Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
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 [...]
A call to persistence and resilience
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen In the past seven months, what special event(s) have you missed because of COVID-19? In the synod, five new pastors were ordained recently – in worship services completely different from what [...]
Neighbor-love in November
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen Should I vote by mail? Should I vote before November 3 at Early Vote Center? If I vote on election day, will I risk getting COVID-19? When can I expect the election results? [...]
The wisdom of mosses
By Emilie Bouvier Last year, while living in the Cascade mountain at Holden Village, I spent a lot of time thinking about mosses. I had a ritual of getting up at daybreak at least a [...]
More than magic
By Bob Hulteen Let’s be honest: Christian community on its best days is challenging. And, the authors of the scriptures seem to be aware that it is virtually impossible when economic inequity is a lived [...]
‘The year of the Lord’s favor’
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen If you google “images for Jubilee,” you get balloons and party hats, streamers and fireworks. Jubilee means party! Scripture describes something more nuanced. Depending on where you sit, Jubilee can feel [...]