This week’s Story of Faith in Action features San Gabriel Lutheran Church in Alvarado, Texas, built up by the generosity of others — church members, nearby ELCA congregations and, through Mission Support funds, the ELCA Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod.
Read the story in this post, view as a PDF resource, or visit our SOFIA 2021-2022 page for all resources.
Read MoreA 2010 study by psychologist Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton revealed that money did have an impact on how people evaluate their lives — people with more money feel better about their lives. The study showed when individuals reached an annual salary of $75,000, more money didn’t equate to more happiness.
Read MoreFor the people of Germany in the wake of a national election…
For the witness of LGBTQIA+ persons in the church and for all allies and advocates…
For equitable and affordable access to healthcare for all…
For the work of the ELCA’s AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities) initiative and for the safety of migrant minors…
For the work of the 2022 Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) planning team…
In thanksgiving for the life and witness of Francis of Assisi…
Blessed Are the Peacemakers: Mediation and Reconciliation Skills for the Church is a new publication created by Lutheran World Federation leaders after years of experience in dealing with church conflicts across the Americas. The resource is published in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Read MoreStories of Faith in Action is a free, annual publication highlighting how God is changing lives through the ministries funded by your congregation’s Mission Support offering, shared with your synod and ELCA churchwide. Visit our SOFIA 2021-2022 page for all resources.
How can you inspire ELCA members with this publication? View this how-to PDF resource or this post which has: links for the digital and print PDF; one-page stories for printing; three videos for social media or mission moment with your congregation (1, 2, 3); and prompts for devotional time.
Read MoreMy father taught me how to pray the Lord’s Prayer when I was a little girl—much too young to understand what trespasses or forgiveness meant.
Forgiveness is an inescapable aspect of the human condition, touching nearly every facet of our lives. Yet it seems as if the concept of God’s forgiveness has been co-opted by pop culture, which has left it somewhere between a buzzword and a spiritual practice.
Read MoreThis week’s Story of Faith in Action features our very own Living Christ Lutheran Church in Flagstaff, where grants from the Grand Canyon Synod, funded by ELCA Mission Support, helped sustain Living Christ’s ministry.
Read this story and view the video in this post, view as a PDF resource, or visit our SOFIA 2021-2022 page for all resources.
Read More“boundless love” was written and performed by Sam Noble and Faith Bartelt to serve as the Official Theme Song for the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering. The music video was filmed and edited by Ankos Films. For more information about the 2022 Gathering, visit: elca.org/Gathering.
Read MoreThe Hunger Advocacy Fellows program is a year-long transformative experience that combines leadership development, faith formation, and impactful advocacy that moves us toward an end to hunger and a just world where all are fed. Hunger Advocacy Fellows are placed with different ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices across the country. We are excited to introduce our 2021-2022 Hunger Advocacy Fellows.
Read MoreOur church teaches that, as a matter of dignity for all people, the U.S. has an international and moral responsibility to honor the human rights and dignity of migrants, and to not be silent in the face of racial injustice against people of African descent.
Read MoreThe morning after the 2016 presidential election, Bruce MacKenzie had a line from the “Prayer of St. Francis” running through his mind: “Seek as much … to be understood as to understand.”
He came across an article that mentioned Braver Angels (formerly “Better Angels”), an organization trying to bridge the partisan divide and depolarize America, and signed up for a “Red/Blue Workshop,” which brings together an equal number of conservatives and liberals to discover common values.
Read MoreIn this video, Presiding Bishop Eaton and Presiding Bishop Curry of The Episcopal Church share their experiences at the White House advocating for children and families through a series of bills before Congress right now.
Visit The Episcopal Public Policy Network and ELCA Advocacy or more ways to get involved.
Read MoreBishop Eaton joins three other bishops in North America to invite us to to commemorate September 30, 2021 (www.orangeshirtday.org) as a day for truth and healing.
We encourage you to learn about residential and boarding schools for Indigenous People, honor survivors, and remember those who never made it home from the schools.
Read MoreMeet Selena Wilkes, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Williamsport, Md: Entrepreneur with several businesses, CEO of Elmwood Farm Hospitality Group and Port 44, retired Ladies Professional Golf Association Futures Tour golfer, motivational speaker, former council president of Zion, board member on several community nonprofits including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Read MoreReflecting on the early church, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes: “They were one body. We are one body. We are the body of Christ.” Despite cultural and political differences, she reminds us that we can’t dissolve this bond. Read her September column for Living Lutheran in English at https://bit.ly/3hMNz9G and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3tVcAUM.
Read MoreNew resources are now available from ELCA World Hunger to enrich the life of your congregation this Advent season. You will be getting a sample pack of these resources in the mail very soon and will be able to order or download free versions at ELCA.org/hungeradvent.
Read MoreWe share a letter from the directors of ELCA Mission Support about the inspiration to be found in Stories of Faith in Action.
Through your generosity, God is at work across the ELCA.
Read More“Things have gotten pretty charged this past year in a lot of different ways in our area,” said Seth Nelson, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan, Mont. “People come charged into most situations—they know what they think and they know how to demonize the other side.”
In a world shaped by 24-hour cable news, social media and misinformation spread online, how can Lutherans cut through the noise and speak to each other with civility, compassion and understanding?
Read MoreELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and other members of the Circle of Protection coalition met Thursday, Sept. 22, 2021, with senior officials at the White House. The Circle of Protection letter, including the full list of signers, can be read here.
Eaton and other heads of Christian denominations and organizations are working together to urge passage of the economic bills the U.S. Congress is considering now, along with voting rights legislation this fall. Thursday's meeting focuses on the family support bill currently being debated in Congress.
Read More“My life changed the day I was told that my son has autism. The journey has been full of ups and downs, but through it all God has been actively working to show us beauty and grace in the autism world. Because of the journey with our son, I am honored to serve as the team leader for the tAble planning team.”
Read Jamie’s letter in this post, and view a tAble Webinar she participates in as well.
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