Thank you for your congregation’s faithful and generous sharing of mission support with the synod and churchwide expressions of the ELCA during September-October 2025. One of the ways we are church together is through shared ministry with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS).
LSS is the ELCA’s social ministry arm across Minnesota, serving neighbors in every county of the state. Last year, more than 91,000 people found hope and support through LSS programs – and that’s possible because we are church together. Your prayers, giving, volunteering and advocacy make this work happen. Thank you!
Impact Close to Home
The Saint Paul Area Synod played an essential role in opening LSS’ Eastside Early Learning Center, hosted at Grace Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Today, nearly 30 children are thriving in a safe, nurturing environment that prepares them for lifelong learning. This is what partnership looks like – congregations and social ministry working hand in hand for the sake of families.
And the vision continues to grow. Construction is underway for the Center for Changing Lives – Frogtown/Rondo, located on University Avenue in St. Paul. This new hub will offer:
- 19 apartments for youth transitioning out of homelessness
- A drop-in and resource center for youth in crisis
- Social services: housing, employment, financial counseling, behavioral health
- An LSS Early Learning Center with four classrooms serving children 6 weeks to 5 years old
This center will be a beacon of hope for young people and families in our community — and it’s possible because we are church together. Again, thank you for making this a reality!
Opportunities to Engage
As we enter the Christmas season, LSS invites you to join in its Holiday Giving Program to provide gifts or gift cards to our neighbors. Sign up to sponsor by Dec. 1 to be matched with an individual or family receiving support from one of these vital LSS services: Adoption & Foster Care Services, Family Supports, Housing Services, Residential & Customized Support Services, Youth Services. It’s a beautiful opportunity to share Christ’s love with our neighbors. Please spread the word – often our best source of sponsors comes from our church partners sharing with their congregations, friends and family!
Beyond the holidays, there are opportunities year-round to serve and engage – through volunteering, advocacy and congregational partnerships. Pastor Kathryn Tiede, who is on call at LSS through our synod, would love to connect with you. Please reach out at congregations@lssmn.org to explore how we can work together to love our neighbors well.
Your mission support helps us be church together as we work with ministry partners like LSS to share love and hope with our neighbors. Thank you!
