Mission and Ministry (M&M) Forums

Each Thursday lunch hour during the academic year, in the Olson Campus Center, the Global Mission Institute partners with Cross-Cultural Education to provide special discussion forums. These lunchtime forums are informal gatherings where students and other people from the community can learn about and process through various topics, including cross-cultural ministry, missiology, opportunities for involvement in the global church, and issues of peace and social justice. Faculty and other knowledgeable presenters lead discussions and attendees are welcome to come and go as needed.

The Mission and Ministry Forums are held Thursdays from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Purpose

• The forums are to connect the seminary experience to wider contexts by bringing to campus resource people in cross-cultural, global mission, and peace & justice areas of interest. 
• The program is to highlight the diversity and expertise of our students, staff, faculty, and community resources by creating times for sharing stories and experience. 
• The forums are to function as a vital link between the Global Mission Institute and the Cross-Cultural Education Program a well as the Mission and World Christianity emphasis.

Immediate Goals

1. To promote conversation with people in faith, mission, and peace & justice work. 
2. To provide opportunities for learning which have a multi-cultural focus.
3. To increase the visibility of the seminary’s own cross-cultural resource people.
4. To better connect the campus with other global contexts.

Long Range Goals

1. To foster a spirit of cooperation and community among those interested in cross-cultural mission, ministry, and learning.
2. To augment implications of Christian faith and seminary learning.

M&M Forums for Fall Semester 2009:

Thursday, October 1st, 12:00-1:00pm NO FORUM DUE TO RACE, CHURCH, AND CHANGE AWARDS CELEBRATION

Thursday, October 8th, 12:00pm-1:00pm A Minnesota Without Poverty A Minnesota Without Poverty is working to build, organize and mobilize a statewide, interfaith movement to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020. Come learn how you and your congregation can be involved in the arts, development, legislative, media and outreach, micro-enterprise or young adult workgroups. For more information visit: http://www.mnwithoutpoverty.org/ Location: Campus Center – Dining Room C

Thursday, October 15th, 12:00pm-1:00pm How Coffee Saved My Life: And Other Stories of Stumbling to Grace by Ellie Roscher Ellie Roscher (MA ’05) served in Uruguay and Argentina through the ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission program and has written about her yearlong mission in How Coffee Saved My Life: And Other Stories of Stumbling to Grace. The book was released in August and is available through Chalice Press. Ellie is married to Dan Ruth (MDiv ’08) of the Learning Design and Technology office. For more information see the website: http://www.chalicepress.com/Author.aspx?AuthorID=210 Location: Campus Center - Seminar Room 2

Thursday, October 22nd, 12:00-1:00pm Pray and Break Bread: Twin Cities Come and learn about this great experience for all in the Twin Cities! Pray and Break Bread's vision is to bring together a community of believers who engage in intentional prayer for the shalom of our city. People come together to read and meditate on Scripture, pray and walk the streets of our cities, and then join together in a community meal to reflect on our experience, celebrate what God is already doing, and look forward to what God will do to restore and bring peace to the city. http://www.luthersem.edu/pbb Location: Campus Center- Seminar Room 2

Thursday, October 29th, 12:00-1:00pm The Southern Hemisphere goes North: Return Missionaries Our own international doctoral students Rev. Faith Lugazia and Harvey Kwiyani talk about what it was like being African missionaries in Europe. Location: Campus Center – Seminar Room 2

Thursday, November 5th, 12:00-1:00pm Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) Support Congregations Come learn about this non-profit's great work and all the ways LVCers transform their communities. Learn how local congregations support the work and efforts of these adults. For more information visit: http://www.lutheranvolunteercorps.org/index.htm Location: Campus Center- Auxiliary Dining Room

Thursday, November 12th, 12:30-1:30pm What is Coptic Christianity? Come and hear Assistant Professor of Early Church History, Dr. Lois Farag present on her tradition of Coptic Christianity. Location: Campus Center - Seminar Room 2

Tuesday, November 17th, 12:30-1:30pm New City Parish in Los Angeles Location: Campus Center - Seminar Room 2

Thursday, November 19th, 12:00-1:00pm Latino Strategy Committee Come hear about the work of local ELCA congregations that minister to Latinos. Learn how to support their ministries and become involved. Location: Campus Center - Seminar Room 2

Thursday, November 26th No Forum (Thanksgiving)

Thursday, December 1-3 GLOBAL FAIR TRADE FAIR! There will be no forum due to the Fair Trade Fair on campus. Come and shop from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the commons area of the Campus Center. Come Christmas shop and support artisans from around the world! There will be vendors with textiles from Guatemala, jewelry from Kenya, ceramics from Mexico, olivewood items from the Holy Land, and items from Lutheran World Relief SERRV Handcrafts! Fair trade affirms human dignity by promoting fair wages, children’s rights, women’s rights, the right to organize, environmental rights, and indigenous rights. What better way to Christmas shop for yourself, family, or friends? For more information visit: http://www.lwr.org/fairtrade/index.asp

Thursday, December 11th, 12:00-1:00pm Christmas Traditions Come celebrate and learn about Christmas traditions from around the world! Location: Campus Center - Dining Room C