Enhancing Ministry

MINNESOTA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

The Church cannot be the Church only in denominational silos.

To be the Church we must be the Church

together.

Our unity is a gift already given in Christ; our job is to manifest

that gift. We should do everything together that we can.

Bishops face challenges unlike anybody else.

Through MCC, the heads of communion of 24 judicatories (synods, denominations, etc.) have access to:• Monthly prayer breakfasts• Shared discernment at board

meetings • Annual retreats

Through these events church leaders build community with each other and are refreshed and renewed for the work God calls them to do.

MCC heals divides over polarizing topicsThe Respectful Conversations Project is a missional tool. Groups throughout Minnesota have tackled topics like guns and same-sex marriage in conversations that don’t change minds, but soften hearts.

Feedback from River of Hope Lutheran in Hutchinson:• “a great experience,” • “it would be great if everybody had the chance to learn

these techniques”

The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition is one of MCC’s collaborative ministries in churches and at the Capitol.

JRLC holds workshops in congregations throughout the state and organize Day on the Hill, which has introduced elected officials from each of Minnesota’s legislative districts to faith-based social justice advocates who were also constituents.

JRLC has been in relationship with 1,100 ELCA congregations throughout Minnesota.

As Christians we seek to live in and with grace, likewise we can help one another die in and with grace – Together we are on the Graceful Journey.

Congregations hear from faith Ambassadors on end-of-life issues such as advance care directives, funeral planning, key stressors that people experience as a loved one nears death, and how to have difficult conversations now that will make things feel more graceful later.

Faith Ambassadors have already given Graceful Journey presentations across the state including: • Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Buffalo Lake• All Saints Lutheran in Darwin• Our Savior’s Lutheran in New Ulm• First Lutheran in St. James.

Minnesota Food Share organized the March Campaign, the statewide fund and food drive that in 2012 raised the equivalent of 38 million pounds of food, more than half of the 70 million pounds of food distributed at 300 Minnesota food shelves annually.MCC is a founding, continuing, directing member of the seven member coalition.

Persecuted people from around the world find safety in Minnesota. We help new refugees get their basic needs met—by providing direct assistance, housing support, and job training.

MCC offers some of the most innovative approaches to this work: like the knitting circles and the Tapestry project in Mankato

ELCA congregations have developed lay leadership by sponsoring refugee families. Volunteers set up a family’s apartment, stock their kitchen with culturally-relevant foods, show them around their new neighborhood, and even enroll their children in schools.

In congregations that sponsor refugees, truly are disciples made.

• Creating community across Minnesota

• Serving the communities most in need

• Supporting the faith community

• Advocating for a just community for all

Thank You

Minnesota Council of Churches enhances the ministry of the local church and denominational life. Through MCC, congregations and denominations do together what they cannot do alone.