We come to Easter this year in a world that feels, in many ways, unsettled—marked by uncertainty, division, and deep longing. And yet, this is not new territory for God’s people.
Jesus lived, spoke, and moved among communities facing turmoil, oppression, and fear. Into that very reality, he proclaimed good news. Into that very reality, he brought healing, hope, and ultimately resurrection.
Read MoreIn a March 24 pastoral message, Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry addresses the reality of sexual and gender-based violence, offering a word of care to survivors and reaffirming the church’s commitment to dignity, justice, and healing. Grounded in the truth that all people are created in God’s image (Psalm 139), the message names violence as a misuse of power and calls the church to stand with those who have experienced harm.
The ELCA continues to provide resources, training, and advocacy to prevent abuse and support survivors. Read the full pastoral message and access key resources for ministry and care.
Read MoreIn a March 4 pastoral statement, ELCA Presiding Bishop Rev. Yehiel Curry calls the church to prayer, advocacy, and renewed commitment to peace as war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran intensifies. Grounded in Scripture and Lutheran social teaching, Curry laments the loss of life—including Iranian schoolchildren and U.S. service members—and raises concern about the lack of congressional authorization prior to U.S. military engagement.
The bishop urges Lutherans to pray for peace, support diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, and stand in solidarity with companions in the Middle East, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Read the full statement from the ELCA Presiding Bishop.
Read MoreOn Ash Wednesday, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr. Anne Burghardt issued a powerful Lenten letter urging Lutheran churches worldwide not to remain indifferent when human dignity is ignored or ranked by status, ethnicity, or gender. Grounded in Scripture and Luther’s teaching on the Eighth Commandment, she calls the church to bear gentle yet firm witness to the God-given dignity of every person and to preach the liberating gospel in opposition to fear-based and prosperity-driven theologies.
Burghardt invites churches to use Lent as a season of prayer, discernment, and courageous action—supporting justice, truth, and global cooperation while embodying Christ’s love across dividing lines. Read her full Lenten message as PDF here and read more about the letter on the LWF site.
Read MoreLent invites us into a story.
Not a story we invent. Not a story we control. But the story of God’s faithfulness: a story that holds us, shapes us, and sends us.
Read MoreWith a February 13 deadline looming for DHS funding, ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry joined eight other Christian leaders in urging Congress to enact just and humane immigration policies. The February 9 letter calls for due process, accountability for violence, protections for houses of worship, limits on excessive enforcement funding, and an end to the detention of children.
Grounded in Isaiah 58 and Leviticus 19, the letter affirms that immigrants are “beloved children of God” and encourages reforms that reflect human dignity and the common good. Read the full letter here. Read the original post at ELCA.org here.
Read MoreAs the New Year begins, Deacon Laura Book reflects on faith, family, and the gift of time. Wrestling with modern challenges like screen use, parenting, and busy schedules, her family has embraced January as a sacred “reset”—a chance to reassess rhythms and begin again together.
Rooted in Scripture and Lutheran theology, this reflection reminds us that our resolutions need not be perfect to be faithful. In baptismal grace, we are free to try, fail, forgive, and start anew—trusting that God meets us in every season with mercy and love.
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 MoreAdvent? 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.
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