Mpls Area Synod ELCA

Augsburg Youth Theology Institute: "And It was Very Good"
2021-06-20 12:00 - 2021-06-25 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
2021 VIRTUAL AUGSBURG YOUTH THEOLOGY INSTITUTE
AND IT WAS VERY GOOD:
Affirming and Advocating for Gender and Sexual Diversity in God’s Creation
Sunday, June 20–Friday, June 25, 2021
In the interest of safety for our participants, mentors, and staff due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have decided along with university events, to gather in a virtual format for the 2021 Institute. Specific questions about this format can directed to ayti@augsburg.edu.
2021 THEME
What is the rightful place for LGBTQIA+ people in God’s creation? After decades of fights over human sexuality, LGBTQIA+ people, gender, and gender roles, the church is moving to a place of acceptance, and even advocacy. This year at the institute we are going to look at the role of LGBTQIA+ people in scripture, in our church history, and the faithful advocacy to allow LGBTQIA+ people to be full members of society. We are looking at the events of the past several years through a theological lens, asking what God is doing, and where our discernment can lead us.
2021 INSTRUCTOR
Ross Murray (he/him) is the founding director of The Naming Project, a faith-based youth ministry and summer camp for LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies. He has worked with youth and families in a variety of settings, and presented LGBTQIA+ youth ministry around the country.
In his day job, Ross is the Senior Director of Education & Training at The GLAAD Media Institute, providing activist, spokesperson, and media engagement training and education for the LGBTQIA+ community members, corporations, the media industry and advocacy organizations desiring to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community. Ross has secured national media interest in stories that bring examples of LGBTQIA+ equality across diverse communities in America, with a speciality in the relationship between religion and LGBTQIA+ people.
Ross is a consecrated Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with a specific calling to advocate for LGBTQIA+ people and to bridge the LGBTQIA+ and faith communities. He is a producer for the “Yass, Jesus!” podcast, a faith and sexuality affirming podcast that believes you don’t have to pick between gay and God. In 2014, he was named one of Mashable’s “10 LGBT-Rights Activists to Follow on Twitter.”
To apply

Voices Rising: A Choral Affirmation of Black Lives
2021-06-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
Voices Rising: A Choral Affirmation of Black Lives is a united artistic response to the murders of George Floyd and Daunte Wright that have placed the Twin Cities at the heart of our nation’s racial reckoning.
Voices Rising will feature nearly 200 singers from 12 local choral organizations, including The National Lutheran Choir, and is curated and led by G. Phillip Shoultz III, Associate Conductor and Director of Learning and Engagement at VocalEssence. This performance will amplify the perspectives of spoken word, dance, and visual artists and activists from the Twin Cities’ Black community.
This concert will be live-streamed free of charge on June 16 at 7pm CDT from Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on the Chorus America Youtube Channel as well as broadcasted on YourClassical MPR (99.5 FM locally or YourClassical.org). The concert will be the opening night concert of Chorus America’s 2021 Summer Conference, which was originally scheduled to take place in Minneapolis. The NLC is a member of Chorus America.
To learn more, see the press release here and visit VocalEssence.org.

"Leading the Church in a Lingering Pandemic" Webinar
2021-06-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual
Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments is hosting a roundtable discussion with public health experts and pastors in a time of progress and uncertainty concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. How will congregations minister to those who are vaccinated and those who are not vaccinated in multigenerational settings? What church activities should we continue to adapt or avoid, such as congregational singing or shaking hands?
Direct Registration link
Facebook Event invitation

Women Church Leaders' Retreat led by Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis
2021-06-16 16:00 - 2021-06-18 13:00 | Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center
Women Church Leaders’ Retreat led by Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis
Women Church Leaders’ Retreat
“Women’s Leadership in the Church: Ongoing Challenges and Unspoken Joys”
Monday, August 16, 4:00 p.m. — Wednesday, August 18, 1:00 p.m.
Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center
Farmington, Minnesota
A retreat for women clergy and women working on staff in churches, led by the Reverend Dr. Karoline Lewis. Based on her books, SHE: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Ministry and EMBODY: Five Keys to Leading With Integrity, Karoline will guide participants in discussing the particular opportunities and obstacles faced by women church leaders. How can we navigate lingering sexism and patriarchy as we return to a new normal? How can we be replenished and empowered for ministry? This retreat will focus on theological issues and practical strategies to embolden authentic and embodied leadership in the church today.
Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis is the Marbury E. Anderson chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, innesota, and an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. An accomplished author and widely-sought-after preacher and teacher, Karoline also is the host of Working Preacher.
Single occupancy cost: $500; Double occupancy cost: $450; Dorm room cost: $375. Cost includes two overnight stays, six meals, programming and activities, complimentary book (EMBODY: Five Keys to Leading with Integrity by Karoline Lewis), use of amenities, and tax.

International Women Leaders Graduation Celebration
2021-06-16 10:00 - 11:30 | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVuoGj_35M5Bb9p5pjU2-Qw
International Women Leaders Graduation Celebration
When: Wednesday, June 16, at 10 a.m. Central time
Where: Premiered on the ELCA Facebook Page

You are cordially invited to celebrate the 2021 graduating class of International Women Leaders scholars. The International Women Leaders scholarship program was established in 2014. This will be the third full graduating class to complete their undergraduate degrees at ELCA colleges and universities.
Class of 2021

Rebeca Amaro Treviño, Wartburg College
Mexican Lutheran Church
Marina Fomgbami, St. Olaf College
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon
Tamar Haddad, California Lutheran University
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
Salinla Manowong, Luther College
Church of Christ in Thailand
Dinah Murekatete, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lutheran Church of Rwanda
Dora Pomdooh Houma, Concordia College
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon

Keynote Speaker

Christine Mangale, program director for the Lutheran Office for World Community; former International Leaders Program scholarship recipient

Through the International Women Leaders program, we are boldly investing in established and emerging women leaders from our global companion churches. Gifts to this program help support the education of 200 additional international women through educational seminars, south-to-south exchanges, in-country study programs, and degree programs at ELCA colleges and universities.

RSVP at our Facebook event (suggested but not required). Visit Facebook.com/Lutherans when the event begins to view the virtual celebration. This event will be rebroadcast on the ELCA YouTube channel at 8 p.m. Central time. Facebook account not required to watch event.
