"You Only Get What You're Organized to Take": Lessons from Poor People's Movements
2025-06-15 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | CTUL, 3715 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55408, United States
Co-authors Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and Noam Sandweiss-Back will to discuss their new book “You Only Get What You’re Organized to Take”, which explores the history of poor people’s movements in the United States and Rev. Dr. Liz’s own journey through poor people’s movements. The panel discussion will also include current CTUL leaders to connect these lessons to their work.
Rev. Dr. Liz and Noam work with the Kairos for Religion, Rights, and Social Justice, which is led by and supports poor people’s movement work across the nation and co-anchors the Poor People’s Campaign.
There will also be some discussion together about how we, as people of faith and faith communities, can be a part of poor people’s movements, and interrogate our own questions and wonders about how we can organize across differences to build poor and working people’s power!
People of all faiths, or even no faith at all are welcome!
Hosted by CTUL (Centro De Trabajadores Unidos En La Lucha)

Clueless Addiction: Disengaging from Racism in White and Black Churches
2025-06-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
In celebration of Juneteenth, Minnesota Council of Churches is excited to host what promises to be a provocative discussion by Rev. Dr. Pamela Ngunjiri titled, Clueless Addiction: Disengaging from Racism in White and Black Churches. The virtual event will be held on June 16, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Addiction to white supremacy is present in not only white but also Black churches, yet people in leadership and in the pews can be unaware of it. There are ways that faith communities can open their eyes and disengage from it. Rev. Dr. Pamela Ngunjiri will present research and analysis from her D.Min on this addiction, our cluelessness, and how the bodies of Christ can overcome it.
Register to receive the Zoom link.

2025 Aus Memorial Lecture
2025-06-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States
In today’s culture and world, we are surrounded by people earnestly seeking authenticity and meaning. So how can we share the difference Jesus makes in our own everyday lives?
Join Luther Seminary and Faith+Lead for a transformative evening with Will Willimon on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Central as part of the Aus Memorial Lecture series at Luther Seminary.

Rather than offering “quick fixes” or outdated approaches to evangelism, Dr. Willimon will help us:

Discover how Jesus himself initiates and sustains authentic Christian witness.
Navigate the cultural shifts changing how people engage with faith today.
Develop practices for spiritual conversations that connect with real questions.
Find encouragement for leading congregations in sharing the Good News.

Drawing from decades of experience as a campus minister, bishop, and preacher, Dr. Willimon brings both theological depth and practical wisdom to this conversation.
If you are unable to join in real time, please be sure to register anyway – the lecture will be recorded and shared with all registrants! The online audience will also have a special, dedicated opportunity for Q&A with Dr. Willimon.
While especially valuable for pastors and church leaders, anyone interested in sharing faith meaningfully in today’s world is welcome to attend.
Register now to join us online via Zoom.
Want to attend in person at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN)? Register here.

Hunger Education Hour with Sierra Pacific Synod
2025-06-18 21:00 - 22:00 | Online
The Sierra Pacific Synod wants to help answer the question, “What is happening to programs supported by ELCA World Hunger?” Presenter Susannah Cunningham is the senior director for the ELCA Building Resilient Communities Team. She will share how we are still making a difference and what you can do to help. Just email thelotts@gmail.com that you wish to attend and you’ll receive the Zoom link about a week prior to the event.
(9:00 p.m. is the correct time because the event is being hosted in the Pacific Time Zone.)

Juneteenth Events Around the Twin Cities
2025-06-19 | MN
There are several events honoring Juneteenth happening around the Twin Cities. See the list below for a few options and details.

Juneteenth Brunch & Conversation with Sherrilyn Ifill (Minneapolis)
Juneteenth at the Fort (St. Paul)
Jubilee: The Journey of Four Rondo Families (St. Paul)
Soul of the Southside (Minneapolis)

Lists can also be found on the City of Minneapolis website and the Minnesota Historical Society website.

