Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry and Minnesota ELCA synod bishops have released a joint pastoral video condemning aggressive immigration activity and addressing the fear and uncertainty experienced by many communities. Grounded in Christ’s promises, the bishops call the church to faithful lament, moral clarity, and continued witness rooted in human dignity.
Watch and share the video message as an act of prayerful solidarity and hope.
Read MoreIn a joint statement released Jan. 16, 2026, national bishops from Lutheran churches in the United States, Canada, and Denmark voiced strong support for the Greenlandic people amid growing international pressure on Greenland’s future. The statement affirms Greenland’s right to self-determination, peace between nations, and respect for international law, echoing the words of Paneeraq Siegstad Munk: “We are people, not property. Greenland is not land to be bought.”
The bishops invite Lutherans to pray for Greenland and to contact elected leaders, urging them to respect the independence, dignity, and human rights of the Greenlandic people.
Read MoreFollowing a deadly shooting at Brown University that claimed two lives and injured many others, Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry calls the church to prayer, lament, and faithful public action. The statement names gun violence as a symptom of deeper brokenness in our common life and rejects its normalization in U.S. society.
Drawing on the ELCA’s social message on gun violence, Bishop Curry urges evidence-based, life-saving measures alongside sustained advocacy and accompaniment. In this Advent season, the statement affirms that God meets us in suffering and calls the church to work for justice, compassion, and peace. Read the full statement and prayer from Bishop Curry.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has issued a statement following a deadly terror attack on the Jewish community gathered for a Hanukkah menorah lighting at Bondi Beach in Australia. Writing on the Third Sunday of Advent, Bishop Curry condemns antisemitism, reaffirms the ELCA’s commitment to opposing anti-Jewish hatred, and calls the church to concrete acts of solidarity, love, and peace with our Jewish neighbors.
Grounded in God’s irrevocable covenant and the hope of Advent, the statement invites prayer and faithful action as an antidote to fear and violence. Read the full statement and prayer from Bishop Curry.
Read MoreOn the tenth anniversary of the Paris Climate Accords, Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry offers a powerful reflection on the church’s call to care for God’s creation. Naming this moment as kairos—a time of crisis and hope—the Bishop urges the ELCA to deepen its commitment to stewardship, sustainability, and action alongside those most vulnerable to climate impacts. He also lifts up the leadership of young adults and Indigenous communities, and commends the ELCA’s social message Earth’s Climate Crisis. Read the full message from the ELCA.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Yehiel Curry shares a Christmas children’s sermon inviting us to listen for God’s gentle whispers of love, hope, and peace. The video is available for congregational use, along with downloadable English and Spanish PDFs. This Christmas, Bishop Curry reminds us that “the heavens are still whispering: Jesus is here. God loves you. Share that love with the world.”
El Obispo Presidente Yehiel Curry comparte un sermón infantil navideño que nos invita a escuchar los susurros de amor, esperanza y paz de Dios. El video está disponible para uso en congregaciones, junto con los PDFs en inglés y español. Este mensaje nos recuerda que “los cielos todavía susurran: Jesús está aquí. Dios te ama. Comparte ese amor con el mundo.”
Read MoreThe Lutheran World Federation’s 2025 Advent Calendar launches November 30 with daily “Messages of Faith” shared by Lutherans around the world. Beginning with a reflection from ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry, each short video explores how faith grounds and guides us in this season of expectation. Follow the daily updates on LWF social media or at the Advent Calendar site to receive new encouragement each day of Advent.
Read MoreIn a new pastoral message, ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry reflects on ministry during a historic government shutdown and the church’s call to serve neighbors amid division, disruption, and fear. He lifts up ELCA ministries feeding the hungry, accompanying immigrants, responding to disasters, and advocating for justice when government fails to protect the vulnerable.
Read the full message: A Pastoral Message for These Troubled Days.
Read MorePortico Benefit Services has announced that the Rev. Yehiel Curry, ELCA presiding bishop, has been appointed as an advisory member of its board of trustees. Curry’s leadership will help guide Portico’s strategic priorities, strengthening its support for the retirement, health, and financial wellness of more than 55,000 ELCA leaders and employees.
Read the full announcement: Presiding Bishop Curry Joins Portico Board or visit Portico’s detailed release: Yehiel Curry Joins Portico Board.
Read MoreRev. Dr. Kevin Vandiver’s sermon from the October 4 installation of ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis is now available to watch online. In his message, Dr. Vandiver offers a Spirit-filled call for courage and hope as the ELCA embraces this new chapter of leadership.
Read MoreThe ELCA celebrated the installation of the Rev. Yehiel Curry as Presiding Bishop on October 4, 2025, at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Watch the 4-minute highlight video capturing this historic and joy-filled moment of worship, music, and prayer: Watch on YouTube.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America celebrated the installation of Bishop Yehiel Curry as its new presiding bishop on October 5, 2025, at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. The service—led by former Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton—featured a diverse assembly of leaders, choirs, and guests from across the ELCA and beyond. Rooted in joy and call, the celebration emphasized God’s invitation to serve in every context. Curry, formerly bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, succeeds Bishop Eaton in a six-year term.
Read the full story and watch highlights of the installation on Living Lutheran: Answering the Call.
Read MoreOn October 1, 2025, Rev. Yehiel Curry began his term as the fifth Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, following his service as Bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod. Watch this brief introductory video to meet Bishop Curry and hear more about his faith and leadership vision. Watch on YouTube »
Read MoreThe video of the installation of Rev. Yehiel Curry as Presiding Bishop of the ELCA—held on October 4, 2025, at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis—is now available to watch online. The service celebrates Bishop Curry’s leadership and the ELCA’s shared mission to proclaim Christ in the world. Watch the installation service on YouTube.
Read MoreThe Rev. Yehiel Curry will be installed as presiding bishop of the ELCA on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. Central (12 p.m. MST) at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Curry, the first Black presiding bishop of the ELCA, was elected during the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix. The service is open to the public, with livestream access available here: ELCA Installation of the Presiding Bishop.
Read MoreThe Rev. Yehiel Curry will be installed as presiding bishop of the ELCA on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. Central (12 p.m. MST) at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Curry, the first Black presiding bishop of the ELCA, was elected during the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix. The service is open to the public, with livestream access available here: ELCA Installation of the Presiding Bishop.
Read MoreBishop Yehiel Curry has been elected the fifth presiding bishop of the ELCA, marking a historic first as the denomination’s first bishop of African descent. A former teacher and social worker turned pastor and synod bishop, Curry brings a deep passion for lay leadership, community-rooted ministry, and faithful embodiment of the church’s call. His story is one of discernment, hope, and gratitude for the church’s investment in emerging leaders. Curry will be installed October 4 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Click here to read the full story on Living Lutheran.
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