Advent? Do people outside the church even know what that is anymore apart from advent calendars that serve as a “countdown to Christmas?”
But, in today’s world where everything is fast, immediate and instantly available 24-7, I think we need the themes of Advent: waiting, watching and getting ready.
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 MoreBishop Deborah Hutterer shares her gratitude for the people and ministries of the Grand Canyon Synod as she prepares for a sabbatical in November and continuing through January 2026. During this time of prayer and renewal, Rev. Mike Girlinghouse will serve as Acting Bishop, working closely with synod staff to ensure continuity. Bishop Hutterer invites prayers for renewal and guidance as our synod enters this season of reflection and preparation for the work ahead.
Read MoreRev. Christine Stoxen of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Chandler calls for humane immigration reform and oversight of Arizona’s ICE detention centers, where inhumane conditions continue to be documented. Rooted in Scripture and ELCA social teaching, she urges people of faith to advocate for justice, care for the imprisoned, and welcome the stranger in our midst. Click here to read more.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has released a statement following the September 10 shooting in Utah that claimed the life of Charlie Kirk. Eaton calls the church to say a definitive “no” to political violence, reminding us that our unity in Christ is a grace-filled gift in a fractured society. She urges Lutherans to be peacemakers, embodying Christ’s message of forgiveness and healing through civic engagement and active witness. To read her full message, click here.
Read MoreIn response to the Supreme Court’s September 8 ruling permitting racial profiling in immigration enforcement, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton calls the decision unjust and inhumane, rooted in the sin of racism. Speaking directly to the Latino community, she affirms their dignity as children of God and calls the church to advocacy, urging leaders to reverse discriminatory practices and protect constitutional safeguards. Resources from AMMPARO and ELCA social teaching are provided to help congregations stand with vulnerable neighbors. To read the full statement, click here.
Read MoreThe Rocky Mountain Synod has released a special pastoral message in response to two recent school shootings in Evergreen, Colorado, and Orem, Utah. Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, along with local pastors, offers prayers, words of comfort, and a call to faithful action against the ongoing reality of gun and political violence. Worship resources, prayers, and litanies are also available to support congregations in lament and healing. To read the full message and resources from the Rocky Mountain Synod, click here.
Read MoreChristian leaders in Jerusalem—including Emeritus Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan—have issued a letter calling for peace, justice, and equality for all people in the Holy Land. Declaring that “to stay is to bear witness,” they affirm their continued presence in the land as a spiritual act of love and resistance, rooted in the Gospel. Their message urges pastors to walk closely with their people and reminds the global Church of its call to solidarity with Christians in Palestine/Israel. View as PDF.
Read MoreLa Obispa Hutterer comparte con gratitud sus reflexiones sobre la Asamblea de toda la Iglesia de la ELCA 2025, donde el Sínodo del Gran Cañón fue anfitrión. Destaca la dedicación de los voluntarios, las transiciones históricas de liderazgo en la ELCA y la alegría de ser una sola iglesia expresada en congregaciones, sínodos y en toda la organización eclesial.
Read MoreBishop Hutterer reflects with gratitude on the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, where the Grand Canyon Synod served as host. She lifts up the dedication of volunteers, the historic leadership transitions in the ELCA, and the joy of being one church expressed through congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization.
Read MoreTransitions—whether the Sunday night shift into a busy week, or the August shift into a new school and church program year—can stir up anxiety and resistance. In her latest Bold Café article, Dr. Crystal L. Hall reminds us that God’s presence meets us in these threshold moments. By practicing simple, grounding rituals—like sharing gratitude, singing together, or pausing for prayer—we return to our bodies, our relationships, and to God’s steady embrace. Read the full reflection and discussion questions at Bold Café: click here.
Read MoreLife is full of transitions—new school years, work weeks, and daily thresholds that can bring both anxiety and possibility. In her Faith Reflections piece, Dr. Crystal L. Hall explores how Jesus’ sending of the Twelve in Luke 9 models vulnerability, hospitality, and rituals that help us embrace change with God’s presence. She reminds us that even simple acts, like blessing a backpack or sharing highs and lows, can mark sacred transitions and ground us in faith. Read Dr. Hall’s full reflection on Bold Cafe: click here.
Read MoreWhat does it mean to live more simply as a person of faith? In a world shaped by overconsumption and climate anxiety, One Home One Future invites us to embrace simplicity as a spiritual, ecological, and justice-oriented practice. Rooted in Scripture and supported by science, this reflection from Rev. Carol Devine explores how simple living—spending time outdoors, consuming less, and making sustainable choices—connects us to God, to our neighbors, and to all of creation. Click here to read the full reflection on Blessed Tomorrow’s blog.
Read MoreIn response to a tragic act of political violence in Minnesota, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Minnesota (LA-MN) offers tools and hope to address the root causes of division. From the Graceful Conversations workshop to emerging resources on media literacy and Christian nationalism, this spotlight highlights how faithful advocacy, grounded in Lutheran theology, can help rebuild community and resist extremism. Click here to read the full article from ELCA Advocacy.
Read MoreELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a video message in response to a recent IRS ruling that may reinterpret the Johnson Amendment to permit partisan activity by religious organizations. Emphasizing the church’s theological commitment to remain nonpartisan, Eaton urges vigilance while affirming our gospel call to advocate for justice. Watch the video and read the ELCA’s full statement online.
Read MoreWhat if your joy is part of your spiritual practice? In this faith reflection originally published by Boldcafé, Sarah Carson invites us to honor the Spirit’s presence in the things we love—doodling, reading poetry, wandering a thrift store. Inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, Carson lifts up the “artist’s date” as a sacred invitation to play, explore, and reconnect with our God-given uniqueness. Read more in “A Spiritual Endeavor” on Boldcafé—click here.
Read MoreKamila Gutierrez, a communications intern with WELCA and student at UW-Milwaukee, shares her personal journey from childhood faith to discovering Process Theology—a theological framework that embraces change, justice, and becoming. Raised in a conservative tradition, Kamila sought a God who welcomes, includes, and acts. In this reflection, she explores how Process Theology affirms God’s dynamic love and the church’s role in shaping a more just world. Click here to read her full essay on Boldcafe.org.
Read MoreRev. Christine Stoxen of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler urges us to act on behalf of hungry neighbors across Arizona in the context of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. With food insecurity rising—especially among children, seniors, and rural residents—Stoxen calls on Christians to advocate for SNAP benefits and support local food pantries. Faith without action is dead, she reminds us. Click here to read her full op-ed published in The Chandler Arizonan.
Read MoreLa Asamblea de toda la Iglesia de la ELCA 2025 se llevará a cabo en Phoenix del 28 de julio al 2 de agosto. La Obispa Hutterer invita a nuestro sínodo a orar, aprender y ofrecerse como voluntarios mientras damos la bienvenida a casi 1,000 personas de toda la ELCA. Lea sobre qué esperar, cómo participar y por qué este momento es importante para la vida del mundo.
Read MoreThe 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will take place in Phoenix from July 28 to August 2. Bishop Hutterer invites our synod to pray, learn, and volunteer as we welcome nearly 1,000 people from across the ELCA. Read about what to expect, how to get involved, and why this moment matters for the life of the world.
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