Mpls Area Synod ELCA

EcoFaith Coffee and Conversation
2025-11-15 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth, 12235 Old Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN, United States
Join us for a morning of coffee and conversation as we welcome in different creation care partners of the Minneapolis Area Synod. Here about their work and how you can get involved. Coffee and pastries will be provided.

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Power and Boundaries Workshop for Ministry Leaders - Option 2
2025-11-20 08:30 - 16:00 | Nativity Lutheran, 3312 Silver Lake Road, Saint Anthony Village, MN, 55418, United States
Rostered leaders in the Minneapolis Area Synod are required to attend a Power and Boundaries Workshop every three to five years. Church staff and volunteers are also encouraged to attend. This year’s workshops will be led by Rev. Emily Carson, Assistant to the Bishop, Director for Evangelical Mission & Financial Administrator at the Southeastern Minnesota Synod.
There are two dates to choose from, each workshop will be limited to 35 people.

Friday, November 14, at the Minnesota Church Center, Minneapolis
Thursday, November 20, at Nativity Lutheran, Minneapolis

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Webinar: MN Paid Leave Program
2025-11-20 12:30 - 13:30 | MN
Join this webinar with attorney Jewelie Grape to find out more information about Minnesota Paid Leave. If you have questions you would like to be discussed at the webinar, please email them to Liz Farmer.
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Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) Gathering
2025-11-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Minnesota Church Center, 122 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
Since 1990, leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod have visited Nigeria and maintained a companion synod relationship. Individuals and communities who have a history of partnership with the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) and those who are interested in starting a new partnership are invited to gather and connect.

When we’re together, we will share information and updates about the Lutheran University that is being built and discuss what is means to be a companion synods.

Children & Youth Ministry Monthly Gathering - December
2025-12-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Tamarack Taproom, 8418 Tamarack Village, Woodbury, MN, 55125, United States
December Youth Ministry Gathering
Social Time

Synod Office Closed - Christmas
2025-12-24 12:00 - 2025-12-26 17:00 | MN
The Synod Office will be closed the afternoon of December 24, and all day December 25, and 26.
If you need to reach a Synod staff member in case of emergency, call 612-230-3308.

Synod Office Closed - New Year's Eve/Day
2025-12-31 12:00 - 2026-01-01 17:00 | MN
The Synod Office will be closed the afternoon of December 31, and all day January 1.
If you need to reach a Synod staff member in case of emergency, call 612-230-3308.

Monthly Children's Ministry Online Meet-Up - January
2026-01-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Monthly Children’s Ministry Online Meet-Up – January
Topic: Resource Sharing
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Monthly Children & Youth Ministry Gathering - January
2026-01-13 15:00 - 17:00 | Wicked Wort Brewing, 4165 W Broadway, Robbinsdale, MN, United States
January Children & Youth Ministry Gathering
Liturgical Seasons: Doing Advent & Lent Differently

Welcoming Our Neighbor: A Prophetic Vision for the World
2026-01-24 09:00 - 15:00 | American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55407, United States
In recent months, cities across the country have experienced heightened intimidation and fear, particularly affecting our most vulnerable residents: immigrant neighbors. How might we then reflect on what meaningful solidarity entails and what we can do collaboratively to shape a future in which our communities flourish? The Minneapolis Area Synod’s Immigration Task Force invites you to join a conversation on Saturday, January 24, dedicated to learning and community building as we collectively address the realities unfolding in Minneapolis and envision the future we seek. Hosted at the American Swedish Institute, this gathering is designed to foster strategic, faith-driven responses to these challenges.
We are honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Gregory Cuéllar, a distinguished scholar from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Drawing on his extensive expertise in the migrant experience and his work on the U.S./Mexico border, Dr. Cuéllar will share insights from both his scholarship and grassroots engagement to help us cultivate a prophetic vision for our communities.
After lunch, a panel of community leaders will offer insights into current challenges and share reflections on possible paths forward. This event provides a valuable opportunity to listen, learn, and consider how to be fully present during this critical time.

