Lutheran Voices in the 2024 Elections: Engaging Faithfully in Civic Duties
Lutheran Voices in the 2024 Elections: Engaging Faithfully in Civic Duties

The ELCA Advocacy's latest updates highlight new initiatives and resources to enhance Lutheran participation in the 2024 elections. From a six-session online series exploring Lutheran civic duties to practical training for poll monitors, these opportunities aim to deepen our engagement and understanding of political processes.

Personal experiences from poll monitors and greeters, like Solveig Muus and Autumn Byars from the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona, offer insights into the practical aspects of ensuring fair and accessible voting processes.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, ELCABrian FlatgardVoting Rights, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Advocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment
Summer 2024: A Season of Musical Growth and Worshipful Engagement
Summer 2024: A Season of Musical Growth and Worshipful Engagement

This summer offers a vibrant array of musical and worship events lined up for our community. Highlights include the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival for aspiring young musicians, the ALCM’s "Ponder Anew" conference at Valparaiso University, and the Calvin Institute's worship grants. Additionally, Music that Makes Community offers several workshops and community sings, and Augsburg Fortress presents resources for graduates and college students. Read the full article from ELCA Worship at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, News, Worship Resources, ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA worshipComment
Bishop Eaton Reflects on UMC’s Historic Changes and Ecumenical Growth
Bishop Eaton Reflects on UMC’s Historic Changes and Ecumenical Growth

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the profound changes emerging from the recently concluded United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. After being postponed since 2020, the conference highlighted the UMC's adoption of significant measures including the lifting of a 40-year ban on the ordination of practicing homosexual clergy, and the expansion of marriage definitions to include same-sex couples.

Bishop Eaton underscores the ELCA's joy and gratitude for 15 years of full communion with the UMC, celebrating the shared commitment to inclusivity and unity in Christian teaching.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Bishop Eaton LettersComment
Bryan Penman Elected Bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
Bryan Penman Elected Bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod

The Rev. Bryan J. Penham, Conshohocken, Pa., was elected May 4 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 3-4 at Franconia Mennonite Church in Telford, Pa.

The bishop-elect has served as pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Conshohocken since 2013 and also as co-director for evangelical mission in the synod since 2022.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
Jen Nagel Elected Bishop of the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod
Jen Nagel Elected Bishop of the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod

The Rev. Jen Nagel, Minneapolis, Minn., was elected May 4 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod. The election took place during the synod assembly, May 2-4 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Ramsey, Minn.

The bishop-elect has served as lead pastor of University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis since 2015. Previously she served as pastor of Salem English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis (2003 to 2015) and as a teaching staff coordinator at Holden Village, Chelan, Wash. (2011).

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
“Low-Cost Communication Tactics for Grand Canyon Synod Leaders” webinar resources available
“Low-Cost Communication Tactics for Grand Canyon Synod Leaders” webinar resources available

Our “Low-Cost Communication Tactics for Grand Canyon Synod Leaders” webinar was hosted by Brian Flatgard, Director of Communications on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. View the recording at us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/oabC3r4v_dyRkByuI5kCetkyS1uLnL7tpIHp45zv1KA7MuL15Yir4ymrhr3kMJ93.mvqQhl6tTffxdrUx with the passcode: 1bELj=?h

You can view the text and slides in this blog post, and view a PDF of the bullet points from the slide deck.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardComment
May 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo: Parkside Lutheran Risks for the Sake of the Gospel
May 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo: Parkside Lutheran Risks for the Sake of the Gospel

This month the May 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo follows the journey of Parkside Lutheran Church, nestled in North Buffalo, NY, where over the last six years they have been experimenting, risking, and building connections to show "God's doors are open for all" and all are invited to come early and stay late! Plus join us Monday, May 20th for a fabulous webinar on "STORY MATTERS" from Rev. Heather Roth-Johnson, a storyteller, a public speaker, a workshop leader, a writer and in general just a creative soul. We also share our gratitude for all the staff and volunteers who work so hard to plan and execute synod assemblies. Read the memo here! 

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment
Honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

In May, we celebrate National AAPI Heritage Month. The Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries of the ELCA, in conjunction with the Minneapolis Area Synod, the St. Paul Area Synod, and their API leaders will be hosting a 4-person panel on Thursday, May 23 at 7pm to discuss the joys and challenges of being API. The panel will be live streamed on zoom and you can log on by clicking here.

For more information on ELCA API Ministries, visit:  Asian and Pacific Islander – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org)and Association of Asians and Pacific Islanders of the ELCA

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAsian and Pacific Islander Association of the ELCAComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, and South Sudan…

  • For a ceasefire in Gaza, for hostages to be freed, and for all who are engaging in diplomacy to bring this about…

  • For all people who must leave their homes to preserve their safety, especially in Rafah…

  • For safety and sensitivity in the midst of campus protests…

  • For the people, plants, and animals harmed by flooding in South Texas and Kenya…

  • For those affected by tornadoes in Oklahoma and Michigan…

  • For victims of an apartment building collapse in southern South Africa, and for continued recovery efforts…

  • For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies, that the Spirit would enliven and guide them…

  • For the United Methodist Church as they step into a future that embraces the gifts and leadership of LGBTQ+ clergy…

  • For those in our country without access to healthcare, and for those who must travel to get the care they need…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Act Now for a Just Future: Advocate for the 2024 Farm Bill
Act Now for a Just Future: Advocate for the 2024 Farm Bill

The ELCA is actively advocating for the 2024 Farm Bill, urging Congress to pass legislation that provides food security, supports sustainable farming, and promotes inclusivity and environmental stewardship. With the current bill expiring in September 2024, now is a crucial time for action. Engage through the ELCA Action Center, participate in upcoming advocacy webinars, and help shape a Farm Bill that reflects our Lutheran values of care and compassion. Join us in making a difference in our communities and beyond. Read more and learn how @ elca.org.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardAdvocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment
Faith Lens: We’ll See
Faith Lens: We’ll See

If you have a preschool aged child in your household, then it’s likely you’ve watched the recently-released episode of Bluey called “The Sign.” In the first week of its release, it was viewed 10.4 million times! Without giving too much away, the episode begins with all of the children in Bluey’s class hearing their teacher, Calypso, read a Taoist parable called “The Farmer.”

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Faith LensComment