisdom that contribute to the growth of the ministries.

Allow me to share a few examples:

Tapestry ministry celebrated the tenth anniversary of its establishment as a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community (SAWC) of the synod on September 14. For the leaders at Tapestry, mission development involves not just preaching and sending people home, but also sharing Christ’s love through food with immigrants to whom even the land of plenty may feel like a desert place because they encounter a new culture and do not speak English. Tapestry integrates the need to help people practice their faith in migration with the need to address their physical, social, and emotional needs.

Tapestry’s 10th anniversary celebration

Gathering around a meal allows people to develop trust and be open to tell their own stories to each other. This ultimately leads to regaining confidence and strength to stand on their own feet and become productive members of the community. Indeed, this is worth celebrating.

“Tapestry integrates the need to help people practice their faith in migration with the need to address their physical, social, and emotional needs.”

The same day, I also attended the Lutheran Social Service (LSS) of Minnesota’s celebration of the generosity that changes lives and raised more than “$1.1 million for its services that touch 1 in 63 Minnesotans” every year. With the ever-increasing migratory waves to North America from around the globe, congregations have been at the forefront of welcoming and walking alongside those who are forced to relocate to this part of the world.

LSS is committed to sharing Christ’s love through a risk-taking adventure of feeding, accompanying, and serving strangers. This is what we are called to do as a family of God.

ON THE VERY NEXT DAY, I attended worship at Cristo Obrero, which provides Word and Sacrament ministry in Chaska and Shakopee. Although I don’t speak Spanish, the well-organized worship bulletin helped me to join in the active participation of the worshippers. I witness that Pastor Jorge Espinoza led a well-organized Lutheran liturgy.

Lutheran Social Service 2024 Gala

What makes it a special day is that Neymar was received into the communion of saints through the sacrament of Baptism. After receiving a sign of the cross on his forehead and a candle in his hand, it was a joy to see him walk among the congregation with a smiling face and share Christ’s peace with other congregation members.

“Each celebration delivered a clear message that we are gathering as a family of God notwithstanding the size of the space they occupied.”

These three gatherings happened at different sites to celebrate the lifechanging work of God through their respective agency. Each celebration delivered a clear message that we are gathering as a family of God notwithstanding the size of the space they occupied.

As Pastor Jorge presides over the baptism, Pastor Stephanie pours water into the font.

These children of God represent a voice of the church in society calling each individual person to share love crossing lines that some people find to be dividing lines. But only through relationships can we identify our neighbors’ needs and address them in a way that changes their lives and renews their hope. In so doing, we are gathering as a family of God.

By Bob Hulteen

I’m a communications director. I’ve previously been employed by faith-based nonprofits, and now I work on messaging for the synod – telling the synod’s story in a light that is accessible and relatable. Often it involves discerning the optimal angle from which to view a situation. I’m fully aware that most people call this “spin.”

Whenever I talk with folks in the church, I go to my most authoritative source: The West Wing – you know, the show starring Martin Sheen. But, first, let’s take a look at the Bible. In fact, let’s consider this week’s Revised Common Lectionary reading: For the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, the gospel reading is Mark 8:27-38. Let’s take a quick look at the middle section, just after Jesus asks his crew, while in Caesarea Philippi, what people are saying about him:

“[Jesus] began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.”

Well, first, wow on Peter. That took some “courage” to rebuke Jesus.

“The theology of the cross calls us to do better than spin.”

Second, I can almost imagine what Peter said. Or, at least, I can imagine what I would have said. “Hey, Jesus. You know, we’ve been doing pretty well lately. The crowds are growing. And, I don’t know if you know this, Jesus, but talking about being rejected and suffering and dying doesn’t really sell well. Could we try something a little more uplifting? How about if you just say, ‘There, of course, will be challenges ahead, but don’t worry, all will be good in the end.’ I think folks might go for that more.”

It’s all about how you sell it. It’s all about the spin.

OKAY, NOW LET’s ALL be reminded of The West Wing. (At least, I hope this is a reminder of a particular episode. Everyone should have watched the entire series – multiple times – by now.)

The tension in this Year 2000 episode (or the side-tension to relieve a little of the tension from the primary motif) centers around Charlie, President Bartlet’s personal assistant, telling a reporter from Oregon that the President doesn’t like green beans.

