Mpls Area Synod ELCA

Empowering Communication Workshops for Clergy
2022-02-21 11:00 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Held on January 17, 24, 31, February 7, 11 &14, and 21, workshops 1-4 provide a full entrance to and experience of Empowering Communication. Workshop five is on mediation and six is on restorative circles are new in 2022. Each workshop will offer skills to enliven and support your ministry. Each workshop will include instruction, individual and small group exercises, and role play.

For more details, check out the event webpage, and with further questions contact Rev, Joel Westby.

Addiction & Lent - The Observance of a Sober Lent
2022-02-24 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Planning for a Lenten season? Join as we explore how the journey of addiction and recovery helps us better understand Lent, and hoe the spiritual practices of Lent can be a part of our journeys of recovery. This conversation will provide new insight into this important church season and provide practical resources for your planning and personal practice.Our guest speaker is Rev. Rodger Patience.
This one-hour free webinar with follow-up 30 minute Zoom discussion is presented by the Center of Addition & Faith. Tim King and Pastor Ed Treat will host this webinar.

Courageous Leadership Series with ELCA Coaching
2022-02-24 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
When Jesus began his ministry, he immediately formed a small group. Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we are continuing to offer opportunities to gather in small groups for discussion and empowerment around the prominent topics swirling in the crucible of change for us as faith leaders. They will be held each Wednesday in February at 1pm.

Though ELCA Coaching is learning as it goes and will continue to edit topics based on interest and feedback, a majority of this hour will be spent in breakout rooms with conversations facilitated by our ELCA Coaches focused on:

Growing Young
Grief in our Communities
Personal Grief
Rural Ministry
Urban Ministry
Hybrid Church
Advocacy
Race Relations
Allyship – LGTBQIA+
Conflict
Leadership Development

The login information can be found below and on the ELCA Coaching website: https://www.elcacoaching.org/events/courageous-leadership
Recordings from prior gatherings can be found here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media/series/courageous-leadership

OrganSoup: Sarah Garner, Recitalist
2022-03-03 12:10 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, 100 Oxford Street North, St. Paul, MN, 55104, United States
In celebration of a century of St. Paul-Reformation’s organ, Sarah Garner will present a program of varied organ works on the 1921 MP Moller, a romantic gem. Sarah Garner is the Director of Music at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mound. Sarah received her Master of Music in Organ Performance from Southern Methodist University and graduated with High Honors from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She is an active member of the American Guild of Organists.
For more information: https://www.stpaulref.org/organsoup

Fethullah Gulen and Martin Luther: Reformers across Contexts and Traditions, but a Shared Spirit - Jon Pahl Book Signing
2022-03-03 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish Muslim preacher who has inspired the global Hizmet (service) movement, is a clear reformer of Islam. How does he compare to one of the greatest (and most notorious) reformers in the history of Christianity, Martin Luther? In this talk, Jon Pahl will draw from his long-familiarity with Luther’s life and work, and from his recent biography of Fethullah Gulen, to draw some perhaps surprising parallels between the two theologians, across contexts and traditions. Gulen and Luther share emphases on education, vernacular languages, women’s equality before God, and advocacy for the oppressed. Both have reputations for passionate and powerful preaching, a penchant for paradox, and were oppressed by state-religious power. In their own lifetimes, Fethullah Gulen and Martin Luther were vilified, but they leave behind remarkable legacies as creative, faithful, and transformative interpreters of deep tradition, and unmistakable contributions to a more just and free world.
Jon Pahl is the Peter Paul and Elizabeth Hagan Professor of the History of Christianity at United Lutheran Seminary, Gettysburg/Philadelphia. He has also taught at Valparaiso, Temple, and Princeton Universities. Jon received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and is the author or editor of seven books, including the first critical biography in English of the controversial Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, entitled Fethullah Gulen: A Life of Hizmet–Why a Muslim Scholar in Pennsylvania Matters to the World. Jon teaches mostly on-line these days, and lives on a lake in Clintonville, Wisconsin with his wife of 39 years, Lisa, where he enjoys gardening, spending time with extended family and friends, and sitting in on the sax with jazz bands and gospel choirs.

For more information, and to register, click here: https://www.wisdomwayscenter.org/events-calendar/book-signing-jon-pahl

Webinar/Discussion for Now is the Time - Study Guide and Congregational Tool
2022-03-05 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
Participants will explore the new study guide that helps congregations wrestle with the meaning of “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” and its accompanying explanation.

