Mpls Area Synod ELCA

Children's Ministry Zoom
2024-04-08 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Children’s Ministry Zoom
Older elementary years … where curiosity meets growing independence. Join us for conversation and brainstorming about how to engage and connect with this unique age in our ministry settings.
Monday, April 8; 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88284971186?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 882 8497 1186
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Contact persons: Julie Vagle at Juliev@trinitylonglake.org or Rachelle Gill at rgill@easter.org

Lutheran Campus Ministry Youth Night
2024-04-10 18:30 - 21:00 | Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
On Wednesday, April 10, local high school youth are invited to join in Lutheran Campus Ministry’s first “LCM Youth Night @ the U.” Student leaders will welcome youth to a worship service, as well as connecting with high school students over dinner before worship, and treats and fellowship afterward.
The goal for this event is to offer high school students a glimpse of college life, an idea about what living out your faith in college could look like, and ways to find Christian community beyond graduation (even if they don’t head to U of M!). This idea was 100% initiated by student leaders who are excited to connect with local youth.
Whether you wish to attend as a youth group, as a family, or as a group of friends, know you are welcome. Just RSVP to the Program and Outreach Coordinator by April 1.

Church Musicians Retreat
2024-04-11 17:00 - 2024-04-13 12:00 | Shalom Hill Farm, 42194 County Road 3, Windom, MN, United States
Church Musicians Retreat
This retreat will provide time for worship, fellowship, resource sharing, discussion, and music making. Musicians will be introduced to the new Peace of Prairie liturgy and more. It begins at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, and ends at Noon on Saturday.
Thursday, April 11 – Saturday April 13
Shalom Hill Farm Retreat Center
Windom, Minnesota
Contact person: Keith Newman at shfprograms@gmail.com
More information: https://www.shalomhillfarm.org

A concert to keep children safe
2024-04-21 15:00 - 16:30 | Valley of Peace Lutheran Church, 4735 Bassett Creek Dr, Golden Valley, MN, 55422, United States
A concert to keep children safe
Join Cherish All Children for an inspiring afternoon of music, “Sing, My Soul: Love in Heaven and the Sky,” performed by Caritas Vocal Ensemble.
Sunday, April 21; 3:00 p.m.
Valley of Peace Lutheran Church
4735 Bassett Creek Drive, Golden Valley
A free-will offering benefitting Cherish All Children will be collected. Your contributions allow the organization to reach children and families with education, tools, and skills to stay safe from in-person and online exploitation, sextortion, and trafficking. Come to the concert and make a difference!
Contact person: Joy McElroy at joy.mcelroy@cherishallchildren

Renew a love of scripture
2024-04-21 19:00 - 2024-04-22 16:30 | Saint Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN, United States
Renew a love of scripture
Do the scriptures resonate today? Are you tired of the Bible being wielded like a weapon? Can the Bible still open hearts weary from a world that quickly devolves to violence? Is it still possible to hear clearly the voice of the Spirit who cries out from the dusty pages of this ancient book?
Participants in Renew 2024 will be surrounded by voices who articulate the fresh ways to study, preach, learn, and imagine the scriptures. Join Jeff Chu, Anna Carter Florence, Mihee Kim-Kort, Matthew Ian Fleming, Winnie Varghese, and Joe Davis to hear why scripture still matters in their lives and listen for the living voice of God calling out from these challenging stories and verses.
Sunday, April 21, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Monday, April 22, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie
Pricing for entire event:
In-person: $149 (ends April 5)
At the door: $179
Online: $75
Pricing for Sunday evening:
In-person early bird (ends April 5): $35
In-person pre-order: $40
At the door: $45
Online: $20
The first part of our Renew gathering is Sunday evening, April 21. It will includ short-form, curated talks from a diverse collection of voices that will invite you to wrestle and reimagine your relationship with the scriptures. The experience will also include music and Q&A time.
For more information: Renew 2024: Renew a love of scripture — Church Anew

