The Current Landscape: An Online Conversation with Global Refuge
2025-04-24 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Fall 2025 Joint Ministerium
2025-10-30 08:00 - 12:00 | Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 3115 Victoria Street North, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Rostered ministers in the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods are invited to gather for worship, fellowship, and reflection on Semper Reformanda (“always reforming”). Augsburg University President Dr. Paul Pribbenow, an esteemed leader in higher education, will be the featured presenter. He will speak about recent executive orders and changing demographics that impact all colleges and universities and reflect on what it means to be a church that is always reforming.
There’s no fee to attend, but please register in advance >
Agenda:

8:30 a.m. Check-in
9:00 a.m. Worship
10:15 a.m. Fellowship & Refreshments
11:00 a.m. Presentation by Dr. Paul Pribbenow
11:55 a.m. Adjourn

Gathering Expedition Retreats
2025-10-31 - 2025-11-02 | Lutherdale, N7891 US-12, Elkhorn, WI, 53121, United States
This fall, the ELCA Youth Gathering is hitting the road with Gathering Expedition, a regional retreat experience for 8th – 12th grade youth and the adults who lead them. It’s designed to be simple, meaningful, and full of movement — because ministry doesn’t just happen every three years. It happens in the in-between too.
Over the course of the weekend, your group will worship together, dive into deep questions, serve with purpose, and connect with others in your region. It’s a chance for young people to explore where God might be calling them — and for you to walk alongside them without the pressure of planning it all yourself.
Whether your group is new to ELCA events or Gathering veterans, Gathering Expedition is a powerful space to pause, listen, grow, and move.
Let’s keep Faith in Motion.

Dates and locations:
📍 Cross Roads (Port Murray, N.J.) — September 26 – 28
📍 Lutherhill (La Grange, Texas) — October 3 – 5
📍 Lutherdale (Elkhorn, Wis.) — October 31 – November 2
More information >

RESCHEDULED - Communicators Retreat
2025-11-06 09:00 - 16:00 | Mt. Olivet Retreat Center, 7984 257th St W, Farmington, MN, United States
Rescheduled for Thursday, November 6.
The Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods invite all congregation communicators to a fall retreat! This is a great opportunity to connect with others, build community, and learn about leveraging video in your ministry (and where to start if you haven’t yet). Sitraka Rakotoarivelo, media production specialist for Faith+Lead, and a panel of congregation communicators will talk about how they use video in their settings. The cost for the day is $50 per person. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Whether your job title has “communications” right in the name or if it’s one of the many hats you wear as a church employee, you are welcome to join us!
Register by October 23.

Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders
2025-11-08 08:00 - 12:00 | Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, MN, 55346, United States
Church lay and rostered leaders are invited to attend a morning of learning, networking, and connecting. The Tool Kit will offer about a dozen different workshops so you can choose two that will be most helpful for you. Many churches bring multiple people and spread out to many workshops to bring lots of resources back to their ministries.

8:00 Registration opens, coffee hour to meet other people in similar roles (optional)
9:00 Large group with Bishop Jen
9:30 Break
9:45 Round 1 workshops
10:45 Break
11:00 Round 2 workshops
12:00 Adjourn

Register Now

Workshop Details >

Children and Youth Monthly Ministry Gathering - November
2025-11-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Urban Growler, 2325 Endicott St, St. Paul, MN, 55114, United States
November Youth Ministry Gathering
Topic: Neurodivergence and Support Needs

Learn Together Over Lunch Series: ELCA Immigration Policies and Statements
2025-11-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Join Kate Parsons, Migration Policy Advisor, and Raed AbuJries, US Network, Education, and Communication Manager, who will share about the ELCA’s work alongside immigrant communities and dig into some of our commitments as a church regarding immigration. They will discuss the ELCA Social Message on Immigration, Sanctuary Churches, AMMPARO, and more.
Join us live for the one-hour Zoom call or watch the recording later. Live Spanish interpretation will be provided and recorded. ASL will be provided with the recording of the call.
Register to receive the Zoom link >

Power and Boundaries Workshop for Ministry Leaders - Option 1
2025-11-14 08:30 - 15:30 | Minnesota Church Center, 122 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, 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

Register >

EcoFaith Coffee and Conversation
2025-11-15 09:30 - 11:30 | 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.

Sign up >
Facebook event >

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

Register >

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.
Join on Zoom >

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
Join the Call >

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
