Ministerium to focus on answering God's call
What is God calling us to be and do as congregations? That is the question to be considered at our upcoming ministerium. Mary Sue Dreier, associate professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, will lead rostered leaders from the Saint Paul Area Synod in a conversation on missional planning for congregations. Dreier will outline a theological framework for organizing our congregational life around God’s call to proclaim God’s healing love in our specific contexts. In addition, we will discuss the kinds of planning currently underway in congregations and resources that would be helpful to those who wish to begin or strengthen their congregational planning.
Ministeriums are gatherings held for rostered leaders three times annually—in the fall, winter, and the spring—to explore topics of interest to those serving the church. A worship service and time for fellowship are also included. Join us on Thursday, April 12 at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Paul. More
Stuck in a stewardship rut?
Is your congregational stuck in a financial stewardship rut? Do you recycle the same campaign year after year?
Or perhaps you are excited by the possibilities for growing in faith, in stewarding the financial resources of your congregation, and helping your members to grow in this spiritual discipline and in the sense of joy that generosity brings to life.
Either way, Jump Start Your Stewardship is for you!
This event, sponsored by the Minneapolis Area and Saint Paul Area Synods, is for pastors, congregational leaders, members of stewardship and finance committees, and treasurers—basically anyone interested in stewarding personal or congregational resources. Join us on Saturday, April 21 at Christ the King in New Brighton. More
Portico Benefit Services (formerly Board of Pensions) is offering the Saint Paul Area Synod the opportunity to earn a two percent discount on ELCA health contributions again in 2012. Each congregation and organization in our synod will receive a two percent discount on health contributions—$44,000!—if 65 percent of eligible ELCA-primary plan members complete the confidential Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by Apr. 30. So far, 20 percent of eligible members had completed it. We need 119 more people to reach our goal.
If you have ELCA-primary health coverage, this savings depends on you. Take the 2012 Mayo Clinic Health Assessment on the EmbodyHealth web portal at www.elcaforwellness.org today. We’ll be one person closer to 65 percent participation, and you will earn $150 in your personal wellness account to offset out-of-pocket medical costs.
Instructions for taking the assessment are available in the Understand My Benefits section at www.elcabop.org.