Breaking the Cycle: Justice and Healing for Palestinian Children and Caregivers
2025-06-20 16:00 - 2025-06-21 17:00 | MN
Breaking the Cycle: Justice and Healing for Palestinian Children and Caregivers is a series of public events to share the story of Anar, a nonprofit operating in the West Bank that provides artsbased healing for Palestinian children and caregivers. The events are led by Rami Khader, Founder & Executive Director of Anar for Empowerment & Psychosocial Support.
Friday, June 20, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. (CT)
Women Against Military Madness Free Palestine Rally at Summit & Snelling in Saint Paul
Friday, June 20, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. (CT)
Presentation and Q&A at New City Center, 3104 16th Ave S, Minneapolis
Saturday, June 21, 2:00 –5:00 p.m. (CT), program at 3:00 p.m.
Arts Event at Legacy Dream Space Multimedia Living Room, 2205 California St NE, Studio #212, Minneapolis
Download the flyer >

Conversations with Friends Letter Writing Training
2025-06-21 09:00 - 13:00 | Online
Conversations with Friends (CWF) has been pen pals and visitors with people jailed by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Minnesota since March 2011. Their mission is to offer friendship, fraternity, and solidarity as they support, encourage, listen to, affirm, recognize their dignity, and advocate for those jailed by ICE. Through a peaceful, compassionate presence, they know that people in the community truly care, that they are not alone.
The next scheduled training is on Saturday, June 21, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. There will be four presenters covering various topics: immigration law, profiles and stories of people with whom we have written and/or visited, CWF info, and pen pal and visitor training.
At this time, the greatest need is for bilingual Spanish/English, Arabic/English, and Karen/English speakers.
To register for the training, email CWFconversationswithfriends@gmail.com with your full name, mailing address, cell phone number, and languages spoken

The Confluence at Augsburg University
2025-06-22 - 2025-06-27 | Augsburg University
The Confluence, now in its 20th year, is an opportunity for high school students to explore their vocation — the confluence or intersection of God’s story, the world’s story, and their personal story. Throughout the week, students will explore these different stories through:

Worship
Classroom study with Augsburg professor Chris Stedman
Personal reflection
Small group discussions
Meeting with local leaders and dynamic Augsburg staff
Eating good, local food
Exploring Augsburg’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

This year’s focus will be on the connections between vocation, resistance and resilience — essential pieces to surviving and thriving in our current moment.
Cost: $400/participant (Church communities encouraged to pay, scholarships available)
More information >

Synod Senior Band Concert
2025-06-22 15:00 - 16:30 | First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights, 1555 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN, 55421, United States
The Synod Senior Band is a community band made up of seniors playing for seniors. They welcome players of any band instrument to join them for camaraderie and making great music. The 2025 theme is “The Promise of Living.” Enjoy one of their concerts throughout the year!

Learn to Paint with the Gentleman Artist, Robert Coleman
2025-06-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Theodore Wirth Park, 1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Golden Valley, MN, 55422, United States
Theodore Wirth Park, Find them at the picnic tables near the Wirth Beach Pavillion
Youth (16+) welcome!
Robert will showcase his engaging teaching and storytelling skills in this unique art class! Let your creativity flow as you learn to paint your own landscape masterpiece with the BothAnd Collective community.
Robert describes this experience as “easier than learning from Bob Ross”—and once you join us, you’ll see why. With warmth, humor, and an uncanny ability to see the artist in everyone, Robert creates a space where creativity flows effortlessly.
His encouragement is contagious, and his stories—rooted in personal truth and lived experience—bring depth and meaning to every brushstroke. More than just a class, this is a chance to reconnect with your creative spirit, be in community, and see where your imagination can take you. No experience needed—just a willingness to play, explore, and surprise yourself.
Cost includes supplies, snacks, & Robert’s expertise.
Led by Robert Coleman, The Gentleman Artist

Register + Pay >

You’ll receive a downloadable PDF with the address and reflection questions for the session after completing your payment.

Prepare to Quit: Equipping Others for Readiness to Change
2025-06-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Prepare to Quit: Equipping Others for Readiness to Change is a one-hour free webinar hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. This webinar is designed for ministry leaders, professionals and lay leaders who support individuals struggling with Alcohol use and other substances. Rose Ann Forte, author, coach and course creator, presents Prepare to Quit, a faith-based resource built on neuroscience and biblical truth to help individuals move through the critical and often overlooked Preparation Stage of change. You’ll learn how to empower individuals who are not yet ready to quit, but are open to exploring change. Rose Ann offers a spiritual alternative to secular or disease-based approaches.
Register >

Gather Twin Cities at the Saints Game
2025-07-08 19:00 - 21:00 | CHS Field, 360 N Broadway St, St. Paul, MN, 55101, United States
Join Gather Twin Cities for an evening of fun at the ball field. Tickets will be ordered individually, but please RSVP by direct messaging Gather on Facebook, Instagram or emailing gathertwincities@gmail.com. Meet-up information will be shared closer to the date.

