Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA

Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA The Southeastern Minnesota Synod consists of 165 congregations and 117,000 individual members.

The Southeastern Minnesota Synod conferences have started meeting for the 2026-27 season! The Blue Earth River Conferenc...
09/04/2026

The Southeastern Minnesota Synod conferences have started meeting for the 2026-27 season! The Blue Earth River Conference kicked it off yesterday, Sep. 3, at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, Minnesota. Rostered ministers and key leaders (including three staff from Good Earth Village) gathered for fellowship, worship, and learning. Rev. Sarah Deutsch, Synod Youth Ministry Event Coordinator, shared information about the new regional synod youth events happening this fall. Assistant to the Bishop Kathy Chatelaine represented the Office of the Bishop at this fun and informative conference meeting. Thanks be to God!

Marshall Lutheran Church celebrated 150 years of ministry on Sunday, August 30! Rev. Emmanuel Kaghondi serves as the Int...
09/03/2026

Marshall Lutheran Church celebrated 150 years of ministry on Sunday, August 30! Rev. Emmanuel Kaghondi serves as the Interim Pastor of Little Cedar & Marshall Lutheran Churches, a two-point parish in Adams. Bishop Hassanally joined both congregations for worship and fellowship on this beautiful day.

On the final day of the Steele County Free Fair (Sunday, August 23), Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Barb Streed had the jo...
08/27/2026

On the final day of the Steele County Free Fair (Sunday, August 23), Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Barb Streed had the joy of preaching at the Village of Yesteryear. The worship theme was "Celebrating Our Heritage."

*Cheese curds and cookie dough on a stick were optional!

Happy anniversary to Trondhjem Lutheran Church! Rev. Sue Leibnitz serves as pastor at Trondhjem in Lonsdale, and this pa...
08/20/2026

Happy anniversary to Trondhjem Lutheran Church! Rev. Sue Leibnitz serves as pastor at Trondhjem in Lonsdale, and this past weekend, past and present members gathered as a community to celebrate the congregation’s 150th anniversary with worship, food, and fun activities.

Assistant to the Bishop Kathy Chatelaine joined the celebration and presented a certificate of anniversary to Council President Autumn Brekke. Rev. Carrie Chatelaine, whose ancestors were founding members of the church, preached on Luke 8:4-15 (The Parable of the Sower), encouraging folks to remain faithful to the Gospel by sowing seeds of faith in word and action.

Thanks be to God!

On Sunday, August 16, Bishop Hassanally worshipped with the people of Central Lutheran Church ELCA Winona, MN. The congr...
08/19/2026

On Sunday, August 16, Bishop Hassanally worshipped with the people of Central Lutheran Church ELCA Winona, MN. The congregation celebrated Pastor Michael Short's 25th ordination anniversary! Bishop Hassanally preached, and everyone enjoyed quiche and cake after the service. Congrats on this milestone, Pastor Short!

Rev. Dwaine Sutherland was installed on Sunday (Aug. 9) at Dennison Lutheran in Dennison. Pastor Barb Streed was there t...
08/13/2026

Rev. Dwaine Sutherland was installed on Sunday (Aug. 9) at Dennison Lutheran in Dennison. Pastor Barb Streed was there to preach the Word of God and install Pastor Dwaine, who also serves as the called pastor at Grace Lutheran in Nerstrand. Thanks be to God!

08/13/2026

Presiding Bishop John Rojas of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia (Iglesia Evangelica Luterana de Colombia) raises a voice of hope and supplication regarding the earthquake—measuring 7.4 in magnitude (a figure provided by the Colombian Geological Survey)—that has affected Colombia:

"God is our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ and to the entire Colombian population: We woke up today with heavy hearts and moved by the pain caused by the powerful earthquake that has shaken our nation. As the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia (IELCO), we unite in a shared sentiment of grief and solidarity with every person and family currently suffering the consequences of this unfortunate emergency. Our hearts ache for the suffering of those who have had their safety or that of their loved ones affected, material losses, rampant fear in homes and especially the vulnerability of our human condition, which becomes evident in moments like these.

However, it is precisely there that the grace of God sustains us. We offer our prayers to God, our Lord, for His comfort, strength and peace for those who have lost everything. We cry out for the rescue teams, medical personnel and authorities: may the Lord grant them wisdom, renewed courage and strength in their support and assistance efforts. We make an urgent appeal for national unity and Christian solidarity at this time to set aside any differences and act as a single body. We ask our congregations and all citizens to join in collective efforts to provide shelter and support for those left in conditions of greater vulnerability. Thank you.

May our hands be the instrument of God’s love during this time. May the hope and peace of Christ be with you. Amen. God bless you."

As ministry partners on the ground share more information, the synod office will provide updates and opportunities to accompany the people of Colombia. To financially support the ministry efforts of IELCO, visit semnsynod.org/givenow

Rev. Rich McLeer was installed at Faith Lutheran, Dodge Center, on Sunday (August 9)! Bishop Hassanally preached and pre...
08/10/2026

Rev. Rich McLeer was installed at Faith Lutheran, Dodge Center, on Sunday (August 9)! Bishop Hassanally preached and presided at the installation service. Welcome to the synod, Pastor McLeer!

Sunday was filled with the blessing of connections! Pastor Barb Streed got to start the day at Calvary Lutheran Rapidan,...
07/14/2026

Sunday was filled with the blessing of connections! Pastor Barb Streed got to start the day at Calvary Lutheran Rapidan, where she preached and installed Pastor Jenna Couch. From Rapidan, she made her way over to St. John's Lutheran Church, ELCA in Mapleton for an orientation meeting with their call committee as they prepare for the interview phase. All around it was a good day filled with amazing people! Thanks be to God!

On Sunday, June 29, the Shelter Church community and friends of the ministry gathered for a special celebration to honor...
07/07/2026

On Sunday, June 29, the Shelter Church community and friends of the ministry gathered for a special celebration to honor the shared roots of Shelter Church and Connections Shelter. They are now two separate organizations. Shelter Church is a worshipping community gathering every Sunday in the basement of Grace Lutheran in Mankato for a shared meal and worship. Connections Shelter is a shelter and drop-in center in Mankato dedicated to walking with neighbors experiencing homelessness, helping them move from crisis to stability. We give thanks to God for Shelter Church and Connections Shelter! Pastor Sarah Krolak serves as pastor of Shelter Church (in addition to her full-time call serving North Waseca and Faith). At the special service on June 28, the community was joined by Liz Paul, the Development Director of Connections Shelter. Synod staff member, Rev. Emily Carson, who served Shelter Church for about a year during a season of transition, was also present for the service.

Address

418 Sumner Street E, Suite 200
Northfield, MN
55057

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15072809457

Website

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