Register here: https://www.womenoftheelca.org/event/webinar-now-is-the-time-a-study-guide-for-elca-declaration-to-people-of-african-descent?fbclid=IwAR2hP8boju6TUUFRYdH8VRLEYPV1lVb9kikeWk8dwSg725sDPNGYCg1uG8kne
Find the study guide here: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/DECLARATION_OF_PEOPLE_OF_AFRICAN_DESCENT_Study_Guide.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1TUr-Zrph5dLt5SArugYNZLj28Buk64o_nsNp-rv1195NN3-jahp_s1nA

For more information, contact Shari Seifert at shari@shariseifert.com

Caritas Vocal Ensemble Concert
2022-03-06 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Valley of Peace Lutheran Church, 4735 Bassett Creek Dr, Golden Valley, MN, 55422, United States
Join us for the return to live musical performances by Caritas! This year’s theme is Inspiring Harmony. When we sing, we build community. When you join us, you strengthen community.

Sunday March 6 at 3:00pm
Valley of Peace Lutheran Church, 4735 Bassett Creek Dr, Golden Valley

Free-will offering benefitting Cherish All Children.
Covid Safety Protocols include proof of vaccination or a negative test – please see full details HERE.

Virtual Tool Kit (multiple evenings)
2022-03-08 18:00 - 2022-03-24 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Join us for 12 workshops over six evenings in March,
Tuesday, March 8, and Thursday, March 10
Tuesday, March 15, and Thursday, March 17
Tuesday, March 22, and Thursday, March 24
Check out the regularly updated Tool Kit page for a list of workshops and presenters.
Registration coming soon!

Desmond Tutu for our Time
2022-03-09 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Christ Lutheran Church, Blaine, 641 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN, 55434, United States
Dr. Leon Rodrigues, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Luther Seminary will be our featured speaker on the life and work and teachings of Archbishop Desmond Tutu who served as the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission following the fall of apartheid in South Africa. The Wednesday evening events will be both in person and online. There is no cost to the public. All are welcome.
Here is a list of the sessions:Week 1 — A Not so Common Hero (Deut. 8:2)Week 2 — The Ubuntu Theology of Desmond Tutu Week 3 — For the Love of…Week 4 — Why Reconciliation requires truth-telling?Week 5 — Father let them be One (John 17)Suggested books by Desmond Tutu: 1)NO FUTURE WITHOUT FORGIVENESS (1999) and THE BOOK OF FORGIVING (2014).
For more information, including virtual attendance details, see Christ Lutheran, Blaine’s website.

Webinar for Rostered Ministers: "Finding Hope in Exhaustion"
2022-03-10 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Virtual
This relentless pandemic continues to exhaust all of us. Fatigue is on the surface, but what is underneath it? In this conversation we will identify the various emotions that are wearing us out and discover how to use them to generate constructive actions.

Join a Southeastern Synod-hosted webinar for Rostered Ministers, “Finding Hope in Exhaustion” on Thursday, March 10, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. The webinar will be hosted by the Rev. Dr. Marjorie Funk-Pihl, who is the primary consultant for Living the Resurrection, a church vitality ministry. Marj uses change strategies and motivational psychology in her work with congregations and has seen the impact the pandemic is having on our life together.

O Blessed Spring
2022-03-13 - 2022-03-16 | Virtual
National Lutheran Choir presents “O Blessed Spring”
Available March 13-16: Virtual Program
During this virtual program, we will admire the parallels of life cycles and nature’s seasons.
Buy tickets

Mediation Skills Training Institute
2022-03-14 09:00 - 2022-03-18 16:30 (America/Chicago) | virtual
Conflict is normal and inevitable – whether in the home, school, community, church or workplace. Leaders in all walks of life often have a responsibility to help others work through their conflicts.
The Mediation Skills Training Institute presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) is designed to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. The five-day institute also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory.
Although focused primarily on the church setting, the skills learned are directly transferable to other settings. Thus, managers in business, attorneys, experienced mediators, and others in leadership will be enriched by the training as well.

Children’s Ministry Zoom
2022-03-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Topic will be …. Summer plans and let’s think outside our walls! Let’s look forward to the summer as we all share ideas to spread the love of Jesus outside our walls! To get us started, in the comments please share your church’s VBS theme. Let’s work together!
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85076129637?pwd=[REDACTED] ID: 850 7612 9637Passcode: [REDACTED]

For more information contact Julie Vagle at Juliev@trinitylonglake.org

Children's Ministry Zoom
2022-03-14 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Virtual
Join the children’s ministry staff and key volunteers for a discussion of summer plans the second Monday of the month. Let’s think outside our walls! We’ll look forward to the summer as we share ideas to spread the love of Jesus outside our walls. Let’s work together! A partnership with Minneapolis and Saint Paul Synods.
Join the Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85076129637?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 850 7612 9637
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Questions? Contact Rachelle Gill from Easter Lutheran Church in Eagan: rgill@easter.org

Virtual Workshop with Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen
2022-03-15 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Join Anna Madsen in this virtual workshop to hear more about her theology and journey of living with a loved one with disabilities as we explore the psalmist’s audacious claim of being “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Register here: https://mtolivetretreat.org/event/fearfully-wonderfully-made-virtual-workshop/

