Mpls Area Synod ELCA

Empowering Communication Workshops for Clergy
2025-01-27 | Online
Six Empowering Communication Workshops for Clergy are being offered January 27 – February 28, on five different days (workshops 1 & 2 are offered on the same day)
1 & 2) Foundational Skills and Self-Care
3) Bridging Deep Divides
4) Lead from the Heart
5) Embody the Gospel: Facilitate Dialogue, Mediate Conflict, Achieve Reconciliation
6) Liberate the Power of Love: Facilitate Restorative Circles that Heal, Strengthen, and Empower Congregations
Facilitators: Rev. Joel Westby and Rev. Leslie Ritter-Jenkins
Information and registration >

Ministerium
2025-01-30 08:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | 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 >

"What Now - Resources for Faith Communities After Executive Orders" webinar
2025-01-30 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
In light of the recent Executive Orders that impact our immigrant neighbors and the lifted protection for ‘sensitive locations’ such as faith communities, schools, and hospitals, Global Refuge and the ELCA’s AMMPARO team are co-hosting a webinar called What Now – Resources for Faith Communities After Executive Orders.
This webinar will provide high-level overviews of some of the executive orders, and cover congregational resources that are currently available to faith communities and others who are engaged in the welcome.
Thursday, January 30 | 3:00 p.m. CT (4:00 p.m. EST) Online
Registration is required >

Music That Makes Community One-Day Community Singing Workshop
2025-02-01 09:30 - 16:00 | Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St Paul, 1935 St Clair Ave, St Paul, MN, United States
Music that Makes Community is excited to offer a One-Day workshop at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. Experienced MMC facilitators will offer a lively day of singing, learning, and community building. No special talents required – just a love of music and fellowship. Singers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are warmly welcomed to participate!
Join them for a renewing day of building community through singing, learning, and fellowship. During the time together we’ll:
– Explore a practice of paperless (oral tradition) singing leadership grounded in a spirit of welcome and generosity;
– Engage models of teaching and leading that welcome our bodies, hearts, and minds;
– Experience music reflective of the growing diversity of our communities and celebrating our rich spiritual and liturgical traditions;
– Build community and strengthen relationships through singing.
Each person will leave with new music to share, as well as experiences of learning and teaching songs applicable to their context. Choir directors, clergy, cantors, lay leaders, and all who love to sing are invited.
More information >
Contact Conie Borchardt or Pilgrim Lutheran Church with questions.

Cantata Vespers: Festival of the Presentation
2025-02-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Christ Church Lutheran, 3244 34th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Forty days after the birth of Christ, we pray with Simeon “Lord, now let your servant go in peace” as the church celebrates the festival of the Presentation of Our Lord, also known as Candlemas—the tradition of blessing and processing with candles. We gather in a service of evening prayer led by the Elm Ensemble and the Christ Church choir as we sing an ancient liturgy and experience music by Bach (Cantata 125, Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin) and Elgar (The Snow). This event is free and open to the public—a freewill offering will be collected and a reception offered for all.
More information >

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

Survivors, a Six Points Theater Production
2025-02-05 18:30 - 19:45 | Diamond Lake Lutheran Church, 5760 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Diamond Lake Lutheran is excited to present a full performance of Survivors, a Six Points Theater production. This play about the Holocaust and standing up to hate weaves together the true, inspirational stories of ten Holocaust survivors whose ordinary and joyful young lives were transformed by the Nazi regime. Six professional actors will portray the ten survivors and other roles. Illustrating the risk of normalizing hate, this uplifting work impels us to take lessons from the past and think about how we can create a safer, more inclusive community.
More information >

Legal Witness Training
2025-02-06 18:30 - 20:30 | MN
The incoming administration has promised to deport millions of immigrants, starting in blue states. While the future is uncertain, Unidos is preparing to bear witness and act powerfully together to defend our communities.
Join this legal witness training to prepare to stand with immigrant communities, and participate in Unidos’ rapid response network.
More information >

