What’s New from ELEA This January: BRAVE Resources, Legal Updates, and Member-Only Tools
The January ELEA newsletter is full of resources to help Lutheran educators start the year strong. Highlights include the Lutheran Schools Week 2026 “BRAVE” toolkit, grounded in John 13:34–35; a call for workshop proposals for the 2026 Biennial Conference in Los Angeles (due January 16); member-only Community conversations; and timely employment law updates through Zywave.
The issue also features a School Spotlight on Peace Lutheran Preschool, upcoming events, and reminders about ELEA membership benefits. Read the full newsletter for links, tools, and opportunities to connect with educators across the church.
As the new year begins, the January newsletter from ELCA Schools and Learning Centers (ELEA) is packed with timely resources, member-only benefits, and opportunities designed to support Lutheran educators, school leaders, and congregations across the church.
Lutheran Schools Week 2026: What Does It Mean to Be BRAVE?
Rooted in Jesus’ words from John 13:34–35, Lutheran Schools Week 2026 invites schools, early learning centers, and congregations to reflect on courageous love—choosing kindness, forgiveness, and compassion, and loving as Christ first loved us. By this love, Jesus tells us, the world will know we are his disciples.
To support this year’s theme, ELEA has created a comprehensive Lutheran Schools Week 2026 Toolkit, designed to be flexible and easy to use in classrooms, worship, and congregational life. Resources include:
A welcome letter for Lutheran Schools Week 2026
A curated booklist
Chapel and worship resources
Classroom curriculum, activities, worksheets, and coloring pages
Church information packets
Ready-to-share social media posts
Whether your community is planning a full week of activities or selecting a few meaningful moments, these tools are designed to meet your setting right where you are.
🔒 Member-Only: What’s the Buzz on Community
ELEA members have access to Community, a dedicated online space for sharing questions, resources, and ideas with colleagues nationwide. Recent conversations have included:
January state law changes and where to find updates
A new gathering designed to help new leaders get oriented and connected
Creative and meaningful ways members are using their ELEA cards
Community is also a place to share best practices, celebrate milestones, and connect across the broader ELEA network. Engagement—posting, commenting, and sharing—helps strengthen us all.
Biennial Conference 2026: Call for Workshop Proposals
ELEA is proud to partner with the National Association of Episcopal Schools for the Biennial Conference 2026, taking place November 18–20, 2026, in Los Angeles. Educators, administrators, chaplains, faculty, trustees, and school leaders are invited to submit proposals for one-hour workshops.
Workshop topics may include:
Chapel & Worship
Chaplaincy
Community & Belonging
Curriculum & Teaching
Episcopal Identity
Leadership & Governance
School Culture, Management, and Service-Learning
Workshop proposals are due January 16, 2026. This is a meaningful opportunity to share expertise, learn across denominations, and help shape a conference centered on faith-based education and leadership.
🔒 New Year, New Laws: Stay Current with Zywave
January is a critical time to review employment law updates and ensure staff handbooks are current. Through ELEA membership, schools have free access to Zywave, including the Employee Handbook Builder. Zywave alerts users to state-specific law changes and automatically incorporates updates into the handbook tool—making compliance easier and more reliable.
December School Spotlight: Peace Lutheran Preschool
The December School Spotlight features Peace Lutheran Preschool, highlighting how faith is woven into everyday learning, a remarkable six-year milestone, and exciting plans for growth and renewal. Their story is a joyful reminder of how connection, community, and faith-filled education help children and families thrive.
Questions or Upcoming Events?
Membership questions can be directed to Melanie, ELEA’s go-to resource for benefits, access, and events. The newsletter also includes several upcoming gatherings, including Lunch and Learns and faith-focused learning opportunities throughout January.
👉 Read the January ELEA Newsletter in full to access links, member-only resources, and detailed event information—and to start the year grounded in connection, courage, and Christ-centered learning.