BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Saint Paul Area Synod - ECPv6.17.5.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://spas-elca.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Saint Paul Area Synod REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20270314T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20271107T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261001T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261001T190000 DTSTAMP:20260907T203747Z CREATED:20260907T200957Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T203747Z UID:10000364-1790881200-1790881200@spas-elca.org SUMMARY:ILAG Update - St. Paul DESCRIPTION:You are invited to join Pr. Karen Castillo\, President of the Guatemalan Lutheran Church\, and Valeria Gil Castillo\, Delegation Coordinator\, as they share news about the ILAG ministries. Diego Gil Castillo will also be present\, and you will have a chance to congratulate him on his new position with the ELCA. Everyone is welcome! \nCan’t attend? Here’s another date and location: \nSaturday\, Oct. 3 – 1:00 p.m.\nAugustana Lutheran Church\n1400 So. Robert St.\, West St. Paul URL:https://spas-elca.org/event/ilag-update-st-paul/ LOCATION:Christ on Capitol Hill\, 105 University Ave. W.\, St. Paul\, MN\, 55103\, United States CATEGORIES:Home ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://spas-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2026/09/ILAG-updates-Fall-2026_1564x1042.png GEO:44.9558766;-93.1041242 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Christ on Capitol Hill 105 University Ave. W. St. Paul MN 55103 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=105 University Ave. W.:geo:-93.1041242,44.9558766 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261003T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261003T130000 DTSTAMP:20260907T203929Z CREATED:20260907T200902Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T203929Z UID:10000365-1791032400-1791032400@spas-elca.org SUMMARY:ILAG Update - West St. Paul DESCRIPTION:You are invited to join Pr. Karen Castillo\, President of the Guatemalan Lutheran Church\, and Valeria Gil Castillo\, Delegation Coordinator\, as they share news about the ILAG ministries. Diego Gil Castillo will also be present\, and you will have a chance to congratulate him on his new position with the ELCA. Everyone is welcome! \nCan’t attend? Here’s another date and location: \nThursday\, Oct. 1 – 7:00 p.m.\nChrist on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church\n105 University Ave. W.\, St. Paul URL:https://spas-elca.org/event/ilag-update-west-st-paul/ LOCATION:Augustana Lutheran Church\, 1400 S Robert St.\, West St. Paul\, Minnesota\, 55118 CATEGORIES:Home ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://spas-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2026/09/ILAG-updates-Fall-2026_1564x1042.png GEO:44.9050670;-93.0805160 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Augustana Lutheran Church 1400 S Robert St. West St. Paul Minnesota 55118;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1400 S Robert St.:geo:-93.0805160,44.9050670 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261004T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261004T200000 DTSTAMP:20260928T144846Z CREATED:20260810T204153Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260928T144846Z UID:10000357-1791129600-1791144000@spas-elca.org SUMMARY:2026 Guatemala Gala DESCRIPTION:Support the ministries of the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG) as we gather for a meal\, entertainment and updates from Guatemala as we celebrate how we are woven together with our siblings in the ILAG!  Pastor Karen Castillo\, Diego Gil Castillo and Valeria Gil Castillo from Guatemala will be our special guests. \n4:00 p.m. – Social HourUnwind with a drink from the cash bar while enjoying lively music that lifts your spirit. Greet Pastor Karen\, Diego and Valeria. Discover unique handmade goods in the marketplace. Purchase a blend of Guatemalan coffee or an item off the Giving Tree\, all fun ways to support a great cause that makes a lasting impact. Chat with Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard at her cookbook table and personalize bookmarks to send to ILAG’s elementary students. \n5:30 p.m. – Plated DinnerSavor the flavors of Guatemala with a delicious dinner crafted from Chef Amalia’s cookbook—each dish a celebration of heritage and heart. You’ll select your menu choice as part of the registration process. Select from: \n1.  