You are invited to join Friends of Central!

All across our country—and beyond—there many people who have a soft spot in their heart for Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis—people who feel a connection both to the history and the ongoing mission of this thriving urban congregation.

These are people who consider Central to be a significant place in their journey of faith for a variety of reasons: folks who were baptized and confirmed here; who have attended one of the many national and international Lutheran gatherings held here over the past nine decades; who were married here; who have visited for worship or a concert—perhaps even just once— and been moved by a sermon or the grandeur of worship and/or music in our massive sanctuary; or who feel some other personal connection from the past or the present..

Are you one of them?  If so, we would like to keep in touch with you through a new network we are calling Friends of Central.

If you choose to stay connected to Central in this capacity, we would ask three things of you initially: 1) to pray for the ministry of Central Lutheran Church; 2) to suggest to us others who might also enjoy being an official Friend of Central; and 3) to tell us for our records about your “connection” or fondest “Central memory.”

And, while there is no cost to join, we hope that you will also consider occasional opportunities to support Central financially. We’ve now established the Friends of Central Fund, which will be used to carry out special projects and provide for special needs here at Central. We also hope that you will be a goodwill ambassador for Central whenever the opportunity arises.

In return, we’ll promise to stay connected to you through some new communication efforts and publications, including “Central Connections,” created just for you. And, we’ll even offer you special invitations to return to Central for some occasional homecoming events, where you can meet and greet current staff and/or renew friendships with other Friends of Central from around the church.

Ninety one years ago Central’s founding pastor, the Rev. Dr. J. A. O. Stub, said that this church exists not so much for the benefit of its members as it does for them to be of service to others. That’s the way its been for over nine decades. That’s our legacy.

Our stated vision to be a thriving, vibrant model of urban Lutheran ministry for the 21st century, with worship, learning and service that reaches a diverse neighborhood and city in language and action—sharing and being the love of God with a world Christ died to save—is becoming a reality. Today the people of Central Lutheran Church are living out the legacy in new and exciting ways.

I invite you to become a Friend of Central—to join our church family in a new way—and to help celebrate and support the legacy of one of the world’s landmark churches!

Sincerely, in Christ

The Rev. Richard A.Nelson
Senior Pastor

333 South Twelfth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-4416