The October, 2022 edition of Seeds Monthly is available, featuring: 500 Years of God’s Word in Common Language; Public response period for social message on climate care; Young Adults in Global Mission resumes; Pursuing justice and food security in Brazil; and featured events and resources.
Read MoreFor those grieving in the aftermath of the shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis, Missouri…
For all affected by school shootings and acts of violence…
For the leaders of nations and all diplomats and peacemakers…
For our upcoming national and local elections and election judges who will serve at the polls…
For the victims of human trafficking…
For relief and peaceful resolution to the ongoing violence in Haiti…
For an end to the continued war in Ukraine and all places of war and conflict…
The ELCA Fund for Leaders supports students of tremendous promise attending ELCA seminaries to become pastors and deacons in our church. This year, 375 students are receiving over $3.5 million in scholarship support. In this video, a few of them would like to express their thanks to you for making their scholarships possible. Learn more at ELCA.org/FundForLeaders.
Read MoreI am in awe of the Muslim women involved in protests surrounding the wearing of the hijab. They are heroes who are showing strength and resilience in the midst of persistent pushback.
One of the things that has struck me is that there is no one, universal stance. Women are asking for the power to choose how to live out their faith. There are women in Iran who refuse to be forced to wear a hijab. And at the same time there are women in India who wear their hijabs despite being banned from doing so.
Read MoreELCA Advocacy shares updates from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month: U.N. | California | Colorado | Florida | Minnesota | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Washington.
Read MoreWe share the October 2022 update:from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director. Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: October 2022.
Read MoreThe European Union is a world leader when it comes to replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy. But that won’t be enough to keep Europe warm this winter, as a fuel crisis the likes of which hasn’t been seen since World War II grips the continent.
Read MoreRegister now for this Upcoming Connections Calls: Doctrine of Discovery's Roots in Climate Injustice, Tuesday, October 25th, 2022, 5pm MST/PDT, 6pm MDT.
They will watch Are We There Yet? together. We are fortunate to screen the 30-minute film and hear directly from its creators. Don't miss this - it will not be recorded. See trailer and register here.
Read MoreJoin ELCA Coaching every Wednesday at 11am MST/PDT, noon MDT, as we practice Courageous Leadership. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.
Join us next week on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 as we hear from Rev. Becca Ehrlich. Minimalism is a focus on the aspects of life that matter most and intentionally removing everything else. There is a direct connection between minimalism and the Christian life.
Read MoreJoin ELCA World Hunger for this special World Food Day event hosted by Rick Steves to learn something new about the complex food crisis our world faces and see your generosity in action, funding creative and sustainable solutions in the work to end hunger. Learn more and give today by visiting: ELCA.org/WorldFoodDay
Read MoreThe pandemic is not over, and we encourage you to get vaccinated and boosted (and to encourage your neighbors to do the same), not just for you, but for your family, your community, and your faith.
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is coordinating a response with the Florida-Bahamas Synod. The synod is providing small relief grants to impacted families and will continue to offer relief as additional needs are identified. LDR is sending a group of pastors to impacted areas to offer respite and emotional and spiritual care.
Read MoreSometimes we experience a tension in life. We want to see ourselves in a position of superiority, thinking of ourselves as better than “other kinds of people”. But we also feel a pull toward humility and a stance of shared humanity with all people. Resentment may come into play. We are tempted to dehumanize those we resent, maybe even punish them.
Read MoreFor those who are unemployed, underemployed, or experiencing financial hardship…
For those experiencing famine in Somalia and all who experience hunger and malnutrition…
For the people of Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras impacted by Tropical Storm Julia…
For nations in leadership or regime transition, and for upcoming elections…
For an end to the continued war in Ukraine and all places of war and conflict…
For musicians, cantors, choirs, and instrumental ensembles who lead our assembly in worship…
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor, Ohio: Elementary general music teacher
“Attending church with my mom and grandparents is one of my earliest memories. My grandmother would hold me on her lap and rock me during the church service. Today I still hold this memory close to my heart, as I always felt safe and loved in her arms.”
Read MoreFor the victims and families of the mass shooting at a daycare center in Thailand…
For peace amid the escalating conflict between Palestine and Israel…
For the victims and rescue workers in the aftermath of a landslide in Venezuela…
For the safety of protestors speaking out amid episodes of violence in Pakistan…
For congregations engaged in annual stewardship appeals…
For an end to the continued violence and war in Ukraine, especially amid nuclear threats…
It is my prayer that each of you had a wonderful Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and that as you looked around you saw more and more non-Indigenous people observing this holiday in ways that lifted up the gifts and beauty of the Indigenous people in what is presently known as the United States.
Read MoreI keep thinking about the people’s determination in the Ukraine. It has been nearly eight months since the invasion began. Ukraine’s population is forty-four million compared to Russia’s one hundred forty-four million. This giant has attacked them, and it has not been as easy as Russia had hoped. What makes the Ukrainians continue to resist?
Read MoreSince June 2022, Pakistan has experienced historic monsoon weather, with rainfall leading to torrential flooding. The flooding is causing a widespread humanitarian crisis, with people losing homes, crops and livestock. Millions of people are displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, such as food, temporary shelter, health services and other supplies.
Read MoreThe Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met Sept. 29–Oct. 1 at the Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, Ill. The conference, an advisory body of the ELCA, comprises 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and the secretary.
"We come together as the Conference of Bishops to give and receive encouragement as we serve in our respective synods," said the Rev. Tracie Bartholomew, bishop of the ELCA New Jersey Synod and conference chair. "We are at our best when we work collegially and celebrate all that God is doing throughout this church."
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