Mpls Area Synod ELCA

Concordia Choir Performance
2025-02-23 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | 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 >

EcoFaith Summit of the Upper Midwest
2025-04-05 | MN
Becoming Midwives of Hope for the Healing of Creation
The EcoFaith Summit, put on by NE MN Synod and Saint Paul Area Synod Care of Creation, will feature compelling speakers, enlivening worship, informative exhibits, opportunities for networking, and an array of engagement sessions for giving birth to strong, creative action in our congregations, camps, campuses, and communities. Morning refreshments, fresh local lunch and celebratory final reception are included in the day.
More information >

Growing Through Grief Retreat
2025-04-05 09:00 - 16:00 | Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center
Whether you are grieving the death of a loved one, severed relationships, the loss of dreams, or more, this day retreat will provide an opportunity for you to grow and heal. Experientially focused, the day includes 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.
A sliding scale fee allows you to pay what you can. ngreat
More information >

Transplaining: Faith and the Trans Experience in America
2025-04-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Oak Grove Lutheran Church, 7045 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN
To put a face on the current state of discrimination that the transgender community is expiencing, Oak Grove Lutheran is inviting India Miller, a transswoman and activist to share her story, dispel some common myths about trans people and explain how you can help support this community as an ally. This presentation is free. See website for more details.

Respectful Conversation About Hopes and Fears in Post-Election America
2025-04-07 18:30 - 21:00 | Faith Lutheran, Coon Rapids, 11115 Hanson Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN, 55433, United States
Faith Lutheran is inviting local community leaders, elected officials, and members of the wider community with various backgrounds and beliefs to join this respectful conversation. The goal is to people together when a record-high 80 percent of U.S. adults believe Americans are greatly divided.
A light dinner will be served, and registration is free!
We would love for you to join us by reserving your spot today at this link: https://mnchurches.org/what-we-do/respectful-conversations/register.

Respectful Conversations are structured, facilitated conversations designed not to change minds, but soften hearts. Since 2012, more than 8,500 Minnesotans have participated in over 300 Respectful Conversations, facilitated by the MN Council of Churches, on a variety of divisive topics. Those who have participated previously in a Respectful Conversation have reported that they have a stronger sense of empathy for those whose viewpoint is different from their own. They felt listened to and commented on how people in the community can talk about their differences in a way that stitches us together rather than tears us apart.

April Youth Ministry Gathering
2025-04-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Blackstack Brewing, 755 Prior Ave N, St. Paul, MN, 55104
Youth ministry staff and key volunteers from the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods are invited to gather each month for conversation about youth ministry. Join us in April when Dr. Mary Hess from Luther Seminary joins us for “Create, Share, Believe: Storying Faith in Digital Spaces.” Kids live amidst a digital world of stories — in TikTok, Instagram, What’s App, Netflix, and many more. How do we help young people navigate the multiple and competing stories to be found there? What are some practices that ground and nourish young people trying to live with faith in this world? Mary Hess has been doing digital storytelling as a form of faith formation for the past two decades and just completed a year-long project concerning care for creation and climate change, through story.
Questions? Contact Josh Svenulski at josh@christusvictor.org.

Keeping Kids Safe From Guns
2025-04-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Guns are a leading cause of death for American children and youth. ENGAGE: Lutherans for Gun Violence Prevention, is a work group of the SPAS, dedicated to gun violence prevention. We are hosting an online conversation led by Jill Chisholm, who will present the Be SMART strategy for keeping kids safe from guns. Would you consider offering this online opportunity to your synod. The date and time is: April 8, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. (CDT). To register and receive the Zoom link go to: spas-elca.org/keeping-kids-safe-from-guns.

Fireside Chat: Exploring Diaconal Ministry in the ELCA
2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
The Seminaries of the ELCA will be hosting another Fireside Chat in April. This next one is with Deacons Krista Anderson and Beth Anderson about Word and Service Ministry.
Fireside Chat: Exploring Diaconal Ministry in the ELCA
Thursday, April 10th, 2025
Join them for a virtual fireside chat with the Seminaries of the ELCA, Deacon Krista Anderson, and Deacon Beth Anderson, as they explore Diaconal Ministry in the ELCA!
Thursday, April 10, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. (Central time)

Gather Twin Cities: Made in God's Image Worship
2025-04-11 19:30 - 21:00 | Chapel of the Incarnation, Luther Seminary, 1490 Fulham St, St. Paul, Mn, 55108
Young adults are invited to come together for worship with Gather Twin Cities

Palestine Liberation Pilgrimage
2025-04-12 | MN
On Saturday, April 12, you’re invited to participate in the 2025 Palestine Liberation Pilgrimage, organized by MN Christians for a Free Palestine and the worldwide Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage movement. This event will be a place to grieve the genocide and overwhelming loss of life in Gaza, repent of our religion’s and nation’s contribution to the violence, stand in solidarity with Palestinians in the face of ongoing military occupation and apartheid, and mobilize in support of Palestinian liberation beyond a ceasefire. Use this form to sign up as an individual, or gather a small group to sponsor a section of the 14-mile route.
For more info about the route and schedule, or to donate toward pilgrimage expenses: www.peacecatalyst.org/gcpilgrimage

Gather Twin Cities: A Pint Size Gathering
2025-04-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Broken Clock Brewing, 1712 Marshall St NE Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN, 55413
Come for a night of conversation and community! Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for participants to purchase at the brewery.

April Children's Ministry Gathering
2025-04-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Join us online!
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 April as we talk about Vacation Bible School. Let’s share resources and make this the Very Best Summer for our community! No registration is necessary; just click the link below to join the meeting.
Questions? Contact Rachelle Gill at rgill@easter.org.
JOIN THE MEETING
Meeting ID: 862 2361 5885
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Better Together Film Festival
2025-04-21 - 2025-04-27 | MN
Minnesota faith and community groups join national “Better Together Film Festival” to reduce political polarization.
Six churches and community groups across Minnesota are inviting their neighbors to watch movies and bridge divides during the Better Together Film Festival, held the week of April 21 – 27.
The festival, part of the National Week of Conversation, is a nationwide experiment in evidence-based peacemaking. It offers Minnesotans a simple invitation: sit down, watch a powerful story, and reflect with others on how we can better connect across our differences.
More information >

Youth Group Night at Luther Seminary
2025-04-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States
Congregations are invited to bring their confirmation (6th-grade graders) and/or high school youth groups and adult leaders to the Luther Seminary campus for a night of worship, learning, pizza, and some fun surprises! This event is free, but please register by Wednesday, April 9.
