Mpls Area Synod ELCA

"Ashes to Action" Anti-racism Book Study
2024-01-11 12:30 - 2024-02-22 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Anti-racism Book Study
Using Shari Seifer’s recent book Ashes to Action as the backdrop, the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice (EDLARJ) is gathering interested people for the weaving of story and study in a four-part anti-racism workshop.
This series will be facilitated by Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown, the Anti-racism Accountability Consultant for ELDARJ! Participants will hear from Shari Seifert, current EDLARJ president and author of Ashes to Action: Finding Myself at the Intersection of the Minneapolis Uprising. EDLARJ board member Kinna Nordstrom Kemp will serve as host.
Thursdays, January 11 and 25, February 8 and 22
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Zoom
The cost for participating in this four-part series is $40, with half of proceeds going to Rev. Dr. Brown and half to continuing the work of ELDARJ.
To register: Meeting Registration – Zoom

JUSTmove! A justice centered lock-in for youth
2024-01-14 19:00 - 2024-01-15 07:00 | Woodlake Lutheran Church, 7525 Oliver Ave S, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
A Justice centered lock in for all youth in grades 6 – 9 hosted by Woodlake Lutheran Church with special guest Joe Davis and Dave Scherer.
Enjoy an overnight of music, inflatables, story telling, poetry, midnight pizza, conversation, games, movies and more! Option to bring a non-perishable food item for donation!
You can download the flyer to print for your church.

Register >
or through the QR code

2024 Youth Ministry Extravaganza
2024-01-17 - 2024-01-24 | Sheraton Hotel, New Orleans, 500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130, United States
Extravaganza is the Network’s annual conference, drawing together over 1,000 leaders in children, youth and family ministry, along with teachers, resource providers and leaders from the ELCA, all for four days of renewal, education and networking.

Intensive Care Course: January 17-18, 2024
Main Event: January 18-21, 2024
More information >

Ghosted: Ministering to Estranged Parents
2024-01-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Ghosted: Ministering to Estranged Parents
Family estrangement in general and parental estrangement in particular is being recognized as an emerging public health problem in our society. Roughly 70 million persons over the age of 18 indicate they are estranged from a family member, and one in eight parent-adult child relationships is estranged. In this SPEAK Awareness Training for Faith Communities, participants will learn practical skills for making a life-changing difference for estranged parents and grandparents in their congregations and communities.
Thursday, January 18; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Zoom
More information: https://lutheranfcna.org/event-5489570
Contact person: Carol DeSchepper at lutheranfcna@gmail.com

Come Together for Racial Justice
2024-01-18 19:00 | Online
Come Together for Racial Justice returns on Thursday, January 18th, at 7:00 p.m. Central time to kick off another year of powerful conversations led by Pastor Kelly Chatman. Join CLNE in building relationships across boundaries in a community centered in BIPOC leadership.​ Ground yourself in conversations with others committed to racial justice and systems change.
Register >
Join the Zoom on 1/18 >

Elementary Retreat at Luther Crest
2024-01-19 19:00 - 2024-01-21 19:00 | Luther Crest Bible Camp, 8231 County Road 11 NE, Alexandria, MN, United States
Elementary Retreat at Luther Crest
Play, worship, create, and have fun this winter while staying in a cabin with other Elementary age campers and a Luther Crest Camp Counselor!
January 19-21, 2024
(Friday at 7:00 p.m. – Sunday at 11:00 a.m.)
Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria Minnesota
More info: https://www.luthercrest.org/youth-retreats
Contact person: Renae at renaer@luthercrest.org

Learn to Paint with the Gentleman Artist
2024-01-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Nativity Lutheran, 3312 Silver Lake Road, Saint Anthony Village, MN, 55418, United States
Looking for a creative way to warm up on a chilly Saturday in January? You are invited to join Robert Coleman (The Gentleman Artist) and CLNE for an afternoon filled with painting, learning, and community. Bring a friend, a family member, a teenager that enjoys art-ing…the more the merrier!
We are excited for Robert to showcase his teaching and storytelling skills in this art class! You’ll have the opportunity to let your creativity flow as you paint your own masterpiece, while also meeting folks in our CLNE community. Join us for a memorable experience! Robert’s art work will also be available for purchase.
Cost: $50/person, youth (14+) welcome
(Covers Robert’s teaching and time, art materials, & snacks/beverages)
Register

