Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
The neighborhood where I grew up
By Mercy Zou Taithul I grew up in a small town called Lamka, Churachandpur in the northeast of India. To be specific my street is call P. Kamdou Veng. (P stands for Phiamphu, the Chief [...]
Cash bail: Inequality and modern-day hypocrisy
By Manny Lewis In today's society, cash bail has become a glaring example of systemic racism and inequality. It is a disgrace that people of color bear the burden of this unjust system, perpetuating a [...]
In need of ecological conversion
By Bishop Ann Svennugsen Duke professor Ellen Davis shares a story about a neighbor’s conversation with his young grandson. The boy says, “Grandpa, the two biggest fears I have are that I won’t make the [...]
The rungs on the ladder
By Bob Hulteen Saturday is Epiphany – January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas fulfilled. I don’t know about you, but for me it has usually been the day when the tree comes down and [...]
Christmas blessings
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen "Where Shepherds Lately Knelt" is a hymn from All Creations Sings (#909, with text by Jaroslav J. Vajda and music by Carl F. Schalk). I invite you to listen to and [...]
Advent behind the curtain (or church desk)
By Jeni Huff I’ve been working at the synod office for more than ten years and I’ve been on staff at my home congregation for two-and-a-half years. While I worked only at the synod office, [...]
Called by God … and a Sunday school teacher
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen At the end of Sunday school one day, 12-year-old Tom Zarth was stopped by his teacher who said, “I think you would make a good pastor someday. Have you ever thought [...]
No matter how strong the storm
By Pastor Wondimu Sonnesa For our prayer life to be a peaceful journey with God, it is crucial to recognize and maintain the divine-human boundaries. No matter what our position is or which part of [...]
All Aboard!
By Pastor John Hulden Can our congregations work like an Amtrak dining car? I’ve travelled on Amtrak’s Empire Builder between Minnesota and Montana since my college days and again last week. What a ride it [...]
A river of wax
By Bob Hulteen Each week when I kneel at the altar for communion, I not only see my beloved fellow congregants gathered near me, I think of those saints who have shared that sanctuary and [...]