News & Events: Equipping Storytellers

October 12, 2026

Equipping Storytellers

Saturday, Nov. 14 - 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Gustavus Adolphus, St. Paul

For rostered ministers, worship leaders, and lay storytellers who want to use story more intentionally in congregational life—especially in worship!

Stories shape faith, build connection, and help the gospel come alive. Join pastor, speaker, comedian, and award-winning storyteller Nathan Mugaas for a playful and practical day designed to help leaders discover, shape, and share meaningful stories in worship. Through live examples, simple frameworks, and hands-on practice, participants will learn how to craft compelling stories, tell them with confidence, and explore how storytelling can be woven into congregational life—especially in the Lenten season.

This encouraging, low-pressure workshop invites first drafts (perfection not required!) and offers practical tools for equipping lay leaders and preachers alike. Participants will leave with a clear storytelling framework, a story outline to continue developing, and ideas for cultivating a joyful, supportive storytelling culture in their congregations.

This session is brought to you by the synod's Vitality Team. The cost is $25 per person, which includes lunch.

World Food Day - Oct. 16

World Food Day this Friday is a great opportunity to learn more about global hunger, brainstorm about tackling hunger and poverty or set a goal ro raise money for hunger relief! Use these resources from ELCA World Hunger to learn more about the issue of hunger and inspire innovative solutions in your community:

Hunger Leader 101: What Is a Hunger Leader? - The “Hunger Leader 101” course is for anyone with a passion for tackling hunger and injustice. You will gain a deeper understanding of the role hunger leaders play in ELCA World Hunger’s mission to end hunger at its root causes; you may even see yourself in this call to support, network and organize around antipoverty ministry.
Intersections: Justice Ministry With ELCA Partners - This short documentary explores stories from three ELCA companion ministries — in Cambodia, Mexico and Milwaukee, Wis. — as they respond to the overlapping root causes of hunger in the United States and around the world.
Action Guide for Congregations - This action guide will equip you with the newest and most popular ELCA resources to activate your congregation as you serve your community.
“At the Table” Vacation Bible School - “At the Table” gives congregations tools that will grow their ability to advocate for their neighbors through storytelling. It can be used as both a traditional, child-focused curriculum and an intergenerational program. A bilingual version in English and Spanish is available for order.
Generation Zero-Hunger Interactive Journey - With your youth group or congregation, use this interactive role-playing guide to appreciate the challenges faced by a family in Nepal as they seek a sustainable livelihood.
ELCA World Hunger Advent Resources - Join ELCA World Hunger for Advent! This season’s Advent calendar and devotional from ELCA World Hunger invite us to strengthen our relationships with our neighbors by sharing our abundance. The Advent resources provide tools for your community to celebrate those you are connected to, near and far, and to strengthen your bonds.

World Hunger Daily Bread Grants

All ELCA congregations with feeding ministries are invited to apply for a $500 Daily Bread Grant! ELCA World Hunger’s Daily Bread Grants support congregations and their partners as they work toward a just world where all are fed. These grants supplement existing food-based ministries, providing daily bread for neighbors who experience hunger. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, Oct. 21, at midnight. Learn more.

BKB Benefactors' Brunch

Saturday, Oct. 24 - 10 a.m. | Our Savior's, Stillwater

You are invited to an exclusive update on our collaborative global ministry and the Bega Kwa Bega Endowment Fund. Your leadership and vision will anchor the next generation of our companionship, securing sustainable futures for schools, clinics, and parishes across our companion diocese. Free charitable gift planning is available to ELCA members through a partnership between the ELCA Foundation and the Saint Paul Area Synod. Learn more and register.

Safer Together: Beyond
the Gun Control Debate

Tuesday, Oct. 27 - 6:30-8:45 p.m. | Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Bloomington & Online

Minnesota and the U.S. continue to face an epidemic of violence and harm involving guns. Too often, public debates around firearms devolve into a standoff between personal rights and government control. This pattern fails to address the many ways that each of us can act to reduce gun-related violence and trauma in our homes, workplaces, schools and communities. As Lutherans, how do we respond to this ongoing reality? What does our social teaching say? How might we foster the kind of moral deliberation and call to action that can lead to meaningful change?

The Region 3 ELCA synods of Minnesota and North Dakota are offering a time of shared learning, discernment, and collective action toward solutions to the harms of gun misuse. We hope to move beyond the gun rights-gun control debate and to promote safer communities with the conviction that we are safer together. This event is for lay leaders and rostered ministers.

The presentation and conversation will be led by Dr. Jillian Pederson, professor of criminology and criminal justice at Hamline University and the executive director of The Violence Prevention Project. Dr. Pederson will reflect on her research into mass shootings as a public health concern. Following her presentation, participants will discuss the ELCA’s Social Message on Gun-Related Violence and Trauma and the unique ways their own communities are impacted by gun violence.

