Posts in ELCA
ELCA World Hunger: Seeing Things Differently
ELCA World Hunger: Seeing Things Differently

The walk to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-25) is a fairly “well-trodden” path for many Christians. It’s a story we hear once a year in the lectionary cycle – a story that comes together so well for me at the end when Jesus has vanished from the disciple’s sight – and yet, they “see” in a new and different way.

“Were not out hearts burning within us?” the disciples say to each other. Through the walking and talking, they caught a glimpse of God’s dream for a reconciled world – perhaps such a glimpse that the whole world might never look the same.

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ELCA World Hunger, ELCABrian FlatgardComment
American Indian/Native Alaska Lutheran Association visit
American Indian/Native Alaska Lutheran Association visit

The leaders of ELCA's American Indian/Native Alaska Lutheran Association were in Phoenix to plan their upcoming triennial gathering (Tulsa, OK, Jan. 2-5, 2020), and we were honored they took the time to visit the office. 

From left: Elizabeth Gaskins, Treasurer; our very own Pastor Mary Louise Frenchman of NAUM; Pastor Joan Conroy, President; Bishop Deborah Hutterer; Loni Taylor, Secretary; and Pastor Jack Russell from Living Waters Lutheran Church, Cherokee, NC.

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ELCABrian FlatgardNative American Urban Ministry Phoenix Comment
Faith Lens: Who Belongs / Who is Free?
Faith Lens: Who Belongs / Who is Free?

Topics of citizenship and migration remain front page news, not only in the United States, but across the globe. Many factors drive this discussion, such as the reasons for migration and the impacts on both the countries departed and the countries entered. Even more fundamental to this conversation is the question of belonging. Who belongs in what places? What are the factors that affect belonging? Who is the ultimate authority on affirming or denying belonging?

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ELCABrian FlatgardFaith LensComment
ELCA, Church of Sweden and The Episcopal Church issue climate commitment
ELCA, Church of Sweden and The Episcopal Church issue climate commitment

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) joins the Church of Sweden and The Episcopal Church in a commitment to work together to advocate for national and international policies that address the urgency of the climate crisis and help create resilient communities while leaving no one behind. This statement is a renewal and update of the commitment made by the three church bodies in 2013.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, The Episcopal Church, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Holy Mischief: An Unlikely Assembly by Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers
Holy Mischief: An Unlikely Assembly by Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers

Synopsis from a sermon preached by the Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers at the historic “Lift Every Voice” African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) & Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) Worship Service on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I come before you with a pastor’s heart to address the hurt, pain, and suffering that I am aware is present in this room. As a human being who identifies as female, Black, and queer, I recognize that as African descent Lutherans, allies, and queer folks we make an unlikely assembly.

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ELCABrian FlatgardComment
October Newsletter from Pastor Kristin Engstrom in Senegal
October Newsletter from Pastor Kristin Engstrom in Senegal

Hello dear sisters and brothers in Christ, I hope and pray that as you and your congregations come back from summer holidays, that the rhythm of church life brings much joy and life to you all.

You can access (and share with others!) my October 2019 Newsletter at the YAGM Senegal blog or download as a PDF, and get a glimpse into some of the goings on—both sending the previous YAGM back to the US and welcoming a new group of YAGM to Senegal.

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ELCA, Global Church, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardPastor Kristin Engstrom, Senegal, Young Adults in Global Mission, Global MissionComment
2019 LDR Consultation: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
2019 LDR Consultation: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Last year, the Lutheran Disaster Response-US (LDR) network discussed climate change – what it is and why we care. We were inspired by the stories of the communities we accompany and driven to action by the questions that were asked. The network asked us, “What does this mean for our work?” We heard their question and happy to announce the 2019 LDR Consultation: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. The event will be held October 14-17 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Lutheran Disaster ResponseComment
DEM United States – Mexico Border Experience
DEM United States – Mexico Border Experience

The Congregational Vitality Team is reaching out to Directors for Evangelical Mission and their mission partners with a special opportunity to worship together on the beach at the United States – Mexico border.

San Diego, CA, February 18, 2020: This experience will take place the day before the Congregational Vitality Training Event in San Diego in February 2020. Reservations are due by November 15, 2019.

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Immigration, ELCABrian FlatgardComment
Lutheran Disaster Response Facilitator Attends Climate Reality Project Training
Lutheran Disaster Response Facilitator Attends Climate Reality Project Training

I grew up the daughter of a water and wastewater engineer. On summer vacations and road trips of any length, our family made detours to visit water treatment plants.

I think it was by osmosis that I came to know that there is a relationship between human activity and the natural environment and so it is not surprising that I ended up as one of the Disaster Response Coordinators in the Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) network. Read the full story »

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News, Letters, ELCABrian FlatgardClimate Change, Lutheran Disaster ResponseComment
ELCA Conference of Bishops welcomes greater diversity
ELCA Conference of Bishops welcomes greater diversity

The Conference of Bishops of the ELCA met in Chicago Sept. 26–Sept. 30 under a theme from 2 Corinthians: "We have this treasure in clay jars." The conference, an advisory body of the ELCA, comprises 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and the secretary.

"Thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God's people, the Conference of Bishops is now more diverse in more ways than it has ever been," said the Rev. William O. Gafkjen, bishop of the ELCA Indiana-Kentucky Synod and chair of the conference.

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Bishop Eaton, Bishop Hutterer, ELCABrian FlatgardComment
Hurricane Dorian updates from Bishop Eaton and Lutheran Disaster Response
Hurricane Dorian updates from Bishop Eaton and Lutheran Disaster Response

Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas with devastating force, lingering over the islands for over 24 hours. One month later, over 50 people have been reported dead with hundreds still missing and thousands left homeless in the Bahamas. Crippled infrastructure, closed businesses, and a tainted water supply are exacerbating. In North Carolina, many homes have been damaged and assessments are ongoing.

In this post, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares an overview of the last two years of hurricane relief, and Lutheran Disaster Response provides a situation update on Hurricane Dorian.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Lutheran Disaster ResponseComment
What is a divested community, and what do persons with disability and ethnic members of the ELCA have in common?
What is a divested community, and what do persons with disability and ethnic members of the ELCA have in common?

Carol Josefowski, coordinator for ELCA Disability Ministries, shares this personal story about what is meant by a divested community…

“As a child, I grew up in Harvey, Ill., a diverse yet segregated town 20 miles south of Chicago. Each week on my way to church I passed by a weathered historical marker honoring Amanda Berry Smith, an African American woman freed by her formerly enslaved father.”

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ELCA, Disability MinistryBrian FlatgardComment