Embodied Antiracism Practice Group for White Bodies
2024-01-27 08:00 - 2024-02-05 17:00 | Northeast United Methodist Church, 2510 Cleveland St NE,, Minneapolis, MN, 55418, United States
What’s at the root of the collective patterns of racist harm that remain so pervasive among white bodies, despite our good intentions? And how do we begin to pull up those roots, helping us to show up more and more aligned with our values?
CLNE’s embodied antiracism practice groups explore these questions and build loving, accountable communities that can support us in the mess of the work. 59 people went through this 9-week cohort experience during 2023.
Interested in learning more or joining our next general cohort (or clergy cohort!)? Email Rachel Svanoe Moynihan, rachel.sm@clne-mn.org
To read testimonials from CLNE’s embodied antiracism work this fall, check out the recent blog post!
Dates are Saturday, January 27, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Mondays February 5 – April 1, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Inspired Life: Mental Health Connect
2024-01-30 19:00 - 20:00 | All Saints Lutheran Church Minnetonka, 15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN, 55345
Inspired Life: Mental Health Connect
Rev. Hannah Campbell Gustafson will tell the story of her passion for mental health, and the journey that led her to become Executive Director of Mental Health Connect in June 2023. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared that people in the U.S. are experiencing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and this disconnection negatively impacts well-being. Hannah will share her vision for Mental Health Connect, and the ways in which she believes that religious communities can and should play a supportive and de-stigmatizing role in the well-being of our wider communities.
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
All Saints Lutheran, 15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka MN 55345
More information: https://www.allsaintsmtka.org/inspiredlife
Contact: All Saints Main Office: aslc@allsaintsmtka.org or (952) 934-3550

Addiction and Practical Solutions for Faith Communities
2024-01-31 12:00 - 13:00 | online
Addiction and Practical Solutions for Faith Communities
Join The Center of Addiction and Faith on Wednesday, January 31, for a free one-hour webinar on Zoom titled Addiction & Practical Solutions for Faith Communities from Noon – 1:00 p.m. All attending will be on zoom and questions can be asked through chat during the webinar. Author Keaton Douglas (author and founder of the iTHIRST Initiative) is joining host George A. Wood for a discussion of Douglas’ latest book, The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction.
Wednesday, January 31; Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Online
Those struggling with addiction, and their loved ones, should be able to visit any faith community and find someone to offer spiritual consolation and recovery resources. The church can’t ignore the crisis of addiction. Solutions for faith communities in addressing the scourge of addiction in their pews and beyond will be shared & discussed.
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rs_162WZSL6TPIGYxsO6_w#/registration
The webinar is for clergy and lay members of congregations.

Youth Group Confirmation Night at Luther Seminary
2024-01-31 18:30 - 20:00 | Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States
SAVE the date: ELCA Congregations, bring your youth (Grandes 6-12th grade) and adult leaders to Luther Seminary for a night of games, pizza, learning (about vocation!) and worship.
More information coming soon.
Registration opens November 15 at luthersem.edu/admissions/events/

Refresher Course for Faith Community Nurses
2024-02-01 09:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
This three-part series is for current Parish Nurses/Faith Community Nurses who took their initial training program more than 5 years ago. Based on input from FCNs, we are offering these topics to help update and refresh your knowledge in health ministry.
October 5, November 9, 2023 & February 1, 2024
More information >

Discipline that connects
2024-02-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Long Lake Lutheran Church, 3921 277th Avenue NW, Isanti, MN, 55040, United States
Discipline that Connects
What kids learn when they are disciplined wil last a lifetime. But, well-intentioned parents often miss their kids’ hearts during discipline. Instead of building the wisdom and respect they hope for, parents inadvertently build discouragement and resentment, which drives their kids to misbehave more. But, it doesn’t have to be that way!
Learn four messages that show God’s grace, love, and truth in the middle of your child’s most challenging behaviors.
Saturday, February 3; 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Long Lake Lutheran Church
3921 277th Avenue NW, Isanti, Minnesota
This is a faith-based partenting class. Free childcare is available.
For more information, contact: kariosmek@longlakeluth.org

