Posts in ELCA
OMNIA: Striving Towards Beloved Community
OMNIA: Striving Towards Beloved Community

More than 50 years ago, Dr. Mary Nelson marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in Chicago. For several decades, Dr. Nelson was a faculty member of OMNIA Institute’s predecessor organization SCUPE and she continues as an Advisory Board member of the OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership.

In an OMNIA podcast, Dr. Nelson talked about the Beloved Community as God’s vision for the city. It is that same vision that animated the founders of SCUPE to prepare pastors to break down all barriers to the flourishing of community. At the beginning of Black History month, it is fitting that we remember the power of this vision.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Faith Lens: Burned Out
Faith Lens: Burned Out

Americans across the country are resigning from their jobs in mass numbers. Though you may not be in the working world yet, chances are that you know an adult who has resigned from their job sometime since March of 2020. Maybe your teacher or your medical provider has resigned.

One of the major reasons cited for resigning is burnout. The feeling of extreme exhaustion due to prolonged stress makes it difficult to take care of oneself and work. While burnout isn’t an official medical diagnosis, it does affect your physical and mental health.

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, Youth and Young AdultComment
ELCA World Hunger’s Big Game Challenge 2022!
ELCA World Hunger’s Big Game Challenge 2022!

It’s game time! The Big Game Challenge has kicked off, and our church is racing toward the goal of ending hunger! While you are cheering on your team and celebrating with family and friends— let’s help tackle hunger together!

From kickoff to the final whistle, Team Cincinnati and Team Los Angeles will seek to outdo one another for the sake of the gospel. The fans that donate the most through their team page to ELCA World Hunger by midnight Central time on February 13th will help their synod take home the title of ELCA World Hunger Champion.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World HungerComment
Talks at the Desk: Black Girl Magic Ep. 1
Talks at the Desk: Black Girl Magic Ep. 1

In this first part of the Talks at the Desk video series, Black women from across the ELCA share their experiences as leaders in the church. They speak about their journeys, joys, struggles and hopes for future generations. A discussion guide to help individuals and congregations engage with these conversations is available at ELCA.org/ADM.

African Descent Ministries of the ELCA celebrates Black History Month Talks at the Desk, a four-part video series that will explore diverse expressions of the church. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 7:30 pm Central time. Watch them live on Facebook, stream them on YouTube or download them at ELCA.org/ADM.

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ELCA, News, LettersBrian FlatgardAfrican Descent Ministries, 2022 Black History MonthComment
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: February 13, 2022
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: February 13, 2022

  • For the people of Ottawa, Ontario as protests against Covid-19 restrictions continue…

  • For justice for Amir Locke and for boldness in countering racism and disrupting implicit bias…

  • For ongoing reformation in the church, especially the rising call to #reformation2022 by women of African descent throughout the ELCA…

  • For lives and property endangered by bushfires in Western Australia…

  • For peace among the nations, especially de-escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine…

  • For those facing severe hunger after recurrent droughts impacting Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia…

  • For congregations and church leaders experiencing burnout, restlessness, and decision fatigue…

  • We give thanks for Spirit-led commitments to making worship accessible for all people…

  • For the dedication and witness of librarians, authors, and local, independent bookstores…

  • For your wisdom to prevail, O God, as a Supreme Court nominee is chosen…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: February 2, 2022
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: February 2, 2022

  • For Afghan refugees arriving in the United States…

  • For all affected by flooding and landslides in Brazil; for the displaced, the grieving, and all providing assistance and support…

  • For the work of the United Nations Security Council…

  • For the safety and wellbeing of all Olympic athletes; for the host city, Beijing…

  • For peace and security among HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) communities facing bomb threats this past week…

  • For the ELCA National Youth Gathering planning team and those who were registered to attend, at the recent difficult decision to cancel this summer’s Gathering…

  • For equitable distribution and effective use of N95 masks and COVID-19 home tests…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Kristen Opalinski | Journey of Justice and Joy: Lessons Learned From the Arch
Kristen Opalinski | Journey of Justice and Joy: Lessons Learned From the Arch

The first time I met Archbishop Desmond Tutu was in the lead up to COP 17. Archbishop Tutu, or simply the Arch as he was affectionately known in his native South Africa, stepped up to the podium with a warm smile, a smile that quickly turned into a steely gaze. “Do not remain quiet!” he implored, “Do not waste a single moment. This is a critical moment in human history, one that requires each and every one of you, of us, to be fully engaged – the clock is at zero!”

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Faith Lens: Fish Story
Faith Lens: Fish Story

I was intrigued by an article about a rare deep-ocean creature which had washed up on a California beach. As one who watched Disney’s Finding Nemo a lot when my children were little, I recognized the pictures as being the type of deep sea “monster” that is angling to turn Marlin and Dory into a meal. What I didn’t know was how rare a find such a specimen is.

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, Youth and Young AdultComment
2022 ELCA Youth Gathering canceled
2022 ELCA Youth Gathering canceled

The ELCA has announced that the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering has been canceled due to the ongoing pandemic, the recent COVID-19 surge and public health considerations. The Gathering pre-events — the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the tAble, the ELCA gathering for youth with disabilities — have also been canceled. More information is available at elca.org/Gathering.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMYLE, the tAble, 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering, Youth and Young AdultComment
Bishop Eaton's pastoral message on Ukraine
Bishop Eaton's pastoral message on Ukraine

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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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Prayers, LettersBrian FlatgardLutheran World FederationComment
2022 IRS mileage allowance
2022 IRS mileage allowance

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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ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardAdministration MattersComment
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: January 30, 2022
Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: January 30, 2022

  • 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…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Faith Communities Support Equitable COVID-19 Testing Distribution
Faith Communities Support Equitable COVID-19 Testing Distribution

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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ELCA, News, ResourcesBrian FlatgardEcumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, CoronavirusComment