Mpls Area Synod ELCA

“George Floyd Woke Me Up. Now What?,” with David Scherer and Joe Davis
2023-03-12 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake MN, 3611 N Berens Rd NW, Prior Lake, MN, 55379, United States
“George Floyd Woke Me Up. Now What?” Discerning our Next Faithful Move Toward Racial Justice and Healing with David Scherer and Joe Davis
A grace-based training program that equips leaders with tools and resources to facilitate transformative action in interculturality and anti-racism. In this engaging workshop, Joe Davis and David Scherer provide embodied practices that help us get unstuck from the paralysis of fear and shame to take the next faithful move toward God’s beloved community.
Sunday, March 12
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake
For more information: https://www.sollc.org/events/george-floyd-woke-me-up-now-what-discerning-our-next-faithful-move-toward-racial-justice-and

Children's Ministry Zoom
2023-03-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Children’s Ministry Zoom
Join in to brainstorm and share summer plans and ideas. Let’s get creative about what can be done with kids and families outside.
March 13
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85076129637?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 850 7612 9637
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Contact persons: Julie Vagle at Juliev@trinitylonglake.org or Rachelle Gill at rgill@eater.org

Youth Ministry Gatherings – 2nd Tuesdays
2023-03-14 15:00 - 17:00 | Arbeiter Brewing Company, 3038 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Meet other youth ministry folks to share ideas, learn from one another, and be supported. Part-time, full-time, pastors, and volunteers welcome to join!
March 14 – Inclusive Youth Ministries

Thoughts on Nature and the Environment from a Naturalist Writer’s Lens
2023-03-14 19:00 - 20:30 | All Saints Lutheran Church, 15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, 55345
Thoughts on Nature and the Environment from a Naturalist Writer’s Lens
As part of its Inspired Life Speaker Series at All Saints Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, Susan Leaf will offer reflections from the point of view of a naturalist writer. Leaf is author of Portage: A Family, a Canoe, and the Search for the Good Life and A Love Affair with Birds: The Life of Thomas Sadler Roberts.
Tuesday, March 14; 7:00 p.m.
All Saints Lutheran Church
15915 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka
Free and open to the public

Spring Ministerium
2023-03-23 08:30 - 12:00 | Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina, MN, United States
“Flourishing in Ministry” with Matt Bloom
Thursday, March 23
8:30 a.m. (registration) – Noon
More details >

Wellness Gathering for First Third Leaders
2023-03-23 14:00 - 15:30 | Westwood Lutheran Church, 9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, MN, 55426, United States
Wellness Gathering for First Third Leaders
What if prioritizing your wellbeing was a key to effective ministry? Join Matt Bloom with Workwell https://workwellresearch.org/our-approach/ in hearing how to do just that. The Minneapolis Area Synod has Matt in town for spring ministerium so we wanted to host him for you too! Free event, registration for hospitality purposes.
Thursday, March 23; 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Westwood Lutheran Church
9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Contact person: Kris Bjorke at masfirstthird@mpls-synod.org
More information and registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe542YUBOprviIBL2BjwnKm8AjoBWJ1AvgBk6aV3HN8plD_vw/viewform?usp=pp_url

Growing Through Grief
2023-03-25 09:00 - 16:00 | Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center
Growing Through Grief
Experientially focused, this retreat will include options for processing grief through music, art, movement, prayer, meditation, and time in nature. In addition, participants can meet briefly with a counselor, spiritual director, or pastor for support and consultation throughout the day.
Saturday, March 25
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center
7984 257th Street West, Farmington
Contact: Jeremy Bork at jbork@mocrc.org

Gathering of Retired Rostered Ministers
2023-03-28 13:00 - 14:30 | Minneapolis Area Synod Office, 122 W Franklin Ave, #600, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
Gathering of Retired Rostered Ministers
Join your fellow retired rostered ministers and Bishop Ann Svennungsen for a time of community and to elect voting members for the April 28-29 Synod Assembly. The Synod Assembly’s theme is “Restored to Life Anew.”
Tuesday, March 28
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Minnesota Church Center
122 West Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis
Assembly Rooms 1 and 2
This is an in-person event, with a Zoom Option. When you RSVP to Karen, please let her know how you will attend.
RSVP: Karen Ohm