Middle School Retreat at Luther Crest
2024-02-09 19:00 - 2024-02-11 11:00 | Luther Crest Bible Camp, 8231 County Road 11 NE, Alexandria, MN, United States
Middle School Retreat at Luther Crest
Play, worship, create, and have fun this winter while staying in a cabin with other Middle School age campers and a Luther Crest Camp Counselor!
February 9-11, 2024
(Friday at 7:00 p.m. – Sunday at 11:00 a.m.)
Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria Minnesota
More info: https://www.luthercrest.org/youth-retreats
Contact person: Renae at renaer@luthercrest.org

Night Songs
2024-02-09 19:30 - 21:00 | University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States
Night Songs
This evening of music and poetry features the choirs of University Lutheran Church of Hope, Grace University Lutheran, First Congregational Church of MN, University Baptist Church, Vocal U, and other metro area singers and instrumentalists. Come listen to beautiful music under stunning projections of the night sky!
Friday, February 9; 7:30 p.m.
University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Avenue SE, Minneapolis
The event is free and open to the public.

Black History Month Concert with Mill City String Quartet
2024-02-10 15:00 - 16:30 | All Saints Lutheran Church Minnetonka, 15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN, 55345
Black History Month Concert with Mill City String Quartet
Celebrate Black Composers and Black History Month with Mill City String Quartet! The Quartet is performing Jessie Montgomery’s “Voodoo Dolls,” Shelley Washington’s “Middleground,” and Daniel Bernard Roumain’s “King.” This is Mill City String Quartet’s debut performance at All Saints Lutheran Church in Minnetonka. It’s a wonderful and educational program fit for the whole family!
Saturday, February 10, 2024
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
All Saints Lutheran, 15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka MN 55345
More information: https://subspla.sh/fb47s75
Contact: All Saints Main Office: aslc@allsaintsmtka.org or (952) 934-3550

Second Saturday Concert Series
2024-02-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Bethel Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, 4120 17th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55407, United States
2nd Saturday Concert Series: SiriAnna
Pastor SiriAnna Strommen shares her original music in a unique concert. Between her flowing piano playing, lyrical singing, and expansive spiritual imagery, you will be treated to music that is good for your soul. $10 suggested donation.
Saturday, February 10; 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Bethel Lutheran Church
4120 17th Avenue South, Minneapolis
For more information: Pastor Siri Strommen at strommensiri@hotmail.com

Cherish All Children Winter Walk
2024-02-11 - 2024-02-29 | MN
Cherish All Children Winter Walk
Beginning Super Bowl Sunday, let’s kick-off our commitment to protect children and youth! Ask a friend to join you on a walk anytime February 11-29 and talk about how you are supporting the safety of young people and engaging with Cherish All Children.
Receive a Cherish All Children beanie or baseball cap with your donation of $25 or greater. Donate now so you can receive your beanie(s) or cap(s) today!
To learn more about our work or to schedule a youth or adult presentation, please contact me! A new focus is preventing sextortion, a significantly increasing online crime against children. We can make a difference in keeping kids safe.
Reach out at Joy.mcelroy@cherishallchildren.org

Children's Ministry Gathering
2024-02-12 13:00 - 14:00 | St. Stephen Lutheran, Bloomington, 8400 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55431, United States
Children’s Ministry Gathering
Join other Children’s Ministry staff and volunteers in person at St. Stephen’s Lutheran, Bloomington, for a conversation about safety and creating a safe space for children. DIscussion will include how to implement being a safe place at church. Hear from other ministry leaders and bring your own ideas.
Monday, February 12; 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
8400 France Avenue South, Bloomington
More information: Julie Vagle at juliev@trinitylonglake.org

Come Together for Racial Justice
2024-02-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Come Together for Racial Justice gathers Thursday, February 15th, at 7pm Central for a powerful conversation with Pastor Kelly Chatman and Dedra Slack, Founder of Soul Sabbath Spiritual Wellness.
Join in building relationships across boundaries in a community centered in BIPOC leadership.​ Ground yourself in conversations with others committed to racial justice and systems change.
Register >
Join Zoom >

