News and Events

News and Events

Saint Paul Area Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

February 18, 2013

Tool Kit registration closes today!

Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders will be held Feb. 23 at St. Mark's, North St. Paul. This event features extended conversation with Bishop Rogness, networking opportunities with leaders from congregations throughout this synod, and workshops with information specific to leadership matters and concerns.

Register Here

Pre-registration is required.
Registration closes tonight at midnight.

See the brochure (PDF) or event registration page for more information regarding schedule and workshops. Click image to view brochure.

Children, youth and family ministers roundtable

Tuesday, February 26, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Saint Paul Area Synod conference room, St. Paul. Susan Miller and Don Marsh will be hosting a children, youth and family ministers roundtable on the topics of conference coordinators for CYF ministers, Practice Discipleship trainings, and shepherding Saint Paul Area Synod CYF ministry over the next two years.

If you are interested in participating in this conversation, please contact Susan Miller at susan.miller@spas-elca.org or 651.224.4313.

Noreen Stevens plans sabbatical

Sr. Noreen Stevens, assistant to the bishop for leadership support, will be on sabbatical from

Feb. 21-April 30. Sr. Noreen has been on Saint Paul Area Synod staff for five years, and for seven years before that was engaged on a contract basis as the candidacy coordinator.

If you require assistance during her absence, please call the synod office at 651.224.4313 to be directed to the appropriate staff person.

Recent renovations to Tanzania home page
A number of changes are being implemented this year as the Bega Kwa Bega relationship undergoes a series of changes. If your congregation or volunteer group is planning a trip to Iringa, please read more about the travel fee and forms required to initiate your travel arrangements in Iringa.

The Tanzania page on our website has undergone a recent significant renovation. Please take some time to become acquainted with the changes. If you have questions about the forms or fees, please contact Beth Helgen in the synod office.

Save the date for these important events
Synod Assembly
May 17-18, Prince of Peace, Burnsville
This year's assembly will explore the concept of diakonia under the umbrella of "Living Lutheran Writing God's Love in Human Deeds." More.

Bishop's Theological Conference
Oct. 27-29, Heartwood Conference Center and Retreat, Trego, Wis.
The Bishops' Theological Conference becomes the Bishop's Theological Conference in 2013, when the two metro synods will meet separately for the first time in a decade or more. More.

Conference Assemblies
Feb. 8, 2014, St. Andrew's, Mahtomedi
This will be the time during which congregations are able to nominate candidates for bishop through their conference. More.

For information about these and other events, visit our calendar of events

Progress towards the 2% discount
As of last week, only 21% of our ELCA-Primary plan members and their eligible spouses have taken the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment. We need 111 more people to take the assessment to reach 65% and earn our 2% discount on ELCA health contributions this year. If we earn this discount, each of our congregations will pay 2% less for health contributions this year.

If you have ELCA-Primary health coverage, take the health assessment today for your synod, your congregation and yourself. You'll earn your $150 personal wellness account credit and can begin using the results to make small improvements your health.

Take the assessment at www.elcaforwellness.org.

Click icon to view handbook (PDF)

Updated synod handbook now available

The Saint Paul Area Synod Handbook and Directory has recently been updated. The synod handbook contains information about synod council, committees, churchwide assembly voting members, rostered leaders, and congregations. The document is password protected. Forgot your password? Call the synod office at 651.224.4313 to retrieve it. Updates to contact information, roster status, and mobility are made on a quarterly basis. If you notice incorrect information, please notify Julie Keefe at 651.224.4313 or julie.keefe@spas-elca.org.

In This Issue