Addiction and Women
2023-03-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Addiction and Women
This is a free one-hour webinar presented by The Center of Addiction & Faith. When it comes to addiction & treatment, women often face a unique set of challenges, a history of trauma, and barriers to effective treatment.
Caroline Beidler — author, recovery advocate, and founder of “Bright Story Shine” — will share her personal journey and lessons she’s learned along the way in creating space for women in recovery, and will share important principles when developing outreach and programming to support women. Caroline joins Pr. Ed Treat and Tim McMahan King for this webinar and the follow-up discussion.
The presentation is on Zoom; participants must register for the event. The link to register for webinar is https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Q30q-swRH2OLFpNS1cwWQ?fbclid=IwAR1-LRryXtgh55eLuzSgytcHQEAHcJJwy4m7iG64hPpcmHMn8xYwGiFJuQE
Thursday, March 30; Noon – 1:00 p.m. (with a follow-up, 30-minute discussion)
Zoom
For more information: https://addictionandfaith.com

Five Simple Steps to Stop Working on Your Day Off
2023-04-25 08:00 | webinar
Five Simple Steps to Stop Working on Your Day Off
You’re a woman in ministry writing your sermon and catching up on administrative work on your Sabbath days. Former United Lutheran Seminary professor Dr. Crystal Hall will show you exactly how to rest instead of work. Learn these five steps to stop working on your day off. You’ll create the rest that supports a life-giving ministry.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
11:00 a.m. – Noon, Central Time
Webinar
For more information: https://www.crystalhallphd.com/events

Easter Eggstravaganza
2023-04-08 10:00 - 11:30 | All Saints Lutheran Church, 15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, 55345
Easter Eggstravaganza
Enjoy Easter activities, including a craft, Easter I SPy, and an egg hunt that starts at 11:00 a.m. Come and meet some animal visitors from the Minnesota Zoo!
April 8; 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
All Saints Lutheran Church
15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka
Contact person: Chelsea Maher at cmaher@allsaintsmtka.org

Youth Ministry Gatherings – 2nd Tuesdays
2023-04-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Indeed Brewing Co & Taproom, 711 NE 15th Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55413, United States
Meet other youth ministry folks to share ideas, learn from one another, and be supported. Part-time, full-time, pastors, and volunteers welcome to join!
April 11 – Innovation and Fall Planning

Pre-Synod Assembly Budget Hearing
2023-04-13 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
Pre-Synod Assembly Budget Hearing
Bishop Ann Svennungsen and Ty Inglis will host a discussion about the adjustment to the 2023 synod budget and the proposed 2024 synod budget, given a shortfall in mission support in Fiscal Year 2022. This discussion will be important preparation for the Budget Resolutions at the 2023 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly.
Thursday, April 13, 6:30 pm
Zoom
ASL and Spanish interpretation will be provided.
To register for the hearing: Meeting Registration – Zoom

Children's Ministry Gathering
2023-04-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
Children’s Ministry Gathering
Join on Zoom as children’s ministry leaders share and brainstorm what might change for the fall 2023.
Monday, April 17; 1:00 p.m.
Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85076129637?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 850 7612 9637
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Contact person: Julie Vagle at Juliev@trinitylonglake.org

Pre-Synod Assembly Voter Orientation
2023-04-19 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
Pre-Synod Assembly Voter Orientation
Synod Vice President Felecia Boone and Judge Tammy Pust, assembly parliamentarian, will host a training on parliamentary procedure and what to expect from the business portions of the synod assembly agenda. This discussion will be important preparation for the 2023 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly.
Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 pm
Zoom
ASL and Spanish interpretation will be provided.
To register for the hearing: Meeting Registration – Zoom

Moonlight Madness Grades 6-9 "Lock-Out"
2023-04-21 21:30 - 2023-04-22 07:00 | Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Twin Cities, Minneapolis Campus, Minneapolis Campus, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Moonlight Madness Grades 6-9 “Lock-Out”
Christ Lutheran Church, Lake Elmo, is excited to bring Moonlight Madness for the 30th year! Grades 6-9 (250-300 total students and adults) share a “traveling” overnight event! Youth leaders need to provide their group transportation for the entire night.
F: $ee43 per person including adult leaders; this covers all fees except extra snacks. The following activities are being offered at this spring event:
1.) Youth Rally led by well-known artist Rachel Kurtz (music/speaker) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis (singing, dancing, faith sharing, humor)
2.) Swimming, gym, and ice skating at The Chaska Community Center in Chaska
3.) Movies (choice of 3-4 movies) in Lakeville
4.) Bowling, Lasor Tag, and Arcade at Bowlero in Lakeville
Contact Pr. Dave at revw2@msn.com or (612) 599-6911 for more information and to find out if there is a group near you with extra spots on their bus!
cell: 612-599-6911
revw2@msn.com

Office Closed - Synod Assembly
2023-04-27 - 2023-04-28 | MN
The synod office will be closed Thursday and Friday, April 27 and 28 in preparation for Synod Assembly. See you there!
Any registration questions can be handled on-site.

