Farmington Lutheran Church, Farmington, MN › ELCA & Saint Paul Area Synod

ELCA & Saint Paul Area Synod

Farmington Lutheran Church is a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and the Saint Paul Area Synod.

News and Events

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

News and Events

Saint Paul Area Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

January 16, 2012

From the Bishop: Living Lutheran?

From FaithLink, January 2012

Wouldn't it be enough to be "living Christian?"

"Living Lutheran" is a website the ELCA has established to spread news about what happens in this world under the very broad umbrella of the Lutheran church. The website contains inspiring stories that make us proud to be part of this church. And for the next three years, our gatherings--conferences and synod assemblies--will go more deeply into that phrase.

We live in a time when pollsters and analysts tell us that people who think about church at all are less and less inclined to think only of one denomination. If you're reading this, you are one for whom being Lutheran has some meaning and for whom being part of this denomination is significant. But we for whom that's true are in the minority. A wonderful gift of the ecumenical efforts of recent years is the increased recognition of the strengths and insights of other churches as well. More

Conference assemblies on Feb. 11

Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon. St. Andrew's, Mahtomedi. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a keynote address by Dr. Deanna Thompson, professor of religion at Hamline University, at 9:00 a.m. A member of Gloria Dei, St. Paul, and the daughter of a Lutheran pastor, Thompson will speak on "Hoping for More: Being the Church in Times of Lament and Times of Joy."

To learn more about conference assemblies, including how to educate members about the wider church, selecting voting members, and information about resolutions, click here.

Important: Annual reports and letter from the bishop
Rostered Leader Reports: Rostered leaders may complete the 2011 Annual Ministry Report at www.elca.org/rosteredleaderreports. Save the report and submit it via email to julie.keefe@spas-elca.org.

Report Congregational Statistics: Directions for submitting your congregation's statistics are available at www.elca.org/congregationreport.

Letter from the Bishop: This letter from Bishop Rogness, to be included in your congregation's annual report, is now available. Download (PDF)

Health assessment offers savings for ELCA-primary members and spouses

If you have ELCA-primary health coverage, take the 2012 Mayo Clinic Health Assessment on the EmbodyHealth web portal at www.elcaforwellness.org today. You will earn $150 in your personal wellness account and your congregation will receive a two percent discount on health contributions.

Encourage others with ELCA-primary coverage, like your coworkers and your spouse, to take it too. (Spouses have the lowest response rate, meaning many families are missing out on an extra $150!) Instructions are available in the Understand My Benefits section at www.elcabop.org.

Have you checked out Tool Kit yet?

Feb. 25, 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., St. Mark's, North St. Paul. Tool Kit is a training event for congregational leaders that features extended conversation with Bishop Rogness, networking opportunities with leaders from congregations throughout this synod, and workshops with information specific to leadership matters and concerns. Registration is now open! More

Synod office closed today

We are closed today in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Regular office hours will resume tomorrow (8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).

How much is enough?

Jan. 25, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Trinity, Stillwater. Come learn about why we should care if children are overindulged and tips for avoiding it. Dr. David Bredehoft, professor and co-author of How Much Is Enough? Everything You Need to Know to Steer Clear of Overindulgence and Raise Likeable, Responsible and Respectful Children, will speak. Visit www.trinitylc.org to preview articles by Bredehoft and for information on childcare.

In This Issue