Celebrate Diversity – Pentecost Style

I (Emily) have done this in every congregation I've led in the past several years. I hope you find it a source of joy and celebration in your setting! Celebrate diversity - Pentecost Style - with a reading of the Pentecost texts (Acts 2:1-21)…

Six New Things – Week of April 26, 2021

The trifold global pandemics of Covid-19, racism, and environmental devastation have merged over the past year. We have been living through an apocalyptic time. As the veil is lifted and our eyes are opened, we are invited to "dive into change…

Six New Things – Week of April 19, 2021

Hope can be hard to come by these days. Anxiety, frustration, anger, doubt - about our selves, our neighbors and our world make it tempting to withdraw, turn inward, and hide. But while there are times retreat, rest, and renewal are essential…

Virtual Co-Mission Trip

Thanks to the St Paul Area Synod, ELCA, for highlighting King of Kings Lutheran Church's Virtual Mission Trip, which sparked this Great Idea. King of Kings' approach could be a great way to begin a co-mission relationship with a congregation,…

Healing the Hurt

Thanks to Christa Meland for writing up this important Great Idea. Find specific, tangible ways to stand in solidarity with Brooklyn Center community members and offer compassion, join communal grief and lament, and slowly move toward healing…

Worship Moments in the Public Square

Thanks to Sarah Lawrence, Artistic Director of Lyric Opera of the North (LOON), Duluth, MN, for sharing this Great Idea from the Decameron Opera Coalition: One of the Coalition, Chicago Fringe Opera is installing A City of Works: Site Specific…

Be Vaccination Boosters – UPDATE #6!!!

Thanks to Lewis Center for Church Leadership and others for sharing these original Great Ideas; to the MNBulletin Board (UMC) for updated options #2 and 5 (see below); and to UM News for Update #4: Your congregation can play a key role (or…

Six New Things – Week of April 12, 2021

One Words completely fail to express our grief, terror, frustration, and anger over the senseless killing of Daunte Wright. In the gap between feeling utterly useless and desperately needing to make some contribution toward justice, we offer…

Outdoor Summer Programming

Ruth Sall, Director of Children's Ministry and Music at Abington Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania, shared this Great Idea via SparkHouse Publishing's blog. Ruth talks about some of the hopes and joys she is experiencing as she prepares…

Six New Things – Week of April 5, 2021

Happy Easter! In this Resurrection Season, we're putting two weeks' worth of New Things into one post - and it's all about New Life experienced through Justice & Liberation; Self-Awareness and Personal Growth; Belonging; Community Transformation;…