Addiction and Developing Nations with Andy Partington
2023-04-27 11:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
Addiction and Developing Nations with Andy Partington
A one-hour free webinar titled “Addiction and Developing Nations” with guest Andy Partington will be presented by the Center of Addiction & Faith on April 27 from 11:00 a.m. – Noon, Central Time, with a follow-up 30 minute Zoom discussion. Andy Partington leads the work of Novō Communities and Novō Adventures. Novō Communities’ vision is to bring new life to individuals, peace to families, and hope to communities gripped by addiction by empowering local teams in developing nations to create transformational communities that offer healing, wholeness, and hope.
Co-hosts of webinar: Rev. Dr. Ed Treat and Timothy McMahan King.
Thursday, April 27, 2023
11:00 a.m. – Noon, Central Time, with follow-up 30 minute Zoom discussion
Zoom
For more information: https://addictionandfaith.com
Contact person: Louise Olson at glolro@comcast.net

2023 Synod Assembly
2023-04-28 16:00 - 2023-04-29 17:00 | MN
You can find all the details about the upcoming Synod Assembly on the Synod Assembly page. We hope to see you there!

ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants application webinar
2023-05-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants application webinar
The ELCA World Hunger program recently announced the application process for 2024 Domestic Hunger Grants. While more information will follow (so watch this space next week), it was announced that a webinar explaining changes in the process will be offered Wednesday, May 3, at 2:00 p.m., Central time.
ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants are awarded to ELCA congregations or organizations, or to other nonprofits with significant connections to ELCA congrgations. These are three-year grants up to $10,000 per year. In 2023, 53 groups across the 65 synods were awarded Domestic Hunger Grants. No applicants for the Minneapolis Area Synod received grants for the 2023 award year.
Wednesday, May 3
2:00 p.m., Central time
Zoom
To register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwudemgqzgvG9Rxzo5BVxOl3n8NlqVQXtzy.#/registration
If your congregation is interested in applying for, or supporting an application for, a Domestic Hunger Grant, it would be good to attend the May 3 webinar. If you have further questions, contact Bob Hulteen after May 3, and include “Domestic Hunger Grant” in the subject line.

Children's Ministry Gathering
2023-05-08 12:30 - 14:00 | St. Stephen Lutheran, Bloomington, 8400 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55431, United States
Children’s Ministry Gathering
Children’s ministry staff and key volunteers from both Twin Cities synods are invited to gather on Zoom to discuss ideas for summer activities with children. The hosts will be Julie Vagle (Trinity Lutheran, Long Lake), and Rachelle Gill (Easter Lutheran, Eagan). We will be talking about fall and what you might change or new ideas.
Monday, May 8; 12:30 p.m. for lunch and 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. for meeting
St. Stephen Lutheran, Bloomington
Join for lunch at 12:30 p.m., if you are able and bring your own bag lunch or come at 1:00 p.m. for the conversation.
Contact: Julie Vagle at Juliev@trinitylonglake.org

Ascension Day Breakfast
2023-05-11 08:30 - 11:30 | Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Twin Cities, Minneapolis Campus, Minneapolis Campus, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Ascension Day Breakfast
Children, youth, and family leaders of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods are invited for a time to come together to rest and enjoy breakfast and worship together at the Ascension Day Breakfast, hosted by the MAS/SPAS CYF Leadership Team.

Thursday, May 11; 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran, 4100 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis

Come to eat, connect, be supported, and worship together! Deacon David Rojas Martinez will preach, and worship music will be led by Cathy Pino. There will also be a raffle for prizes, including a free registration to the 2024 ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza! The cost is $10 per person.