Addiction and Ending It For Good
2024-02-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Addiction and Ending It For Good
The Center of Addiction & Faith is presenting a one-hour free webinar, Addiction & Ending It For Good, with author Christina Dent on Zoom at 12 noon CT on Feb 28, 2024. Christina Dent is the founder of End it for Good, a nonprofit which invites people to support approaches to drugs and addiction that prioritize life, preserve families, and promote public safety. She supported a criminal justice approach to drugs for most of her life until she became a foster parent and saw how it negatively affected children and families. Her new book, Curious, is the story of her journey about how she changed her mind in favor of health-centered approaches to drugs and addiction. The host of webinar is George A Wood, author, Speaker, Pastor at Sober Truth.
Wednesday, February 28; Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Zoom (registration)
More information: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Q0SkriWTU6bR7jjCUVMSQ#/registration
Contact person: Louise Olson at glolro@comcast.net

2024 Fosdick Lecture
2024-02-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Augsburg University, Hoversten Chapel, 625 22nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, United States
Rev. Barbara Lundblad named 2024 Fosdick Lecturer
Augsburg University Campus Ministry has announced that the Rev. Barbara Lundblad has been selected as the keynote speaker for the Seventh Annual Fosdick Lecture on Preaching. Lundblad, the Joe R. Engle Professor of Preaching Emerita at Union Theological Seminary, will speak on the theme “Shall the Christian Nationalists Win?” (This title is an homage to one of Harry Emerson Fosdick’s well-known sermons: “Shall the Fundamentalists Win?”)
Thursday, February 29; 10:00 a.m.
Hoversten Chapel, Augsburg University
Livestream available
Lundblad is the author of two books, Transforming the Stone: Preaching through Resistance to Change (2010) and Marking Time: Reaching Biblical Stories in Present Tense (2007). She is a retired rostered minister in the ELCA and served as parish pastor in New York City for 17 years.
For more information
To register to attend in person
To register to attend online

Race Immersion at the Science Museum
2024-03-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Looking for an opportunity to deepen your understanding of race, the history of racism, and the impact systemic racism has on our communities? Join us for an afternoon immersion that challenges and builds awareness as part of our commitment to be the work and break down broken systems.
The idea that we can group people into “races” is only a few hundred years old. It was, and is, tied to power and hierarchy. Today, scientists have disproved the idea of race and its notions of biological superiority. But the idea of race continues to shape our lives. How did we get here? And how can we do better?
In RACE: Are We So Different?, you can examine our shared history and current reality. Understanding the past, acknowledging harm, and joining the conversation are the first steps toward a fairer future. (Science Museum of Minnesota)
CLNE’s immersion includes self-guided time in the exhibit and a 90-minute guided reflection and discussion with CLNE facilitators.
Cost: $100/person (includes the price of admission + CLNE facilitators)
When: Saturday March 9th, 2024 | 1:00pm-4:00pm
Questions? Contact Jen Mohr, j.mohr@clne-mn.org
Register >

Wartburg College Chamber Choir/Orchestra Concert
2024-03-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, MN, 55346, United States
Wartburg College Chamber Choir/Orchestra Concert
Wartburg College’s two music ensembles will be in Twin City on Saturday, March 9. Castle Singers (chamber choir) and Kammerstreicher (chamber orchestra) will share selections from the classical period to contemporary works programmed for their international concert tour in May 2024. Freewill donations will be accepted to support scholarships and future tours.
Saturday, March 9; 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie
Contact person: Kyung Ko, Minister of Music, at kyung@immanuel.us

Children's Ministry Zoom
2024-03-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Children’s Ministry Zoom
Come and share bring your resources to share to help others navigate the “little ones” in our ministry. What special events do you host? How do you partner with the parents?
Monday, March 11; 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Zoom
To join Zoom call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88284971186?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 882 8497 1186 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Contact person: Julie Vagle at Juliev@trinitylonglake.org