Addiction and the Choose Freedom Program
2024-04-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
The Center of Addiction & Faith is presenting a one-hour free webinar with author Rose Ann Forte. She will discuss her new approach for changing people’s relationships with alcohol and other toxic substances. The host of webinar is George A. Wood, Author, Speaker, Pastor at Sober Truth Project.
Zoom link
More info

Hans Nielsen Hauge Lecture
2024-04-27 13:30 - 14:30 | Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church / Mindekirken, 924 E. 21st Street, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Hans Nielsen Hauge Lecture
The Hans Nielsen Hauge Lecture at Mindekirken will be presented by Dr. Thomas Jacobson, author of “Pain in the Belly: The Haugean Witness in American Lutheranism.” The lecture will address Hauge’s influence on Norwegian American Lutherans.
April 27; 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Mindkirken, Norwegian Memorial Lutheran Church
924 East 21st Street, Minneapolis
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information: https://www.mindekirken.org/

Songs to Remember
2024-05-04 15:00 - 16:30 | St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, 6180 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley, MN, 55422, United States
Kimberly Brown in Concert
Kimberly Brown will host her “Songs to Remember” concert at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, Fridley. Tickets are not required, but a free-will offering will be taken.
Saturday, May 4; 3:00 p.m.
St. Philip’s Lutheran Church
6180 Highway 65 NE, Fridley
Kimberly is a former member of the three-time Grammy Award-winning group, The Sounds of Blackness. She is a female tenor who loves to share the gift that God has given her, and she sings every note from the heart. We hope you will join us!

United Days
2024-05-09 08:00 - 2024-05-10 17:00 | United Theological Seminary
United Days
How might faith leaders and congregations courageously and creatively engage in socially transformative action from a place of spiritual grounding and depth? How might compassionate listening and radical imagination help us forge new connections across lines of difference, build a more just world with others, and facilitate a “revolution of values,” rather than fuel the flames of fear, hatred, and exclusion?
The staff at United Theological Seminary is excited to welcome friends and alums for United Days on May 9 and 10 as we explore these questions together in plenary sessions and workshops.
Thursday – Friday, May 9–10; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
767 North Eustis STreet, #140, Saint Paul
More information: https://www.unitedseminary.edu/event/united-days-2024/
Contact person: Nathanial Green, Director of Marketing and Communications, at ngreen@unitedseminary.edu or (651) 255-6138

Navigating the Compassionate Crossroads: Palliative Care vs. Hospice
2024-05-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Navigating the Compassionate Crossroads: Palliative Care vs. Hospice
Presented by Rory Farrand, MA, MS, MSN, APRN-BC; Vice President of Palliative and Advanced Care for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association
While neither hospice nor palliative care are new concepts, there remains a great deal of confusion about the distinction between the two. How are they the same? How are they different? Which option is right for your patient, and at what time in their serious illness journey should you consider a referral? These questions (and more!), as well as how to talk to both patients and referral partners (physicians, discharge planners, etc.) about serious illness care options will be the focus of this engaging session.
Thursday, May 9; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Zoom
While the primary audience for this event is Parish/Faith Community Nurses it will be very information for others in ministry and for the general public.
Contact person: Carol DeSchepper, LFCNA Executive Director: cjdeschepper@gmail.com

Children's Ministry Gathering
2024-05-13 13:00 - 14:00 | St. Stephen Lutheran, Bloomington, 8400 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55431, United States
Children’s Ministry Gathering
Join with other children’s ministry staff for the last Children’s Ministry gathering of the program year to talk about volunteer training/recruitment. Please bring any materials you currently use to share with others. Let’s help others say, “YES! I want to volunteer in kids ministry.”
Monday, May 13; 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
8400 France Avenue South, Bloomington
For more information: Julie Vagle at Juliev@trinitylonglake.org

Gratitude and Blessing Breakfast
2024-05-16 08:30 - 11:30 | Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Twin Cities, Minneapolis Campus, Minneapolis Campus, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Children, Youth, and Family leaders are invited for a morning event to receive gratitude for the work they do, to enjoy a meal, and to worship together, and to receive a summer blessing.
Thursday, May 16; 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (registration, 8:30 a.m.)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
4100 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis
There will be a raffle for a free registration to the 2025 ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza. The cost is $10 per person and can be paid in advance or at the door by cash or check.
Worship music will be led by Anni Coyle, and Pastor Natalia Terfa will preach.
Register >

