Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
Holy Week, Batman!
By Pastor John Hulden My big brother David (a pastor in Iowa) and I always greet each other this week using the catch phrase of Batman’s sidekick – Robin, the Boy Wonder. As a kid, [...]
Life Together
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen Though I’ve been to over twenty Conference of Bishops meetings, last month was the first meeting where I made it to breakfast every day before 7am. I couldn’t wait to see [...]
Muscle Memory
By Emilie Bouvier “Eight… Nine… Ten.” I finish the count with a strain and glance up, squinting at fluorescent lights. Another set down. I put down the dumbbells and move over to the kettlebell for [...]
Listen like Mary
By Rev. Norma Malfatti One of the joys I have in my call as our synod’s Director for Evangelical Mission is spending time with our new start and strategic ministry communities and their leaders. These [...]
From Nigeria to Ukraine to Berlin…
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen Friend and former bishop, Peter Rogness, now serving as interim pastor in Berlin, surprised me with an email last week. Since our synod’s companion churches are in Nigeria and Germany, [...]
Lent (Minus the Plastic)
By Jack Hurbanis As we enter the season of Lent, Lutherans all over ask ourselves the same question: “Should I give something up for Lent, and if yes, what do I eliminate from my life [...]
Food Memories
By Brenda Blackhawk It was about three Lents ago now, that my congregation last had a Lenten soup supper. I used to love coming to Salem, sharing a hot meal with my church family, [...]
The Trustworthy Pastor
By Rev. Craig Pederson “I called to the Lord in my distress; the Lord answered by setting me free . . . It is better to rely on the Lord than to put any trust [...]
Re-reading a book again, for the first time
By John Hulden On April 30th I’ll attend, oh, maybe my 34th Synod Assembly. I look forward to meeting in-person with the church-y folks of the Minneapolis Area Synod as we safely spread out at spacious [...]
Jesus’ Mission 2022
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...” As many congregations make their way through Year C and the Gospel of Luke, these verses from chapter 4 are foundational. They are [...]