Pollo Jocón (Chicken\, Tomatillo\, and Cilantro Stew)2.  Hilachas (Shredded Beef and Potato Stew)3.  Guisado de Garbanzos y Vegetales (Chickpea and Vegetable Stew) \nAll dishes are served with a salad\, rice\, black beans\, tortillas and dessert. \n6:30 p.m. – ProgramPastor Karen\, Diego and Valeria will share with us exciting updates from our companionship about the development of strong leaders in the congregations\, plans for the CLAG elementary school now that the mortgage is paid off\, and changes in the ILAG staffing. A representative from the synod’s health ministry team will discuss their inaugural visit with mobile clinics next year to help improve health for entire communities. The synod’s new bishop\, the Rev. Justin Grimm\, will also share a word. \nPlease note: Seating for the gala will be assigned by tables (10 guests per table). All guests listed on same registration will be seated at the same table. For special seating requests\, contact Gala Committee at ilagcompanions@gmail.com. \nYour support for the 2026 Guatemala Gala helps the ILAG continue and expand the life-changing work they do in education\, health\, leadership development\, music and SEED ministries! \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n The gala has been sold out! We are taking names for a waitlist.Please contact the synod office at 651-224-4313 or admin@spas-elca.org. \nIf you are unable to attend but would still like to support the education ministries of the ILAG\, click here to make an online donation or send a check to the address below with “Gala Donation” in the memo line.  \nIndividual Tickets – $75 per person\nWe encourage you to pay by check\, which saves credit card processing fees and allows more of your payment to go toward ILAG ministries. To pay by check\, choose the “offline” payment method (available until Sept. 23) during the registration process. Checks must be received by Sept. 30 for your registration to be finalized. Registrations after Sept. 23 must be paid online with a credit card. Registration closes on Sept. 27. \nMake checks payable to the Saint Paul Area Synod and mail to: \nSaint Paul Area SynodAttn: David Roinas105 University Ave. W.St. Paul\, MN 55103 URL:https://spas-elca.org/event/2026-guatemala-gala/ LOCATION:Town & Country Club\, 300 N. Mississippi River Blvd.\, St. Paul\, MN\, 55104\, United States CATEGORIES:Home ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://spas-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2026/08/2026-Guatemala-Gala-website-FINAL_1564x1042.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261010T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261010T160000 DTSTAMP:20260904T130729Z CREATED:20260829T211305Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T130729Z UID:10000361-1791622800-1791648000@spas-elca.org SUMMARY:Spiritual Gifts Retreat - Fall 2026 DESCRIPTION:“Who has God created me to be?”\nThis retreat will provide you with an opportunity to look deeply at who you are and how God has uniquely blessed you with certain gifts. Using spiritual gift inventories\, conversation and other tools\, you’ll go home with a better sense of who you are and how you might best serve your faith community and the world! Retreat leaders include Pastor Kirsten Fryer of the Saint Paul Area Synod\, Deacon Nina Joygaard (Faith\, Forest Lake) and Pastor Wendy Steger (All Saints\, Eagan). The cost is $30 per person and includes lunch. \nREGISTER HERE URL:https://spas-elca.org/event/spiritual-gifts-retreat-fall-2026/ LOCATION:Lutheran Church of Peace\, 47 Century Ave.\, Maplewood\, Minnesota\, 55119 CATEGORIES:Home ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://spas-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2026/08/Spiritual-Gifts-Oct-2026_1564x1042.png GEO:44.9400062;-92.9851650 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Lutheran Church of Peace 47 Century Ave. Maplewood Minnesota 55119;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=47 Century Ave.:geo:-92.9851650,44.9400062 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261011T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261013T120000 DTSTAMP:20260912T231217Z CREATED:20260626T144721Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260912T231217Z UID:10000352-1791734400-1791892800@spas-elca.org SUMMARY:2026 Fall Theological Conference DESCRIPTION:For rostered ministers in the Saint Paul Area Synod. \nThe Fall Theological Conference is a time for study\, worship\, unstructured time and building relationships with your colleagues in the synod. This year’s conference has a theme of “From Moments to Momentum—for a Future with Hope.” In the midst of a rapidly changing world\, we are being called upon to rediscover the enduring mission of God with renewed clarity\, courage\, and creativity. \nOur guest speaker\, the Rev. Brian Konkol\, Ph.D.