Finding Balance, Connecting with your True Self, and Practicing Compassion (Enneagram Retreat)
2024-05-18 09:00 - 12:30 | Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Finding Balance, Connecting with your True Self, and Practicing Compassion (Enneagram Retreat)
The Enneagram is a personality typing tool that is both psychological and spiritual. It helps us differentiate between our True Self (our Essence) and our False Self (our ego). Let’s explore together some practical (and non-shaming) ways we can develop compassion and understanding for ourselves and others! And we’ll even have fun along the way! Anyone age 16 and older can participate!
Saturday May 18, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., with a light lunch to follow
Redeemer Lutheran Church
1800 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis
Chelsea Forbrook (she/her), author, spiritual director, and Enneagram coach, will lead the retreat.
Cost: $20 per person

Community Bridge Benefit Brunch
2024-05-18 11:00 - 13:00 | Messiah Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, 2400 Park Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
Community Bridge Benefit Brunch
Support hunger relief in Minneapolis! There will be live music, a silent auction, and delicious food!
Saturday, May 18: 11:00 a.m.
Messiah Lutheran Church
2400 Park Avenue South
For more information: https://www.communitybridgempls.org/fundraiser
Contact person: Rebecca Lundquis at rebeccaclundquist@gmail.com)

Let Your Light So Shine
2024-05-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Let Your Light So Shine: Providing successful pastoral care to individuals and families hurt by any kind of addiction
Let Your Light Shine will teach you: — How to raise the issue of alcohol and drug use in a caring conversation and how to use five simple communications tools that influence behavior change. –How to act on an alcohol/drug problem without making a clinical diagnosis and how to get into actions before the problem becomes too serious. –How to find resources to help those with these issues and how congregations can tackle this issue in your congregation
Wednesday, May 29; 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., CT
Zoom
Contact person: Louise Olson at glolro@comcast.net
More information: http://www.addictionandfaith.com

Young Voices in the Public Sphere: A Faithful Call Towards Election Engagement
2024-06-06 19:30 - 20:30 | Online
As Lutherans we are called to live out our faith in the public sphere — advocating for ourselves and our neighbors not only inside of our church buildings, but out in the streets. ELCA election engagement is where our thoughts and prayers meet the Holy Spirit’s call to action. This Abide series offers young adults the opportunity to engage with ELCA Advocacy Fellows to hear, learn and discuss how the ELCA is approaching election engagement and why voting is important for young people. Register here.
Session 1 of 4 (Thursdays in June)

Celebration of BOLD's move
2024-06-07 - 2024-06-08 | Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran Church, 2901 38th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
After 68 years of owning its own building, Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran Church (BOLD) is moving. The congregation will now share space at Minnehaha Communion Lutheran Church, just about one mile away from the current site. The members of BOLD are inviting you to celebrate with them.
Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, June 9, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran Church2901 38th Avenue South, Minneapolis
Friday and Saturday will be open-house style with items for sale to remember the congregation, light appetizers and drinks, ice cream, and activities for children. Sunday’s schedule will include coffee hour at 9:00 a.m., a celebratory farewell worship at 10:30 a.m., and lunch beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Cherish All Children Hybrid 5K
2024-06-09 11:30 - 12:30 | 4499 Victory Memorial Drive
Cherish All Children Hybrid 5K
Join Cherish All Children for this fun event where YOU can make a significant difference in keeping children safe! Run, walk, or sponsor a team member and help prevent child sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Anytime June 7-9, or 11:30 a.m., June 9 in-person
Your own location, or 4499 Victory Memorial Drive, Mpls, MN 55412
For more information: https://www.lssmn.org/services/youth/education/cherish-all-children/news-events
Contact person: Joy McElroy at joy.mcelroy@cherishallchildren.org

