Mpls Area Synod ELCA

Bishop Nominee Forum
2024-04-07 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Our Saviour’s Lutheran, East Bethel, 19001 Jackson St NE, East Bethel, 55011, United States
Come and meet the candidates for bishop of the 2024 Minneapolis Area Synod bishop election.

Bishop Nominee Forum
2024-04-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, MN, 55346, United States

Bishop Nominee Forum
2024-04-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Bethel Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, 4120 17th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55407, United States

Bishop Nominee Forum - Online
2024-04-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
Hop online and meet the candidates for bishop of the 2024 Minneapolis Area Synod bishop election.
Join the webinar >

Budget Hearing and Electronic Voting Training (Zoom)
2024-04-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
Get ready for the Synod Assembly by hearing from the synod treasurer about the proposed budget and practicing the electronic voting

6:00 Budget Hearing
7:00 Electronic Voting Training

Please register for the Zoom call in advance >

2024 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly
2024-05-02 17:00 - 2024-05-04 11:30 | Lord of Life, Ramsey, 14501 Nowthen Blvd NW, Ramsey, MN, 55303, United States
Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly

Like the early Christians gathered at Pentecost, we pray for the Spirit to fill us with “glad and generous hearts” as we gather for our 2024 Synod Assembly, May 2-4, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Ramsey, MN.
Today’s world doesn’t always call us to our better selves – to live with ‘glad and generous hearts.’ Forces within our culture often seek to create bitterness, jealousy, and hoarding.
As Christians, we are called to be different – called to live with gladness, not because we are in denial of the challenges of the world, but because we are loved by a gracious and generous God; a God who also calls us to love the neighbor, following in the generous way of Jesus.
We are called to be community even when the basic fabric that supports relationship is being frayed. We are called to live as the early church – which also faced many challenges to community – by living with glad and generous hearts.
In addition to worship, fostering community, and discernment, we will be electing synod leaders – including the election of a new bishop. We will also have an opportunity to thank Bishop Svennungsen and the synod staff.
Join us at Synod Assembly May 2 – 4 as we seek together to live with gladness and generosity by the grace of God and for the sake of the world.

More information at mpls-synod.org/our-synod/synod-assembly-2/
Register at mplsareasynod.regfox.com/2024-synod-assembly

Festival of Installation of Bishop Jen Nagel
2024-09-21 10:30 - 13:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 333 S 12th St., Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
The Festival of Installation of Bishop Jen Nagel
Check out the webpage with more details >
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will install Bishop Jen Nagel as the fourth Bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod.
Saturday, September 21; 10:30 a.m.
Central Lutheran Church
333 South 12th Street, Minneapolis
When you arrive at Central, make sure to enter the lot through one of the three open air entrances; do not enter the ramp directly from the street, or you will have to pay for parking. View a parking map.
A light reception will follow the installation service.
Find more information and a sign up for the choir here >

Bishop's Theological Conference
2024-09-29 16:00 - 2024-10-01 12:00 | Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, 2100 Arrowwood Ln, Alexandria, MN, 56308, United States
Bishop’s Theological Conference
September 29 – October 1
Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center
Alexandria, Minnesota
Registration and more information can be found at mpls-synod.org/pastors-deacons/bishops-theological-conference

2024 Fall Joint Ministerium
2024-10-31 08:30 - 12:00 | Woodlake Lutheran Church, 7525 Oliver Ave S, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Reformation Rekindled: Practicing A Living Catechism
Woodlake Lutheran Church
2120 W 76th St, Richfield
Join us at the Joint Fall Ministerium of the Saint Paul Area and Minneapolis Area synods at Woodlake Lutheran Church, Richfield!
Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism as a teaching tool for faith, using all of the media at his disposal – stained glass windows, hymns and beer songs, paintings, and buildings. Today we have infinite media at our fingertips. What would it look like to introduce a Living Catechism to help share a vital and active faith with our people? Church Anew and the Lutheran Center at St. Olaf have been working with hundreds of faith leaders to shape such a resource. Join a conversation where they share learnings, experiments, and invite all of us to co-create A Living Catechism for this time and place.
Featured speakers: Dr. Deanna Thompson, Director of the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community and Martin E. Marty Regents Chair in Religion and the Academy; Rev. Matthew Fleming, Executive Director of Church Anew; and Rev. Peter Carlson Schattauer, Associate Director of the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community.

