Retirement takes planning. Whether it feels light years away or just around the corner, Portico’s Plan for Retirement Seminar can help you prepare. And it’s coming to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Walnut Creek, California on Thursday, July 30, 2020.
Learn more and register by June 30 at http://prs-ca.eventbrite.com/.
Read MoreOur revamped Official Gathering Handbook: Tips & Tricks for Adult Leaders is finished! It’s filled with tips and tricks (including sample budgets and covenants) that will make your Gathering experience an enjoyable one. You can download the book from the Gathering’s website or purchase a copy from Old Lutheran.
Read MoreDelegates from the Grand Canyon Synod attended the ELCA Youth Ministry Network’s Extravaganza 2020, for leaders who work with youth in our congregations. This year’s event was held in Anaheim CA, January 31 to February 3. There were over 625 participants from every synod of the ELCA represented.
Read MoreRemembering Bishop Emeritus Herb Chilstrom, we look back to a short video of a 2013 devotion delivered from his garden, where he compares the messy work of building a church to composting.
Full obituary and info on services available at gcsynod.org/news/chilstrom.
Read MoreDear Church: Last week, on the third anniversary of the original executive order, the administration extended the travel ban to the United States from seven majority Muslim countries to thirteen. The ban suspends the issuing of immigrant visas that can lead to permanent residency for those from Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and Nigeria, as well as visas available through a diversity lottery for applicants from Sudan and Tanzania.
As Lutherans, these actions should concern us. Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God has set us free from ourselves to serve our neighbor.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has announced a new initiative entitled Total Inclusion!: Widening the Welcome at ELCA Outdoor Ministries.
The new program is designed to equip and empower outdoor ministry organizations as they move toward more intentional welcome of people who historically have been marginalized in the church — especially people of color, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
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 MoreLooking ahead, 2020 is likely to be an eventful year. In the midst of societal shifts and opportunities, ELCA Advocacy has identified areas of priority for our work together on the federal level. “These priorities reflect ELCA Advocacy commitments for faithful and timely attention to pressing concerns that affect our neighbor’s well-being and the wholeness of creation,” says the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Director of ELCA Advocacy.
Read MoreHurry — applications for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program are about to close! This is your chance to invite young adults to apply before the Feb. 15 deadline.
If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, reach out and encourage them to apply for this yearlong journey abroad.
Read MoreIn October of 2019, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event leadership team, including youth, young adults and adults, gathered at Luther Seminary to discern a theme for MYLE 2021. Before we began our conversations as a group, we took the time to learn about and understand the history of the land. This was led by an effort from Healing Minnesota Stories, to bring healing between people of faith and the Native American people who call Minnesota home.
Read MoreWe all know that heroes rule the box office, but did you know they now rule the internet? Throughout 2019, Google analytics data showed a global increase in searches centering around “heroes.” Google even aired a YouTube video on New Years featuring a montage of all the “everyday heroes” videos that circulated the internet during 2019.
Read MoreLooking to learn about Portico Benefit Services and the practicalities of managing the benefits for pastors and church employees? Invite your treasurer or financial administrator to view these educational videos: Managing Benefits 101, Employer Link Tour, Understanding Your Bill.
Read MoreHerbert W. Chilstrom, 88, the first presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died Jan. 19 at his home in Green Valley, Ariz.
There will be two services. At both services, clergy and all rostered leaders of the ELCA, together with clergy of all ecumenical partners, are invited to robe and process, and asked to RSVP to Desert Hills at jhoward@dhlc.org and to Christ Chapel at this online form. The Minnesota service will be live-streamed.
Thursday, February 13, 2:00 pm: Desert Hills Lutheran Church, Green Valley, Arizona
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will bring a greeting, Bishop Deborah Hutterer will preach, and Pastor Martin Overson will preside. Reception to follow.
Saturday, February 15, 1:00 pm: Christ Chapel, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will preside and bring a greeting, Presiding Bishop Emeritus Mark Hanson will preach, and Bishop Jon Anderson will bring a greeting. Reception to follow. View live-stream.
A November 2019 article represents a collaboration between The Atlantic and Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting. It tells a handful of different stories of Amazon Warehouse employees being injured, and in one case even killed, on the job. It blames Amazon’s “obsession with speed” for having “turned its warehouses into injury mills.”
Read MoreIn October of 2019, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event leadership team, including youth, young adults and adults, gathered at Luther Seminary to discern a theme for MYLE 2021. Before we began our conversations as a group, we took the time to learn about and understand the history of the land. This was led by an effort from Healing Minnesota Stories, to bring healing between people of faith and the Native American people who call Minnesota home.
Read MoreFollowing are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices. This January 2020 edition particularly emphasizes priorities in the new year.
U.N. | California | Colorado | Delaware | Kansas | Minnesota | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Washington | Wisconsin
Read MoreMembers with ELCA-Primary health benefits can earn up to $200 wellness dollars to help pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. Earn $100 wellness dollars each when you complete a physical health assessment or biometric screening, and when you have a conversation with a Portico Financial Planner. If your spouse is covered by ELCA-Primary benefits they can earn $200 as well. Sign in to myPortico to learn more.
Read MoreDear Church,
With sadness I bring you the news that Presiding Bishop Emeritus Herbert W. Chilstrom died at home early this morning. His wife, Pastor Corinne Chilstrom; his son, Chris Holt; and family were with him.
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