Posts in ELCA
A Look Back at the 2021 National Workshop on Christian Unity

Abide in my love … you shall bear much fruit. It was the theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and in turn, became an echo for this year’s National Workshop on Christian Unity (NWCU). After last year’s workshop in Houston was canceled due to the global pandemic, focus turned to 2021, and with it questions of how best to move the work of the NWCU forward.

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“River of Life” Vacation Bible School At-Home Guide

The at-home guide for ELCA World Hunger’s “River of Life” Vacation Bible School program for 2021 is now available for download.

This at-home guide is a supplemental resource for the full “River of Life VBS leader’s guide and includes modified activities, suggestions for online and at-home VBS, links to new videos and tips for parents, caregivers and other adults leading VBS with children at home!

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Vital Congregations Training for Leaders beginning May 27, 2021

The ELCA Christian Community and Leadership Congregational Vitality Team invites you to a series of webinars for pastors, lay leaders, and congregational teams. There is no cost for this training.

The first online webinar will begin on May 27th at 10:30 am - 12:00 pm MST/PDT. This is a four-part training. Additional dates are June 10, June 24, and July 8th at 10:30 am - 12:00 pm MST/PDT. Please register by May 24, 2021.

All courses will be led by Rev. Nancy Nyland, Rev. CeCee Mills and Rev. Jason Adams in partnership with the ELCA Christian Community and Leadership Congregational Vitality Team.

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Rev. Paul Benz: Lessons for advocacy from Ecumenical Advocacy Days

The ELCA is a founding organization and sponsor of Ecumenical Advocacy Days, attended annually by many Lutherans for skill building and experience. Rev. Paul Benz, co-director of Faith Action Network in Seattle, WA, highlights central learnings for him about effective and meaningful faith-centered advocacy.

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Earth Day 2021: Pastor Joann Conroy & Pastor Manuel Retamoza

Pastor Joann Conroy & Pastor Manuel Retamoza from the American Indian / Alaska Native Lutheran Association offer prayers for this Earth Day 2021 “to honor this great creation and to give thanks for this great land upon which we live.”

“We remember the passion of the wind, the rhythm of water, the warmth of fire, and the touch of your son on the skin of life. Awaken us this Earth Day to live in the fullness of your dream, seeing you, great Creator, emerging in our gift of imagination and incarnate in the night of our thought.”

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ELCA Coaching: Final gathering (at least for a while)

The Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders concludes (at least for a while) this Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 11am MST and PDT. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org, as well as archives. Join Zoom meeting here.

We are feeling the Spirit invite us to END WELL what has been... serving over 5,300 leaders in 60 gatherings in 13 months, with more accessing the recordings every day... and DREAM about what might be next.

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Bishop Eaton: A pastoral word on the verdict of George Floyd's murder trial 

​The trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minnesota police officer charged with the killing of George Floyd, has riveted our national attention these past weeks, and now a verdict has been reached. Together with people around the world, we have anticipated the jury's decision with troubled hearts. As members of the community of Jesus, we affirm that "if one member suffers, all suffer together with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26, NRSV).

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Apply for Open Doors: ministry grants for congregations

Your congregation is invited to apply for an Open Doors grant to support your ministries as we resume in-person worship and gatherings.

How can we meet new people, especially as we crave community following a time of unprecedented isolation? How might we stay connected with people who have not visited our church buildings but joined us online? Have an idea? Apply and learn more at ELCA.org/OpenDoors.

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