Posts in ELCA
Commemoration of 400 years of Slavery of Africans in America
Commemoration of 400 years of Slavery of Africans in America

In late August of 1619, twenty Africans were forcefully brought to Jamestown, Virginia and sold into slavery. This marked the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade, which would ultimately take some 12 million Africans away from their homes and cultures into hereditary chattel slavery.

On August 25th, many churches and communities will be marking this quad-centennial of “Landing Day.” The congregations of the Grand Canyon Synod are encouraged to participate in this commemoration in several ways.

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ELCABrian FlatgardComment
A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment adopted at Churchwide Assembly
A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment adopted at Churchwide Assembly

Adopted at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment will serve as church policy for inter-religious relations. The policy statement was adopted with the witness of 39 ecumenical and inter-religious guests in attendance.

"I hope that you will experience renewed joy and fresh insights as you read this document,” says Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.

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ELCA, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsBrian FlatgardComment
ELCA presiding bishop, Christian leaders issue statement against Christian nationalism
ELCA presiding bishop, Christian leaders issue statement against Christian nationalism

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has joined Christian leaders in a statement against Christian nationalism.

An excerpt: "Whether we worship at a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple, America has no second-class faiths," their statement reads. "All are equal under the U.S. Constitution." Read and sign the statement at https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Z AdvocacyBrian FlatgardComment
The Forgotten Luther II – New Book in Series
The Forgotten Luther II – New Book in Series

Many people are familiar with Martin Luther’s teachings on civil order and obedience to laws. Fewer folks, though, recall the Luther who admonished preachers to use the pulpit to rebuke rulers for injustice, argued for public support for education of girls and boys, and inspired generations of future Lutherans to stand against political oppression and injustice.

The authors of The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church’s Public Witness (Fortress Press, 2019) offer this side of Luther and Lutheran faith to congregations today. Read the whole story»

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly wrap-up: Summary of actions and photos
2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly wrap-up: Summary of actions and photos

Gathering under the theme "We are church," voting members of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. The assembly, the chief legislative authority of the church, met Aug. 5-10 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. 

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Bishop Hutterer, ELCA, Region 2, Z Advocacy, Z Churchwide AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment
August Update: Advocacy Connections
August Update: Advocacy Connections

Posted on August 9, 2019 from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director, we have the following updates: AUGUST RECESS ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES  |  LIMITS PROPOSED TO SNAP HUNGER PROGRAM  |  KEEPING GIRLS IN SCHOOL ACT  |  FAITH-BASED PRESENCE AROUND U.N. CLIMATE CONFERENCE  |  FEDERAL BUDGET DEAL REACHED  |  STANDING AGAINST #CHRISTIANNATIONALISM  | HUNGER ADVOCACY FELLOWS  | VISITING D.C.

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ELCA, Z AdvocacyBrian FlatgardComment
Thursdays in Black formally endorsed at Churchwide Assembly
Thursdays in Black formally endorsed at Churchwide Assembly

The campaign is simple but profound: wear black on Thursdays, and declare you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence.

Speaking during a plenary session at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator Dr Agnes Abuom saluted those assembled for their collaborative work in embracing Thursdays in Black. “The decision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to endorse Thursdays in Black is timely,” said Abuom.

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ELCA, Z Advocacy, Z Churchwide AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment
A common witness: Lutherans and Episcopalians team up in West Denver new start
A common witness: Lutherans and Episcopalians team up in West Denver new start

Sunday morning is a lot busier these days at the corner of Raleigh Street and 5th Avenue in West Denver. For the past several years a new community of God, called Latino Ministry West Denver (Cristo Rey), has been growing in the church building in this changing neighborhood. Known to the neighborhood simply as Cristo Rey, the new-start congregation connects with its community and actively engages people to be in relationship with each other and Christ. Read the whole story»

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ELCABrian FlatgardComment
Churchwide Assembly Prayer: As We Conclude Assembly
Churchwide Assembly Prayer: As We Conclude Assembly

Holy One, you formed the church to announce the words of eternal life to the world. Equip the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which concluded its Churchwide Assembly yesterday to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gather the church together into one body for the sake of our shared mission to tell of the love of God. Filled with your Word, turn the church inside out so that we might live lives that proclaim your freedom and renewal to all the world.

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ELCA, Prayers, Z Churchwide AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment
Key moments for day two of 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Key moments for day two of 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

On day two of their gathering, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly took key actions and received reports that set the stage for how the denomination wants to move into the future.

The assembly re-elected the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 6. The assembly approved 26 en bloc memorials on topics including gun violence, engagement in the Holy Land and income inequality. A Declaration to People of African Descent was presented to representatives of the African Descent Lutheran Association.

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ELCA, Z Advocacy, Z Churchwide AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment
ELCA Churchwide Assembly declares ELCA sanctuary denomination
ELCA Churchwide Assembly declares ELCA sanctuary denomination

In a key action, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to approve a memorial that declares the ELCA a sanctuary church. This is the first North American denomination to declare itself a sanctuary church body. As a sanctuary church the ELCA is committed to serving and supporting migrant children and families in communities across the country.

Earlier in the day, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, joined more than 700 assembly members and others in a march and prayer vigil to the Milwaukee Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office.

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ELCA, Immigration, Z Churchwide AssemblyBrian FlatgardComment