SafeTALK Suicide Prevention Training
2025-02-08 09:00 - 13:00 | Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Twin Cities, Minneapolis Campus, Minneapolis Campus, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Learn how to support someone’s desire for safety by recognizing the warning signs of suicide, identifying people who are at risk, and applying the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) to connect a person to suicide first aid resources. Listed on the national best practice registry, safeTALK allows time for both practice and discussion. safeTALK is based on research that shows people experiencing thoughts of suicide often send out subtle invitations to help them stay safe. This four-hour class is for members of the community over the age of 16 who want to learn and practice the basic best practices in suicide prevention. This class has been approved by the Board of Social Work to provide 4 CEU’s upon completion. Class is free but registration is required.
Eventbrite Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/safetalk-registration-1115930260449?aff=oddtdtcreator
ADDITIONAL BONUS: Immediately after, for those who are interested, Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe will be speaking and leading conversation addressing the ways theology can interfere with healthy suicide prevention. She’s an expert and author of “The Lifesaving Church: Faith Communities and Suicide Prevention”, and we are so lucky to have her. If you plan on staying, email hannah@mhconnect.org who will be placing an order for lunch.
This event is sponsored by Mental Health Connect, is a collaborative of faith communities in the Twin Cities area.

MAS/SPAS Children's Ministry Gathering
2025-02-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Children, Youth, and Family volunteers and workers are invited to join the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods at their monthly gathering. This month’s topic is “How do you teach kids about Lent and celebrate Easter.”
Join the Zoom call >

Fireside Chat: Exploring Pathways for Chaplaincy in the ELCA
2025-02-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
The ELCA seminaries will be hosting a new series, Fireside Chats, in February. The first virtual fireside chat will be with the ELCA Chaplain Corps, exploring the ins and outs of serving as a Chaplain in the ELCA. The conversations are open to all who are interested in learning more about chaplaincy.

Critical Interfaith Work of the U. S. Chaplain Military Corps
2025-02-20 16:00 - 19:00 | St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, United States
Military chaplains are called to care for all people regardless of their background and to encourage people to be faithful to their own traditions in living out their callings. The vocations of military chaplains are inherently interfaith, as they are called to minister to people from all backgrounds and build bridges across differences in a variety of challenging contexts.
Come join us for an interactive panel discussion featuring:

CH (COL) Ibraheem A. Raheem (Islam)
CH (CPT) Dung V. Nguyen (Buddhism)
CH (COL) Buddy Winn (Christianity)
CH (LT COL) Kerstin Hedlund (Christianity)

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing
2025-02-23 - 2025-04-08 | Online
This course required for RNs who wish to become Parish/Faith Community Nurses. It is also offered to non-RNs who wish to start or lead a Health Ministry in their congregation. The course is virtual via Zoom and includes 15 modules (Beginning Your Ministry; Spiritual Care; Health and Healing; Communication and Conflict; Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Care, Legal Issue and much more. Contact Sondra Weinzierl, sondra@fcnntc.org, with questions.
More information >

Concordia Choir Performance
2025-02-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, 7401 County Rd 101, Maple Grove, MN, 55311, United States
Experience one of America’s finest choirs seen nationwide on public television and heard in Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and across the country in concert at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove.

Sunday, February 23
2:00 p.m.

All tickets are general admission. Tickets are $25 – $40 for adults and free for students of all ages.

More information is available at www.TheConcordiaChoir.org.
The choir will also perform at Trinity Lutheran Church, Stillwater on March 15 at 2:00 p.m.

34th Annual Susan Draper White Lecture
2025-02-24 19:00 - 21:30 | Hybrid
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities will host its 34th annual Susan Draper White Lecture on February 24. This year’s speaker is the Seminary’s President, Rev. Molly T. Marshall, PhD. In “A Battle for the Minds, Revisited,” Molly will reflect on a documentary from 30 years ago (in which she was prominently featured) showing the calculated effort by the Southern Baptist Convention to ban women from preaching in Southern Baptist churches and from teaching at Southern Baptist Seminary. She will also explain how things have changed.
More information >

Substance Use Recovery: How Your Church Can Be Part of the Solution
2025-02-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Substance Use Recovery: How Your Church Can Be Part of the Solutionfeaturing
Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC
from the ATTC Network, a multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field.

Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
12:00 p.m. CT
(1:00 p.m. ET)
Register
In this presentation you will learn about a number of church-based initiatives which have been effective in addressing substance use challenges in communities including:Celebrate Recovery; Access To Recovery (a federally funded faith-based initiative); faith-based drug ministries; certified recovery support congregations; church outreach programs in communities and prisons; church-based reentry support; recovery revivals. Through the use of examples and discussions, the purpose of this presentation is to help participants expand their vision to the multiple ways churches can support recovery for individuals, families and entire communities impacted by addiction.

Bold Women's Day Service
2025-02-28 10:40 - 11:00 | Hoverston Chapel, Foss Center, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Women of the ELCA are celebrating Bold Women’s Day (observed on March 2) with a special service at Augsburg University.
All Lutheran women who have acted or are acting boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ are honored.
The Rev. Babette Chatman and students from the International Women’s Leaders program will lead a special Bold Women’s Day worship service. This service will be in-person at the Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center, and is also available via Zoom webinar on Friday, February 28, 10:40 – 11:00 (CST) followed by a 15-minute Question and Answer segment led by students and alumni.

Register to attend via Zoom webinar: Webinar Registration – Zoom

Attending in-person

Please consult the campus map. To request parking, contact Janice Dames, (612) 330-1732 or email dames@augsburg.edu.
Download the Bold Woman’s Day litany and learn more
Learn more about Bold Women’s Day

For questions about celebrating Bold Women’s day, contact Elizabeth McBride, Elizabeth.mcbride@elca.org or visit the Women of the ELCA website: https://welca.org/bwd

National Lutheran Choir performing "Healing Body, Mind, Spirit"
2025-03-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul, Minnesota
Join the National Lutheran Choir, under the leadership of Jennaya Robison, for Healing Body, Mind, Spirit. Hear the NLC in St. Cloud at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday, March 1, 7:30 p.m. or in St. Paul at the Chapel of St. Thomas on Sunday, March 2, 4:00 p.m. This performance will include a premiere of a new three-movement composition called “Three Songs for Healing” by Hans Bridger Heruth with text by Brian Newhouse. Additionally, this concert will include works by Karen E. Black, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Eric Whitacre, Moses Hogan, and more. Tickets and info at NLCA.com.

Migrant Accompaniment for Ministry Leaders in 2025 after the Executive Orders
2025-03-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
ELCA AMMPARO is hosting a webinar entitled:
Walking With (Part II) : Migrant Accompaniment for Ministry Leaders in 2025 after the Executive Orders
This webinar, designed for ordained and lay ministry leaders, will offer some basics on the US immigration system with a focus on the recent executive orders that impact the lives of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The webinar will not be recorded but important resources will be shared and opportunities for engagement and action will be covered.
Presenters will be lawyers from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Register >

8th Annual Fosdick Lecture
2025-03-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Augsburg University, Hoversten Chapel, 625 22nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, United States
Join Augsburg University Campus Ministry for their 8th Annual Fosdick Lecture on Preaching. Rev. Dr. DeWayne Davis will address the topic “Shall Untruth Win? Faithful Preaching in an Age of Mistrust and Misinformation.”
Now more than ever, from one-on-one meetings with parishioners to our proclamations from behind the sacred desk to our public utterances, courageous preachers must freshly voice the enduring wisdom of the Bible, the tradition, and religious experience.
More information >

