Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
Real to real
By Pastor Craig Pederson It was almost 15 years ago when I participated in my first online worship experience. A wonderful young couple was getting married at the small urban church where I was serving. [...]
Canticle of a neighbor
By Meghan Olsen Biebighauser Month Nine of this pandemic has me thinking about how connected we are to our place – like, our literal coordinates. For the most part, I haven’t left my zip code [...]
Angels calling
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen Last night, I realized my husband has a special calling – preparing warm campfires so our family can gather outdoors during the pandemic. I had no idea Bill had this gift. [...]
Ready or not
By Brenda Blackhawk I love this time of year: the cold snap in the air, the spicy scents, and the pretty lights and decorations. And, I love the relational aspects of the season – the gifts (both the [...]
Intentions in tension
By Bob Hulteen I’m getting ready for a vacation (because in last week’s blog Pastor John said we all should “take ‘em”), so this blog is only three hot takes. You can "take 'em" or [...]
Drop catch phrases
By Pastor John Hulden I turn 61 next week. I’m old, and not necessarily wise. I tell you this because I’m going to sound like a grumpy old guy — during a pandemic no less. [...]
Unconditional election?
By Pastor Craig Pederson We recently celebrated two significant rites of passage in our household. In September, our 16-year-old son Evan successfully obtained his driver’s license on his second attempt. (He maintains that he should [...]
‘New paths forward’
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen Where do you find hope? In the polarization leading up to the election, what hope sustains you? I shouldn’t be surprised that I find hope in the writings of Marilynne Robinson. [...]
My ecological community
By Madeline Troyer While hiking the Great Smoky Mountains on the Appalachian Trail, I wrote in my journal: “It’s amazing how much the forest can change in a day, for a while we were on [...]