Charlie and CJ discuss President Bartlet’s dislike of green beans in an episode of The Wing Wing.

What’s the big deal with that? Press Secretary C.J. Cregg reminds Charlie that Bartlet only won the state of Oregon by 10,000 votes in the previous election, and things aren’t looking great in the re-election campaign at the moment. The campaign needs Oregon’s Electoral College votes.

“‘Education is a serious thing. Crime, jobs, national security.’”

The White House senior staff goes into uber mode trying to figure out how to spin Charlie’s offhand comment. (Yeah, it’s a little disconcerting to think that the brightest minds in government could devote a good bit of time to “spinning” the fact that the Commander-in-Chief doesn’t like green beans.)

If you want to watch snatches of this episode from the greatest TV drama of all time, go here and here.

JESUS WASN’T SO interested in spin. He knew that his vocation of bringing good news to the poor would have a certain inevitability about it; he was aware that the language he used was challenging. But, he didn’t sugarcoat what he was asking of his disciples – neither the ones with the capital D nor all those small d folks who followed. (Neither of those stand for Democrats, btw; both are about disciples.)

Jesus warned Peter to reconcile his fear of the future with the vision of God’s redemption of creation within Godself. Peter’s own insecurity should not and could not deter Jesus from inevitable confrontation. The theology of the cross calls us to do better than spin. It calls to do go places we never anticipated. It calls us to care deeply about our struggling neighbors.

“And Peter took [Jesus] aside and began to rebuke him.”

So, Charlie from The West Wing offers a word of wisdom in the aforementioned episode: “Education is a serious thing. Crime, jobs, national security.” The things that affect people’s lives directly are way more serious topics than favorite (or least favorite) foods.

With a federal vote on the horizon (much like our current reality), C.J. states that “everyone is stupid in an election year.” Charlie responds, “No, everyone gets treated like they’re stupid in an election year, C.J.”

As our election-based anxiety is high, let’s try to keep our spin in check. The truth just might be the most powerful story of all to tell.

By Pastor Wondimu Sonessa

While recently thinking about the value of partnerships, I reflected on the experience of the apostle Paul and his companions as they were sailing for Rome. During the several days of this journey, they encountered a dangerous wind.

Luke recorded their experience during this oversea commute saying that “neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned” (Acts 27:20). After a devastating shipwreck, the traveling party came to the Island of Malta. Even as a significant journey remained for the travelers, the natives there greeted them with an “unusual kindness.” As Luke reports, “Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it” (Acts 28:2).

A sustainable partnership is based on kindness and love that prompts us to kindle a fire of compassion around which we welcome those who are not optimistic about the future of their ministries. It also requires courage with which we cross over our presuppositions and past experiences to rebuilding trust and relationship with our neighbor.

“In a healthy partnership, there is a mutual interdependence in which we share the gifts we have received from God.”

In partnership, the relationship is based not on a wealthy congregation giving and the other receiving. It is a mutual interdependence in which we share the gifts we have received from God. It was not just the natives of the Island that served Paul and his companions, but also Paul himself visited the father of Publius the community leader who was sick. Paul “cured him by praying and putting his hand on him” (Acts 28:8).

Partnership is a response to the grace of God that involves giving ourselves to the will of God. Once we understand this, we can strengthen fellowship in our ministry by sharing with our neighbors even those things we perceive that we need for survival.

THE SIMPLIST EXPRESSION of partnership is when churches lean on each other for an ongoing fruitful engagement in God’s mission. This becomes practical only if we can see and recognize the grace of God that works in and through the life of all believers, particularly those at the margin in society.

Thus, it is not a taboo to talk about money in partnership. Yet it is not healthy to establish a relationship on the generosity of one church where the other church is identified as a mere receiver of the financial and other material blessings. We share our gifts and resources to support and encourage each other in ministry. Congregations don’t have to be rich to do so but to be able to see this fellowship as an opportunity to combine our small gifts and experiences in preaching the gospel and building up the church as the body of Christ.

“Partnership is a response to the grace of God that involves giving ourselves to the will of God.”

