In this season of Pentecost, as we open ourselves anew to the work of the Holy Spirit, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), commends to this church the Arusha Call to Discipleship from the World Council of Churches.
Read MorePresident Trump signed a $19.1 billion aid package for disaster impacted communities, approving funding for many states and territories in critical need of recovery.
Many ELCA leaders, including Bishop Deborah Hutterer, discussed these themes with lawmakers during their visit to Washington, DC.
Read MoreThe Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has convened ELCA ecumenical and inter-religious partners in a statement addressing concerns over the well-being of children who cross the U.S. border seeking safety from danger and threats in their home countries.
“Children coming to our nation for safety and protection are dying at our southern border while in U.S. detention. As U.S. religious leaders representing diverse faith perspectives, we are united in our concern for the well-being of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives.” Read the full statement »
Read MoreThe Day of Pentecost has come, and we as a church continue to gather in community. Suddenly come the sounds of organs, pianos, guitars, drums, percussion, strings, brass and woodwinds, filling the sanctuaries. People sing, full of the breath of God, in languages, rhythms and melodies from around the world, ancient and new.
In worship, we give shape to our communal image of God. If you only ever worship using one musical style, you limit your capacity to paint a full image of God. Each song, instrument and rhythm has the capacity to reveal a new aspect of God to the worshiper.
Read MoreIf you know anyone discerning their next life steps, Global Teach has many teaching ministry opportunities. Specifically, applicants are needed for the Central Europe Teachers’ Program. Visit the personnel link for more info.
Read MorePeople fleeing for their lives, surrounded by walls of flame. The fury of Mother Nature tearing through everything in its path. That was the scene in Paradise, Calif., on the morning of Nov. 8, 2018.
One week prior to the fire, the congregation of Paradise Lutheran had completed the renovation of old classrooms into housing quarters and a communal living space. Although the church’s parsonage, garage and toolsheds burned to the ground, the church building itself was mainly spared.
Read MoreThe ELCA is saddened by the all-too-frequent occurrences of gun violence in the U.S. We invite you on a journey of prayer, scripture, stories and church teachings with this resource, "A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence."
Together through daily observances, it calls us to work toward the prevention of gun violence as people of God who strive for justice and peace in all the world. It may be used for individual reflection, group Bible study, adult education sessions, and congregational daily devotions. Your journey is intended to start on June 16th, but this resource can be used at any time.
Read MoreWatch this ELCA video to see what the ELCA and LWF are doing to accompany and assist migrants deported from Mexico and the US. More info at: elca.org/ammparo
Read MoreELCA Advocacy has provided their June 2019 update, with advocacy action updates from: U.N. | California | Colorado | Kansas | Minnesota | Nevada (news from LEAN!) | New Mexico | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Washington| Wisconsin
William Ledford, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) writes in part: “LEAN has been very active this month given that our legislature only meets for a few months every two years and that we are currently at the end of the last month of the session.”
Read MorePresiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares what it means to be called, "For such a time as this," in her 2019 video message to ELCA Synod Assemblies.
Read MorePlease hold the following Bishops and Synods in your prayers as they gather for their synod assemblies on the following dates:
Bishop Mark Narum, Western North Dakota Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Roger Gustafson, Central States Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Wayne Miller, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop John Roth, Central/Southern Illinois, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Tracie Bartholomew, New Jersey Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Jim Dunlop, Lower Susquehanna Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Pedro Suarez, Florida-Bahamas Synod, June 6-8, 2019
Bishop Richard Jaech, Southwestern Washington Synod, June 7-8, 2019
Bishop Jon Anderson, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, June 7-8, 2019
Bishop Suzanne Dillahunt, Southern Ohio Synod, June 7-8, 2019
Bishop Robert Humphrey, Virginia Synod, June 7-8, 2019
Bishop Larry Wohlrabe, Northwestern Minnesota Synod, June 7-9, 2019
Bishop Terry Brandt, Eastern North Dakota Synod, June 9-10, 2019
Please pray for the Central States Synod, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, New Jersey Synod, Lower Susquehanna Synod, Southwestern Washington Synod, Southern Ohio Synod, and Northwestern Minnesota Synod as they elect a bishop.
Read MoreSobering news was released in May by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations. Using a team of 455 authors from 50 countries, IPBES spent three years reviewing 15,000 government and scientific sources to come to the assessment that one million species of plants and animals (roughly one in eight species in the whole world) are threatened with extinction, many within decades. Read the full blog post »
Read MoreI 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
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