The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has joined Christian leaders in a statement against Christian nationalism.
An excerpt: "Whether we worship at a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple, America has no second-class faiths," their statement reads. "All are equal under the U.S. Constitution." Read and sign the statement at https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org.
Read MorePray for the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program as it prepares young adults, ages 21-29, for a yearlong journey of service and witness alongside our global companions and churches in nine countries around the world.
Read MoreMany people are familiar with Martin Luther’s teachings on civil order and obedience to laws. Fewer folks, though, recall the Luther who admonished preachers to use the pulpit to rebuke rulers for injustice, argued for public support for education of girls and boys, and inspired generations of future Lutherans to stand against political oppression and injustice.
The authors of The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church’s Public Witness (Fortress Press, 2019) offer this side of Luther and Lutheran faith to congregations today. Read the whole story»
Read MoreOur church is always prayerfully seeking guidance for the mission, work and witness of the ELCA in this rapidly changing world. Pray that the Holy Spirit will equip and energize us to meet the shifting challenges we face in sharing the gospel and in doing God’s work of bringing hope, reconciliation and healing to the world.
Read MoreAs we enter the 2020 GCS grant process (applications open 9/2/19), we share stories from our 2019 Grant recipients, which you can see on our Grant Dollars at Work page. This week we share Iglesia Luterana San Juan Bautista, in Tucson. AZ.
“Since the beginning of the year, SJB has hosted two fundraiser events (Three Kings Day and Day of the children) and two courses on Hispanic Lutheran traditions (Christmas and Lent Hispanic Traditions) which were open to the public for a small fee. These events served as fundraisers and outreach to our community since all events welcomed the surrounding community.“
Read MoreWe pray for the people Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, including Pastor Sarah Stadler, Vicar Beth Gallen, Heat Respite Coordinator Clottee Hammons, Administrative Assistant Adrienne Kaye, Caretaker Lester Andrews, Praise Band Leader Chad Cole, Organist and Director Brandon Burns, and Social Worker Jeff Jirak.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Synod is looking for three high school (currently in 9th-12th Grade) leaders to represent the Grand Canyon Synod at the 2019 ELCA Youth Leadership Summit October 31-November 3 at Lutheridge Conference Center in Arden North Carolina. Click here to apply.
Read MoreGathering under the theme "We are church," voting members of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. The assembly, the chief legislative authority of the church, met Aug. 5-10 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee.
Read MoreShow your respect for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence. Encourage others to join you. Share your Thursdays in Black campaign photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, using hashtags #ThursdaysinBlack.
Read MorePosted on August 9, 2019 from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director, we have the following updates: AUGUST RECESS ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES | LIMITS PROPOSED TO SNAP HUNGER PROGRAM | KEEPING GIRLS IN SCHOOL ACT | FAITH-BASED PRESENCE AROUND U.N. CLIMATE CONFERENCE | FEDERAL BUDGET DEAL REACHED | STANDING AGAINST #CHRISTIANNATIONALISM | HUNGER ADVOCACY FELLOWS | VISITING D.C.
Read MoreGive thanks and praise for God’s attentiveness, help and steadfast love for all humankind.
Read MoreIn this statement, Presiding Bishop Eaton provides clarifications and helpful talking points:
Dear siblings in Christ, as many of you know, last week the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a resolution that, among other things, declared the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) a sanctuary denomination. Many of you are asking, “What does this mean?”
Read MoreThe campaign is simple but profound: wear black on Thursdays, and declare you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence.
Speaking during a plenary session at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator Dr Agnes Abuom saluted those assembled for their collaborative work in embracing Thursdays in Black. “The decision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to endorse Thursdays in Black is timely,” said Abuom.
Read MoreRemember in prayer the work and witness of our ELCA missionaries and the seven young people serving in the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program in Israel, Jerusalem/West Bank, Jordan and Palestine.
Read MoreSunday morning is a lot busier these days at the corner of Raleigh Street and 5th Avenue in West Denver. For the past several years a new community of God, called Latino Ministry West Denver (Cristo Rey), has been growing in the church building in this changing neighborhood. Known to the neighborhood simply as Cristo Rey, the new-start congregation connects with its community and actively engages people to be in relationship with each other and Christ. Read the whole story»
Read MoreGive thanks for the work and ministry of nurses who give of themselves without partiality or hesitation as they tend to the well-being, health and healing of people in congregations, clinics, hospitals, schools, the military and community agencies.
Read MoreMany of you know the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convened in Milwaukee, Wisconsin last week. In addition to daily worship, during the business meetings there were many decisions and conversations, including resolutions and memorials. Among the business items addressed included a resolution on the subject of Sanctuary. The Grand Canyon Synod supports/endorses the Background Provided to the Assembly by the Memorials Committee. Please click to read more on this background, and what the resolution on Sanctuary means and does not mean.
Read MoreData security is the critical process of protecting your congregation’s confidential information against unauthorized use. Data such as Personal Identifiable Information (PII), Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, banking information and more lie at the heart of the organization. Keeping this data protected demonstrates responsibility and increases donor confidence.
Read MoreWe pray for Deacon Kate Adelman and House of Prayer, a congregation located on the Navajo Lutheran Mission campus, serving the Rock Point community as a center for spiritual learning and cultural dialog.
Read MoreFor the past 2 years Catie and Josh Sondrol have traveled to Chiang Mia, Thailand to serve with Joni & Friends at their International Family Retreat which is sponsored by Jasmine and & Joey Tells’ Christian church in Thailand. The International Family Retreat offers 4 days of “a safe and accepting Christ-centered environment for individuals affected by disability and their families” (www.joniandfriends.org).
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