News and Events

News and Events

Saint Paul Area Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

January 7, 2013

Preparation of congregational annual reports

It's that time of year when congregational leaders scurry to gather information to prepare annual reports. The report covers from the ELCA churchwide organization contain a message from Presiding Bishop Hanson as well as a prayer or litany. You can order them here.

Download Bishop Rogness' letter to congregations for inclusion in annual reports. You can also access Bishop Rogness' letter at www.spas-elca.org/resources/forms-and-reports.

It's time to take the Health Assessment!

Portico Benefit Services (formerly ELCA Board of Pensions) is offering us the opportunity to earn a 2% discount on ELCA health contributions again in 2013.

If you have ELCA-primary health coverage, this savings depends on you. Take the assessment on the EmbodyHealth web portal at www.elcaforwellness.org January 1-April 30. Instructions for taking the assessment are available in the Understand My Benefits section at www.elcabop.org.

The Macedonia Project: An adventure in Stewardship and Generosity

Would you like your congregation to be a center which teaches and encourages people to be stewards of God's gifts in their lives? Do you want your people to have the gift of generosity? If so, then the Macedonia Project might be for you!

Once again, we are offering congregations in our synod the opportunity to participate in the Macedonia Project. This 15 month intentional process of learning, reflection and conversation will begin with an informational meeting on Jan. 24, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Minneapolis Area Synod Conference Room. Pastors and lay team leaders from interested congregations are invited to attend.

More complete information on the project is located on the synod website.

Up to ten congregations from our synod can attend. If you are interested in being part of this project, or would like more information,

please contact Susan Miller at susan.miller@spas-elca.org or 651.224.4313)

January Seminary of the Streets

Jan. 17, 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, North, St. Paul. Come and learn how God is lifting up new leaders for immigrant and multicultural ministries through the partnership of Agora, Luther Seminary, and the Synod's local mission partners.

Multicultural pot luck dinner at 5:30 p.m. (bring a dish to pass) followed by worship and program from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

See the synod website or future emails for registration information.

Communicators' Gatherings: RSVP today for Website Education Series

Auxiliary Dining Room, Luther Seminary, St. Paul. Each month starting in January, those involved in church communications are invited to participate in a three-part educational series on website creation, use, and improvement.

RSVP by emailing Christine Fifield at christine.fifield@spas-elca.org. You are welcome to sign up for one, two, or all of the events in the series. For more information on dates, times and topics, visit the Communicators' Gatherings page at the Saint Paul Area Synod website under Resources.

Grants available for new Parish Nurse programs

ELPNA (Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association) is providing start-up funds for up to 2-3 congregations in Region 3. Congregations can request up to $500.00 as a start-up grant.

The grant applications are due by Jan. 14, 2013 via email submission. The awards will be announced by Jan. 22, 2013 with funds issued by Feb. 1, 2013. Read the press release for more information.

Download the ELPNA grant.

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