Details

This event is open to all clergy, lay leaders, and community members.

There is no cost. Donations are welcome and will contribute to the Welcome Fund, a mutual aid fund established to support our immigrant neighbors in the Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA.

Lunch is included. Pre-registration is encouraged for lunch counts.

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About Rev. Dr. Gregory Cuéllar

Dr. Gregory L. Cuéllar is the Full Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible and the Ruth A. Campbell Chair in Biblical Studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. As an international biblical scholar, Dr. Cuéllar is interested in counterintuitive ways of reading biblical texts, in particular those that are rooted in a decolonizing discourse of liberation. His research explores topics related to the U.S. Mexico-Borderlands, immigration detention (UK and US), anti-black and brown racism, and the intersections of religion and migration. His current book project is titled, Religion in Immigrant Detention: Securing Faiths in a State of Removal (Palgrave, forthcoming). For this book project, he was awarded the Louisville Institute Project Grant for Researches (2019).
He has published his research in a wide range of journals. He is also author of Voices of Marginality: Exile and Return in Second Isaiah 40-55 and the Mexican Immigrant Experience (Peter Lang, 2008). His two most recent books are, Resacralizing the Other at the US-Mexico Border: A borderland Hermeneutic (Routledge 2020) and, Empire, the British Museum, and the Making of the Biblical Scholar in the Nineteenth Century: Archival Criticism (Palgrave, 2019).
He has been a visiting scholar at the Centre on Migration, Policy, and Society (COMPAS) and the Centre for Criminology, Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford.
In terms of advocacy work, he is the co-founder of a refugee artwork project called, Arte de Lágrimas (Art of Tears): Refugee Artwork Project. This project is a traveling art exhibit and archive that aims to create greater public awareness of the lived migratory journeys of asylum-seeking children, youth, and adults.

Quarterly Racial Justice Liaisons Gathering - January
2026-01-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, 2315 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55404
Join the Minneapolis Area Synod’s Racial Justice Team at their quarterly Racial Justice Liaisons gathering.
Racial Justice Liaisons at MAS worshipping communities are invited to come together to meet, network, and connect.
Email Pastor Jen Collins if you have questions or are interested in attending.

January 2026 Ministerium for Rostered Leaders
2026-01-29 08:00 - 12:00 | Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, 7401 County Rd 101, Maple Grove, MN, 55311, United States
Who is Christ for Us Today? Hope and Lessons from Bonhoeffer
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove
In our times, marked by political and ideological division and fueled, in part, by the rise of Christian Nationalism, Dr. Lori Brandt Hale (Director of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Augsburg) offers a compelling vision for a faithful and courageous response. Drawing on the life and witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Brandt Hale highlights four guiding themes—neighbor, community, grace, and responsibility—that can ground us in justice, compassion, and resilient hope as we work together for the common good.

Agenda:

8:30 a.m. Check-in
9:00 a.m. Worship
10:00 a.m. Fellowship & Refreshments
10:30 a.m. Presentation
12:00 p.m. Sending

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Conference Assemblies: Bloomington, South Minneapolis, and Crosstown Conferences
2026-01-29 19:00 - 20:30 | St. John’s Lutheran, Minneapolis, 4842 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55419, United States
More information and registration >

ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza
2026-01-30 - 2026-02-02 | Hyatt Regency at the Arch, 315 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, MO, 63102, United States
The Extravaganza is a four-day leadership event for ELCA congregational leaders in children’s, youth, young adult, and outdoor ministry.
Extravaganza is about faith formation. Extravaganza is about helping you in your ministry. Extravaganza is about renewal, education and connection.