Register Now

Synod Boundaries Training
2024-11-21 09:00 - 16:00 | St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, 15600 Old Rockford Road, Plymouth, MN, United States
November 21, 2024: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

As people who work in ministry, we know the importance of relationships. We also know that healthy relationships depend upon clear and respectful boundaries. Rostered ministers especially need thoughtful and consistent training around boundaries because of the variety of their relationships.
Minneapolis Area Synod rostered leaders must attend Boundary Training Workshops every 3-5 years. Church staff members are encouraged to do the same. The workshop will be led mostly by LeaderWise with portions presented by Bishop Jen Nagel. The training costs $75 per person and includes materials, snacks, and lunch.
Register now >
More information at mpls-synod.org/boundaries-workshop
Contact person: Karen Ohm at k.ohm@mpls-synod.org

Synod office closed
2024-12-26 - 2024-12-27 | MN
The Synod office will be closed December 26 & 27, part of December 31, and January 1 for the holidays. Bishop Jen and Pastor John Hulden will be available in case of emergency. Pastor John will be checking his voicemail.

Synod office closed
2024-12-31 12:00 - 2025-01-01 17:00 | MN
The Synod office will be closed the afternoon of December 31, and all day January 1 for the holidays. Bishop Jen and Pastor John Hulden will be available in case of emergency. Pastor John will be checking his voicemail.

Ministerium
2025-01-30 08:30 - 12:00 | St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1701 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN, 55431, United States
Join us for “Listen Together,” the January 2025 Ministerium.
Look for more information on the Ministerium page >

Conference Assemblies
2025-02-04 - 2025-02-13 | MN
Every voice matters. Our Church needs lay and rostered voting members to participate in Conference Assemblies in preparation for Synod Assembly in May.

What are Conference Assemblies?

The congregations of the Minneapolis Area Synod are organized into 12 geographic conferences. These conferences are led by a dean, and rostered leaders of these congregations meet at various times throughout the year. In preparation for Synod Assembly, rostered leaders and voting members selected by their congregations come together in Conference Assemblies to consider nominations and resolutions/memorials that may be forwarded to Synod Assembly. Voting members may also nominate people for synod-wide positions and elect conference positions.

Who should attend?
These conference gatherings are open to clergy and lay participants from the congregations within the conference. Voting members from congregations for Synod Assembly in April are expected to attend. Your congregation should only send the number of voting members that are allotted for Synod Assembly. Visitors may attend. If you don’t know how many voting members should attend, you can look at the Lay Voting Member Assignment Formula or the List of Voting Members by Church.

Where are the Conference Assemblies held?
In 2025, there will be four different locations and times. See the locations and times below. If you don’t know what conference your congregation is part of, go to this list of conferences by city.

Northern Location
Tuesday, February 4
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, Fridley
6180 MN-65
Fridley, MN 55432
Hosting the Northern, Rum River, and Western Waters conferences

South Central Location
Thursday, February 6
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Richfield
7625 Chicago Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55423
Hosting the Bloomington, Crosstown, and South Minneapolis conferences

North Central Location
Saturday, February 8
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, Columbia Heights
825 51st Ave NE
Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Hosting the Northwest Hennepin, North Minneapolis, and Central conferences

Western Location
Thursday, February 13
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie
16515 Luther Way
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Hosting the Southwest, Western Parks and Lakes, and 394 Corridor North conferences