Our Saviour's Housing Emergency Shelter Re-Opening Celebration
2025-07-17 16:00 - 18:00 | Our Saviour’s Housing, 2219 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN, United States
In late 2023, Our Saviour’s Community Services was awarded a $4.6M capital grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to renovate and expand our
emergency shelter facility. With these funds, we have created safer, more accessible spaces in our emergency shelter facility, and added a second story to the building so that we will have the opportunity to extend our service model from 21 to 38 guests.
Soon, construction will be complete and we will be welcoming our guests, staff, and volunteers back to 2219 Chicago Avenue! Before we return to our permanent
facility, please join Our Saviour’s Community Services and partners on Thursday, July 17 to celebrate all the work that went into these plans and renovations,
learn more about what has changed, and hear some of what is next for our shelter program.
Tours of the facility will be offered every 20 minutes from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Brief remarks will be shared at 5:00 p.m. outside 2219 Chicago Avenue.This event is open to the public.

Construction is ongoing, and will not be completed by July 17 . Hard hats and high-visibility vests will likely be required for tours, and will be provided.
Unfortunately, the new elevator will not yet be functional by the date of our event. Stairs will be required to access the second floor addition and the basement. We hope to welcome impacted community members back to see the facility at a later date.
In case of poor weather, remarks will be made indoors at 2315 Chicago Avenue (Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church/the Our Saviour’s Community Services administrative offices).
Please stay tuned to OSCS communications and https://oscs-mn.org/shelter-expansion for further details about this event. Any questions about this event may be
directed to Robin Stramp, OSCS Development and Communications Manager at robin@oscs-mn.org or 612-843-3602.

Young Adult Backpacking Trip
2025-07-27 - 2025-08-02 | MN
Join ELCA Young Adult Ministry for a backpacking trip!
Spend a week hiking through the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains with other young adults from all over the country. With gear, food, rafting, permits, and a guest young adult speaker all provided, come for a relaxing adventure by a mountain lake.
Spend your days fishing, exploring, taking in the scenery, or peaking a nearby mountain, your itinerary is up to you and what you need!
After 4 days on the trail, return to camp for showers, campfires, and a day of whitewater rafting the local Arkansas River.
Who: Young Adults (ages 18-35)
Dates: July 27 – August 2
Cost: (Tiered Pricing)

Tier 1: $575 (Full Cost)
Tier 2: $490 (Cover My Cost)
Tier 3: $410 (Campership Included)

More information >

Churchwide Assembly
2025-07-28 - 2025-08-02 | Phoenix, Arizona
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the primary decision-making body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a process of communal spiritual discernment. When the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convenes, its voting members meet with confidence in God’s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf of the entire church. Over the course of the assembly, voting members:

Hear reports and review the work of churchwide officers, leaders and units.
Receive and consider proposals from synod assemblies.
Elect officers, board members and other leaders as specified by the constitution or bylaws.
Establish ELCA churchwide policy.
Worship together.
Adopt a budget.
Conduct other business related to the ELCA churchwide organization.

Minneapolis Area Synod voting members can find more information here.

Webinar: Who's Doing Addiction Ministry in the Church?
2025-07-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
This one-hour free webinar hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith will be like a forum. You are invited to a special Community Check-In: Faith Communities and Addiction/Mental Health Ministry. This is your change to share your stories. We invite you to share what approaches you are trying in your congregation, neighborhood or town. What’s working well. What challenges are you facing. What lessons have you learned along the way? Hear from others. Learn from their experiences. Discover new ideas and strategies for strengthening Addiction/Mental Health Ministry in your congregation, neighborhood or town. Sharing your stories will help us as we work together to face addiction/mental health issues. Join this conversation to build a stronger more compassionate network for healing.

More information >

Gather Twin Cities Lakeside
2025-08-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Lake Lutheran Church, 5760 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Gather to celebrate the end of summer. Join Gather Twin Cities for a lakeside get-together with tie dye, outdoor games, bonfire, snacks and worship. Bring your favorite outdoor activities. Order a Gather t-shirt for tie-dye here.