Joint Religious Legislative Coalition Day on the Hill
2022-03-15 18:30 - 20:45 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition Day on the Hill will be held on Tuesday, March 15. Programing will be online in the evening, making it accessible for participants around the state. Advocates will be inspired and prepared to influence public policies for social justice and participate in legislative visits.
The keynote presenter is Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, Executive Director of the St. Louis Jewish Community Relations Council and an ordained clergy person in Orthodox tradition. She will explore the theme For Such a Time as This from the Book of Esther and its relevance for social justice advocacy today.
More information at https://jrlc.org/2022-day-on-the-hill

Stewardship for All Seasons: Expanding Ministries
2022-03-16 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Gustavus Lutheran Church, St. Paul, 1669 Arcade St, St. Paul, MN, 55106
Just think of the lives your congregation could impact if your members grew their giving by 10%-15% next year! This is exactly the goal of Stewardship for All Seasons, a two-year, comprehensive process. SAS congregations move embrace an impactful annual appeal and move into other vital realms of a culture of generosity: Communications and Story-Telling, Strategic Planning, Endowments, Special Appeals, Volunteer Recruitment, and Donor Cultivation
The Saint Paul Area Synod invites you to a informational session to meet the Pete Reuss, the SAS facilitator, and learn more about the process on Wednesday, March 16th at 1:00 at Gustavus Lutheran Church, St. Paul. Contact Rev. Norma Malfatti at n.malfatti@mpls-synod.org to confirm your attendance or with any questions.
Congregations will sign up by the end of April with the first cohort session to be held in May.
A brief video explaining the process is at https://youtu.be/IaTYCcgwVcQ.

Mindful Mondays Zoom for First Third Leaders
2022-03-21 12:00 - 12:30 UTC
Every Monday at noon throughout Lent, First Third leaders are invited to take 15 minutes to ‘be still and know’ (Psalm 46:10). We will utilize different spiritual practices (poems, Lectio Divina, praying with Icons, etc.). Those who would like to stay on for an additional time of check in are welcome.
Join the call: https://luthersem.zoom.us/j/4013613589
With questions, reach out to Kris Bjorke at masfirstthird@mpls-synod.org

Fosdick Lecture: Preaching in a Time of Crisis
2022-03-22 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, located just off of Lake Street in the 3rd Precinct, found itself at the heart of the explosive response to the brutal killing of George Floyd and the centuries of trauma that preceded his death. During the months that followed the uprising, the church responded by distributing donated food, diapers, toiletries, plywood for boarding up broken windows, cleaning supplies, and tools to the community. This remained a primary part of Holy Trinity’s work throughout the summer and fall of 2020.

On March 22, 2022 at 10am, Pastors Ingrid Rasmussen and Angela Khabeb will share their insights on preaching during this time of crisis and reflect on how these experiences continue to shape their understanding of theology and ministry.

Courageous Leadership: How Are You? No, Really! Processing Grief and Loss
2022-03-23 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Virtual
On Wednesday, March 23, ELCA Coaching welcomes ICF-certified Grief Coach and End of Life Coach Jason O’Neill to share skills to deal with the personal and collective losses we experience on a daily basis. Learn ways to support the healthy processing of loss and grief for yourself and for those you care about. You are invited to bring authenticity and vulnerability into this gathering as we learn together and are reminded we do not have to journey alone.

Jason is part of the support team for ELCA Coaching, as well as the Synod Communicator and Assembly Planner for the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod.

Spring Ministerium
2022-03-24 08:30 - 12:00 UTC | St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Rd 6, Plymouth, MN, 55447, United States
This spring’s Ministerium, “Sighs Too Deep for Words,” will be held at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Plymouth, on Thursday, March 24. For more details, go to the Ministerium page of our website.
Register >

Remember the Children: One Minnesota Town’s Indian Boarding School
2022-03-24 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Virtual
Join the Saint Paul Area Synod’s Advocates for Racial Equity (ARE) group on Thursday, March 24, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. for discussions about the Saint Paul Industrial School, which operated at one time as an Indian Boarding School in Clontarf, Minnesota. This will be a chance to get a closer look into what led this small town to build and operate such a program. We’ll examine the ongoing impact of Indian Boarding Schools and discuss the ways in which suppression keeps us from rumbling with our past.

Fundraiser for Ukraine to Feature Ambassador Eric Rubin and the Isles Ensemble
2022-03-27 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St, Mineeapolis, MN, 55403-3294, United States
The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis is hosting a fundraiser for Ukraine on Sunday, March 27 at 2:00 pm. Ambassador Eric Rubin, President of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), former U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria, and former Deputy Political Counselor to Kyiv, Ukraine, will be the guest speaker. The Isles Ensemble will perform chamber music by Dvorak and Tchaikovsky, as well as several works by Ukrainian composers.
The event is free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged, and 100% of contributions will be designated for Ukraine relief efforts through Eastern Europe Crisis Response or Lutheran Disaster Response. Checks, made out to either of these organizations, are preferred.

