For the millions of people suffering from hunger and famine, especially in Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen and South Sudan…
For the joy of the resurrection to bring hope to those to whom death draws near…
For support and care for transgender people, amidst ongoing legislative actions…
For protesters and politicians in Nashville, TN…
For journalists and politicians imprisoned for seeking truth…
That the needs of the poor would be held in mind in our state and national legislatures…
For recent elections and their ramifications…
For peace in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel…
For victims of severe storms in the US Midwest and South…
For victims of the avalanche in northeastern India…
For victims of the train derailment in the Netherlands…
For ongoing recovery efforts in Tukey and Syria…
For courage among Christians to boldly proclaim love, justice, and resurrection hope…
We’ve entered Holy Week, and Bishop Eaton hopes and prays that we will not skip from the hosannas of Palm Sunday right to the hallelujahs of Easter Sunday. It’s important, as we travel through this week, to see not only incredible sacrifice and love that God has shown us in Jesus Christ, but all of the human condition that comes out during this week.
Read MoreIn the summer of 2024, young people and their adult leaders will gather in New Orleans for a week of faith formation, learning, worship and fellowship under the theme “Created to Be.” Our theme deep dive video gives you a glimpse of how the theme was created and why we feel like it so perfectly connects to our host city, New Orleans. To learn more about the 2024 Gathering, visit elca.org/Gathering and watch the video in this post.
Read MoreThank 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe last few weeks have brought worry and panic to the banking world. The panic began with the sudden collapses of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank over a three-day span. These bank closures led anxious customers to withdraw their money from other smaller regional banks and place it with bigger institutions that are better capitalized.
Read MoreFor 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…
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.
Read MoreThe 40 days of Lent are drawing to a close, and so, too, is our journey through the psalms. From the plaintive cries of Psalm 32 to the quiet comfort of Psalm 23, we have glimpsed the spiritual depth of these hymns and reflected on what they might mean for us today, centuries after they were first recorded.
Read MoreI’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.”
Read MoreMark your calendar for Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, when congregations of the ELCA will join together for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday, our annual day of service.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of "God's work. Our hands." Sunday! Visit ELCA.org/DayofService for updates to resources.
Read MoreIn observance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Bishop Eaton reminds us to tell the stories of our historical truth: stories of suffering and pain, but also stories of awe-inspiring resistance and hope.
Read MoreCredit 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.
Read MoreHunger 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.
Read More“Where Your Heart Is,” the new stewardship newsletter of the ELCA, continues with their March, 2023 newsletter featuring: words from Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship; upcoming events, stewardship in the text, and stewardship resources.
Read MoreMarch 22 marks the 31st annual World Water Day, a United Nations observance to celebrate the progress the world has made in providing access to clean, safe water for all and to remember how far we have to go as a global community toward that goal.
Read MoreFor 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…
In the city of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental Island, in the Philippines, groups of people have come together to fight against a proposal that they believe will severely impact their community. This proposal, P23-B, is a land reclamation project that seeks to develop the coastlines of the city.
Read MoreELCA 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.
Read MoreThe March, 2023 edition of Seeds Monthly is available here, featuring articles, events, and resources.
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