Congregations may wish to organize local gatherings and individuals are welcome to attend in person or online. We hope that this event can be part of a movement across our region for moral deliberation and collective action that will reduce gun violence in our communities and contribute to communal healing and the common good. Register here.

October CYF Leader Support

During the month of October, leader support gatherings for Children, Youth & Families workers will focus on the topic of child safety and vulnerable adult policies. Joy McElroy, executive director of Cherish All Children, will be present for all three of these gathering options:

Monday, Oct. 12 - 1-2 p.m. | Online (2nd Monday Zoom)
Thursday, Oct. 15 - 10-11:30 a.m. | Lord of Life, Maple Grove (3rd Thursday Church Meet-Up)
Tuesday, Oct. 27 - 3-4:30 p.m. | Urban Growler, St. Paul (4th Tuesday Brewery Meet-Up)

Fall Joint Ministerium

Thursday, Oct. 29 - 9 a.m. | Christ Lutheran, Blaine

Rostered leaders from the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area synods are invited to gather for community, learning, and worship at this year's Joint Ministerium, Heaven Opened: Dreams for the Church. The Rev. Kenneth Wheeler, the featured speaker, will reflect on scripture, challenge us to confront white Christian nationalism, and look toward the dream of a new heaven and a new earth where all God’s people are seen, known, and loved. Rev. Wheeler, a retired ELCA pastor, is a guest lecturer on pastoral leadership in the 21st century at Wartburg Theological Seminary, where he received a Doctor of Divinity Degree honoris causa. He is also the author of US: The Resurrection of American Terror (2022). Register here.

Boundary Workshop

Thursday, Nov. 5 - 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Grace, St. Paul

Every five years, rostered ministers in the Saint Paul Area Synod are required to participate in a boundaries training. This six-hour training includes conversation about boundaries and behavior expectations for rostered ministers and resources for maintaining healthy leadership in ministry, along with insight into the work of implicit bias in our life and ministry. The cost is $25 and includes lunch. Learn more and r e gister.

Disaster Response and Preparation Webinar

Thursday, Nov. 5 - 6 p.m. | Online

Congregations and their buildings play an important role in disaster response and recovery. As environmental disasters become more frequent and severe, more congregations will be affected or called upon to support their communities. Join Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) for a conversation about how congregations can prepare for disasters and use their property to support response efforts. This free webinar is offered through the Church Property Resource Hub. Register here.

Giving USA 2026 Unpacked:

What the Data Means for the ELCA and

Your Fundraising Strategy

Wednesday, Nov. 11 - 12:00 noon | Online

Charitable giving in the United States has reached a record high, but what does that mean for ELCA congregations, ministries and synods? The ELCA Foundation's Regional Gift Planning team invites you to learn about the new giving trends from Lynn M. Gaumer, J.D., CAP®, Senior Gift Planning Consultant, and Amber Moore, Strategist for the Religion Subsector at The Stelter Company. They will interpret the latest Giving USA data, highlight emerging trends in charitable giving, and share practical insights to help guide your fundraising strategy in the year ahead. Whether you serve as a pastor, bishop, development professional or ministry leader, this session will provide valuable context for understanding donor behavior and strengthening support for your mission. Register here.

EVENTS OF INTEREST

Spiritual First Aid for Intergenerational Trauma

Tuesday, Oct. 13 - 6-8 p.m. | Online

For faith community nurses, clergy, lay leaders and others. Learn the core Spiritual First Aid approach of Triage, Care, and Refer while exploring how the effects of trauma can sometimes extend across generations. Participants will learn to recognize whole person primary needs, offer compassionate and practical support, strengthen coping, connection, meaning, and hope, and help people take a next step toward additional care when needed. Presenter Jamie Aten, PhD, is co-founder of Spiritual First Aid, author/editor of nine books, and co-host of The Better Samaritan podcast. The cost is $40 for LFCNA members and $50 for nonmembers. Learn more.

Community Singing Workshop

Saturday, Oct. 17 - 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Saint Anne's Episcopal Church, St. Paul

Music that Makes Community invites all who love to sing, lay and skilled, to a one-day workshop to learn a way of singing together that can enliven worship in small and rural congregations and strengthen our commitments to welcome all people. Explore the riches of paperless singing and experience leadership practices and songs that build and strengthen the community! Learn more and register.

Sing for the Healing

Sunday, Oct. 18 - 4 p.m. | Christ Church Lutheran, Minneapolis

You're invited to this festival of song in thanksgiving for 20 years of Evangelical Lutheran Worship! For two decades, the treasures old and new in this groundbreaking worship book and its family of resources have helped thousands of Christian communities sing the church’s song. Join your voices with musical leaders Jennifer Baker-Trinity, Robert Buckley Farlee, Zebulon Highben, Sally Messner, Nathan Proctor, Jonathan Rundman, Mark Sedio, David Sims, and a festival choir. Come early at 3 p.m. for a pre-concert conversation with Martin Seltz, Jennifer Baker-Trinity and Zebulon Highben about assembling hymnals. A free-will offering will go toward Hats & Mittens. Participants are invited to bring donations of hats and mittens to the event, which is free and open to the public.

