Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
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 [...]
Stinky shepherds
By Pastor John Hulden In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the [...]
Six floors up
By Maya Bryant I stared out my office doorway to the windows leading to the white landscape outside and sighed. With the first heavy snowfall hitting the Twin Cities, it’s hard to ignore that winter is [...]
Mixed emotions
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen I have never attended a “Blue Christmas” worship service. Perhaps, this year. The service, often held on the longest night of the year, is a time to gather with others, to [...]
Living your best life
By Kayla Zopfi Year-of-service programs are ecosystems of mutual exchange, community engagement, and mentorship. Especially in the nonprofit sector, decades-long histories inform and affect programs that facilitate the connection between individuals who want to engage [...]
Sitting in the rain
By Brenda Blackhawk Have you ever heard the phrase, “You can’t appreciate the sunshine if you’ve never stood in the rain?” Several variations of the saying pop up when you look online for quotes of gratitude and thanksgiving. It regularly comes [...]