A Cause for Celebration: Crossing Bridges mission appeal exceeds $2M goal

At the Saint Paul Area Synod assembly in May, the Rev. Gary Anderson, director of the Crossing Bridges mission appeal, announced that gifts and pledges to the appeal exceeded the $2 million dollar goal for a total of $2,018,231! While the publicity phase of the mission appeal officially concluded at the synod assembly, gifts and pledges will continue to be received.

More funds distributed to support ministry across the church

Another round of Crossing Bridges grants was disbursed in June, following final approval by the synod council. Five seminary students, nine ending poverty initiatives, and three ongoing efforts in Iringa will be funded. Funding commitments to Bridges to New Mission have been fulfilled at this time.

Bridges to Future Leaders

Five seminary students recommended for the Crossing Bridges scholarship by the candidacy committee will receive $5,000 from the Bridges to Future Leaders scholarship fund for the 2009-2010 academic year. The recipients include:

• Elizabeth Flomo is just beginning her second year of a concurrent internship at Trinity, Minneapolis, and graduates from Luther Seminary this coming year. Elizabeth’s home congregation is Christ Lutheran on Capitol Hill, St. Paul.
• Hannah Johnson completed her internship at Our Savior’s, Mesa, Ariz., and graduates from Luther Seminary in May 2010. Her home congregation is Christ, Marine on St. Croix.
• Andrew Lundborg is completing his internship at St. Paul, Stillwater, and graduates from Luther Seminary in May 2010. His home congregation is Hosanna, Forest Lake.
• Erik Olson is in his final weeks of internship at St. Luke Lutheran and Faith Lutheran in Fort Smith, Ark., and graduates from Wartburg Seminary in May 2010. Erik’s home congregation is Prince of Peace, Roseville.
• Dan Streeper served his internship at St. Andrew’s, Eden Prairie, and graduates next year from Luther Seminary. Dan’s home congregation is St. Michael’s, Roseville.

Bridges to Ending Poverty

The Ending Poverty leadership team, synod staff, and grant applicants gathered together on June 9 to make collaborative funding decisions. Twelve grants were submitted, and nine received funds totaling $60,000, including:

• Minnesota Faith Chinese, St. Paul. Ministry to women in poverty $4,500. A continuation of an effort to extend support to Asian women in poverty who do not speak sufficient English through counseling, language lessons, visitations, and other resources.
• Bethlehem, St. Paul. Open Hands Ministry $5,000. Trained individuals, groups, and congregations will provide physical and spiritual resources to the poor in the Hamline/Midway neighborhood.
• Daily Work, St. Paul. Support for program expansion $9,000. Expanding the executive director position to accommodate supervision of interns and increase client support.
• Hmong Central, St. Paul. Young adult ministry $10,000. Funding for a part-time director for young adult ministries at Hmong Central.
• Bethlehem, Bayport. Dane’s Place shelter house $2,400. Dane’s Place is available to families who need temporary housing while in transition or crisis. Currently serving its fifth family, the average stay is eight to twelve months.
• Mount Calvary, Eagan. Eagan Resource Center $4,600. The Eagan Resource Center serves families in need of food support from Eagan, Apple Valley, Rosemount, and Burnsville. The grant will partially fund a program manager to coordinate volunteers and oversee operations.
• Pueblo de Fe, St. Paul. Youth and family ministry $10,000. To support a youth and family ministry for Latino young adults meant to connect, build relationships, build trust, and empower them.
• Peace, Lauderdale. Healthy Homes, Healthy Community $4,500. Funds will expand an existing program that identifies homes in need of repair with owners who are unable to make the repairs themselves and invites volunteers to work to improve homes and build relationships.
• One in the Spirit, St. Paul. Intergenerational ministry $10,000. To support a new ministry that will bring American Indian children together with American Indian elders for mentoring/tutoring and to spend time in conversation and activities.

Bridges to Iringa

A sum of $5,000 each has been designated for the Agricultural Institute, Ilula Hospital, and scholarships for theology students at Tumaini University.