Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
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 [...]
Sacred Cats
By Nicholas Tangen My spouse, Kristin, had often joked (or so I thought) that when we finally had to say goodbye to our elderly cat, Wallace, that she would need two kittens to compensate for [...]
Plastics and practices
By Emilie Bouvier Everyone has their favorite household chores. I’m transported back to sitting cross-legged on the kitchen floor in front of my family’s “recycling drawer,” neatly sorting the contents into their respective bags to [...]
Greater than a Superpower
By Meghan Olsen Biebighauser Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God [...]
Apologizing as a Faith Practice
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen When was the last time you apologized to someone? Not a “sorry” after bumping them in the grocery line. And not a non-apology like “I’m sorry you feel that way” or [...]
The holiness of the darkness
By Kayla Zopfi Perhaps last years’ season’s greetings came with restful tidings and hopes for light to shine brightly again soon. Perhaps you’ve come to feel less and less seen by these greetings. The tiredness [...]