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Hello! We are so glad you are here. Welcome to the Parish Professionals (Commissioned and Non-Commissioned church workers) page! Here you can find an updated calendar of events, access the directory, and find resources to support you in your professional growth. Our Parish Professionals executive board loves supporting you, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything, or have questions!
Click on the photo above to write an email to the Executive Board!
MN South District Youth Day
October 11, 2025
Concordia University, St. Paul
On Saturday, October 11th, over 220 youth in grades 6-12 and adults from 22 churches came together at Concordia St. Paul (CSP) for the first ever Minnesota South District Youth Day under the theme, “Remade.” The Day focused on 2 Corinthians 5:17 and how “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Rev. Craig McCourt spoke at the opening and closing mass events on how we are remade in Christ and remade with purpose. A band led by DPM Noah Gundermann and many CSP students and faculty, pointed to our identity in Christ with songs like “United in Christ,” “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” and “In Christ Alone.”
Youth had time to get to meet other youth from around Minnesota in the interactive zone where there were games like 9 Square, inflatable unicorn races, Bible trivia, and a coloring and craft room.
The afternoon was spent in breakout sessions where churches experienced a rotation of three sessions. The breakout session “Immanuel Journalling,” led by Heather Dimmel of Hosanna, Mankato, led students through an introduction to a unique journalling style. Using prompts to consider not only what you need to say to God, but also how God would see you and respond to you. This allows the practitioner to go deeper into journalling than solely writing their own thoughts and feelings. Centering the useful practice of journalling in God, and what He says, allows youth and adults alike to ensure they focus on what matters most—what God has to say. Youth were encouraged to find answers to what God says in Scripture and what it tells about God. Concordia St. Paul generously donated journals so each youth and adult in attendance was able to walk out of the District Youth Day prepared. Hosanna Lutheran Church also gave each person a sticker containing the various prompts needed for this style of journalling.
At another one of the breakout sessions, youth and adults got to work with the St. Paul Outreach Center (SPOC.) The mission was formed by the MN South District to serve the needs of the least of these, namely those recently released from prison and the homeless in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
During the breakout session Jim Seeman and David Mennicke shared powerful pictures and stories while students and adults got to assemble bags full of food and snacks that will be passed out to the homeless camps. Some got to make fire extinguishers (salt water in gallon water jugs). Many of the people that live in homeless camps use tarps as their shelter, and during the winter months it’s very common for them to build fires. Sadly, some of those fires can get out of hand and they use the fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
The St. Paul Outreach Center is a wonderful reflection of working as Jesus’ hands and feet. They are always looking for support and supplies. If you are interested in helping, please contact spoc@jehovahlutheran.org.
The last breakout session was a Church Worker Student Q&A led by CSP Director of Church Relations, Kristi Bauer, and CSP students. There were representatives of six CSP church worker programs: pre-deaconess, director of Christian outreach, director of Christian education, teacher, pre-seminary, and director of parish music. Students shared the basic idea of what each church work vocation does and their paths of how God called them into ministry.
The District Youth Day was planned by a volunteer group of Parish Professionals from the Minnesota South District whose mission statement was, “Through fellowship, worship, and service activities, the youth of the LCMS Minnesota South district will be strengthened in their identity in Christ.” There is a plan to continue with another District Youth Day next year and a “Save the Date” will be sent out as soon as possible.
Break-out Sessions
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Immanuel Journaling: Heather Dimmel, Hosanna Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN
This session will focus on a unique style of journaling inspired by one of the many names of Jesus - Immanuel (which means “God with us”). This style of Bible journaling prompts you to first write your prayers to God and then use God’s own words of Holy Scripture to write His response to you. Allowing yourself to express your needs and emotions to your loving God is immensely beneficial when dealing with questions, uncertainties, or any of the number of times in your life when Jesus says “you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John16:33b).
Church Work Student Q&A: Kristi Bauer, Director of LCMS Placement, Colloquy & Church Relations, CSP
This session will introduce a variety of church work routes while also hearing from current CSP students.
Service project: St. Paul’s Outreach Center
Join The New Freedom Store, a mission formed by the Minnesota South District to serve the needs of the least of these, namely those recently released from prison and the homeless in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. This year they gave away over three hundred tents, blankets, and sleeping bag,s as well as clothing, hygiene supplies, snacks, and other supplies. Dr. Jim Seemann is the coordinator.
During this session, participants will learn more about the missions of these groups and put their beliefs into action as they pack blessing bags to be delivered around our district. Any church that is able to bring additional items for the blessing bags is encouraged to do so (bottled water by the case, snack bars (individually wrapped), thermal foil blankets, socks, belts, etc…)
Mission Donations
Congregations are encouraged (but not expected) to bring donations to the District Youth Day. These will help support the St. Paul Outreach Center. Items needed include:
Granola bars; individual tubes of apple sauce; individual bags of chips, cookies, or nuts; empty water gallon jugs; plastic shopping bags; all sizes of winter wear
Parking
Youth can be dropped off in Lot B by the Martin Luther statue. Signs will show where you should enter. Vehicles can be parked in Lot D or Lot H.
Parish Professional Fall Retreat
November 3, 2025
Hosanna Lutheran Church
(105 Hosanna Drive, Mankato)
Join us on November 3rd from 8:30 am - 3 pm at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato for our Fall Retreat! All parish professionals are welcome, even if it's not your degree. If you serve in the church, even as a super volunteer, you are welcome to join us!
We will start with check-in and breakfast from 8:30 - 9:00 am, and then kick off our day by worshipping together starting at 9:00 am. Following that, 2B Continued will be joining us to share about mental health care and how we can help prevent suicide.
During lunch, which will be Qdoba sponsored by LCEF, we will spend time in community with one another and take care of a bit of business. Following lunch, you will receive a gift from us - a custom designed tote bag that says "created to do good work" and a hardcover journal and pen - all which you can use during our Immanuel Journaling session.
Immanuel Journaling is a cup-filling process where God meets you right where you are at. Even if journaling is not your thing, this will leave you feeling refreshed and craving more time with God. We will be led through the process by Danielle Burley, and you'll leave with tools to be able to continue the practice at home. We will close the day with worship. Snacks will also be available throughout the day.
Registration closes on 10/29! Feel free to invite anyone who you think should be in attendance.
The schedule for this day of retreat and refreshment will be:
9:00 - 9:30 am Opening Worship with Communion
9:30 - 11:30 am 2B Continued: Grace Point Chapel
11:45 - 12:15 pm Lunch: Fellowship Hall (President Woodford will be joining us for lunch)
12:15 - 12:45 pm Business
1:00 - 2:30 pm Immanuel Journaling
2:30 - 3:00 pm Sending Worship
The event is sponsored in part by LCEF.
The Gospel of John (ESV)
This annual event will be held on April 18, 2026, at Concordia University, St. Paul. There is a team competition AND an individual competition. Read more about it and start forming your teams!
You can check out the Parish Professionals directory here. Please know a password is required. You can reach out to the board or to the district office for this password: Phil Johnson or Chris Krentz.