Splash into Summer
2024-06-09 12:00 - 15:00 | Long Lake Lutheran Church, 3921 277th Avenue NW, Isanti, MN, 55040, United States
Splash into Summer
There will be live music by Mystery Mountain Boys, food trucks, a vendor/craft fair, old car show, petting zoo, dunk tank, splash pad, and games.
Sunday, June 9; 12:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Long Lake Lutheran Church
3921 277th Avenue, Isanti, Minnesota
More information: admin@longlakeluth.org

How to Spark Curiosity (Center of Addiction and Faith Book Club)
2024-06-11 - 2024-06-25 | MN
The Center of Addiction and Faith is hosting a book club.
Are you interested in talking to other people about shifting away from criminal justice approaches to drugs and addiction? Are you passionate about health-centered solutions but not sure how to communicate those ideas and values? It can be confusing, polarizing, and just plain hard. We get it!
Curious is Christina Dent’s memoir of her learning journey after a life-changing experience with the mother of her foster sonsparked curiosity about the best way to reduce harm from drugs. With addiction touching many families and potent drugs available almost everywhere, better solutions are needed.
Curious offers one.
Christina is an author, TEDx speaker, and perpetual question-asker. She grew up in a conservative, Christian home and earned a degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Christian Ministry from Belhaven University. Dent is the founder of End It For Good, which strives to help children, families, and communities by shifting away from addiction and towards health-centered approaches that prioritize life and the opportunity to thrive. End it For Good invites people to explore how addressing drugs and drug use as complex health issues could help more people thrive by reducing crime, overdose deaths, and the destabilization of families.
Register below to join us for How to Spark Curiosity, Tuesdays at noon Center, 1 p.m. Eastern June 11th, 18th, & 25th.

Bonhoeffer, the Gospel and the Other: A Bonhoeffer Salon
2024-06-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States
Tripp Fuller and Andrew Root will lead a rich conversation about the remarkable life and enduring relevance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Before his imprisonment and martyrdom for working with the German resistance, Bonhoeffer lived and shared the gospel in an increasingly dangerous world. Come discover how Bonhoeffer’s ideas of who is “Other” impacted how he lived—and died—as a witness for his faith. You can participate in the in-person event at Olson Campus Center with a complimentary meal or as a live, interactive webinar through Faith+Lead. Advance registration is required for either option. Learn more.

Good Soil Summer Seminar with LEAD
2024-06-13 | Online
Create space in your summer to level up your leadership skills at LEAD’s Good Soil Summer Online Seminar on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Participate live on Zoom or watch the recording afterwards on your own time. $45 (per seminar) for a 2-session seminar. Choose one seminar. Invite a friend!
Click here for flyer. Click here to register.
Seminar Times:
Session 1: 9:30am CT – 10:45am CT
Session 2: 11:45am CT – 1:15pm CT
Seminar Options:
Leading with Love: Explore the transformative power of a Love Ethic to effectively navigate change and facilitate difficult conversations within your community. Learn strategies to handle transitions and conflicts with grace, ensuring your leadership fosters a supportive, inclusive, and understanding environment. Led by Rozella Haydee White.
Teamwork Works: Developed with Patrick Lencioni, The Five Behaviors empowers teams to rethink their approach to teamwork and shape new behaviors—taking your teams and congregation to the next level. This centers on trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and results. Led by Pastor Brad Otto.
Know Your Neighbors: God calls us to love our neighbors but how do we do that if we don’t know the neighbors around our church? Learn to listen deeply to your neighbors and leave with an action plan to get to know the community this summer! Led by Deacon Jessica Noonan.
Communication Clarity: How will people know they are welcome? Staff, congregation, and neighborhood communication includes clarity of messaging and multiple delivery systems. Participants will leave with LEAD’s new Communication Audit. Led by Deacon Peggy Hahn.

