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 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 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 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 MoreHoly One, you formed the church to announce the words of eternal life to the world. Equip the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which concluded its Churchwide Assembly yesterday to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gather the church together into one body for the sake of our shared mission to tell of the love of God. Filled with your Word, turn the church inside out so that we might live lives that proclaim your freedom and renewal to all the world.
Read MoreO God, source of all life, you raised Jesus from the dead and gave us the Spirit of his resurrection. Unbind your church from sin and the fear of death. Set us free to praise you with grateful hearts and to serve the world in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Read MoreOn day two of their gathering, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly took key actions and received reports that set the stage for how the denomination wants to move into the future.
The assembly re-elected the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 6. The assembly approved 26 en bloc memorials on topics including gun violence, engagement in the Holy Land and income inequality. A Declaration to People of African Descent was presented to representatives of the African Descent Lutheran Association.
Read MoreO Light Unseen, O Love unknown, O Life unending, your Word came as one among us to draw us to your loving heart and give us your abundant life. Pour out upon your wounded world grace upon grace through your Beloved, Jesus Christ, our Light and our Salvation. Amen.
Read MoreIn a key action, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to approve a memorial that declares the ELCA a sanctuary church. This is the first North American denomination to declare itself a sanctuary church body. As a sanctuary church the ELCA is committed to serving and supporting migrant children and families in communities across the country.
Earlier in the day, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, joined more than 700 assembly members and others in a march and prayer vigil to the Milwaukee Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office.
Read MoreAlmighty and all-merciful God, for freedom you have set us free from every power that would enslave us. Create in us the heart of a servant and bind us to our neighbors with the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Read MoreOn August 6, 2019, at the ELCA’s 2019 Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, the assembly approved four Assembly Actions related to Israel and Palestine.
The Assembly Actions deal with the human rights social investment screen, the detention of Palestinian children by Israel, funding for Augusta Victoria Hospital, and continuing to listen to various perspectives on the conflict. Read the full article »
Read MoreThe Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton was re-elected presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 6 at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Eaton is the first ELCA presiding bishop to win re-election on the first ballot. She was elected to a first term as presiding bishop at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh.
Read MorePray for all those engaged in the ELCA Churchwide Assembly as they work together, with the Holy Spirit in their midst, to make decisions that will help guide the work and mission of our church now and in the future.
Read MoreGlorious God, through the waters of the sea you led your people from slavery to freedom. Through the waters of baptism you bring us with Christ from death into life. Roll away the stone of our fear and doubt that we may sing your praise and dance to your glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Song. Amen.
Read MoreOur common witness. In her August column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the Lutheran movement. As we move forward as a church, she wonders: “What will our Lutheran identity be in the ELCA?” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2GQBVYV and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2ZDcrFs.
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