Intensive Care Courses: January 29-30, 2026
The Main Event: January 30-February 2, 2026
This event runs Friday evening through Monday noon with optional pre-conference add-ons on Thursday & Friday.
The ELCA’s Youth Ministry Network invites leaders of color to participate in a pre-conference Multicultural Initiative. Learn more about the Multicultural Initiative.

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Rostered Minister Prayer Time
2026-02-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
In this challenging time across our state, we see you navigating the many responsibilities and concerns. The Bishops of Minnesota invite currently serving Rostered Ministers and SAMs to gather together online for an hour of prayer and connection led by Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry. Email the Synod office to receive the Zoom link.

Conference Assemblies: Northern, Rum River, and Western Waters Conferences
2026-02-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Grace Lutheran Church, Andover, 13655 Round Lake Blvd, Andover, MN, 55304, United States

Conference Assemblies: Central, North Minneapolis, and Northwest Hennepin Conferences
2026-02-07 09:00 - 11:00 | House of Hope Lutheran Church, New Hope, MN, United States
Save the date – more information to come!
More information and registration >

Pre-Super Bowl Party Fundraiser
2026-02-07 15:00 - 18:00 | Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, MN, 55346, United States
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Come for a time of multicultural food, drinks, music, fellowship and fun benefitting members of Cristo Obrero and their community. Many are suffering from restricted movement and inability to safely go to work.
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Bi-lingual service of Holy Communion with guest preacher Bishop Jen Nagel
Direct Donations can be made to Cristo Obrero’s Venmo at @Cristo-Obrero
Register and/or sponsor a family >

Monthly Children's Ministry Online Meet-Ups - February
2026-02-09 13:00 - 14:00 | online
Monthly Children’s Ministry Online Meet-Ups – February
Discussion Topic: TBD
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Monthly Children & Youth Ministry Gathering - February
2026-02-10 15:00 - 17:00 | Steel Toe Brewing, 4848 W 35th St, St. Louis Park, MN, 55416, United States
February Children & Youth Ministry Gathering
AI in Church: What are we Doing?

Conference Assemblies: Southwest, 394, and Western Parks & Lakes Conferences
2026-02-12 18:00 - 19:30 | St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie, 13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344, United States

Communicators Gathering on Branding
2026-02-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 333 S 12th St., Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
Serving Multiple Generations with One Congregational Identity
In person at Central Lutheran in Minneapolis OR on Zoom!
Some congregations are serving five generations of faithful disciples or are looking to engage with younger generations. Doing so has many church leaders reactively communicating everywhere, all the time, and to everyone in the way they prefer. An impossible and overwhelming task it seems. Yet, through God, along with a cohesive congregational brand identity, anything is possible.
During this two-hour hybrid session, Kelly Champagne, founder of Evoke Engagement Experts, will teach you how to develop a visual identity that accurately reflects the congregation’s personality. You will also learn how to build an effective six-month communication plan which reaches and inspires all generations. This session will not expand your to-do list. Instead, we hope to refine how you invest your precious time to better serve God’s people.
What you will learn:
• What are the five most effective aspects of a congregational identity and brand
• Why brand guidelines are necessary for clear, cohesive communication
• When to include voices from the congregation to inform your identity process
• How to develop a six-month communication plan which reflects who you are and what you value
• Simple best practices to follow for more cohesive and engaging communication to serve all generations
Time for Practice
At least 30 minutes of this session will be allotted for co-working time to practice the tools and best practices presented, assess your communication channels, share insights and learn from each other, and begin to develop your congregation’s unique identity.
Who Should Attend:
Church communicators, administrators, rostered ministers, communication committee members or teams