Synod Senior Band
2025-08-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Friendship Village, 8100 Highwood Drive, Bloomington, MN, United States

Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy
2025-08-13 - 2025-08-15 | MN
The first gathering of The Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy will take place in Minneapolis August 13 – 15; early-bird registration is now open. Under the theme ““Let It Be With Me According To Your Word: From Praying to Knowing to Doing,” the Seminar will host Pastors, Deacons, Musicians, and Seminarians to discuss liturgical formation in the ELCA in the evangelical catholic tradition. Plenary speakers include Max Johnson (University of Notre Dame), Ed Foley (Catholic Theological Union, Chicago), Audrey West (Lutheran School of Theology/Yale), and Lizette Larson-Miller (Diocese of Huron), as well as Daniel Schwandt, Kevin Vaughn, Andrew Schaeffer, and the Minnesota Boychoir as musicians. Much more information and registration can be found at www.seminarliturgy.org.

Getting Equipped for Stewardship
2025-08-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Are you a church leader tasked with your upcoming on ongoing stewardship work? Join Church Anew live on Zoom at 11:00 a.m. for an hour of stewardship talk, basics, ideas, and opportunities to ask questions of the Rev. Tim Brown, Director of Stewardship for the ELCA and Grace Duddy Pomroy, Director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary.
The event is free, but sign-up is required.
Register

Lutheran Night at the Twins
2025-08-14 18:30 - 21:00 | Target Field, 1 Twins Way , Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
Join other Minnesota Lutherans at Target Field for Lutheran Night at the Twins! There are a variety of seating options and pricing, ranging from upper level ($18) to club level ($51) and more. For group or individual tickets, contact Ryan Thomson at 612-659-3582 or ryanthomson@twins.com.
National Anthem Lutheran Mass Choir
Let’s show Minnesota that Lutherans can SING! Gather with other voices to sing the national anthem at the start of the game at Lutheran Night on August 14. You will need to get to the field by 5:40 p.m. and meet the group outside the stadium by Gate 6. Watch Seth’s choir video here for complete details.

Planting an Acts 2 Church / Sembrando una iglesia de Hechos 2
2025-08-15 10:00 - 14:00 | St. Paul’s San Pablo Lutheran Church, 2742 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Join Agora to celebrate the legacy of the Agora Program, which has trained lay leaders for ethnic-specific and multicultural congregations.
There will be for learning, fellowship, food, tributes, worship, and singing in different languages. Featuring a workshop in English and Spanish and a sermon by Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra, ELCA pastor, author, teacher, and national leader in faith-rooted organizing.
Check out the flyer in English or Spanish.

Adult Mental Health First Aid Training
2025-08-16 09:00 - 14:30 | Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Twin Cities, Minneapolis Campus, Minneapolis Campus, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
A skills-based training on identifying and responding to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults ages 18 and over.

More information >

Creating a Dementia-Friendly Congregation Presentation
2025-08-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
During this presentation, participants will learn strategies to create a congregation that is knowledgeable, understanding, and compassionate towards people and families affected by dementia. Going beyond the basics of dementia, faith community nurses, clergy and congregational leaders will learn how best to support both persons with dementia and their families though evidence-based practice related to daily care, improved communication, maintaining mobility, increased accessibility and safety, and how the love of Christ can be shown in everyday life.

More information >
Flyer >

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
2025-08-23 09:00 - 14:30 | Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Twin Cities, Minneapolis Campus, Minneapolis Campus, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Join Mental Health Connect for skills-based training teaching adults how to identify and respond to an adolescent (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health challenge.

Synod Senior Band Concert
2025-08-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Westwood Lutheran Church, 9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, MN, 55426, United States

Webinar: Problem Gambling: Becoming a part of the solution
2025-08-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Problem gambling affects millions across the United States, with an estimated 2-3% of adults experiencing gambling disorder, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling. This translates to roughly 5-10 million Americans struggling with the financial, emotional, and relational consequences of compulsive gambling.
Often intertwined with mental health challenges and substance use disorders, problem gambling can devastate families https://mnapg.org/ and communities. Increased access to online betting and gaming has heightened the urgency for awareness and intervention. This webinar will explore the scope of problem gambling in America, its intersections with other public health issues, and actionable steps toward prevention and recovery.
Susan Sheridan Tucker, Executive Director of Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling (MNAPG), joins us to discuss efforts to bring greater awareness to the issue.
Susan received her master’s in urban planning which laid a foundation for community building and strategic planning. Through Susan’s leadership, MNAPG is increasing Minnesotans’ awareness to gambling addiction and emphasizing the connections between substance use disorder and mental health. Susan’s overall focus is to build a stronger infrastructure of problem gambling services in Minnesota.
Over the past 35 years, Susan’s career has focused on nonprofit management, building organizations and advocating for those with diminished voice or power.
Register >