How Loneliness Influences Health and What Nurses Can Do to Help
2024-03-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
How Loneliness Influences Health and What Nurses Can Do to Help
This presentation will include information about loneliness as a unique health stressor. We will delve into the relationship between belonging and loneliness, with information on how unmet need to belong and experience of loneliness can lead to poor psychological, behavioral, physical, and social health outcomes.
A description of LISTEN as an intervention for loneliness along with other potential interventions will be provided and discussed. While the primary audience for this event is nurses, I’m confident that anyone will benefit from the presentation. We all know lonely people in our lives and in our worship communities.
Thursday, March 14
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Zoom
More information: https://lutheranfcna.org/event-5566224
Contact person: Carol DeSchepper, executive director, at cjdeschepper@gmail.com

Gathering: Ice Cream Social Justice
2024-03-17 19:00 - 20:30 | University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States
Ice Cream Social Justice
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Social Justice!
A Winter Source to Sea: Decolonizing Through Paddling the Entire Mississippi River
Speaker: Cory Maria Dack
Cory Maria Dack (she/her/ella) is an Indigenous Latina who was born in Ecuador and raised in Northern Minnesota. She worked with a pair of other women paddlers in 2022 and 2023, canoeing the Mississippi River from source to sea for over 130 days, much of it during the winter months! This journey highlighted the need to bridge equity gaps through representation of Women, People of Color, fat-bodied people, members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, economically disadvantaged people, and other demographics that are underrepresented on the water and in the outdoors. Cory will share about her adventure, what she learned on the journey, and why decolonizing thru-paddling is important to her. Cory has been guiding canoe trips in the BWCA since 2007 and has spent the last few years leading eco-tourism and adventure trips through Costa Rica, Patagonia, and Ecuador. In the U.S. she also runs full time as a Street Medic, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in the Twin Cities and supporting our Native American leaders fighting for environmental justice on the Mississippi River and beyond.
Sunday, March 17; 7:00 p.m.
University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Avenue SE, Minneapolis
Join Gather folks for an evening of learning and conversations led by a local community leader. Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream will be provided, along with dairy-free options.
Gather is a ministry for young adults in the Twin Cities; a place for those who are hungry for community and connection with other young adults in the metro area. Gather is LGBTQI+ affirming and eagerly invites siblings of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression into full leadership and participation.
Follow Gather’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more information: @gathertwincities

Easter Egg Hunt
2024-03-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Long Lake Lutheran Church, 3921 277th Avenue NW, Isanti, MN, 55040, United States
Easter Egg Hunt
There will be a bounce house, fire truck, pictures w/bunnies, games, and coloring. Food truck available for purchases.
Saturday, May 23; 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Long Lake Lutheran Church
3921 277th Avenue NW, Isanti, Minnesota
More information: https://www.longlakeluth.org/

Addiction and Mastering Recovery
2024-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Addiction and Mastering Recovery
The Center of Addiction and Faith is presenting a free one-hour webinar titled “Addiction and Mastering Recovery” with author Rev. Barry Lehman on March 27 from Noon – 1:00 p.m., on Zoom. Rev. Barry’s book, Mastering Recovery: Find a New Freedom and a New Happiness in Long-Term Sobriety, explores the question of acceptance — what is acceptance and what it isn’t. What are things we cannot change and what are things we can? The webinar host is Rev. George A. Wood, author, speaker, and pastor at Sober Truth Project.
Wednesday, March 27; Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B8KAnTf8RyWLPW8kjje8fQ#/registration
More information: http://www.addictionandfaith.com

All Saints Easter Eggstravaganza
2024-03-30 10:00 - 12:00 | All Saints Lutheran Church Minnetonka, 15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN, 55345
All Saints Easter Eggstravaganza
Enjoy a morning filled with Easter activities, including an egg hunt, crafts, snacks, a photo booth, and an Easter I Spy At All Saints Lutheran Church in Minnetonka. Some special animal visitors from the Minnesota Zoo are coming too! All are welcome to join us at this free event, so invite your friends and neighbors.
Saturday, March 30: 10:00 a.m. – Noon
All Saints Lutheran Church
15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, Minnesota
To ensure that everyone has a fun and safe egg hunt experience, this year we will be having two egg hunts: one at 10:30 a.m., and one at 11:30 a.m. Families can reserve an egg hunt spot ahead of time.
More information: https://www.allsaintsmtka.org/eggstravaganza
