Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
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 [...]
Adept at adapting
By Pastor Craig Pederson Two months ago the first of our two children was confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Our son Evan had successfully navigated three years of large-group classes, small-group gatherings, service projects, and [...]
Steps toward forgiveness
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen The year our son was born, a friend asked if I would co-lead what we came to call a “Shalom Group.” Using the 12 Steps of Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon [...]
A spirit of change
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen Did you feel the winds shift this month? Maybe it was the same wind that inspired Peter’s Pentecost sermon, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and [...]