Webinar: Addiction & Overdose Prevention Centers
2022-03-31 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | Virtual
A one-hour free webinar on Zoom with followup 30-min. Discussion hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith and co-sponsored by Clergy for a New Drug Policy.
NYC recently opened the nation’s first official overdose prevention center. This evidence-based harm reduction strategy is used across the world, but still runs afoul of federal law in the United States. A one-hour free webinar hosted by the Center of Addiction of Addiction & Faith. Guest speaker is Rev. Charles King, one of the founders of Housing Works, Inc., a community-based non-profit that provides services including housing, health care, mental health, chemical dependency, legal services, advocacy, job training and employment for the homeless and children living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions.

Virtual Bold Gathering
2022-04-02 11:00 - 14:00 UTC | Virtual
Join Lutheran Men in Mission for the virtual Bold Gathering on April 2. Register here: https://lutheranmeninmission.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/bold-gathering-stories-from-the-heart-april-2-2022
Have questions about the Bold Gathering or want more information? Reach out to John Sundquist, Executive Director, or Lon Buss, Events Director.

North African and Middle Eastern Music Shine in ASEFA: A Musical Gathering
2022-04-03 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul, Minnesota
The music ensemble ASEFA, led by multi-instrumentalist Samuel Torjman Thomas, brings to vivid life a rich mix of Mediterranean musical traditions. Drawing on Hebraic and Islamic cultures in North Africa and the Middle East, the New York-based ensemble will present ASEFA: A Musical Gathering on Sunday, April 3 at 2 p.m.

The performance takes place in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas at the University of St. Thomas as part of its Chapel Arts Series. For further information, contact Jacob Benda at jrbenda@stthomas.edu. Click here for all the details.

Youth Ministry Zoom - LGBTQIA+ Youth
2022-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Virtual
Join with other youth ministry leaders for this zoom session on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth. This group meets the first Thursday of every month.

Zoom link: glcav.us/zoom
Meeting ID: 416 478 3219

Passcode: [REDACTED]

Webinar: Using Video to Tell Stories that Create Impact and Build Relationships
2022-04-07 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | Virtual
Join Shayna Jurrens of Storyhaus to learn how to use video to tell stories that create impact and build relationships. Does your nonprofit share its story effectively using visual media? Video offers a unique opportunity to connect with your stakeholders and donors, build empathy, and help audiences connect to your nonprofit’s mission. From iPhone videos to professional scripting/shooting/and editing, there are multiple options…depending upon your goals. See examples of other nonprofit videos and learn pro tips from a pro! To learn more about Shayna, see her introduction video at https://vimeo.com/542480914

The Earth Sings Beauty
2022-04-22 - 2022-05-01
National Lutheran Choir presents “The Earth Sings Beauty”
April 22, 23, and May 1: Live Concerts
The Earth Sings Beauty will be the culmination of our explorations of the natural world. In this program, we will premiere Lament of the Earth by Steve Heitzeg and Susan Palo Cherwien.
Buy tickets

Effective Church Councils Workshop Series
2022-04-25 19:30 - 20:30 UTC | Virtual
This series of four sessions, held over five months, is designed to help congregational councils grow in their role as leaders of the congregation, as well as learn how to have more effective and efficient council meetings. Tools will be shared to help lower the anxiety of leaders so that you are freed for creativity and handling the adaptive challenges your congregation faces. We hope that by participation you will find that being on a congregational council is a joy and that your meetings will be one of your favorite nights of the month, rather than the night you dread.
Our workshop series leader is the Rev. Paul Walters, a parish pastor, author and leadership consultant. Pr. Walters has created this video to introduce you to this series: https://tinyurl.com/EffectiveCouncil

Session Dates are:
Mondays
April 25, May 23, June 20, and August 22
7:30-8:30 PM
All Sessions are on Zoom

Sessions will be recorded so that leaders who cannot be present can still receive content and be prepared for “homework conversations” at their next council meeting.

Congregational Commitment:
Congregational council members will:

Engage in monthly, one-hour large group Zoom meetings with consultant
Utilize their monthly church council meetings to complete assignments
Pay the $200 registration fee to the synod office (congregations will receive an invoice after council members register)

SIGN UP for this course by completing the registration form: https://tinyurl.com/EffectiveCouncilRegistration

Once registered you will be sent the Zoom link for the sessions along with any other details you’ll need. Questions? contact Pastor Norma Malfatti, Director for Evangelical Mission (n.malfatti@mpls-synod.org)
