Minnesotans might be better than anyone else at celebrating and enjoying summer! The fact that winter lasts half the year around here really inspires us to make the most of those 12 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Opportunities for cabin weekends, outdoor sports, walks around the lakes, art fairs, and concerts abound for many. Summer is a great time to focus on social wellness–this month, look for posts about letting people in, enjoying informal gatherings, finding time for social connection, and play.

Do you have a story that you’ve always wanted to write? This summer, the WordWorkers writing group is having an 8-session story workshop led by Aaron Achartz. Come with an idea for a story you’ve always wanted to write or just with a ready imagination. Over the course of the summer, we will brainstorm, plan, write, and edit our stories together. By the end of August, you will complete a short story or novelette of 5-12 thousand words. You’ll have a story ready to take home and share with a beta reader or friend!
 
This workshop is for writers of all experience levels and will focus on fiction. Sessions are Sundays after the service beginning on June 21. There will be breaks on July 5, July 26, and one Sunday in August. You are encouraged to register online or at the Welcome Center so we can prepare materials, but everyone is welcome. Even if you can’t make it every week, please come when you can! You’re also invited to join the WordWorkers group on the All Saints App. Connect with other writers to get the feedback and encouragement you need!

The Summer 2026 Newsletter is now available for download.

7th - Pastor Jennifer's Installation, 10am
7th - Visit with Pastor Jennifer, 11:30am
9th - Moms Group, 7pm
14th - Sunday Study - Conspiracy, 11am
14th - Visit with Pastor Jennifer, 11:30am
14th - Saints on Bikes, 1pm
14th - Day Camp Kickoff Bonfire and Potluck, 5-7pm
15th-18th - Day Camp, 9a-2pm
17th - Visit with Pastor Jennifer, 2pm
21st - Summer Story Workshop, 11am
28th - Summer Story Workshop, 11am
28th - Saints on Bikes, 1pm

7th - Moms Group, 7pm
12th - Summer Story Workshop, 11am
15th - Bubble Dance Party and Ice Cream Social, 5-7pm19th - Summer Story Workshop, 11am
26th - Sunday Study - Utopia, 11am

For up to date information and to register for events, visit our Events Page.

Come and sing with the Open Choir on June 7th for Pastor Jennifer's installation. Everyone is welcome to sing that morning. No need to sign up, simply show up at 9am for a brief rehearsal before the service. Contact Music Director Meg Redmond with any questions.

Every summer, we invite camp staff from Water's Edge Ministry (formally Green Lake Lutheran Ministries) to lead our Day Camp for kids (June 15–18 this year). They do a fantastic job making kids feel special and welcomed during the camp day; it is only right for us to make them feel welcomed as well. We are looking for a handful of households who would be willing to provide some hospitality to camp staff. This could be done in a few ways. 

1. You could offer to house 3–4 staff Sunday night (June 14)–Wednesday night (June 17). This includes having a place to sleep each night as well as grab and go breakfast items for them. 
2. You could provide a dinner, either at your house (preferred) or brought to the church. Camp staff will need a total of 3 dinners. About a week ahead of time, you will be told if there are any dietary restrictions and exactly how many staff are coming. 
3. You could provide snacks and/or drinks for staff to have at church, during lunch, or bring to their host house. 
4. You could join us for a potluck dinner and bonfire from 5-7pm on June 14, where camp staff and day campers will gather before the camp week. All are welcome! 

As the weather gets warmer and more consistent, it's time for more outside time and potentially the increase in physical activity. Our wellness focus for May is Physical Wellness. What are some ideas that you have for maintaining or improving your physical wellness? Here's to you and what you already do and what you are looking forward to doing for your physical well-being this spring and summer!

The May 2026 Newsletter is now available for download.

3rd - Annual Congregational Meeting, 11am
3rd - Caring for Creation Garden Cleanup, 12pm
8th - Parents Night Out, 5:30-8:30pm
17th - Confirmation, in worship service
17th - Dads Group, 11am
19th - Moms Group, 7pm
24th - Pentecost Service, 10am
24th - Caring for Creation Meeting, 11am
31st - Last Sunday of Kids Connection, 10am

For up to date information and to register for events, visit our Events Page.

