News and Events

News and Events

Saint Paul Area Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

April 8, 2013

Last day to register 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.

2013 Synod Assembly

Important information about registration

The registration deadline for the synod assembly is Wednesday, May 8.

If you do not register by May 8, please plan to allow adequate time when you arrive at the synod assembly to complete the registration forms, pay fees, and pick up your name tag, assembly materials, and voting keypad. Please note that registration will be closed during opening worship, from 8:30-9:30 a.m., on Friday, May 17.

More information at www.spas-elca.org/events/synod-assembly.

Don't miss out on the next Seminary of the Streets!

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
Support nursing education in Tanzania

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.

Spring Ministerium to focus on care ministries

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.Resources will be shared, including Twin Cities Public Television and the ELCA social statement on health care, to support such sacred conversations in congregations, health care and community settings.

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

A message from the ELCA Malaria Campaign
World Malaria Day: April 25

World Malaria Day is coming up on April 25! Malaria has been a worldwide epidemic for thousands of years, but recent developments have made it possible to stop deaths from this disease-for good. We know what causes malaria and we know how to treat and prevent it. More importantly, a global movement is underway to do just that.

Read more about what you and your congregation can do to help end malaria at www.spas-elca.org/news .

Ascension Day Breakfast

Thursday, May 9, 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Christensen Center, Augsburg College. This annual event is a "thank you" for the service and work of children, youth and family leaders in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods.

David "Agape" Scherer will share the keynote address. Kent Goodroad and Alyssa Schwitzer will provide music. Bishop Peter Rogness (SPAS) and Bishop Ann Svennungsen (MAS) will be there to provide prayer and blessings for the journey.

More information at www.spas-elca.org/congregations/children-youth-family.

If you have further questions, please contact Susan Miller at 651.224.4313 or susan.miller@spas-elca.org.

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.

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