\, will invite participants to consider how a missionary mindset can lead to expanded and gratifying impact. We will consider how to be clear about mission and creative with methods\, to faithfully participate in what God is doing in and through our world. Drawing from Lutheran theology\, practical local and global ministry experience\, and lessons from organizational leadership\, these presentations will encourage and equip participants to welcome\, accompany\, and send God’s people as fellow missionaries into the world. \nFeatured Speaker: The Rev. Brian Konkol\, Ph.D.\nThe Rev. Brian Konkol\, Ph.D.\, is president of Valparaiso University in Indiana. He is an ELCA minister and previously served as vice president\, dean and professor at Syracuse University\, where he led a transformational strategic plan and oversaw a 933% increase in student participation at Hendricks Chapel. He also led the development of a nationally recognized model for spiritual\, ethical and interfaith engagement in higher education. Rev. Konkol played a key role in Syracuse’s successful $1.5 billion campaign\, which resulted in dramatic growth in annual giving and donor engagement. He has been in his role at Valparaiso since Jan. 1. \nRev. Konkol has taught courses in religion\, conflict and collaboration. Among other roles\, his resume includes service as chaplain at Gustavus Adolphus College and as the country coordinator for the ELCA in Guyana and South Africa. He holds a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary and both a Master of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\nThe registration fee is $525 per person for single occupancy and $475 per person for double occupancy. Additional charges will apply for credit card payments. Financial assistance is available; please contact Bishop Justin Grimm at 651-224-4313 or justin.grimm@spas-elca.org. \nOnline registration has closed. Any additional registration inquiries must go through Leslie Ortiz at leslie.ortiz@spas-elca.org or call 651-224-4313. URL:https://spas-elca.org/event/2026-fall-theological-conference/ LOCATION:Cragun’s Resort\, 11000 Craguns Dr.\, Brainerd\, Minnesota\, 56401 CATEGORIES:Home ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://spas-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2026/06/2026-Theo-Conf_1564x1042.png GEO:46.3907066;-94.3700922 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Cragun’s Resort 11000 Craguns Dr. Brainerd Minnesota 56401;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=11000 Craguns Dr.:geo:-94.3700922,46.3907066 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261024T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261024T100000 DTSTAMP:20260916T042120Z CREATED:20260916T042120Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T042120Z UID:10000366-1792836000-1792836000@spas-elca.org SUMMARY:BKB Benefactors' Brunch DESCRIPTION:God calls us into the world together. Through our companion synod relationship\, we do not simply fund projects—we walk shoulder-to-shoulder with our siblings in Iringa\, Tanzania. \nPlease join us for an exclusive update on our collaborative global ministry and the Bega Kwa Bega Endowment Fund. Your leadership and vision will anchor the next generation of our companionship\, securing sustainable futures for schools\, clinics\, and parishes across our companion diocese. \nFree charitable gift planning is available to ELCA members through a partnership between the ELCA Foundation and the Saint Paul Area Synod. Please register below if you plan to attend! \n \n \n \n \n \n Agenda:10 a.m. – Welcome & Brunch Served10:45 a.m. – Devotion10:55 a.m. – BKB: Past\, Present\, Future – Kirsten Levorson\, Director of Bega Kwa Bega11:30 a.m. – Growing the Endowment – Tharan Leopold\, ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n BKB Benefactors' Brunch\n \n \n Name(s)\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email\n \n Address \n \n \n Street Address\n \n \n Address Line 2\n \n \n City\n \n \n State\n \n \n ZIP / Postal Code\n \n \n \n PhoneCongregation/Organization\n Submit \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://spas-elca.org/event/bkb-benefactors-brunch/ LOCATION:Our Savior’s Lutheran Church – Stillwater\, 1616 W. Olive St.