For What Shall We Pray?

For an end to war, conflict, and uncertainty especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela…
For victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, MN; Greensboro, NC; Chicago, IL; Boynton Beach, FL; Salt Lake City, UT; and Philadelphia, PA…
For migrants, travelers, and all who live away from their nations of origin…
For law enforcement officers, government officials, and all civic workers who bear the privilege and sworn responsibility of seeking the common good and maintaining the welfare of all people…
For travel disruptions due to ice and freezing rain in eastern and central Europe…
For areas of the nation and world experiencing severe weather…
For the newly baptized, for families of all shapes and sizes, and for care and safety for all children and young people…
For the safety of advocates, peacemakers, and protestors who are Spirit-led to speak out for justice…
For honesty, humility, confession, and collaboration in the work of racial healing…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardJanuary 14, 2026ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Stay Informed: ELCA Advocacy Updates for January

The January 2026 issue of Advocacy Connections from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C., includes action alerts, resources, and updates on federal policy engagement. Expanded Policy Notes will return in an upcoming issue.

Readers are invited to read the current issue and subscribe to receive Advocacy Connections directly in their inbox. Read the January update →

ELCABrian FlatgardJanuary 14, 2026Advocacy, ELCA AdvocacyComment

Conferences, Festivals, and Formation Opportunities in 2026

ELCA Worship shares upcoming opportunities from partner organizations, including the Institute of Liturgical Studies’ 2026 conference at Valparaiso University, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians conference at St. Olaf College, Lutheran Summer Music 2026, and student awards from the Center for Church Music.

Registration deadlines, nomination opportunities, and awards for young musicians and artists are approaching. Learn more and explore upcoming events →

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardJanuary 13, 2026ELCA worshipComment

New Lent, Music, and Worship Resources from Augsburg Fortress

ELCA Worship highlights new offerings from Augsburg Fortress, including Love Outpoured: Devotions for Lent 2026, a free webinar series on hymn improvisation with David Cherwien, Martin Luther’s Easter Book, and Bible People: Monologues for Lent.

These resources support worship planners, musicians, and congregations seeking fresh, faithful approaches to the church year. See what’s new for 2026.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardJanuary 13, 20262026 Lent and Easter, ELCA WorshipComment

Proposed RCL Update Addresses Anti-Jewish Interpretation

The Consultation on Common Texts has approved a provisional update to the Revised Common Lectionary addressing passages historically misused to justify anti-Judaism. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America encourages congregations to test these texts during a three-year trial beginning Advent 2025.

New preaching guidance, hymn suggestions, and worship resources are available, and congregations are invited to offer feedback during the trial period. Explore the resources and learn how to respond.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardJanuary 13, 2026Worship Resources, ELCA worshipComment

Deacons Now Included in ELCA–Episcopal Clergy Exchange

Marking 25 years of full communion, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Episcopal Church have updated clergy exchange guidelines to include deacons. The revised document affirms mutual recognition of the diaconate and opens new possibilities for shared ministry and mission.

The guidelines clarify that exchange applies to nontransitional Episcopal deacons and celebrates growing collaboration for evangelism, service, and witness. Read more about the updated guidelines.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardJanuary 13, 2026Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, The Episcopal ChurchComment

“God’s Beloved”: A Lutheran Call for Peace and Accountability in Venezuela

In response to U.S. military action in Venezuela, Bishop Yehiel Curry calls the church to prayer, solidarity, and faithful civic engagement rooted in baptismal identity. The statement lifts up concern for the Venezuelan people, the Venezuelan Lutheran church, and the more than 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. facing uncertainty over Temporary Protected Status.

Affirming Lutheran social teaching, the ELCA urges humanitarian pathways, congressional accountability over war powers, and resistance to economic or political exploitation. Read the full statement and prayer.

ELCABrian FlatgardJanuary 13, 2026Bishop Curry Letters, Church and SocietyComment

Bishop Curry Calls for Justice After ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry issued a statement mourning the Jan. 7, 2026, shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, calling for a full investigation, accountability, and de-escalation of immigration enforcement. Rooted in Isaiah 1:17, the statement affirms the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s commitment to human dignity, just immigration policy, and prayerful solidarity with impacted communities.

