The ELCA has been awarded a $1 million grant to continue Total Inclusion!: Widening the Welcome, supporting outdoor ministries in creating more inclusive spaces for youth of all backgrounds and abilities. The funding will expand scholarships, accessibility improvements, staff training, and programs that center youth of color, LGBTQIA+ youth, and youth with disabilities. Learn more about how this work is shaping the future of outdoor ministry.
Read MoreLutherans Restoring Creation’s April “Good Green News” highlights upcoming opportunities to stay engaged in climate justice, including the April 28 “Afterglow” Connections Call, the April 25 National Faith + Climate Forum, and new resources for congregational action. With invitations to submit synod resolutions, apply for leadership programs, and celebrate Earth Day through giving, this month’s update offers practical ways to carry forward the church’s call to care for creation.
Read MoreThe fourth and final ELCA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion learning module will take place Wednesday, April 29 via Zoom. Featuring Rev. Dr. Andrea L. Walker and Rev. Sonja Ware, this 90-minute session will integrate previous learning, explore bias in coaching, and include a live Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) demonstration. Advance registration is required.
This concluding session invites faith leaders to move from awareness to action, equipping them to embody DEI principles in ministry and coaching contexts. Recordings of previous modules are available for those who wish to prepare or review.
Read MoreThe Grand Canyon Women of the ELCA are offering four scholarships to attend the Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering, July 16–19, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. Each scholarship covers registration plus $500 toward travel and lodging.
Applications are due April 1, 2026, with notifications sent by April 15. Congregations are encouraged to share this opportunity widely. Learn more about the Gathering and how to apply today.
Read MoreInsurance remains one of the most significant challenges facing congregations today. On April 29 at 2:00 p.m. CST (12:00 p.m. Arizona / Pacific Time), the Church Property Resource Hub will host a free Zoom webinar featuring Church Mutual Insurance to help leaders better understand the current landscape and available support.
Read MoreIn observance of Arab American Heritage Month, Dr. Ryan LaHurd reflects on the often-overlooked reality of anti-Arab prejudice in the United States and the importance of naming, recognizing, and confronting it. Drawing on personal experience and social research, he highlights how misunderstanding and distance can lead to dehumanization—and how even simple acts of connection can begin to change that. Read more in the full ELCA.org article.
Read MoreInsurance remains one of the most significant challenges facing congregations today. On April 29 at 2:00 p.m. CST (12:00 p.m. Arizona / Pacific Time), the Church Property Resource Hub will host a free Zoom webinar featuring Church Mutual Insurance to help leaders better understand the current landscape and available support.
Read MoreIn this video report for our 2026 assembly, see how the ELCA Foundation is partnering with Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley and the Grand Canyon Synod to nurture a spirit of generosity that will last for generations. Watch the video Grounded in Grace, Growing in Generosity, featuring Pastor Tim Nybroten, Rev. Dan Potaznick, and ELCA Foundation planner Lisa Marie Higginbotham, and learn how faithful giving strengthens the future of the church.
Read MoreNominations are now open—and the deadline extended—for the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association’s annual awards recognizing outstanding leaders in ELCA schools and early childhood ministries. Awards include the Distinguished Educational Leader of the Year and the Distinguished Rostered Leader of the Year.
Take time to lift up those who have shaped your ministry, supported your community, and inspired students and families. Submit nominations and learn more.
Read MoreThe ELCA has appointed the Rev. Craig Schweitzer as executive director for Christian Community and Leadership, beginning September 8. Currently serving as bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod, Schweitzer brings a background in pastoral ministry, music, and leadership development to this churchwide role.
In this call, Schweitzer will help equip leaders and strengthen Christian community across the ELCA, continuing the church’s work of forming disciples and engaging boldly in God’s mission. Read more at ELCA.org.
Read MoreELCA Worship’s April update gathers key opportunities for worship leaders, musicians, and planners across the church. Highlights include the 2026 conference at St. Olaf College, the annual conference in Princeton (July 19–22), and Lutheran Summer Music’s ongoing formation through faith and music.
Additional opportunities include student awards from the , with deadlines of May 1 and June 1. These resources support the church’s shared calling to nurture worship that is rooted in Word, song, and community. Read more at ELCA.org.
Read MoreIn this week’s Faith Lens reflection on John 20:19–31, we encounter disciples paralyzed by fear and uncertainty—until the risen Christ appears with a simple but transformative message: “Peace be with you.” Though their circumstances do not immediately change, Jesus’ presence reshapes their fear into purpose, empowering them to move forward in faith.
As we pray for peace in a world marked by violence and division, this reflection reminds us that Christ’s peace is not passive—it sends us out. Grounded in hope and trust in God’s presence, we are called to embody that peace in our congregations, communities, and daily lives: “Let there be peace on earth—and let it begin with us.”
Read MoreA new Women of the ELCA resource, “Resurrection: a holy discipline,” invites reflection on what it means to live as “children of the resurrection” during the 50 days of Easter. The downloadable, multi-session study explores how resurrection shapes daily life here and now.
Read MoreWomen of the ELCA is offering scholarships for Lutheran laywomen and those preparing for ordained ministry. Applications are due April 30, 2026. These awards support education and leadership across the church.
Read MoreApplications are open for Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls Seed Grants, offering up to $2,000 for wellness-focused ministry projects. Women of the ELCA units are encouraged to apply by April 30, 2026, to support health initiatives in their communities.
Read MoreThe Spring 2026 Gather Bible study, “I AM: God’s holy name and promise,” continues with Session Two focusing on Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10. Participants can download materials and watch video supplements to explore God’s guidance and protection in daily life.
Read MoreMore than 400 participants across ELCA Region 2 joined this year’s 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge, reflecting on Matthew 25 and responding through prayer, devotion, and generosity. The online giving portal for ELCA World Hunger remains open through May 31, offering continued opportunity for individuals and congregations to participate.
Gifts of any size make a meaningful difference. Donate online or give by check using Appeal Code R2LENT2026 as this shared Lenten witness continues beyond the season.
Read MoreFor peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For the Artemis crew and all who are guiding the mission…
For protests in the West Bank against death penalty laws…
For victims of a Russian military plane crash in Crimea…
For casualties of a migrant boat capsize near Turkey…
For families of those killed in gang attacks in Haiti…
For Pope Leo XIV, the Dali Lama, and all faith leaders speaking hopes for peace in the world…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For all affected by rising fuel and food costs and access…
For support, visibility, and civil rights for transgender individuals…
For all who have experienced religious trauma and feel alienated from the church…
For the church in every place as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ…
For Jewish siblings during the observance of Passover…
In this week’s Faith Lens reflection, Pastor Tim Wright explores how Easter is not just a celebration—but a divine interruption that transforms everything. Drawing from Matthew 28 and a personal story of injury and recovery, Wright reflects on how both joyful and painful interruptions shape our lives, and how God’s grace ultimately interrupts despair with hope, death with life, and fear with peace.
Grounded in the resurrection, this reflection invites readers to consider how Jesus continues to interrupt our lives today—with love that cannot be undone—and challenges us to share that same grace with others in tangible ways.
Read MoreOur March 2026 Mission Support memo takes us into a two-day training on Facilitation Fundamentals by our ELCA innovation team. It’s a room full of ELCA staff from across the country, across churchwide units, in all levels of positions. Read to hear how valuable folks are finding this approach. Also a tool for our synods is included in the memo, the Thank You Certificate, to celebrate our congregations generosity.
We cherish hearing about the inspiring stories in your synods, regions and congregations - feel free to reach out to Karen at karen.kretschmann@elca.org.
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