Friday, May 8 • 5:30-8:30pm
Parents Night Out gives parents of young kids the opportunity to have a night with friends, go out to dinner, go on a date, or just have a night to themselves while knowing their kids are well taken care of and get a night at All Saints filled with games, crafts, snacks and a movie.

Parents Night Out is open to all kids ages 2-10. We just ask that they are potty trained as our volunteers do not have diaper-changing training. Parents Night Out is a fundraiser for various family ministry programs at All Saints, so consider what amount is right for your family.

To join Parents Night Out, complete the registration here.

Members are invited to attend this year's congregational annual meeting on Sunday, May 3 following the service. In preparation for the meeting, there will be an informational session to learn more about the proposed FY26 budget. The session will take place in the Lounge (on the Library Level) on Sunday, April 26 after the service.

This past Sunday at the Special Congregational Meeting, members voted to call Jennifer Schneider to serve as Associate Pastor. Jennifer's first Sunday is expected to be May 3.

Jennifer's ordination will be on Thursday, May 14 at 7pm at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church, where she completed her internship. Watch for more details in the May Newsletter and future E-News.

Get ready to feel inspired together! Mental Health Connect's 2026 Stories of Hope Breakfast is Thursday, May 7 from 8-9am at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church. This year we lift up the collective practice of hope and the ways we build resilience in community. Enjoy delightful music, savor a delicious breakfast, and mingle with fellow community members. Doors open at 7am for coffee and conversation.

All Saints has a table reserved for 8. Reach out to the church office if you are interested in attending. Let’s come together to hold hope and support one other!

The next Caring for Creation meeting will be Sunday April 19 after the worship service. Please join us in the lounge to share, support, and pray for our beautiful planet and its people.

All Saints Lutheran Church is in the 9 Mile Creek Watershed District. They have arranged an event to clean up Valley Park in Hopkins on May 2 from 1-3pm. Please join us. Meet at the Playground to borrow equipment and sign waivers. Water and snacks will be provided. Register here. Contact Eileen Anderson or the church office if you have questions.

It's April and our wellness focus for the month is Intellectual Wellness. It's a good time to ponder how we approach learning new things, improving a skill, or being aware of our sources of information. Our social media posts and Intellectual Wellness page have more information about taking stock of our intellectual wellness and making some changes this month. 

The April 2026 Newsletter is now available for download.

2nd - Maundy Thursday Service, 7pm
3rd - Good Friday Service, 7pm
4th - Easter Eggstravaganza, 10am-12pm
5th - Easter Sunday Service, 10am
8th - Meet & Greet with Associate Pastor Candidate, 6:30-7:30pm
12th - Special Congregational Meeting, 11am
19th - Retirement Celebration for Chris Heiberg, 11am
19th - Caring for Creation Meeting, 11am

For up to date information and to register for events, visit our Events Page.

As part of the ongoing upkeep of our building and furniture, staff and volunteers renewed the serving credenza in Fellowship Hall. As a well-designed piece, it provided an opportunity for a greener alternative than replacement. The old stain was stripped off and it was re-stained to match the updated flooring. A new, modern top and door hardware were then installed. Thank you to Greg Jackson, Doug Larson, and Dale Lighter for their planning and work. Check it out the next time you're in the building!

Our March Wellness Focus is on Spiritual Wellness. Spiritual wellness includes a sense of connection to something bigger than us and typically involves a search for meaning and purpose in life. As the Lenten season continues, look to explore and embrace a practice that has meaning for you and provides an opportunity to grow in your faith, or live out your faith. Follow the weekly social media posts or check out the Spiritual Wellness page and resources. 

The March 2026 Newsletter is now available for download.

1st - Bonhoeffer, Faith and Purpose Study, 11am
4th - Lenten Community Supper, 5:45-6:45pm
4th - Holden Evening Prayer Service, 7pm
8th - Bonhoeffer, Faith and Purpose Study, 11am
11th - Lenten Community Supper, 5:45-6:45pm
11th - Holden Evening Prayer Service, 7pm
13th - Parents Night Out, 5:30-8:30pm
15th - Bonhoeffer, Faith and Purpose Study, 11am
18th - Lenten Community Supper, 5:45-6:45pm
18th - Holden Evening Prayer Service, 7pm
22nd - Creation Care Meeting, 9am
22nd - Bonhoeffer, Faith and Purpose Study, 11am
25th - Lenten Community Supper, 5:45-6:45pm
25th - Holden Evening Prayer Service, 7pm
29th - Palm Sunday Service, 10am
29th - Bonhoeffer, Faith and Purpose Study, 11am

For up to date information and to register for events, visit our Events Page.

