Posts in ELCA
From Film Series to Faithful Action: Climate Justice Resources for ELCA Lutherans

Lutherans Restoring Creation’s latest Good Green News includes new climate justice resources, a Faith + Climate Film Series, advocacy around a proposed Decade of Climate Justice resolution, and upcoming events including Coffee with Christine and a renewables ethics conversation. Learn how your congregation can engage faithful care for creation and explore the full newsletter for links, dates, and action opportunities.

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Property Insurance, Financial Stewardship, and Fraud Prevention: May Administration Matters

The May 2026 issue of Administration Matters offers practical guidance for congregational leaders navigating today’s challenges, including property insurance questions, faithful investing through the ELCA, nonprofit financial controls, and strategies to prevent online donation scams. The issue also includes a reflection on financial well-being and stewardship from Portico Benefit Services.

Whether you serve on council, manage finances, or support congregational administration, these timely resources can help strengthen ministry and reduce risk. Read the full May issue of Administration Matters.

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Finding Belonging at God’s Table: Honoring AANHPI Heritage Month

As the church marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the ELCA invites reflection on identity, belonging, faith, and bold witness. In a moving essay, Pastor Jill Rode—a Korean American adoptee and lifelong Lutheran—shares her journey of navigating culture, adoption, and faith, reminding us that there is room for all of us at God’s table. Additional resources highlight the 50th anniversary of Hmong refugee arrivals in the United States, worship ideas, storytelling opportunities, and upcoming events for congregations.

This Heritage Month offers an invitation to listen deeply, honor stories across generations, and reflect on how God is present in our own journeys. Read the original reflection and explore AANHPI Heritage Month resources.

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Global Crises Deepen as Lutheran Disaster Response Walks Alongside Communities

Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to growing global humanitarian emergencies fueled by conflict, climate disasters, hunger, and displacement. A new article highlights the urgent needs facing communities worldwide and how Lutherans are accompanying neighbors through relief, recovery, and resilience efforts. Read the full story and learn how you can support this work.

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Faith Lens: Look Up

This week’s Faith Lens reflection explores Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and invites readers to reconsider what “eternal life” really means. Rather than focusing only on heaven after death, the study highlights Jesus’ call to know God deeply, live in unity, and participate in God’s work in the world right now.

Through scripture, reflection questions, and prayer, “Look Up” encourages disciples to lift their eyes beyond fear and isolation toward a life shaped by Christ — “the kind of life that death can’t destroy.”

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Lutheran Music and Worship Partners Invite Leaders to Summer Learning and Renewal

ELCA Worship is highlighting summer opportunities and resources from Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations that support worship leaders, church musicians and congregational song. Featured events include the Lutheran Summer Music Choral Gathering, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians conference at St. Olaf College, Music that Makes Community workshops focused on justice and Indigenous partnerships, and The Hymn Society’s 2026 Annual Conference in Princeton, N.J.

These gatherings offer opportunities for spiritual renewal, professional growth, skill-building and community among those who lead the church’s worship life. Registration deadlines and event details are now available. Read the full article from ELCA Worship.

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Rebuilding Hope: Lutheran Disaster Response Continues Walking with Georgia Communities

Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated large portions of Georgia, the Southeastern Synod’s Disaster Ministry Team and partners continue the long work of rebuilding homes, restoring stability and walking alongside survivors. From Augusta to Georgia’s coastal communities, congregations, volunteers and organizations including Lutheran Disaster Response, UMCOR and Family Promise are helping families navigate recovery and rebuild hope.

The article highlights the growing recovery work centered at Advent Lutheran Church in Augusta, ongoing challenges in coastal communities, and the personal story of a survivor hoping simply for “a place to call home again.” Read the full article from Lutheran Disaster Response.

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Bearing Witness Together: Documentary Screening & Dialogue on Indigenous Justice May 28

The Racial Justice Advocacy Network invites you to a Fourth Thursday conversation on May 28 at 5 PM (AZ/Pacific), featuring the documentary “We Ride for Her” and discussion on the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Relatives (MMIWGR).

With over 5,500 Indigenous women and girls reported missing or murdered—and murder a leading cause of death—this gathering offers space for learning, reflection, and faithful action. Register now and join the conversation.

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Strengthen Your Church’s Digital Presence: ELCA Offers Free Digital Assessments (Apply Now)

Applications are now open for a limited number of ELCA Digital Ministry Assessments, with 25 slots available through August 2026. Conducted by Evoke Engagement Experts, these assessments provide congregations and ministry organizations with a comprehensive review of their website, social media, and online presence—along with actionable recommendations and a consultation call.

Eligible ELCA congregations and affiliated ministries are encouraged to apply soon, as demand may exceed availability. Additional digital ministry grants—including $3,000 and $30,000 awards—are expected later in 2026, offering further opportunities to strengthen how we share God’s story in a digital world.

