Posts in ELCA
Rostered Ministers Gathering: Early-bird rate extended to April 21, 2023
Rostered Ministers Gathering: Early-bird rate extended to April 21, 2023

Thank you, to those of you who have already registered! For those who haven’t, you can still register and receive the early-bird rate of $245 through April 21, 2023. You will need to book hotel and travel separately. Highlights of the gathering, and more information are available at elca.org/rmg.

If you like to welcome people, help with registration, or have the gift of hospitality, please connect with Pastor Doug Dill: pastordoug@centrallutheranaz.org or 402-235-6969. Click here to register as a volunteer at elca.org.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2023 Rostered Ministers GatheringComment
Bishop Eaton: Who is my neighbor? | Transgender Day of Visibility 2023
Bishop Eaton: Who is my neighbor? | Transgender Day of Visibility 2023

The Great Commandment calls us to love our neighbor as ourself, and God teaches us to honor every person’s dignity. On Transgender Day of Visibility, Bishop Eaton affirms that transgender and nonbinary siblings are children of God, created in God’s image, who are embraced in God’s unconditional love. We stand together, advocating for the full humanity and dignity of all people.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardLGBTQIA+Comment
For What Shall We Pray? 3/28/2023
For What Shall We Pray? 3/28/2023

  • For the students and staff at Covenant School in Nashville, and for all who are grieving, traumatized, and fearful…

  • For open-heartedness, courage, and humility in conversations about gun violence and meaningful change in our society…

  • For families and friends of those who died in the immigration center fire in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico…

  • For earthquakes and severe weather in California…

  • For cleanup efforts following a chemical spill in the Delaware River…

  • For all those recovering from the devastating tornado in western Mississippi and Alabama…

  • For the people of Israel in the midst of political turmoil…

  • For peace in Ukraine and de-escalation of nuclear threats…

  • For Muslim siblings observing Ramadan, Jewish siblings preparing for Passover, and Christians who prepare to enter Holy Week…

  • For LBGTQIA+ siblings, especially children and youth, amidst restrictive legislative actions in state legislatures across the United States…

  • In lament over acts of discrimination, hatred, and oppression done in the name of Christ…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
the tAble | 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering
the tAble | 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering

The tAble is a pre-event to the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans for youth living with a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities. The Rev. Jonathan Vehar (he/him), the director of the tAble, shares an invitation to be a part of this faith formation event. To learn more about the 2024 Gathering, visit elca.org/Gathering and watch the video in this post.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardYoung Adult Gathering, Youth and Young Adult, 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE, the tAbleComment
Angela T. !Khabeb: Home sweet home
Angela T. !Khabeb: Home sweet home

I’ve always wanted to be a pastor. When I was 15 years old and visited a classmate’s church, I saw with my own eyes that a grown-up girl could be a pastor. The church had me at “hello.”

My parents, on the other hand, were not so inclined. I remember my father telling me, “The best way to help poor people is to not become one of them. Be an attorney. Make some money.”

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ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Enjoy the ELCA Federal Credit Union ministry card, designed with your congregation in mind
Enjoy the ELCA Federal Credit Union ministry card, designed with your congregation in mind

Credit cards are a necessary part of today’s world, but not all cards are the same. As a cost-effective alternative to standard corporate credit card programs, consider the ELCA Federal Credit Union’s ministry card program. For additional information or to apply, contact the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

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News, ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardAdministration Matters, ELCA Federal Credit UnionComment
2023 ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grant application cycle is now open
2023 ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grant application cycle is now open

Hunger Education and Networking Grants are one of the ways ELCA World Hunger accompanies congregations, synods, organizations, partners and local teams throughout the US and the Caribbean.

Proposals will be accepted from March 15, 2023 through November 15, 2023. For more information see the full request for proposal in this PDF and in this post. 

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardHunger, ELCA World Hunger, GrantsComment
For What Shall We Pray? 3/22/2023
For What Shall We Pray? 3/22/2023

  • For people involved in labor strikes – teachers in Los Angeles, workers across sectors in France, and hospital and airport workers in England…

  • For those working to stabilize political unrest in Kenya and South AFrica…

  • For the people of Russia and Ukraine, and for all peace and diplomacy efforts…

  • For Muslims across the world who are preparing for the holy season of Ramadan…

  • For rescue and relief efforts in Ecuador following this weekend’s earthquake…

  • For continued recovery efforts in Malawi following last week’s cyclone…

  • For educators, librarians, and all who steward knowledge and encourage learning…

  • For all who mourn, and for all who watch and wait at bedside of those nearing death…

  • For women across the world who continue to stand up, speak out, love, fight, and flourish despite opposition and violence…

  • For marginalized and vulnerable communities, and for their allies and advocates…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
ELCA Worship News: March, 2024
ELCA Worship News: March, 2024

ELCA Worship shares their news for March, 2023.

We enter these latter weeks in Lent and anticipate the Three Days, attentive to the depth of human experience these days bring. Amid deep grief and great joy, pain and pleasure, quiet prayer and jubilant praise, God is with us. In this and every season the ELCA Worship staff note resources and events that can be helpful to you in your ministry.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA WorshipComment
Bishop Eaton Issues Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation
Bishop Eaton Issues Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation

As we approach March 31, many people are preparing to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility, an international day to celebrate the contributions of transgender people and raise awareness about the deadly injustices they face.

As bishop of this church, I am concerned that the rights of transgender and nonbinary Americans have been targeted all over this nation.

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Bishop Eaton, ELCA, LettersBrian FlatgardLGBTQIA+Comment
It’s tax season: Updated tax guides are now available through Portico
It’s tax season: Updated tax guides are now available through Portico

Portico Benefit Services provides ministers and congregations participating in the ELCA benefit program with no-cost access to annual tax guides. For ministers, Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide by Richard R. Hammar gives special attention to tax-related topics most relevant to ministers.

For congregations, Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches by Richard R. Hammar helps congregations understand their federal tax-reporting requirements.

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News, ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardAdministration Matters, PorticoComment