Susan Palo Cherwien, Lutheran hymnwriter and poet, died December 28, 2021. Her hymns and meditations have been a gift to the church and world.
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I watch with grave concern as tensions continue between Russia and Ukraine, and I fervently pray that a peaceful resolution to the conflict will be reached. I affirm the statement of the Lutheran World Federation's general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Anne Burghardt: "We urge all parties to de-escalate the situation and work for peace and stability. A peaceful solution must be found."
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The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2022 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and charitable, medical or moving purposes.
The business mileage rate increased 1 cent for business travel and 1 cent for medical and certain moving expenses from 2021. The charitable rate is set by statute and remains unchanged. For more information, visit the IRS website.
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For ongoing rescue and relief efforts in Tongo…
For the work of the Coast Guard and other search and rescue personnel, and for family members of those missing following a ship capsize off the coast of Florida
For peacemaking and deescalation efforts between Russia and the Ukraine…
For severe and extreme winter weather events across the United States…
For access to shelter, heat, and food for those without homes or reliable incomes…
For schools, businesses, hospitals, and other services strained by increased Covid case counts…
For law enforcement, social workers, advocates, and all who work to rescue and support victims of human trafficking…
Form A & C Parochial Reports are due 3/1/2022. Submit your A/C form here.
The ELCA has mailed forms to all congregations. If you can't find your login information or are missing your forms, please contact Theresa Thornburgh in the synod office.
The ELCA is also offering the linked guidance on calculating online attendance for recorded and live-streamed services.
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If your organization provides employees with cell phones for business use, both their business and personal use of the cell phone is a nontaxable fringe benefit. Likewise, reimbursement stipends and cell phone allowances that cover employees’ personal cell phone costs are still nontaxable benefits. Read more at Thomson Reuters.
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On the internet there’s a meme out there called “what I got vs. what I ordered.” There are hundreds of stories of people getting something very different than they asked for. One man ordered a rug for his room but didn’t check the dimensions. He ended up with a rug that was no larger than a napkin.
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On January 19th, 2022, home COVID-19 tests became available through the federal government. We need to ensure that stakeholders, especially the most vulnerable, have access to the testing resources they need in order ensure equitable testing distribution. In this post, find resources on how to help people get free tests and spread the word.
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During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Bishop Eaton says “more than ever we need to have some kind of witness of the unity and the love that come from Christ…during this week it gives us the possibility to be a witness to the unity, to the beloved community, to the peace and wholeness that everyone knows in God.”
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A regular boiler inspection will help ensure that your boiler is operating at its highest level of efficiency and providing the most heat for the least possible cost. State and local laws often require boiler inspections, and failure to comply may result in fines or other penalties. Read more at Church Mutual Insurance.
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Review this checklist from Portico for important January tasks to keep your 2022 Portico benefits program running smoothly. It includes reminders on payroll updates and links to the complimentary Hammar tax guides for clergy. Employers may sign in to EmployerLink to view the checklist, and individuals can access the Hammar tax guide for clergy at MyPortico.
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ELCA congregations using Tithe.ly’s online platform for giving will now enjoy a lower credit card processing rate. Effective Dec. 10, 2021, the rate for processing credit card donations has been reduced to 2.3% for Visa, Mastercard and Discover transactions.
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For residents of Tongo, following devastating volcanic eruption, and for all areas feeling effects of the event…
For members of the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, following last week’s hostage crisis…
For Asian American communities grieving acts of racial violence…
For unity in the body of Christ in seeking health, hope, and wholeness in our world…
For health and stamina for nurses, doctors, emergency room, and hospital staff…
ELCA Hunger invites you to continue your work by connecting your congregation to the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2.
To prepare, visit ELCA.org/40Days and download or order resources today. You’ll find free resources including a daily devotional calendar, a weekly study guide, an action guide for congregations, and weekly Lenten email series.
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Join Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA Ammparo and ELCA Advocacy in their webinar, “Boldly Serving Our Afghan Neighbors: A Call for Congregational Accompaniment and Co-Sponsorship,” Tuesday, 2/8/2022, 5 pm MST, 4 pm PST. Register here.
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The Hunger Leaders Network meeting on Tuesday, January 25 at 6pm MST will feature a special guest speaker: The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Bishop Eaton will pop in to the virtual meeting for 5-10 minutes to bring greetings and share updates from the ELCA churchwide. More info: January 2022 Agenda, Join Hunger Leaders Network, Join Zoom meeting.
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With Black History Month approaching, the ELCA introduces "Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent" to help congregations wrestle with the meaning of the declaration, adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, and its accompanying explanation.
The five-part study resource, with a guide and participant materials, is available at elca.org/Resources/Racial-Justice. Direct PDF links to the Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent are here: Document, Study Guide and Participant Materials.
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Being Here, a podcast through Portico that explores real world issues and topics important to professionals in the faith community, has added three new episodes.
Join host the Rev. Melissa Pohlman, as she welcomes three new guests to share their experiences and points of view on navigating retirement; Christian conversations about racial justice; and creative approaches to innovative ministry. Listen here.
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Have you ever seen a grassroots campaign for affordable housing? What about a ten year old preacher and professional artist? This is future church. New. Young. Diverse.
African Descent Ministries of the ELCA is celebrating Black History Month with a new series “Talks at the Desk,” sharing the diverse expressions of the church. View video trailer here. Join us each Wednesday in February at 6:30pm MST, 5:30 PST. For more updates follow @ELCAADM on social or check out facebook.com/elcaadm.
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The American Red Cross announced on January 11 that because U.S. blood supplies are at extremely low levels the country is facing an unprecedented blood crisis.
The agency said that the current surge in COVID-19 infections has caused its no-show rates to increase, as large numbers of people get sick. In addition, blood donations were already around 34% lower than before the pandemic because most blood drives are not being held.
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