APRIL 8, 2019

Churchwide Representative Andrew G. Steele serves as the Director for Global Mission Funding with the ELCA, a new role as of February 1. He previously served as the Director for ELCA Global Church Sponsorship. Andrew oversees the advancement efforts for ELCA Missionaries, Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteers, Global Ministry projects, and the International Women Leaders initiative. These ministries make up $33 million of the $198 million goal as part of "Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA." Click here to learn more about Andrew.

Today is the final day of early bird discounted registration! Save $15 per person when registering by midnight tonight. For more information, visit www.spas-elca.org/synod-assembly. 

From Presiding Bishop Eaton:

All Created Things

In her April column for Living Lutheran , ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that “we—all created things—are family.” As Earth Day nears on April 22, we should be “especially mindful of the gift of creation and our place in it.”

"God’s entire divine nature is wholly and entirely in all creatures, more deeply, more inwardly, more present than the creature is to itself." (Martin Luther)

I am formed by the Lutheran movement, so I tend to look for law and gospel, judgment and promise in everything. This quote from Luther is no exception. It does speak a word of judgment and, at the same time, a word of promise that brings hope.

Click here to read the full column at Living Lutheran .

World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants

Applications will be accepted beginning April 15 for 2020 ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants. Visit https://www.elca.org/domestichungergrants to learn more about the grants and how to apply. Organizations applying for an ELCA grant for the first time should set up an account in ELCA GrantMaker in advance to access the application form immediately once the window opens. If you're organization has already registered for a grant, now is a good time to log back in and confirmation that your account is up to date.

ELCA World Hunger will be hosting two webinars to review granting priorities and cover the basics of applying. To call in, simply click on the link below for the date of your choice.

Application Timeline:

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Spring Ministerium Offering

An offering of $624 was received at the recent gathering of the Ministerium for Lutheran Disaster Relief to address Midwest flooding. Additional gifts can be made directly to Lutheran Disaster Relief or through the synod with “Lutheran Disaster Relief” noted on the memo. Thanks for this concern for our neighbors.

-- Bishop Lull

Bishop's Letters to Confirmands

Looking for a special addition to your congregation’s celebration of confirmation this year? Bishop Lull will write a letter to each confirmand, welcoming them to the next chapter in their faith life. If your congregation is interested, contact Anna Marsh ( [email protected]) for more details. Please allow three to four weeks before the service of confirmation.  

Sexual Misconduct Prevention

Has your congregation accessed the synod's new resources related to preventing sexual misconduct? A variety of materials are available, including guidelines and sample policies, instructions for misconduct reporting and more. We the church need to address incidents of sexual harassment and abuse when they arrive in our congregations and ministry settings. Make sure your congregation is informed and equipped! Visit https://www.spas-elca.org/resources/report-misconduct/.

Concordia College Campus Pastor

Concordia College in Moorhead is seeking candidates for its Campus Pastor position opening. This Minister of Word and Sacrament will work closely with the campus Minister for Faith and Spirituality in Action. Click here to view the job description.

Don't forget to check our website for job postings around our synod: https://www.spas-elca.org/resources/job-openings/.

SIMBA/SIMSA/MYLA Informational Meeting

Saturday, April 13 | 11:00 am-1:00 pm

First Lutheran, St. Paul

This exploratory gathering is for anyone interested in multicultural youth leadership and African American youth camp! Discussion will focus on camps and adult labs, the importance and benefits of local chapters, future engagement with Bay Lake Camp. Lunch is provided. For more information, call Brenda Olson Bingea at 651.247.0360.

Luther Seminary Preview Day

Tuesday, April 30

Luther Seminary, St. Paul

Do you know a high school student who might be interested in pastoral ministry or other leadership opportunities in the church? Luther Seminary Preview Day is designed for pastors and youth leaders to bring high school students to campus to learn more about rostered ministry. Students will take a campus tour, hear from seminary leaders, attend chapel and come together for a celebration luncheon. Pastors and youth directors have special programming just for them at this free event. Learn more at www.luthersem.edu/lifelong_learning/events/community/preview.aspx.

Guardian Angels Training

Saturday, May 4 | 9:00-11:30 am

Gloria Dei, St. Paul

The AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities) strategy was approved at the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to address the needs of the thousands of unaccompanied children and migrant families who come to the U.S. each year. The AMMPARO strategy includes the Guardian Angels program. Guardian Angel volunteers accompany migrant children and families as they go through the U.S. immigration court system, providing the physical presence of the church in the courtroom.