Macedonian Christians set us a good example in this regard. Their generosity could have been hindered by the extreme poverty they were experiencing. Paul testifies, “they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Whenever we focus on the grace of God that is given to each of our congregations, whether they are new ministries, strategic congregations, or well-established self-supportive churches, nothing we bring to partnership will be insignificant to God’s mission entrusted to the church.

It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit may initiate a passion for an unusual kindness with which our congregations can kindle a fire of partnership and welcome all around it in the years to come.

By Pastor John Hulden

My siblings and I all graduated from our very own high school in our very own time zone. Growing up, we moved about every five years following our pastor-Dad to his next call – always to a new time zone. Despite my DNA, I’ve been able to lengthen my calls to at least double that – and all in Minnesota. My last call was 16 years, so all four of our kids went to the same high school – Go Spuds!

My first call – for ten years – was to the lower East Side of Saint Paul. Wow, did those lovely people help me to become a pastor. Like the song about San Francisco (where my oldest brother went to high school), I left (at least a piece of) my heart on the East Side.

“The director and small staff worked long hours because families had trouble getting ahead if parents didn’t have a day care option.”

My little church on the East Side had a childcare center that struggled mightily to make ends meet. I saw the director and small staff work long hours because families had trouble getting ahead if parents didn’t have a day care option. Those of you in congregations with day care centers know the struggle of providing this needed ministry.

LAST WEDNESDAY I returned to the East Side of Saint Paul, and it made my heart sing. Through the hard work of East Siders, Lutheran Social Service (LSS), and the Saint Paul Area Synod, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Years in the making, the LSS Early Learning Center–East Side will soon open on the lower level of Grace Lutheran Church, just off I-94 and White Bear Avenue. This early learning center is unique because of its trauma-informed classroom instruction and integrated therapy support. Kids will experience a highly supportive preschool with student-to-teacher ratios of four-to-one. East Side preschoolers will have a fighting chance as they reach public school age and take the big step of starting kindergarten. And as a great help to those East Side families, the center will be open year-round with full-day classes.

“This early learning center is unique because of its trauma-informed classroom instruction and integrated therapy support.”

Kudos to LSS and our synod siblings across the river. Their effort is another shining example of church together. When we followers of Jesus discover the assets in our community, listen to our neighbors, and then team up to make something beautiful and beneficial, we can make many hearts sing – hearts both old like mine and very young.

By Bob Hulteen  

During my morning devotion time a couple months ago, I heard a story on Minnesota Public Radio (don’t judge me for listening to the radio during my devotions) about a car fire the night before along Interstate 94 near Snelling that had snarled traffic just after rush hour. Cathy Wurzer (isn’t she the best?) described the scene of a car engulfed in flames with a driver trapped inside. Detailing the situation, she noted cars stopping smack dab in the middle of the highway, seemingly immobilized by the horrifying circumstances.  

I offered a quick prayer for the wellbeing of all involved. And, I moved on with my devotional reading and reflection.  

It was a few weeks later when I came across  a video of the car accident and was pulled back to that moment. I found an online for a news story and learned more of the details. I was shocked that this story was everything but your ordinary tragic accident. This is what caused those cars to stop abruptly in the middle of the road: The Interstate’s guard rail obstructed the driver’s door of the crashed vehicle, and flames engulfed the undercarriage. The driver was trapped inside. And clearly, the car would soon be ablaze. 

“Once that person jumped in, many others followed suit, risking their wellbeing by joining him.” 

Of course, cars were slowing, many drivers undecided on how to react. That is, until one person quickly pulled over, jumped out of their vehicle, and quickly began wrenching the car door to free the trapped driver. And, once that person jumped in, many others followed suit, risking their wellbeing by joining him. Working together, the driver was freed; after many unsuccessful attempts to open the car door, the group managed to break the driver’s-side window and drag him out.  

It was a Good Samaritan story to say the least. And yet it struck me how willing these passersby were to put themselves amid the flames to make sure that man got out.  

SINCE WATCHING THAT video, I have been reflecting about similar situations in my life. On an entrance ramp in Dayton, Ohio, I once came upon a car engulfed in flames myself. Against the better judgment of my riders, I jumped out to make sure no one was in that car, and was grateful to find it empty. In that case, I didn’t have to make the difficult decision of approaching the fire, risking myself, for the safety of another. But it challenged me to consider if I would. 

Often while riding the bus, an incident of some sort will begin – normally a disagreement between passengers. My immediate response is to engage, but then I start to wonder if my actions will be misconstrued. Or, I’d question whether I was misreading the situation. Perhaps I was simply looking for an excuse not to become involved.  

My sense is that we don’t make the decision to be a Good Samaritan in the heat of the moment. Self-doubt and wrestling included, I think the decision to risk one’s own safety for another is an intentional decision, based on one’s real-world experience of community.  

“My sense is that we don’t make the decision to be a Good Samaritan in the heat of the moment.” 

One of the most important things I learned as a young person from movement leaders was that entering places of pain in the world is done with forethought; the benefits and risks are already weighed. Of course, we don’t know if that decision will be actualized until a risky situation presents itself (which hopefully it never does).  

Sure, adrenaline can play a part. But, I suspect that even that chemical reaction of the body happens because we have considered or lived in circumstances that “encourage” us to imagine how we would act.  

So, that’s now a regular part of my morning devotion: God, prepare me mentally, emotionally, spiritually to experience the life of community so abundantly that I can imagine that when crisis strikes, I don’t pull over to watch but rather rush in.  

By Mercy Zou Taithul

The ELCA Multicultural Youth Leadership Events (MYLE) and Young Adult Gathering (YAG) was held in New Orleans July 13-19. Although I’d never attended this event before, I was glad that I could represent the Minneapolis Area Synod’s Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices (FPNP), as well as participate in the MYLE Worship Band.

MYLE participants join worship band on stage

During my FPNP workshop, participants focused on finding assets such as gifts and strengths within ourselves, our community, and our neighborhoods. Well, I can confidently say that singing is one of my gifts and being able to share that gift with the youth and adults at the MYLE was one of my highlights. Not only did I get to share my gift of singing, but I also had the opportunity to find out more gifts as well as learn about different cultures and make new connections.

“The practice of asset mapping helps to identify gifts, passions, and assets within our community.”

Here are some of my highlights:

First, I led an hour-long workshop at the MYLE focusing on one of the practices from Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices – Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). This practice helps to identify gifts, passions, and assets within our community. Almost 50 people attended.

The sharing of giftedness by the participants was incredible. The vast array of gifts shared in that hour made me wonder how many more gifts are out there in our neighborhoods undiscovered. (I invite you to take time to consider why so many gifts go unrecognized and how we can do a better job of helping people identify them).

A couple quotes I like from the workshop are “Focus on what is strong, not what is wrong,” and “Focus on people and not programs.” So, if we pay more attention to what is strong and get curious about others in our community and neighborhood, we might be surprised at the stories you hear.

SECONDLY, THE LAST worship night at MYLE felt like a revival. All the worship services during the week were beautiful and fun. But that specific last night: Oh what a powerful experience!

I can still feel the goose bumps, emotions, and joy I felt as we sang the song “You know my name” with youth joining the worship leaders on the stage; hands were lifted high and we acknowledged that God knows each of us by name.

Minneapolis young people and Post-It Notes, a natural alliance

Throughout the MYLE, I heard from a few youth for whom it was their first time standing on the stage to lead worship with the band. They said “This is fun” and “I would like to sing more.” I responded, “Well, you know what you can do, join the praise and worship team in your congregation when you return back home.” So, I encourage those of you who are church leaders to invite and create the space for youth to join the worship group.

“The last worship night at MYLE felt like a revival.”

Lastly, I had heard that there would be thousands of youths and leaders attending the Young Adult Gathering, but I couldn’t believe my eyes. The Smoothie King Stadium in New Orleans was filled with 16,000 young adults. When I looked around, I saw a room full of bright, intelligent and gifted future leaders.

The theme “Created to Be” was very powerful and an encouragement to reflect and remind ourselves who we are and Whose we are. A lot of speakers mentioned as well that we are created to be Brave, Authentic, Disciples, and Free.

Overall, it was a first great gathering. I learned new things, had a great experience, and learned something new about myself – that I am braver than I think about myself in terms of my leadership. I would like to end by reminding that God created each and every one of us uniquely, blessed us with different gifts/talents. Of all, you know what the most beautiful part is that we are created in God’s own image, therefore we are one.