Photographer Libby Oliver has a portrait series called “Soft Shells,” which explores people’s personalities through the clothes and accessories they wear. Libby asks subjects to collect every piece of clothing they own and then photographs them underneath their huge pile of clothes. In all the photographs the person’s identity is completely covered up.
Read MoreThis week, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton tells us of the steps she takes to find peace when she feels overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.
Read More“We are at a 1945 moment” — Those words from António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, came in a speech on January 10, 2021, marking the 75th anniversary of the first meeting of the U.N. General Assembly. Referencing the moment when the world, emerging from the horrors of World War II, took their first steps into a new era of global cooperation and unity.
Read MoreThis week, Bishop Eaton shares some of the rich contributions of Black Lutheran history.
Read MoreKen Wheeler wrote a reflection concerning Black Lutheran saints on “whose shoulders I stand.” He identified three pioneers of this church—Nelson Trout, Will Herzfeld and Rudolph Featherstone—who greatly inspired him and his vocation. Here is a closer look at the contributions of these saints.
Read MoreThe prophet Isaiah provides a beautiful column of words from which to build a thoughtful sermon, but truly on this Ash Wednesday the sermon will not be built by words, but by the world that is still trying to stop the hemorrhaging of our much loved friends and family. Truly we sit upon an ash-heap of tears and unrealized hopes in this pandemic.
Read MoreBlack History Month was the idea of African American historian Carter G. Woodson in the absence of a thorough picture of the contributions of African Americans to the larger American story.
The significance of this month ought not just be embraced by those of us who are African American. The history should be important to all of us. As an African American Lutheran pastor, I think of those Black Lutheran saints on whose shoulders I stand.
Read MoreBaltimore is home to Johns Hopkins University, renowned for its hospitals, clinics and research facilities. But despite their proximity, some of the city’s African American residents have struggled to fight the coronavirus pandemic, said Louis R. Tillman IV, pastor of St. Philip Evangelical Lutheran Church in East Baltimore.
Throughout the pandemic, the historic African-descent congregation has ensured that masks and other safety items reach anyone in need.
Read MoreIn the first decades of the 20th century, African Americans faced grinding poverty and harsh racial restrictions. Many African American leaders fought against these evils and worked to bring justice to their communities.
One such leader was Rosa Young of Alabama, whose drive and determination enabled her to spearhead the development of Black Lutheranism in the South.
Read More“We’re good at talking about this, and good at doing small, one-time acts of service toward climate justice. There are awesome folks who want to push the church but they’re hesitant to take bold risks. We should be challenging our synods to be carbon neutral.”
Read MoreKnowing the numbers for hunger and poverty can go a long way to helping us talk about the issues accurately and craft effective, forward-looking responses. For those who share with their congregation information about hunger and poverty, these numbers can also be helpful in putting together presentations or workshops.
Read MoreHere’s updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices. As the new year begins, these state public policy offices (SPPO) share their annual policy priorities. Find a map and full list of ELCA affiliated SPPOs using our state office map. Learn more about Lutheran advocacy using our new resource, Advocacy 101 For Young Adults.
Read MoreAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause uncertainty within the United States and across the globe, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has decided to cancel sending Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteers for its 2021-22 program year.
Read MoreIn her weekly message, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton notes how a fresh snowfall and sunshine reminds her of God's work in creation.
Read MorePresident Biden’s decision to re-join the Paris Agreement cannot be overstated in its importance for the United States and internationally. The detrimental effects of climate change resulting from global warming impact every corner of the world, impacting all sectors, putting a strain on existing social, environmental, health and economic systems, and negatively impacting sustainable development in every country.
Read MoreKristin Engstrom brings us the January 2021 Newsletter which includes an update on my life as an ELCA global missionary, an update on COVID in Senegal, and stories from two Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) Senegal alumni of when they experienced God enfleshed during their YAGM year in Senegal.
Read MoreForm A & C Parochial Reports, which are due February 15, 2021, are available on the ELCA.org Office of the Secretary resource page. These reports, as well as many types of other resources, can be found on the page.
If your congregation did not receive your password from ELCA Churchwide, or if you have any questions, please contact Theresa Thornburgh in the synod office.
Read MoreHave you or your worshipping community ever encountered a tough problem and found yourselves unable to come up with a solution? Then design thinking might be able to help! Design thinking is being used every day by global companies, top universities and people around the world to help solve big challenges.
Read MoreWe all know the hymn Amazing Grace, but do you know the history behind the hymn? Join Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton as she discusses the history of Amazing Grace and how we continue to live out this grace in our everyday lives.
Read MoreWith the start of the 117th Congress and a new administration, and as the devastating COVID-19 pandemic influences our lives and shapes our concerns, we face pressing need for national policy action. Yet even with changes, as Christians in the world our engagement is consistently shaped by our love of one another as God loves us.
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