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Contextual Learning

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Looking For Christian Public Leader? Teaching Congregations transitioned to Christian Public Leader at the end of the 2013 – 2014 academic year. In 2014 - 2015, Teaching Congregations will be offered only to students completing their graduation requirements as per the distributive curriculum. This will remain a non-credit degree requirement. Students and supervisors should be in touch with Contextual Learning at contextuallearning@luthersem.edu.

Teaching Congregations site list

Important Note

The Site List below is for the Teaching Congregations program. In 2014 - 2015, Teaching Congregations will be offered only to students completing their graduation requirements as per the distributive curriculum. This will remain a non-credit degree requirement. Students and supervisors should be in touch with Contextual Learning at contextuallearning@luthersem.edu prior to contacting sites on this list.

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Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Address:	2730 E 31st Street
City:	Minneapolis
State:	MN
Zip:	55406
Phone:	612-729-8358
Fax:
Web:	htlcmpls.org
Email:	jaymcarlson@htlcmpls.org
Denomination:	ELCA
Baptized Membership:	1112
Confirmed Membership:	882
Average Sunday Attendance:	191
Paid Staff:	Lead Pastor, Intern Pastor, Church Administrator, Parish Outreach Leader, Organist, Choir Director, Children's music leader, Children's Ministry Director, Building Manager, Administrative Assistant
Access to Public Transit:	Holy Trinity is located on a major bus route (Lake Street) and a few blocks from the Lake Street Light Rail station.
Congregation Description:	Holy Trinity is located in the Minneapolis Longfellow neighborhood, which is home to several strong neighborhood organizations and community-minded residents. This neighborhood is generally "middle class" and quite stable but is slowly shifting from an older to younger mix of residents. There is a growing Latino population, and many new Latino businesses have opened to the west of the church building along Lake Street. The construction of the Hiawatha Light Rail line has begun to change traffic patterns and housing within the area. Holy Trinity's mission includes emphases in the areas of worship, education for youth and adults, and social justice. Our Sunday worship services are held at 8:45 and 11:00, with an education hour at 9:45. We strive to provide rich, liturgical services, using a variety of liturgical settings, including two that were written by church members. A Swahili community meets for worship at 2:00 each week. Holy Trinity is also excited about our Theatre Circle, fine arts events, summer program for children, an annual symposium on faith and society, and several dialogue events each year. The congregation has helped to start two apartment buildings for low-income residents which are located next to the church building. There are many opportunities to provide meals and other services to the residents. Holy Trinity is involved in neighborhood and community organizations, especially in working for social justice. Our new community organizer on staff is helping to strengthen this outreach. More information about our ministries can be found on our website, htlcmpls.org. Pastor Jay Carlson has served as lead pastor at Holy Trinity since June, 2008. The congregation and pastor value collaborative leadership, making use of the many strong gifts of lay leaders.
Congregation Keywords:	urban, neighborhood, social justice, music, traditional, community organizing, liturgical

Mentor Pastor: Jay Carlson

Email:	jaymcarlson@htlcmpls.org
Phone:	612-729-8358
Years in Ordained Ministry:	8
Years in Current Position:	4
Previous Students Supervised:	2 interns
Autobiography:	Holy Trinity is the second congregation I have served as pastor, having spent four years as solo pastor of a small church in southern Indiana following graduation from Luther Seminary. Before ordination, I worked in a fairly large suburban congregation for a few years. As I begin my fifth year at Holy Trinity, I continue to be excited about the passions and gifts of this congregation as well as the opportunities for ministry that are ahead of us. Lately I have been especially interested in studying emergent churches and also how community organizing principles may be used in parish ministry for both evangelism and social justice work. This interest has coincided with the hiring of a Parish Outreach Leader position. I live in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis with my wife and one-year old daughter. It is a wonderful neighborhood, and we hope to be here for many more years. My free time is often spent making home improvements, running, or playing drums.