Young Voices in the Public Sphere: A Faithful Call Towards Election Engagement
2024-06-13 19:30 - 20:30 | Online
As Lutherans we are called to live out our faith in the public sphere — advocating for ourselves and our neighbors not only inside of our church buildings, but out in the streets. ELCA election engagement is where our thoughts and prayers meet the Holy Spirit’s call to action. This Abide series offers young adults the opportunity to engage with ELCA Advocacy Fellows to hear, learn and discuss how the ELCA is approaching election engagement and why voting is important for young people. Register here.
Session 2 of 4 (Thursdays in June)

Gather Twin Cities Wood Fire Pizza Party
2024-06-16 17:30 - 19:30 | University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States
The folks at University Lutheran Church of Hope have a beautiful wood fire pizza oven and they are going to teach us how to make pizza. There will be root beer floats and yard games too! If you know you can come, email gathertwincities@gmail.com. Come hungry and ready to share a meal together! Gather Twin Cities is an ELCA ministry for young adults. Follow @gathertwincities for more info

Young Voices in the Public Sphere: A Faithful Call Towards Election Engagement
2024-06-20 19:30 - 20:30 | Online
As Lutherans we are called to live out our faith in the public sphere — advocating for ourselves and our neighbors not only inside of our church buildings, but out in the streets. ELCA election engagement is where our thoughts and prayers meet the Holy Spirit’s call to action. This Abide series offers young adults the opportunity to engage with ELCA Advocacy Fellows to hear, learn and discuss how the ELCA is approaching election engagement and why voting is important for young people. Register here.
Session 3 of 4 (Thursdays in June)

Onesimos Nesib Day
2024-06-22 09:30 - 12:00 | Our Redeemer Oromo Church, 4000 South 28th Avenue, Minneapolis
Onesimos Nesib Day
Our Redeemer Oromo Church invites you to celebrate Onesimos Nesibday.
Saturday, June 22; 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Our Redeemer Oromo Church
4000 South 28th Avenue, Minneapolis
Onesimos was enslaved and sold many times. But he escaped slavery with help of Swedish missionaries and translated the Bible into Oromo language.
You and your congregation are kindly invited to join the members of Our Redeemer Oromo for the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Oromo Bible and their Lutheran heritage.
Stories and delicious traditional Oromo food and coffee will be shared.

Confluence at Augsburg University
2024-06-23 - 2024-06-28 | Augsburg University
Youth who have completed 9th – 12th grades are invited to participate in this year’s Confluence, formerly known as The Augsburg Youth Theology Institute. Participants will experience a week of discovering who they are and how God is calling them to make our world more just and sustainable for all.
Together in community, they will engage in vocational discernment through a variety of experiences including daily spiritual practices, small groups led by college mentors, tasty and meaningful meals together, thoughtful conversations with peers and mentors, and experiential learning around the Twin Cities.
Learn more >

Midsummer Fiesta
2024-06-23 12:30 - 15:30 | St. Paul’s San Pablo Lutheran Church, 2742 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Join San Pablo/St. Paul’s for their annual block party on June 23. There will be many activities including quilt and lantern making.
The event is co-sponsored by the Semilla Center for Healing and Arts.

Young Voices in the Public Sphere: A Faithful Call Towards Election Engagement
2024-06-27 19:30 - 20:30 | Online
As Lutherans we are called to live out our faith in the public sphere — advocating for ourselves and our neighbors not only inside of our church buildings, but out in the streets. ELCA election engagement is where our thoughts and prayers meet the Holy Spirit’s call to action. This Abide series offers young adults the opportunity to engage with ELCA Advocacy Fellows to hear, learn and discuss how the ELCA is approaching election engagement and why voting is important for young people. Register here.
Session 4 of 4 (Thursdays in June)

Lead with Abundance: Celebration of Changing Lives Gala
2024-07-09 08:00 - 17:00 | MN
Lead with Abundance: Celebration of Changing Lives Gala
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota invites you to the 2024 Celebration for Changing Lives Gala, our biggest event of the year. Join us at The Depot in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 14, at 5:00 p.m., as we celebrate the ways LSS and our partners inspire hope and changes lives as together, we Lead with Abundance.
Saturday, September 14: 5:00 p.m.
The Depot, Minneapolis
LSS will honor nearly 160 years of working together to empower neighbors to lead full and abundant lives. For more information, contact congregations@lssmn.org or to register visit 2024 Celebration for Changing Lives : Home (lssmn.org)