 

The Saint Paul Area Synod is hosting a Guardian Angels training on May 4 at Gloria Dei Lutheran to prepare volunteers to attend immigration court. The Guardian Angels training is open to anyone interested in being more involved in immigration and justice work. Click here to sign up by April 29. If you have any questions, contact Elise d'Entremont, Guardian Angels volunteer coordinator, at [email protected]. For more information about AMMPARO or additional resources about immigration, visit www.elca.org/AMMPARO.

Guatemala Gala

Sunday, May 5 | 4:00-8:00 pm

Southview Country Club, West St. Paul

The 6th Annual Guatemala Gala will be held on the evening Sunday, May 5 at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul. The focus for this year's Gala will be the Colegio Luterano Agustino de Guatemala (CLAG). CLAG is a primary school run by the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG), our companion partners in Guatemala. The school needs to be relocated immediately due to its precarious setting on a crumbling ravine.

Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard, a prize-winning author and in-demand speaker, will provide a Guatemalan buffet dinner. She was born and raised in Guatemala but now lives in Minnesota and loves to share her home culture with people all over the world. This event includes a silent auction, raffles, games, giving tree, market and marimba band. Featured speakers are Pastor Esther Echeverria and Beatriz Castillo, ILAG education directors Learn more at www.spas-elca.org/guatemala-gala .

National Lutheran Choir Spring Concert

Sunday, May 5 | 4:00 pm

Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

National Lutheran Choir's Spring Concert, "Light and Dark," explores the music of equatorial ares and the dark north of Europe. The concert includes works from Russia, Cuba, Finland, Indonesia, Mexico and the Caribbean. Influenced by each culture's unique climate - where cold night breeds mystery and the warm sun imbues particular colorfulness - music fills the role of storytelling in a unique and fascinating way. For ticket information, visit www.NLCA.com.

Ilula Hospital and Nursing School Benefit

Sunday, May 5 | 6:00-8:00 pm

Eagan Community Center, Eagan

From the development of Ilula Lutheran Hospital to the construction of village dispensaries and the creation of a new nursing school, Shoulder to Shoulder works with the Medical Team of the Iringa Diocese to upgrade Lutheran medical facilities across the region. This program is affiliated with the synod's Bke Kwa Bega ministry.

You are invited to a festive evening with hearty appetizers and a cash bar and a program featuring Partners in Praise Girls' Choir and Heart & Soul Drum Academy. The evening ends with dessert and coffee. Tickets are available until April 22 at www.ilulahealth.org for $40 with $10 tax deductible. Unable to attend? Make a donation on the website or send a check to Should to Shoulder, 1430 Appaloosa Trail, Eagan, MN 55122.

An Evening with Science Mike

Sunday, May 5 | 7:00 pm

Shepherd of the Lake, Prior Lake

Shepherd of the Lake invites you to an evening of curated conversatiaon around the topic of science and faith! Mike McHargue is an author, podcaster and speaker who travels the world helping people understand the science of life's most profound experiences. His bestselling book, Finding God in the Waves, has helped thousands understand faith in the 21st century. Following his presentation, Science Mike will sign books. Gustavus Adolphus College will be on hand with information about their internationally known science and faith conference, held annually in the fall. For more information and tickets, visit www.sollc.org.

Ascension Day Breakfast

Thursday, May 9 | 9:00-11:45 am

Augsburg University, Minneapolis

Celebrate the past year of ministry and get energized for the upcoming summer ministries with worship and conversation with other passionate Children, Youth & Family (CYF) Ministry workers and volunteers. Worship will be led by Chris Tripolino (Fabric Church) with the message and discussion led by the Rev. Meta Herrick Carlson. This year's theme is "Expired." What needs to pass away in our lives and ministries for new life to blossom? This event is hosted by the Minneapolis and St. Paul Area synods' Children, Youth and Family Leadership Team. The cost is $10 per person. Learn more at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBuOI3V1hrBM4HXR9xFc5qCPHXktXRU-N71oqOW-Xj343LWg/viewform.

Bishop Patricia Lull

Rev. Justin Grimm

Rev. Peter Harrits

Rev. Joe Lees

The Saint Paul Area Synod, which includes 112 congregations and new mission starts,

is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

www.spas-elca.org | 651.224.4313