Posts in ELCA
Accessibility, Worship, and Leadership at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly
Accessibility, Worship, and Leadership at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly

At the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, Lutherans gathered for worship, elections, and the business of the church. Worship services highlighted accessibility and leadership by people with disabilities, while elections brought historic results with Bishop Yehiel Curry elected Presiding Bishop and Pastor CeeCee Mills elected Secretary—the first time all top ELCA offices are held by diverse leaders. Resolutions also addressed equity for youth gatherings and protection for children and vulnerable adults. Still, accessibility challenges remain. Rev. Mack Patrick calls us to move from mere inclusion to true belonging. Read more click here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardDisability Ministries, ELCA Disability Ministries, 2025 Churchwide AssemblyComment
2025 ELCA Hunger Education Grants Now Open: Apply by Sept. 15
2025 ELCA Hunger Education Grants Now Open: Apply by Sept. 15

The 2025 cycle for ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants is now open, with applications accepted from August 4 through September 15. These grants—typically between $500 and $1,000—support educational and networking projects that help ELCA congregations, synods, and partners deepen understanding and engagement around the root causes of hunger and poverty. Projects can include workshops, climate justice education, youth service learning, or synod-wide awareness events.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)3 organizations or work with a fiscal agent like a synod office. To apply, pre-register at ELCA GrantMaker (approval may take up to 10 business days). Click here for full grant details and application links.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardGrants, Hunger, ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger GrantsComment
Faith Lens: Discipleship, Time, and Reordering Loves
Faith Lens: Discipleship, Time, and Reordering Loves

What does it mean to truly follow Jesus? On God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday, we’re invited to reflect on Luke 14:25–33, where Jesus challenges us to count the cost of discipleship. In a world that pulls us in many directions—especially with packed fall calendars—this week’s Faith Lens devotion reminds us to reorder our loves and put Christ first. What might you need to set aside to love and serve more fully?

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, Youth and Young AdultComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…

  • For victims of sexual assault and violence…

  • For earthquake victims in eastern Afghanistan…

  • For landslide victims in the Darfur region of Sudan…

  • For wildfires in California…

  • For safety amidst protests in Indonesia…

  • For students, families, and school personnel beginning the new school year…

  • For all professional fields, vocations, and jobs of any kind, and for fair and equitable labor policies…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
New Worship Planning Tools from Augsburg Fortress Now Available
New Worship Planning Tools from Augsburg Fortress Now Available

Each month, ELCA Worship highlights resources from Augsburg Fortress to support pastors, musicians, and worship planners. This month’s recommendations include Revised Common Lectionary Expanded Daily Readings, Lectionary Mosaics, the 2026 Calendar of Word and Season, and ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Health and Health Care. These resources connect scripture, community, and liturgical life in meaningful ways. Click here to explore all the featured tools and publications.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, Augsburg FortressComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, MN…

  • For business owners and leaders, facing increased costs and challenges…

  • For victims of flooding and landslides in Vietnam and Thailand…

  • For police officers and military personnel…

  • For immigrants coming to the US to escape violence in their countries of origin…

  • For those without a home or secure housing and those who serve them…

  • For those seeking meaningful work and all who are unemployed, underemployed, or retired…

  • For students transitioning to college and for the staff and faculty who care for them in these spaces, especially at our ELCA Colleges and Universities…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Living Our Baptismal Call in Public Life
Living Our Baptismal Call in Public Life

The ELCA’s 1991 social statement The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective continues to guide how we live our baptismal promises in today’s complex world. Grounded in the gospel and Lutheran theology, the statement calls us to serve neighbors, advocate for justice, and respond with courage and compassion to society’s needs. Read Craig L. Nessan’s reflection in Living Lutheran—click here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving Lutheran, Church and SocietyComment
Show Up More, Say Less: Forming Faith in Children
Show Up More, Say Less: Forming Faith in Children