Leipzig Partnership Conversation
2025-03-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Join the Minneapolis Area Synod Leipzig Partnership Team for a webinar about our partnership with the Leipzig District (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saxony).
This presentation will include time for Pastor Adam White and Pastor Eric Luedtke to share about their experience at the ELCA Wittenberg Center in November and reflections on the church in Leipzig and here. During the presentation, we will also introduce Pastor Erik Haaland, Pastor Amber Ingalsbe, and Lora Dundek (the leaders for the renewed MAS/Leipzig Partnership team), hear the history of our partnership, and build energy to restart our work.
All are welcome to join and learn more!
Join the call >
Featured photo is of Pastors Adam and Eric in Leipzig, Germany

Tool Kit
2025-03-15 08:15 - 12:00 | St. Stephen Lutheran, Bloomington, 8400 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55431, United States
Join us for the Minneapolis Area Synod Tool Kit – a morning of learning and community building for church leaders.

Agenda

8:15 a.m. Registration opens
9:00 a.m. Large group gathering with update from Bishop Nagel
9:30 a.m. Break
9:45 a.m. Round One Workshops
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. Round Two Workshops
12:00 p.m. Adjourn

Workshop descriptions and details are on the Tool Kit page >
Register now

The Current Landscape: An Online Conversation with Global Refuge
2025-04-24 14:00 - 15:00 | MN
In recent months, Global Refuge (formerly LIRS) has been in the news because of their work with refugees and New Americans. Rev. Jon Buuck, Rev. David Wangaard, and Karla Leitzman from Global Refuge will lead an online conversation about the current landscape of services for refugees, share future programs, and answer any questions attendees may have.
Global Refuge supports and empowers immigrants and newcomers, who are rebuilding their lives in the United States.
Register >

Synod Assembly
2025-05-02 18:00 - 2025-05-03 17:00 | MN
Join us for the Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly.
Friday evening: Worship at Bethlehem Lutheran – Twin Cities
Saturday: Business at Lord of Life, Ramsey
To-do lists, resources, and registration are on the Synod Assembly web page.

Communicators Gathering
2025-05-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Woodlake Lutheran Church, 7525 Oliver Ave S, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
The church communicators of the Minneapolis Area Synod are invited to come together to share their materials and get feedback from their counterparts.
Register >

MAS Retired Rostered Leaders Gathering
2025-08-06 13:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota Church Center, 122 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
Retired Rostered Leaders of the Minneapolis Area Synod are invited you to gather the afternoon of Wednesday, August 6, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the Synod Office (Minnesota Church Center) 122 W. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, in the Assembly Room on the 1st floor.
The purpose of the time is:

to (re)connect with one another,
to hear some updates from the Synod and the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, and
to be in conversation together.

RSVP >

Churchwide Assembly Debrief Call
2025-08-28 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
A panel of Churchwide Assembly members will be hosting a Zoom call to recap the business that took place at Churchwide Assembly. Hop on to hear more and ask questions.

Let Us Know You’ll Be There

Learn Together Over Lunch Series: Minnesota Paid Leave Program
2025-09-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Are you ready for Minnesota Paid Leave? Effective January 1, 2026, most Minnesota employees will be eligible for up to 12 weeks of job protected paid medical and/or family leave. This is a state-run program funded by premiums paid by employers and employees. Attend this webinar led by Jewelie Grape, the Minneapolis Area Synod’s attorney, to find out more about your obligations as an employer under this new program.
Join us for the 1-hour Zoom call or watch the recording later.
Register >

Monthly Youth Ministry Gathering - September
2025-09-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Nine Mile Brewing, 9555 James Ave S Suite 290, Bloomington, MN, United States
September Youth Ministry Gathering
Why is CYF important?
Networking and Support

Region 3 Healthy Boundaries Training for CYF Leaders
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
Participants will explore their own relationship to power, boundaries, and authority, gaining insights into how these dynamics shape their leadership. Beyond personal reflection, the workshop will also equip leaders to actively foster wise boundary-setting skills in the young people they serve. Through discussion and practical strategies, attendees will be empowered to nurture healthy, trust-filled ministry spaces.
Cost: $10 donation to benefit Camp Noah – LSS

