News Headlines

Tool Kit connects, equips lay leaders

In 2011, approximately 200 leaders from congregations—a record number!—gathered at St. Mark’s Lutheran in North St. Paul for the seventh annual Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders. Hosted by the Saint Paul Area Synod, it gathers and equips leaders, giving them a chance to connect, ask questions, and discuss topics from leading an effective meeting to planning welcoming worship to local outreach.

Ministry in the Midway

Twin Cities media outlets have focused plenty of attention on the negative impact of St. Paul’s light rail construction on University Avenue Corridor businesses during the past year. While that’s certainly true—many businesses have experienced around 50 percent reduction in revenue—congregations in the Midway/Hamline neighborhood are busier than ever.

The young people of our church are being invited into a great opportunity for them to gather as citizens with the saints to learn to love like Jesus by practicing discipleship through peacemaking that works for justice. This gathering is the ELCA National Youth Gathering being held in New Orleans, July 18-22, 2012.

Free resources from ELCA Global Mission

The ELCA Global Mission Map Brochure is filled with a panorama of photos and stories from across the globe, an overview of mission rooted in relationship. Also available, Stories of Faith in Action, a free resource with dynamic stories of God's work around the world. Learn how your gifts and offerings are turned into effective ministry. Perfect for Epiphany, for annual meetings, and more.

Passing along the light of Christ

“All Saints’ Sunday is a time to give God thanks for the gift of all those who came before us, taught, witnessed, and shared the faith,” said the Rev. Jerry Malak, interim pastor at Mount Carmel Lutheran, St. Paul. The congregation celebrated its 87 years of ministry on All Saints’ Sunday, a service which also marked the congregation’s dissolution.

Wellness spotlight: Fitness at any age

Although he has been a runner all of his life, the Rev. Lowell Helstedt, member of Memorial in Afton, didn’t start running competitively until he was 82-years-old. Now 84, he has completed three races—two 5Ks and a five-miler.

In September 2010, Bishop Craig Johnson, Minneapolis Area Synod, and Bishop Peter Rogness, Saint Paul Area Synod, issued a joint statement on the stewardship of God’s abundance and issued three invitations to congregations: to be generous, to be missional, and to be the body of Christ in the world. The congregational cohort model of the Macedonia Project is a process designed to help congregations answer those invitations through deepening their congregational stewardship and mission support.

Internships offer contextual learning

Each year candidates for ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) go on internship in congregations, agencies, or institutions that have offered to be an internship site. Internships can vary in setting and format, some are one year full-time, and others are two-year concurrent. However they are set up, internships offer a valuable experience for candidates and for the places that host them. Candidates bring new perspectives and questions to the congregations or ministry sites they serve, and they help others think about and articulate their understanding of life and faith while gaining valuable experience.

At Cristo Rey Lutheran Church, we gather for worship and lunch for Reformation Sunday with 10 congregations of the Peruvian Evangelical Lutheran Church (ILEP) in Lima. Belen Lutheran Church hosted this year’s celebration, located in the central district of Breña. Lima is a large city—it takes about an hour to travel from one congregation to another.

Your congregation might be eligible to receive a portion of disbute settlement proceeds that the ELCA Churchwide Organization received from Charity First. Eligible congregations must complete a claim form and submit it to ELCA Office of the Treasurer by Feb. 20.