Posts in ELCA
Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts

“Scatter the Imagination of our Hearts,” at St. Olaf College, Northfield Minn., July 25–July 28 2022. Under the theme “Scatter the Imagination of Our Hearts” (Luke 1:51), St. Olaf College's Conference on Worship, Theology, and Arts (CWTA) invites you to reflect on how the people of God can challenge, change, and inspire others, especially as faith communities imagine new responses to the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism.

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Lutheran Summer Music: Investing in future generations of leaders

Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., June 26–July 24 2022. Did you know that few Lutheran Summer Music students actually pay full tuition? Thanks to scholarships and congregational support through programs such as the Young Musicians Partnership, many LSM students receive matching grants that reduce out-of-pocket costs. Scholarships are still available for LSM 2022; nominate or encourage a young musician you know to apply today!

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ELCA Coaching Courageous Leadership: Navigating the Gottmans' Four Horsemen

From the work of psychologists Drs. John & Julie Gottman we will explore the concept of the Four Horsemen, first published in the book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. We also welcome The Rev. Sara Cutter, Senior Director for Operational Effectiveness in the Christian Community and Leadership Home Area of the ELCA’s churchwide organization. Join us May 18, 2022, 11 am MST/PDT, 12pm MDT, (and every Wednesday). The login information can be found on the ELCA Coaching website.

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Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: May 15, 2022
  • For people, all creatures, and livelihoods in the path of wildfires in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and elsewhere, and for the safety of those who are fighting the fires…

  • For the people of Ukraine and people throughout the world who are endangered by violence and warfare…

  • For students finishing the semester and preparing to graduate…

  • For people living with mental illness and for all who work to improve access to mental health care and combat the stigma of mental illness…

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Devotional: Regenerative Relationships Inspire Advocacy

It can be hard to feel God’s restorative presence in these times. In the midst of violence towards each other and the Earth, I often wonder how the Holy Spirit is realizing God’s promise of resurrection in our lives and in our world.

For me, one answer is with the people and relationships in my life.An opportunity for regenerative relationship in my position as a Hunger Advocacy Fellow comes from my work with the EcoFaith Network of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod.

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Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) May 2022 update

The Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program has been paused since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then the YAGM staff deepened relationships with global partners and asked important questions to shape the future of the program. In a video message, YAGM program director Dan Beirne shares some of what he and the staff learned during that process. We also share a newsletter with more info.

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Hannah Peterson: First, Learn. Next, Do.

I am not a practicing Lutheran. Although many of my relatives and ancestors are, I grew up in a secular family, attending church only for Christmas Eve services and the occasional baptism or funeral. As you might imagine, it was an unusual path that led me to this year of being an ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow, of learning to navigate through new communities, new opportunities and new insights.

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Music that Makes Community in-person and online summer opportunities

MMC is excited to announce an event exploring paperless singing, to take place in Eugene, Ore., on June 25. In preparation for the Annual Conference of the Hymn Society, join us in Washington, D.C., on July 16.

Online programs continue, including the new song-writing workshop “Composing Ourselves,” a webinar with Jorge Lockward exploring creative liturgical composition, Morning Grounding, and more. Visit the MMC website for additional details and to register.

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Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: May 8, 2022
  • For leaders running for elected office as the season for state and local primaries begins, and for all who use their political office to support the welfare of all people

  • With thanksgiving for mothers of all kinds and for all people who provide compassionate care to others…

  • For people for whom Mother’s Day is difficult, including those who are grieving, those in difficult relationship circumstances, or those experiencing infertility…

  • For all wrestling with difficult decisions about pregnancy, parenthood, and childcare…

  • For all people seeking safe, equitable, and empowered access to healthcare…

  • For the beloved memory of the more than 15 million lives lost, directly and indirectly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic…

  • For those battling wildfires in New Mexico, suffering dust storms in Colorado, and cleaning up after tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma…

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Deacon Tammy Jones West: Behind the curtain…

A message from Deacon Tammy Jones West, 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering Program Director…
First, there is no curtain but for a peek into the behind-the-scenes happenings of the ELCA Youth Gathering, let me start with my first few months on staff. Let me introduce you to the people who are called to serve this ministry at the ELCA.

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Faith Lens: Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

“Hindsight is 20/20,” the old saying goes, meaning that it is easier to see the meaning of things when you are looking back. Perhaps that is why today’s gospel reading is a flashback to John 10, a time well before Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is as if to say, now that we have encountered the Risen Jesus, we are finally ready to make sense of what he was saying.

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