December 29, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
Synod staff members continue to work remotely for the foreseeable future. Contact them using their email or cell phone.
Synod to search for Director of
Faith and Neighboring Practices
Funded through a Lilly Foundation grant, the Director of Faith and Neighboring Practices will coach three cohorts of five congregations for two two-year cycles on faith and neighboring practices for the Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA. The goal is to increase the vitality of the congregation through deeper connection to God and better understanding how God is already at work in the communities surrounding the congregation.

This person will be grounded in both spiritually-centered faith practices and faith-based community organizing methodology. Resumes due by January 4, 2021.  
Real to real
“In 2020 the pandemic has transformed virtual technology from a luxury to a necessity. The tech has become a tool to express compassion, connection, and community. It has showed us how much we may have taken for granted the opportunity to gather together in person. It has also shown us how much we increasingly long for ‘real presence’ with our siblings in Christ. More than ever, we truly needed the Christmas story of Emmanuel (‘God with us’) to remind us of God’s in-the-flesh love for us.”
Leading with Love toward energy democracy
When we flip on the light switch, we don’t usually think about the complex webs of our energy use – from the actual crisscrossing wires of the grid to the choices we make individually and collectively that shape our energy systems. Beginning with demystifying this electrical web, we will learn how we can take our power back – literally.

Thursday, January 7, 2021
2:00-3:00 p.m.

Come to learn about what energy democracy looks like, and how you can be a part of building local solutions.
Weekly reflections on both lectionaries
As part of the Book of Faith Initiative of the ELCA, Pastor Mark Wegener writes a weekly blog titled "Just-a-Minute" on both the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary readings assigned for the following Sunday. He includes an introduction, the readings, and some questions to ponder.

As the calendar flips to a new year, it might be a good time to sign up to received the weekly blog. It is sent on Tuesday morning and includes the readings for the following Sunday. Prepare for the next week's sermon by reading "Just-a-Minute."

And, if you like it, share it with a friend. More than a thousand people already receive it each week. And there's always room for more.
A hospital miracle
Recharge is a one-day, multicultural, multi-denominational conference created to inspire and equip church staff and their volunteers serving in children and youth ministry. Regional participation means people from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota -- from 30+ denominations -- will attend.

Saturday, January 9 - 9:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Online

Keynote speakers include:
  • Bob Goff, author of the New York Times bestselling Love Does and Everybody, Always and his latest book, Dream Big.
  • Dr. Virginia Ward, dean of the Boston Campus and executive director of the Northeast Region of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Participants may attend up to three workshops on digital ministry, personal growth, or age-specific ministry.
Double your gift to ELCA World Hunger by responding today!
A young mother is laid off from her job in the restaurant industry as the pandemic hits, and the wages and tips she relies on to feed her children have vanished.

A farming family reels from the loss of a father to COVID-19. His labor provided for them, and now they’re grieving and not sure how they’ll make ends meet.

A young man who had moved far from home to find work in a factory had his employer abruptly shut its doors. With transportation shut down, he begins a long walk home without food or water.

These are just a few of the millions of hardships that people around the world have faced this year. Estimates tell us that nearly half of Americans have lost their jobs or are economically insecure, and that global hunger and poverty will increase at least 12% by the end of the year.

But you can make a difference. And right now, your gifts can go twice as far.
 
 
The ministry of ELCA World Hunger was ready to meet the year’s challenges, participating creatively and courageously in the renewing work God is doing, even in the most difficult times. In more than 60 countries including the United States, ELCA World Hunger is working to end hunger and poverty. From food pantries to water wells, health care to advocacy, gifts to ELCA World Hunger are at work.

This is part of Jesus Christ’s call on our church. But to answer, ELCA World Hunger needs your generous support.
Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org