Easter will be here before you know it. On Saturday, April 4, you are invited to our 4th annual Easter Eggstravaganza. There will be returning favorite activities such as the Egg Hunts, Easter Theme Crafts, Easter Bingo and Easter I Spy. New this year are winged visitors! The Raptor Center will be bringing a few birds in for everyone to learn about and get a front row view of these majestic birds.

Reserve your tickets for the egg hunts today!

You are invited to help beautify the sanctuary for the Easter celebration by donating flowers in honor or memory of someone special to you. The suggested donation is $25.
 
To donate, go to the Make a Gift page. Select "Easter Flowers" as the Fund type, as shown below. You can add a note when you make your gift online or indicate in an email the names(s) for whom your donation is in memory or honor. Please donate by Palm Sunday, March 29.

You may also mail your donation and dedication information to: All Saints Lutheran Church, 15915 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345, with checks made out to All Saints Lutheran Church, and "Easter Flowers" in the memo line.

ICA is seeing record numbers of families visiting the food shelf. With over 1,000 families visiting each month, their food stock is in constant need of being replenished. Traditionally the spring is a time when contributions of food and financial support begin to decline. In response ICA joins the hundreds of other food shelves in Minnesota to encourage contributions during March Food Share month.

To ensure ICA can continue to provide for neighbors, they need a significant community response. You can make a difference by helping ICA collect 150,000 lbs. of food and $250,000 during the month of March. All Saints has a goal of filling our pallet tote with 500 pounds of food. Last year we collected over 600 pounds of food and donations.

You can bring your gifts of food to the pallet tote by the stairs anytime during the month of March. And you can make financial gifts directly to ICA via their website. When you make a gift through ICA’s website be sure to indicate that you are a member of All Saints.

Parents, are you looking to have a night out with friends, go to dinner without the kids, have a date night, or just a night to yourself? Parents Night Out gives parents the opportunity to have a kid-free night while supporting a good cause and knowing their kids are well taken care of. Kids will experience a fun night at All Saints filled with games, crafts, snacks, and a movie.

Parents Night out is open to all kids age 2-10. We just ask that they are potty trained as our volunteers do not have diaper-changing training. Parents Night Out is a fundraiser for our All Ages Service Trip and other family ministry programs.

Click here register your kids for the next Parents Night Out.

This year, get your spring plants from Gertens and a portion of your money will go to support All Saints youth and families that are going on the All Ages Mission Trip to Medora, ND and to Shores of St. Andrews Bible Camp. Order on our fundraising site starting today. If you have any issues, enter our store ID code (389) into the text field and click ‘Enter ID to Continue.’ The last day to order spring plants for this fundraiser is April 2nd. Anyone who orders flowers can pick up their order at All Saints in the afternoon of April 9th. More detailed pick up information will be given to you after you submit your order.

Love Outpoured: Devotions for Lent 2026 provides devotional messages from Ash Wednesday to the Vigil of Easter. Featuring images, scriptures, stories, questions and prayers, these pocked-sized devotionals are perfect for audiences of all ages. Pick up your copy at the Welcome Center.

February’s wellness focus is on Emotional Wellness. Emotional Wellness can be described as an awareness, understanding, and acceptance of feelings and an ability to manage effectively through time of change or challenge. Look to explore the importance of emotional well-being and things you can do to improve wellness. Follow the weekly social media posts, or check out the Emotional Wellness page for more information and resources. 

The winter Olympics are happening this month. People from all of the world come together to compete in their sport of choice. At All Saints, we decided to have a friendly competition of our own. On Friday, February 20 from 6-8pm we will be hosting the wacky Olympics where families and friends will compete against each other in silly games that they may or may not have tried before. The wacky Olympics are for all ages and you don’t need any special skills to compete. Just bring your family or friends along and join in the wacky fun! Don’t feel like participating? That’s okay! The Wacky Olympics are sure to provide lots of laughs and entertainment for spectator and competitors alike.