More information and registration >

Bishop's Theological Conference
2025-09-28 - 2025-09-30 | Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, 2100 Arrowwood Ln, Alexandria, MN, 56308, United States
2025 Bishop’s Theological Conference
“Baptism in Muddy Waters”
September 28 – 30, 2025
Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, Alexandria

Life has a way of stirring up the waters around us, doesn’t it? Endings and beginnings, joy and grief, fear and trust swirl together like silt in a river. In those murky, sacred places, God meets us. The Holy Spirit does some of her most beautiful work: washing away what weighs us down, breathing new life into our being, boldly drawing us into an estuary– a font of muddy, transformative material where what no longer serves us is submerged and new life emerges.

Drawing from Lutheran Theology and Scripture, we will discover a refreshing opportunity to reclaim our Belovedness as a source of courage and renewal. We will engage in vital conversations that will deepen our spiritual leadership and inspire new ideas for navigating today’s complex ministry challenges. Come as you are—tired, hopeful, questioning, faithful. Come eager to be renewed, emboldened with greater clarity about how our baptismal calling empowers truly transformational ministries and speaks life directly into our fractured world. Come ready to be surprised by grace and sent out with a heart full of possibility.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

*Registration for Bishop’s Theological Conference is now closed, and final rooming lists have been sent to Arrowwood. New registrants can no longer be added. If you need to cancel or have a questions about your registration, contact Jeni Huff. Please note, because final lists have been sent to Arrowwood, we cannot offer full refunds on cancellations. Thank you for your understanding.

More information >

Visit with Archbishop Musa Filibus
2025-10-02 14:00 - 15:30 | Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, 5011 S 31st Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, United States
Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus, from the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (one of our Global Companion Synods) is visiting Minnesota in September and October! His visit coincides with the Bishop’s Theological Conference, The Conference of Bishops meeting, and the installation of Bishop-Elect Yehiel Curry. The LCCN and Minneapolis area congregations, organizations, and the Synod have been companions in shared work and relationship in various iterations for over a century. To “companion” means to show up, to listen, to show compassion, to advocate, and to accompany. The Synod invites you, with other MAS congregations, to partner with Archbishop Musa Filibus and the LCCN. On Thursday, October 2, Archbishop Musa will be at Lake Nokomis Lutheran in Minneapolis, to bring updates about the LCCN and the Lutheran University in Nigeria, discuss current joys and challenges, and answer questions.
Register >

Installation of the Presiding Bishop
2025-10-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 333 S 12th St., Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
The installation of the next presiding bishop, Rev. Yehiel Curry, is open to the public, and tickets are not required. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Central time, and worship begins at 2:00 p.m.
A public reception to greet the new presiding bishop will be held at Central Lutheran following the installation.
Complimentary parking will be available on October 4, at the Central Lutheran parking facility. Visit Directions & Parking – Central Lutheran Church to find directions to the church and information on parking.
The Hilton Minneapolis is offering a limited number of hotel rooms for September 30–October 6 at a discounted rate of $175 per night. Visit BP Hilton hotel self-pay to make your reservation; the discounted rate will be available through Sept. 4 or until the room block is full, whichever comes first. Room availability may be limited due to the Twin Cities Marathon, taking place the following day.
A live video stream of the installation will be available for those unable to attend.

Welcome (Back) Event
2025-10-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN, United States
The Twin Cities CYF ELCA Team invites all people who serve in CYF ministries to the annual Welcome (Back) Event. Leaders will gather together to celebrate the coming year and share ideas, resources, and excitement!
Register >

Monthly Youth Ministry Gathering – October
2025-10-14 15:00 - 17:00 | MN
October Youth Ministry Gathering
Summer Plans: Trips and VBS
Location TBD

MAS Retired Rostered Leaders Gathering
2025-10-23 10:00 - 11:30 | MN
Retired Rostered Leaders of the Minneapolis Area Synod are invited you to gather the afternoon of Thursday, October 23, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
More details and RSVP coming soon.