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Rev. Wanda Frenchman and Patterson Yazzie Among First TEIL Graduates at PLTS

Rev. Wanda K. Frenchman and Patterson Yazzie are among the first graduates of the Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders (TEIL) program at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. The commencement service will be held Saturday, May 23 in Berkeley, California, with a livestream available.

Their graduation marks an important milestone for Indigenous ministries in the ELCA and highlights the growing leadership of Indigenous voices within the church.

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ELCA World Hunger Opens 2027 Domestic Hunger Grant Applications

ELCA World Hunger is now accepting Letters of Inquiry for 2027 Domestic Hunger Grants through July 1, 2026. Grants of up to $10,000 per year for three years are available for ministries and organizations addressing food insecurity, housing, clean water, job access, human rights, and policy change in their communities.

Congregations and ministry leaders are encouraged to explore the opportunity and review eligibility, timelines, and application materials through the ELCA World Hunger program. Read more and apply here.

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Marking 250 Years: New ELCA Worship Resources for the U.S. Semiquincentennial

The ELCA Worship Office has released new worship resources for the U.S. semiquincentennial in July 2026, offering liturgical texts, preaching helps, music guidance, and civic vocation resources for congregations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Designed to both celebrate and lament the nation’s history, the materials center worship around Christ’s call to justice, humility, mercy, and beloved community.

Resources are available now in PDF, DOC, and through SundaysandSeasons.com.

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New Worship Planning Resources for Year B 2027 Now Available

ELCA Worship is highlighting new May 2026 resources from Augsburg Fortress designed to support worship leaders, musicians, preachers, and congregational planners across the church. Newly released Year B 2027 materials include updated editions of Sundays and Seasons, preaching resources, worship planning calendars, and subscription options to simplify annual planning for congregations and ministry teams.

The update also includes information about free Augsburg Fortress Music Clinics celebrating the ministry’s 70th anniversary, with events scheduled this summer in South Carolina, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Readers can explore the complete list of resources, details, and registration information through the original ELCA Worship article: Read more at the ELCA Worship blog.

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Lutheran Men in Mission Shares Spring 2026 Opportunities and Resources

Lutheran Men in Mission has released its Spring 2026 Ambassador-Gram newsletter, featuring upcoming online studies, a new discipleship course, estate planning resources, ministry tools, retreats, and the June 2 annual meeting. The newsletter also introduces LMM’s new simplified web address, LMM.MEN, and highlights resources available for congregations and men’s ministry leaders.

Read the full newsletter for registration links, study opportunities, retreat information, and new ministry resources designed to help build men for Christ across the church.

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Breaking the Silence: New Lutheran Ministry Responds to Abuse in Our Communities

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the ELCA is highlighting Unnamed No More, a Lutheran Safe Church ministry supported by a WELCA Katie’s Fund grant. This growing ministry equips congregations to respond to abuse with trauma-informed, faith-based tools—helping churches move from silence to faithful action.

With new ELCA emphasis on child protection and ongoing challenges in congregations, Unnamed No More offers workshops, resources, and support to create safer, more accountable communities. Learn more and explore how your congregation can engage.

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Civic Engagement as Discipleship: A Lutheran Call to Vote and Advocate

The ELCA’s latest advocacy blog explores how civic engagement—including voting—is a vital expression of Lutheran discipleship, grounded in our call to serve the neighbor and seek the common good. The piece highlights both the theological foundations for participation in public life and ongoing challenges to equitable access, including voter suppression and recent legal developments affecting voting rights.

As the church continues its nonpartisan public witness, Lutherans are encouraged to engage faithfully—through voting, advocacy, and supporting fair access for all—while remaining rooted in prayer and a commitment to justice. Read more and access the full article here.

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Rev. Taryn Montgomery Elected Bishop of Northeastern Minnesota Synod

The Rev. Taryn Montgomery of Duluth, Minn., has been elected bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA, following a fifth-ballot election on April 25 during the synod assembly in Breezy Point, Minn. She will serve a six-year term, succeeding Bishop Amy Odgren, and brings experience as synod minister, pastor, and hospice chaplain.

Montgomery received 166 votes, surpassing the 139 needed for election. Learn more about her background, call, and the work of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod in the full ELCA news release—read more here.

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Practicing Peace: What a 2,300-Mile Walk Can Teach the Church

After witnessing a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace led by Buddhist monks, the Rev. Kristen Glass Perez reflects on how peace is not passive—but practiced. Connecting interfaith experience with Christian traditions like the Sharing of the Peace and the Emmaus story, this article calls readers to live out peace intentionally in a divided and fast-moving world. Continue reading at Bold Café.

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