To register: https://forms.gle/XPQhtVsGJK3uKa9M7

Communicators Gathering: Is a podcast in your church's future?
2023-05-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Minnesota Church Center, 122 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
Join us at the Minnesota Church Center for a panel about making podcasts!
Panelists are:

Rev. Natalia Terfa
Nicholas Tangen
Jack Hurbanis

Moderated by:

Maya Bryant

Register Now >

What Every Nurse Needs to Know About Spiritual Care
2023-05-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
What Every Nurse Needs to Know About Spiritual Care
This workshop, sponsored by the Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association provides information on assessing spiritual needs, spiritual care barriers and interventions. The presenter is Sondra Weinzierl, MA BAN Faith Community Nurse.
Thursday, May 11
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Zoom
For more information: https://lutheranfcna.org/event-5243488

Festival of Homiletics 2023
2023-05-15 17:00 - 2023-05-18 17:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 333 S 12th St., Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
Join us this year for the 2023 Festival of Homiletics in Minneapolis: “Preaching Hope for a Weary World”
“Preaching Hope for a Weary World” is the Festival’s response to the hardships and heaviness that have been our reality the last few years. In these wearying days, what is our call to preach?
Hope.
The Festival of Homiletics 2023 will inspire us to a renewed sense of our radical calling. Our weary world needs us, preachers.
Come renew, refresh, and recharge your spirit!
Details and registration >

Building for Today; Building for the Future
2023-05-16 11:30 - 13:00 | Quincy Hall, 1325 Qunicy Street NE, Minneapolis, United States
Building for Today; Building for the Future

Join Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) on Tuesday, May 16 as it celebrates and supports the work of LSS Youth Services. This year’s event – Building for today. Building for the future. – will highlight the ways that LSS is meeting the immediate and long-term needs of its young neighbors through services that provide safety, stability and hope.
Tuesday, May 16: 11:30 a.m.
Quincy Hall, 1325 Quincy Street NE, Minneapolis
To register: lssmn.org/metroyouth23 or (651) 432-4731

Holding onto hope
2023-05-16 19:00 - 20:30 | St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Rd 6, Plymouth, MN, 55447, United States
Holding onto hope
The Faith and Life Lecture Series of St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran, Plymouth, will host The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on May 16. Curry will address “Holding onto Hope.”
Tuesday, May 16; 7:00 p.m.
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran, Plymouth
In person and online
Presiding Bishop Curry is Primate of the The Episcopal Church. He was elected to a nine-year term and installed in November 2015. He has written five books and numerous articles. In 2018, Religion News Association named Presiding Bishop Curry religion newsmaker of the year.
For more information: https://faith-and-life.org/

Synod Organizing Celebration Event
2023-05-20 11:30 - 14:30 | Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Synod Organizing Celebration Event
Come join as leaders and friends of the Minneapolis Area Synod’s organizing teams for a gathering to be in community and celebrate together at the close of legislative session. We’ll gather as a community to celebrate our work on Restore the Vote, 100% Clean Energy, and continue to build our vision for what’s possible!
We hope you’ll join us for good food, activities for all ages, and a brief program at Noon.
Saturday May 20; 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Redeemer Lutheran Church Backyard
1800 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis
To register: https://mplsareasynod.regfox.com/synod-organizing-celebration-event (Registration helps us plan for food and space.)

Convergencia/Convergence
2023-06-04 12:30 - 14:00 | St. Paul’s San Pablo Lutheran Church, 2742 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Convergencia/Convergence
Join the members of St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church for a community celebration and the big reveal of their exterior installation of community portraits from the series on “belonging” by photojournalist John Noltner. Over the past six months, congregants have been gathering portraits from members of our community and neighbors while asking: “Tell me about a time you felt a sense of belonging?” They have compiled 54 portraits and 13 will become 12-foot-high banners that will be installed on the exterior of the building facing 28th Street.
Sunday, June 4; 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church
There will be free pizza and s’mores from Northern Fires, live music by Alma Andina, and more! The members at St. Paul’s-San Pablo look forward to celebrating with you and others!

Weekly Community Cookouts
2023-06-07 18:00 - 2023-08-02 20:00 | Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Weekly Community Cookouts
Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Redeemer Center for Life will once again be hosting weekly community cookouts on Wednesdays from June 7 to August 2. In addition to food cooked on the spot, different community engagement opportunities will be available each week.
Wednesdays, June 7 – August 2
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Redeemer Center for Life
Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis
If you want to volunteer or sponsor, contact Pastor Jen Collins or Leon Dixon, executive director of RCFL.
Also, save the date for the Redeemer Block Party on Saturday, August 12, from Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Partners for these opportunities include Christ the King Lutheran, Bloomington; Youth Farm; Edina Community Lutheran Church, Edina; Health Commons Fairview Health; Westwood Lutheran, St. Louis Park; Sovereign Starts Seeding Co.; and Faith Lutheran Church, Waconia.
