Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
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 [...]
Muus, mustard seeds, and mangoes
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen In 1900, my grandfather, David Svennungsen, was a member of St. Olaf’s tenth graduating class. I’m not sure what he paid for tuition, but I know something about the funds needed [...]
Companions
By Pastor John Hulden But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; Where you lodge, I will lodge; your people [...]
All the saints
By Emilie Bouvier Ole Nore (NOHR-ee), a Norwegian Lutheran farmer and nearly charter member of my home congregation in Lincoln, Nebraska, was not one known for sharing emotions. If you didn’t know him, you’d probably [...]
‘We can do better’
By Pastor Craig Pederson Over the past 18 months the effects of the pandemic, racial justice awakening, and economic disruptions continue to unfold in unpredictable ways. As they do, new insights emerge that help us [...]
Annual meetings that can change your life
By Pastor Norma Malfatti We all have experiences during our growing up years that shape our values, faith, and viewpoint of the world. My first communion class taught me that grace is God’s love given [...]