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

March Children's Ministry Gathering
2025-03-10 13:00 - 14:00 | House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Richfield, 7625 Chicago Ave. S, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
The March Children’s Ministry Gathering is in person at House of Prayer in Richfield!
Children’s ministry staff and key volunteers from the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods are invited to gather each month for conversation about children’s ministry. Join us in March as we talk about new ways we can worship with kids. Bring your experiences, hopes and dreams for kid-friendly worship! No registration is necessary; just show up!
Questions? Contact Rachelle Gill at rgill@easter.org

Monthly Youth Ministry Gathering
2025-03-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Urban Growler, 2325 Endicott St, St. Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Youth ministry folks in the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods gather monthly for conversation around different topics. On March 11 the the conversation is about post-high school faith and support. No pre-registration is required.

Rise and Repair Rally Day
2025-03-12 10:00 - 15:00 | Minnesota Capitol
Come together to encourage state legislators to protect wild rice & clean water, oppose false climate solutions, respect Indigenous & tribal sovereignty, and pass the Rise & Repair Alliance 2025 Policy Platform.

10:00 a.m. Training at Christ on Capitol Hill Church
12:45 p.m. Photo on Capitol Front Steps
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Rally in the Rotunda
Legislative visits throughout the day. No experience needed, just RSVP!

Dinner Table Syndrome
2025-03-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
Dinner Table Syndrome (DTS) is the experience of being left out of conversations at meals and social gatherings due to a lack of communication access, something many Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard-of-hearing individuals face. To bring awareness to this, we’re creating a 10-15 minute film featuring the stories of up to seven diverse Deaf individuals sharing their experiences and strategies for coping or fostering more inclusive communication. This film will be showcased at our virtual event on March 13th, offering a space for reflection and discussion.
Register >

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

Play Ball and Connect: A Desert Sojourn Retreat
2025-03-16 - 2025-03-20 | Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, 7415 E Elbow Bend Road, Carefree, AZ, United States
Join Spirit of the Desert for an inspiring Spring Training experience in Arizona, where baseball enthusiasts and faith-driven individuals unite to explore the connection between sport and spirituality. This unique retreat, led by Pastor Dave Ellingson, combines fellowship, worship, and the excitement of baseball with opportunities to attend MLB Cactus League games in the vibrant Arizona desert.
Enjoy:

Daily fellowship gatherings around the theme of baseball and faith
Baseball-themed entertainment, film screenings, and discussions
Poolside fellowship and breakfast and dinner provided each da

More information >

Music and Art at Mount Olivet: Fauré’s Requiem
2025-03-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave S., Minneapolis, MN, 55419, United States
Mount Olivet invites you to participate in a performance of Fauré’s Requiem, one of the most cherished works in the classical choral repertoire. Renowned for its serene beauty and rich harmonies, this performance will be led by guest conductor Dr. Matthew Mehaffey, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Minnesota.
The concert will be held on Thursday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. and will feature choral singers, professional instrumentalists, and Mount Olivet’s own distinguished soloists: Laura LeVoir (soprano), Justin Staebell (baritone) and Brian Haase (bass). The concert promises to be a meaningful and inspiring musical experience, highlighting the power of collaboration in bringing this timeless masterpiece to life.

Adolescent Substance Use and Misuse: What You Need to Know
2025-03-22 09:00 - 12:00 | University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States
Join this educational program for faith community members, parents, and other interested persons to develop an understanding of the impact drugs and alcohol have on adolescents and their families.
This event is hosted in partnership with Mental Health Connect, P.E.A.S.E. Academy, and University Lutheran Church of Hope.
Register >

Webinar: Pastoring with a Dual Diagnosis with Seth Perry
2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
A one-hour free webinar held on zoom. Rev. Seth Perry will share his personal and professional journey of pastoring while living with a dual diagnosis. He will explore the challenges and stigma that clergy face in seeing mental health and addiction recovery as well as the unique strengths that come from leading with lived experience. In 2024 he authored the devotional Our Stigma, furthering his commitment to breaking down barriers in faith communities. He is a pastor at Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia, MN.

Pre-register >