Addiction Ministry 101: Four Part Seminar
2025-08-27 11:00 - 2025-09-17 12:30 | Online
Addiction Ministry 101

A Class for Those Who Want to Offer Support to Those with Addiction and Those Who Love Them with Otto Schultz

Wednesdays
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CTAugust 27, Sept 3, 10 & 17

This program will provide instruction on five simple communication tools to give exceptional care to families troubled by substance problems, and for people in early recovery.
Fee: $50.00
(Registrants will be invoiced)

Register

Every experienced Pastor/Minister has run into the frustrations of dealing with substance use problems and other addictions. Referring people to AA, Al-anon, and treatment is helpful, but sound pastoral care is important for everyone in the family. Pastoral care is equally important to people in recovery as they rethink their spiritual lives.
Rev. Otto Schultz, a retired Lutheran pastor and alcohol and drug counselor, teaches this four-week course. It offers practical education on unique effective and urgently needed models of pastoral and congregational ministry. These models show how sound theology and good science work together for church and clergy to “let their light so shine” with people and families in trouble with alcohol, drugs and other addictions.

You are invited to this four-part seminar to learn:
1. How to use five simple communication tools to give exceptional care to families troubled by substance problems and for people in early recovery.
2. How these communication tools are useful for many hard conversations.
3. Why you don’t need to be a therapist to do sound pastoral care with addicted people or their families.
4. How science and theology work together on this issue.
5. What it’s like to be a clergy who has struggled with addiction and now enjoys recovery.
6. What congregations can learn from 12 Step Recovery.
7. Why it’s likely that your congregation has experienced people who want to help in this ministry.
8. How to find these people and help them become a team with an effective ministry.

The program uses a wide range of educational methods to keep it lively and to appeal to a variety of learning styles .

Rev. Otto B. Schultz, B. A., M. Div., and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (Ret.). A graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, this ELCA Pastor has been in the substance abuse field for over 45 years. He has trained thousands of people in practical tools for addressing substance use problems and helped hundreds of families intervene successfully.Schultz retired as the Spiritual Counselor at Bryan Medical Center Independence Center in Lincoln.

Cristo Obrero Back to School Party
2025-08-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Heritage Park, 56 Heritage Circle, Chaska, MN, 55318, United States
Cristo Obrero is looking for donations and volunteers for their biggest event of the year, their Back to School Party. It will be held on Thursday, August 28, at 6:00 p.m. at Heritage Park (56 Heritage Circle) in Brandondale Estates Mobile Home Parks in Chaska. Big Bell Ice Cream will be there with their truck of delicious frozen treats. Ice cream is free! They will also be giving out free backpacks and school supplies.
They are also in need of many more backpacks and school supplies. Around 200 children and youth are expected to attend. If you are interested in supporting Cristo Obrero and immigrants during this difficult time, this is an easy and tangible way to help families. Needed supplies include: Backpacks, Spiral Notebooks, Scissors, Glue Sticks, Pencils, Markers, Colored Pencils, Crayons
How can you help?

Supplies can be dropped off at Cross of Peace (1506 Wood Duck Trail, Shakopee, 55379).
You can order supplies from Amazon and have them delivered to Cross of Peace.
Contact Pastor Stephanie to pick up supplies from your home or church after August 18.
Right now Menards has fun character backpacks (like Spiderman) on sale for $5. These are a favorite for kindergarteners.
Teenagers love Converse backpacks. They are often on sale at the outlet mall in Eagan.
Cash donations to go towards supplies and/or the ice cream truck can be given through Venmo @Cristo-Obrero
Volunteer with Cristo Obrero on August 28th!

More information >

RECLAIM: Young Adult Cohort
2025-09-04 - 2025-09-07 | Hilton Riverside, New Orleans, 2 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA, United States
RECLAIM is a carefully curated gathering for the African Descent community of all ages and gender identities. Brought to us by African Descent Ministries, this event is a place where our siblings in the pulpits, pews, and out at brunch can be seen and celebrated for who they are.
If you’re a young adult (18-35), join our young adult cohort for a shared experience that explores where you are and where you want to be in the church.
For scholarship information regarding young adult participants, contact Mae Helen Jackson.
Learn more and register >
Download the event flyer >
