"Christian community means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. Christian community is solely this. We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ"
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
In preparation for our 2026 Synod Assembly, we will be reading Life Together. We invite you to join us on Thursdays for a lunch-and-learn book study led by the synod staff. We will examine Bonhoeffer's writings in a time when we feel especially divided.
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April 23 - Community
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April 30 - The Day Together
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May 7 - The Day Alone
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May 14 - Service
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May 21 - Confession and the Lord's Supper
All Sessions are Noon - 12:45
Meeting ID: 842 4526 8827
Passcode: 894026
"[Our hearts] will sing of the day you bring, let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.” – Canticle of the Turning -ELW #723
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2026 EcoFaith Summit of the Upper Midwest April 18, 2026
Three gatherings in the Central States Synod:
Bethel LC, Univ. City, MO • Peace LC, Manhattan, KS • First LC, Mission Hills, KS
Or participate individually via livestream from First Lutheran Church, Duluth, MN
8:30 Doors Open / Coffee and Refreshments
9:00 WELCOME: AWE, ASH AND ACTION –
Sparking Hope in our Synod (Zoom with CSS)
Host Pastors
Bishop Donna Simon, Central States Synod
Dr. Clint McCann, Eden Seminary
9:30 LIVE FROM DULUTH: IGNITING COURAGEOUS COMMUNITY(Zoom with MN)
Opening Worship
Rev. Kristen Glass-Perez, Pastor and Author
Delaney Claggett, Concordia College Environmental and Sustainability student
Brooke Elness, High School EcoFaith Leader
Eóin Small, Director, Rise & Repair
Lucy Tooker-Kirkevold, Young Adult Organizer
Minister JaNaé Bates, Co-Ex. Director, ISAIAH MN
Rev. Paul Oman, Painter
Joe David, Storyteller
11:45 LOCAL ACTION - discussion in gathering sites
12:45 LUNCH
1:15 LIVE FROM DULUTH: KINDLING COLLECTIVE ACTION (Zoom with MN)
Mid-Day Worship & Call to Organize
2:00 CENTRAL STATES SYNOD ACTION: IN RESPONSE TO WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
ECUMENICAL DECADE OF CLIMATE ACTION (Zoom with CSS)
Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing
3:00 LIVE FROM DULUTH: PLANTING FIRESEEDS OF COLLABORATION (Zoom with MN)
Building Community and Capacity for Creation Care
4:00 SENDING WORSHIP (Zoom with MN)
For more information, contact:
Noni Strand; nonistrand@gmail.com or Brenda Light; brendalight3@gmail.com
REGISTRATION includes a $10 donation to cover lunch and expenses at each gathering site.
Zoom links for sessions will be sent with registration confirmation.