Faith formation, like learning baseball, often requires giving children room to practice on their own. In her reflection, Erin Strybis encourages parents to “show up more, say less” and create opportunities for kids to encounter God’s presence in everyday life—whether through prayer under the stars, music on a road trip, or volunteering as a family. Explore practical, Spirit-led ways to nurture faith at home—click here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Bishop-Elect Kristen Papson: Building Trust for the Church’s Future
Bishop-Elect Kristen Papson: Building Trust for the Church’s Future

Kristen Papson, recently elected bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, emphasizes the importance of trust, pastoral care, and creating safe spaces for conversation in guiding the church forward. Beginning her new call September 1 and with installation set for October 19, Papson reflects on leadership shaped by listening, humility, and collaboration. Read more from Living Lutheran about her vision for the synod’s future—click here.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Free ELCA Coaching Events in September: Training for Leaders Like You
Free ELCA Coaching Events in September: Training for Leaders Like You

ELCA Coaching invites you to take part in a series of free opportunities this September, including Creating Beloved Community gatherings, decolonization workshops, and supportive spaces for leaders. All events are subsidized by the ELCA and offered at no cost to participants. In addition, applications are open for the final Segment 1 Basic Skills Coach Training of 2025 (beginning September 25), with an Everyday Life Coaching training starting October 14. Learn more and register at elcacoaching.org/events.

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ELCA, Leader Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
2025 ELCA Hunger Education Grants Now Open: Apply by Sept. 15
2025 ELCA Hunger Education Grants Now Open: Apply by Sept. 15

The 2025 cycle for ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants is now open, with applications accepted from August 4 through September 15. These grants—typically between $500 and $1,000—support educational and networking projects that help ELCA congregations, synods, and partners deepen understanding and engagement around the root causes of hunger and poverty. Projects can include workshops, climate justice education, youth service learning, or synod-wide awareness events.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)3 organizations or work with a fiscal agent like a synod office. To apply, pre-register at ELCA GrantMaker (approval may take up to 10 business days). Click here for full grant details and application links.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardGrants, Hunger, ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger GrantsComment
Register Now: ELEA Leadership Gathering Unites Lutheran Educators Nationwide
Register Now: ELEA Leadership Gathering Unites Lutheran Educators Nationwide

Lutheran school leaders are invited to the ELEA Leadership Conference 2025, “Inspiring Leaders, Strengthening Faith,” held November 5–7 in Cleveland, Ohio. This national gathering offers three days of professional development, spiritual renewal, and community for educators shaping the future of Lutheran schools. Register now and join the movement to nurture the next generation of faithful leaders.

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ELCA, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardEvangelical Lutheran Education Association, Youth and Young AdultComment
August Mission Support Memo: Churchwide Assembly Shows What Mission Support Looks Like
August Mission Support Memo: Churchwide Assembly Shows What Mission Support Looks Like

Our August 2025 Mission Support Memo provides a picture into the 2025 Churchwide Assembly where almost a thousand ELCA Lutherans made their way to toasty Phoenix, Ariz., to gather July 28 to Aug. 2. Hear about what a joyous, thoughtful and busy week it was for the voting members who considered resolutions, memorials and social statements and also elected a new presiding bishop and secretary to lead our church for the next six years. 

Assembly also included a NEW ELCA Mission Support video available for all to learn what mission support does and to share with others. Each memo ends with words of gratitude and this month we express how extremely grateful we are for all the people who made Churchwide Assembly run successfully. You can even get the memo in pdf too!

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News, ELCABrian Flatgard2025 Churchwide Assembly, Mission Support, ELCA Mission Support Team, StewardshipComment
Faith Leaders to Civic Leaders: Reject Fear-Based Governance
Faith Leaders to Civic Leaders: Reject Fear-Based Governance

Ten D.C.-area faith leaders, including ELCA Bishop Leila Ortiz, have issued a statement rejecting fear-based approaches to public safety. The letter calls on civic leaders to embrace dignity, collaboration, and compassion instead of militarization and scapegoating. True safety, the leaders stress, is achieved through justice, community care, and investment in people. Click here to read the full letter.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardChurch and Society, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), HomelessnessComment