\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States CATEGORIES:Home ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://spas-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2026/09/plans-to-give-you-hope-and-a-future_2160x1440.png GEO:45.0531337;-92.8275029 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Our Savior’s Lutheran Church – Stillwater 1616 W. Olive St. Stillwater MN 55082 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1616 W. Olive St.:geo:-92.8275029,45.0531337 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261029T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261029T120000 DTSTAMP:20260906T012950Z CREATED:20260906T012950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260906T012950Z UID:10000363-1793262600-1793275200@spas-elca.org SUMMARY:2026 Fall Joint Ministerium DESCRIPTION:Rostered leaders from the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods are invited to gather for community\, learning\, and worship at this year’s Joint Ministerium\, Heaven Opened: Dreams for the Church. \nIn Acts 10\, Peter has a dream where he sees the heavens opened\, and where he is challenged by God not to call profane that which God has called clean. This dream grounds Peter as he welcomes Cornelius into the church\, embracing God’s dream proclaimed in Genesis – that all people are created in God’s image and called good. In our own time\, encountering the dehumanizing forces of polarization\, hatred\, and false gospels like white Christian nationalism\, what might it look like to reclaim this dream? What are the dreams for the church\, rooted in scripture and our Lutheran tradition\, that can animate our action as people of God? \nRev. Kenneth Wheeler will join us to reflect on scripture\, challenge us to confront white Christian nationalism\, and look towards the dream of a new heaven and a new earth where all God’s people are seen\, known\, and loved. \nWheeler is a retired ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He is a guest lecturer on pastoral leadership in the 21st century at Wartburg Theological Seminary\, where he received a Doctor of Divinity Degree honoris causa. He is also the author of US: The Resurrection of American Terror (2022). A native of Jackson\, Mississippi\, Pastor Wheeler earned a B.A. in Religion from Concordia College in Moorhead\, Minnesota\, and an M.DIV from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus\, Ohio. \nREGISTER HERE URL:https://spas-elca.org/event/2026-fall-joint-ministerium/ LOCATION:Christ Lutheran – Blaine\, 641 89th Ave NE\, Blaine\, Minnesota\, 55434 CATEGORIES:Home ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://spas-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2026/09/2025-crowd_stained-glass_1080x720.jpg GEO:45.1319146;-93.2550110 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Christ Lutheran – Blaine 641 89th Ave NE Blaine Minnesota 55434;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=641 89th Ave NE:geo:-93.2550110,45.1319146 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261105T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261105T150000 DTSTAMP:20260813T160152Z CREATED:20260813T160152Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T160152Z UID:10000358-1793869200-1793890800@spas-elca.org SUMMARY:2026 Boundary Training DESCRIPTION:Rostered ministers in this synod are expected to participate in boundary training every five years. \nOne of the ways pastors and deacons build trust with those they serve is by staying attentive to boundary situations. As those who are ordained\, we are often given privileged access to people and to relationships with others in time of their great need and vulnerability. While the basics of tending that responsibility with care do not change much year by year\, in this synod we are committed to a regular pattern of continuing education through boundary-training workshops. Lunch will be provided. \nWatch for more details and for registration to open soon! URL:https://spas-elca.org/event/2026-boundary-training/ LOCATION:Grace Lutheran St. Paul\, 1730 Old Hudson Rd.\, St. Paul\, MN\, 55106\, United States CATEGORIES:Home ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://spas-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2024/03/fence_782x521.jpg GEO:44.9524845;-93.0269556 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Grace Lutheran St. Paul 1730 Old Hudson Rd. St. Paul MN 55106 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1730 Old Hudson Rd.:geo:-93.0269556,44.9524845 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR