Join us for our Kickoff Celebration, streaming live on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at 11am MST/PDT on the ELCA’s YouTube channel, the Gathering’s Facebook page and our website.
Gathering hosts Matthew and Claire have some exciting announcements about what’s new for this cycle, what our in-kind offering will be and much more. Can’t watch on the 25th? You’ll be able to view the recording whenever your group meets next. Learn More.
Read MoreIt is important to know which records and information a congregation should keep and which can be tossed. Some records need to be maintained permanently, whereas others can be discarded periodically. View the PDF from ELCA here.
Read MoreJuly 16, 2021, marks the bicentennial of Christian Science founder, Mary Baker Eddy’s birth.
In this blog post reflecting on the bicentennial, Shirley Paulson, PhD., writes: “People often wonder if all their ecumenical and interreligious efforts are worth it. I want to tell you why I think you have done good work.”
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response shares God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. An update from Program Director John Byron.
Read MoreAt this time of year, many organizations are reviewing their budgets — and the price of their benefits. Watch this short video conversation between an ELCA pastor and the president of Portico Benefits to understand how Portico’s approach to pricing supports the ELCA’s national community of congregations ‒ financially and biblically.
Read MoreIn “Hunger at the Crossroads,” a new webinar series hosted by ELCA World Hunger, we will explore the intersections and the ways we can be part of God’s promise of a just world where all are fed.
“Sexuality, Gender Identity and Hunger” with Rev. Heidi Neumark (Trinity Lutheran Church, New York, New York) and Rev. Joe Larson (Fargo, North Dakota) – August 12, 2021 at 4pm MST/PDT. Register here.
Read MoreAs an avid gardener, Bishop Eaton admits that tending a garden isn’t easy work. But she reminds us that gardening is fundamental to our whole understanding of God tending this good, green earth.
Read MoreU.S. representatives regularly return to their home districts to stay engaged with their constituents. Lawmakers are likely busy during this period with Town Halls, arranged meetings, and other contact points that give you a window to raise your experiences and policy concerns while they are local.
Bring your own questions to policy makers or raise the ones in this post about hunger, housing and homelessness, infrastructure and climate change, Covid-19 vaccine access, reimagining US asylum and immigration policy, and tribal/US government relations.
Read MoreBishop Eaton joined faith leaders from many traditions during a National Council of Churches press conference urging Congress to bring HR40 to the House floor before the summer recess.
HR40 is a bill that would establish a federal commission to study the lasting impacts of slavery in the U.S. and develop a set of recommendations for advancing reparations for affected people of African descent.
Read MoreThe Open Doors initiative was launched to support ELCA congregations interested in meeting new people during this time of transition and re-gathering in physical spaces. ELCA congregations were invited to share their concrete, actionable ideas for meeting new people during this critical time.
Read MoreOn June 24-25, 2021, a delegation of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) visited the Vatican as part of the journey from conflict to communion, that began over 50 years ago.
The visit of the LWF delegation in Rome launched the next stage of the journey, looking ahead to the 500th Anniversary of the Augsburg Confession.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA) is collecting information from all ELCA Schools and Learning Centers that will become a powerful resource tool. Through this survey, ELEA will gather accurate student, administration and staff demographics, budgetary and general information. Take the survey here.
Read MoreYou are invited to join ELCA Coaching at 11 am MST/PDT on the third Wednesday of July and the first and third Wednesday of August to learn some possibly surprising, and some definitely humorous, things about Courageous Leadership.
The schedule (starting July 21) and login information can be found on the ELCA Coaching website.
Read MoreThe Congregations Lead Initiative is a new, two-year program that will gather a cohort of 50 congregations from across the ELCA to unleash and harness their collective genius and discover new and useful ministry innovations. Beginning on July 8, 2021, your congregation is invited to apply to join the Congregations Lead Initiative. Learn more at ELCA.org/CongregationsLead or this PDF flyer.
Read MoreThis week, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton introduces us to some of our Lutheran family from across the globe.
Read MoreJoin the ELCA Growing Younger “Train The Trainer” Virtual Gathering, August 11-12, 2021, 9am-3:30 pm MST/PDT. Leaders will learn to increase the number of youth and young adults involved in the life and leadership of the church.
Synodical leadership is invited: Bishops, Assistants to the Bishops, Youth and Young Adult leaders, Evangelism, SYMBOL, DEM’s and others. Register here by 8/1/2020 and contact Pastor Jacqui Pagel for questions and if you plan to attend. View this post or this PDF for more info.
Read MoreELCA Advocacy shares its two monthly updates: the UN and State Edition and Advocacy Connections from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C.
Read MoreIn this conversation for the ELCA World Hunger blog, John Johnson, director of domestic policy for the ELCA, joins Ryan Cumming, program director for hunger education with ELCA World Hunger, to talk about the expanded Child Tax Credit, a huge step forward in addressing child poverty in the US this year.
Read MoreAs children of God, we give thanks for all of the LGBTQIA+ people who experience God's calling to the holy work of parenting. In particular response to the June 17 Supreme Court ruling on Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, the ELCA stands with our LGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ and reaffirms our commitment to equal protection, opportunities and responsibilities under the law (Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, p. 33).
Read MoreBishop Eaton greets us from the Vatican, where, promoting Christian unity, she participated in Lutheran World Federation meetings with the pontifical council and Pope Francis. As we gather in our own congregations, the bishop asks us to remember that we are part of a large Lutheran family and an even larger Christian one.
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