News and Events

News and Events

Saint Paul Area Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

April 1, 2013

Register today for Jump Start Your Stewardship

Saturday, April 13, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Christ the King, New Brighton. Nathan Dungan, founder and president of Share Save Spend and a nationally recognized personal finance expert, will share insights on how congregational leaders can proactively engage, educate and equip their members in the role money plays in their lives, practically and spiritually.

Congregational lay leaders, stewardship and finance committee members, and children and youth leaders from both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods are encouraged to attend.

More information at www.spas-elca.org/events/jump-start.

Seminary of the Streets
Come celebrate and learn about Chinese ministry in the north metro

Thursday, April 18, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Galilee, Roseville. Come and learn more about how the Lutheran Church is reaching out to Chinese students and immigrants. These ministries often report the highest number of adult baptisms in our synod; come and see God's grace in action!

We will meet Galilee, Roseville, the site of Minnesota Faith Chinese Lutheran Church, for dinner, worship, and a presentation about the ministry there and at its satellite ministry, Joy Fellowship in Circle Pines.

Register here (Google form)

11th Annual Ilula Hospital Benefit

Thursday, April 11, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Central, Minneapolis. This fundraiser will help to support nursing education for women in the rural Iringa region of Tanzania. Donations will benefit not only a young Tanzanian woman and her family but also the villages in Tanzania where they live, work and serve.

See the flyer (PDF) for schedule and ticket information.

Project Discernment: Should I enlist in the military?

The Joint Peace with Justice Committee of the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods is responding to a resolution passed last year which called upon the creation of a curriculum to assist youth and all people in discerning whether they should enlist in the military.

The Project Discernment task force is requesting resources from veterans, military chaplains, parents, youth, pastors and all interested people. The resources would be those books, films, internet sites, Bible studies or anything you believe would be helpful to those considering enlistment. Not all will be used, but all will be considered. We want to make this a curriculum of the people. Resource submission deadline is April 20.

Submitting resources

If you have resources, you may send them via email to the Rev. Dr. Ron Letnes at ronletnes@hotmail.com, or at 2917 124th Cr. NE, Blaine, MN 55449. If you have questions, call 763.291.4003.

Spring Ministerium
Advanced care planning and your congregation

Thursday, April 18, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon
Shepherd of the Hills, Shoreview. Join the Rev. BJ Larson, Fairview, and the Rev. Norm Belland, Healtheast, specialized ministers in pastoral care and certified facilitators in advance care planning, to learn more about how you can encourage conversations related to advance care planning in your congregation. Please invite others on your staff involved in care ministries to attend and be a part of this important program.

More information at www.spas-elca.org/events/ministeriums.

Don't forget to submit congregational reports

We're still waiting on many congregational reports. Directions for submitting your congregation's statistics are available at the online ELCA Office of the Secretary by clicking on 2013 Report Forms A and C. Please take the time to fill out both forms or forward this email onto the person in your congregation who is responsible for this task.

If your congregation has not yet submitted its report, please get it completed ASAP. If you have questions, Julie is happy to help. Contact her at julie.keefe@spas-elca.org or 651.224.4313.

Seeking nominations for Augsburg College Corporation Board

Augsburg College is incorporated by four synods--the Saint Paul Area Synod, the Minneapolis Area Synod, the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, and the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. Representatives from these synods are elected in various ways to serve on the corporation board, which officially elects members of the Augsburg College Board of Regents.

The corporation board meets once annually--on a Friday morning in mid-September (this year's date is September 13)--in order to elect new regents and occasionally to approve any changes to the by-laws. You need not be an Augsburg alum or parent to participate.

Serving in this capacity is a wonderful way to learn more about the unique programs and partnership Augsburg College provides to those of us in the Twin Cities and in the ELCA. If you are interested in being considered for nomination, please be in touch with Beth Helgen for more information.

Save the date: April 11--One day, two events

Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota (LCPPM)'s Lutheran Day at the Capitol

Thursday, April 11, 10:30 a.m.

Christ on Capitol Hill, 105 University Ave W, Saint Paul

LCPPM's 25th Anniversary Celebration

Thursday, April 11, 5:30 p.m.

Luther Seminary Campus Center, 1490 Fulham Street, Saint Paul

Join Lutherans for a day of creation care advocacy at the Minnesota Capitol and an evening celebration of the 25th anniversary of Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota.

For information and to register, visit lcppm.org/luth-day-at-the-capitol or call 651.224.5499. Lunch and supper will be provided; call LCPPM for more details.

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