Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
Inspired by scripture
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen From the beginning of my Reformation, I have asked God to send me neither dreams, nor visions, nor angels, but to give me the right understanding of God’s Word, the Holy [...]
Between a Rock and a Healing Place
By Emilie Bouvier Early in the 20th century, photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson complained, “The world is going to pieces and people like [Ansel] Adams and [Edward] Weston are photographing rocks!” In a desperate retort, Adams replied [...]
Bread vs. wine and other church conflicts
By Pastor John Hulden It was 1970. The national convention for the American Lutheran Church (ALC) was in Minneapolis. (The ALC was one of the predecessor church bodies that formed the ELCA in 1988.) It [...]
Safe at home! How about at church?
By Kris Bjorke We’ve hit the point in the baseball season where it’s getting really interesting. To say I’m a fan wouldn’t be totally true, but I do love to go to games, to hang [...]
Reflection on Churchwide Assembly action
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen What a blessing it was to attend the 2019 Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee! We worked hard on the decisions facing our church; we worshiped and studied scripture together; we celebrated and [...]
For the sake of all creation
By Brenda Blackhawk Every year, on the last weekend of July, my family travels down to Winnebago, Nebraska, for the annual Homecoming Pow Wow. I’ve recently returned from this 153-year-old Pow Wow, which is a [...]
Safe Harbors?
By Grace Corbin About a week and a half ago, an ecumenical group of 30 people ventured on a “toxic sites bus tour” of North Minneapolis. This bus tour, led by northside residents, brings people [...]
A hunger for hope
By Eric Howard Last week, 200 national faith leaders descended upon Minneapolis and Central Lutheran Church for the 2019 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering. It was a rare sight to see so many Lutherans gathered [...]
Are you in the picture?
By Bob Hulteen Do you remember the first piece of art that so moved you that you couldn’t stop thinking about it for days? Do you know why you were so affected? I remember my [...]
Remembering is what we do
By Bob Hulteen His name was Hailu Degaga. A black, snaking bicycle cable secures a ghost bike to a stop sign kitty corner from my house. It’s where the 73-year-old Mr. Degaga was the casualty [...]