As cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 increase, it may seem like we are in a never-ending wilderness. Bishop Eaton reminds us of the exodus of God’s people, who wandered in the wilderness for forty years searching for the land that God had promised them. God never left them, and God has not left us.
Read MoreIn this letter, the American Indian Alaska Native Lutheran Association invites congregations to hang orange banners in solidarity with Indigenous people throughout North America and in remembrance and lament of Native children that never made it out of residential schools. View the letter in this post or as a PDF.
We also encourage you to learn more about Orange Shirt Day (September 30), a Canadian statutory holiday. Religion News Service also provides these articles on US churches reckoning with the traumatic legacy of Native schools and the new spiritual movement aiming to recognize the official US apology to Native American people.
Read MoreEvery year, churches incur significant losses due to vandalism. Vandals often act impulsively. In other cases, vandals are seeking an easy target for their mischief, such as a building often empty at night. Read the article from Church Pension Group.
Read MoreThrough advocacy, the ELCA community can create lasting, systemic change. If you want to get involved in faith-based advocacy, but aren’t sure where to begin, sign up for Advocacy Summer School.
The first session will take place on August 11, 2021. Sign up for one session or all five. Each virtual session will include a 30-minute virtual presentation followed by an optional question & answer session for 15 minutes.
Read MoreThis week, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that peace is not the absence of struggle or strife, but the complete presence of a loving God.
Read MoreFrom time to time, restricted gift purposes cannot be fulfilled as expected. When this occurs, charitable organizations should take all proper steps to repurpose or amend restricted gifts. View this PDF from ELCA.
Read MoreYour worship center is an invaluable property, monetarily and spiritually, and its protection and upkeep are an important obligation. View this PDF from Church Mutual for more info.
Read MoreLutheran World Relief invites congregations to be part of the largest global health effort in history and end COVID for everyone, everywhere.
Access to the COVID-19 vaccine is rapidly changing our lives, and now the kindness of your congregation can deliver this same hope to our neighbors. Please click here to watch a video about how your love can reach the world, and visit lwr.org/congregations to learn how your congregation can save lives.
Read MoreWould you like to learn more about reaching people through your website? Tithe.ly will host a webinar on the subject on July 27 at 11am MST/PDT. Register here.
Tithe.ly, an ELCA preferred vendor, offers a family of digital tools—including easy-to-use websites—to help increase giving, manage congregational membership data and engage members, with special pricing for ELCA congregations.
Read MoreJoin 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.
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