The ELCA invites ongoing prayer, vigils, and advocacy, and lifts up resources from AMMPARO as the church continues its historic commitment to accompany migrants and refugees. Read the full statement.

ELCABrian FlatgardJanuary 13, 2026Bishop Curry Letters, Church and Society, Immigration and RefugeesComment

A Prayer for Venezuela: Holding a Nation in Hope and God’s Steadfast Love

In response to the ongoing and complex challenges facing Venezuela, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has shared a prayer calling on God’s mercy, justice, and peace. The prayer lifts up the people of Venezuela, especially the most vulnerable, and asks for wisdom and restraint among leaders, courage and perseverance for the Lutheran church in Venezuela, and hope rooted in God’s steadfast love revealed in Jesus Christ.

We invite you to pause, pray, and reflect with the wider church. Read the full prayer and join in this moment of global accompaniment.

ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardJanuary 5, 2026Comment

Free ELCA Coaching Opportunities in January: Support, Training, and Growth for Leaders

ELCA Coaching is offering a full month of free January opportunities for ministry leaders, including gatherings, workshops, formation offerings, and racial justice and wellness training opportunities—most requiring advance registration. Additional subsidized leadership trainings begin in April. These resources support leaders across the ELCA, helping strengthen ministry, deepen resilience, and remind us that nobody journeys alone. Learn more at elcacoaching.org/events.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardDecember 30, 2025Coaching, ELCA CoachingComment

Shrewd Grace: When God’s Love Gets Practical

What happens when grace refuses to stay passive? In this thoughtful reflection from Living Lutheran, Pastor Ralen M. Robinson explores shrewd grace—a grace that is both tender and wise, compassionate and discerning. Drawing on Scripture and real-world complexity, Robinson invites readers to hold mercy and boundaries together, seeing grace not as weakness, but as God’s love actively at work in a broken world.

As we enter a new year amid ongoing injustice and division, this reflection challenges us to forgive without forgetting, to love boldly without enabling harm, and to embody Christ’s courageous, resourceful grace. Read the full article, “Shrewd Grace,” on Living Lutheran.

ELCABrian FlatgardDecember 30, 2025Living LutheranComment

Faithful Witness Isn’t Optional: A Call for Lutherans Today

In a new Living Lutheran “Deeper Understandings” column, theologian Troy Troftgruben launches the ELCA’s 2026 theme by reexamining what faithful Christian witness looks like in an era of division, mistrust, and religious harm. Drawing on Scripture, the book of Acts, and Martin Luther’s image of the church as a “mouth house,” the article reminds Lutherans that witness belongs to all believers—not as coercion or salesmanship, but as humble testimony in word and deed.

Faithful witness, Troftgruben argues, begins with listening, honors people’s lived experiences, and trusts the Holy Spirit to work through authentic relationships that seek peace and justice. Read the full article in Living Lutheran to explore how Lutherans are called to bear hopeful, bridge-building witness in today’s challenging times.

ELCABrian FlatgardDecember 26, 2025Living LutheranComment

Praying Together in 2026: How Prayer Ventures Connects Church and World

As the new year approaches, Prayer Ventures offers a simple way to ground your daily life and ministry in prayer. These short, daily petitions—shared each day on Living Lutheran and available as monthly PDFs on the ELCA resource site—connect us to the global mission of the church and the needs of our neighbors.

Whether used personally or in congregational settings, Prayer Ventures is a timely and accessible resource for anyone looking to incorporate intentional prayer into 2026.

ELCA, Leader Resources, PrayersBrian FlatgardDecember 26, 2025Living LutheranComment

December ELCA Coaching Opportunities: Free Support, Learning, and Community

Explore a full month of free December ELCA Coaching events, including the Creating Beloved Community series, writing workshops, and decolonizing worship sessions—all fully subsidized by the ELCA. Registration links, dates, and upcoming 2026 training opportunities are available, with reduced-cost training options for leaders beginning in January and April. Visit elcacoaching.org/events for details.

ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardDecember 22, 2025Coaching, ELCA CoachingComment

We Are Called as Lutherans: Responding Faithfully to Federal Budget Cuts

Recent federal spending cuts to Medicaid, refugee resettlement, and disaster response are already impacting Lutheran ministries across the country. In this Living Lutheran Voices of Faith column, Debra Madaris Efird reflects on how these changes affect agencies like Lutheran Services Carolinas—and asks what it means for us, as Lutherans, to respond with compassion, advocacy, generosity, and prayer. This timely reflection invites congregations and individuals alike to discern faithful action rooted in our shared call to love our neighbors. Read the full article at Living Lutheran.

ELCABrian FlatgardDecember 19, 2025Living Lutheran, Church and SocietyComment

God’s Love Knows No Bounds: Finding Home, Faith, and Belonging

What does God’s boundless love look like in everyday life? In this moving reflection from Living Lutheran, Augustana University campus pastor Shawna Day shares the story of Benedict Owusu, an international student from Ghana navigating culture shock, loneliness, and racism—and discovering God’s presence through community, care, and faith. Rooted in the conviction that God’s love knows no bounds, this story reminds us how the Holy Spirit works through human connection to create belonging and hope. Read the full reflection at Living Lutheran.

ELCABrian FlatgardDecember 19, 2025Lutheran Campus Ministries, Living LutheranComment

Mission Support at Work: From Christ Lutheran to Nineveh’s New Beginning

In the December 2025 Mission Support Memo, we are invited into the story of Radford, Virginia, where the closing of Christ Lutheran Church became the seedbed for something new. On Easter 2023, the congregation transformed into Nineveh Lutheran Justice Ministry—a synod-authorized worshiping community grounded in healing, justice, and radical welcome for people on the margins, including those impacted by addiction, mental health challenges, and exclusion.

This story from the Virginia Synod highlights how ELCA Mission Support and innovation grants make space for courageous new ministry, partnerships, and hope-filled imagination. As we wait for Christ’s light this Advent, Nineveh’s journey invites us to reflect on what inspires us—and how God may be calling our own congregations to try something new. Read the full Mission Support Memo and explore ways to partner with ELCA Innovation in this powerful story of healing, community, and hope.

ELCABrian FlatgardDecember 19, 2025Stewardship, Mission Support, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment

Gathered to Share Christ’s Light: ELCA Evangelism & Vitality Workshop at PLTS

The ELCA invites lay leaders and rostered ministers to a 3-day Evangelism and Congregational Vitality Workshop, January 22–24, 2026, at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA. Sponsored by PLTS and the ELCA New Ministry Development and Evangelism Team, this gathering equips leaders for evangelizing and congregational renewal. Registration is required by January 6. A related Saturday hybrid workshop is also available locally through participating synods.

Leader Resources, Grand Canyon Synod, ELCABrian FlatgardDecember 18, 2025Pacific Lutheran Theological SeminaryComment

For What Shall We Pray?

For an end to war, conflict, and violence especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Eastern Congo, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For all victims of violence, threats of violence, and communities grieving gun violence, including the Brown University and MIT campuses, Stewartville High School, and victims of the Bondi Beach violence in Sydney, Australia…
For immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and all who travel…
For those facing extreme weather, especially blizzard and high wind threats in the Northwestern United States…
For the community of Holden Village in this season of evacuation and evaluation…
For children and families who face increased food insecurity during school breaks…
For accessible and affordable health care…
For those living with seasonal affective disorder…
For all who seek shelter…

ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardDecember 17, 2025ELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment

Created in God’s Image: A Faithful Guide for Responding to Dehumanizing Language

The ELCA’s Advocacy and Migration Policy team has released a new conversation guide, Created in the Image of God, equipping faith communities to recognize and respond to dehumanizing language—particularly language directed at immigrants and forcibly displaced people. Grounded in Scripture and ELCA social teaching, the guide calls Christians to affirm the imago Dei in every person and to resist rhetoric that erodes empathy, dignity, and justice.

This timely resource invites congregations and individuals to engage difficult conversations with curiosity, compassion, and faith, using personal stories and theological grounding to challenge harmful narratives. Read the full reflection and download the conversation guide.

ELCABrian FlatgardDecember 17, 2025AMMPARO, Immigration and Refugees, Church and SocietyComment

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