About the Presenter:
Kelly Champagne is the founder and co-owner of Evoke Engagement Experts. As a cradle Lutheran, Kelly served in various church lay leadership positions including youth adult leader, council member, hospitality team member, and capital campaign marketing chair. She saw firsthand how important it was for churches to have communications-minded person on their teams. In 2018, Kelly left a 10-year career in product marketing to pursue her dream of helping nonprofits and churches effectively tell their story and engage with new generations of people. In 2024, Evoke merged with a talented freelance designer, Emily Christenson, to expand Evoke into a full-service communications agency. Kelly and Emily now co-own Evoke and have served over 70 churches (mostly Lutheran) and nonprofits with nine staff supporting our partner organizations.
Kelly has extensive experience in building effective marketing and communication plans, seeing results utilizing data-driven processes, and implementing industry best practices within both for-profit and nonprofit environments. She has a degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and is a lifelong Packers, Brewers, and Badgers fan (sorry Minnesotans!). You can find her reading or exploring Northern Virginia, where she resides, with her husband and two dogs.
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Monthly Children's Ministry Online Meet-up - March
2026-03-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Monthly Children’s Ministry Online Meet-up – March
Topic: AI in the Church World
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MAS Budget Hearing
2026-03-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Online
Join online for a conversation about the Synod’s proposed budget for 2027 before we vote on it at Synod Assembly.
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MAS Retired Rostered Leaders Gathering
2026-04-07 13:00 - 14:30 | MN
Retired Rostered Leaders of the Minneapolis Area Synod are invited you to gather the afternoon of Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
More details and RSVP coming soon.

Monthly Children's Ministry Online Meet-Up - April
2026-04-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Monthly Children’s Ministry Online Meet-Up – April
Topic: Fall & Welcome Back Events
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An Afternoon with Rev. Alan Storey
2026-04-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Westwood Lutheran Church, 9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, MN, 55426, United States
Rostered ministers of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods are invited to spend an afternoon with Rev. Alan Storey.

Rev. Alan Storey is a recently retired Methodist Minister from Cape Town, South Africa. Rooted in the South African context, Alan is a Gospel storyteller and facilitator of personal and political change.

Over the years, Rev. Storey has been involved in numerous civil society organizations addressing gun violence, racism; state-capture corruption; xenophobia; homophobia; transphobia; spatial apartheid inequality; sex worker discrimination, and campaign for a universal basic income.

Rev. Storey has an Honors degree in Theology and a Masters in the Philosophy of Applied Business Ethics. He is a recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award and a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative (part of the Aspen Leadership Institute). Over the years, Rev. Storey has been part of the Holden Village Teaching Staff.

Rev. Storey’s lifelong work remains the experimental practice of the Sermon on the Mount. Through presentation and conversation, this session will offer theological depth and imagination to rostered ministers in need of a sustaining and nourishing Gospel word in these turbulent, troubling times.

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Monthly Youth Ministry Gathering - April
2026-04-14 15:00 - 17:00 | MN
April Youth Ministry Gathering
Topic TBD
Location TBD

Healthy Boundaries Training for CYF Leaders
2026-04-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Online
ELCA Region 3 Synods are hosting an online Healthy Boundaries Training for CYF Professionals and Volunteers
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 the Region 3 “ICE Response Fund” helping impacted congregations in our communities.

2026 Synod Assembly
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-02 | Lord of Life, Ramsey, 14501 Nowthen Blvd NW, Ramsey, MN, 55303, United States
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Fear, scarcity, and division invade our streets and our world, threatening violence and leaving many feeling isolated and uncertain. But the church, set free in Christ for such a time as this, offers an alternative story and way of being. Grounding ourselves in our faith, we turn to one another for community, encouragement, and holy provocation. At this year’s Synod Assembly, we will reflect on how to set a course for the church amid troubling times by turning again to our unwavering hope that comes from God’s unwavering faithfulness.
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Lay voting members and rostered leaders are invited to gather as the larger church and worship, connect, and vote.
Friday evening:

5:00 p.m. – Hearings, orientations, youth gathering, optional dinner
6:00 p.m. – Devotion, grounding in theme and Scripture
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Plenary 1

Saturday:

9:00 a.m. – Opening worship
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Plenaries, lunch, speakers

More information coming soon.