Holy Spirit. Holy Ghosts. Holy Saints.

Sunday, Oct. 18 - 7 p.m. | Mount Olivet, Plymouth

Gather Twin Cities invites young adults to this conversation on what, why and who saints are! There will be spooky smores and shared storytelling of remembrance. Each attendee is invited to bring an item and/or story about a saint in their cloud of witnesses. This could be a personal patron saint, someone in your life who has passed on, etc. Gather Twin Cities is an ELCA ministry for young adults in the Twin Cities. Learn more.

Neurodivergent Clergy+ Gathering

Wednesday, Oct. 21 - 9:30-11 a.m. | St. Clement's Episcopal Church, St. Paul

Join others to meet, connect, and talk over coffee and treats about the challenges and gifts of doing ministry while being Neurodivergent. "Clergy+" means open to all clergy, chaplains, youth ministers, church musicians, seminarians, and church leaders who are Neurodivergent or have Neurodivergent families. Register here. Contact Craig in advance with any food allergies, accommodation requests or accessibility needs. Note: another gathering will be offered on Nov. 18.

Addiction & Faith Conference

Thursday, Oct. 22 - 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Online

The Center of Addiction & Faith is hosting A New Story of Addiction: Faith, Drugs, & the Search for Healing for clergy, people in recovery, congregational teams and professionals. Rev. Timothy McMahan King, Jennifer Carlier, and Rev. Dr. Ed Treat will explore addiction through the themes of transcendence, belonging, and truth. The conference is designed for faith leaders, people in recovery, families, congregational teams, and addiction and mental-health professionals. The fee is $50 per person with team registration for up to five people at $149. Limited scholarships are available. Learn more and register.

Securing Sacred Spaces

Saturday, Oct. 24 - 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Westwood Community Church, Bloomington

A house of worship security summit. Attorneys, mental health and security professionals, and church security leaders will lead practical sessions on:

Preparing for lawsuits, and the legal aftermath for church security teams
Mental health and the church: debunking myths and building preparedness
Church vulnerability assessments and governance
Working with your city to prepare for a mass casualty event
Building a church safety and security program, with lessons from Hosanna Church in Lakeville

This free program is offered by Kingswood Security (lunch is on your own). Register here.

An Evening with Global Refuge Donors & Friends

Thursday, Oct. 29 - 7 p.m. | Holy Trinity, Minneapolis

Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge, is the featured speaker at this dessert reception and conversation. This event includes discussion of the local and national landscape of immigration resettlement initiatives. Learn how you can get more involved in the vital work of welcome! The event is hosted by Global Refuge board member Clarance Smith and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Learn more and register by Oct. 20.

Whimsical Wigs - Making Smiles Workshop

Thursday, Oct. 29 - 6:30 p.m. | Our Savior's, Circle Pines

Bring smiles to kids by helping create wigs for children who are undergoing cancer treatment. This is a free event and no crochet experience is necessary! While some volunteers will crochet, there are plenty of other ways to help, including: bedazzling flowers, cutting yarn, and decorating envelopes. All wigs and beanies are provided free of charge to children staying in hospitals, bringing comfort, confidence, and a little extra joy during a difficult time. Learn more and register.

Concert of Remembrance

Friday, Oct. 30 - 7:30 p.m. | St. Philip the Deacon, Plymouth

Sunday, Nov. 1 - 4 p.m. | St. Andrew's, Mahtomedi

During its fall concert, To Remember is to Begin, the National Lutheran Choir will pause to honor the saints in our lives—the people whose presence and memory continue to shape us. Honoring memory as a sacred practice and featuring Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, To Remember is to Begin will be performed with organ accompaniment by Celina Kobetitsch. You are invited to share the names of those who have recently entered this world and those whose lives we have recently mourned, so that they may be honored during the performance. Click here to submit at name. Visit the NLC website to learn more and get tickets.

Other Events:

Fall Theologic al Con ference - Oct. 11-13 | Cragun's Resort, Brainerd
ConNext Summit - Oct. 11-13 | Clearwater Retreat Center, Deerwood
Stories That Heal - Oct. 18 | St. Andrew, Eden Prairie & Online
PREACH Conference - Oct. 18-21 | St. Andrew, Eden Prairie & Online
Prayer Service for Rostered Ministers - Oct. 27 | Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley
Free Community Naloxone Training - Nov. 12 | First Presbyterian, Stillwater
Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders & Conference Assemblies - Feb. 13 | Location TBD