I graduated from high school and asked myself the question, “What’s next?” While I knew that I would still have the network of friends and mentors who had supported my faith development, I also recognized that my graduation meant that I was no longer a “Youth” of the church. Instead, I was a “Young Adult” of the church.
Read MoreOur advocacy in light of disasters intensified by climate change brought together a group of faith and community leaders for an event hosted in Washington, D.C. by ELCA Advocacy in the spring of 2019. The challenge may be seismic, but the Rev. Amy E. Reumann offered insight and guidance on contemporary issues and scriptural and church resources, preparing us to care in this storm.
Read MoreLearning the history of the Lutheran church is not complete without exploring the rich history of the African descent Lutheran movement. The black Lutheran church began as early as 1620 by most accounts.
In this episode of Three Sides, host Shanna Crawford spoke with Lutheran historian Dr. Richard Stewart, Pastor Lucille Mills and Pastor Albert Starr about the early years of African descent Lutherans, what’s happening in the church today and what the future holds. Learn more about Dr. Stewart’s research and a more detailed history on his blog, and listen to the podcast.
Read MoreOn May 15, ELCA members and the Racine (Wis.) Interfaith Coalition called for just immigration reform at an evening prayer vigil held outside the Kenosha County Detention Center. Read the full story in Living Lutheran and see the video on ELCA’s YouTube channel.
Read MoreWatch the ELCA’s 2018 in Review on their YouTube channel. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person--questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.
Read MoreChildren coming to our nation for safety and protection are still dying at our southern border while in U.S. detention.
I am deeply dismayed by the deaths of these children, made in the image of God, who came to our southern border as refugees and asylum seekers to ask us for protection. As a nation we denied them that safety, instead placing them in detention facilities, sometimes for months.
Read MoreNew resources for observing Migrant and Refugee Sunday are now available. The all-new resources for Migrant and Refugee Sunday include commentaries written by former refugees for preaching on the lessons for Pentecost, a Pentecost/World Refugee Day Litany, Prayer Petitions for June, and other worship and education materials that will be updated each month. Check out the website www.lirs.org/migrant-refugee-sunday
Read MoreOver Memorial Day Weekend, tornadoes continued to rip through the central United States. Lutheran Disaster Response is providing immediate and long-term relief. View a PDF version of the report. Be a part of the response:
Pray: Please pray for the communities who were impacted by these destructive tornadoes. Give: Gifts to “U.S. Tornadoes” will be used to until the response is complete. Connect: Share this bulletin insert with your congregation; sign up to receive alerts; check the LDR blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
Read MoreThese petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church. Download a Word doc, or PDF for letter size printout or legal size printout, or view the ELCA resource page.
Read MoreI was officiating at the wedding of two of our Clemson University alumni. Their friends stood up to make remarks – all of which were glowing and emotional. Some of these had gone to Clemson, so they included a “Go Tigers!” in their comments. Then there was the admission from one that she attended a college in the SEC Conference rather than the ACC. (College football rivalries are important in the South.) These exchanges were good natured and humorous; some such exchanges are not. Our country seems to be in a phase were name-calling and belittling have ceased to be taboo.
Read MoreMay Update: Advocacy Connections from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director. This May wrap-up includes updates on Disaster Aid Bill, Central American Minors Program, Affordable Housing in the Federal Budget, Foreign Assistance to Northern Triangle, Global Conflict Prevention.
Read MorePlease hold the following Bishops and Synods in your prayers as they gather for their synod assemblies on the following dates:
Bishop David Zellmer, South Dakota Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Brian Maas, Nebraska Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop John Macholz, Upstate New York Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop William Gohl, Delaware-Maryland Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Timothy Smith, North Carolina Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Herman Yoos, South Carolina Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Julian Gordy, Southeastern Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Guy Erwin, Southwest California Synod, May 31-June 1, 2019
Bishop Steve Delzer, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, May 31-June 1, 2019
Bishop Paul Erickson, Greater Milwaukee Synod, May 31-June 1, 2019
Bishop Matthew Riegel, West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, May 31-June 1, 2019
Bishop Jessica Crist, Montana Synod, May 31-June 2, 2019
Bishop Sue Briner, Southwestern Texas Synod, May 31-June 2, 2019
Bishop William Gafkjen, Indiana-Kentucky Synod, May 31-June 2, 2019
Bishop Sam Zeiser, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, June 1, 2019
Please pray for the South Dakota Synod, Southeastern Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, and Montana Synod as they elect a bishop.
Read MoreMost people have heard of Joni Eareckson Tada, the woman who’s arms and legs entered paralysis at 17 after breaking her neck in a diving accident. It is hard to imagine how a young athlete could deal with the fact that she was not going to be healed, but famously, Joni did. Rather than being physically healed, she learned to paint by holding the brush in her mouth. She founded “Joni and Friends,” a ministry that helps persons with disabilities and their families reach independence, physically, financially, and spiritually.
Read MoreThe 2019 ELCA Advocacy Convening was held April 29–May 1 in Washington, D.C., gathering bishops (including Bishop Hutterer) and community leaders around the theme “Prepared to Care: Our Advocacy in Light of Disasters Intensified by Climate Change.” In her welcome letter to participants, Amy Reumann, ELCA Advocacy director, said this topic requires urgent action. Read the article in Living Lutheran »
Read MoreThe May issue of Administration Matters contains information on ELCA Churchwide Assembly observers and volunteers, contingency planning for congregations, background checks, reducing legal liabilities, painting and working with chemicals, and the inherent risk of guest Wi-Fi access at your church.
Read MoreFrom Lutheran Disaster Response, we have a situation report on the 29 tornadoes that impacted Missouri, including one through Jefferson City. Read the full report here, including ways you can be part of the response through prayer, gifts, and connections.
Read MorePastor Kristin Engstrom, the Country Coordinator for the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Senegal, shares her latest newsletter. Each year, six to seven young adults from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America join her in Senegal, where they serve for one year with our partners in the Lutheran Church of Senegal and Senegalese Lutheran Development Services.
You can support Pastor Kristin's work by giving through ELCA Global Church Sponsorship. To receive the newsletter, visit the YAGM website and ask to receive it via the contact page.
Read MoreThe intricacies and diversity of creation are mind-boggling, a reflection and reminder of the power and glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit expressed through the created order. The United Nations honors creation on May 22 through the International Day for Biological Diversity. This year’s theme is “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health.” Marking the dayincreases our understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues in God’s good creation.
Read MoreRead the situation report and be a part of the response:
Pray: Please pray for the people who have been affected by wildfires in California.
Give: Gifts to “U.S. Wildfires” will be used to assist those affected by the wildfires until the response is complete.
Connect: Share a bulletin insert, receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts, like LDR on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter, view a PDF of the report.
